Review of Duplicity

Post by **Ilze Herholdt** » 30 Sep 2021, 16:31

[Following is a volunteer review of "Duplicity" by Fin C Gray.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Duplicity by Fin C Gray is a thrilling, dark mystery about a family who weren't necessarily perfect, but who loved each other, slowly falling apart with no chance of repair. The story starts with Daniel and Jenny as kids still oblivious to the dark twists life throws at you. After their father, Tom hid that their mother, Alison, has cancer Daniel never forgave his father for his dishonesty. Even years later after their mother's death, Daniel grew an intense hatred towards his father despite Tom renting him a flat when he asked to move out. Jenny, however, dealt with her grieve more healthily and maturely by focusing on her future and accepting her mother would've wanted it that way. After Daniel moves out he soon gets a flatmate to share his rent with him, Waqar, who is Muslim and very dedicated to his religion. Waqar even changes Daniel's beliefs in religion only because Daniel is in love with him and that is the only way they can be together. The story takes a disturbing turn where suicide and terrorism are the fundamental key points.

Fin wrote an entire timeline for this novel not missing one part of Daniel and Jenny's life. There's a chapter in the "today" and a chapter in "then." It gives the readers a clear insight as to why they changed as they did years later. There was also a lot of foreshadowing on Daniel's side that he was gonna change for the worse since he didn't take his mother's death that well. This book takes the harsh reality of life and turns it into believable fiction.

Gray focused more on Daniel in this story than his little sister Jenny. Since Daniel becomes disturbed there is more to tell from his side than his sisters'. The change Daniel undergoes does seem a bit surreal. Sure he was a troubled kid, but going from a troubled kid to a murderer/ terrorist seems far-fetched. Tom never found out that his son knew about him being gay just as Tom never found out that his son is gay and secretly blame him for turning out gay. I feel like that was an important piece of information that should've been revealed since it would've changed their relationship and maybe Daniel would have forgiven Tom once and for all.

Despite Duplicity being the author's very first published novel, it is extremely well-edited with no grammatical errors. The storyline is unique, I've never read anything like it. I hereby rate this book a four out of four stars.

Duplicity I would recommend to a more mature audience since there is the use of profanity and very clarified gay sex scenes. I would also recommend readers who don't take religious offense.

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Duplicity
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Post by **Ntokozo Joy Ndlovu** » 12 May 2022, 04:13

Seems like a book with a complex plot with a lot of twists and turns as it progresses. I really enjoyed reading your review.Thank you.

Ohna Martin · Post by **Ohna Martin** » 07 Oct 2022, 09:43

Terrorism is not my scene, it has too much violence. Daniel was emotionally left wide open to be manipulated by these people. And that is just how they operate, targeting vulnerable people. Maybe if he dealt with his grieve in a more mature way he would have healed before tragedy struck.

Avishi · Post by **Avishi** » 08 Nov 2022, 03:09

Daniel and Jenny prove how a tragedy can affect a person's life in a diverse range of ways. Not everyone sees everything the same way as others. The title and cover of the book also fits the plot's complexity.

Post by **Mbali Qalinge** » 11 Nov 2022, 12:29

It's interesting seeing how the death of a parent affects children differently and impacts how they grow up. It seems like a bit more communication between father and son could have helped them out.

Lionel Marley · Post by **Lionel Marley** » 28 Dec 2022, 11:45

Duplicity by Fin C Gray is a dark, disturbing, morbid, novel. I don't like that suicide and terrorism are the two fundamental aspects of this novel. Also, the whole religion situation makes me even less interested to read this book. The clarifies gay sex scenes is also something I do not want to read about. Overall, this entire book is really off setting. Thanks for your great review though.