But at its heart, this book was really written for the curious: the mystery and thriller lovers fascinated by the human mind, the readers who question how consciousness works, who are drawn to the hidden machinery beneath thought and identity, and who may have already begun second-guessing that voice in their own head.
Lindsay Kent – 20 June 2026
The Back Flap
Neuroscientist Evelyn Malcolm has built her life on reason. She believes in clean data, repeatable results, and the comforting illusion that the mind can be mapped, measured, and controlled. But when the man she has secretly loved is found dead, Evelyn’s carefully constructed world collapses.
Now a prime suspect in his murder, she’s forced back into the orbit of her estranged twin sister, Vivian—a volatile mystery writer and recovering addict whose life has been defined by impulse, instability, and excess. When the twin’s DNA is discovered at the crime scene, the case fractures into something far more disturbing. Two sisters. One victim. Matching genetic fingerprints. And no clear explanation for what really happened.
As the sisters are pushed beyond their limits, Evelyn is forced to confront everything she has spent her life denying: the unreliability of memory, the fragility of identity, and the terrifying possibility that the mind is not a neutral observer, but an active participant in its own deception. And clearing her name may require the one thing she has always avoided: trusting her sister.
Propulsive, hallucinatory, and darkly funny, My Twin the Murderer is a mind-bending psychological thriller about the hidden costs of believing we are fully in control.
About the book
What is the book about?
My Twin the Murderer follows estranged twin sisters whose lives collide when their shared DNA is found at a crime scene. Forced back into each other’s orbit, they must navigate a murder charge, a shadowy government conspiracy, the psychedelic underground and the unresolved trauma between them to clear their names—and prevent a catastrophe far greater than either of them imagined.
When did you start writing the book?
I began this story as a TV pilot back in October 2023. I showed it to my twin sister (an award-winning screenwriter) who said, “You know too much about this stuff. This should be a book.” After a lot of snarling, I agreed.
How long did it take you to write it?
Just under two years.
Where did you get the idea from?
This story is, in many ways, an amalgamation of the things that have most shaped me: my relationship with my sister, my life as a storyteller, and my long-standing fascination with psychedelics. After twenty years as a documentary filmmaker, my work began moving deeply into the psychedelic space around 2014. While making Going Furthur, I was introduced to the astonishing history of MKUltra—the CIA’s covert LSD experiments of the 1950s—a chapter of history so surreal it seems made up. That discovery opened the door to a much broader exploration of psychedelic history, culture, and the rapidly evolving conversation around today’s psychedelic renaissance. The deeper I went, the more I realized that while nonfiction has extensively explored these worlds, fictional stories rarely have. There were countless documentaries, memoirs, and research-driven accounts about altered states of consciousness—but very few thrillers or novels willing to imaginatively explore their psychological, emotional, and cultural implications. I wanted to help change that.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Absolutely! I had to do a ton of research on police protocol for a murder case. Even after a dozen rewrites, my husband caught things I completely missed about Detective Schott and his mannerisms. The other challenge was making my heroine a neuroscientist. I wanted a no nonsense, brilliant woman, who would struggle with her experiences with psychedelics, unable to quantify and categorize something mystical or deeply meaningful. I had to do a lot of work on that end to get Evelyn’s vernacular right (and I’m sure it’s not perfect).
What came easily?
Writing the “evil” twin, Vivian! So much of her snarky wit and sass comes from my sister. The dialogue for Vivian flew out of me. I loved writing her scenes.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
Without question, the sisters. Evelyn’s OCD—while heightened for fiction—draws heavily from my own experience, so her anxious, nail-biting neuroticism feels especially personal. And Vivian’s charm, sharp edges, and deadpan humor? That’s absolutely inspired by my sister. There are elements of Jade I’d love to embody more in my own life—specifically, her intuition and her fearlessness.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
There are so many. Oyinkan Braithwaite’s My Sister, the Serial Killer was an absolute blast—I read it while working on my second draft, and I loved how brilliantly it captured the tension, loyalty, and complicated devotion between sisters. Ruth Ware and Karin Slaughter were masterclasses in pacing and twist-building; their breakneck suspense definitely sharpened my thriller instincts. Gillian Flynn’s prose was hugely influential too—I’ve rarely been so captivated by style within this genre. For research, John Lisle’s Project Mind Control was invaluable, particularly its deep dive into MKUltra and the unsettling history behind government experimentation. Hunter S. Thompson, Mona Awad and Tom Robbins for the Gonzo/weirdness. And Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott remains a constant source of inspiration—one of those rare books that feels essential for writers at any stage of the journey.
Do you have a target reader?
Adults already immersed in the psychedelic world—whether professionally or personally—will likely catch plenty of easter eggs woven throughout the story. But at its heart, this book was really written for the curious: the mystery and thriller lovers fascinated by the human mind, the readers who question how consciousness works, who are drawn to the hidden machinery beneath thought and identity, and who may have already begun second-guessing that voice in their own head.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
Writing my second novel has been totally different, so I’m still figuring out my process! But there’s a few things that have remained the same. I wake up and write with a cup of coffee. I am at my very best first thing in the morning. I set a timer and write for one hour. I do this again around noon.
Lately, I’ve also been compartmentalizing my workdays. For example, calls, meetings, email returns and other projects M/W/F. Tuesday and Thursday I am fully dedicated to my book; either writing, brainstorming, research, or a combination of the three. I’ve noticed a tremendous increase in my creativity and productivity.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I didn’t exactly outline My Twin the Murderer, but I wrote a pilot and sketched out a season of the show. Then I free wrote the first draft. I am in mega-outline mode for the second book, as there’s so much for me to research and learn to feel confident in my writing.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I try hard not to edit until I’m through, but with OCD that can be a real challenge! Having a timer and working for one hour helps me stay focused and not get too sidetracked in editing.
Did you hire a professional editor?
Yes I did! Reedsy is a wonderful resource, and I hired Shelley Routledge, who was a fabulous developmental editor. My sister was also incredibly helpful with some plot points.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” on repeat for this one (when you read the book, you’ll understand). But I also like certain focus tracks on Youtube, and hand pan music!
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I submitted to over 70 agents. I took a course in query writing and got amazing feedback from a top-tier editor. I received several requests for a full manuscript, but no offers. After I picked my ego up off the floor, I went the self-publishing route.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
Once Dan Brown’s The Secret of Secrets came out, I knew I had to jump on self-publishing and not waste any more time. There are some wonderful similarities with that work and my novel. It’s as if he opened a door into this world of remote consciousness, split identity and government conspiracies. I knew I could promote my novel myself, so I did. BookBaby is the publisher I chose, for their a la carte services and seamless formatting/publishing.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I’m incredibly fortunate to have a Caldecott Award–winning author and illustrator, Shawn Harris, as my brother-in-law. After reading the book, he created several cover concepts—and the one we chose was entirely his vision. It was completely different from what I had originally imagined, which made it all the more exciting. I absolutely love where we landed; it has an energy and sharpness that instantly clicked. Even better, this design will serve as the visual template for the next three novels in the series, with evolving color palettes and the paper-doll sisters holding different props that reflect each story.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I hired Books Forward as my publicist, and Layne Mandros is a gem! I have plenty of connections in the counterculture universe, but zero in the literary world. Layne and the team are helping fill the gaps. Together, we’re locking in guest articles, interviews, podcasts, radio shows, live events…if you can afford a publicist, I highly recommend them!
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
If I can write a book, you can write a book. Even if it’s a paragraph a day, just start. (A timer REALLY helps). The only thing more painful than writing is not writing as they say, so get going! And lean on the incredible resources out there in the online universe. A few of my favorites: Sisters in Crime, Reedsy, Jericho Writers and Pitch to Published.
About You
Where did you grow up?
In a small town outside of Dallas, Texas, then northeast Ohio! My sister and I lived with separate parents in different states through high school, so no one believed we had a twin. It was a wild time, but it allowed us to become our own individual selves, too.
Where do you live now?
Half Moon Bay, California. My twin, Lauren, lives five minutes away.
What would you like readers to know about you?
My sister and I have a production company called Sisters Kent Films. You can find us on IG. We made a short last year that won a bunch of awards, and now we’re working on our first feature.
And if you read the cliffhanger at the end of the book, you’ll know that My Twin the Murderer is only the beginning. This will be a four-part series, with the second installment slated for 2027. Stay tuned…
What are you working on now?
Book two of this series, called My Twin the Witch! Trust me, things are only getting weirder from here…
End of Interview:
For more from Lindsay Kent visit her website and follow her on Instagram.
Get your copy of My Twin the Murderer from Amazon US or Amazon UK.
