Product Description

Paul Artisan, P.I. is a new version of an old breed - a righter of wrongs, someone driven to get to the bottom of things. Too bad his usual cases are of the boring malpractice and fraud variety. Until now. His new gig turns on the disappearance of one of a pair of twins, adult scions of a rich but tragedy-prone family. The missing twin - a charismatic poster-boy for irresponsibility - has spent his life daring people to hate him, punishing himself endlessly for his screw-ups and misdeeds. The other twin - Artisan's client - is dutiful and resentful in equal measure, bewildered that his "other half" could have turned out so badly, and wracked by guilt at his inability to reform him. He has a more practical reason, as well, for wanting his brother found: their crazy father, in failing health and with guilty secrets of his own, will not divide the family fortune until both siblings are accounted for. But it isn't just a fortune that's at stake here. Truth itself is up for grabs, as the detective's discoveries seem to challenge everything we think we know about identity, and human nature, and family. As Artisan journeys across the globe to track down the bad twin, he seems to have moved into a mirror-world where friends and enemies have a way of looking very much alike. The P.I. may have his long-awaited chance to put his courage and ideals to the test, but if he doesn't get to the bottom of this case soon, it could very well cost him his life. Troup's long-awaited "Bad Twin" is a suspenseful novel that touches on many powerful themes, including the consequence of vengeance, the power of redemption, and where to turn when all seems lost.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #56846 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 272 pages

Customer Reviews

Enjoyable Mystery. Not Quite Lost
Paul Artisan, Private Eye, has a normal case load that includes insurance fraud and divorce cases. He's a little hesitant when Cliff Widmore walks into Paul's office and asks Paul to find his missing twin.

Zander has a habit of disappearing for years at a time, only surfacing when he wants some of his coming trust fund. But this time, Cliff thinks Zander is in danger, and Cliff wants Paul to find him and bring him home safely. Hopefully before their father dies.

What Paul thinks would be a straightforward case turns out to be anything but. Those who do know where Zander is aren't willing to talk. And Paul begins to doubt Cliff's sincerity in asking Paul to find his brother. When a man dies while talking to Paul, he begins to think he might be in over his head. Can he find the missing twin?

This book really should be read on two different levels. The first is as a straightforward mystery. As such, it succeeds. The plot is good with lots of confusion thrown at Paul and the reader to keep us guessing. The ending felt a bit pat, but that's minor. The characters are interesting and complex enough to carry the story.

Then there's the LOST factor. This book is a tie in to the TV show LOST. The author was on the flight at the center of the show. There are lots of references to people or things mentioned on the show that were fun to spot. The themes of good vs. evil and redemption are also key to the series. But if you read this book looking for a back-story to the show or clues to what happens next, you will be disappointed. This only makes sense since the book was supposedly written before the events we watch every week even began.

This book is a good mystery that will entertain anyone whether they are a fan of the show or not. Those hoping for clues about the TV show LOST will be disappointed by the lack of direct references to the events on the island.

hmmm not sure
I finished reading this book yesterday and am still undecided as to how good a read it was. It does mention quite a few things which will have avid Lost fans (like myself) going "oooohhh", though there aren't any clues, in my opinion, as to what happens in the t.v. programme. It's just a book in itself, really, which happens to mention a few things in common. As a book, it's not a bad read. The storyline is suitably complex with identities and purpose being called into question at every turn. I would recommend it out of curiosity, though don't expect great things.

Lost Experience
I bought this book as I am a Lost fan, but even if you haven't seen the tv programme, you can enjoy this book as a stand alone piece.

The Hanso Foundation is mentioned in the book, and Paik Industries( Sun's dad's company?) and also the numbers.

Good book.