Title: Lies, Lust, and Larceny: How to Retire in Scandinavia

Author: Lisa Marie Shankles

Genre: Fiction / Humor

 

Lilah and Laylah are 62-year-old twins living in Buffalo, New York. Laylah was born first and Lilah arrived minutes later. However, the women are as different as night and day. Lilah is an extrovert and garners attention from many gentlemen callers. Laylah yearns for love, but is uncomfortable with letting her guard down. Lilah is a believer in the paranormal and watches online videos with great frequency about ghosts and related subjects. Laylah holds a belief in extraterrestrial life. They are both set to retire after 30 years of service at a hair salon, where they’re held in high regard. Lilah knows exactly what she wants to do for her retirement years, and they are not the norm. Once Laylah learns of Lilah’s plans, a simmering resentment toward her younger sibling bubbles over.

Author Lisa Maria Shankles takes sibling rivalry to new heights in this off-beat work. The action in the story shifts between the perspectives of Lilah and Laylah. Lilah is more of a free spirit and a lover of life. Her consideration of a vacation in a penitentiary may be atypical, but she freely indulges the idea. Laylah is the more methodical of the pair, and she thinks to the point of overthinking. Once her mind is set on a course of action, there is little to stand in her way.

The focus of the story is the relationship between the sisters. There is a bond that develops between twins, particularly identical twins. Lilah and Laylah may not be as emotionally connected as they once were, but there is an almost psychic connection between the pair. Once Laylah’s plans to undercut Lilah have gone into action, Lilah doesn’t need much time to discern Laylah’s involvement. This leads to a “cat and mouse” game where the loser may go home more than a little disappointed.

The primary theme of the book revolves around jealousy. Laylah envies the life of Lilah and things seem to naturally come to her. Instead of finding her own way, Laylah would rather steal from her younger twin. Laylah’s jealousy blinds her to the possibilities in her own life, leading her to villainous actions. Envy has become the thief of joy in Laylah’s heart. The dark heart of Laylah is contrasted with the righteousness of Lilah. While Laylah’s view of the world is cynical, Lilah believes in the positive in people.

The book brings the reader to a critical point in the women’s lives. However, a glimpse or two into their earlier lives would have proved most welcome to understand Laylah more. A greater sense of her indignation towards Lilah would provide an extra spark in the narrative.

Lies, Lust and Larceny is not your average work of fiction, but a thought-provoking satirical work. There is plenty of drama as the plot develops, but the encounters and predicaments of the pair often have humorous undertones. The author brings a nuanced approach to an age-old concept and makes it entertaining with each chapter.

 

 

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