The Mirror by Nora Roberts

 The Mirror

Book Summary

When Sonya MacTavish inherits the huge Victorian mansion on the coast of Maine, she has no idea that the house is haunted. The footsteps she hears at night, the doors slamming, the music playing, are not figments of her imagination. In her dreams she sees glimpses of the past. In the present she finds portraits of brides. And when she has visions of an antique mirror, she is drawn to it, sensing it holds dark family secrets.

Then one night the mirror appears and Sonya glides through this looking glass, into the past—and sees a bride murdered on her wedding day, the circle of gold torn from her finger. It is a scene that will play out again and again—a centuries-old curse that must be broken—and a puzzle she must solve if there is any hope of breaking the curse.

My Thoughts

The Mirror by Nora Roberts is the second book in The Lost Bride Trilogy.  You do need to read The Inheritance before beginning The Mirror.  The Mirror picks up where The Inheritance left off.   I have been reading Nora Roberts’ book since I was a teenager (I read her first book when I was twelve), and The Mirror felt like it was written by a different individual.  The story focuses more on food than it does on the curse and evil entity in the house.  I know how to cook a pot roast.  I do not need the process described step by step (this is not a cookbook).  Sonia and Cleo plan meals, shop for the ingredients, cook meals and desserts, create a garden, work, paint, and plan a party.  Of course, they spend time with the gentlemen in their lives, Trey and Owen. Let us not forget the pets.  The pets need to be fed, let in and out, and bathed (I find it amusing that the cat is named Pyewacket). 

The story moves at a snail’s pace plus there are repetitive details.  If something happens to Sonia, she needs to tell Cleo, and then Owen, and so forth.  There is no action (the dogs did more than the people).  The plot does not move forward (not a bit in the four hundred and fifty some pages).  I know that if I lived in a haunted manor with an evil squatter on the third floor, I would be searching for answers (not planning a party).  The story lacked suspense, chemistry, and eeriness (I was never freaked out by the banging doors and such).  The Mirror seemed an unnecessary addition to the trilogy (I bet the story could have been told in one book).  The writing is out of character for Nora Roberts.  It is a shame that the book does not live up to its intriguing premise.  I am hoping the action and suspense will appear in the final book of the trilogy (fingers crossed) as well as the long-awaited answers.

 The Mirror is available from Amazon* as well as other major booksellers.  The first book in The Lost Bride Trilogy is The Inheritance.  If you follow Nora Roberts on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release.  I do want to say that while The Mirror was a disappointment to me, I do suggest you download a sample to judge it for yourself.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return after Thanksgiving.  My mother is feeling under the weather and needs a little extra care right now.  I need to work on my plans for my front yard Christmas display.  I believe I have more inflatables than will fit in the space.  I do not want a crowded space.  I am fortunate that my neighbor is letting me use her yard as well (that's were Santa's rock band is going).  Presents is my theme this year.  I have Santa flinging gifts with a sling shot across the yard where they will be piled up, but the Grinch is trying to make off with them.  There will be a cute display in between.  I will share pictures when I have it all in place.  I hope that you have a jovial day! Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

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