One twin is imprisoned for a terrible crime.
The other will do anything to set her free.
One night Tila stumbles home, terrified and covered in blood. She's arrested for murder, the first by a civilian in decades. The San Francisco police suspect involvement with Zeal, a powerful drug, and offer her twin sister Taema a chilling deal. Taema must assume Tila's identity and gather information - then if she brings down the drug syndicate, the police may let her sister live. But Taema's investigation raises ghosts from the twins' past.
The sisters were raised by a cult, which banned modern medicine. But as conjoined twins, they needed surgery to divide their shared heart - and escaped. Taema discovers Tila was moulded by the cult and that it's linked to the city's underground. Once unable to keep secrets, the sisters will discover the true cost of lies.
Industry Reviews
A thought provoking, fast paced tale which uses characterization to capture reader's imaginations. A truly great read from a great writer * Starburst Magazine * A rich and entertaining sci-fi tale that is brimming with ideas * SciFiNow * This encompassing, fast-paced murder mystery in a cyberpunk, late 21st-century San Francisco . . . expertly explores themes of identity, totalitarian governments, cults, mind control, and familial love * Publishers Weekly * Its vision of the future is seductively terrifying * SFX * A chilling read that will have you gripped from page one . . . A must read * Woman's Own * An intriguing and fast-paced tale * Heat * False Hearts has an ingenious premise, and Laura Lam executes it flawlessly. Gritty and wise, your own pulse will be racing as you get caught up in this exciting tale -- Robert J. Sawyer A strong debut from someone who's clearly got what it takes -- Peter F. Hamilton I thoroughly enjoyed it, from its explosive beginning right through to a very satisfying end. This is very much a character-driven piece, and although the story is of twins, it is really Taema's tale. I can happily say False Hearts has been the highlight of my year's reading so far -- James Oswald False Hearts is that rarest of things - a fast-paced thriller with tons of heart and soul. Set in a chillingly believable future, it's bursting with original concepts and unforgettable characters. I defy anyone to put it down -- Sarah Lotz Just fantastic. Rarely have I torn through a book so quickly. Dark, smart, fast-paced & sexy -- Samantha Shannon, author of The Bone Season