| Title | : | Mirror, Mirror |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle , Hardcover , Paperback , Audiobook & More |
| Number of Pages | : | - |
| Publication | : | First published July 28, 2016 |
Samantha Williams was just a young girl when her cousin, Emily, was brutally raped and killed in her own home. As a child, Sam's family did their best to shelter her from the gruesome details. Now, working the crime beat for the Portland Tribune, Sam has the resources at her fingertips to investigate the case for herself.
Through the eyes of a killer...
After inheriting a family heirloom, an antique vanity table that once belonged to her murdered cousin, Sam begins seeing visions in the mirror's depths. Like watching an old home movie, she bears witness to Emily's murder. As if that weren't frightening enough, she starts to see other things too: fleeting glimpses of the killer himself! Are the things she sees just a figment of her imagination or could something otherworldly be trying to communicate with her? When the killer strikes again and leaves clues behind meant specifically for Sam it becomes a race against time to try to catch him.
Mirror, Mirror Reviews
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One of the best things about a well-written mystery/suspense is trying to guess the outcome as the clues begin to pile up, but I have to be honest, the author who has nailed their craft will leave saying, “I didn’t see THAT one coming.” Congratulations to author Jessica Jesinghaus! I didn’t see that one coming! You had me hooked on MIRROR, MIRROR from page one as you ramped up the action, tossed out the bread crumbs and led me on a merry chase through your written maze to the end!
Sam found the antique vanity table in her grandmother’s basement. Twenty years prior, it belonged to her older cousin, a teen brutally raped and murdered, her killer still on the loose. A tenacious crime reporter, Sam thought she had seen it all, but when brutal images begin showing up in the mirror, Sam is positive she is watching her cousin’s last moments from the killer’s eyes. Even more unnerving are the glimpses of the monster himself, but she never sees enough to identify the killer. Could Emily be sending a message from beyond the veil of life? Is she showing Sam the murders done by the same man?
Sam finds it impossible NOT to investigate Emily’s murder for herself. That investigation will lead into a dark abyss of danger as Sam learns more that it is safe for her know. Is the murderer after her now? How does he know she has “spoken” to Emily? Is he taunting Sam with clues?
It’s a deadly game of cat and mouse and Sam is being lured into the trap. Not until the terror gets too close to home do the authorities believe in Sam’s claims, but by then, it may be too late.
Settle in for a dark tale of twisted evil while a voice from the dead urges Sam toward the hidden truth that will completely turn her world upside down. Jessica Jesinghaus has mastered her craft, building a world that feels veiled in secrets with answers just out of one’s grasp. An excellent read that was hard to put down until I could discover if Emily could finally move on or if she even wanted to! The atmosphere is set from the front cover on, and its a nail biter.
I received this copy from Jessica Jesinghaus, because I think I coerced her into it! My review is honest and voluntary, though!
Publication Date: July 28, 2016
Publisher: Jessica Jesinghaus
Genre: Romantic Paranormal Suspense
Print Length: 336 pages
Available from:
Amazon
For Reviews & More:
http://tometender.blogspot.com
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Mirror, Mirror
Jessica Jesinghaus
Received from author
Holy cow! I read MIRROR, MIRROR in one sitting today! What a suspenseful story filled with twists and turns that had me holding my breath and sitting on the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I figured out who it was, Jessica Jesinhaus threw me a curve ball and I just knew I was wrong. I truly love when an author can keep me guessing long into the story.
Samantha is a newspaper reporter who is looking into the almost twenty year old cold case of her cousin Emily's murder. Emily was brutally raped and murdered, but Sam doesn't remember too much as she was just a child when it happened. MIRROR, MIRROR finds Sam at her Grandmother's house, picking up some furniture for her new house when she finds Emily's vanity. Sam wants the vanity for her home and that gets her thinking about her cousin and all that happened. Her new boyfriend, Patrick is a policeman and he decides to help her. Emily's vanity is actually going to help Sam more than Patrick will, but that's all I can say. You have to read this fast paced murder mystery for yourself. You wont be sorry!
Once I started reading MIRROR, MIRROR I could not put it down. I truly thought I had it all figured out and then realized how wrong I was. My emotions were all over the place and Jessica Jesinghaus described what each character was going through and feeling, perfectly. So much so, that I actually felt like I was right there with them, the hairs on the back of my neck, standing straight up, waiting for the killer to strike again. Not only does MIRROR, MIRROR have so many twists and turns, it's filled with mystery, suspense, as well as wonderful friendships and a new romance. I can not wait to read more by Jessica Jesinghaus. -
"I was given a free electronic copy of this book by the author, in accordance with the terms of For Love of a Book's Advance Reader Opportunity Program."
I would also like to point out that this is purely my personal opinion and you did ask for honesty. I am not trying to be mean, in case you were wondering, I am just letting you know what I thought :)
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This was a real page-turner! I haven’t had a lot of time to read this past week but every time I had to put down this book, I groaned aloud. If I could have, I would have read it all at one go.
Mirror, Mirror is a fast-paced murder mystery… with some romance and paranormal thrown in. There were plenty of times I got the creeps, but thankfully, there was nothing too vivid or gory because my imagination doesn’t need much help to go too far in that department.
The mystery itself was intriguing and the identity of the serial killer was not too obvious (which would have ruined the book for me). I had several suspects in mind at different times. At the same time, it did not (thankfully) have what I call “the Uncle Dennis did it” ending – when you get to the end and it was somebody you don’t know, care about or can even believe is the culprit. (Those endings just make me mad.)
The characterization was excellent as well. I felt I knew the characters (major and minor) and their emotional reactions seemed true to life. The scenes were brought to life in my head.
This was a well done story that I enjoyed immensely. This is the first
Jessica Jesinghaus book I’ve read, but it is definitely not the last!
EDIT: P.S.: I read this book "on the run" so to speak because, while I usually read everything to my husband, we were both too busy. After reading my review, my husband insisted I read it to him. I did, and his comment was, "Now THAT was a good book!" -
Just finished reading Mirror, Mirror written by Jessica Jesinghaus and I can say the book is many things. It is part buddy story as it tells about Sam (Samantha) and Jen, two best friends and roommates. It is part crime drama; a serial killer is on the loose. It has a dash of romance when Sam meets dashing young police sergeant Patrick. The entire concoction is held together with the spice of paranormal as a vanity mirror Sam receives from a dead relative communicates to her.
Miss Jesinghaus blends, mixes and stirs the various ingredients of her story into a fast paced, intuitive and completely engaging who-done-it that will satisfy the appetite of any mystery/paranormal fan. Once started the book is hard to put done and I found myself trying to figure out who the killer was before the story told me. I didn’t get it done.
This is the first of Miss Jesinghaus’ books I’ve read. I guaranty it won’t be the last. -
This is a new author to me having said that I have to say for the most part she held me spellbound with suspense, mystery and romance. There are some very touching, very in-depth, heart in your throat, yelling at the characters, and some very heart broken scenes. This is one author that really knows how to hold your attention giving you a compelling read that hooks you from the first page. There are so many different things you won’t see coming, a few shockers along the way. Very little filler used in this hang on to the edge of the seat read. At times I did have a hard time putting it down, I had to know what happen next. I had a hard time not going to the end to find out who the killer was.
The only issues I had was when Sam bought her house she went to her grandmother to get some of the few things she had in the basement. I was unsure why she didn’t go to her parent’s house to get some of the things there. It was like her parents died which really hurt her a lot but that was about it. What happen to their things?
I doubt you can read this and not have your heart go out to Sam from the first page she pulls you in when she goes to report on an accident and has her whole world turned upside down. From there is seems she cannot get a break just one things after another. The plot is well thought out leaving the read guessing and wondering what in the world could happen next. I thought for the most part it was beautiful written, so much so I picked up the other books the author has out. She does have a free one and the others are only 99 cents at the time of this post.
The romance part is done nicely not overpowering and not a lot of detail from their most private moments. Her roommate is a delight and really holds your attention with her budding romance. It seems there are a lot of characters that are full of surprises and secrets, just when you think you have a handle the author throws you a spin. There are a lot of twists and turns that keep you on the edge. The characters find away to your heart in a short time, they become family and you become very invested in their lives and the outcome of the plot. I love the paranormal in it, the author writes it in a way that it is very believable. It’s like a guiding hand but doesn’t give it all away. If you like mystery, romance, and suspense in your stories you are so going to love this. But hang on to your hats you are in for one heck of a ride. -
The mark of a good thriller, for me, all comes down to reading speed. Mirror, Mirror started out slow and then got faster and faster. By the middle of the book I found myself flying through it and trying to resist the urge to skip to the end to see “who done it”. I’m glad I resisted. I had my number one suspect picked out pretty early. Then it changed. Then it changed again. Then it changed back and kept going like that up until the big reveal. The great thing about all the flip-flopping is that it didn’t feel artificially inspired. That is, the author told the story naturally and let the reader form their own opinions without placing false bait traps. It makes me want to read the book again, knowing who the killer is, to reanalyze the killer’s behavior before I knew it was him. All of this to say- this is what a thriller should be.
Mirror, Mirror is suspenseful and well written. The characters that you’re supposed to like are likeable and the characters you’re supposed to suspect are just a little off, a little questionable, even when they are doing things that are totally normal. Some characters seemed a little naïve but that’s easy to say when we, as readers, know they are in danger. The writing was a perfect combination of advancing the story while creating suspicion without forcing it. I was not impressed with the police work in this novel but it’s not a CSI-type novel trying to impress with police work. And these days, that’s kind of refreshing. Mirror, Mirror is more like an old-fashioned stalker/suspense/thriller with a bit of a paranormal twist. I’m not a big paranormal fan, which made me a little reluctant going in but I was quite satisfied with the paranormal aspect to this story and the amount of paranormal occurrences. It definitely helps the story without being overdone. Overall, I enjoyed this book from start to finish which I unintentionally read very quickly throughout a full day of thunderstorms and flickering electricity which only added to the effect of the story. -
From beginning to end this story kept me turning pages. We follow Sam, an investigative reporter, who has been called to the scene of an accident...and what she finds when she gets there is nothing more than heartache. The fact that she had some great support to help her through, was a godsend. Thank God for good room mates. That isn't the only trauma she has in this story. Now, and after years of not doing anything about it, Sam decides that she is going to find the monster who killed her cousin, Emily. With her investigative skills she tries to piece together all the evidence and finally tracks the killer down, but it isn't without its dangers. This book is suspenseful and well written, with some dark elements...a real page turner, for sure! The dialogue is well conceived, and keeps you hooked.
I recommend this book to people who like hard hitting, well written stories...loved it! -
Oh my God! Mirror, Mirror was an amazing read! I absolutely loved reading it.
I actually stayed up till 4 AM in order to finish it because I just couldn't put it down!
There was comedy, sarcasm and a whole lot of suspense in this book.
The concept of the story, the writing style, the characters, everything was top notch!
The story kept me on edge, and I finished the whole thing, all the while thinking 'just one more chapter'!
I'm so glad I got the chance to read and review this utterly amazing book and I'm looking forward to reading more from the author! :) -
Was hooked a few pages into the first chapter. A good thriller with a fast paced plot. I liked this authors writing style, her characters were likeable. Finished it one sitting.
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Take two-thirds suspense, add in some mystery and a pinch of paranormal and you've got the makings for a really good journey.
Sam, our MC, visit's her grandmother's home with friends where they find a beautiful vanity table. Sam asks her grandmother where it came from and after a slight hesitation tells her it belonged to her murdered cousin Emily, and which her grandmother is now passing along to Sam.
After they get it home Sam asks her new boyfriend and her roommate to help her investigate Emily's murder. Then it starts to ramp up. Sam sits down in front of the vanity looking at herself when the image changes to Emily's room and it changes again, showing Sam an image of Emily on her bed with the killer.
From here it the book set's a really good pace with loads of suspense. The characters are well developed and the friendships are genuine. The book is well written and can easily be consumed over the course of a couple of days if one is inclined. -
Once this story got going, I could not put it down! I was completely pulled into this suspenseful tale about Sam (Samantha) and her startling mirror. The book opens with an accident that's both shocking and sad. It then takes us through Sam pulling the pieces of her life back together. It wends through her new romance, a budding relationship that's becoming ever more serious. The characters are heartfelt, and the emotions are well drawn and extremely realistic. Jessica Jesinghaus knows how to capture human emotions and reactions and bring them to life on the page.
When Sam starts to investigate the murder of her cousin, and finds the mirror, the story quickly comes alive and takes an intense turn! I loved the paranormal aspect of this mystery. It brought a whole new element in that made it a fun read. I've read mysteries where the detective uses psychic powers to help solve a crime, but this was very different and cool. As things progressed, I just had to know who the perpetrator was and I could barely keep from skipping ahead. (I didn't :) ) Then I was sure I knew who did it, but of course I was wrong.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a blend of romance and suspense in a fast-paced read. -
If you like a good murder mystery with a some paranormal and romance, this is a good one to pick up. I pretty much devoured this one in one sitting. I kind of had a clue midway whodunnit, but I had no idea how the book would end and there were plenty twists and turns I didn't see coming.
The book is a fast paced read that will keep you guessing. I did receive a free copy of the book and I'm not sure if the version I received is the same is what is currently on Amazon. The version I received could do with a good polishing as far as formatting goes, but that's easily fixable and doesn't take away from the excellent plot and storyline -
Insane!! So many heart-stopping moments. I found myself reading faster through many tense moments. My mind racing with possibilities. In my eyes, every new character was a suspect.
We are immediately introduced to Samantha Williams, a reporter for the Oregon Tribune. Her editor and boss, Tony, sends her out to cover a tragic accident. Tractor trailer. Multiple cars. Two dead.
Long-time friend and long-time roommate, Jen, is nearby when Sam’s world collapses. Jen helps pick up the pieces and tries to get Sam back on her feet.
Sergeant Joe is a favorite contact for reporter Sam. She relies on their friendship to get the scoop on various stories. In fact, he feels more like family to her.
Cue Joe’s new partner, Patrick. I pictured sparks and fireworks; the whole shebang! To Sam and Patrick, the connection felt real. How is that possible after only knowing each other a short couple of days? Eventually, the two decided to stop asking questions and accept the inevitable. Patrick and Sam became inseparable. Samrick??
Oh, and Sam’s cousin, Emily, was murdered almost 20 years prior. Sam was young at the time and remembers little. After an intense investigation, the case ran cold. The murderer was never discovered. And now, after all this time, the killer has returned. Sam is afraid her digging into the case rejuvenated his desire to kill again. She’s afraid she made herself a target.
My heart broke for Sam. She couldn’t do anything; couldn’t go anywhere. She was a prisoner in her own home, but she still didn’t feel safe. Photos were his prize. He had taken pictures of his next victim without her even knowing it.
With my detective hat on I devoured the book searching for clues. Many led to a single suspect, yet I knew it couldn’t be him. I didn’t want it to be him, but who else could it be? The oddly-familiar man was revealed towards the end, but it may have been too late. He had yet another victim in his clutches.
The book started out tragically but ended peacefully. My takeaway? Revenge is best served never. Forgive, forget, move on, whatever you need to do. Revenge eats away at the soul. Nothing good will ever come of it.
In the end, I absolutely loved how it all came together. -
What an outstanding suspenseful thriller! This is the second book I've read by this author and I have to say I thoroughly enjoy her writing style and action packed novels. Jessinghaus excels at gripping and character driven stories that draw the reader in and provide vivid and descriptive detail which I love.
The premise of the story hooked me from the start. I loved Sam's character and her drive to find out the truth about her cousin and the horrific events that took place years ago. Caught in the middle of a race against time to stop a serial killer, Sam is thrust into danger and seeks the help of those closest to her - including detectives, her new BF (whom I adored), her family, her best friend, and her editor (she's a reporter).
Who's telling the truth? Who has connections to the past?
I was riveted from start to finish. The writing was flawless, the characters fascinating, and the story pulled me in from page one. I highly recommend to fans of suspense, romance, thrillers, crime dramas, and paranormal stories. You get the best of all worlds here and it's a testament to the talent of Jessinghaus that such a complex combination of elements were woven together so seamlessly. 5 stars from me!
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Word Building: 5/5
Story Flow: 5/5
Picky Bitches OVERALL SCORE: 5/5 -
Intriguing murder mystery with a paranormal twist. Samantha uses her contacts as a news reporter to investigate the cold case of her cousin Emily’s murder. When she inherits Emily’s old vanity, strange visions come to her through the mirror. Visions that lead her and her police officer boyfriend to the killer. The twists and turns will keep you flipping the pages until the surprising end. A very exciting read.
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This is a real page-turner with a great story!! It is a lot of twist and turns and almost impossible to figure out who the mystic man that hunts and teases Sam. In the story are also a romance going on and a carrier as a journalist for Sam. I would really want to know what happens after this "adventure". I hope I will meet Sam and the others in the book in another story. Jessica has write about people that without daubt could be in a lot of diffrent situations regarding their jobs. There is a little paranormal things going on but if you don't like that kind of stuff normally I wish you read the book anyway. It's not to much that it got unreal and it give me a lot of things to think of. I read a lot of paranormal books but have never thought about a mirror in the way it's used here.
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This book is a mystery-thriller with a touch of supernatural, as well as a romantic component. Samantha, a young reporter, vaguely remembers her cousin Emily, who was brutally murdered twenty years ago. The killer was never captured. Then, a vanity mirror that once belonged to Emily makes its way into Sam’s house. And so the creepiness begins. The mystery is well set up and left me guessing for most of the book. The story was well paced; it started out a bit slow, but the second half went fast—and I had to finish it. There were just enough breadcrumbs each time to keep the suspension going. The lead characters were well developed, even the evil ones.
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What a riveting book! In the tradition of some of the best mystery novels, Mirror, Mirror kept me guessing the entire time I was reading it. The tension is built gradually, but relentlessly, and the characters are fascinating. The effective use of a supernatural element is another characteristic that sets this book apart from the average thriller. Samantha Williams, the protagonist, can see the murders in an old mirror, but the face of the perpetrator always remains hidden. In my opinion, the book can become a very successful movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I look forward to reading more books by the same author.
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Sam Carlson is a reporter working for the Oregon Tribune. Fifteen years ago, her cousin Emily was murdered in her own home. The perpetrator has never been caught. When Sam visits her grandmother she finds a vanity table in the basement which used to belong to Emily. She takes it home and begins to see visions in the mirror, including that of her cousin's murder. When the killer strikes again, Emily starts to see more visions, possibly showing recent victims of Emily's killer. Messages are left at the crime scenes intended for Sam. Is she his next intended victim? Will anyone believe her about the mirror?
This story has so much. It's not only a murder mystery with plenty of tension and suspense but also contains the themes of romance and the paranormal.
The characters are very well developed. Sam has experienced great tragedy in her life but she's tough and determined. She's fiercely loyal to her friends but is unsure who can she really trust. We can all relate to the themes running throughout this story. For example; the loyalty between Sam and her employer, Tony, and the friendship between Sam and her room mate, Jen. There is romance too as the relationship between Sam and Patrick develops and becomes stronger.
The book has plenty of twists and turns and the plot is unpredictable. There are several possible suspects for the serial killer. My initial suspect turned out to be wrong and I was kept guessing.
The writing has great depth and is clear and detailed.
I really enjoyed this book: a gripping story which is difficult to put down.
Highly recommended. -
Spectacular, suspense filled masterpiece!
Mirror, Mirror is the most thrilling paranormal page turner I've read this decade.
Fabulous plot accompanied by intriguing, brilliant writing.
Amazingly fast pace, brilliantly descriptive narrative, super dialogue and vividly rich three dimensional characterization.
The creepiest atmosphere I've ever encountered; most pages had the main characters breathing air thick with the most palpable tension in literary history and me along with them.
Almost every page I turned left me feeling the knife edge the characters were living- Mirror Mirror oozes spine tingling suspense.
Jessica Jesinghaus is a writer of the highest calibre.
Her official title should be storyteller extraordinaire, such an amazingly skilled writer.
Her writing transcends all the usual genre classifications.
Master of so many genres: thriller, mystery, romance, crime, fantasy and supernatural.
Looking forward to reading more titles from this author.
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Reviewed by Jetana Mutter
*This book was provided for an honest review
They say that time heals all wounds but death is never an easy thing to accept. We all know that one day, it is a fate that we will all have to accept, but it doesn’t make it easier to deal with. The death of a loved one can leave a dark hole in your life that never completely goes away; you learn to live your life the best you can without them. Many of us wish that there were a way to communicate with those who have passed from this Earth- to be able to talk to them one more time, to know that they are truly okay. What if your loved one was murdered; how would you be able to cope with that? When we hear paranormal, we usually tend to think about ghosts and things of that nature; but the definition of ‘paranormal’ is defined as “denoting events or phenomena that are beyond the scope of normal scientific understanding”. What would happen if you suddenly had a link to your loved one who was killed, to find out what exactly happened on that fateful night?
Samantha Williams, or Sam, works for the Oregon Tribune on the crime beat section. One fateful night she is dispatched to the scene of a major pile-up accident where she finds that her whole world has come crashing down on her- her parents both perished in the accident. Months later, as she’s at her Grandmother’s picking through some things that belonged to her parents, she finds her cousin’s old vanity mirror (her cousin, Emily, was brutally murdered in her own home when Sam was just a kid). Things are going good for Sam- she’s got a new home and a new boyfriend- then she starts seeing flashes of her cousin’s murder in the old mirror. When she tries to tell her best friend (who is her roommate) and her boyfriend, neither of them can believe what she is saying. Until one night when she sees Emily’s killer striking again, this time as it happens. With an inexplicable link that only appears to Sam, time starts running out as Sam realizes she is his new target. Will the police be able to catch this maniac before it’s too late? Will Sam be able to solve the mystery of what happened to Emily that devastating night many years ago? Pick up a copy of Mirror, Mirror today and find out for yourself.
Mirror, Mirror is the first book by Jessica Jesinghaus that I have read, and it gripped me tightly and would not let go. From the start, it is captivating as you are pulled into a world that is seemingly unreal with Sam. The link that she is given is one that many people would both be scared to have yet yearn for. To be able to see your cousin’s murder over a decade ago would make a lot of people think that they are going crazy, but Sam uses the knowledge that she is getting to be able to make strides in finding out who Emily’s killer really is. This book is a well written mystery/thriller that will put you on the edge of your seat as you go along on the ride with Sam- making you want to turn the pages in one sitting to find out if your thoughts on the identity of the killer are who you think it is. If you’re looking for a gripping and spell-binding ride, then Mirror, Mirror is for you. -
*EDITORIAL REVIEW*
Reviewed By Arya Fomonyuy for Readers’ Favorite
Swift, deft, and balanced can best describe Mirror, Mirror by Jessica Jesinghaus, a spellbinding mix of murder and suspense. It has been almost 20 years since a teenage girl was murdered. Emily was raped and murdered at their home. Samantha Williams, her cousin, was young enough to understand the gruesome details of the crime, and her parents did everything to keep her from the gory details. But now things have changed, and working with the Portland Tribune, Sam has all the tools she needs to uncover the truth for herself. But there is a twist in the story, tilting towards the paranormal with a family heirloom, a table that once belonged to the victim, and the occasional visions caught through the mirror. But are the things Sam can see merely her own imagination or is there more to them?
Here is the perfect read, wonderfully paced, and as the reader gets to know the characters, their interest deepens and becomes sort of an obsession. It’s hard to stop reading as one follows the clues, trying to figure out who the murderer could be. The plot is the work of genius, masterfully executed, and Samantha is a protagonist whose role in the story is so well-developed that readers will feel like they are one with her, seeing the world through her eyes, and experiencing the powerful flood of emotions that she experiences. Jessica Jesinghaus has a gift for writing and there is a striking balance that comes out beautifully in the treatment of the different elements of the story — setting, plot, thematic development, and character. Mirror, Mirror is seductive, absorbing, and utterly delightful. A must-read for fans of thrillers and mystery. -
In Mirror, Mirror we meet Sam, a news reporter who is looking into the cold case murder of her cousin, Emily.
After a tragic accident, she retrieves Emily's vanity from their grandmother and shortly thereafter begins to have - through the vanity mirror - visions of her cousin's death, her murderer, and his crimes. During this same time, she begins a relationship with Patrick, a cop she meets through a mutual friend.
Unfortunately, a serial killer has re-surfaced and is stalking...someone. And the great thing about suspense/mystery tales is that the bad guy never is who you think he is ...then he is...then he isn't...
Anyway, this read started off a little slow and concentrated alot on the development of Sam and Patrick's relationship. To me, this book seemed like it would make a good Lifetime movie. Every single character was good-natured and wholesome - lived a near perfect life even. The events were structured well - some predictable.
But the writing was good. The author was descriptive and at all turns attempted to make her reader apart of the story. I think a good job was done in building suspense and defining character personality through dialogue. I wish things had been a bit bloodier, but all in all, I thought it was a good read.
* Thx to the author for obliging my request for a review copy of Mirror, Mirror -
This was an exceptional suspense tale, with the added supernatural element that gave it such an original flavour.
It began with a devastating road accident in which Sam Williams discovered not only had her best friend and room-mate been injured, but her parents were the unfortunate victims of the crash.
But Sam wouldn't succumb to grief and threw herself into her work as a reporter. To keep her mind off her situation, she decided to investigate another family case—one in which her cousin, Emily, had been murdered many years ago.
The story centred on Sam, her new boyfriend Patrick (a policeman), her room-mate Jen and her boss Tony. The four lives were intricately woven together, making them almost a family unit. So when one appeared to be threatened, all were naturally concerned.
The story moved along at a great pace, tension was high and the twists just kept coming. A real page-turner.
I will definitely read more from this author.
I received a free arc of this and this voluntary review is mine, all mine and nothing but mine. -
“Mirror, Mirror” is a murder mystery with romance, and the paranormal. Sam is a journalist who suffers a devastating loss. During this time, she meets Patrick, buys a new house, and takes the dresser that used to belong to a murdered relative. As romance blooms with Patrick, a serial killer continues his quest, too. Sam is offered some insight and help from beyond--through the mirror on her dresser. Sam hopes this will solve not only the family murder, but the current ones, too. It is a page turner with a couple of twists along the way. It was a hard book to put down, because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I will be reading more by this author.
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Once I started this book, I could not put it down. Mirror, Mirror is part paranormal story and part crime mystery. A good mystery will leave you guessing right until the end and Mirror, Mirror does not disappoint. The story has a great cast of characters and I enjoyed the interaction between the main characters.
I recommend this book to any mystery and/or paranormal lovers. -
Suspenseful Read About a Reporter On a Killer’s Radar…
“Mirror, Mirror” is a novel carefully constructed to build maximum suspense that remains on full boil straight through to its denouement. First we’ve got our cast of primary characters: Samantha Williams (crime reporter for the Oregon Tribune), Tony (Sam’s boss at the newspaper), Jen (Sam’s supportive roommate), Sally (Sam’s grandmother), Sgt. Joe Torrance (a veteran with the local police force), and Patrick (Joe’s newbie partner).
After her parents pass away in a horrific car crash, Sam has the money to buy a respectable two-story home, where she roommates with Jen. The very handsome Patrick is new on the local police force, but it doesn’t take him long to charm Sam, no matter how long it typically takes her to let a man into her life. While we enjoy watching them fall in love, the backstory comes to life; Sally wants to give Sam some old furniture for her new home, including a mirrored vanity that belonged to her murdered cousin Emily who died 15 years earlier, when Sam was only 10.
When Sam moves the vanity home, sits on the matching stool, and runs her fingers across the dark red wood, something electrifying happens. She is able to envision things in the mirror: an unfamiliar bedroom, someone sleeping there, and a dark figure entering the space, moving quietly. This will not be her first encounter seeing things in the mirror, many of them terrifying and gruesome, and Sam begins to question her sanity, particularly when she shares her visions with Patrick, who generally trusts only his five senses. That is not to say Patrick is not trying to help Sam piece together the cold case of her cousin’s murder. He borrows the case file from his friend in homicide and shares it with her. The killer left a note that said “I am the dark knight” taped to Emily’s mirror, and the message strikes a familiar chord with Sam. She sees the reenactment of her cousin’s murder in the mirror and realizes Emily knew her killer.
With Joe’s help, Sam ties the “dark knight” note to four other murders on the west coast over the course of the past 15 years that bear striking similarities to Emily’s homicide. Sam’s next mirror vision is of a petite redhead she does not recognize, and she watches as she is murdered in her bedroom. The killer is always in shadow, but this time he seems vaguely familiar. That same night, Patrick joins a colleague on a homicide call. The woman Sam has seen in her vision is the woman who has just been murdered. They find a “dark knight” note there, and when Sam tells Patrick the victim’s bedspread was red, he confirms it.
Sam breaks the story at the Tribune that the latest murder is connected to several others, including the murder of her cousin, Emily. She has the list of the victims, the dates of their murders, and the note left at each scene that links them.
The ante is about to be upped. Sam finds a note addressed to her that says, “Dearest Samantha, Emily was my treasure. My secret. D.K.” She is now not only on the killer’s radar, she is about to find out the murderer wants to add her to his list of serial kills. From here, the book barrels relentlessly ahead, causing the reader to jump every time Sam jumps, creating terrific suspense as she is stalked. This is just the hook, but it is sufficient and meaty enough to land a satisfying ending to a thoroughly thrilling read that comes highly recommended.
