What if you weren't who you thought you were? A mysterious case of identity switching turns deadly when struggling private investigator, John Targett, gets involved. As the plot deepens and more layers are uncovered, John must fight for his life against a well-organised crime gang who will do anything to remain undetected. As he is drawn deeper into the rabbit hole of subterfuge, he will need to risk everything in order to protect his daughter and remain alive himself.
Assessment:
Plot: Someone Else’s Life is an enjoyable, character-driven novel. The plotting takes a backseat to exploring the life of the protagonist, John Targett. John is such a winning lead, though, that readers won’t mind this focus.
Prose/Style: Simington’s prose is spot-on for this fun, witty thriller. The writing is clear and engaging, with humor woven throughout the novel. Targett’s distinct and sarcastic voice elevates the story.
Originality: Someone Else’s Life is at its core an entertaining novel. Though the cases belonging to the PI don’t feel wholly original, the novel’s characters do.
Character Development: The characters of Someone Else’s Life make the novel. John Targett is a winning lead, as an intelligent and capable PI. His hacker assistant, Quinn, steals every scene she is in. The novel is rounded out with a large cast of memorable supporting characters, making for a balanced novel.
Date Submitted: July 11, 2020
