Book Review: Twice

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Twice     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Lisa Miscione
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character
Series: Lydia Strong # 3
St. Martin’s, Apr 2004, $23.95, 304 pp.

New York City Detective Halford “Ford” McKirdy feels déjà vu as he investigates the murder of Richard Stratton III. The obvious suspect is Julian Ross who slept through the decapitation and dismembering of her spouse though sharing the bed just like a decade ago when her first husband Tad Jansen was killed. Julian’s mother Eleanor hires private eyes Jeffrey Marks and pregnant Lydia Strong to find out who killed her son-in-law, but hides some eerie similarities between mother and daughter from her sleuths.

While the twosome and peer Dax Chicago investigate, Jed McIntyre escapes from the asylum he went to for killing Lydia’s mother to stalk his victim’s daughter. Meanwhile the three detectives learn about the Ross family tree filled with generations of twins and similar deaths to that of Richard and Tad. Following the clues the threesome leaves the Manhattan subways for Haunted, New York where confrontations with the past and present will haunt everyone for the rest of their lives.

Though the tension starts at a high pace, unfortunately the suspense never fully retains that early feel of weird intrigue of THE DARKNESS GATHERS when Ford struggles with the impossibility of the physical evidence. The story line contains twin subplots that ultimately merge, but is strongest when the private sleuths investigate the murders. The tale is weakened by the cleverly written, unnecessary personalized stalker killer subplot that provides some light on what makes the fire inside the intrepid no angel Lydia burn. Lisa Miscione provides a terse tale starring strong heroes who make their mark in this tale and previous series books (see ANGEL FIRE).

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner