Twin sisters, one “perfect” and the other envious, are sailing across the Indian Ocean in their yacht. When the jealous sister wakes up alone halfway Twin sisters, one “perfect” and the other envious, are sailing across the Indian Ocean in their yacht. When the jealous sister wakes up alone halfway through their journey, she decides to seize her sister’s life of perfection, complete with a handsome and wealthy husband. But what truly occurred on the yacht? And to what extremes will she go to keep her secret?
Iris Carmichael has always been envious of her twin sister, Summer, who has everything Iris has always wanted: love and adoration from anyone she meets; better looks (despite being a near-mirror image of Iris); and doting, handsome, and wealthy husband, Adam Romain. But when Summer calls in a panic needing Iris’s help sailing the family yacht from Thailand to the Seychelles due to an emergency, she jumps at the chance to be back in the opulent surroundings of the Bathsheba.
While sailing across the doldrums, however, Iris awakens to find her sister missing. Presented with the opportunity to grab everything that her sister had, including Adam and his infant son Tarquin, she poses as Summer instead of herself. But what happened to her sister? And how far will Iris go to keep this “new” life?
The Girl in the Mirror has everything you need for a perfect psychological thriller: jealousy, greed, hidden motivations, and an exotic location. Oh, and twists galore. Filled with amazing descriptions that conjure up crashing waves, ropes and pulleys clanking, and the feel of sun on your skin, Rose Carlyle has crafted a debut thriller that grabs you and doesn’t let go until, quite literally, the final paragraph.
Despite how much I loved this book, I did find the personalities and relationships a tad melodramatic and bipolar. For example, Iris’s character flip-flops between someone I loved to hate and someone I empathized with, while Summer comes off as almost inhumanly sickly-sweet. This still did not make me dislike this book, though, because, ultimately, the plot twists are mind-blowing and the ending (especially the last 30 pages) was sublime. And once I reached the major climax, I raced through the book searching out clues I had missed.
If you’re good at figuring out the big twist in a mystery/thriller, you may figure this one out before it is revealed (I read without trying to decipher, for the most part, willing the author to take me wholeheartedly on their journey).
A word of warning, this book does include scenes that could be described as rape, or at the very least, BDSM (it’s questionable which…you’ll understand if you read this story). Be prepared. Luckily for me, as that isn’t my cup of tea, there were only a few episodes of the Fifty Shades of Grey variety, at least what I imagine that book to be like.
In this deliciously creepy yet enticing thriller of lies and secrets, covetous envy and lust, Carlyle cements herself as an official player of the genre. This book could easily set up a sequel to expand on how the book ends (which I would love to read). Regardless, I look forward to whatever the author writes next. I definitely recommend reading this book. Rating of 4 stars.
Trigger Warning: incest (sort of) and rape (or BDSM depending on how you decipher those few scenes)...more
Raised in the small California town of Mammoth Lakes, Cassie Peters left after a summer spent working with the Yosemite Search and Rescue. After a harRaised in the small California town of Mammoth Lakes, Cassie Peters left after a summer spent working with the Yosemite Search and Rescue. After a harrowing discovery, she abandoned her old life for a new one in New York City. But just like ten years ago, Cassie has run from her life yet again. This time in the opposite direction—straight back to the calming woods of Yosemite.
Back in her old stomping grounds, Cassie quickly readjusts to the hectic and exhausting life of a wilderness rescuer. Just as everything is settling into a normal rhythm, however, a young couple goes missing. Bringing back bad memories from ten years ago, Cassie finds herself wrapped up yet again by her past. Will she be able to focus on finding the two lovebirds lost in hundreds of acres? Or will the past finally come calling?
After all, there is something in particular that Cassie was fleeing. And even the wilds of a national park may not be enough space to hide. With nightmares plaguing her nights and a ravaging search for the missing couple haunting her days, she is left trying to make sense of her circumstances. But as the days pass, the situation becomes dire. Will they find them in time? Or will Cassie’s past come calling first?
Phew. In typical Catherine McKenzie style, Have You Seen Her was packed full of deeply hidden secrets, unexpected twists, and ever increasing tension. Starting with an explosive opening chapter that threw a grenade into the plot right from the get-go, I was uncertain how such a dramatic introduction could leave much hidden. But, boy, was I wrong as the storyline managed to deftly hide plenty until the altogether riveting climax.
Unfortunately, here’s where the teeny, tiny flaw came to light. After a thoroughly epic twist, the conclusion left me wanting. Not even remotely wrapped up, my only hope is that McKenzie is planning to follow up this book with a sequel as there is that much that was left hanging unresolved. Then again, the lack of a decisive bow on a storyline is my own personal pet peeve, so I’ll leave it up to you to decide how irritating this ending may be.
Now back to what I loved! Complete with truly outstanding female characters, I easily became wrapped up in their lives. From the fearful Cassie who starts to rediscover her confidence to the innocent and wide-eyed Petal, they were craftily created. Genuine and well-developed, I felt like I could picture them in real life. Even the setting felt fully-fleshed out, giving the ultimate environment for a psychological thriller.
Then there was the format. Told in dual timelines of then and now, I was kept on the back foot trying to work out how the two were going to meet. Even better, however, McKenzie worked in a smattering of journal entries, Instagram posts, and news articles. Taken as a whole, this one took me on quite the ride, with suspense gradually rising throughout.
Full of hairpin turns that revealed one surprise after another, I just could not get enough of this one. I know I should expect this from anything McKenzie writes, but, for some reason, I’m always impressed by how truly special they are. And this one was no different. Ultimately, I cannot rave about it enough and strongly recommend pre-ordering this puppy now! Rating of 4.5 stars.
Trigger warning: spousal abuse, being lost in the wilderness, controlling relationship, infidelity
PUB DATE: June 27, 2023
Thank you to Catherine McKenzie, Atria Books, and NetGalley for a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own....more
An eight thousand meter high mountain. Impending storms and winter. Bodies piling up. And an inexperienced climber intent on capturing the biggest stoAn eight thousand meter high mountain. Impending storms and winter. Bodies piling up. And an inexperienced climber intent on capturing the biggest story of her journalism career.
Cecily Wong, an adventure journalist with limited experience with mountaineering, is on the eighth highest mountain in the world after Charles McVeigh, a renowned climber, invited her to join his expedition to Manaslu in the Himalayas. Considered an odd choice, Cecily was selected to be Charles’s exclusive interviewer after he read an article about her failed attempts at climbing Kilimanjaro and Snowden with a tragic death concluding the latter. This interview would be Cecily’s big break. One she needs badly. Then the bodies start dropping.
While this was a very entertaining read, I found that this book was 75% adventure tale in the vein of Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer and 25% psychological thriller which is fine, just not what I was expecting from the reviews I had read. It was weak on twists and heart pounding excitement and heavy with climbing knowledge. Ultimately, this is a novel of loyalty, revenge, and finding strength within oneself. Would I recommend this book? Yes, but with the understanding that this isn’t really a psychological thriller or murder mystery until the last 50 pages or so. Rating of 3.5 stars....more
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