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Double Edged
When she answers a call from an old friend, Dr Erin Taylor is catapulted into the drama of decades past. In 1996, three university students united to investigate the assault of a fellow student, Rina. But Erin and ‘The Furies’, as they called themselves, unwittingly triggered a time bomb. Two decades later, at a reunion lunch, Rina does not arrive. Within hours, Erin is missing as well, fighting for her life.
Past actions and present decisions — her choices will draw blood.
Past actions and present decisions — her choices will draw blood.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2023
34 people want to read
About the author
Marina Auer
3 books10 followersMarina Auer is a graduate of the University of Cape Town Medical School and spent several years working in state hospitals before moving into private practice.
Double Edged, her first novel, was published in 2023. Single Minded (Kwela, 2024), was shortlisted for the Island Prize for African Writers. Her third novel is due out mid-2025.
She lives with her family – two teenagers, two cats, one husband – in Durban, South Africa.
Double Edged, her first novel, was published in 2023. Single Minded (Kwela, 2024), was shortlisted for the Island Prize for African Writers. Her third novel is due out mid-2025.
She lives with her family – two teenagers, two cats, one husband – in Durban, South Africa.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 28, 2023
This pacy debut thriller is set in Natal with credible South African characters. They say write what you know, and this author knows her medical stuff. It shows and makes for an enlightening read. The action packed scenes are vivid and there’s a tidy reveal at the end. And a dog, I’m always happy if there’s a dog in a novel.
August 2, 2023
Brilliant debut that kept me guessing right up until the last page. Very authentic and convincing - helped in no small part by the author’s surgical experience, I’m sure.
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
August 24, 2023
#DoubleEdged – Marina Auer
#Kwela
A product can expire, a claim can prescribe, a warranty can lapse – but the past knows no such limitations. Just when you think it has been laid to rest, it is resurrected. And amplified. And very much alive.
In the present Erin Taylor is a respected surgeon in Hillcrest, married to her student sweetheart, Oliver, now a pathologist, and mother to a teenage son and a young daughter. His biggest challenges are the constant juggling of her personal and professional worlds, and a new neighbor’s inconsiderate parking habits. A small scar above one eyebrow is the only reminder of a past that was very different; to an earlier time, more than two decades ago, when she was part of an amateur sleuthing group, the Furies. Very few people were aware of their existence, let alone the reason behind the creation of the group. Rina knew, so did Vanessa, and Noma. And Oliver, of course. A message from the past reveals that someone else had also known, and has found them, and is coming after them one by one.
Initially the time shifts between the present and the events of 23 years ago, but, as the tension mounts, the narrative technique evolves to ensure the maximum build up of tension. Different perspectives are introduced, the chapters become shorter, and the time shifts between the moment and as little as an hour or so before. The character’s frustration with bureaucracy when time is of the essence is portrayed convincingly in language and descriptions such as a cleaner ‘spreading dirt around the floor at a pace known only to civil servants’ (128); carbon worn too thin to be efficient and government issue pens that simply refuse to cooperate, adding to the increasing sense of desperation.
This debut thriller by an author who was also a medical school student and resides in Hillcrest herself, is as sharp as a scalpel, but cuts like a double-edged razor. Recommend for armchair detectives and lovers of local thrillers alike.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Uitdieperdsebek
#Kwela
A product can expire, a claim can prescribe, a warranty can lapse – but the past knows no such limitations. Just when you think it has been laid to rest, it is resurrected. And amplified. And very much alive.
In the present Erin Taylor is a respected surgeon in Hillcrest, married to her student sweetheart, Oliver, now a pathologist, and mother to a teenage son and a young daughter. His biggest challenges are the constant juggling of her personal and professional worlds, and a new neighbor’s inconsiderate parking habits. A small scar above one eyebrow is the only reminder of a past that was very different; to an earlier time, more than two decades ago, when she was part of an amateur sleuthing group, the Furies. Very few people were aware of their existence, let alone the reason behind the creation of the group. Rina knew, so did Vanessa, and Noma. And Oliver, of course. A message from the past reveals that someone else had also known, and has found them, and is coming after them one by one.
Initially the time shifts between the present and the events of 23 years ago, but, as the tension mounts, the narrative technique evolves to ensure the maximum build up of tension. Different perspectives are introduced, the chapters become shorter, and the time shifts between the moment and as little as an hour or so before. The character’s frustration with bureaucracy when time is of the essence is portrayed convincingly in language and descriptions such as a cleaner ‘spreading dirt around the floor at a pace known only to civil servants’ (128); carbon worn too thin to be efficient and government issue pens that simply refuse to cooperate, adding to the increasing sense of desperation.
This debut thriller by an author who was also a medical school student and resides in Hillcrest herself, is as sharp as a scalpel, but cuts like a double-edged razor. Recommend for armchair detectives and lovers of local thrillers alike.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Uitdieperdsebek
January 12, 2025
This thriller took me on a heart-pounding, rollercoaster ride, full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Despite the eerie suspense, I couldn't tear myself away from the pages. I simply didn’t want to jump off the ride!
The story explores the theme of trusting one's instincts, highlighting how often we suppress our initial gut feelings to our own detriment. The author skillfully puts together a complex web of danger, hiding in plain sight.
Protagonist Erin finds herself in a terrifying predicament early on, yet she rallies her sharp wit and determination, propelling the story into a whirlwind of action, drama, and nail-biting moments.
The characters are crafted with surprising delicacy, rendering them relatable, likable, and genuinely endearing. This thoughtful approach to character development adds depth and nuance to the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The story explores the theme of trusting one's instincts, highlighting how often we suppress our initial gut feelings to our own detriment. The author skillfully puts together a complex web of danger, hiding in plain sight.
Protagonist Erin finds herself in a terrifying predicament early on, yet she rallies her sharp wit and determination, propelling the story into a whirlwind of action, drama, and nail-biting moments.
The characters are crafted with surprising delicacy, rendering them relatable, likable, and genuinely endearing. This thoughtful approach to character development adds depth and nuance to the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
October 16, 2025
Like the author who created her, Dr Erin Taylor is a surgeon living near Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Erin seems in control of her life, juggling a busy operating schedule, looking after two teenagers, staying fit, and working on keeping her marriage to fellow doctor Oliver on an even keel. But a reunion of friends from her university days brings a troubled past to the fore when one of their gang doesn't show up.
In their varsity days Erin and her friends were known as 'The Furies', and fought to stem a tide of sexual assaults against female students whose drinks had been spiked.
When Erin goes missing a heart-stopping rollercoaster ride of perils and pitfalls begins. This book kept me up TOO LATE for a couple of nights.
Marina Auer delivers twist after twist in this fast-paced, nail-biting story which is well and truly deserving of the title, 'thriller'.
There are some nice insider observations of life in modern South Africa and the characters are all well-rounded and believable, such as Todd, the likabley unlikeable anaesthetist who seems to like his Land Rover more than people. Auer also draws heavily on her own medical knowledge, interspersing interesting biological facts that help to differentiate Double Edged from the rest of the crime fiction pack.
I can't wait to read Auer's other two books.
Five from five!
Published Kwela, South Africa
Reviewed by Tony Park
Erin seems in control of her life, juggling a busy operating schedule, looking after two teenagers, staying fit, and working on keeping her marriage to fellow doctor Oliver on an even keel. But a reunion of friends from her university days brings a troubled past to the fore when one of their gang doesn't show up.
In their varsity days Erin and her friends were known as 'The Furies', and fought to stem a tide of sexual assaults against female students whose drinks had been spiked.
When Erin goes missing a heart-stopping rollercoaster ride of perils and pitfalls begins. This book kept me up TOO LATE for a couple of nights.
Marina Auer delivers twist after twist in this fast-paced, nail-biting story which is well and truly deserving of the title, 'thriller'.
There are some nice insider observations of life in modern South Africa and the characters are all well-rounded and believable, such as Todd, the likabley unlikeable anaesthetist who seems to like his Land Rover more than people. Auer also draws heavily on her own medical knowledge, interspersing interesting biological facts that help to differentiate Double Edged from the rest of the crime fiction pack.
I can't wait to read Auer's other two books.
Five from five!
Published Kwela, South Africa
Reviewed by Tony Park
April 9, 2025
One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Totally gripping. Definitely helps to have medical and South African knowledge.
December 2, 2024
Loved it! The suspense was intense and I'm keen to read more from the author.
November 26, 2024
Fast-paced, grippy read... very easy to fall into the 2am "just one more chapter". Loved it
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews