"Brat Farrar" di Josephine Tey

Josephine Tey was the pen name of the Scottish writer Elizabeth MacKintosh .The story takes place in 1946-1947 (the date is not given but it's after World war II).Almost eight years ago Patrick Ashby, a thirteen-year-old boy, committed suicide after his parents' death. No body was found, just his jacket with a farewell note. Now Simon Ashby, the younger twin, is going to own the Ashby holdings called Lanchettes for his 21st birthday, which is in a few weeks .But something unexpected happens...

Alec Loding, an Ashby neighbor, is down on his luck. He was walking on a street in London when he meets in Simon.Calling him without an answer Alec realizes that man isn't Simon, but a perfect double. His name is Brat Farrar(the title character). Brat, is a young orphan man recently returned to England from America. At the age of 13 he leftthe and He went in the USA where he worked at ranches for several years, and became an expert horseman. This gives Alec an idea: Brat could impersonate the missing twin, Patrick, and as the elder brother, claim the holdings and divide them with him. Brat is reluctant but tempted,by Alec's insistence he agrees to learn to be Patrick Ashby .

Brat learns everything Loding knows, having grown up with the Ashbys . So he goes to the family lawyer and presents himself as Patrick shortly before Patrick and Simon's twenty-first birthday. So, as Patrick Ashby,he comes to Lanchettes, Except for Simon, All the family accept him with happiness and make him feel at home. He also discovers a special feeling with his sister. But a thought always persecute him . What really happened to Patrick Ashby? In the meantime Simon is always more hostile and takes every possible opportunity of killing him.For example he invites "Patrick" to ride Timber, an exceptionally fine horse - without warning him that Timber sometimes tries to kill his rider. Once, in a fit of rage, he openly calls "Patrick" an impostor. Then Simon tells Brat he knows Brat is not Patrick - because he murdered Patrick. Of course, Simon perfectly knows Brat cannot say this to anyone without revealing his secret. Brat guesses where Patrick's mortal r

Continua »