The Resemblance: A Novel
Lauren Nossett’s artfully written debut, The Resemblance is an exhilarating, atmospheric campus thriller reminiscent of If We Were Villains and The Likeness.
Never betray the brotherhood
On a chilly November morning at the University of Georgia, a fraternity brother steps off a busy crosswalk and is struck dead by an oncoming car. More than a dozen witnesses all agree on two things: the driver looked identical to the victim, and he was smiling.
Detective Marlitt Kaplan is first on the scene. An Athens native and the daughter of a UGA professor, she knows all its shameful histories, from the skull discovered under the foundations of Baldwin Hall to the hushed-up murder-suicide in Waddel. But in the course of investigating this hit-and-run, she will uncover more chilling secrets as she explores the sprawling, interconnected Greek system that entertains and delights the university’s most elite and connected students.
The lines between Marlitt’s police work and her own past increasingly blur as Marlitt seeks to bring to justice an institution that took something precious from her many years ago. When threats against her escalate, and some long-buried secrets threaten to come to the surface, she can’t help questioning whether the corruption in Athens has run off campus and into the force and how far these brotherhoods will go to protect their own.
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Community Reviews
The Resemblance by Lauren Nossett (McMillian Publishing/audio)
Set in a Southern University with a dark past of privilege, secrets, and death.
Detective Marlitt Kaplan happens to be on the University campus when a hit and run takes place. She runs outside to find the victim dead in the crosswalk. Though there are many witnesses, they can only agree on three things- the driver looked identical to the victim, he was driving the victim’s car and he was smiling.
This story is part police procedural, part general critique of the Greek system. Marlitt has a long-standing grudge against fraternities and all the avoidable tragedies that happen under their watch.
I felt that the story relied too heavily on stereotypes, leading the characters to become misrepresented at times. The flashback scenes are far and few between, not allowing the reader to fully comprehend, and possibly empathize with why Detective Kaplan distrusts of fraternities and the Greek system. I felt as a reader, not being able to connect with our Protagonist and ended up disliking her. The reveal comes out of nowhere and denies the reader of any opportunities to put the pieces together for themselves. Finally, the ending is just so abrupt. I felt like I had questions still burning in my mind. Overall, it was a fun read with some surprising twists that will keep readers on their toes. This being a debut, it is objectively a great thriller and a page turner.
Set in a Southern University with a dark past of privilege, secrets, and death.
Detective Marlitt Kaplan happens to be on the University campus when a hit and run takes place. She runs outside to find the victim dead in the crosswalk. Though there are many witnesses, they can only agree on three things- the driver looked identical to the victim, he was driving the victim’s car and he was smiling.
This story is part police procedural, part general critique of the Greek system. Marlitt has a long-standing grudge against fraternities and all the avoidable tragedies that happen under their watch.
I felt that the story relied too heavily on stereotypes, leading the characters to become misrepresented at times. The flashback scenes are far and few between, not allowing the reader to fully comprehend, and possibly empathize with why Detective Kaplan distrusts of fraternities and the Greek system. I felt as a reader, not being able to connect with our Protagonist and ended up disliking her. The reveal comes out of nowhere and denies the reader of any opportunities to put the pieces together for themselves. Finally, the ending is just so abrupt. I felt like I had questions still burning in my mind. Overall, it was a fun read with some surprising twists that will keep readers on their toes. This being a debut, it is objectively a great thriller and a page turner.
The plot is tired. But give this book a chance. It’s the kind of writing that blurs genres—sweeping you back and forth, until you’re unsure what is supposed to come next. It’s beautiful. Haunting. And even though the storyline: fraternity gone wrong with rich assholes, this book manages to soar. It’s about identity and darkness—of longing. And it’s not new, everyone does everything you think and it’s worse, and no, they’ll never be punished. But there’s an unveiling in this novel, of how the sickness leeches and destroys. It’s a beautiful look at class and the narrator will knock you off your feet. Run to read this. Give it a chance.
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