Blood Ties

This novel starts with a fine swing as teenage Theo escapes from his bodyguard in order to enjoy a few moments of freedom. Why he is so closely guarded remains for the time a mystery until he meets shy, self-hating Rachel. Together they finally deduce that they are both clones, the work of evil genius Elijah Lazio, a scientist dangerously out of control. Questions of free will versus genetic determination are given a human face as each adolescent tries to work out who they really are in relation to the person from whom they were cloned. So far so good; the writing is punchy and there are some good minor characters. But half way through this intelligent, quizzical story lurches into melodrama. Kidnappings, conveniently over-heard conversations, regular ambushes and last minute escapes take over, with phrases like ‘A shiver ran down my spine’ replacing the more careful writing of before. Evil Elijah escapes justice in the last few pages. Let’s hope this stage villain makes no more appearances in this otherwise interesting new writer’s growing stock of original fiction.