From A is for Ava to Z is for Zelda

Author : Caite Dolan-Leach
Title : Dead Letters
Published : 04/05/2017
Pages : 353
Format : Kindle
Publisher : Corvus

     Ava doesn't believe it when the email arrives to say that her twin sister is dead. It's not grief or denial that causes her scepticism - it just feels too perfect to be anything other than Zelda's usual manipulative scheming. And Ava knows her twin.Two years after she left, vowing never to speak to Zelda again after the ultimate betrayal, Ava must return home to retrace her errant sister's last steps. She soon finds notes that lead her on a twisted scavenger-hunt of her twin's making.

     The description for this book kind of grabbed at me as I read it.  The thought of a dark and twisted scavenger hunt for Ava to find her sisters killer peeked my interest. Plus I'm always intrigued by new authors in the crime, thriller and mystery genres. It great to see there have been a whole plethora of young women bringing a new take to this genre.

     This books Characters are an intoxicating and toxic bunch. I doubt if you will find a likeable one between the bunch of them. Here's the thing though why should they be. I like the fact you would in all likelihood not be friends with any of them. That they are all broken and damaged it makes them interesting in their own way. You want to find out how they came to be like this. Why did one twin run away and the other end up immolated in a barn on the family vineyard.From the get go it's clear Ava and her mother do not get along, but it's the depth to which Ava and Zelda do not which real drives her forward. As a character she is enthralling her decisions driven by a need to win this dark game. She projects her self as the good and righteous twin to Zelda wild child black sheep. And so to Zelda who is the leader of this merry dance. As a character she is perfect within the confines of the story. She's not good in the traditional sense and she certainly doesn't play fair. But she know who she is and has not qualms about the part she is playing. I found it enjoyable to read a character so at ease with her self.

     Caite Dolan-Leach has done a great job in this book. The writing feels light and keeps you wanting to know where it goes next. The use of the note for the scavenger hunt helps to fill in the blanks of the story. Each time asking Ava to fill in a bit more of the story in for us. As I said before the characters are not likeable but the author hasn't asked to like them. She presents them as they are. I guess asking us to make up are minds as to how we perceive their actions. Her ability to tell us this story never seems to waver. For a first time author she comes across well and has clearly put a lot of effort into the story she is telling us. The twins relationship plays out in a believable manner considering the reasons for their falling out. And so the rest of the friends and family members slot in around the adding petrol to the fire.

     As you may have guessed by now I enjoyed reading this book. The people we are introduced kept me wanting to know more. I know there have been complaints about how the story ends. And while it wasn't how I was expecting in to conclude I did think it fitted within to story and Characters.over all it didn't take me long to get through this book and i had and interesting time with Ava and Zelda. If someone asked I would defiantly be happy to recommend this to others.