Stranger with My Face

A chilling supernatural tale, Stranger with My Face follows seventeen-year-old Laurie Stratton as she confronts mysterious sightings of herself in places she has never been. The Native American teenager, adopted at a young age by the Stratton family, discovers she has an identical twin sister who possesses the ability to travel through astral projection. As Laurie learns about astral projection - the practice of separating one's spirit from the physical body - she becomes entangled in a dangerous exploration of her own supernatural abilities. Her investigation of her twin sister's identity leads her into increasingly treacherous territory, forcing her to question everything she knows about herself and her family. The book grapples with fundamental questions of identity, family bonds, and the boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds. Its exploration of doubles and doppelgangers taps into primal fears about the nature of self and the possibility of losing control over one's own existence.

Readers describe this as a suspenseful young adult thriller that keeps them engaged throughout. Many report finishing it in one sitting and remember it vividly years later. Readers appreciate: - The supernatural elements feel grounded and believable - Strong character development of the protagonist - The building tension and mystery - The exploration of family relationships - Clear explanations of astral projection Common criticisms: - Slower pacing in the first third - Some dated cultural references and attitudes - The ending feels rushed to some readers - Side characters could be more developed Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (19,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (300+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (50+ ratings) "The psychological suspense got under my skin," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another adds, "The concept of having an evil twin haunts me to this day." Several readers mention re-reading it as adults and finding it holds up despite its 1981 publication date.

The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney A teen discovers her own face on a missing persons advertisement and uncovers dark secrets about her identity and family history.

Don't Look Behind You by Lois Duncan A girl assumes a new identity in witness protection after her father testifies against a criminal organization.

The Third Twin by CJ Omololu A teenager's secret game of pretending to be an invented twin sister spirals into danger when a real second identity begins making appearances.

The Innocent Killer by Alice Blanchard A teenager's life changes when her dead sister's doppelganger moves to town and begins infiltrating her family.

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard A foster child learns she had an identical twin who was murdered and steps into her sister's life to find the killer.

🔍 Author Lois Duncan pioneered young adult suspense literature in the 1970s and had one of her other famous works, "I Know What You Did Last Summer," adapted into a hit movie. 🌟 The concept of astral projection featured in the book is practiced in various cultures worldwide, with accounts dating back to ancient Egypt and appearing in texts from ancient Greece. 🏃‍♀️ The novel was inspired by real-life cases of separated twins discovering each other's existence years later, a phenomenon that has helped researchers study nature versus nurture. 🎭 The book was adapted into a made-for-TV movie in 1991, starring Stephanie Kramer and retitled "Not My Kid" for television audiences. 🎨 Duncan revised and updated many of her books, including "Stranger with My Face," in the 2000s to incorporate modern technology and contemporary references while maintaining the original storylines.