Identical (Turow novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder | Scott Turow |
| Products | Legal thriller novel |
Identical, released in 2013, is a novel by Scott Turow that delves into the intricate relationships between the Kronon and Gianis families—neighbors who have been friends, adversaries, and rivals over the years. Cass Gianis is convicted for the murder of his girlfriend, Dita Kronon; years later, his identical twin brother Paul enters a mayoral race while Hal Kronon, Dita’s brother, uses his financial power to sabotage Paul's campaign by alleging Paul's involvement in the murder.
Synopsis
The narrative opens on the day Dita was killed in September 1982. Paul, Cass, and their mother Lidia attend a New Year's celebration at the residence of Zeus Kronon. Lidia and Teri Kronon, Zeus’s sister, share a lifelong friendship. Zeus, father to Hal and Dita, had once proposed to Lidia but was turned down due to social class differences. The twenty-five-year-old twins have defined ambitions: Paul plans to join the Kindle County prosecutor’s office under Raymond Horgan, while Cass intends to enter the police academy. Zeus established a real estate business specializing in shopping centers and had been a gubernatorial candidate before withdrawing following Dita’s death.
A quarter-century later, Cass is released from incarceration as Paul pursues the mayoralty. Hal, who inherited Zeus’s real estate empire, opposes Cass’s parole during a hearing and accuses Paul of being complicit in Dita’s murder. He bankrolls a reopened investigation led by his head of security Evon Miller alongside original investigator Tim Brodie. At the same time, Hal initiates negative advertising against Paul, who counters with a defamation suit.
The revived inquiry reveals fresh information about the 1982 homicide through modern forensic techniques.
Development
Turow acknowledges that the tale of Castor and Pollux served as a key influence for this novel.
Reception
Rosecrans Baldwin, writing for NPR's All Things Considered, described the book as "not terrible" but falling short of the high standard previously set by Turow. Jonathan Yardley of The Washington Post observed that although Turow addressed broader themes more skillfully in earlier novels, this work "gains momentum and becomes more engaging" toward its ending.