TWIN TIDES

Aria Nguyen is barely staying afloat, balancing college classes in Washington, D.C., with caring for her ailing Aunt Thu and managing the mounting medical bills. As the anniversary of her mother’s disappearance approaches, Aria receives a voicemail from the Les Eaux Police Department with new information, turning her longing into anxiety. By contrast, Aria’s identical twin, Caliste Ha, leads a life of affluence as a Los Angeles fitness influencer. Her father, Paul Ha, owns a Vietnamese food empire. Despite her privileged background, Caliste is worn down by the artificiality that surrounds her. Shocked to meet in Les Eaux, the sisters investigate their mother’s disappearance and uncover secrets that shaped their family. They soon find themselves drawn into a town that’s haunted by mysterious deaths. Aria’s and Caliste’s alternating perspectives propel the novel, punctuated by occasional chapters from the point of view of the Ghoul. As the story unfolds, weaving in supernatural elements inspired by Vietnamese folklore, the author’s detailed character development gradually reveals the connections and contrasts between the sisters. However, her heavy focus on backstory often sidelines the central mystery, slowing both the novel’s opening and its overall momentum.