Have you seen my rant about the “surprise paranormal” trope? (If being blindsided by supernatural elements irks you, you can find a warning list here–but the post spoils books that fall into that category. Proceed at your own risk.) Another trope that leaves readers feeling tricked instead of satisfied is what I like to call the “name change” trope.
What is the “name change” trope?
The “name change” trope often occurs in thrillers with dual timelines. The reader is introduced to a set of characters in the past and a different set of characters in present-day, seemingly with nothing to do with one another. Then along the way, it is revealed that one or more of the characters is the same, but with a name change. The reader is meant to think they’re two different people, but it has been the same personal all along. For example, “Ellie” and “Nora” are the same person, but she changed her nickname to go by a different diminutive of Eleanor.
Personally I don’t mind this trope when it’s done well, and I often enjoy spotting it early on. It understandably feels misleading to some readers, though, so I’ve created a warning list below of books that rely on this twist.
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to talk about these books without spoiling them, so I do have to consider this a spoiler post. If you’ve read a few of these books and want to avoid this trope in the future, read on to be warned of other similar books. If you like these twists and like to be surprised, I’ll see you on my review page after you’ve read them!
Reading further may spoil books you didn’t know use the name-change trope.
Books that use the “name-change” trope as their twist:
The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
Owen is Shrimp. Michelle is Shelly. The cop is Jake, thought missing by the townspeople. Read more in my spoiler discussion.
The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
I loved this book, but it frustrated many. All the characters are the same person’s multiple personality splits. Read more in my spoiler discussion.
Never Lie by Frieda McFadden
I haven’t read this one, but I’m told it fits this trope.
Can you think of more?
Feel free to add your own warnings to other readers in the comments. I’ll keep this post updated with more as I come across them!
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