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The Copy
Ambitious geneticist Geoffrey Bartell is fighting for his life. His company is under legal and political attack while his marriage crumbles around him. Desperate to recapture his once idyllic life he comes upon the perfect solution by creating a clone of himself, and together they set about picking up the pieces.
But the perfection is short-lived as the two’s priorities begin to diverge. As the jealousies and resentments build Bartell comes to realize that while living alone was difficult, living as two may be impossible. Things take a dark turn and before long Bartell finds himself at the center of a criminal murder trial in which he now must fight to salvage what life he can.
"Dark and edgy. The mystery and intrigue kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down." -ML
But the perfection is short-lived as the two’s priorities begin to diverge. As the jealousies and resentments build Bartell comes to realize that while living alone was difficult, living as two may be impossible. Things take a dark turn and before long Bartell finds himself at the center of a criminal murder trial in which he now must fight to salvage what life he can.
"Dark and edgy. The mystery and intrigue kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down." -ML
150 pages, Paperback
First published November 10, 2014
About the author
Grant Boshoff
3 books15 followersWhilst not having written for almost three decades I never lost that gnawing inside me. As a kid growing up in South Africa I wrote essays with abandon and whilst harboring almost no other artistic skills I found writing to be my one creative indulgence. But soon came rugby, then girls, and within a few short years that creative flame had been all but replaced by a passion for surfing, fast cars & motorbikes (and girls, of course).
Some years later, and a continent away, a girl came along – a very particular girl – and my prior passions became eclipsed. I don’t mind admitting that I cast aside my personal needs and devoted myself to the pursuit of making this beautiful creature happy. We started a family and built a business. Together we pursued both our individual and mutual dreams. She sculpted. I drove race cars. We lived, and loved, and laughed, and created a lifetime of memories. Yet, hidden inside, never revealed to even her, lay my long dormant ember of creativity, it’s dusky glow falling upon the odd letter or email or marketing piece.
But being the very particular girl that she is, she saw the glow, and teased it out of me, carefully breathing life back into it in the manner that only she can – and those that know her will understand.
So now twenty four years, four children, two grandchildren, business career, and race-car driving career later I return to my early love, to the creative indulgence of the written word.
Though I write partly for me, what I write is for you. And I hope that in my writing you find not only enjoyment and entertainment, but possibly also a thread of wistfulness that might fan a dormant ember in you.
Some years later, and a continent away, a girl came along – a very particular girl – and my prior passions became eclipsed. I don’t mind admitting that I cast aside my personal needs and devoted myself to the pursuit of making this beautiful creature happy. We started a family and built a business. Together we pursued both our individual and mutual dreams. She sculpted. I drove race cars. We lived, and loved, and laughed, and created a lifetime of memories. Yet, hidden inside, never revealed to even her, lay my long dormant ember of creativity, it’s dusky glow falling upon the odd letter or email or marketing piece.
But being the very particular girl that she is, she saw the glow, and teased it out of me, carefully breathing life back into it in the manner that only she can – and those that know her will understand.
So now twenty four years, four children, two grandchildren, business career, and race-car driving career later I return to my early love, to the creative indulgence of the written word.
Though I write partly for me, what I write is for you. And I hope that in my writing you find not only enjoyment and entertainment, but possibly also a thread of wistfulness that might fan a dormant ember in you.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 29, 2015
Detective Sergeant Gunderson was on the stand & giving his sworn testimony about the murdered victim Geoffrey Bartell III.
Camilla Bartell (P/G) was the next witness. They had been married 16 yrs. the divorce is pending. Judge Grayson Lemar, James Scott May (defense attorney) & District Attorney Alton McBride were all in the next court session.
1st matters were; his past domestic violence, & the causes of it. It was the FDA injunction against GenLabs & the lawsuit from BioEthics Alliance.
The Christian Coalition, Green Peace, & PETA also protested/picketed both Geoffrey home & office.
Augustina (governess) watches over the 2 children: Lilian Bartell (7, daughter) Patch Bartell (son).
William Graves (major-domo/butler) takes the stand. He heard the shotgun.
Harold Kinsel (Lead Forensics Specialist, State Police Bureau) was called to the stand.
Dr. Joshua Stein (MIT, PhD, forensic medicine, former Harvard, Stein Diagnostics) is next up as a witness.
Geoffrey Bartell III (geneticist) DNA was all over the crime scene. After the DNA strain test it proved with 100% accuracy the victim/defendant as/is being 1 & the same.
Council to the Judge Grayson Lemar chamber.
James Scott May (D/A) handed the Judge a piece of paper as he walked out.
Court back in session Geoffrey Bartell III was called to the stand.
Geoffrey Bartell III was doing stem-cell research for his own company GenLabs. He had cloned (Neohypermitogenesis) Jeff. Funny thing is they seem to have their own personality & set of rules/roles.
Did Geoffrey Bartell murder Geoffrey Bartell? Or is it a suicide?
Its 10:05 A.M. What will the verdict be?
I like this “schizophrenic.”
What if?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written mystery fantasy book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great bizarre mystery movie, or mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Author; ARR; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Camilla Bartell (P/G) was the next witness. They had been married 16 yrs. the divorce is pending. Judge Grayson Lemar, James Scott May (defense attorney) & District Attorney Alton McBride were all in the next court session.
1st matters were; his past domestic violence, & the causes of it. It was the FDA injunction against GenLabs & the lawsuit from BioEthics Alliance.
The Christian Coalition, Green Peace, & PETA also protested/picketed both Geoffrey home & office.
Augustina (governess) watches over the 2 children: Lilian Bartell (7, daughter) Patch Bartell (son).
William Graves (major-domo/butler) takes the stand. He heard the shotgun.
Harold Kinsel (Lead Forensics Specialist, State Police Bureau) was called to the stand.
Dr. Joshua Stein (MIT, PhD, forensic medicine, former Harvard, Stein Diagnostics) is next up as a witness.
Geoffrey Bartell III (geneticist) DNA was all over the crime scene. After the DNA strain test it proved with 100% accuracy the victim/defendant as/is being 1 & the same.
Council to the Judge Grayson Lemar chamber.
James Scott May (D/A) handed the Judge a piece of paper as he walked out.
Court back in session Geoffrey Bartell III was called to the stand.
Geoffrey Bartell III was doing stem-cell research for his own company GenLabs. He had cloned (Neohypermitogenesis) Jeff. Funny thing is they seem to have their own personality & set of rules/roles.
Did Geoffrey Bartell murder Geoffrey Bartell? Or is it a suicide?
Its 10:05 A.M. What will the verdict be?
I like this “schizophrenic.”
What if?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written mystery fantasy book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great bizarre mystery movie, or mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Author; ARR; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
December 18, 2014
The Copy was an interesting, fast paced novella that I enjoyed overall. It was predictable but still entertaining. If I could change anything about it, it would be the odd use of thesaurus-sounding words that slowed the flow--especially towards the end.A lot of the words were just unnecessary and misused in many instances. What I liked most in regards to the writing was that there wasn't a lot of time wasted overly describing things or people . . . until the last chapter. That went overboard and I ended up skimming through it to get to the end. As a whole, The Copy was a good read.
January 18, 2020
Grant Boshoff is a very talented writer who in The Copy has created an original, highly intelligent and highly imaginative story that is part murder mystery, part courtroom drama and part sophisticated science fiction. His short novel not only succeeds to thoroughly entertain but also raises some thought-provoking philosophical issues, and some of his sentences are so beautifully constructed they could pass for poetry.
November 20, 2014
A hands down great read! I'm a big Scott Turow, Michael Connelly, Lee Child fan and this book has shades of the best of all of those. Suspense, intrigue, tempo, and some wonderfully complicated three-dimensional characters. A fantastic offering from a bright new talent. Looking forward to seeing more from this author.
January 25, 2015
The Copy was a brilliant short read that had a lot within it. The chapters flow extremely well focusing on either the courtroom drama or the past, all of it linking seamlessly into one another.
The chapters were punchy and every time I got to the end of one I had to read on to find out what was going to happen.
I will be looking for more of the authors work in the future because of this.
The chapters were punchy and every time I got to the end of one I had to read on to find out what was going to happen.
I will be looking for more of the authors work in the future because of this.
January 21, 2015
WOW! I like to read and I like to read fun, fast paced and intriguing stories that take me into another world. The Copy provided all of that and more!
I attended the launch party for Grant and this book but did not read it right away - mistake! Once I started reading it I literally could not put it down.
I cannot wait for Grant's next book!
I attended the launch party for Grant and this book but did not read it right away - mistake! Once I started reading it I literally could not put it down.
I cannot wait for Grant's next book!
November 14, 2014
A Damn Good Story That Delivers
Glad I downloaded this one. The story rolls and the plot leaves enough for you to try to figure out. It has a great premise and the writing was excellent. All around a winner. Looking forward to seeing where the author goes next.
Glad I downloaded this one. The story rolls and the plot leaves enough for you to try to figure out. It has a great premise and the writing was excellent. All around a winner. Looking forward to seeing where the author goes next.
November 24, 2014
More of him
Have you ever had the thought if only there were more of me? Well this book will take you through just what that might be like. You will be jarred along the case as this courtroom takes you on.
Have you ever had the thought if only there were more of me? Well this book will take you through just what that might be like. You will be jarred along the case as this courtroom takes you on.
January 2, 2015
Good quick read, about 100 pages. Right from the start I knew how it would end, but how the author got there was well done.
March 22, 2015
Geoffrey Bartell is a successful geneticist currently undergoing legal, political and familial problems in this fast-paced novella. Yearning a peaceful life, Geoffrey decides the way to regain balance is to clone himself so he can take care of business as well as his home life but when his clone, Jeff, has ideas different to his own, Geoffrey soon learns he made a big mistake.
A perfect blend of law and science, this book gripped me in unexpected ways. With chapters alternating between courtroom scenes and the action playing out, I was hooked and this was the perfect format to tell this story in. Exploring the familial obligations and marriage, this book left a bitter taste in my mouth upon reading the ending. Whilst the novella didn't have twists and turns that I would generally expect from a thriller, it was intriguing and I was eager to see how everything played out. The writing was gripping meaning I sped through this book whilst thoroughly enjoying it and I will definitely be reading more from Grant Boshoff.
*I received this e-book in return for an honest opinion from the author.
A perfect blend of law and science, this book gripped me in unexpected ways. With chapters alternating between courtroom scenes and the action playing out, I was hooked and this was the perfect format to tell this story in. Exploring the familial obligations and marriage, this book left a bitter taste in my mouth upon reading the ending. Whilst the novella didn't have twists and turns that I would generally expect from a thriller, it was intriguing and I was eager to see how everything played out. The writing was gripping meaning I sped through this book whilst thoroughly enjoying it and I will definitely be reading more from Grant Boshoff.
*I received this e-book in return for an honest opinion from the author.
May 10, 2015
Even being a novella, i couldn't get through this story fast enough. Not just a legal thriller, but a snapshot of the crisis between the inevitable advance of technology and the pace of the human spirit. This book had me burning through the pages until the end. Grant B. created characters that you rooted for and hated at the same time. the battle between Geoffrey and his clone mirrored the legal battles that are now being fought between those pushing for technological advance and those who wish to stop it for moral or religious reasons. haven't we all wanted to make a clone of ourselves to try and keep up with the fantastic speed of life. what would you do if your clone began to covet the life that you wanted to live? How would you fight the legal battle of your life while trying to protect your legacy and family? this dark look at the conflicting priorities of making a name for yourself in science and being a family man left me hanging on the edge. It is the kind of book that you can't put down, and the suspense had put a lump in my throat the entire time i read it.
I received a copy of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
April 26, 2015
THE COPY is the story of Bartell's strange experiment: He cloned himself to increase his output, and at first all is well. Bartell is able to do twice the amount of work and sleep more. Eventually, things go awry. His clone is more than he bargained for. He is not simply a robot who takes orders and does what he's told. The clone develops his own thoughts and emotions, and when these escalate, Bartell knows his experiment is out of his control.
Along with the story of Bartell and his experiment is the story of a trial. Bartell sits is the defendant's box while a jury must decide if he committed a murder. His life pauses while he waits for the decision of nine men and women who will decide his fate.
This novel is full of twists that will keep the reader on edge. It's a fast-paced story that will keep you turning the pages. This is a well written thriller. I really enjoyed this novel!
Along with the story of Bartell and his experiment is the story of a trial. Bartell sits is the defendant's box while a jury must decide if he committed a murder. His life pauses while he waits for the decision of nine men and women who will decide his fate.
This novel is full of twists that will keep the reader on edge. It's a fast-paced story that will keep you turning the pages. This is a well written thriller. I really enjoyed this novel!
January 3, 2015
Warning - minor spoil alert!
Is a clone the same being as the original?
Not likely, unless we believe identical twins to be alternate facets of a single being! This is an entertaining and enjoyable story, however. Much more fantasy than science fiction, I'd say. A legal thriller only within the sci-fi & fantasy genres to get technical. A fun read that still manages to touch lightly on societal issues and still manages a happy ending.
Is a clone the same being as the original?
Not likely, unless we believe identical twins to be alternate facets of a single being! This is an entertaining and enjoyable story, however. Much more fantasy than science fiction, I'd say. A legal thriller only within the sci-fi & fantasy genres to get technical. A fun read that still manages to touch lightly on societal issues and still manages a happy ending.
June 18, 2015
i was given this book as an e book for a review. it was a real good read. I found it to be like a John Grisham book with a twist. I really enjoyed it and would certainly read more books by the author
March 6, 2015
I was a lucky winner here on Good Reads, and received a signed copy; #6. I started and finished today, and LUV'd it! PERFECT ending! Exactly how I hoped it would be :0) What a great read! Really looking forward to Mr. Boshoff's debut novel, Deathbook!
January 15, 2015
Interesting read. What happens when a man clones himself so he can balance his work life and family life which he's not doing so well at.
February 11, 2015
Well plotted murder mystery. Rereadable and I did. Recommended. ©2014
May 24, 2015
It was a good book. I liked it a lot. It was a well written book. I hope to read more books by this author. I received this as a e-book pdf file to my laptop from the author.
February 6, 2015
Predictable but enjoyable novella. Good when your brain wants a bit of fun/a break from more serious stuff.
April 12, 2015
Very cleverly novella written about a scientist cloning himself so he can keep his home fires burning and keep his funding for his experiments. Extremely fast-paced.
April 13, 2015
Great short story!
Well told, interesting idea, explored in a fun way. Loved the shifting time frame that revealed the story and built tension.
Well told, interesting idea, explored in a fun way. Loved the shifting time frame that revealed the story and built tension.
November 21, 2014
Great read. Believable and possible, given the state of a science today,
November 20, 2014
Intriguing book and I am loving the suspense!
January 15, 2015
I loved it, even though I wrote it :)
June 15, 2018
Whoa. Not what I expected. As a novella, this story reads more like a long short story than like a short novel. It's based around one event, with most of the story being flashbacks or described as past events, and it has the kind of twist you'd expect more from a short story. And the character development is almost brutally swift and efficient. Don't get me wrong, it's done well, but... it's a bit on the spare side.
In a situation like this, where you can create a copy of yourself, there a bunch of things that could happen. The story, unlike We Are Legion, commits to one of those paths and exploring it, instead of trying to cover all kinds of possibilities. The main character realizes that the copy isn't truly exactly like himself, it's differentiating almost immediately, and the two ultimately have it out. The question isn't how do they resolve their conflict, it's which one won?
The story is couched in terms of a court case, where the main character is on trial for murdering what turns out to be himself :) Not sure it's totally plausible, legally, but it's close enough.
In a situation like this, where you can create a copy of yourself, there a bunch of things that could happen. The story, unlike We Are Legion, commits to one of those paths and exploring it, instead of trying to cover all kinds of possibilities. The main character realizes that the copy isn't truly exactly like himself, it's differentiating almost immediately, and the two ultimately have it out. The question isn't how do they resolve their conflict, it's which one won?
The story is couched in terms of a court case, where the main character is on trial for murdering what turns out to be himself :) Not sure it's totally plausible, legally, but it's close enough.
December 26, 2016
Three stars for the premise, excellent writing and construction. I couldn't give it more because I saw the end coming after only the first third (or less) of the book. It was an enjoyable read nonetheless.
May 12, 2017
I really enjoyed this short book, but I did guess the outcome fairly early on.
November 19, 2019
Different
Not the best book I've ever read but okay in a strange sort of way. Fairly predictable outcome but acceptable nonetheless.
Not the best book I've ever read but okay in a strange sort of way. Fairly predictable outcome but acceptable nonetheless.
November 26, 2015
Geoffrey Bartell is under too much pressure between legal and political troubles at his genetics company and his home life. In order to handle it all, he creates a clone of himself. It’s the perfect solution for him to be able to pick up the pieces of his marriage while still dedicating all of his time to his company … until his clone has an anomaly and begins to deviate from his plan. Now Geoffrey is fighting for his life in another manner. He’s on trial for murder and needs to prove he’s innocent of the charge.
I’ll admit I didn’t know what to expect from this novella when I started it. I didn’t have much interest in the cloning aspect, but I’m glad I read it anyway because the story was about more than that. It’s told in mostly alternating chapters between the current courtroom drama and several months prior when the clone first came into being. It drew me in right from the start trying to put the pieces together to figure out what happened. The glimpses the reader is given of the past weave perfectly in with what’s going on in Geoffrey’s trial.
Although some of the details were a little scientific, the author did a nice job of dumbing it down for the reader. In fact, the majority of the information on cloning wasn’t even necessary to understand. The author made you believe it was possible with the focus being on what happened once the clone was created.
I was pretty sure I figured out the “who dunnit” early on, but in no way was I tempted to abandon the story. It wasn’t just a question of who committed the crime, but also what the crime was.
If there was anything about this novella I didn’t like, it was that entire chapters were printed in italics. It was used to clearly distinguish what happened in the past from the current courtroom scenes, but it wasn’t really necessary. That’s just a pet peeve of mine though, and I’m sure other readers won’t be bothered by it. There were some minor formatting issues, but they didn’t bother me too much.
I would definitely recommend this novella and read more by this author.
I’ll admit I didn’t know what to expect from this novella when I started it. I didn’t have much interest in the cloning aspect, but I’m glad I read it anyway because the story was about more than that. It’s told in mostly alternating chapters between the current courtroom drama and several months prior when the clone first came into being. It drew me in right from the start trying to put the pieces together to figure out what happened. The glimpses the reader is given of the past weave perfectly in with what’s going on in Geoffrey’s trial.
Although some of the details were a little scientific, the author did a nice job of dumbing it down for the reader. In fact, the majority of the information on cloning wasn’t even necessary to understand. The author made you believe it was possible with the focus being on what happened once the clone was created.
I was pretty sure I figured out the “who dunnit” early on, but in no way was I tempted to abandon the story. It wasn’t just a question of who committed the crime, but also what the crime was.
If there was anything about this novella I didn’t like, it was that entire chapters were printed in italics. It was used to clearly distinguish what happened in the past from the current courtroom scenes, but it wasn’t really necessary. That’s just a pet peeve of mine though, and I’m sure other readers won’t be bothered by it. There were some minor formatting issues, but they didn’t bother me too much.
I would definitely recommend this novella and read more by this author.
July 15, 2015
The Copy by Grant Boshoff is one brilliant well written masterpieces that I have seen in a long time. His debut novel is one that lures curious readers deeper into a plot that takes an impossible event and leads it to be true. Readers will watch as the shocking truth of one man's clone has significantly changed his whole life. A life he lost after awhile and was struggling to keep in one piece. Until he succeeded at cloning himself.
Grant Boshoff leads his readers deep into a world of one man's scientific journey. A journey that takes them deep into a hot debated court room dealing with the death of the same man being accused of murder. The prosecuting attorney dramatically begins questioning witnesses to make his that soon shows readers what is happening. Geffory Bartell made a clone of himself. Now he's is being accused of committing his own murder. At first his life of cloning animals went well but when he brought it out to the public that's where everything went wrong for him, his family and his company. Pressure built up on him, until he created his clone. His clone made him realize all the he missed out with his family while trying to "keep his business going". But as with every project, no plan is perfect. That is where Geffory finds his clone his his den at his home holding a gun meant for shooting him. His copy.
I highly recommend reading, The Copy. It's plot is the stunning edge of your seat story. So intensifying that readers will wonder what happens next. And did Geffory Bartell really kill his clone or did his clone kill him? I couldn't put this legal thriller down until I finished reading it. Once readers read the first page they will be saying, "WOW!" A perfect must read that should be added to every reader's to do list. Murder, suspense, and a thrilling rush of who did it all in one perfectly designed novel. Overall, I rate The Copy a five out of five stars.
Grant Boshoff leads his readers deep into a world of one man's scientific journey. A journey that takes them deep into a hot debated court room dealing with the death of the same man being accused of murder. The prosecuting attorney dramatically begins questioning witnesses to make his that soon shows readers what is happening. Geffory Bartell made a clone of himself. Now he's is being accused of committing his own murder. At first his life of cloning animals went well but when he brought it out to the public that's where everything went wrong for him, his family and his company. Pressure built up on him, until he created his clone. His clone made him realize all the he missed out with his family while trying to "keep his business going". But as with every project, no plan is perfect. That is where Geffory finds his clone his his den at his home holding a gun meant for shooting him. His copy.
I highly recommend reading, The Copy. It's plot is the stunning edge of your seat story. So intensifying that readers will wonder what happens next. And did Geffory Bartell really kill his clone or did his clone kill him? I couldn't put this legal thriller down until I finished reading it. Once readers read the first page they will be saying, "WOW!" A perfect must read that should be added to every reader's to do list. Murder, suspense, and a thrilling rush of who did it all in one perfectly designed novel. Overall, I rate The Copy a five out of five stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews