What Cosplayed to Death Teaches Us About Reinvention and Identity

By Elle Jauffret

We’ve all experienced moments when life forces us to change. Maybe it was a job loss, a health crisis, a move across the country, or even a pandemic. These transitions challenge our sense of self and often prompt us to ask: Who am I now?

In my mystery novel Cosplayed to Death, I explore this question through the lens of Claire Fontaine, a former Washington D.C. attorney whose life is upended after surviving a bombing that destroys her law firm. The trauma leaves her with Foreign Accent Syndrome, a rare condition that causes her to speak with a French accent, despite being California-born. As she starts over in a small coastal town as a caterer, Claire becomes a case study in the psychology of reinvention.

Her story mirrors what psychologists call “identity disruption, a psychological "gap" where the old identity no longer fits, but a new one has not yet formed. Claire must write a new story, but like many of us, she isn’t sure how.

Social psychologist Dr. Amy Cuddy’s research on impostor syndrome suggests that when our external identity shifts (new roles, appearances, or careers) we often feel like frauds. Claire feels this tension daily, caught between her old role as a lawyer and her new life as a chef. The problem is also compounded by an online troll who challenges the legitimacy of her French accent and her cooking skills.

Psychologist Erik Erikson’s theory of adult development calls this a battle between “generativity and stagnation” (growth vs. staying stuck in the past). Claire’s transition isn’t just a career change, it’s an identity rupture that forces her to choose between clinging to her past life as a lawyer (stagnation) or embracing the uncertain path of reinvention (generativity). Initially overwhelmed by imposter syndrome, she begins to rediscover herself through food, creativity, and personal expression. In doing so, Claire embodies Erikson’s idea that adulthood requires continuous self-redefinition, turning the kitchen into a space of healing, growth, and authentic transformation.

Other characters in the novel show the darker sides of identity reinvention. Ricky Bingle, a social-climbing narcissist, represents what Dr. Jean Twenge calls “narcissistic self-enhancement.” In Ricky’s decision to buys the captain position reflects an attempt to reshape his identity and create a new, more powerful self-image, even though it’s not backed by his actual skills. Rather than addressing his limitations or genuinely developing his abilities, he seeks to reinvent himself through external status. However, this type of reinvention is more about creating a facade rather than authentic growth.

Renée Efterlig, who completely transforms her body to cosplay as a fictional queen, embodies what researchers refer to as “identity fusion” (when someone integrates the persona of their chosen character into their own identity, feeling a strong emotional connection and sense of belonging to that character). This fusion leads them to embody the character’s traits, values, and actions, sometimes blurring the lines between their real self and the character they portray. Through cosplay, they experience a heightened sense of unity with both the character and the larger fan community.

But Claire’s evolution models something much healthier. Psychologist Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman describes “self-actualization through integration”, the ability to combine different parts of ourselves into a more complete identity. Claire doesn’t reject her past or cling to it; instead, she allows it to inform who she’s becoming: a sleuth, an emergency legal advocate, and a chef. Claire voices this when she says, “I’m not staying in Caper Cove forever,” informing us that she isn’t choosing between versions of herself, but she’s building a broader one.

Psychologists like Dr. Kate McLean call this “autobiographical reasoning” , which is about connecting the past with the present in meaningful ways. It's also central to what researchers term “post-traumatic growth,” where adversity becomes a catalyst for deeper purpose.

As her roommate Torres wisely tells her, “Maybe home isn’t a place. Maybe it’s where you feel like yourself, whatever version of yourself you want to be.” That insight aligns with psychologist Carl Rogers’ idea of congruence—being true to yourself across all life’s changes.

In a culture that glorifies radical makeovers and total reinvention, Cosplayed to Death offers a different message: that growth isn’t about becoming someone new, but becoming more fully yourself.

Elle Jauffret is a French-born American lawyer, former criminal attorney for the California Attorney General's Office, and culinary enthusiast. She graduated from Université Côte d'Azur Law School (France) and the George Washington University Law School (USA) and is an active member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers. An Agatha Award nominee, PenCraft Award recipient, and Claymore Award finalist, Elle volunteers as a write-in host for Sisters in Crime and regularly appears as a panelist, moderator, and guest speaker at conferences across the country (including WonderCon, Comic-Con, San Diego Writers Festival, and Southern California Writers' Conference). She has chaired the Pediatric Literacy Program at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (aka Bethesda Naval Hospital), promoting children’s literacy among the military community. Elle is an avid consumer of mystery and adventure stories in all forms, especially escape rooms. She lives in Southern California with her family, along the coast of San Diego County, which serves as the backdrop for her Suddenly French Mystery series.
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You can find her at https://ellejauffret.com or on social media @ellejauffret.