Official Review: The Mirrors by E F Townsend
Posted: 01 Aug 2020, 21:40
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Mirrors" by E F Townsend.]
When one of her renters goes missing, Tori is shocked to find the historical mansion she'd been renting out full of mirrors, and she later learns that her renter was investigating the supernatural phenomena he'd been experiencing. Compelled to learn more and wanting to clear her own name, she winds up investigating the case alongside Hal, a paranormal investigator. In The Mirrors by E. F. Townsend, mysteries abound, and it'll take courage, quick thinking, and lots of bravery for Tori to figure out what really happened.
With an expertly constructed and very unique plot, this book had me invested all the way through. The mystery was complex enough to be interesting, but it didn't feel convoluted, and I enjoyed trying to figure out if certain strange events had supernatural or mundane causes. Even with the possibility that the disappearance wasn't supernatural at all, the alternative explanation involved a dangerous criminal being at large, so it didn't take any of the tension out of the experience. My uncertainty about the role of paranormal activity in the mystery only made the conclusion all the more satisfying.
I also appreciated how the story progressed at a steady pace, with some more relaxed scenes interspersed throughout to give readers a break from all the excitement. This helped sell Tori's relationship with Hal, and it also made the story feel grounded, all without sacrificing narrative tension. The Mirrors is certainly a plot-driven novel, and while the characters aren't incredibly deep, there's still enough substance to make them feel realistic and interesting.
The book's writing style does a great job of bringing its settings to life, too, from a haunted mansion to a decrepit, abandoned boat. The characters' dialogue felt realistic, and their emotions were conveyed effectively without ever becoming distracting, making the story feel incredibly immersive and letting readers really get into their heads. I especially liked how the author brought Tori's love of antiques to life, shining a spotlight on the love of history that draws so many people to stories about ghosts and hauntings. I did find a handful of grammatical errors, but nothing too noticeable.
At the end of the day, I enjoyed this book so much that I have to give it 4 out of 4 stars. I finished it in just a few days, and while I think the term "page-turner" is woefully overused, if there ever was a book that deserved the moniker, this is it. If you have even a passing interest in supernatural thrillers and mysteries, this is a great book for you, as long as you aren't too easily spooked. I'll certainly be keeping an eye out for Townsend's future work.
******
The Mirrors
View: on Bookshelves
When one of her renters goes missing, Tori is shocked to find the historical mansion she'd been renting out full of mirrors, and she later learns that her renter was investigating the supernatural phenomena he'd been experiencing. Compelled to learn more and wanting to clear her own name, she winds up investigating the case alongside Hal, a paranormal investigator. In The Mirrors by E. F. Townsend, mysteries abound, and it'll take courage, quick thinking, and lots of bravery for Tori to figure out what really happened.
With an expertly constructed and very unique plot, this book had me invested all the way through. The mystery was complex enough to be interesting, but it didn't feel convoluted, and I enjoyed trying to figure out if certain strange events had supernatural or mundane causes. Even with the possibility that the disappearance wasn't supernatural at all, the alternative explanation involved a dangerous criminal being at large, so it didn't take any of the tension out of the experience. My uncertainty about the role of paranormal activity in the mystery only made the conclusion all the more satisfying.
I also appreciated how the story progressed at a steady pace, with some more relaxed scenes interspersed throughout to give readers a break from all the excitement. This helped sell Tori's relationship with Hal, and it also made the story feel grounded, all without sacrificing narrative tension. The Mirrors is certainly a plot-driven novel, and while the characters aren't incredibly deep, there's still enough substance to make them feel realistic and interesting.
The book's writing style does a great job of bringing its settings to life, too, from a haunted mansion to a decrepit, abandoned boat. The characters' dialogue felt realistic, and their emotions were conveyed effectively without ever becoming distracting, making the story feel incredibly immersive and letting readers really get into their heads. I especially liked how the author brought Tori's love of antiques to life, shining a spotlight on the love of history that draws so many people to stories about ghosts and hauntings. I did find a handful of grammatical errors, but nothing too noticeable.
At the end of the day, I enjoyed this book so much that I have to give it 4 out of 4 stars. I finished it in just a few days, and while I think the term "page-turner" is woefully overused, if there ever was a book that deserved the moniker, this is it. If you have even a passing interest in supernatural thrillers and mysteries, this is a great book for you, as long as you aren't too easily spooked. I'll certainly be keeping an eye out for Townsend's future work.
******
The Mirrors
View: on Bookshelves
