Called to the scene of a grisly double murder in a northern English village, Detective Inspector Dave Barnes thinks he's seen everything - until the threads of his investigation unwind an otherworldly secret.
As the Inspector and his team delve deeper into the case, a former history professor, with a personal interest in the crime, steps forward to provide bizarre clues that seem too impossible to be true. And, as Professor Claire Tulley shares her discoveries dating back to a failed military experiment 90 years earlier, DI Barnes realises that he's embroiled in a cover-up that reaches the highest levels of the government and beyond.
On a parallel Earth, Colonel David Barnes observes his doppelgänger with contempt as the detective edges closer to learning the truth about alternate worlds and the multi-dimensional portals that link them. But, as the Colonel seeks to assume control, he will do whatever it takes to overcome those in his way, even if that means assassinating the man reflected in the mirror.
With the fate of his Earth at stake, and realizing that not everyone around him is who they appear to be, Detective Inspector Barnes and his team must battle for their survival. But how can he win the fight when his own reflection is plotting against him?
What did I think?
I don't usually read science fiction but I was drawn to Double Jeopardy by the amazing cover and the fact that Alan Bayles and I support the same football team. I read it a lot quicker than I expected as it cleverly combines science fiction with a police procedural.
Alternate worlds and the multiverse is a fascinating subject and I loved how Alan Bayles' vivid imagination sets out two different dimensions for this story. The County Durham setting is unusual and I love that actual buildings I know of (and some I didn't) are included in the book.
I set aside a good few days to read Double Jeopardy but I was surprised how hooked by the story I was and I absolutely raced through it. Alan Bayles includes a number of references to his favourite books and films and it was fun picking them up, although I will have missed a lot as I'm not a Trekkie.
Incredibly imaginative and completely compelling, Double Jeopardy is a fantastic start to a new series and I don't have to wait long for more as I'm heading straight on to book 2: Oracle's Vision.
I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the Bookstagram Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
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