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Smoke in Mirrors
A con artist and seductress, Meredith Spooner lived fast—and died young. But her final scam—embezzling more than a million dollars from a college endowment fund—is coming back to haunt Leonora Hutton. The tainted money is stashed away in an offshore account for Leonora. And while she wants nothing to do with the cash, she discovers two other items in the safe-deposit box: a book about Mirror House—the place where Meredith engineered her final deception and a set of newspaper stories about an unsolved murder that occurred there thirty years ago.
Now Leonora has an offer for Thomas Walker, another victim of Meredith’s scams and seductions. She’ll hand over the money—if he helps her figure out what’s going on. Meredith had described Thomas as “a man you can trust.” But in a funhouse-mirror world of illusion and distortion, Leonora may be out of her league…
Now Leonora has an offer for Thomas Walker, another victim of Meredith’s scams and seductions. She’ll hand over the money—if he helps her figure out what’s going on. Meredith had described Thomas as “a man you can trust.” But in a funhouse-mirror world of illusion and distortion, Leonora may be out of her league…
358 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
About the author
Jayne Ann Krentz
406 books7,306 followersThe author of over 50 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews
July 2, 2023
4 Estrellitas. 100% legible, disfrutable y entretenido. Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick, es única, junto con la querida y recientemente fallecida Julie Garwood, capaces de crear una trama que se lee sola y lo suficientemente convincente como para cumplir las expectativas de lo que pueden ofrecer.
No son muchos los libros contemporáneos que he leído de la autora, pero al igual que los históricos, tenemos una trama de suspense, donde los protagonistas se asociarán para descubrir un asesinato, y en éste caso, Jayne Ann Krentz se ha lucido.
Leonora Hutton es la bibliotecaria de una pequeña universidad de San Diego. Hace poco ha fallecido en extrañas circunstancias una querida amiga suya, Meredith Spooner, una antítesis a ella. Seductora, intrigante y tramposa, Meredith ha hecho del engaño y la estafa su vida; pero cuando muere, Meredith le deja una nota y unas instrucciones, que confíe en los hermanos Walker, y que un asesinato ocurrido hace treinta años, la llevará a su propio asesinato.
Thomas Walker, otra de las víctimas de Meredith, no cree a Leonora, piensa que es tan mentirosa como la otra. Meredith desfalcó una importante suma a la universidad para la que trabaja su hermano, y hará todo lo que esté en su mano para que ése dinero vuelva a su destino.
En seguida se hace evidente que todas las tramas están conectadas, y llevan hasta la Casa de los Espejos, una mansión perteneciente a Eubanks College, una pequeña universidad del estado de Washington. Para descubrir qué ocurrió con Meredith, y otra víctima anterior, Bethany Walker, la esposa de Deke Walker, el otro hermano, Leonora entrará a trabajar en la biblioteca de la Casa de los Espejos para catalogar la colección. Entre Leonora, Thomas y Deke surgirá una asociación para descubrir qué ocurrió con las principales víctimas, y que conectará con un asesinato ocurrido hace treinta años, el del hijo del fundador de la universidad.
Pero los detalles se complicarán junto con la investigación policial, pues esta dice que tanto Bethany como Meredith habían consumido drogas, y tanto Leonora, como Thomas y Deke, saben que esto es imposible. Mientras la trama nos está llevando hacia varias hipótesis plausibles, la autora se saca un as de la manga para sorprendernos y enseñarnos que no todo es tan fácil.
En cuanto al romance, me ha gustado bastante, Thomas es calculador y frío, pero también protector, y aunque no es dado a un compromiso, en seguida siente algo más por Leonora que le hará replantearse una nueva vida. En cuanto a Leonora, es un ratón de biblioteca, tímida y apocada y Thomas no es su tipo, un macho alfa con un perro enorme en quien jamás se habría fijado. Pero lo suyo empieza pronto y cocidito a fuego lento capítulo a capítulo.
Además, los personajes secundarios me han encantado. Deke, el hermano de Thomas, es un brillante informático sumido en una profunda depresión y obsesionado por descubrir cómo murió realmente su esposa, pero la autora sacará a un personaje capaz de entrar en ése caparazón. Y sin duda es de reseñar el papel de Gloria, la abuela de Leonora y su amigo y consejero sentimental Herb, apenas aparecen en tres capítulos, pero han sido maravillosos.
Hacia tiempo que no disfrutaba de un libro de ésta manera y es verdad que me lo he ventilado en un fin de semana, gracias al tiempo del que he dispuesto, porque a diario no me da la vida. La experiencia ha sido tan gratificante que me ha dado energías para salir de un posible bloqueo lector, pero aunque el siguiente no va a ser de Jayne Ann Krentz, no tardaré en volver a leerla.
No son muchos los libros contemporáneos que he leído de la autora, pero al igual que los históricos, tenemos una trama de suspense, donde los protagonistas se asociarán para descubrir un asesinato, y en éste caso, Jayne Ann Krentz se ha lucido.
Leonora Hutton es la bibliotecaria de una pequeña universidad de San Diego. Hace poco ha fallecido en extrañas circunstancias una querida amiga suya, Meredith Spooner, una antítesis a ella. Seductora, intrigante y tramposa, Meredith ha hecho del engaño y la estafa su vida; pero cuando muere, Meredith le deja una nota y unas instrucciones, que confíe en los hermanos Walker, y que un asesinato ocurrido hace treinta años, la llevará a su propio asesinato.
Thomas Walker, otra de las víctimas de Meredith, no cree a Leonora, piensa que es tan mentirosa como la otra. Meredith desfalcó una importante suma a la universidad para la que trabaja su hermano, y hará todo lo que esté en su mano para que ése dinero vuelva a su destino.
En seguida se hace evidente que todas las tramas están conectadas, y llevan hasta la Casa de los Espejos, una mansión perteneciente a Eubanks College, una pequeña universidad del estado de Washington. Para descubrir qué ocurrió con Meredith, y otra víctima anterior, Bethany Walker, la esposa de Deke Walker, el otro hermano, Leonora entrará a trabajar en la biblioteca de la Casa de los Espejos para catalogar la colección. Entre Leonora, Thomas y Deke surgirá una asociación para descubrir qué ocurrió con las principales víctimas, y que conectará con un asesinato ocurrido hace treinta años, el del hijo del fundador de la universidad.
Pero los detalles se complicarán junto con la investigación policial, pues esta dice que tanto Bethany como Meredith habían consumido drogas, y tanto Leonora, como Thomas y Deke, saben que esto es imposible. Mientras la trama nos está llevando hacia varias hipótesis plausibles, la autora se saca un as de la manga para sorprendernos y enseñarnos que no todo es tan fácil.
En cuanto al romance, me ha gustado bastante, Thomas es calculador y frío, pero también protector, y aunque no es dado a un compromiso, en seguida siente algo más por Leonora que le hará replantearse una nueva vida. En cuanto a Leonora, es un ratón de biblioteca, tímida y apocada y Thomas no es su tipo, un macho alfa con un perro enorme en quien jamás se habría fijado. Pero lo suyo empieza pronto y cocidito a fuego lento capítulo a capítulo.
Además, los personajes secundarios me han encantado. Deke, el hermano de Thomas, es un brillante informático sumido en una profunda depresión y obsesionado por descubrir cómo murió realmente su esposa, pero la autora sacará a un personaje capaz de entrar en ése caparazón. Y sin duda es de reseñar el papel de Gloria, la abuela de Leonora y su amigo y consejero sentimental Herb, apenas aparecen en tres capítulos, pero han sido maravillosos.
Hacia tiempo que no disfrutaba de un libro de ésta manera y es verdad que me lo he ventilado en un fin de semana, gracias al tiempo del que he dispuesto, porque a diario no me da la vida. La experiencia ha sido tan gratificante que me ha dado energías para salir de un posible bloqueo lector, pero aunque el siguiente no va a ser de Jayne Ann Krentz, no tardaré en volver a leerla.
January 28, 2013
This novel did not pretend to be anything other than what it was: a straight-up, formulaic, romantic suspense - and you know? It's good. No insta-love or skanky insta-sex that's become the Holy Grail of 2k romances. Here there is mystery (though a titch convoluted) and a gothic-y setting; foggy woods which hold a house-turned-library, within which every wall is covered with creepy antique mirrors.
Oh, how I wish those creepy mirrors had played a bigger role (but I am a ghoul, so don't mind me).
Okay, so there are a few convenient plot-points: Leonora takes no time whatsoever to give up her (decent)job and move to Creepy Small Town. She is fiercely loyal to a half-sister who bedded her dude (and every other dude by the looks of things) and was also renowned as a thief and a liar. (So why was Leo loyal? I am still wondering). There is a (voila!) *perfect* librarian's job just a-waitin' for her in Creepy Small Town and yet I could overlook these (kinda ridiculous) conveniences because, like I said, this novel was what it was, it delivered, and, right or wrong I have sort of missed books like this.
Criticism: What was ex Kyle doing there other than taking up needless word count?
Hat-tip: The oldsters! Herb & Gloria were *great* and the last line she got to deliver: "Looks like you've finally slept your way to the top" was cute enough to make me smile real big.
And that sums it up. Cute. Smiling big at a HEA. So...if you're looking for emotional depth or substance do NOT look here. Ditto complex, layered characters. But Krentz isn't purporting to deliver any of these things with Smoke & Mirrors. Instead she's giving you a shallow little trap door to dive through while you're at the beach or in your lawn chair and what the hell? Escape for a few hours. It's all good.
3 Solid Stars.
Oh, how I wish those creepy mirrors had played a bigger role (but I am a ghoul, so don't mind me).
Okay, so there are a few convenient plot-points: Leonora takes no time whatsoever to give up her (decent)job and move to Creepy Small Town. She is fiercely loyal to a half-sister who bedded her dude (and every other dude by the looks of things) and was also renowned as a thief and a liar. (So why was Leo loyal? I am still wondering). There is a (voila!) *perfect* librarian's job just a-waitin' for her in Creepy Small Town and yet I could overlook these (kinda ridiculous) conveniences because, like I said, this novel was what it was, it delivered, and, right or wrong I have sort of missed books like this.
Criticism: What was ex Kyle doing there other than taking up needless word count?
Hat-tip: The oldsters! Herb & Gloria were *great* and the last line she got to deliver: "Looks like you've finally slept your way to the top" was cute enough to make me smile real big.
And that sums it up. Cute. Smiling big at a HEA. So...if you're looking for emotional depth or substance do NOT look here. Ditto complex, layered characters. But Krentz isn't purporting to deliver any of these things with Smoke & Mirrors. Instead she's giving you a shallow little trap door to dive through while you're at the beach or in your lawn chair and what the hell? Escape for a few hours. It's all good.
3 Solid Stars.
November 8, 2025
Great pacing
I think the story's pacing is what made this such a delightful read. It kept me interested while developing great main characters and great supporting characters.
The mystery is well tied at the end and the romance was doubly (some would say triply) satisfactory.
4 'I want my own Miss Herb to give me advice' ★
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬
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I think the story's pacing is what made this such a delightful read. It kept me interested while developing great main characters and great supporting characters.
The mystery is well tied at the end and the romance was doubly (some would say triply) satisfactory.
4 'I want my own Miss Herb to give me advice' ★
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬
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September 11, 2026
3.5 ⭐
Entretenida y recomendable. Primer contacto con el contemporáneo de suspense de esta autora. Siempre la he leído como Amanda Quick y su histórica con investigación.
Buen equilibrio entre romance e investigación (quizás algo floja y con un final que no me ha entusiasmado)
Buena ambientación en esa casa de los espejos, con escenas inquietantes.
Pero, en general, me ha gustado la lectura, una pareja con una buena relación, con puntos de buen humor y poco machismo de por medio
Me han sobrado parejas secundarias
No descarto leer alguna novela más, la experiencia ha sido positiva
Entretenida y recomendable. Primer contacto con el contemporáneo de suspense de esta autora. Siempre la he leído como Amanda Quick y su histórica con investigación.
Buen equilibrio entre romance e investigación (quizás algo floja y con un final que no me ha entusiasmado)
Buena ambientación en esa casa de los espejos, con escenas inquietantes.
Pero, en general, me ha gustado la lectura, una pareja con una buena relación, con puntos de buen humor y poco machismo de por medio
Me han sobrado parejas secundarias
No descarto leer alguna novela más, la experiencia ha sido positiva
October 30, 2013
The characters held a lot of potential but the bad romance and week mystery killed it. Also why do all characters end up in a relationship? I don't understand? Why does a HEA for all characters include a romantic relationship?
September 11, 2010
Smoke in Mirrors was an interesting murder-mystery with a sizzling romance. The prologue immediately set the tone of the story, immersing the reader right into the mystery. Somewhat confusing, but quite intriguing. Like most prologues, it is only as the story progresses does the pieces start to make sense.
The murder-mystery had its finer moments and other moments that were boring. Thomas Walker and Leonora Hutton played amateur detectives more than really facing any action. The interesting moments were attributed to them uncovering more facts about the unsolved murder from thirty-years ago and connecting it to the recent suspicious deaths of their loved ones. The more they learned, the more the stakes rose, and the town shook. Where Wing Cove was a quiet, college community is now the haven of murder, drug dealings and more suspicious deaths. Thomas and Leonora suspect is has to do with the mystery they are investigating.
There is relative calm, as least for Thomas and Leonora well-being. No real heart-pounding endangerment or attacks, at least in the scheme of things. That is until the very end when the killer is identified and conquered. When all the action is bottled up into the end it doesn't give readers much to work with in between, except follow along with Thomas and Leonora. That would have worked perfectly fine if the in-between had more action regarding the mystery. More twists and excitement. Something I did not like was the end when the whole mystery became an explanation, stringing pieces together. It was likely to pull reader into the loop and clear confusion but it felt unnecessary and would have been more rewarding for readers to figure it out by themselves.
Where the mystery lacked drama and excitement there was plenty between Thomas and Leonora who were quite compatible. Both wary about commitments but also willing to give it a try. With the worry of an unknown killer and the determination to find justice and answers, Thomas and Leonora turn to each other. They each found their second chance and it turned out to be the best decision they made. The romance was quite sastifying.
The murder-mystery had its finer moments and other moments that were boring. Thomas Walker and Leonora Hutton played amateur detectives more than really facing any action. The interesting moments were attributed to them uncovering more facts about the unsolved murder from thirty-years ago and connecting it to the recent suspicious deaths of their loved ones. The more they learned, the more the stakes rose, and the town shook. Where Wing Cove was a quiet, college community is now the haven of murder, drug dealings and more suspicious deaths. Thomas and Leonora suspect is has to do with the mystery they are investigating.
There is relative calm, as least for Thomas and Leonora well-being. No real heart-pounding endangerment or attacks, at least in the scheme of things. That is until the very end when the killer is identified and conquered. When all the action is bottled up into the end it doesn't give readers much to work with in between, except follow along with Thomas and Leonora. That would have worked perfectly fine if the in-between had more action regarding the mystery. More twists and excitement. Something I did not like was the end when the whole mystery became an explanation, stringing pieces together. It was likely to pull reader into the loop and clear confusion but it felt unnecessary and would have been more rewarding for readers to figure it out by themselves.
Where the mystery lacked drama and excitement there was plenty between Thomas and Leonora who were quite compatible. Both wary about commitments but also willing to give it a try. With the worry of an unknown killer and the determination to find justice and answers, Thomas and Leonora turn to each other. They each found their second chance and it turned out to be the best decision they made. The romance was quite sastifying.
May 21, 2023
Ladies and gentlemen Ladies and gentlemen before retiring to my chambers I wanted to write another review. Since they are piling up on me. This book for example I finished on Monday at 0:01.
"Smoke and Mirrors" (in Spain it was chosen to call it "The House of Mirrors", and each title responds to a different plot) has its good things as it reads fast, and without difficulty. The premise, and the plot are very promising, and the motivation of one of the crimes is really interesting, and it reminded me of two novels Dorothy Leigh Sayers https://www.goodreads.com/author/show.... A very interesting writer who was republished decades ago in my country by the @lumenedit publishing house and who apart from being a translator of "The Divine Comedy" https://www.goodreads.com/series/6971... (which she translated, and was then continued by her friend, and biographer Barbara Reynolds https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., also the brilliant Professor Anthony Esolen has translated "The Divine Comedy" https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...), wrote detective novels (also apologetic texts, plays, and poetry), and was the third president of the Detection Club https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... (we include a list of eminent authors who were Presidents of the Detection Club until now Presidents: G.K. Chesterton (1930–1936) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... ,E. C. Bentley (1936–1949) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... , Dorothy L. Sayers (1949–1957) ,Agatha Christie (1957–1976) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... , Lord Gorell (1957–1963) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... ,Julian Symons (1976–1985) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... ,H. R. F. Keating (1985–2000) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... ,Simon Brett (2000–2015) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... , Martin Edwards (2015–) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... . With Martin Edwards I had the pleasure of writing here at Goodreads to talk about Japanese crime novels.) Dorothy L. Sayers as you can see was the third President of the Detection Club (the Club's rules were drafted by the ever-loved, and beloved Ronald A. Knox. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... At least for me. Apart from being a priest, convert, and writer of religious satire, he was also a writer of detective novels creating detective Miles Bredon. Although it seems that the creator of the Shadow Club was Anthony Berkeley https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... of whom I will speak at the end of this review) Dorothy L. Sayers was the creator of the detective Lord Peter Wimsey https://www.goodreads.com/series/4277... second son of the Duke of Denver to whom Philo Vance owes so much https://www.goodreads.com/series/6593... . There are two novels by Sir. Peter Wimsey that by its subplots have reminded me of this "The Secrets of Oxford / Gaudy Nights" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9... (which displeased J.R.R. Tolkien very much, but in my case it is one of my favorite novels next to Clouds of Witness is my favorite novel by Dorothy L. Sayers, which is not a detective novel either, but a retelling of "Manon Lescaut" by the Abbe Prevost https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... ).
, and the other novel that reminded me, and that was not published in Spain was "La muerte debe anunciarse/Murder Must Advertise" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... ), since it deals with two themes that appear in this novel. A critique of University Darwinism that is breathed in the Campuses that forces teachers to publish or die (even today). Scientific fraud appears, and the attempt to seize someone else's achievement. This topic was (also) dealt with by the writer Angela Vallvey in her novel "Death among poets" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6.... The other subplot is about drug trafficking.
Also the story of Meredith Spooner has reminded me of films like the seductresses with Sigourney Weaver, and the recently disappeared Jenifer Love Hewit. A scammer who seeks to make great thefts, and has no shame in using sex as a means to get it without any moral taboo. Then you will see the reasons why you do it. The beginning where the murder of the brilliant mathematician Bethany Walker is told (it almost seemed to me a fantasy novel, also with so much mirror it looked like "The Lady of Sanghai / If I Die Before I Wake " by Sherwood King https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8... ), trying to leave a sign to her husband, and her brother-in-law is magnificent. As well as the first meeting between the protagonist Leonora Hutton, and Thomas Walker. Allow me the user, or my follower on social networks (less and less in part because of the antics I do) to allow me a jocular occurrence. This novel in part due to some names, and surnames that appear in it reminded me of an action movie by Renny Harlin called Cliffhanger / Total Risk about two mountaineers one played by Sylvester Stallone who is traumatized because he could not prevent his friend's girlfriend from falling when he was mountaineering, and will redeem himself years later facing bandits led by the always magnificent, and disturbing John Ligthgow (The Churchill of The Crown, and one of the best secondaries, and villains of today's cinema see him in Ricochet). I remembered this movie because the protagonist is called Walker, and above in the novel there is a Travis (who in this novel is involved with the intern, and uses the house of mirrors as a riding arena) (he failed to say a come... Anyway, there are children who can read this review silenced me this speech of the film. Seeing how football is around here there is a phrase from the movie that rescued "the league is over..." The taco/swear word has been suppressed for charity, and respect for the audience, but such, and as football is to release it from that and my friend the youtuber @quillobarrios whose videos I recommend).
It doesn't speak much in favor of Walker that I tried to half-bribe/half-threaten the protagonist from the start. Thomas (that's the name of the male lead. He has a gift for making money, and is very skilled with tools. Instead, her brother Deke the inconsolable widower is very good with computers) thinks that Leonora was an accomplice of Meredith Spooner, but is surprised by how opposite they are. The truth is that each of them envied the other, despite being friends, and having more things in common (which I can not tell you so as not to blow up the novel). Leonora is supposed to help Thomas discover the money Meredith stole/scammed, and instead Leonora will be very interested in finding out who killed her friend. To do this, he will ask for a leave of absence, and will go to Wing Cove in Washington State to computerize/digitize the documentation of the House of Mirrors, (cataloging the books) while he finds out Who killed Meredith, and Bethany? (Thomas Walker's brother Deke's wife) It is very interesting the mode of elimination of both characters.
Among the advantages of the novel I forgot to mention Wrench a gigantic mastiff that according to Thomas is harmless, and is the reincarnation of a pink poodle (in the novel "The Curse of Chalion" by Lois McMaster Bujold https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... ask the protagonist what he liked most about the zoo, and says Umegat, who is the zookeeper. Well, here the character that I liked the most is the dog, and by far). So far the virtues that are not few, but I have thrown back the defects, which are not few. The first is that it has been a mistake to mix the detective/intrigue genre and the romantic genre because each literary genre eats the other. Not to mention that many of the secondary as the grandmother (method) of the protagonist Gloria, Cassie (the yoga teacher), and the ex-boyfriend of the protagonist are a nuisance more than anything else. Let's not talk about Grayson. I like something more the policeman Ed Stovall who is a bit like the policeman of I know what you did last summer, who does not know anything (although he will have a nice subplot with the daughter of Professor Osmond Kearn called Elissa). The romantic story was the worst with the gossip grandmother, who wants to match the granddaughter, and uses the one who writes the love column of the newspaper who is a kind of Ana Francis, and who is also a man (Herb). Sometimes while reading this novel I thought I was reading Hello, or a gossip magazine, because all day long Thomas asks Leonora if her brother sleeps with Cassie. Deke the brother asks Cassie, if her brother sleeps with Leonora. Apart from the fact that Thomas seems more interested in seducing Leonora than in solving the crimes, and mysteries that mark this novel. I also didn't like Leonora (the protagonist) very much, I think it's a kind of pedantic Lisa Simpson. The police plot, and the love plot would have worked perfectly separate, but putting them together was a mistake.
Another flaw is that there are very few suspects. It is not very difficult to find out Who is the murderer? And it doesn't hold many surprises either. In addition, the appearance of the murderer is delayed too much with unnecessary filler. The obvious suspects are con artist Alex Rhodes, the typical lascivious octopus who sleeps with anyone with the XX chromosome, and mathematician Osmond Kearn. Another mistake was the onanistic moment of coitus interruptus. Delay the first sex scene (I haven't put the warning, because there's not much sex either. This novel is more romantic than erotic), and then put it in a moment that did not matter, when the protagonist had discovered something important, and was anxious to tell Thomas Walker, and to see how the detection story continued. He mounts a pseudo-fight between the protagonists Thomas, and Leonora. With the first angry, because he thinks Leonora does not take him seriously because he slept with Meredith. The dialogue is of bream, and absurd, and ends with the long-awaited scene of marras. But after the scene of the reversal to the reader (at least in my case). They have taken away the desire for a lubricating scene, and that I do not disgust that type of scenes. The novel remains until the character of Margaret Lewis appears (the secretary of Sebastian Eubanks the mathematician who gives name to the University College, who also died murdered with what there are already three corpses, and three crimes to solve). I'm sorry, but when a novel starts to put words like fascist, sexist, or homophobic as my interest in the novel decreases, and this is what unfortunately happens, which becomes a catalog of goodness, and political correctness, and as I did not identify with the characters I lose interest in the plot. Apart from the fact that I don't like to be brainwashed while reading. It is of total political correctness especially the plot of Grayson. I also didn't like the testosteronic duel between Thomas, and Leonora's ex-boyfriend Kyle (whom Meredith also passed through the stone, and that's why they broke up, which was what Meredith wanted to prove to Leonora that Kyle was unworthy of her). Leonora then begins to rant about toxic masculinity. When it is a cold war of low intensity in which hardly a few pulls are launched, and not very hard. Each is eager to get rid of the other (it was the only minimally interesting scene, and the author does not include what could have been a dogfight). A lot of love, but always instead of betting on marriage, and fidelity seems to bet on second chances. If Thomas' marriage has failed, and Deke's was about to do it (it is very interesting to see how your life can influence if you marry a scientist or a genius, but nothing practical in life as Bethany, or Sebastian Eubanks were. Of course, this is much better in Balzac's "The Search for the Absolute" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...). It saddens me that Deke's regrets are for the cause they are, and he does just enough for his marriage (which differs from the movie when a man loves a woman with a loving Andy Garcia going out of his way for the alcoholic Meg Ryan). Little are sacrificed the Walkers and little value they give to "in health, and disease" what happens is that they let themselves be carried away by their passions, and love very little. It is true that both had a hard time because of the divorce of the parents (neither of them has children. Thomas has refused so that his children do not go through the hell that he went through.) But I say if they have failed once, why won't two fail? As Charles Ryder's father says in "Brideshead Revisited." My father, on the other hand, is more understanding, and thinks that you can fail once, but marry more than twice. Think of Robert Redford, or Paul Newman, but experience leads me to think, that if you have already dissolved your marriage vows once you will do it more times. This is one of the things I liked least about the novel, which in the end is to maintain the current order, and continue to crush families. Meredith, the product of artificial insemination, is the consequence of family breakdown, and never reconciles with the father figure. When I believe that the family is the key to civilization, and the more it is attacked, the more it is in decline (as revealed in "The Professor's Daughter" Piers Paul Read https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8.... Apart from that, the plot is too reminiscent of a soap opera, or a tabletop movie that usually emits atresmedia at noon, which are insufferable. It's all too politically correct, and predictable without major plot twists. We miss a little the bad milk of an Anthony Berkeley, who today everyone would hate him, but of the members of the Detection Club he is one of the best aged, and perhaps it is due to his political incorrectness. I would have liked something unpredictable like "The Mystery of Roger Ackroyd" by Agatha Christie https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6.... It is a pity because a plot with a lot of potential, interest, and enormous possibilities is wasted.
My grade will be (1'5/5). It has good things, but I have been very irritated by the defects of it. I admit that 1/5 is a stinging note, but 2/5 is a lot. I hope that one day half stars will @goodreads introduced. My next review is going to be very interesting, and God willing I will post it tomorrow. It's about a cult horror movie, and I say no more. I saw it on Friday, and I was very impressed. Warned are my followers, and Goodreads users.
"Smoke and Mirrors" (in Spain it was chosen to call it "The House of Mirrors", and each title responds to a different plot) has its good things as it reads fast, and without difficulty. The premise, and the plot are very promising, and the motivation of one of the crimes is really interesting, and it reminded me of two novels Dorothy Leigh Sayers https://www.goodreads.com/author/show.... A very interesting writer who was republished decades ago in my country by the @lumenedit publishing house and who apart from being a translator of "The Divine Comedy" https://www.goodreads.com/series/6971... (which she translated, and was then continued by her friend, and biographer Barbara Reynolds https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., also the brilliant Professor Anthony Esolen has translated "The Divine Comedy" https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...), wrote detective novels (also apologetic texts, plays, and poetry), and was the third president of the Detection Club https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... (we include a list of eminent authors who were Presidents of the Detection Club until now Presidents: G.K. Chesterton (1930–1936) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... ,E. C. Bentley (1936–1949) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... , Dorothy L. Sayers (1949–1957) ,Agatha Christie (1957–1976) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... , Lord Gorell (1957–1963) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... ,Julian Symons (1976–1985) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... ,H. R. F. Keating (1985–2000) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... ,Simon Brett (2000–2015) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... , Martin Edwards (2015–) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... . With Martin Edwards I had the pleasure of writing here at Goodreads to talk about Japanese crime novels.) Dorothy L. Sayers as you can see was the third President of the Detection Club (the Club's rules were drafted by the ever-loved, and beloved Ronald A. Knox. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... At least for me. Apart from being a priest, convert, and writer of religious satire, he was also a writer of detective novels creating detective Miles Bredon. Although it seems that the creator of the Shadow Club was Anthony Berkeley https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... of whom I will speak at the end of this review) Dorothy L. Sayers was the creator of the detective Lord Peter Wimsey https://www.goodreads.com/series/4277... second son of the Duke of Denver to whom Philo Vance owes so much https://www.goodreads.com/series/6593... . There are two novels by Sir. Peter Wimsey that by its subplots have reminded me of this "The Secrets of Oxford / Gaudy Nights" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9... (which displeased J.R.R. Tolkien very much, but in my case it is one of my favorite novels next to Clouds of Witness is my favorite novel by Dorothy L. Sayers, which is not a detective novel either, but a retelling of "Manon Lescaut" by the Abbe Prevost https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... ).
, and the other novel that reminded me, and that was not published in Spain was "La muerte debe anunciarse/Murder Must Advertise" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... ), since it deals with two themes that appear in this novel. A critique of University Darwinism that is breathed in the Campuses that forces teachers to publish or die (even today). Scientific fraud appears, and the attempt to seize someone else's achievement. This topic was (also) dealt with by the writer Angela Vallvey in her novel "Death among poets" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6.... The other subplot is about drug trafficking.
Also the story of Meredith Spooner has reminded me of films like the seductresses with Sigourney Weaver, and the recently disappeared Jenifer Love Hewit. A scammer who seeks to make great thefts, and has no shame in using sex as a means to get it without any moral taboo. Then you will see the reasons why you do it. The beginning where the murder of the brilliant mathematician Bethany Walker is told (it almost seemed to me a fantasy novel, also with so much mirror it looked like "The Lady of Sanghai / If I Die Before I Wake " by Sherwood King https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8... ), trying to leave a sign to her husband, and her brother-in-law is magnificent. As well as the first meeting between the protagonist Leonora Hutton, and Thomas Walker. Allow me the user, or my follower on social networks (less and less in part because of the antics I do) to allow me a jocular occurrence. This novel in part due to some names, and surnames that appear in it reminded me of an action movie by Renny Harlin called Cliffhanger / Total Risk about two mountaineers one played by Sylvester Stallone who is traumatized because he could not prevent his friend's girlfriend from falling when he was mountaineering, and will redeem himself years later facing bandits led by the always magnificent, and disturbing John Ligthgow (The Churchill of The Crown, and one of the best secondaries, and villains of today's cinema see him in Ricochet). I remembered this movie because the protagonist is called Walker, and above in the novel there is a Travis (who in this novel is involved with the intern, and uses the house of mirrors as a riding arena) (he failed to say a come... Anyway, there are children who can read this review silenced me this speech of the film. Seeing how football is around here there is a phrase from the movie that rescued "the league is over..." The taco/swear word has been suppressed for charity, and respect for the audience, but such, and as football is to release it from that and my friend the youtuber @quillobarrios whose videos I recommend).
It doesn't speak much in favor of Walker that I tried to half-bribe/half-threaten the protagonist from the start. Thomas (that's the name of the male lead. He has a gift for making money, and is very skilled with tools. Instead, her brother Deke the inconsolable widower is very good with computers) thinks that Leonora was an accomplice of Meredith Spooner, but is surprised by how opposite they are. The truth is that each of them envied the other, despite being friends, and having more things in common (which I can not tell you so as not to blow up the novel). Leonora is supposed to help Thomas discover the money Meredith stole/scammed, and instead Leonora will be very interested in finding out who killed her friend. To do this, he will ask for a leave of absence, and will go to Wing Cove in Washington State to computerize/digitize the documentation of the House of Mirrors, (cataloging the books) while he finds out Who killed Meredith, and Bethany? (Thomas Walker's brother Deke's wife) It is very interesting the mode of elimination of both characters.
Among the advantages of the novel I forgot to mention Wrench a gigantic mastiff that according to Thomas is harmless, and is the reincarnation of a pink poodle (in the novel "The Curse of Chalion" by Lois McMaster Bujold https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... ask the protagonist what he liked most about the zoo, and says Umegat, who is the zookeeper. Well, here the character that I liked the most is the dog, and by far). So far the virtues that are not few, but I have thrown back the defects, which are not few. The first is that it has been a mistake to mix the detective/intrigue genre and the romantic genre because each literary genre eats the other. Not to mention that many of the secondary as the grandmother (method) of the protagonist Gloria, Cassie (the yoga teacher), and the ex-boyfriend of the protagonist are a nuisance more than anything else. Let's not talk about Grayson. I like something more the policeman Ed Stovall who is a bit like the policeman of I know what you did last summer, who does not know anything (although he will have a nice subplot with the daughter of Professor Osmond Kearn called Elissa). The romantic story was the worst with the gossip grandmother, who wants to match the granddaughter, and uses the one who writes the love column of the newspaper who is a kind of Ana Francis, and who is also a man (Herb). Sometimes while reading this novel I thought I was reading Hello, or a gossip magazine, because all day long Thomas asks Leonora if her brother sleeps with Cassie. Deke the brother asks Cassie, if her brother sleeps with Leonora. Apart from the fact that Thomas seems more interested in seducing Leonora than in solving the crimes, and mysteries that mark this novel. I also didn't like Leonora (the protagonist) very much, I think it's a kind of pedantic Lisa Simpson. The police plot, and the love plot would have worked perfectly separate, but putting them together was a mistake.
Another flaw is that there are very few suspects. It is not very difficult to find out Who is the murderer? And it doesn't hold many surprises either. In addition, the appearance of the murderer is delayed too much with unnecessary filler. The obvious suspects are con artist Alex Rhodes, the typical lascivious octopus who sleeps with anyone with the XX chromosome, and mathematician Osmond Kearn. Another mistake was the onanistic moment of coitus interruptus. Delay the first sex scene (I haven't put the warning, because there's not much sex either. This novel is more romantic than erotic), and then put it in a moment that did not matter, when the protagonist had discovered something important, and was anxious to tell Thomas Walker, and to see how the detection story continued. He mounts a pseudo-fight between the protagonists Thomas, and Leonora. With the first angry, because he thinks Leonora does not take him seriously because he slept with Meredith. The dialogue is of bream, and absurd, and ends with the long-awaited scene of marras. But after the scene of the reversal to the reader (at least in my case). They have taken away the desire for a lubricating scene, and that I do not disgust that type of scenes. The novel remains until the character of Margaret Lewis appears (the secretary of Sebastian Eubanks the mathematician who gives name to the University College, who also died murdered with what there are already three corpses, and three crimes to solve). I'm sorry, but when a novel starts to put words like fascist, sexist, or homophobic as my interest in the novel decreases, and this is what unfortunately happens, which becomes a catalog of goodness, and political correctness, and as I did not identify with the characters I lose interest in the plot. Apart from the fact that I don't like to be brainwashed while reading. It is of total political correctness especially the plot of Grayson. I also didn't like the testosteronic duel between Thomas, and Leonora's ex-boyfriend Kyle (whom Meredith also passed through the stone, and that's why they broke up, which was what Meredith wanted to prove to Leonora that Kyle was unworthy of her). Leonora then begins to rant about toxic masculinity. When it is a cold war of low intensity in which hardly a few pulls are launched, and not very hard. Each is eager to get rid of the other (it was the only minimally interesting scene, and the author does not include what could have been a dogfight). A lot of love, but always instead of betting on marriage, and fidelity seems to bet on second chances. If Thomas' marriage has failed, and Deke's was about to do it (it is very interesting to see how your life can influence if you marry a scientist or a genius, but nothing practical in life as Bethany, or Sebastian Eubanks were. Of course, this is much better in Balzac's "The Search for the Absolute" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...). It saddens me that Deke's regrets are for the cause they are, and he does just enough for his marriage (which differs from the movie when a man loves a woman with a loving Andy Garcia going out of his way for the alcoholic Meg Ryan). Little are sacrificed the Walkers and little value they give to "in health, and disease" what happens is that they let themselves be carried away by their passions, and love very little. It is true that both had a hard time because of the divorce of the parents (neither of them has children. Thomas has refused so that his children do not go through the hell that he went through.) But I say if they have failed once, why won't two fail? As Charles Ryder's father says in "Brideshead Revisited." My father, on the other hand, is more understanding, and thinks that you can fail once, but marry more than twice. Think of Robert Redford, or Paul Newman, but experience leads me to think, that if you have already dissolved your marriage vows once you will do it more times. This is one of the things I liked least about the novel, which in the end is to maintain the current order, and continue to crush families. Meredith, the product of artificial insemination, is the consequence of family breakdown, and never reconciles with the father figure. When I believe that the family is the key to civilization, and the more it is attacked, the more it is in decline (as revealed in "The Professor's Daughter" Piers Paul Read https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8.... Apart from that, the plot is too reminiscent of a soap opera, or a tabletop movie that usually emits atresmedia at noon, which are insufferable. It's all too politically correct, and predictable without major plot twists. We miss a little the bad milk of an Anthony Berkeley, who today everyone would hate him, but of the members of the Detection Club he is one of the best aged, and perhaps it is due to his political incorrectness. I would have liked something unpredictable like "The Mystery of Roger Ackroyd" by Agatha Christie https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6.... It is a pity because a plot with a lot of potential, interest, and enormous possibilities is wasted.
My grade will be (1'5/5). It has good things, but I have been very irritated by the defects of it. I admit that 1/5 is a stinging note, but 2/5 is a lot. I hope that one day half stars will @goodreads introduced. My next review is going to be very interesting, and God willing I will post it tomorrow. It's about a cult horror movie, and I say no more. I saw it on Friday, and I was very impressed. Warned are my followers, and Goodreads users.
June 28, 2015
Oh, btw, Meredith and Leonora (the h) are/were Thought I should put that on top, just to put the quotes in perspective. Oh and after all of it (the entire novel), h to Meredith (or her ghost/memory, whatever):
***************************
I normally like JAK. This one, well, here's a snippet of the H's thoughts:
yeah, skip over to the good stuff.
****************************
ahh... resolution:
Boy, does he (or JAK) have a way with words. *snorts*
Not one of my fav JAK. The mystery is good enough though The actual killer is
**********************************
Pretty much a 1star book as far as interpersonal relationships go. The mystery was intriguing, and the characters weren't half bad. So one more star for that. But, the ick factor never really went away for me. that's totally not for me!
***************************
I normally like JAK. This one, well, here's a snippet of the H's thoughts:
yeah, skip over to the good stuff.
****************************
ahh... resolution:
Boy, does he (or JAK) have a way with words. *snorts*
Not one of my fav JAK. The mystery is good enough though The actual killer is
**********************************
Pretty much a 1star book as far as interpersonal relationships go. The mystery was intriguing, and the characters weren't half bad. So one more star for that. But, the ick factor never really went away for me. that's totally not for me!
January 24, 2022
Smoke in Mirrors
4 Stars
Academic librarian Leonora Hutton reluctantly joins forces with the enigmatic Thomas Walker to investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of her friend, Meredith Spooner, a con artist who scammed Thomas's brother out of millions. Was Meredith's death murder and how is it connected to other strange occurrences in and around the small town of Wing Cove?
JAK can always be counted on to provide an enjoyable story with appealing characters, a sexy romance and just the right amount of twists to make the suspense exciting.
As with many of JAK's couples, Leonora and Thomas get off on the wrong foot, but their intense attraction cannot be denied. It is fun watching them fall for each other despite their dislike and reticence.
The mystery itself is intriguing with several different elements and a good number of suspects, some more obvious than others. The eventual revelation of the killer's identity was somewhat of a surprise as I had someone else picked out (albeit with the same motive). Kudos to JAK for that final twist.
Overall, an engaging read for a dreary rainy afternoon.
4 Stars
Academic librarian Leonora Hutton reluctantly joins forces with the enigmatic Thomas Walker to investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of her friend, Meredith Spooner, a con artist who scammed Thomas's brother out of millions. Was Meredith's death murder and how is it connected to other strange occurrences in and around the small town of Wing Cove?
JAK can always be counted on to provide an enjoyable story with appealing characters, a sexy romance and just the right amount of twists to make the suspense exciting.
As with many of JAK's couples, Leonora and Thomas get off on the wrong foot, but their intense attraction cannot be denied. It is fun watching them fall for each other despite their dislike and reticence.
The mystery itself is intriguing with several different elements and a good number of suspects, some more obvious than others. The eventual revelation of the killer's identity was somewhat of a surprise as I had someone else picked out (albeit with the same motive). Kudos to JAK for that final twist.
Overall, an engaging read for a dreary rainy afternoon.
December 13, 2009
I loved this book. The characters are developed and likable, the plot has twists, and I did not guess who the killer was or how the ending would play out. The romance is also nicely developed as well. The prologue sucked me right in. A nice lighter mystery read.
May 30, 2011
Mildly entertaining romantic suspense from 2002
Leonora and Thomas team up to figure out who killed Leonora's half-sister, Meredith, an inveterate con artist, and recover a million dollars that Meredith embezzled from a non-profit fund associated with Thomas and his brother.
This is a serviceable contemporary, romantic suspense. Leonora and Thomas are honorable people whom I respected, and the mystery is mildly compelling. But unfortunately, this story did not intrigue me enough to strongly hold my attention. Partly because I didn't feel a satisfying surge of chemistry between the two lovers, and also because of the claustrophobically boring town in which this novel is set.
I do appreciate that the town is not the generic, sappy, Anytown, USA of 99.9% of small towns in romance novels. There is a realistic source of jobs in the town, a private college, and rather than the town being presented as a fantasy Shangri-La, evil murderers lurking about the place do liven it up a tad. But unlike the small, oceanside town of JAK's Eclipse Bay series, there was nothing else about it that was of interest to me.
Leonora and Thomas team up to figure out who killed Leonora's half-sister, Meredith, an inveterate con artist, and recover a million dollars that Meredith embezzled from a non-profit fund associated with Thomas and his brother.
This is a serviceable contemporary, romantic suspense. Leonora and Thomas are honorable people whom I respected, and the mystery is mildly compelling. But unfortunately, this story did not intrigue me enough to strongly hold my attention. Partly because I didn't feel a satisfying surge of chemistry between the two lovers, and also because of the claustrophobically boring town in which this novel is set.
I do appreciate that the town is not the generic, sappy, Anytown, USA of 99.9% of small towns in romance novels. There is a realistic source of jobs in the town, a private college, and rather than the town being presented as a fantasy Shangri-La, evil murderers lurking about the place do liven it up a tad. But unlike the small, oceanside town of JAK's Eclipse Bay series, there was nothing else about it that was of interest to me.
June 13, 2015
I snickered, hooted and giggled all the way through while remaining involved with the mystery as well. The tool jokes and the dog were worth the price of admission.
I've read JAK in all her guises (Amanda Quick, Stephanie James, Jayne Castle, etc), and I probably have most of her books, and love them dearly.
This one marked a departure from her 190's and earlier books. The heroine is not as cutsey, the hero is more of a regular guy, less wierd (not that I don't appreciate these JAK icons...but I have *lots* of books featuring those characters).
I have to say that one of the things I most appreciate about her writing is the affectionate fun she pokes at life, society and peoples' foibles, especially romantic foibles. She's never cruel, but she can help me regain my sense of humor about things which I normally would take far too seriously. I also have noticed that she goes out of her way to bring marginalized people (elderly, gays, lesbians, psychics) into her books as strong and likeable secondary or sideline characters. Good for her!
A fun read, a not-too-challenging but fun mystery, and characters I liked a lot.
I've read JAK in all her guises (Amanda Quick, Stephanie James, Jayne Castle, etc), and I probably have most of her books, and love them dearly.
This one marked a departure from her 190's and earlier books. The heroine is not as cutsey, the hero is more of a regular guy, less wierd (not that I don't appreciate these JAK icons...but I have *lots* of books featuring those characters).
I have to say that one of the things I most appreciate about her writing is the affectionate fun she pokes at life, society and peoples' foibles, especially romantic foibles. She's never cruel, but she can help me regain my sense of humor about things which I normally would take far too seriously. I also have noticed that she goes out of her way to bring marginalized people (elderly, gays, lesbians, psychics) into her books as strong and likeable secondary or sideline characters. Good for her!
A fun read, a not-too-challenging but fun mystery, and characters I liked a lot.
July 7, 2008
You gotta love Jayne Ann Krentz books. In two one-line paragraphs in the first chapter, she manages to spark a whole series of images for the reader. Get this.
"Two junkyard dogs stood in the doorway of the bedroom.
One of them was human."
Incredible timing and style.
I give this book a five-star rating for the characters alone. A lot of people would see a similarity in all of Ms. Krentz's characters from book to book, but I say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". I look forward to meeting and re-meeting each and every one of them, and Leonora Hutton and Thomas Walker are no exception. I particularly like it when she puts a dog in her books, like Wrench. The plot was not a great hit with me, however, mostly due to the drugs and so many con artists, but I do like the way Ms. Krentz carries a theme through each of her most recent books. This time it was mirrors and reflections.
"Two junkyard dogs stood in the doorway of the bedroom.
One of them was human."
Incredible timing and style.
I give this book a five-star rating for the characters alone. A lot of people would see a similarity in all of Ms. Krentz's characters from book to book, but I say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". I look forward to meeting and re-meeting each and every one of them, and Leonora Hutton and Thomas Walker are no exception. I particularly like it when she puts a dog in her books, like Wrench. The plot was not a great hit with me, however, mostly due to the drugs and so many con artists, but I do like the way Ms. Krentz carries a theme through each of her most recent books. This time it was mirrors and reflections.
October 13, 2011
I've only listened to the audio version of this book, which I enjoy because there are two narrators, a man and a woman. The male voices and hero's perspective chapters are narrated by the man, and the female ones by the woman. The story has many of Krentz's trademark themes: a librarian heroine, a faithful pet, thick fog, a near miss on a deserted highway, and dream messages. Not to mention a murder (or more), a break-in, an annoying ex-boyfriend/fiance, and a mystery.
This book had two men who are brothers and two women as their love interests. I really liked Leonora, who is a calm person who maintains her personality and position throughout the book. She doesn't need to be liberated in any way, but does have to risk her heart. Her grandmother and grand mother's friend Herb add some great character to the story as well. Thomas and Deke are great as brothers who are devoted to each other, even though they may not always believe in each others' point of view.
This book had two men who are brothers and two women as their love interests. I really liked Leonora, who is a calm person who maintains her personality and position throughout the book. She doesn't need to be liberated in any way, but does have to risk her heart. Her grandmother and grand mother's friend Herb add some great character to the story as well. Thomas and Deke are great as brothers who are devoted to each other, even though they may not always believe in each others' point of view.
December 27, 2016
I didn't see this one coming!
April 29, 2026
Leonora Hutton learns that her half-sister Meredith Spooner embezzled more than a million dollars from a college endowment fund before she died in a car accident and left it all, along with a book about Mirror House and some newspaper stories about a thirty-year-old suspicious death. Leonora doesn't want the money, but she has questions about the other things in the safe-deposit box.
She leaves her job as an academic librarian and takes a job digitizing the Mirror House library so that she can look into things. Thomas Walker also has questions about the embezzlement and about Leonora. The two team up to find the answers.
Thomas had a brief relationship with Meredith and now he's falling for Leonora but isn't sure if he can trust her. And Meredith's death isn't the first since the thirty-year-old mystery about the owner of Mirror House. Thomas's brother's wife was also the victim of an apparent suicide. Neither Thomas nor his brother believe that but have no evidence.
This was a classic romantic suspense title. Both Thomas and Leonora are independent adults with histories. They develop a great relationship after some initial suspicions about the other. The side characters including Leonora's grandmother provide interest and some humor. Thomas's dog Wrench - at least that's how I heard the name on the audio - also added a touch of humor. Though I'm not at all sure that the dog who looks like a wolf is really a miniature poodle in character.
This was a fun story.
She leaves her job as an academic librarian and takes a job digitizing the Mirror House library so that she can look into things. Thomas Walker also has questions about the embezzlement and about Leonora. The two team up to find the answers.
Thomas had a brief relationship with Meredith and now he's falling for Leonora but isn't sure if he can trust her. And Meredith's death isn't the first since the thirty-year-old mystery about the owner of Mirror House. Thomas's brother's wife was also the victim of an apparent suicide. Neither Thomas nor his brother believe that but have no evidence.
This was a classic romantic suspense title. Both Thomas and Leonora are independent adults with histories. They develop a great relationship after some initial suspicions about the other. The side characters including Leonora's grandmother provide interest and some humor. Thomas's dog Wrench - at least that's how I heard the name on the audio - also added a touch of humor. Though I'm not at all sure that the dog who looks like a wolf is really a miniature poodle in character.
This was a fun story.
April 29, 2018
Loved it
January 10, 2022
Continuing my weekend of old Krentz rereads...
July 5, 2015
Author: Jayne Ann Krentz
First published: 2002
Length: 321 pages
Setting: Contemporary. Smalltown.
Sex: Explicit once or twice. Closed door thereafter.
Hero: venture capitalist / investor. Independently wealthy.
Heroine: Librarian
A repeat in many ways of Krentz's Sharp Edges, but a better version of it. Subtle paranormal, good story, nice mystery, sweet romance.
Enjoyable.
Aside:
One of the complaints about 50SoG is that it portray s a version of a relationship many people don't want to see replicated in contemporary society. But it's just a story! yell the fans. It's fantasy.. Yes, it is. And in some ways that makes it okay. But it also makes it really wrong. An opportunity lost to explore the world we should have and change the message we give young women.
On the other hand, Krentz does give us a world we should aim for. One of her big things is the casual portrayal of gay characters. In Smoke in Mirrors Krentz weaves in a strong gay character in a solid monogamous long-term relationship with a healthy relationship with children. w00t!
This is what I want to see in a romance. A society I want to live in. Characters I want to believe in. A relationship I'd be happy for my daughter to be in.
3.5 stars rounded up.
References:
Author's website: http://jayneannkrentz.com/smoke-in-mi...
(ISBN 0399147926)
-CR-
First published: 2002
Length: 321 pages
Setting: Contemporary. Smalltown.
Sex: Explicit once or twice. Closed door thereafter.
Hero: venture capitalist / investor. Independently wealthy.
Heroine: Librarian
A repeat in many ways of Krentz's Sharp Edges, but a better version of it. Subtle paranormal, good story, nice mystery, sweet romance.
Enjoyable.
Aside:
One of the complaints about 50SoG is that it portray s a version of a relationship many people don't want to see replicated in contemporary society. But it's just a story! yell the fans. It's fantasy.. Yes, it is. And in some ways that makes it okay. But it also makes it really wrong. An opportunity lost to explore the world we should have and change the message we give young women.
On the other hand, Krentz does give us a world we should aim for. One of her big things is the casual portrayal of gay characters. In Smoke in Mirrors Krentz weaves in a strong gay character in a solid monogamous long-term relationship with a healthy relationship with children. w00t!
This is what I want to see in a romance. A society I want to live in. Characters I want to believe in. A relationship I'd be happy for my daughter to be in.
3.5 stars rounded up.
References:
Author's website: http://jayneannkrentz.com/smoke-in-mi...
(ISBN 0399147926)
-CR-
January 26, 2011
3.5*
******Possible Minor Spoilers******
The first half or so of the book was very good. The story grabbed my interest, as did the characters. The first chapter was definitely creepy, and several other times I thought I was in for one of JAK's "touch of paranormal" suspense novels. Even though the second half of the book was still good, the creepy factor dropped away and the resolution ended up being fairly typical mystery fare.
I liked the relationship growth between the main characters. I would rate the sensuality mild, although I enjoyed the romance very much. I definitely enjoyed JAK's avoidance of all the major plot devices I hate, such as "big misunderstanding" or or having either main character pull away for some off-base "noble" reason. This relationship felt more believable, with a few understandable insecurities and hesitations, but no outright stupidity.
******Possible Minor Spoilers******
The first half or so of the book was very good. The story grabbed my interest, as did the characters. The first chapter was definitely creepy, and several other times I thought I was in for one of JAK's "touch of paranormal" suspense novels. Even though the second half of the book was still good, the creepy factor dropped away and the resolution ended up being fairly typical mystery fare.
I liked the relationship growth between the main characters. I would rate the sensuality mild, although I enjoyed the romance very much. I definitely enjoyed JAK's avoidance of all the major plot devices I hate, such as "big misunderstanding" or or having either main character pull away for some off-base "noble" reason. This relationship felt more believable, with a few understandable insecurities and hesitations, but no outright stupidity.
March 2, 2016
I really enjoyed Smoke in Mirrors.. Leonora and Thomas are both interesting characters. Leonora’s loyalty to her friend Meredith’s memory isn’t naive or deluded; she understands clearly who and what Meredith was, but she will doggedly pursue answers about Meredith’s death anyway. Thomas is a craftsman but also an investment whiz; his loyalty to his brother is as strong as Leonora’s to Meredith. That similarity of character — a deep-seated loyalty — is an important part of why their relationship works. The supporting characters fit well within the story, and I enjoyed Deke and Cassie’s romance. On the mystery side, this one is typical Krentz (in a good way): Plenty of twists and misdirection kept me guessing right up until the end.
June 8, 2020
I started to read it, the beginning was typical for this author. When I checked on Goodreads what series it belonged to, I found out that it was a stand-alone novel. Out of curiosity I read the reviews with the fewer stars, to find out, what other readers did not like. Usually, I understand that what others dislike does not have to be what I dislike.
But there was one thing, one of the previous readers mentioned that I absolutely refuse to read about:a hero who slept with the heroine‘s sister or best friend.
Disgusting
I think that a heroine is ok with such a situation, she ceases to be likable. In my opinion she does not have pride nor any sense of self worth. BTW I don‘t believe in love at first sight and I don‘t enjoy stories about it.
I stopped reading this book.
But there was one thing, one of the previous readers mentioned that I absolutely refuse to read about:a hero who slept with the heroine‘s sister or best friend.
Disgusting
I think that a heroine is ok with such a situation, she ceases to be likable. In my opinion she does not have pride nor any sense of self worth. BTW I don‘t believe in love at first sight and I don‘t enjoy stories about it.
I stopped reading this book.
October 12, 2011
What does the death of a con artist in SoCal have to do with the suicide of a math genius at a ritzy conservative college? Everything, according to the math genius's brother-in-law, who recruits (with a little strongarming) the con artist's half-sister to help him discover the truth of the matter.
Typically convoluted Krentz setup, and a lot of her usual types (of course Leonora is a research librarian...). Another enjoyable but not particularly memorable read--I had to look up the characters' names to write up this little blurb.
Typically convoluted Krentz setup, and a lot of her usual types (of course Leonora is a research librarian...). Another enjoyable but not particularly memorable read--I had to look up the characters' names to write up this little blurb.
July 6, 2009
Well, well, didn't everyone match up just perfectly! It was almost enough to make me gag, but Krentz pulled it off without any unfortunate reactions from my stomach. Another cute and funny romance, just what I needed to get my head out of the last book I read. And, Wrench is now quite possibly my favorite literary dog.
July 26, 2012
Lenore and Thomas worked together to solve the murders of Lenore’s sister and Thomas’ sister-in-law. Their deaths were ruled as drug overdoses but neither woman used drugs. Smoke In Mirrors was a fun read and Aasne Vigesaa and James Daniels were the voices of the characters.
November 14, 2018
This book had everything I want, mystery, suspense, and romance. Krentz has a flair for description that draws me in and keeps me there. Anyone who enjoys the classic romance tale will want to read this book.
January 20, 2020
Great book. I liked the characters a lot. Its good to read adult romance and not have characters constantly in angst. Mystery is good, interesting side characters and a dog. It had everything I want.
February 24, 2013
Good premise and execution. Good romance, okay mystery. I have this thing about mirrors, so exploring what they might symbolize in occult terms was really interesting.
November 23, 2015
Можех да мина и без този "трилър", който се оказа напълно любовна книжка, с тук - таме търсене на убиеца!!!
April 5, 2015
Love me some Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz, but this one was kinda boring. the pacing was off.
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