Dead Ringers

by Christopher Golden

With a deep history that threads back to the days of Alistair Crowley and an ancient house, the spirits of some long dead magicians live on by possessing the lives of others in the present day.

When Tess Devlin runs into her ex-husband Nick on a Boston sidewalk, she's furious at him for pretending he doesn't know her. She calls his cell to have it out with him, only to discover that he's in New Hampshire with his current girlfriend. But if Nick's in New Hampshire...who did she encounter on the street?

Frank Lindbergh's dreams have fallen apart. He wanted to get out of the grim neighborhood where he'd grown up and out of the shadow of his alcoholic father. Now both his parents are dead and he's back in his childhood home, drinking too much himself. As he sets in motion his plans for the future, he's assaulted by an intruder in his living room...an intruder who could be his twin.

In an elegant hotel, Tess will find mystery and terror in her own reflection. Outside a famed mansion on Beacon Hill, people are infected with a diabolical malice...while on the streets, an eyeless man, dressed in rags, searches for a woman who wears Tess's face.

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Thriller, Fantasy, Paranormal, Mystery, Supernatural

310 pages, Hardcover

First published November 3, 2015

About the author

CHRISTOPHER GOLDEN is the New York Times bestselling, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of such novels as Road of Bones, Ararat, Snowblind, Of Saints and Shadows, and Red Hands. With Mike Mignola, he is the co-creator of the Outerverse comic book universe, including such series as Baltimore, Joe Golem: Occult Detective, and Lady Baltimore. As an editor, he has worked on the short story anthologies Seize the Night, Dark Cities, and The New Dead, among others, and he has also written and co-written comic books, video games, screenplays, and a network television pilot. Golden co-hosts the podcast Defenders Dialogue with horror author Brian Keene. In 2015 he founded the popular Merrimack Valley Halloween Book Festival. He was born and raised in Massachusetts, where he still lives with his family. His work has been nominated for the British Fantasy Award, the Eisner Award, and multiple Shirley Jackson Awards. For the Bram Stoker Awards, Golden has been nominated ten times in eight different categories. His original novels have been published in more than fifteen languages in countries around the world. Please visit him at www.christophergolden.com

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dopplegangers, long lost twins, or something far more sinister? A group of people who had been in contact with an ancient apparatus said to hold certain powers find that they have become the victims of identity theft, literally. Each has a new and improved version living the lives they may have dreamed of. It all started when Tess saw an improved physical version of her ex-husband, a rude and nasty version.
She wasn’t alone, and when the connection was made, it was too late, doubles were taking over more than their lives, they were taking their very essence. Frank is held prisoner by his twin, but they weren’t alone. Together they must find a way to stop the black magic that is infecting their lives.

Do you have any issues with mirrors or raggedy men? You might now as Christopher Golden sharps his claws and scrapes out a horror story that will keep readers on their edge of their seats. Dead Ringers is dark, scary and mysterious, a true horror tale as each pages crackles with tension. Would fighting your dark self be like shadow boxing? How would you convince others you are the REAL, live person? See what Christopher Golden has done? He has wickedly painted his characters into a corner and given them no way out against evil.

If you like your dark, horrific reading to make you feel you are trapped in a maze, with the sense of evil all around, you’ll like Dead Ringers. I wonder, does Christopher Golden have nightmares?

I received an ARC edition from St Martin's Press at their request in exchange for my honest review.

Publication Date: November 3, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
ISBN 9781250057327
Genre: Horror
Print Length: 321 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Liz Barnsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really was my Halloween read this year - not only because it was creepy as all heck but because I read it in one big gulp during the evening and night, only stopping to ensure the neighbourhood children got their yearly sugar rush. By the end I was jumping at shadows and sure every noise in the house was something coming to get me - Dead Ringers is a hugely atmospheric and unsettling story best read during the day if you are of a nervous disposition. Really, somebody could have told me that before it was dark....

Tess runs into her ex husband who pretends not to recognise her. Or so she thinks. A phone call later and she knows it was not actually him. Disconcerted but not unduly worried she tells her friend the story - only to discover that her friend, too, apparently has a double. The pair begin to investigate but things are going to get terrifyingly dangerous all too quickly..

I did thoroughly enjoy this one - Christopher Golden really does have a uniquely brilliant way of telling a story to get maximum impact on the senses, Dead Ringers is a deliciously dark and addictive read -one that will stay with you after you are done and not only because of the wonderfully haunting final sentences...

Descriptively speaking it is gorgeous, a real sense of menace and building tension, the author also writes terrific characters that you get a genuine feel for and want them to win out - but like in all good stories you get the impression throughout that not everything is going to turn out happily ever after. There is a dark fairytale vibe about the narrative plus a taste of old school horror, where the terror does not necessarily come from what you see in front of you.

One of my favourites of the year - I didn't think that this author could top Snowblind - a novel I read last year that truly gripped me - but Dead Ringers I think is one that I will remember in those middle of the night waking moments..and wonder for a moment just who might be outside the door..

Highly Recommended.

[Brandon Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason, I expected this to get way crazier than it got, but I still had fun with it!!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tess Devlin sees a man on the street that looks exactly like her ex-husband but when she approaches him he brushes her off and says he's not Nick. Tess's friend Lili tells her that several people have approached her saying an artist they've met could be her twin. Frank is attacked and held hostage in his own home by someone that could be his twin and is trying to take over Frank's life. When the group come together to investigate their doppelgangers they may be in for more than they can handle.

A gripping spine tingling read to say the least. I picked this up mainly due to the fact that all the time I run into people that say "have we met before?" or "do I know you?". Let's just say that alone made this book incredibly creepy. Spooky to think that there could be these twins running around out in the world. I wasn't disappointed in the least with the story and found the explanation behind the doppelgangers quite intriguing.

Great horror read, would definitely recommend it.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really excited to get a copy of this book. I love a good scary story and based on all of the great reviews I had high hopes. Unfortunately it was not at all what I was expecting so it was a bit disappointing.

The blurb on Amazon describes it as a haunted house story but to me it was more invasion of the body snatchers.

When Tess bumps into ex husband Nick on the street she gets angry when it seems he's pretending not to know her. She phones to give him hell but when she finally speaks to him she realises the guy she bumped into wasn't him but his double. Chatting to friend Lili she finds out that people have reported her friend has a double. Tess and Lili decide there's something sinister about these doubles and start investigating.

Meanwhile Frank, an old colleague of Tess, Lili and Nick, is confronted in his home by an intruder who has his face. Fake Frank holds him hostage in the basement and starts to take over his life.

The doppelgangers gradually start to invade and take over the lives of the originals but something evil is hunting them. Can Tess, Frank, Lili and Nick win or will the doubles succeed in stealing their lives.

I was really intrigued by the idea of doppelgangers out to replace the originals and think it had the potential to be a creepy and scary story.

For me though there were just too many things that didn't work. It's possible I was just in the wrong frame of mind when I read it but I found the whole book a struggle to get through. There was no real tension or emotion in it and I never really connected with any of the characters. If I'm honest I wasn't too fussed who lived or died.

Every single character had some issue or past trauma that was almost constantly referred to and over analysed. I'm all for diverse characters but there were just too many issues among a small number of people for it to be realistic.

I also thought they kind of over reacted to some of the early incidents. OK it's a bit funny to bump into someone who looks exactly like someone you know but I wouldn't think it would be as terrifying as it's made out to be. Again it's possible my stress levels at the moment are leading to a lack of empathy but I just didn't find a lot of the supposed terrifying incidents that scary.

The dialogue between characters seemed a little clunky to me at times and I think the story suffered from a lack of description of both people and places. I don't think I could tell you anything about setting. It says it's in Boston but could really be anywhere. I suspect that's why I just didn't feel anything for this story.

There are a lot of 5 star reviews so it obviously hit the right spot for others but sorry it wasn't for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received this book for free from (Publisher) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

*Genre* Horror
*Rating* 4

*My Thoughts*

Christopher Golden has a real knack for writing dark, scary, ghost stories that hold your attention right to the very end. I found that out with 2014's Snowblind. With Dead Ringer, Golden has now moved up on my list of authors to turn to when I want to get the crap scared out of me! Dead Ringer is the tale about a group of people who all seem to be having personal issues. They are all connected to an ancient house, and long dead magicians who tried to summon evil into this world.

*FULL REVIEW POSTED @ GIZMOS REVIEWS 11/12/2015*

http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...

Published: November 3rd 2015 by St. Martin's Press

[Allen Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://www.themaineedge.com/buzz/iden...

Identity is a tricky thing. Who we are, what we say and what we do, what we look like – these are things about which we spend a lot of time thinking; this despite the fact that some aspects of ourselves are nebulous and difficult to define.

Our sense of self is how we maintain our connection with the world. Who we are is the one thing that is uniquely ours. And so the notion of losing our identity – or worse, having it taken from us – inspires a kind of existential terror. Such terror is fertile ground in which to plant the seeds of horror.

That’s what Christopher Golden does in his latest novel. “Dead Ringers” offers a harrowing exploration of how one group of people is forced to deal with inexplicable doppelgangers – doppelgangers with mysterious and sinister intentions.

When Tess Devlin bumps into her ex-husband Nick on the streets of Boston, she’s appalled by his reaction – he acts as if he has no idea who she is. Later on, she calls him to give him a piece of her mind, only to discover that he has been in New Hampshire with his new girlfriend and nowhere near the city.

Meanwhile, Frank Lindbergh is a struggling writer whose life has fallen apart in a haze of booze and bad decisions. He’s holed up in his childhood house, following in the footsteps of his alcoholic father. One night, he’s attacked and imprisoned in his own home by a mysterious intruder – an intruder with his face.

These encounters set into motion a series of inexplicable events, leaving Tess, Nick, Frank and a handful of others to discover that ersatz identical versions of themselves are wandering the city – twins who clearly wish them ill. But that isn’t all; a malevolent force is also stalking the streets with mysterious motives and evil, unknown intentions.

Six people with an unclear bond, brought together in hopes of combatting forces they can’t possibly understand; six people striving desperately to win a battle against their own mirror images.

Christopher Golden is one of the best horror writers around right now; he has a particular knack for slow builds and gradual reveals that really amp up the creepiness. Never content with the standard supernatural tropes, he has a tendency to give certain basic ideas a left-field twist that lends them a degree of freshness that they might otherwise lack.

In “Dead Ringers,” Golden latches on to an idea that borders on the cliché – evil twins – and sends it spinning off into a direction that allows for a depth of emotional exploration that is often lacking in horror fiction. There’s a supernatural component, yes, but the book is at its most powerful when it is delving into sense of self; it’s less about why these doppelgangers exist and more about how the knowledge of these doppelgangers impacts the identities of the originals. If another you should suddenly appear, how can you be sure which you is real?

If no one can see the difference, is there any difference to see?

In rendering these inner conflicts, Golden infuses the proceedings with a more cerebral, psychological sort of scare. We don’t need to know the why to be frightened and the author understands that. His always-on-point pacing contributes mightily to a foreboding atmosphere, leaving the reader to be drawn in by inner fear before being confronted with external horrors.

“Dead Ringers” is first-rate horror fiction from one of the genre’s current best. Compelling storytelling and thoughtful ideas combine to make this one of the more unsettling reads of the year. But be warned: you’ll never look at a mirror the same way again.

[Nicholas Kaufmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

With this spooky supernatural novel of doppelgängers, sorcery, and demons, author Golden continues to play in the horror sandbox he returned to so superbly with 2014's SNOWBLIND. Golden gives us a particularly frightening and vivid backstory to the events of the novel and caps it off with a thrilling climax. In between, he gives us what he knows readers are really interested in: convincing, well-drawn characters dealing with realistic issues in their lives -- in this case, adults dealing with adult issues like divorce and parenting, which believe it or not is a breath of fresh air in a genre that is often so fascinated with youth and social transgression. DEAD RINGERS would make a good movie, in many ways a throwback to the more adult horror dramas of the 1970s like THE CHANGELING, but of course books don't need film adaptations to validate them. DEAD RINGERS stands well on its own novelistic feet. If you liked SNOWBLIND, you'll like this one, too.

[Jack Haringa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead Ringers is Christopher Golden's most overtly horrific novel in some time, and it perhaps has more in common with an earlier novel like The Ferryman than more recent books from him in the genre such as Wildwood Road or even last year's Snowblind. Golden offers an original take on the doppelganger trope, weaving in magic and revenants as well as hinting at otherworldly horrors. The set pieces are all effectively constructed, and the novel comes together in a satisfying climax that builds upon both the scenes of violence and those of creeping dread. At the same time, it doesn't quite have the emotional resonances of a book like Snowblind, and at times it felt a little overladen with a couple of characters that didn't have much purpose. Still, it's a fun and creepy ride right to the finish.

[Bracken · Rating 5 out of 5]

How well do we know our friends, our lovers, or even ourselves? In Christopher Golden's reality, not nearly as well as we think. In Dead Ringers, he explores what it would be like to find out that someone else is living our life... and in some cases, better than we are doing it. The problem for Tess Devlin and her friends is, living life better is not enough for the dead ringers--they want to be the only ones living it! Golden's signature characterization shines in this novel and he keeps the suspense perfectly timed and taut. Like he proved with Snowblind and Tin Men before, Golden is still very much at the top of his game!

[J.H. Moncrieff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead Ringers is a smooth, well-written horror thriller than reminds me a little of old-school John Saul. It has an incredibly unique premise, something I don't think has ever been done before, which is difficult to achieve in any genre, but especially so in horror. (I'm so glad I was wrong about where this was going.)

Set in Golden's home state of Massachusetts, the novel has just enough true-life details to add plausibility to what otherwise might be too bizarre a tale to believe. From the very beginning, the author's skill as a storyteller pulls the reader in, and the ending--boom! While so many pooch their grand finale, Golden nails it. Not only that, but there's a much deeper message to this thriller if you read closely.

This is my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be my last.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining book to read. I loved the concept and Golden's writing style. I loved the wording of the following passage. "Nick laughed. Tess felt a twinge in her heart. He wasn't her husband anymore, but she would always love the way he laughed when the wonder of having a daughter caught him by surprise." I will definitely be reading more books by Christopher Golden.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

100 pages into Christopher Golden’s Dead Ringers, I told a friend that I thought I liked the book but it would ultimately depend on the reveal.

What I meant is that there was some vaguely creepy stuff going on, & what would make or break the story for me was finding out WHY the vaguely creepy stuff was happening. Because with the right reveal, the vaguely creepy stuff would become specifically creepy stuff, which is really the best we can hope for from a horror novel.

And the result, now that I’ve finished the book?

It was fine.

A glass of room temperature tap water. A room painted beige. Unseasoned oatmeal.

Totally & unequivocally okay.

It’s one of those books I feel absolutely nothing about. I didn’t dislike it, but I didn’t really like it, either. I’ll remember it as the book that took up some of my time from January 4-7, 2024.

In some ways, this is worse than hating the book. Say what you will about The Martian or Imaginary Friend (and I still have A LOT to say about those books), I at least remember them. I suspect December will roll around & I’ll struggle to remember much of anything about Dead Ringers.

So what happened?

Part of it is the book’s central mystery. In short, a group of characters begins seeing doppelgangers of themselves around Boston. At first, it’s treated like a curiosity, but as these sightings become more malevolent, the characters – historian Tess & her professor ex-husband Nick chief among them – seek answers. Without giving too much away, their search takes them to a mysterious hotel, a mystical glass box, & the renovation of an old house that they & a few other characters took part in years ago.

And again: it’s fine. There are a couple genuinely creepy moments. I admit that the reveal is clever. The Raggedy Man – the book’s central villain – is a vivid & unsettling creation.

I was never bored by the book, but I was also never fully invested in it.

But I can see Dead Ringers’ vibe – hewing very closely to the feel of classic ‘80s horror – really scratching an itch for a lot of readers.

At the end, it boils down to the literary equivalent of, “It’s not you, it’s me.”

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every time I think I've had it with paranormal fiction, I read a book such as Dead Ringers and I realize that there are still new and original plot ideas out there. When a group of people start realizing their doubles are walking around and interfering in their lives, they look for the common denominator. Soon several people are involved in a nightmare that threatens their lives, their sanity, and those who are closest to them.

Though very suspenseful at times, this book is comfortably paced; enough to give the reader a good look into the lives and back stories of the key characters. The tale is told from different points of view, though never that of the antagonists.

All the characters are realistic and well fleshed out. Tess, the main character, is the kind of female lead many women may be able to identify with. All the characters are complex enough to make neither unrealistic heroes nor outright villains.

Dead Ringers is definitely a book you would not want to put down once you started reading it. Suspenseful, with enough action and a truly captivating theme, this is honestly a worthwhile read. (Ellen Fritz)

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Dead Ringers by Christopher Golden was a pleasant surprise and one really cool story. Part horror, part fantasy, and full blown thriller. Dead Ringers is a tale about scary and creepy Doppelgangers.

The first third of this book worked the best. As our heroes lives slowly become intertwined with their "doubles" we are treated to a wonderful and weird mystery. I wish that Golden would have continued down the mystery road keeping things and answers just out of reach. This really was the best part of the book and it was done incredibly well.

Once things begin to unfold Dead Ringers takes on more of a traditional horror thriller role. It is still good but it becomes a bit predictable. Thankfully, the pacing is fast with no real down time. I appreciated how the story unfolded and was satisfied with the ending but I was disappointed that Golden didn't keep the tone from the beginning of the story all throughout. This was my first solo Golden book that I have read but I will surely be reading more.

Good, could have been great!

[Ellen Bard]

"With a deep history that threads back to the days of Alistair Crowley and an ancient house, the spirits of some long dead magicians live on by possessing the lives of others in the present day." Oh, now you're just teasing me. Next you're going to tell me it also has an F1 car full of milk chocolates and Rottweiler puppies.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This smooth, well crafted thriller had me enthralled from the very beginning. I had no idea what was going to happen next at any given time in this novel, and I loved it. I connected with the characters, and I was involved in their lives what happened to them. And then the ending came along…. That last paragraph of the very last chapter in the book….. and I just started cursing, and cursing. If this iPad wasn’t a gift, it might have gone sailing across the room, too. And all I could think of was, ‘I HATE YOU CHRISTOPHER GOLDEN, I HATE YOU.” Jesus, what an ending…! And no, I won’t give you any spoilers. Just be prepared to have some feelings when you get to the part I’m talking about…! (I don’t mean that this ending was written badly, or that it did all us readers a disservice, or anything like that. I just mean that it felt like a kick in the groin. Hard. With steal toed boots).

Robert Fass is the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel, and he is wonderful. I’d not heard any of Fass’ work before, but I’m hoping that Macmillan audio uses his skills more often.

4.5 stars, and I recommend this novel to everyone.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead Ringers was an unexpected surprise for my Halloween season reading. It follows a group of people who realize that there are people in the city with their own faces. These strangers are almost better and more perfect versions of themselves. The story is told through a few different characters' perspectives. Even thought there were multiple characters, each one had a unique voice, so it wasn't hard to keep them straight. It is set in Boston and it was fun to read a book set in a city I know well.

I found this to be a unique take on the doppelganger story-line. I thought this story was going to go one way, but it ended up down a different path. While I wouldn't say it was a horror book or very scary in that sense, it was definitely creepy. It's a hard book to talk plot without giving anything away. I did ended up getting sucked into the book right way and wanted to race to the finish. There was a nice little twist at the end that added to the creep factor and I loved it. I definitely recommend this one. I would love to see this made into a movie.

[Terry Weyna · Rating 3 out of 5]

During my final college years, I was frequently greeted with warmth by complete strangers who thought they knew me. It was disconcerting to be hailed across the quad only to have these folks say, “Oh, you’re not her,” when they got a bit closer to me. Apparently I had a doppelganger! It happened again a few years later, when my college boyfriend (with whom I had broken up) got a new girlfriend who looked enough like me to be my mirror image. That was creepy.

So I could easily sympathize with Frank Lindbergh, one of a group of protagonists in Dead Ringers, when a man enters his home late one night who looks exactly like him — “His own eyes. His own smile. His own face.” The man beats him to a pulp and makes himself at home. As far as anyone can tell, Frank continues to go about his business, but in fact the real Frank is handcuffed to a pole in his own basement, naked from the waist down, held prisoner by his double.

What’s going on? Why has Tess Devlin seen her ex-husband on the street in Boston when he’s hiking in the White Mountains? Why has Lili, Tess’s best friend, got an exact duplicate holding an art sale at a swanky gallery? Why is Audrey, a psychic, seeing a reflection in the mirror that looks at her with hatred? And who is the blindfolded man who is suddenly slipping in and out of the lives of all of them?

Christopher Golden uses many old horror tropes to good effect in telling this tale. There’s a terrifying haunted house that you couldn’t pay me to walk into. There’s an archaeological dig in the past that is the nexus between all the characters who are seeing doubles. There’s the group of people who tried to summon a demon and found themselves overpowered by forces they didn’t understand. And there’s one other item that I’ve never encountered in a horror novel before: a psychomanteum, which sounds like a gazebo made of mirrors, now used as a special booth in a hotel restaurant.

But Golden goes beyond the tropes to draw believable characters who act in completely believable ways when confronted with the horrific. No one is especially heroic, though they all seem to have the bravery of average people responding to a threat. Nick and Tess are especially believable in their response to a threat to their daughter. And none of them has the inhuman strength and ability to recover from an injury that so many horror heroes do; they have to figure out ways around their injuries, including relying on others they would not normally choose to rely on.

Unfortunately, Dead Ringers feels padded, as if there is a great 225 page novel hidden away inside this good 300+ page book. Almost every character is physically attacked by his or her double in some way, with lots of wince-inducing descriptions of the injuries they suffer. Each feels the weirdness of seeing his or her double, but the discussions of the emotions that course through them are repetitive. It takes a very long time before anything of substance happens after the doubles are discovered. The slow pace makes this novel easier to put down than I usually expect of a horror novel. It’s a shame that today’s market seems to require that books be so long; I miss the short, sharp shock of the shorter horror novel.

Despite the pacing, the realistic characters makes Dead Ringers one any fan of Golden (I’m one) or any aficionado of horror that doesn’t drag entrails across every bloody page will want to read.

Originally published at http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi....

[Douglas Wynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few weeks ago I attended a release event for Christopher Golden’s new novel, Dead Ringers, at Pandemonium Books and Games in Cambridge. Golden didn’t read from the book that night, but something he said about it sold me on the premise right away. I’ll do my best to paraphrase:
Most of us try to be the best version ourselves and most of the time we probably fail. But what if you met someone who maybe deserved your life more than you do because they were a better version of you? Dead Ringers was inspired by that question. It also has a sorcerer and evil things in mirrors and stuff like that.

I knew right away it would work for me, and the execution doesn’t disappoint. The book poses an intriguing thematic question and then goes nuclear with it by juxtaposing utterly believable characters and settings against electrically charged supernatural elements. Throughout, the prose inhabits that Goldilocks zone between tight and vividly painted, with an eye for just the right small details to bring Boston and its people to life.

I don’t want to give too much away because Dead Ringers is a book with a lot of cool twists and turns. It’s an ensemble story with a diverse cast, and it draws you in with progressive revelations about how the characters are connected. The main character is Tess Devlin, a consultant with a Boston historical society, and divorced mother of a young girl, but all of the characters are richly drawn. Each is established with a complex past (and potential future) of their own making and a daily life imbued with realistic details and problems ranging from the mundane to the existential. And yet, none of that slows the story down. Dead Ringers is a book with the momentum of a thriller, but it’s driven by character. If you’re a fan of Golden’s other books, you’ll know that he excels at character development and is one of the few writers working today who plays in the same league as Stephen King when it comes to throwing authentic real world people into dark fantastical predicaments.

The doppelgänger trope is presented here with sharp originality, grounded in an occultism tied to fascinating historical flourishes as the characters engage the mystery of their doubles with plausible strategies, true to who they are. It’s a mystery that makes for a powerful page-turner right up until the answers launch the plot forward for an extended climax. Golden isn’t afraid to take the time to make us intimate with his characters’ deepest motives and flaws, and the investment pays off–when many of those details echo at key plot points, they resonate with the ring of truth. Nor is he afraid to let a horror novel live up to its horrific potential.

Dead Ringers will have you questioning the nature of identity and asking what exactly it is on the spectrum between your flaws and aspirations that makes you who you are to the ones you love. But the contemplation goes down easy because it’s also a helluva fun read.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have all had people mistake us for someone else or ask if we have a sibling, but what if you encountered your exact double face to face? The possibilities are numerous. Especially if your doppelgänger seems to be a better version of you. Christopher Golden's book Dead Ringers is a fast paced and thrilling story of a small group of people who begin to experience chance meetings with people who appear to be their double or almost their double because they are all just a little bit better than the original. One might be able to handle that but when the originals start to lose their substance and their identity to the imposters it starts to get creepy. At this point Golden stirs in a heaping portion of demon summoning, haunted houses and magical contraptions. It is a difficult book to put down. The characters are well developed and the story is never boring. My only regret is that I would have liked a little more backstory on the members of the occult group. Although I knew why the assaulted characters were tied together, I never felt like I had a handle on why the bad guys were drawn to each other or the cult leader. It's a small complaint considering how much I liked the book. It will have you looking over your shoulder the next time you leave the house. Like "Snowblind" it will also have you considering the substance of relationships. How well do we really know anyone? Could you be fooled by a skillful actor into thinking they were the person you consider your soul mate? And of course, just when you dare to take a breath, Golden sticks a mirror shard in your eye.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One day in Boston, a number of people discover there are near identical copies of them or people they know running around. A washed up journalist is attacked in his home by an apparent double. A woman swears she sees her ex-husband on the street, but upon confronting him, the man claims no knowledge of who she is. Her best friend has been told that an identical woman is making a name for herself as a local artist. As more instances of these possible doppelgängers appear, those who are being mimicked wonder why are they here, and why are they copies of their particular group of people. And who is the raggety, blindfolded vagrant who keeps showing up? And what about the strange deaths that keep happening around that historic house? As the encounters with the doubles start becoming more sinister, the small group of friends must find out what's really happening before it's too late.
Dead Ringers was a well-crafted, intense and original take on the doppelgänger trope. The tension builds as the story goes along, and keeps its myriad mysteries hidden, only slowly unveiling them one piece at a time. And just when you think it's over, there's that final paragraph.....

[Kira FlowerChild · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know this was a horror novel when I began reading it. From the description, I knew it probably involved the supernatural in some form, or it could have been science fiction. People running into doppelgangers of someone they know or even of themselves - that could as easily be parallel worlds as magic or witchcraft. But, without giving away a spoiler, the story involves a demon so that puts it squarely in the horror category.

The thing I liked about Dead Ringers is that it reads like an ordinary contemporary novel. There is a haunted house, but the main characters' interactions with it were in the past and the house doesn't enter the story, so to speak, until about the last 50 pages or so. For the most part, the characters are trying to solve the mystery of the doppelgangers - who they are, where they came from, and what they want. The horror builds slowly as the reader discovers exactly what these doubles are trying to do.

This is a very well-written novel. Highly recommend.

[Amanda Trivett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how Golden staggered the introduction of the various main players and allowed their story and relationship to one another to develop over the course of the book. The "Big Bad" was not quite what I was expecting, although to be fair I can't even really express what exactly it is I was expecting. The overall story was strongly written and well paced, but I found the ending personally unsatisfying and anticlimactic (only because the TWIST was pretty predictable). This is the second book I've read by this writer, and both times I have been engrossed up until about the last third of each book. Golden comes so close to being one of those "YAY YOU'RE AWESOME, GIMMEE ALL YOUR BOOKS" writers for me, but somehow misses the mark by a slim margin, usually as his stories reach their conclusion.

I would still recommend this book to anyone that likes mystery/suspense (not too much "horror" in this one).

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became a fan of this author when I read Snowblind a couple of years ago and couldn't wait to get my hands on an ARC of his new book - and I wasn't disappointed.

Dead Ringers focuses on five characters who are experiencing a variety of problems - alcoholism, divorce, break-ups, unemployment, relocation, etc. - going on about their lives and I became invested in their stories immediately. Things change quickly when one character comes face to face with his own double and these characters are plunged into a waking nightmare. The pace never slows after that - I wish I could have read it straight through.

Without giving away spoilers, I'll say this book is eerie, haunting, and suspenseful - and you'll never look at mirrors the same way again.

This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Irene Well Worth A Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Ringers is indeed the stuff of which nightmares are made. Picture it.... you are in your bed, alone in your room. You can't sleep. You take a deep breath and let it out slowly... and so does someone else. Your heart pounds, you are terrified, and then you hear a laugh. You turn on the light, and there it is, that which can not be. It looks just like you and it wants to be you. This was one scary spooky read! Well written, fast paced and reminded me of one of my all time favorite Twilight Zone episodes in which a woman sees "herself" at a bus station and is told to quit asking when the bus will show up even though she has never asked yet. This is like twilight zone on steroids, almost guaranteed to give you nightmares.
I received an advance copy for review.

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This dark, messy, definitely mind-boggling novel began and ended with a bloke named Frank Lindbergh. In the meanwhile, like walking along a giant Mobius Strip, we had our realities twisted inside out. Doubts arose regarding definitions of 'better', 'twin' etc. 'Mirror Image' gained an entire set of edges around the meaning of that expression.
And through all those grim and grisly stuff, this black book came to a close.

If you want your horror to be sickeningly black, perhaps this one would be more to your taste. I have had enough.

[Karen R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of doppelgangers, suspense and action, this novel kept me glued to my reading chair for two days. This dark mystery unravels at a good pace overall, I rooted for the good guys, feared the creepy bad guys, and cringed at the bloodlust. At times it downright scared the crap out of me. This one was right up there with the author's Snowblind that I enjoyed immensely.

A big thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was pure old school horror. I really enjoyed the plot and all the characters. The first 80% was an easy 4 star read. But then the final 20% happened. It just went on and on and on so much that I was relieved when it was finally over,
For just a great story; the ending really disappointed me.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this! Deliciously chilling and unputdownable. Often with horror novels I'm disappointed by the ending - not a bit of that here; on the contrary.