Writing News: I thought I’d share a brief writing update. My current project is going well, I’m about a third of the way through my second draft. This story is set in the same fantasy world as my other books, but with different characters. Because it is a little darker with more mature themes, it’s for upper middle grade readers. I hope to have it finished and off to my editors by the end of March. In other news, last month I was interviewed on Bookline on Liffey Sound FM to talk about my books and the inspiration behind them. I grew up near the border with Northern Ireland prior to the peace talks, and looking back, I was surprised to realise how much of my fantasy worlds are influenced by that time. I will share the podcast later this week if anyone wants to listen.
Ireland Reads is a campaign running for the month of February to promote reading throughout the country. Saturday 24th February is Ireland Reads Day, where everyone is encouraged to (re)discover the joy of reading. I am thrilled to say I am one of the Ireland Reads ambassadors for Louth Country Libraries. No-one reading this post needs to be reminded but I will say it anyway – GET LOST…in a book!
Last week I was happily lost in The Doll Twin by Janine Beacham.
From the publisher:
Una Wexford is thrilled to be adopted after the Great War, but an eerie secret lurks in her new home; the doll twin, a life-sized, animated copy of herself. Is “Ani” as innocent as she seems, or does she want to steal Una’s life?
I didn’t need more than the title to know I wanted to read this middle grade story. Dolls always seem to belong in horror stories, and one of my favourite stories in this genre is the replicant plot. Somebody who assumes your identity, your appearance, your life. It’s terrifying and invasive, and highlights our insecurities about ourselves and the core of our being. The scariest story I ever read was in a girls comic when I was about ten, and it was a body-snatcher story. I loved it, of course! The Doll Twin touches on these fears, although I wouldn’t consider it a horror story. Ani is a brilliant mechanical creation, and while an explanation is given (of sorts), it doesn’t involve magic or anything preternatural or bad. It is however a tense and exciting story, in a great setting, with endearing characters.
Eleven-year-old lighthouse girl Una is grounded in a horrible orphanage after she loses both her parents. When Mr and Mrs Smith turn up to adopt her, she is over the moon. Mother and Father, as they ask her to call them, take her to a rambling old house by the sea. The house used to belong to a doll-maker, famous for her animated curiosities (in this case, mechanised dolls or automatons). When Una hears noises in the house at night, she discovers one of the animated curiosities still exists – and it looks just like her. Ani, as Una names her, seems confused yet friendly, but is she as innocent as she seems or is she determined to replace Una? And what if the Smiths prefer Ani to their adopted daughter?
This is an exciting and imaginative tale of fear and friendship, and finding where you truly belong. I love the friendship Una develops with Mary O’Connor, who longs to be a star of the silver screen, and her rowdy noisy large family. Ani is also a fantastic character but I don’t want to say too much about her for fear I will spoil the story. The lighthouse families and the code of the lighthouse keepers adds a charming and fun element. The characters are well drawn and (mostly) likeable. Una is a very engaging heroine, brave and resourceful. Her insecurities around the Smiths and Ani are realistic and empathetic. I also love that she is so clever with mechanics (her lighthouse upbringing being a great asset to her).
Overall a fun, exciting, and gripping story that I think anyone who likes speculative fiction, will enjoy. Thanks to Net Galley and Firefly Press for the eARC. The Doll Twin by Janine Beacham will be published on 4th April.
Valinora Troy 
19 responses to “Book Review: The Doll Twin by Janine Beacham”
Yay! Congrats on your achievements. That’s fantastic. I’m very excited about the news of your new book. Can’t wait to read it!
“The Doll Twin” sounds great! I love stories about living dolls and puppets. Great review. Thanks, Valinora.
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Thanks for your kind comments, Iseult 🙂 . I really enjoyed this book, I also love stories with dolls and puppets!
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That’s pretty cool about you being an Ireland Reads ambassador. Interesting review. The Doll Twin sounds enthralling!
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Thanks Priscilla! Yes, The Doll Twin is great fun to read!
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[…] Valinora Troy reviews The Doll Twin by Janine Beacham. […]
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Fun writing updates! And what an intriguing book! Definitely up my alley, too. Just the right kind/amount of spooky! And I’m OBSESSED with books set in lighthouses.
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I love lighthouse settings too! There is a part of the story on a lighthouse, but it’s more about a lighthouse girl living among the ‘groundlings’, it was a nice background for the heroine. Thanks for reading, Faith!
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The Doll Twin is not a book I would normally read based on the title, but your in-depth review changed my mind. Thanks for telling us about it on this week’s MMGM. Looking forward to listening to your podcast when you get it posted and congrats on the progress of your next book.
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Thanks so much, Greg, I really appreciate your comments! And having me on MMGM too!
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Wow! Congratulations on another uppcoming book. Found your comments about your fantasies influenced by your growing up on the border of Ireland. What a great way to escape what is happening around you. Good luck!
Like Greg, I probably wouldn’t have picked up the Doll Twin because I don’t like to be scared. But, your review certainly is glowing and you changed my mind. I just might check it out.
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Thanks, Patricia, it’s not a scary read (danger and villains of course !) but Una’s insecurities really resonated with me! Thanks for reading 🙂
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Happy Ireland Reads Day! This book sounds kind of creepy, but fun creepy. Thanks for telling me about it. Maybe I’ll give it a try.
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Thanks Rosi! 🙂
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Your interview on the podcast sounds really cool. I’ll watch for the link so I can pop back and check it out. This book sounds like spine-tingling fun. I did not like scary stories as a kid, and have really only in the last couple years started reading them, but I’ve found I actually enjoy them more than I’d ever expected. I will definitely add this one to my list!
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Thanks so much, Kasey, I really appreciate it! And I hope you enjoy the book if you get to read it!
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I’m not sure that I’ll read this, but I can see why you would be drawn to it. And what an insight into yourself and thinking about your own growing-up-years. The podcast sounds interesting and I’ll try to listen to it.
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Thanks Carol, that’s very kind! I know you’ve been to Northern Ireland, but it’s a very different place now to when I was a child. Thank you for reading!
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Valinora, I can always count on you for a creeptastic read. It sounds like you’re making great progress on your book. Yay! And congrats on your interview and your ‘Ireland Reads’ ambassadorship. (Probably not a word.)
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Thanks, Linda 🙂 Yes, getting close to completing my draft, and it was fun supporting the #IrelandReads campaign. I loved The Doll Twin too, it was fun! Thanks for reading and commenting!
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