AMISS

“The author weaves words together like a fine thread, formulating ideas, relating scenes or images together exceptionally. The voice is pronounced and consistent, which is vital in any celebrated literary piece. These are the qualities that set the author apart from all other writers.”

One of the most dangerous and chilling emotions to the human mind has to be jealousy. Whether you call it jealousy or envy, the emotion has a way of wreaking havoc on both the jealous party and those which they are jealous of. The feeling can draw out so many other emotions in the process, from rage and grief to madness and even violent tendencies. There are many people in the world who find success in life, whether it be through their careers or their home lives, and then there are those who see that success and crave it for themselves, and in that jealously some of the worst tendencies in the human psyche can come to life.

In author L.L. McCall’s Amiss, the author explores the concept of jealousy through the story of two twin brothers and the divide which comes between them. When a young woman named Carla meets twin brothers Peter and Paul, she senses a great difference in the two young men’s personalities and behaviors, and finds herself drawn more to Paul than Peter. As their lives progress and Paul finds success in life and in love, Peter feels the rage of jealousy well up inside him. When finally it becomes too much for him, Peter sets into motion a series of events that will threaten to tear apart the bond between Paul and Carla forever, and lead to a violent confrontation that will rattle the foundation of brotherhood in the process.

The author did an incredible job of finding a great balance between the romance between Paul and Carla and the chilling nature of Peter’s behavior and actions. The change in perspectives through multiple POVs with this cast of characters allows the reader to get a sense for how the relationship not only between Carla and Paul, but Paul and his brother as well. The deceptive nature of Peter and the actions he takes in this novel will send chills down the reader’s spine, as his actions speak volumes to the levels of inadequacy and jealousy he harbored for his brother and his brother’s life for years. The mind games that Peter enacts throughout this thriller will keep readers on the edge of their seats as the tension builds between these characters.

This is the perfect read for those who enjoy a healthy mix of romance and domestic thrillers. The heightened tension between the brothers and Carla is paired well with the emotional depth of the relationship between Carla and Paul, and allows the readers to connect with these characters and the very realistic nature of the novel’s plot. The author’s writing was both quick paced and yet layered with nuance, allowing the readers to really envelop themselves in the emotional storm that Peter brewed between the three of them.

Haunting, memorable, and engaging, author L.L. McCall’s Amiss is a must-read romantic thriller. The twists and turns in the narrative and the shocking final chapters will keep readers hanging onto the author’s every word, and the power of the author’s writing style will have readers eager to dive further into the author’s work in the future.

- Pacific Book Review

"She felt as if she had known him forever as she got lost in his beautiful eyes."

Readers meet Carla and Paul Thompson. They are happily married and live in a town called Cold Spring Harbor in New York. Paul is a wealth management advisor, and Carla owns a brick-and-mortar store. They are both successful in their careers. One day, Peter, Paul's twin brother, shows up at their house needing a place to stay. His career as a musician has not taken off. Paul offers him a job to help around the house, and Peter accepts it. However, Peter's presence makes Carla uncomfortable. He always makes a pass at her when his brother is not around. On top of that, Paul spends more time at work than at home, which frustrates Carla. She wishes he could spend more time with her. Peter pretends to be okay with his situation, but he is not. The more Peter sees his brother thrive financially, the more envious he becomes.

McCall skillfully establishes a sharp contrast between the siblings’ characters. For example, they might be identical twins, but they are like night and day. On the one hand, Paul is hard-working, determined, and kind. He cares about his brother a lot. His blind spot is that he does not see his brother for who he truly is. Paul's trusting nature does not allow him to see Peter's flaws. In contrast, Peter is arrogant, lazy, flirtatious, and rude. He wants others to do the work, and he takes credit for it. He likes to take advantage of his brother. Peter always looks out for himself. His jealous nature directs him to make some questionable decisions. He does not care unless these choices benefit him. In addition, the author addresses the message that envy and jealousy can lead to unspeakable actions with devastating consequences. Readers will also appreciate this book because of its many twists and turns.

- The US Review of Books