08/08/2022
Social worker Kain debuts with a thrilling coming-of-age story that follows mirror twins Gavin and Devon DiMasi as their relationship builds from an innocent, maturing rivalry into a psychological page-turner. Although close when young, as the twins age through college and early careers, Gavin begins to realize he desperately needs distance from Devon, who is unofficially diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) after their 16th birthday – despite Devon’s status as the golden child and the family’s refusal to accept his diagnosis. That doesn’t stop their concern when his behaviors escalate, and they eventually come to the consensus that he is “mentally ill. Sociopathic. There are times he’s even psychopathic.”
Kain carries readers along this intense ride with a piercing narrative that highlights the multi-layered effects of physical and emotional trauma, and the boys’ relationship ultimately morphs into a dangerous and crime-filled reality by the time Gavin leaves his home on the East Coast and heads to Hawaii to start a new marriage and rebuild his life. Gavin’s nightmare gets exponentially worse with time, aided by the twins’ abusive father, and Devon’s life goal appears “like he’s headed over a cliff and trying to take with him.” This is a story that grows darker on every page, as the DiMasis become embroiled in mob turf wars and work to evade the ghosts of their past, and readers will find themselves asking not if, but when, that past will catch up to them – and what part of Gavin’s life Devon will ruin next.
Kain’s passion for mental health advocacy is evident throughout and comes alive with her development of Devon’s personality and the devastating effects it has on loved ones, and at the book’s heart is her aim to give readers a glimpse into the mind of severe mental illness. The material may seem extreme, but audiences will relish the tension in this psychological twister.
Takeaway: A psychological thriller illuminating the effects of severe mental illness.
Great for fans of: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins and The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn
Production grades Cover: B+ Design and typography: B Illustrations: NA Editing: C Marketing copy: A
2022-07-22
A young man suffers years of torment by his narcissistic twin brother in this debut novel.
Gavin DiMasi, a teenager in 1990s Massachusetts, dreams of being a chef. His father, Tony, dismisses culinary school, insisting that Gavin go to Harvard with his twin, Devon. They’re mirror twins—Devon’s internal organs are “reversed” from typical anatomy. But the brothers are opposites in many other respects. Devon incessantly demeans quieter, kindhearted Gavin, whom he dubs “Twinkie.” A psychiatrist diagnoses Devon with narcissistic personality disorder and explains that he inflicts “Narcissistic Abuse” on others, though Gavin is his preferred target. It’s not easy for Gavin to pull away from his twin, but the culinary arts and a young woman’s love and encouragement give him strength. Devon, meanwhile, sinks into drug abuse and crime. It’s not long before Devon, who may believe Gavin abandoned him, targets his brother in frightening ways. Kain’s grim, character-driven story, which spans a decade, thoughtfully develops its cast. The parents’ relationship, for one, echoes the twins’ dynamic of good versus evil. Devon is an irredeemable villain; along with his maltreatment of Gavin, he is a blatant racist and gets worse as the years pass. Devon’s frequent displays of narcissism, along with lengthy psychological digressions about NPD, result in a slow pace. Still, the novel provides a thoughtful consideration of a disorder that has the capacity to devastate relationships. A few effective shocks roll out in the novel’s latter half and bleak final act.
A somber, absorbing coming-of-age tale.
