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“My name…is Sam Sailor. Like the others…I am trapped here. And will die here.”
In 1984, Iris Sailor’s brutal fall on the ice unravels everything—her memory, doping secret, and figure skating career. Dumped by her coach/boyfriend and banned from competing, Iris finds herself utterly alone, wishing there was some way she could reconnect with her estranged sister, Sam.
When she returns home after her fall from grace, she finds an old postcard tucked alongside the rest of her mail. Strangely, the card advertising Nova Bay is postmarked September 14, 1981—the same day Sam disappeared. As she’s about to chuck it in the trash, Iris realizes there’s only one word scribbled on the back: HELP.
Tracing clues to a briny Northern California cove, Iris discovers a series of cassette tapes left behind by Sam, who narrates the story of her disappearance three years before. To uncover Sam's fate—and reclaim her own—Iris must piece together fractured memories and let go of the past before her sister and future are lost forever. But will she sink or swim under waves of crippling fear and dark family secrets?
Recipient of ThrillerFest's 2026 Barbara Peters / Poisoned Pen Scholarship
"Thin ice, deep water, vivid tension — The Lemon Twist is a fresh, original thriller steeped in 80s nostalgia but perfect for the 21st-century reader of psychological suspense. And Iris Sailor makes for a heroine as distinctive and unexpected as her name. This excellent debut will intrigue crime-fiction readers of all stripes, but especially those who like their stories with a twist." —A. J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window
“A sinuous, compelling puzzle box of a mystery, The Lemon Twist grabbed me from the first page and didn't let go. A truly original, atmospheric novel.” —Tom Ryan, award-winning author of The Treasure Hunters Club
“The Lemon Twist is a suspenseful, character-driven novel about loss, love, and reckoning, shaped by a young woman's traumatic experience as a competitive pairs skater. Truly unique, and thoroughly enjoyable.” —Wendy Walker, USA Today bestselling author of Blade
“Dark and edgy, mysterious and beautiful, The Lemon Twist will have you questioning everything from page one. Nothing and no one are who they seem in the peculiar compound that is Nova Bay. Be ready for your next favorite binge-read!” —T. L. Finlay, author of Girls Without Tears
“Evocative, immersive, and quietly haunting, this novel weaves a story of love, loss, and the lingering weight of the past. With prose that pulls you under and a mystery that unfolds like a forgotten memory, it’s a story that lingers long after the final page!” —Amanda Luciano, bookstagrammer @bibli0saurus
“A tangled web of deceit, The Lemon Twist is as refreshing as its title suggests, with an ending so shocking it will have you tearing through the final pages.” —Stephanie DeCarolis, USA Today bestselling author of The Wives of Hawthorne Lane
"The Lemon Twist is an enigmatic, conspiracy-laced mystery where nothing is as it seems. Les Vies paints a captivating picture of 1980s California, and the secrets lurking beneath its waters that will keep you turning pages late into the night." —Allison Buccola, author of The Ascent and Catch Her When She Falls
Élan Les Vies is a Californian author of mysteries and thrillers. His writing is shaped by the duality of his upbringing, split between a coastal suburb and a border reservation. He is also recognized by his stage name, The Coyote, for his eclectic 1960s sound and nostalgic Southwestern brand. Élan currently lives between San Diego and Paris, France with his wife, Clémence, and his Australian Shepherd, Sam.