Shattered Mirror

I have been reading this series from the beginning and was glad to see Eve Duncan back in a big way in this twenty-third installment, which centers around twins and a deadly, psychotic killer obsessed with revenge. She and Joe’s son, Michael, is now six and showing clairvoyant tendencies. Cara, their adopted daughter, who plays the violin and is now eighteen, is a rising star in the music world. When a burned skull turns up on her doorstep, Eve understands the importance of doing a hasty reconstruction to identify the girl. Michael already knew her name was Sylvie, but they were shocked to find out Sylvie was Cara’s roommate, Darcy’s twin sister.

When Michael is threatened, Eve, who lost her daughter Bonnie at age seven, turns into show more a fiercely protective mom. Yet, Rory Norwalk, an international gangster, kidnaps Michael and blows up a shopping center in the process. As the killer starts a cat and mouse game to punish Eve, Joe Quinn, Eve’s detective and ex-seal husband, and Jock Gavin, a multi-talented friend and protector, are unleashed in a suspenseful mission to find Michael. The underlying theme in this book is the bond between Cara and Jock, now that Cara is no longer a child. The author introduces a lot of sexual tension into their relationship. This book is full of action and as entertaining as I expected it to be. show less

First, I want to say that I had some trepidation about reading this book. I do find this series wonderful, but the last book just didn't do much for me. So, I really wanted to like this book, but I was worried that I would be disappointed again. Thankfully, this book worked better for, although it's still far away from the best ones I read in this series. At least Eve Duncan has a more prominent role to play in this book than in the last. I do like Jane Macguire, but I do prefer to have Eve as the main character rather than a secondary. Unfortunately, Eve had to share the limelight with Cara Delaney, who she saved a couple of years ago. This review contains spoiler about the previous book and I will also deal with things about what is show more going on in this book. So if you want a spoiler-free review, should you perhaps stop reading here.

Shattered Mirror takes place a couple of years later on than the previous book. Eve and Joe's son Michael is now six and Cara is eighteen. This felt like a big leap, but it was necessary for the story, or rather for Cara's story since the connection she has had with Jock since she was twelve hardly could evolve with her being underaged. Yeah, this part of the book was hardly surprising, Cara has grown up and she has always had a soft spot for Jock. This is probably a good thing since I have to admit that Cara's and Jock's "thing", felt borderline creepy when she was so young. Cara is now studying music and has a roommate Darcy, but after Cara is attacked by an unknown enemy do they both go home to Eve and Joe. Meanwhile, Eve has gotten her hands on a mystery skull. And, the unknown enemy out there seems to be having a torn on the side to both Eve, Cara and Cara's criminal grandfather.

I'm a bit on the fence when it comes to this book, on one side is it refreshing to be back to Eve trying to find out the identity of the woman whose skull she is working on. On the other hand, was I not so thrilled about Cara's story, nor Darcys. The whole Darcy is so beautiful she turns everyone's head around was boring from the first time I heard about her. She was a character that I felt never really got to me. And, Cara and Jock's "dance" through this book was also something that bothered me.

What worked for me was Eve, Joe and Michael. I like Michael, he's a special book and I've always liked Eve. The best part of the book was about them. Eve's worry now when Michael is the same age as Bonnie was when she lost her. And, as always do I enjoy her work with reconstructing skulls.

This book is OK. I was pleased that Eve took a more central role, but I would love to read a book without Cara in it, or with her in a smaller role. Right now I'm thinking of going back to the beginning of the series and pick up where I left off.

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review! show less

Thank you NetGalley and St. martens Press for the ARC

SHATTERED MIRROR by Iris Johansen is the number 23 in the Eve Duncan series. I have read all of the Eve Duncan books and could not but the book down. This one is no different.

Cara and Darcy are roommates at a famous performing arts school. They both have their inner secrets, but have become as close as sisters. What they don't know is their families are in the cross hairs of the killer?

Eve lives in the lake house with her husband Joe and 6 year old son Michael. Being a forensic sculptor, she is not surprised when she finds that someone has left her a gold box with a skull inside.

The nightmare for her and her family begins.

Shattered Mirror is part of the Eve Duncan series, which is an all-time favorite of mine, by Iris Johansen. Sometimes when a series gets to book #23 (or another higher number) the story becomes predictable, boring, or repetitive. Yet, Iris Johansen writes each Eve Duncan book as its own story. Each story has a unique mystery, new interesting characters, and a different setting. While all of that is new and exciting, there are the old favorite characters, relationships, and familiar settings that have always made this series a must-read.

Shattered Mirror focus’ on Cara. Her family, her history, her present, and her future are all shared to allow the reader to get to know her better. Of course, Eve, Joe, and their son Michael are all show more featured characters since they are now the family that Cara never had growing up. Jock, I picture him as a rough around the edges sexy alpha male who always seems to be around, is a huge part of the story since the connection between Cara and Jock has always been part of any story that Cara is part of. I will always be an Eve Duncan fan but it is fun to get the chance to know the secondary characters from her other books.

Read this series, start it in any order, but read it. Iris Johansen has a great talent for suspense, thrills, twists, and turns. show less

SHATTERED MIRROR by Iris Johansen is the number 23 in the Eve Duncan series. I know I’ve read one or two of these in the past and must have liked them, but I can’t say the same for this outing. While the plot had some holes in it (why Sylvie for one) there was more than enough action to make the story move pretty quickly.
On the negative side I almost gagged from all the schmaltz going on between the characters. Does anyone every only have heart to heart conversations with their loved ones? Are all families connected at a inner psychic level? Since when do 6 year olds, even gifted ones, talk like this? Two roommates at a famous performing arts school just happen to be stalked by the same psycho, not because they are roommates or show more school mates, but because their families are in the cross hairs of the killer?
I pushed myself through this thing, forcing myself to read a couple of chapters a day, but it was work, not pleasure. Perhaps for the serious series readers out there this will be a wonderful inclusion to a long series, but I wouldn’t recommend it to the casual reader.
And I am getting very tired of psychotic killers who have the psychic ability to plot and plan every twist and turn of the victims lives, set up a game to use the secret workings of the family against them, and then ALMOST succeed in their evil, but not quite.
Maybe they’re read the other books in the series for their insight. show less

A mysterious package, left for forensic sculptor Eve Duncan, contains a burned skull and a two-sided mirror. Determined to reconstruct the skull, Eve discovers it is the skull of a young woman. But the truth finally revealed throws Eve and her family into a deadly cat-and-mouse game that could leave all their lives hanging in the balance.

In this, the twenty-third Eve Duncan outing, readers will find Michael and Cara in the midst of the mystery. Joining them is Cara’s Carnegie Tech roommate, Darcy Nichols, who proves to have an unexpected part in the mystery of the skull Eve has reconstructed. Unexpected reveals and plot twists will keep readers guessing until the final reveal.

Highly recommended.

I have always gotten new Iris Johansen books as soon as I can, ever since I read The Ugly Duckling. This one is just another in a long line of wonderful stories! I love that the Eve Duncan series continues and brings in more characters that enhance the series in their own way. Darcy was a welcome addition, I wonder what is going to happen with her and Kaskov? Cara and Jock need to be together, the tension is growing and needs to be released. Can't wait until the next book is released!

This review is based on a galley copy from netgalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.