Review + Interview: The Twin's Daughter By: Lauren Baratz-Logsted (Blog Tour)

Title: The Twin's Daughter
Author: Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Publisher: Bloomsbury, 304 Pages (September 1st 2010)
From: the Publisher. Thank You!

Synopsis: Lucy Sexton is stunned when a disheveled woman appears at the door one day... a woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to Lucy's own beautiful mother. It turns out the two women are identical twins, separated at birth, and raised in dramatically different circumstances. Lucy's mother quickly resolves to give her less fortunate sister the kind of life she has never known. And the transformation in Aunt Helen is indeed remarkable. But when Helen begins to imitate her sister in every way, even Lucy isn't sure at times which twin is which. Can Helen really be trusted, or does her sweet face mask a chilling agenda?

Filled with shocking twists and turns, The Twin's Daughter is an engrossing gothic novel of betrayal, jealousy, and treacherous secrets that will keep you guessing to the very end.

Review: 4 Stars - The Twin’s Daughter by author Lauren Baratz-Logsted is a dark tale with twists and turns that’ll leave you stunned and in awe of the writing, plot and characters. Set in Victorian London, with shocking events in an upper-class household - Baratz-Logsted has created a story that in the end I couldn’t put down. Thankfully the love that shone through the pages between characters was bright, giving some much needed light during such shocking darkness.

When we first meet Lucy, she’s a young girl, happy with everything in her life. One day that all changes when she answers the door to be met by a woman who is a bit ragged however looking just like her mother. Confused in who this person is, it comes out that this is her mother’s long lost twin sister Helen. Separated at birth and raised without the wealth and riches that Lucy’s mother was, Helen has come for nothing more then to meet her family.

Aunt Helen in turn moves in and they begin the transformation on helping her to become a lady that society would welcome with open arms. When a tragic turn of events occurs – Lucy finds a nightmare in the parlor of her house. Her mother and Aunt Helen, each tied to a chair, one murdered, the other still alive, leaving Lucy wondering who’s who.

Lucy is a character I enjoyed reading. She was smart and saw things for what they were. She had great observation skills and was quick witted with her verbal sparing with friend and neighbor – Kit. The two formed a bond that spanned over years and it was very interesting and more then entertaining to see both of their changes as they grew and became adults.

After the shocking death Lucy is pretty much on her own as the family she once knew goes through many changes because of… well, this is where so many twist and turns come in that I can’t say much because I don’t want to give anything away. It’s one of those mysteries that just when you think you know what’s going on; something else happens that proves you really know nothing.

I can say that Kit was an amazing character. I loved everything about him and his interaction with Lucy was more then amusing. It was the love that these two grew into that was a perfect addition to the plot, giving a much needed lightness to the story, even making Lucy so much more of a stronger character because she had someone on her side, someone who stuck by her.

All in all - Baratz-Logsted has again written a novel that further proves to me as a reader she knows her way around words and just how to use them. With characters that I love and a plot that left me more then guessing time and time again, Baratz-Logsted has confirmed to this fan that anything she writes is a must read. Fans of mystery will more then enjoy this book. Happy reading.


Interview with Lauren Baratz-Logsted


What did you struggle with most in writing The Twin’s Daughter and was it hard writing a book with darker themes?

The greatest struggle was making myself write at a slower pace than usual because I wanted the pace of the book to be exactly balanced. I actually enjoyed writing a book with darker themes and did it once before with the adult novel Vertigo. I find it incredibly fun to take on new writing challenges.

What message would you like readers to get after reading The Twin’s Daughter?

To believe in your own emotional strength as a human being, and to love wisely and well.

You’ve written in many different genres - from Young Adult to Adult to Children’s. It is ever hard switching gears from one to another when you sit down to start a new project?

Surprisingly, it’s really not. I love stretching different writing muscles. I think that writing in so many different areas keeps it all fresh for me. Here’s hoping it keeps things fresh for the reader too!

Could you share with us your favorite line or passage from the book?

“Fly at me, Lucy.”/”I flew.” Not to be cryptic, but you’ll have to read the book to understand why I love that so much. I’m also seriously partial to the very last line but please don’t read that first just to satisfy your curiosity.

Could you tell us 5 random things about yourself?

Right now, while talking to you, I’m flipping back and forth between the Mets and Jets games. My toenail polish could use some serious re-doing. I’m currently reading Red Hook Road by Ayelet Waldman. I want the ring Carly wears on “General Hospital” even though it would probably break my finger. My VW Beetle is almost seven years old but has only 31,000 miles on it.

And lastly, could you tell us what you find most rewarding about writing within the Young Adult genre?

The audience – their imaginations are still wide open! – and great bloggers like you. I realize I cheated and said two things, not the one you asked for, but I’m thinking you’ll forgive me. You will, won’t you?

Thanks so much for stopping by Lauren! It’s been great!

Thank you!

Where to find Lauren Online -

Website | Twitter | Blog | Facebook


FTC Disclaimer: I did NOT pay for this book, nor have I been compensated at all in any way or means for reading and writing this HONEST review.