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Publishers Weekly

What starts as a case of mistaken identity turns into a bizarre mystery in this exhilarating thriller from Valentine (Broken Soup). Homeless, 16-year-old Chap is killing time in a London hostel when he’s presented with a coincidence-born opportunity of a lifetime: if he pretends to be Cassiel Roadnight, a teen who has been missing for two years and who looks just like Chap, Chap can have the life and family he’s always dreamed of. As he tries to pass in his new identity among the dysfunctional Roadnights, constantly fearful of giving himself away, Chap begins to suspect that there’s more to Cassiel’s disappearance than meets the eye. Now he’s caught in a delicate balance between knowing too little and asking the wrong questions. Valentine ramps up the paranoia and mystery steadily, letting the story unfold with a grim inexorability. Some of the twists are a little unbelievable, but the slow series of revelations, coupled with Valentine’s incisive exploration of identity and perception, add up to the kind of tense, nerve-wracking story that teens will race to finish. Ages 12–up. Agent: Adams Literary. (Feb.)

VOYA - Mark Letcher

Sixteen year-old Chap has no real name, no discernable past, and no future. He has lived a large portion of his life being shuffled between foster and state homes, ever since the accident that separated him from Grandad. When he is mistaken for a missing boy named Cassiel Roadnight, he makes the choice to assume Cassiel's identity, and "return" to his family. Chap knows he is not really Cassiel—he is certain that his scars and ear piercings will give him away—but he sees this as an opportunity to have a family, and an identity of his own. He is welcomed back by Cassiel's family, but is always on edge, knowing that one wrong response or question could destroy his facade. As Chap learns more about the family, and about what Cassiel knew and did right before his disappearance, it becomes apparent that there is something much more sinister going on in the Roadnight house, something that Chap must act on before his life, and not just his cover, is in danger. Valentine has created a taut mystery with enough suspense to keep readers engaged. The story drags a little after Chap assumes Cassiel's identity, but it quickly picks up the pace as other characters are introduced, and the secrets of the Roadnights are revealed. Chap also has an intriguing backstory with his Grandad, one that sheds more light on Chap's character before the revelation of his true identity. This is a mystery with some dark elements and plenty of substance. Reviewer: Mark Letcher

Children's Literature - Heather Kinard

Chap is a troubled sixteen-year-old living on the streets of London. One day, his life dramatically changes when he is mistaken for Cassiel Roadnight, a boy who has been missing for two years. With nothing to lose, Chap decides to take on the identity of the missing Cassiel and instantly gains the family and friends he's always dreamed of having. But pretending to be someone else is not as easy as he hoped. Cassiel's life was full of secrets and Chap is beginning to suspect that foul play was involved in his disappearance. Chap is not sure whom he can trust. His new family seems genuinely happy to have him home, but with Cassiel's brother Frank, something is not quite right. One day Chap meets an old acquaintance of Cassiel's named Floyd, who claims to have information about the mysterious disappearance. He confirms Chap's suspicions about Frank and together they devise a plan to find out the truth. But Chap is not prepared for what he is about to discover and the danger he now faces. Frank is the only one who knows that Cassiel is not really missing, but is actually dead. Frank murdered Cassiel and is now prepared to do the same to Chap in order to keep his secret. But Chap is more than just a nosy imposter; he is the twin brother of Cassiel who was separated from his family at birth. Will this new revelation tear his family apart or be the catalyst that brings them together? This book is a suspenseful read full of twists and turns and a surprise ending that will be particularly appealing to teen readers. Reviewer: Heather Kinard

Kirkus Reviews

What are the odds of two identical missing boys? The possibility will haunt readers in this British import by Morris Award finalist Valentine. When 16-year-old runaway Chap, named by his reclusive grandfather, gets locked up for fighting in a London hostel, detectives are certain that they've found missing Cassiel Roadnight, who disappeared two years ago on the firework-filled Hay on Fire fall festival. Longing for a real family, Chap assumes Cass' identity and tries to ingratiate himself with the Roadnights as he moves into their home. Weighed down by his lies and the family's doubts ("Your eyes used to be blue"), his ruse is not as easy to carry out as he imagined. Chap's spare, first-person narration intensifies this taut, psychological thriller as he also begins to wonder why and how Cass disappeared. Flashbacks, fraught with identity, loss and betrayal, fill in the back story on Chap's own life, which is just as mysterious as Cass'. Piecing together clues from his and Cass' lives, Chap can't help but believe that he may be living with Cass' killer. With the next Hay on Fire quickly approaching, will Chap meet the same fate as Cass? Readers who like the quick pace of Gail Giles' mysteries and the dark, finely crafted suspense of Kevin Brooks will find the perfect combination here. (Thriller. 12 & up)