The Resemblance

A Novel

By: Lauren Nossett

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

"Maarleveld's narration is perfectly paced for a thriller. Her emotional performance suggests that everyone involved is just a step away from danger." - AudioFile Magazine

Lauren Nossett’s artfully written debut, The Resemblance is an exhilarating, atmospheric campus thriller reminiscent of The Secret History and The Likeness.

Never betray the brotherhood.

On a chilly November morning at the University of Georgia, a fraternity brother steps off a busy crosswalk and is struck dead by an oncoming car. More than a dozen witnesses all agree on two things: the driver looked identical to the victim, and he was smiling.

Detective Marlitt Kaplan is first on the scene. An Athens native and the daughter of a UGA professor, she knows all its shameful histories, from the skull discovered under the foundations of Baldwin Hall to the hushed-up murder-suicide in Waddel. But in the course of investigating this hit-and-run, she will uncover more chilling secrets as she explores the sprawling, interconnected Greek system that entertains and delights the university’s most elite and connected students.

The lines between Marlitt’s police work and her own past increasingly blur as Marlitt seeks to bring to justice an institution that took something precious from her many years ago. When threats against her escalate, and some long-buried secrets threaten to come to the surface, she can’t help questioning whether the corruption in Athens has run off campus and into the force and how far these brotherhoods will go to protect their own.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.

©2022 Lauren Nossett (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Grim

Just depressing from start to finish. The main character also speaks about college kids like she's 40. I have a hard time seeing her be that cynical about people who are less than 8 years younger than she is.

what a story

this had so many turns in it. Never could figure out how it would end. When the ending came, I wanted more. Where is the next one!!

Too depressing, even if realistic

Sigh, I have enough of depressed thoughts without reading about the corruption that exists all around us, I really needed some glimmer of hope, somewhere…

Nuff said.

Police procedural. Nuff said.

Except that it is pretty amusing to find the young frat boys so interchangeable. I was hoping for a bit more out of the eponymous resemblance, but the giggle was pretty satisfying.

Simplistic With No Action

Anytime a book is compared to The Secret History the use of that ‘buzz title’ will raise interest. And most times, if not all, the new offering won’t live up to the comparison. I need to learn my lesson.

The Resemblance in no way comes near. I was so unimpressed with this novel I stopped listening 45 minutes before the conclusion. I just didn’t care.

There’s no action, not one character to pull for, and the imagery created in your mind from the words spoken is simplistic at best.

Hard pass.

When Would It End?

Main character narrates like she’s Catherine Morland wandering Northanger Abbey. Plot is convoluted and nonsensical. Skip it and just reread The Secret History.

I would love a refund

I ended up not caring about a main character that was not compelling. There were so many side plots jammed in at odd times, especially at the end. THE END…wow. Just wow. Hammed fisted trauma and backstory that were just dumped on the reader. On its own, it was amazing. But it was so poorly paced. The “bad guy” came out of nowhere, literally, and was believable but not deep. So many flat characters.

For positives: the narration was really good. I liked a few side characters as well. The overall plot was intricate and well throughout.

Condemnation of Greek Life

The author clearly has something against Greek life. Perhaps she was blackballed during rush, or just doesn’t like social organizations. The narrator’s mispronunciation of Athens’s streets and county reflects her lack of research of her role.

Finished it, but not my jam.

Personally, I did not like this novel. I felt the plot was wonky, and the overall tone too bitter for my tastes.