But whoever struck first, trying to take each other's lives is simply what they do. Until one day a lawyer arrives at their house to take stock of its contents, and his accompanying son attracts their attention.
Soon a new battle evolves - one in which the twins have to work together to solve the mystery of their parents' deaths.
Can Lorelli and Ovid overcome their old animosities, and will they ever get to finish that game of chess?
Gareth P. Jones is the author of the Dragon Detective Agency series. Gareth's first novel, The Case of the Missing Cats, was shortlisted for the Waterstone's Book Prize. He lives in London.