Paul Artisan, Private Eye, has a normal case load that includes insurance fraud and divorce cases. He's a little hesitant when Cliff Widmore walks into Paul's office and asks Paul to find his missing twin.
Zander has a habit of disappearing for years at a time, only surfacing when he wants some of his coming trust fund. But this time, Cliff thinks Zander is in danger, and Cliff wants Paul to find him and bring him home safely. Hopefully before their father dies.
What Paul thinks would be a straightforward case turns out to be anything but. Those who do know where Zander is aren't willing to talk. And Paul begins to doubt Cliff's sincerity in asking Paul to find his brother. When a man dies while talking to Paul, he begins to think he might be in over his head. Can he find the missing twin?
This book really should be read on two different levels. The first is as a straightforward mystery. As such, it succeeds. The plot is good with lots of confusion thrown at Paul and the reader to keep us guessing. The ending felt a bit pat, but that's minor. The characters are interesting and complex enough to carry the story.
Then there's the LOST factor. This book is a tie in to the TV show LOST. The author was on the flight at the center of the show. There are lots of references to people or things mentioned on the show that were fun to spot. The themes of good vs. evil and redemption are also key to the series. But if you read this book looking for a back-story to the show or clues to what happens next, you will be disappointed. This only makes sense since the book was supposedly written before the events we watch every week even began.
This book is a good mystery that will entertain anyone whether they are a fan of the show or not. Those hoping for clues about the TV show LOST will be disappointed by the lack of direct references to the events on the island.