MADreads

Bad Twin

September 14th, 2006 Molly - Central

If you don’t watch the tv show Lost, you may want to pass on this title. If, however, you are a rabid fan of the show, are looking for some possible plot clues and enjoy a fun mystery, Bad Twin may be just what you are looking for. 

The author, Gary Troup, is a fictional character and acclaimed mystery writer on the show.  According to the book blurb and show lore, the manuscript for the book was “delivered” to Hyperion just days before the author boarded Oceanic Flight 815,  which was lost in flight from Sydney, Australia to Los Angeles in September 2004. This manuscript was also passed around between characters on the show, but Troup remains missing and is presumed dead.  Some message boards claim that he is the fellow that was unfortunately sucked into the plane’s turbine on the pilot episode.  That was a shocking scene, and if that was you, Gary, I am very sorry. 

As for who Troup really is on the show, I have no idea.  There are all sorts of theories that his name has symbolic significance - ‘Gary Troup’ is also an anagram for purgatory and that that is the direction the show is taking (and on and on and some people are far too into this show - it is tv for pete’s sake).  But Gary Troup is truly a pseudonym for Laurence Shames, a respected mystery author.

And the book is a decent mystery about a missing twin gone bad, and an earnest detective looking for some adventure of his own.

Entry Filed under: Mystery