The Other Girl

British journalist Emily Barr’s 2017 YA debut The One Memory of Flora Banks, about a girl with anterograde amnesia, was a global hit. Her adult thriller Backpack explored backpackers with murderous intent in Asia. Fuelled by a love of travel, adventure and observing strangers on trains, Emily’s eighth YA novel The Other Girl is a contemporary rags to riches identity swap set in the world of European inter railing.

Told in a first-person dual narrative by Tabbi and Ruby, it explores the idea of stealing someone else’s life to escape your own, courting danger and discovering new possibilities. Composed of three parts, it propels the reader through each girl’s story as they make a pact to meet again under the station clock in Zurich. But what if one of them doesn’t want to swap back? What if one of them wants to reinvent herself Great Gatsby style? What if someone wants revenge?

Part daring heist, part self-discovery, the novel’s themes include fragmented families, loss, betrayal, addiction, duplicity and toxic relationships.

Tabbi and Ruby are vividly drawn characters with each having their own agenda as chaotic, spoilt, lonely rich girl clashes with enigmatic scheming grifter. But who is hiding the most damaging secret? As the stakes grow higher, they live up to the maxim, ‘Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive’.

The star is the scenery as stunning locations include Switzerland, Cannes, Paris, the Scilly Isles and Kiruna. Each girl must face their demons as they deal with painful home truths, boyfriend trouble, mistakes and supporting themselves. Where it is flawed are some parts of the plot which goes from the predictable to where the reader has to suspend disbelief. The supporting cast and some unexpected developments add to the drama. The ending might surprise some as will the denouement. The plot lags in places but it will entertain those who enjoy a twisty thriller with secrets and lies. Be careful what you wish for.