Dear Great Book Guru, I was at Matt’s Deli (formerly Arata’s) having a delicious breakfast with friends when the discussion turned to books. We were swapping recent favorites when someone mentioned a new book about twins, time travel, and multiple endings - sort of like the Choose Your Own Adventure novel series.  Have you heard of it? Lover of Matt’s Deli

Dear Lover of Matt’s Deli, I am a huge fan of Matt’s too! THE CATCH by Yrsa Daley-Ward is an interesting mix of all the elements you mention and more. The story opens in the present with Clara, a celebrity author, recounting the huge success of her latest novel, EVIDENCE. The next chapter introduces us to her twin sister, Dempsey, who is struggling as a data entry clerk living in a shabby London apartment. We learn the women were orphaned as infants when their mother drowned herself in the Thames River thirty years ago. Adopted into two very different families – Clara to a wealthy, upper class couple and Dempsey to a mean-spirited difficult city councilor - the women have been estranged for many years.  On the day of their thirtieth birthday, Clara sees a woman she insists is their mother shoplifting a Rolex watch. Even more bizarrely, the woman looks about thirty years old. Clara rushes to share this information with Dempsey who is skeptical at best.  Soon the woman, named Serena, has insinuated herself into their lives and things become more and more sinister. Along the way, we meet a myriad of colorful characters from the past and present as the sisters struggle to find out who Serena is and what happened thirty years ago.  A puzzling but compelling read… recommended.