Thursday, September 15, 2022

Review: First Born by Will Dean

 

First Born by Will Dean
Publication Date: July 7th 2022 by Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Pages: 368
Source: Publisher 
Rating: 

My Thoughts:
Molly Raven’s twin Katie has been found dead in her apartment a continent away. So, for the first time in her life she’s leaving England bound for New York in search of answers.

I was immediately sucked into Molly’s tale. She’s hyper-focused on preparing for any disaster or accident. Arranging and embarking on her trip takes a lot of effort and thought. It seems like she has all the angles covered and before you know it, she’s in New York trying to piece together the clues, find out who is responsible. Right away there’s several suspects, and Molly sets out on some amateur sleuthing, first by methodically tracking each person down.

While Katie and Molly were identically physically, they couldn’t be more different mentally. It was clear Molly had anxiety and social issues.  An extrovert, cautious about everything.  Katie was the exact opposite, a complete extrovert, taking life by the horns most times as with the case of leaving everything behind to go to school in New York. A decision that didn’t go over well with Molly.

Molly stretches out of her comfort zone to re-trace Katie’s steps, and it’s a bit of a zing to in a way live Katie’s exciting life.

First Born was addictive from the first page. It was a trip being in Molly’s obsessive mind, but I kind of liked her hypervigilance. You do never know when you might be faced with a threat, either by human or environment so I like being prepared if possible. As Molly talks to the people in Katie’s life, I wondered right along with Molly who could’ve had motive enough to kill her. Not all is as it seems, and I was surprised by the twists written! I had to wrap my brain around one for sure! A suspenseful read that kept me on the edge guessing! A definite recommend!  

4 Stars


Book Description:

From the acclaimed author of The Last Thing to Burn, a psychological thriller about the dark secrets that emerge when a woman’s twin sister is murdered, with his signature “intense, gripping, taut, terrifying, moving, and brilliant” (Lisa Jewell, #1 New York Times bestselling author) prose.

Sisters. Soulmates. Strangers.

Molly Raven lives a quiet, structured life in London, finding comfort in security and routine. Her identical twin Katie, living in New York, is the exact opposite: outgoing, spontaneous, and adventurous.

But when Molly hears that Katie has died, possibly murdered, she is thrown into unfamiliar territory. As terrifying as it is, she knows she must travel across the ocean and find out what happened. But as she tracks her twin’s final movements, cracks begin to emerge, and she slowly realizes her sister was not who she thought she was and there’s a dangerous web of deceit surrounding the two of them.


26 comments:

  1. It sounds unique and suspenseful. Fantastic review Rachel.

    Anne - Books of My Heart

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  2. I think it is interesting about her being identical in appearance and so different in personality and temperament also that she can relive a bit of her sister's life by going there and meeting people who knew Katie.

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  3. I'm now very curious to read about Molly and her hypervigilance! ;D

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  4. Oh that sounds like a really good book.

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  5. You read a lot of mystery/thrillers, so it's impressive if the author can keep you guessing and surprise you.

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  6. I think I want to read this book. It sounds real good.

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  7. I want to know what happened to her twin. What a great review.

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  8. Ooh this sounds good, and I like how they're oppsites, and how she has to go out of her comfort zone to investigate. Sounds great!!

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  9. What a premise. I can see how Molly's anxiety would lend an extra edge to everything she was having to deal with.

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  10. This sounds intriguing. I would like to add it to my list. I am hoping its on audio :)

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  11. It sounds like it would be tiring to be Molly, always hyperaware of everything. I couldn't do what she does! Great review!

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    1. Yes! It would be tiring to be so worried about anything that could possibly go wrong.

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  12. I think I'd be able to really relate to Molly. Sounds like a good read.

    Lauren @ www.shootingstarsmag.net

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  13. Now that's a review that makes me want to read this book.
    Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys

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