What would you do if you had no memory of what happened in the last eighteen months of your life? What if during those lost months you did something to anger a lot of people who are now after you and want to kill you? For Constance D’Arcy this is her new reality.

Constance is estranged from her family, because she accepted a clone as gift from her aunt. Her aunt is a world renowned scientist who created the breakthrough technology that allowed human cloning.  Although hailed as a scientific miracle that would allow people’s consciousness to live on much longer, many who could not afford the expense of a clone felt disenfranchised, while others were violently opposed to cloning on religious grounds as an abomination. The other members of Constance’s family fell into that latter category of being militant anti-cloners. So when her aunt offers Constance the opportunity to have a clone, Constance has complicated feelings knowing that this will cause a complete rupture with her family, but decides to accept anyway.

Part of the protocol in having a clone is to upload your consciousness periodically so that your clone, if you unexpectedly die, will have all of your most recent memories and experiences. Although Constance finds this a bit of a hassle she tries to make time to do an upload every month or so. Usually she shows up at her appointed time and the process is easy- like going to the spa-and she feels relaxed and refreshed. But something goes wrong this time and when Constance wakes up eighteen months have passed and she finds out that her original is dead, making her Constance’s clone.

With her world completely torn upside down, Constance tries to figure out what happened in those lost eighteen months, but quickly finds that someone is hunting her and that her life is in danger. Soon a detective is also dogging her steps, as the bodies pile up in her wake. Who is after her? Who killed the original Constance and what was their motive in doing so? Battling both her amnesia and the forces that are conspiring against her, Constance begins to retrace her steps in order to find the truth and to come to terms with her new existence.

Fitzsimmons draws you quickly into Constance’s dilemma as a clone, allowing you to suspend your disbelief and to feel empathy for her character. The plot is complicated, twisty and exciting. I had a hard time putting it down and am looking forward to reading the next book in this series!

Brenda’s Rating: **** (4 Out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to: Marian, Sharon and Lauren

Book Study Worthy? Sure!

Read in e-book format.