Her Fearful Symmetry - Audrey Niffenegger

This ghostly tale of secrets and contested identities is gripping and enjoyable, and the parts that deal with the claustrophobic and complex nature of life as a twin are compelling and believable. Some of the characterisation was a bit heavy-handed though, and several key moments in the plot didn't quite ring true, so overall I agreed with the friend who lent it to me that the effort involved in suspending disbelief was too much at times, and this book doesn't manage the difficult challenge of living up to the expectations set by The Time Traveller's Wife.

The White Woman on the Green Bicycle - Monique Roffey

Although this account of expat life in Trinidad was well-written, fascinating and believable, I found it hard to get emotionally involved with it. The structure, in which the last part of the story was presented first, added an element of intrigue, but for me this came at too high a price, as I felt that it would have been much easier to care about the characters if I'd first been introduced to them at the start of their story.