Monozygotic twins are never truly identical. Minor variations in the womb, chemical imbalances, introduce subtle, epigenetic, differences, even where the DNA is 100% identical. Externally Katie (KT) and Molly Raven are identical but internally KT is a flamboyant, risk taking extrovert, leaping before looking, trying everything at least once, while Molly is an ultra-cautious introvert, dressing to avoid being noticed, investigating the potential risk of everything, never travelling far, existing on a narrow, preselected, range of ‘safe’ foods. Nevertheless they live close to each other in London, talk every day and meet frequently; until KT takes up the offer of a scholarship at Columbia University, New York. That was a year ago. Their parents have just flown over to visit her, a trip Molly would never take because, as a dedicated web researcher, she knows the nature and probability (from food-poisoning to a wing falling off) of all the risks. But when her parents phone to say that KT has been found dead, murdered, Molly has no choice but to join them in NY and to use her research skills to identify possible killers and analyse and identify motives. The story is a psychological murder mystery, told as a first person narrative, and is assiduous in describing the events from the point of an ultra-cautious introvert: every step considered in advance; every risk calculated; back-up plans in place; meetings with other people, police, private investigator, potential suspects, anticipated. No one can be trusted. It contains twists, of course, including one major event which I did not see coming, and a later related one which was also a surprise. I initially felt things were going a bit slowly, and I couldn’t see how they were going to pick-up with this narrator. But it turned out I was wrong; her methodical approach and the execution of her plans are meticulous and fitted to the pace of the story (or vice versa, of course). Incidentally, as she moves around New York the reader also gets a free tour guide of the highlights. I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

I loved Will Dean’s The Last Thing To Burn, so when I first heard about First Born, I was very excited. As well as my Netgalley copy, I also had this on preorder, and was happy to go back and forth between the physical and ebook version. I loved this story. I want to thank Will Dean for putting my anxiety into overdrive with Molly’s huge anxieties lol! The more I read of her feeling certain ways about things, the more she made sense to me. I loved following her around this big new city, even though she was filled with so much grief. I was dying to find out who the killer was, and had a few ideas throughout of who it could have been. I will say no more! First Born is a brilliant book, with so many twists you may end up with whiplash. Read it.

What a brilliant book. The more I read from Will Dean, the better he gets. My only worry is how he lives with such a twisted mind! The basics are that one of a set of twins, Molly, who is Uber cautious and constantly waiting, albeit prepared, for when disaster befalls gets a phone call to say her twin, KT, has died in New York. Her parents are in New York visiting and say they need Molly to go and be there with them. Molly arrives and soon launches her own investigation into KT’s murder. She researches the whole of KT’s life, her friends, boyfriends, everything you can think of. Just when you think you’ve got it sussed and know who the killer is, Mr Dean hits you with an unfathomable twist! This is one of the best books I’ve read all year, I couldn’t put it down and read it within 24 hours! Brilliant

Don’t waste time cooking. Just get yourself comfy, settle down & prepare to be baffled. Will Dean always produces the goods, but this is even better. Puzzling & much fun.

Oh my god. What a mind-f-ck this was. This was SO well written, I did not see those plot twists coming. This is devious, cunning and so thrilling. The pace was great, and none of the ‘red herrings’ bothered me, they just enhanced the story. This is SO worth adding to your TBR!