The Third Twin

First edition, first printing, signed hardcover book, which is signed on the title page by the author and in near fine condition with a tight binding. Slight shelf wear on dust jacket and small faint stain on top of book binding (see photos).

It's high concept all the way in Follett's latest breakneck-paced thriller: a scientist doing research on identical twins raised apart stumbles on a secret government project to breed the perfect soldier. The original plan fizzled in the Watergate era, but not before eight test-tube clones were born to unsuspecting women. When one of the clones walks into Jeannie Ferrami's university research project and another rapes Jeannie's best friend, an elaborately constructed house of cards begins to crumble. Soon Jeannie is fired, she falls in love with the nice clone (who is under indictment for the friend's rape), and she takes on an evil cabal of geneticists and right-wing politicians. This group, led by Jeannie's former boss, is determined to implement a breeding scheme designed to ensure that future Americans will be strong, blond, and pure. The coincidences multiply faster than mutant chromosomes, but if you stay focused on the next curve in the narrative road, you'll be too caught up in the action to worry about plausibility. Follett is as good as Grisham at keeping a totally plot-driven thriller zooming along on the thinnest of surfaces, like a car hydroplaning on a slick highway, and he's at his Grand Prix best here. Fans will love the ride, and movie producers will swoon at the high concept.