Review of Duplicity

[Mimmi Rossander]

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

---

4 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Duplicity by Fin C. Gray is a fast-paced, psychological thriller set in the United Kingdom. We follow Tom, a businessman, father, and husband who struggles as he slowly loses control of his life. He’s in denial about his supportive wife being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and his teenage son doing drugs. He tries his best to hold the family, his career, and life together just to find his only comfort in bottles of wine.

His son Daniel, trying to cope with severe childhood trauma, finds himself going down the wrong path in life. He struggles to accept himself and longs for a purpose, a cause. The narrative alternates between these two and the past and the present, painting an in-depth picture of how things came to be as bad as they are, the relationships built and broken, and the tragic events that followed.

Duplicity is a well-written novel that explores love, loss, weaponized religion, and how that can tear a family apart. Despite the two main characters being incredibly flawed and, at times, unlikeable, you sympathize with them. You understand where they’re coming from and why they act the way they do; they’re interesting. Their characteristics develop over time, and I found myself wondering, if I was in their situation, would I not do the same?

We all like to think and hope that certain things are beyond us and that nothing could bring us to such extremes, but if you’ve lost all hope and are looking for a reason to go on and one is presented to you, would you not be tempted? Despite the heavy topics at hand, it plays out as an intriguing crime thriller, and the tension is high throughout. I couldn’t put it down. Fin C. Gray explores these difficult subjects with empathy without justifying the actions taken. I struggle to find anything negative to say about it.

I loved this book, and I would highly recommend it if you can stomach the matters at hand. It’s not for the weak of heart, and I can see it aimed at a more mature audience. If you are sensitive to murder and an extremist version of Islam, this one might not be for you. It is exceptionally well-edited and thrilling. The last few chapters were gutwrenching in all the right ways. It grips you from the very first chapter and stays with you long after you finish it. It gets an easy 4 out of 4 stars from me. I can’t wait to read whatever comes next from this author.

******
Duplicity
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon