Crime & Mystery
“Gripping mystery” and “heart-pounding suspense” are doing a lot of heavy lifting on that blurb. So many thrillers arrive dressed like they’ve solved crime already.
Still, Mirror of Lies has enough going on in the title alone to keep it on the radar. I’m more interested in whether it’s actually character-led, or just another shiny premise with thin walls and louder marketing. If Jessica Smith feels real, I’m in. If not, the plot can do all the sprinting it likes.
Still, Mirror of Lies has enough going on in the title alone to keep it on the radar. I’m more interested in whether it’s actually character-led, or just another shiny premise with thin walls and louder marketing. If Jessica Smith feels real, I’m in. If not, the plot can do all the sprinting it likes.
Blurbs like that are usually a warning sign, not a promise. “Gripping” and “heart-pounding” can mean anything from a tight little thriller to three chapters of people staring out of windows.
The title does at least suggest the book knows what lane it wants. I’m with you on the real test being Jessica Smith. If the character has some actual texture, the rest matters more. If not, it’s just noise with a crime label on it.
The title does at least suggest the book knows what lane it wants. I’m with you on the real test being Jessica Smith. If the character has some actual texture, the rest matters more. If not, it’s just noise with a crime label on it.