Title: Sandy Rose
Author: Theresa Seifert
Publisher: Brilliant Books Literary
ISBN: 979-8-88945-459-5
Pages: 128
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Reviewed by: Lily Amanda
Pacific Book Review
In author Theresa Seifert’s stunning debut, Sandy Rose, a young woman grapples with the complexities of the adult world which leads to a tragic end. Sandy Rose had a difficult upbringing. She and her twin, Rose had been born as conjoined twins, and a difficult decision was made to save the stronger and healthier twin, Sandy. However, part of Rose lived on as she was tucked away in Sandy’s brain, always seeing and knowing her twin’s every thought, even trying to occasionally be the voice of reason, which more often than not, did not work out.
Sandy’s mother, an alcoholic schizophrenic, had a mental breakdown after the death of the twins’ father, and was eventually institutionalized. Life for Sandy moved from bad to worse, opting to get married to a man next door, to avoid being homeless after her parents’ house was auctioned by the bank. Unfortunately, this too did not work out and they divorced after two years. This threw Sandy’s life into turmoil as she found herself on an inauspicious and ominous path dominated by unrestrained impulsiveness toward her passions. Told through the perspective of her twin Rose, Sandy’s misjudgment eventually has disastrous results and leads to a shocking end.
Theresa Seifert is a superb storyteller unfurling a dark tale that flows so well I could hardly put the book down. The plot kicks off with a beguiling start and does not tally in its beginning. The fresh dialogue and strong descriptions add to the thrill of the plot and I found myself often empathizing with Sandy’s situation. The characters the author introduces along the way play their role aptly bringing out themes familiar to humanity today. The book keeps you on the edge of your seat with its driving suspense which keeps you wondering how the story will end, even delivering much more than it promises to.
I must add a worthy note is Seifert’s knack for ensnaring the reader with her pitch-perfect prose evoking genuineness. Surprisingly visceral and riveting, Sandy Rose is a worthy page-turner from an author to watch – and is not to be missed!
