The Mirror's Edge

by Steven Sidor

Twin brothers, two years old, are snatched out of their Chicago home at noon on their birthday, never to be seen again. The kidnappers never make contact. The crime haunts the city, devastating those left behind.  As the anniversary of the abduction approaches, freelance journalist Jase Deering begins to investigate a case gone cold for the police. What he finds is a paranoid former nanny who had the word “mirrorrorrim” carved into her flesh that fateful day and a trail that leads to a fabled figure, Aubrey Hart Morick. Morick, dead for many years, was an iconic practitioner of the black arts whose legacies are a scandalous reputation and a son named Graham. Increasingly convinced that Graham Morick is more than the simple, innocent man he claims to be, Jase Deering finds the line between natural and supernatural beginning to blur.  His determined search for the truth may cost him, and everyone he holds dear, more than he can bear.

Genres: Mystery

Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2008

About the author

I'm the author of the critically-acclaimed dark thrillers Skin River, Bone Factory, and The Mirror’s Edge. My latest novel of terror, Pitch Dark, is about a young woman on the run from a dangerous apocalyptic cult.

Reviews

[Kennie · Rating 2 out of 5]

*sigh*

I found myself doing a lot of sighing and headshaking while reading "The Mirror's Edge". It was one of those situations where you want to reach into the book, grab the character, and say "Hey! Can't you see what's going on!?" But alas, we can't do that.

Jase had many, many demons he was fighting. No doubt about that. I guess I was just kind of hoping he'd eventually come to terms with the things in his life he couldn't directly control. He seemed to be living in a world that was governed only by what he deemed to be true, and for most of the book his truth was whatever he needed it to be at that moment.

On a stylistic note, I had a hard time with the writing style of the author. His short, staccato sentences kind of made it seem like Jase was drunk for the duration of the novel. Maybe that's what he was going for, I don't know.

[Justin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book up on pure whim. I went to a new library to see if they had some of the books I was gonna read (They didn't) so I browsed for a few minutes. I picked this up because I liked the name. I also figured lets try something new.

I would of given this 2.5, but that isn't an option. Anyways, I didn't like the fragmented style the author went with. Also, while suspenseful, a lot of the twists were easy to guess; for example the ending is a nice little twist but I saw it coming a few chapters earlier. I'm not knocking the plot by any means, as I thought it was well done regardless.

The scenes of gore (I think there were about three-ish) were very well done, and their scarce detail perhaps made them all the more gruesome. If that makes any sense. I believe the main character was the most developed (Obviously) but the others didn't seem as fleshed out. Maybe they just paled in comparison to Deerings.

It does contain a creepy message as some had said; people can really do some crazy, truly bone-chilling things.

[Jill Schrupp · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of the story was good but the writing seemed a little all over the place at times. The characters were well written and not over complicated. I would say it was a good suspense novel, just a little wordy at times. I wouldn't put it at the top of my list but I'd probably read this author again.

[Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. I can’t figure out how I feel about this book but it was definitely intriguing

[Sedna Dragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an alright book but there was nothing that sparked my interest.

[Erika L. Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of those stories where I found myself sighing, groaning and hissing throughout the story. The book is the story of a journalist, Jase Deering, who decides to write a story on a kidnapping mystery of two-year old twin brothers, Shane and Liam. The story progresses into the occult.

Jase becomes obsessed with the story and the twins, although I question the real reason behind his obsession. Is it really because of the innocence lost or because his girlfriend and partner, Robyn Matchfrost, go missing?

Maybe it's having grown up with movies of the occult, demons and Satan worshipers that have me predisposed to recognize that this is nothing to be trifled with - at least not alone. NEVER ALONE!

The story was lacking for me in the introduction of Father Byron, the drunken excommunicated priest. The reasons for his excommunication are never covered and find the research done on his character to be very half-assed.

The writing style left me wanting more...but more what? I'm not really sure if Jase would even ever be able to describe it. Jase seemed to believe himself to be 'above it all' because of his broken childhood and his knack for 'observations'.

The ending jumps around leaving me confused about what exactly transpired. It's not that dislike the ending as it is nothing more than reality playing it's hand. Good not vanquishing evil but...was there every really Good in this story?

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished the last 20 pages or so at Hale and Hearty over a bowl of Tortellini Carbonara, and the rating really DID come down to the end, but definitely gets 4 stars for me. It wasn't life-changing, but a really fun read (as mentioned before, I honestly did have to put it down at one point and check to make sure that the doors were locked. Last night I didn't start reading until Mr. Mayberryaftermidnight got home because I didn't think the cats would, or could, do much to protect me...especially from a death-obsessed cult).

I thought Sidor was a great writer (the story is told entirely in the present tense, though 3/4 of it is him looking back on what has happened previously, and then in the last part, the narrative meets up with where we began). By the end of the book you're exhausted, not that it's not easy to get through or lags at ALL, but because of everything that Jase has been through. The ending is somewhat of a cliffhanger and it took me a few minutes (the walk back to work from Hale and Hearty) to really appreciate it. But I like it - and the book - more and more even as I'm writing this review.

Definitely recommend.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A journalist with a hunger for the deeper story, the kidnapping of twin boys, fantastical claims of magic and inhumanity, and an ever increasing sense of chaos and conspiracy drive the reader straight to the mirror's edge in this fast, cold thriller. The boys' kidnapper leaves their nanny disfigured - the word "mirror" carved in mirror image between her thighs; their father's security system captures the act on tape. Writer Jase and his partner (romantic and business) Robyn become embroiled in a mystery which, frankly, appears to possibly be the figment of Jase's overactive imagination, the horrors of his childhood grown into impossible demons. Stories conflict, senses deceive, and trust is broken.

Sparse and wry, narrator Jase's voice really brings the overwhelming evil and complexity of the story to life.

[Emily. · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was quite possibly one of the best books I've ever read. it was so interesting. really. it was intelligent, and the way it was written was dramatic but believable. you really love the main character from the start. or at least I did. what I loved most about this book though, was how the writer managed to combine fiction with real life. supernatural elements and real human emotions. I feel like as I'm typing this I'm still not accurately describing the book well. I have read similair things but nothing quite like this. it was dark, occasionally awkward, and even seductive at times. the only thing was the ending left me wanting more, not that I wasn't satisfied. I do feel like the author left his options open to write a sequel though.. or maybe that's just wishful thinking.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book when it comes to certain plot points. Jase's train of thought can be a bit off putting. But for the most part it's an excellent read. Evil is defined and complexity of the characters is even more so. Robyn turning into a fanatic of Morick doesn't only speak to the dark themes but shows the many facets of her personality, whilst showing that she still cared for Jase. I like it when the main character takes initiative. And that;s what Jase does. The story was believable and the main character, relatable. A good read.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

picked this up at the dollar store, a real dollar store where everything is only a dollar...didn't expect much. To my surprise this was an exciting suspenseful and dark story about a journalist trying to solve a cold case about 2 young boys that were kidnapped from their home. No one would EVER guess what he finds...great book you will not want to put down. easy read

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would say the third time is a charm! This book is the best that Steve has written. As I was reading this book, I was always wondering what was on the next page. I could not put this book down, let alone sleep at night.

[Alejandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! I read it in 3 days and I'm still thinking about it. It scares the hell out of you and the situation is so real (there are some crazy people out there) that it keeps you up at night. The characters are extremely well drawn and the writing is exceptional: don't miss it!

[Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read - very creepy - quick and easy read - Sidor has a bit of an usual writing style - writes in short sentences and fragments but still crafts the story very well

[T Sale · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific book - very scary.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

pretty good, suspenseful

[Bonnie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I struggled to get through it. Warped and the subject stunk!

[Yessenia Chavez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mirror's Edge was an awesome book. it kept me in supense loved i was soo hooked

[Ella]

I liked it...but it is very different. Written in first person and goes back in time. Good writing.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Paranormal and weird and just found the writing hard to follow at times. It was really more of a 1.5, but I round up....

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an okay book, nothing spectacular. It's sometimes a little confusing and didn't not really like ending.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creepy! And a page-turner.

[Tara]

7/13/12 .. Friday the 13th:) I got this at Greenburgh Library today for a $1.