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The Other Side of the Looking Glass
The Other Side of the Looking Glass by Kathleen Harryman is a suspenseful thriller that you won't be able to put down. A beautiful lady wakes up in hospital with no memory of who she is or anything about her life. Her life is a blank. Liam is there when she wakes up and says she is his wife, Kate. He is attractive, well dressed and obviously very wealthy. However, something makes her distrust him. Why are his eyes so cold? And why doesn't she remember him? As Kate is taken home to her luxury mansion and discovers what her life is like with the controlling Liam, she finds her ordeal is only just beginning. Then her memory starts to come back and the truth emerges... This is a truly exciting tale of subterfuge, mystery, mistaken identity and true love.
- GenresPsychological Thriller
223 pages, Hardcover
Published January 24, 2024
4 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Harryman
8 books87 followersKathleen Harryman is a storyteller and poet living in the historically rich city of York, North Yorkshire, England, with her husband, children and pet dog and cat.
Kathleen first published a suspense thriller in 2015, The Other Side of the Looking Glass. Since then, she has developed a unique writing style which readers have enjoyed and is now a multi-published author of suspense, psychological thrillers, poetry and historical romance.
Kathleen first published a suspense thriller in 2015, The Other Side of the Looking Glass. Since then, she has developed a unique writing style which readers have enjoyed and is now a multi-published author of suspense, psychological thrillers, poetry and historical romance.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 21, 2017
Finally, a decent suspenseful thriller that hasn't been given the hard sell and the blurb force fed on you! In my opinion this exciting mystery is as big as any of the major names/titles flooding the psychological/thriller market at the moment and deserves a lot more attention than it's probably receiving.
"The Other Side of The Looking Glass" by Kathleen Harryman was intense, intriguing, well paced and an absolute pleasure to read. It didn't take me long to read it and I found it impossible to put down due to the tension that was created mid way through the story. Without a doubt once you start reading this truly intriguing and entertaining book you'll want to read it all in one sitting anyway. As the story starts to unfold and the pieces of the jigsaw start coming together, the tension and the suspense grows and you start to really fear for the characters lives.
When beautiful Kate wakes up in hospital after falling down some steps she can't remember who she is. Her husband Liam informs her she lives in a luxury mansion with a privileged life and he is going to take her home to recover. She doesn't trust him and instantly dislikes him. However, her ordeal is only just beginning as controlling Liam ensures she dresses and acts to his desires telling her she was always compliant and should still be. But as her memories slowly start to return, is she really Kate, and how far will obsessive Liam go to keep her under his command? With no one to help her she's truly alone. How long can she continue to live as a prisoner in her own home that's controlled by a powerful and dangerous man?
I liked the way the book was set out in chapters of the various characters points of view, it's impossible not to hate Liam, he really is portrayed as an obsessive bully. My favourite character was Jake, a lovely man with a heart to match.
The ending definitely left me with a lump in my throat and I'm pleased that the author chose to end the story that way.
Although some could say the plot was a little fanciful and far fetched, I would argue that most thrillers are, they are fiction after all, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and as quite a quick read I would happily recommend it to thriller readers young and old but keep in mind that while Kate is under Liam's control it can get distressing.
The author isn't new to me, her other book "When Darkness Falls" was also brilliantly written with an excellent storyline and with both these stories being set in York - which I'm familiar with - this also added to the enjoyment.
A fabulous 5 stars for superb book.
"The Other Side of The Looking Glass" by Kathleen Harryman was intense, intriguing, well paced and an absolute pleasure to read. It didn't take me long to read it and I found it impossible to put down due to the tension that was created mid way through the story. Without a doubt once you start reading this truly intriguing and entertaining book you'll want to read it all in one sitting anyway. As the story starts to unfold and the pieces of the jigsaw start coming together, the tension and the suspense grows and you start to really fear for the characters lives.
When beautiful Kate wakes up in hospital after falling down some steps she can't remember who she is. Her husband Liam informs her she lives in a luxury mansion with a privileged life and he is going to take her home to recover. She doesn't trust him and instantly dislikes him. However, her ordeal is only just beginning as controlling Liam ensures she dresses and acts to his desires telling her she was always compliant and should still be. But as her memories slowly start to return, is she really Kate, and how far will obsessive Liam go to keep her under his command? With no one to help her she's truly alone. How long can she continue to live as a prisoner in her own home that's controlled by a powerful and dangerous man?
I liked the way the book was set out in chapters of the various characters points of view, it's impossible not to hate Liam, he really is portrayed as an obsessive bully. My favourite character was Jake, a lovely man with a heart to match.
The ending definitely left me with a lump in my throat and I'm pleased that the author chose to end the story that way.
Although some could say the plot was a little fanciful and far fetched, I would argue that most thrillers are, they are fiction after all, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and as quite a quick read I would happily recommend it to thriller readers young and old but keep in mind that while Kate is under Liam's control it can get distressing.
The author isn't new to me, her other book "When Darkness Falls" was also brilliantly written with an excellent storyline and with both these stories being set in York - which I'm familiar with - this also added to the enjoyment.
A fabulous 5 stars for superb book.
December 29, 2018
This exciting debut novel, by for me a wonderful new author, is a truly suspenseful and gripping book.
Story-telling is of a superb quality, and besides that all the characters involved in this thrilling story come vividly to life to make this book such a joy to read.
The story is mainly based in York, and it starts off with Kate in hospital while suffering from amnesia, before she's taken home by her husband, the cold and calculating Liam.
It's a fast-paced thriller in which our main characters Kate and Liam are playing a game of cat and mouse, and where also a lot of growing chilling anxiety will touch the lives of all those who'll have to face this same dangerous predator Liam.
The clever and intriguing part of this story is, that it is about identical twins, and where the first Kate has left Liam, on the pretext on having cancer and not long to live anymore, and who's now heading with her lover Charles to Scotland under her new name Jessica Ripley, this second Kate who leaves the hospital, is in reality called Chrissie, and she's to replace the first Kate and satisfy Liam while her life is being controlled by him.
On the other hand there's of course the cold, manipulating and lethal Liam, who will do anything within his power to keep people under his control by forcing them to do what he wants them to do, and if they don't they will finally face a dead end.
What will definitely follow is a really suspenseful story with some captivating turns of events, and where the plot and the ending will eventually surprise everyone, but I'm not going to spoil it all by telling you, no if you want to find out then my advice to you is, get yourself this amazing book and enjoy it all from start to finish.
Very much recommended, because this very talented lady author has delivered us an adventurous gripping tale, and one that I would like to call as: "A Very Captivating Debut Thriller"!
Story-telling is of a superb quality, and besides that all the characters involved in this thrilling story come vividly to life to make this book such a joy to read.
The story is mainly based in York, and it starts off with Kate in hospital while suffering from amnesia, before she's taken home by her husband, the cold and calculating Liam.
It's a fast-paced thriller in which our main characters Kate and Liam are playing a game of cat and mouse, and where also a lot of growing chilling anxiety will touch the lives of all those who'll have to face this same dangerous predator Liam.
The clever and intriguing part of this story is, that it is about identical twins, and where the first Kate has left Liam, on the pretext on having cancer and not long to live anymore, and who's now heading with her lover Charles to Scotland under her new name Jessica Ripley, this second Kate who leaves the hospital, is in reality called Chrissie, and she's to replace the first Kate and satisfy Liam while her life is being controlled by him.
On the other hand there's of course the cold, manipulating and lethal Liam, who will do anything within his power to keep people under his control by forcing them to do what he wants them to do, and if they don't they will finally face a dead end.
What will definitely follow is a really suspenseful story with some captivating turns of events, and where the plot and the ending will eventually surprise everyone, but I'm not going to spoil it all by telling you, no if you want to find out then my advice to you is, get yourself this amazing book and enjoy it all from start to finish.
Very much recommended, because this very talented lady author has delivered us an adventurous gripping tale, and one that I would like to call as: "A Very Captivating Debut Thriller"!
July 17, 2016
I have always been a fan of psychological thrillers and the premise of this book sounded really interesting. The book is narrated in multiple points of view from the main characters.
From page one, I identified with “Kate” who wakes up in a hospital bed having no idea who she is. When she meets Liam, the man whom she’s told is her husband, she doesn’t believe that she’s ever seen him before. Her gut isn’t buying the story she’s been told. But there are photos of her wedding and much more … so, she has no choice but to go with him. Before she even leaves the hospital, she knows this is not a nice man. He insists that she wear heels, designer clothing, and makeup … just to go home. And that’s only the beginning …
Because the book was written in multiple POVs, the reader gets a bird’s eye view of exactly how evil Liam is: what he has done to get what he wants, what he will do, and how his sick, sociopathic mindset places no value on anyone’s life but his own.
I really enjoyed the author’s storytelling, characters, and wit. As the story advanced and the plot became more complex, I was never lost or confused. I just wanted to keep turning pages.
From page one, I identified with “Kate” who wakes up in a hospital bed having no idea who she is. When she meets Liam, the man whom she’s told is her husband, she doesn’t believe that she’s ever seen him before. Her gut isn’t buying the story she’s been told. But there are photos of her wedding and much more … so, she has no choice but to go with him. Before she even leaves the hospital, she knows this is not a nice man. He insists that she wear heels, designer clothing, and makeup … just to go home. And that’s only the beginning …
Because the book was written in multiple POVs, the reader gets a bird’s eye view of exactly how evil Liam is: what he has done to get what he wants, what he will do, and how his sick, sociopathic mindset places no value on anyone’s life but his own.
I really enjoyed the author’s storytelling, characters, and wit. As the story advanced and the plot became more complex, I was never lost or confused. I just wanted to keep turning pages.
April 27, 2016
This review was originally posted on [Between My Lines]When I heard that the premise of The Other Side of the Looking Glass by Kathleen Harryman is of a young woman waking up in hospital with no memory of just who she is, I felt intrigued and wanted to know more. Books about memory and memory loss have become a bit of cliché in recent years but I’m fascinated by them as the possibility of other people implanting false memories in your head is such a terrifying thought.
First Line of The Other Side of the Looking Glass by Kathleen Harryman:
My Thoughts on The Other Side of the Looking Glass by Kathleen Harryman:
I liked this one but had some issues with it too. I really got into the characters and they were what kept me hooked throughout the book. Kate is very likeable and I loved how strong and determined she was to stick to her values. As much as I admired Kate, I disliked her husband Liam with an equal intensity. He was manipulative and cruel but Kate’s honesty and integrity were a perfect balance to this.
I did feel that Liam was maybe a bit too cartoon villain-like and I would have liked more explanation as to why he was that way. He was also crude in his thoughts and language (which didn’t bother me as it fit his character). There other characters who are central to the plot (and equally interesting) but I can’t really talk about them as it is spoilery. But all together they made up a diverse and entertaining cast.
The plot was a tense one and I found I was reading quickly just to see how it would all come together. However I had to allow a lot of poetic licence to get behind the plot. It all seemed implausible and in particular some choices that Kate made towards the end of the book had me questioning if I really believed she would make those choices.
If I ignore those issues though and just focused on enjoying the story for what it was, it worked for me. It was well-paced and it didn’t string out the suspense as you knew from the different perspectives why it was happening but I still felt like it was a book that I wanted to keep reading as I needed to see it all play out.
Who should read The Other Side of the Looking Glass by Kathleen Harryman?
I’d recommend this to you if you like books about amnesia and character driven books. It didn’t have the same sparkle that Before I Go To Sleep by S. J. Watson had for me but I still think if you enjoyed that book that you might like this one too.
Talk to Trish: Do you like books about memory loss? What is your favourite one?
First Line of The Other Side of the Looking Glass by Kathleen Harryman:
“I woke to the clinical smell of detergent,”
My Thoughts on The Other Side of the Looking Glass by Kathleen Harryman:
I liked this one but had some issues with it too. I really got into the characters and they were what kept me hooked throughout the book. Kate is very likeable and I loved how strong and determined she was to stick to her values. As much as I admired Kate, I disliked her husband Liam with an equal intensity. He was manipulative and cruel but Kate’s honesty and integrity were a perfect balance to this.
I did feel that Liam was maybe a bit too cartoon villain-like and I would have liked more explanation as to why he was that way. He was also crude in his thoughts and language (which didn’t bother me as it fit his character). There other characters who are central to the plot (and equally interesting) but I can’t really talk about them as it is spoilery. But all together they made up a diverse and entertaining cast.
The plot was a tense one and I found I was reading quickly just to see how it would all come together. However I had to allow a lot of poetic licence to get behind the plot. It all seemed implausible and in particular some choices that Kate made towards the end of the book had me questioning if I really believed she would make those choices.
If I ignore those issues though and just focused on enjoying the story for what it was, it worked for me. It was well-paced and it didn’t string out the suspense as you knew from the different perspectives why it was happening but I still felt like it was a book that I wanted to keep reading as I needed to see it all play out.
Who should read The Other Side of the Looking Glass by Kathleen Harryman?
I’d recommend this to you if you like books about amnesia and character driven books. It didn’t have the same sparkle that Before I Go To Sleep by S. J. Watson had for me but I still think if you enjoyed that book that you might like this one too.
Talk to Trish: Do you like books about memory loss? What is your favourite one?
August 14, 2022
The Other Side of the Looking Glass is a psychological thriller with a plot that twists and turns and a strong cast of characters to both love and hate. A demented, psychopathic husband who destroys lives for enjoyment, a woman with no memory who is forced to submit, the wife who flees with a new identity, and the employee who sees and processes it all, are only a sample of those wrapped in a psychological web from which they can’t escape. A page-turner with richly developed characters, I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommended.
May 2, 2016
When I heard that the premise of The Other Side of the Looking Glass by Kathleen Harryman is of a young woman waking up in hospital with no memory of just who she is, I felt intrigued and wanted to know more. Books about memory and memory loss have become a bit of cliché in recent years but I’m fascinated by them as the possibility of other people implanting false memories in your head is such a terrifying thought.
FIRST LINE OF THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LOOKING GLASS BY KATHLEEN HARRYMAN:
“I woke to the clinical smell of detergent,”
MY THOUGHTS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LOOKING GLASS BY KATHLEEN HARRYMAN:
I liked this one but had some issues with it too. I really got into the characters and they were what kept me hooked throughout the book. Kate is very likeable and I loved how strong and determined she was to stick to her values. As much as I admired Kate, I disliked her husband Liam with an equal intensity. He was manipulative and cruel but Kate’s honesty and integrity were a perfect balance to this.
I did feel that Liam was maybe a bit too cartoon villain-like and I would have liked more explanation as to why he was that way. He was also crude in his thoughts and language (which didn’t bother me as it fit his character). There are other characters who are central to the plot (and equally interesting) however I can’t really talk about them as it is spoilery. But all together they made up a diverse and entertaining cast.
The plot was a tense one and I found I was reading quickly just to see how it would all come together. However I had to allow a lot of poetic licence to get behind the plot. It all seemed implausible and in particular some choices that Kate made towards the end of the book had me questioning if I really believed she would make those choices.
If I ignore those issues though and just focused on enjoying the story for what it was, it worked for me. It was well-paced and it didn’t string out the suspense as you knew from the different perspectives why it was happening but I still felt like it was a book that I wanted to keep reading as I needed to see it all play out.
WHO SHOULD READ THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LOOKING GLASS BY KATHLEEN HARRYMAN?
I’d recommend this to you if you like books about amnesia and character driven books. It didn’t have the same sparkle that Before I Go To Sleep by S. J. Watson had for me but I still think if you enjoyed that book that you might like this one too.
FIRST LINE OF THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LOOKING GLASS BY KATHLEEN HARRYMAN:
“I woke to the clinical smell of detergent,”
MY THOUGHTS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LOOKING GLASS BY KATHLEEN HARRYMAN:
I liked this one but had some issues with it too. I really got into the characters and they were what kept me hooked throughout the book. Kate is very likeable and I loved how strong and determined she was to stick to her values. As much as I admired Kate, I disliked her husband Liam with an equal intensity. He was manipulative and cruel but Kate’s honesty and integrity were a perfect balance to this.
I did feel that Liam was maybe a bit too cartoon villain-like and I would have liked more explanation as to why he was that way. He was also crude in his thoughts and language (which didn’t bother me as it fit his character). There are other characters who are central to the plot (and equally interesting) however I can’t really talk about them as it is spoilery. But all together they made up a diverse and entertaining cast.
The plot was a tense one and I found I was reading quickly just to see how it would all come together. However I had to allow a lot of poetic licence to get behind the plot. It all seemed implausible and in particular some choices that Kate made towards the end of the book had me questioning if I really believed she would make those choices.
If I ignore those issues though and just focused on enjoying the story for what it was, it worked for me. It was well-paced and it didn’t string out the suspense as you knew from the different perspectives why it was happening but I still felt like it was a book that I wanted to keep reading as I needed to see it all play out.
WHO SHOULD READ THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LOOKING GLASS BY KATHLEEN HARRYMAN?
I’d recommend this to you if you like books about amnesia and character driven books. It didn’t have the same sparkle that Before I Go To Sleep by S. J. Watson had for me but I still think if you enjoyed that book that you might like this one too.
November 30, 2020
What if you suddenly found yourself with no memories? Who would you trust? Would you even trust yourself?
“My eyes fly open and I face the frightening fact that my life is a blank.”
‘The Other Side of the Looking Glass’ is Kathleen Harryman’s debut novel; and she seems to have emerged as a fully-formed writer from day one (although she has ‘tweaked’ the manuscript in this latest edition).
With no past and no recollections, Kate’s suspicions steadily grow about the man who claims to be her husband. But she has secrets of her own …
Well-paced and told from different perspectives, this is an artfully-constructed and meaty tale brimming with solid characterisations, incidents and twists.
“Changing the past isn’t an option, so the question remains, what am I going to do about Kate?” muses the protagonist’s controlling husband.
What indeed?
A rattling good read.
“My eyes fly open and I face the frightening fact that my life is a blank.”
‘The Other Side of the Looking Glass’ is Kathleen Harryman’s debut novel; and she seems to have emerged as a fully-formed writer from day one (although she has ‘tweaked’ the manuscript in this latest edition).
With no past and no recollections, Kate’s suspicions steadily grow about the man who claims to be her husband. But she has secrets of her own …
Well-paced and told from different perspectives, this is an artfully-constructed and meaty tale brimming with solid characterisations, incidents and twists.
“Changing the past isn’t an option, so the question remains, what am I going to do about Kate?” muses the protagonist’s controlling husband.
What indeed?
A rattling good read.
July 19, 2018
An incredibly spun tale told through the eyes of several characters. Harryman’s control within the character’s point-of-view created a well developed storyline. The writing was crisp, concise and well-done! Because of that, the book was so realistic as if it was probably ripped out of the headlines. Fantastic work!
April 23, 2024
2.5 *
There were parts of this book where the writing was quite good and the premise of a woman with amnesia struggling with a husband who's anything but loving was intriguing. It managed to keep my interest till about half way.
However, I'm not sure what genre the author intended this to be given the rest of the plot which was in any case a little too difficult to accept in places.
It just seemed that there was no point to a lot of things by the end. Which isn't the way a suspense book should end.
There were parts of this book where the writing was quite good and the premise of a woman with amnesia struggling with a husband who's anything but loving was intriguing. It managed to keep my interest till about half way.
However, I'm not sure what genre the author intended this to be given the rest of the plot which was in any case a little too difficult to accept in places.
It just seemed that there was no point to a lot of things by the end. Which isn't the way a suspense book should end.
March 23, 2017
Excellent read!
Nothing short of five stars. I purchased the kindle version of this book and may order the paperback as well. Well written, love the twists! I've read other works from this author and I really enjoy Harryman's writing style. I highly recommend this book. Flows well, nice pace. Can't wait to read the next release from Kathleen Harryman. Five stars!
Nothing short of five stars. I purchased the kindle version of this book and may order the paperback as well. Well written, love the twists! I've read other works from this author and I really enjoy Harryman's writing style. I highly recommend this book. Flows well, nice pace. Can't wait to read the next release from Kathleen Harryman. Five stars!
January 29, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery/ thriller by Kathleen Harryman. The teasing product description gave me just enough information to pique my interest without giving the plot away. I was not disappointed. It begins with Kate waking up in the hospital with no memory of who she is or how she got there. She has no recognition of Liam, the man claiming to be her husband, and feels something is off. Her emotions are authentic, and I immediately felt empathy for her. By chapter 2, I was saying to myself, “Wow. I did not see that coming,” and continued to say it throughout this well written, engaging, and emotionally intense story. The story is told from the point of view of each of the main characters. Ms. Harryman does an exceptional job of giving the reader just the right amount of description and perspective to understand the essence of each character and their motivations. Some I became emotionally invested in and others embodied pure evil. The plot is well-paced and beautifully interwoven with manipulation, deceit, jealousy, greed, love, and sacrifice.
There are many twists, turns, and surprises, so I don’t want to give anything away. I had a hard time putting the book down, wanting to find out what happened next. I highly recommend this mystery/thriller/romance.
There are many twists, turns, and surprises, so I don’t want to give anything away. I had a hard time putting the book down, wanting to find out what happened next. I highly recommend this mystery/thriller/romance.
August 12, 2018
The Other Side of the Looking Glass is suspenseful women’s fiction about survival, control and ultimately the power of love.
It is told in multiple points of view and broken up in chapters with the main POV in each chapter title separated by character name.
It opens in a hospital with a woman who cannot remember why she’s there or what happened, it goes further on to examine amnesia when Kate cannot remember who she is. Her thoughts are scattered and piecemeal as she tries to discover who she is. She is initially terrified, and of course who wouldn’t be?
But then specific details, about laundry, fashion, and other things come into play about what she understands, and what she knows begins to surface.
When Kate, the main character meets her husband Liam that same day, a switch goes off and rather than a happy homecoming, she immediately doesn’t trust or feel any love for him, but she cannot remember why. Eventually we find out the reason and it’s not what you think!
The second she is discharged to return home there are many details as to what kind of life she leads. It looks like a fairy tale. Luxurious car and house, a handsome husband, paired with her own aesthetic beauty and all the things money can buy. But she and her husband live separately in different wings of a mansion. He also tells her what to wear, what to eat and when to do it.
Control.
“I would break her spirit, rip her apart. I was quite looking forward to it.” -Liam
This section of the story often reminded me often of, Sleeping With The Enemy, a novel that speaks so brilliantly about this particular kind of private struggle and the fear that comes with it.
It was engrossing and terrifying to watch the marital relationship unfold. There are some scenes with Liam that might be triggering for anyone who has endured psychological of physical abuse. "If I didn’t think, then I didn’t feel, and if I didn’t feel, well, I could survive this."
There was times that Liam seemed so ruthless and cold that he was barely human, but then his weakness for Jake, the old family caretaker made him real for me. If I hadn’t personally known a few men like Liam in my lifetime, I might have had a tough time believing anyone could be so wealthy, power hungry, callous, and unfeeling, but unfortunately a human can be.
We go on to hear the inner thoughts of each main character, primarily, Kate, Liam, and her estranged sister Chrissie.
There were a few plot holes that felt a bit unlikely, the reason for the amnesia and the twist that came forth from it, and finally Liam’s ruthlessness when it came to dealing with his external problems.
But more importantly, I was entertained by the drama, the search for self, the strength that two women, both survivors had inside their hearts to get back up and to turn horrible situations into something meaningful -- to find love and peace after the war.
Jenny was a character I grew to love: the peacemaker, the loyal sister, the mother and finally the friend. I’ve always wondered about the family behind the monster. It was interesting to have someone like Liam who was almost soulless, empty -- to have a sister like Jenny, so full of love, forgiveness and kindness.
If you enjoy stories written from a female Point of View, dramatic situations and stories about women finding their true North again, this one’s for you!
It is told in multiple points of view and broken up in chapters with the main POV in each chapter title separated by character name.
It opens in a hospital with a woman who cannot remember why she’s there or what happened, it goes further on to examine amnesia when Kate cannot remember who she is. Her thoughts are scattered and piecemeal as she tries to discover who she is. She is initially terrified, and of course who wouldn’t be?
But then specific details, about laundry, fashion, and other things come into play about what she understands, and what she knows begins to surface.
When Kate, the main character meets her husband Liam that same day, a switch goes off and rather than a happy homecoming, she immediately doesn’t trust or feel any love for him, but she cannot remember why. Eventually we find out the reason and it’s not what you think!
The second she is discharged to return home there are many details as to what kind of life she leads. It looks like a fairy tale. Luxurious car and house, a handsome husband, paired with her own aesthetic beauty and all the things money can buy. But she and her husband live separately in different wings of a mansion. He also tells her what to wear, what to eat and when to do it.
Control.
“I would break her spirit, rip her apart. I was quite looking forward to it.” -Liam
This section of the story often reminded me often of, Sleeping With The Enemy, a novel that speaks so brilliantly about this particular kind of private struggle and the fear that comes with it.
It was engrossing and terrifying to watch the marital relationship unfold. There are some scenes with Liam that might be triggering for anyone who has endured psychological of physical abuse. "If I didn’t think, then I didn’t feel, and if I didn’t feel, well, I could survive this."
There was times that Liam seemed so ruthless and cold that he was barely human, but then his weakness for Jake, the old family caretaker made him real for me. If I hadn’t personally known a few men like Liam in my lifetime, I might have had a tough time believing anyone could be so wealthy, power hungry, callous, and unfeeling, but unfortunately a human can be.
We go on to hear the inner thoughts of each main character, primarily, Kate, Liam, and her estranged sister Chrissie.
There were a few plot holes that felt a bit unlikely, the reason for the amnesia and the twist that came forth from it, and finally Liam’s ruthlessness when it came to dealing with his external problems.
But more importantly, I was entertained by the drama, the search for self, the strength that two women, both survivors had inside their hearts to get back up and to turn horrible situations into something meaningful -- to find love and peace after the war.
Jenny was a character I grew to love: the peacemaker, the loyal sister, the mother and finally the friend. I’ve always wondered about the family behind the monster. It was interesting to have someone like Liam who was almost soulless, empty -- to have a sister like Jenny, so full of love, forgiveness and kindness.
If you enjoy stories written from a female Point of View, dramatic situations and stories about women finding their true North again, this one’s for you!
June 6, 2019
A twist you won't see coming.
On the Other Side of the Looking Glass is a suspenseful psychological thriller by Kathleen Harryman. This story grabbed my attention right from the beginning. Imagine waking up in hospital with no memory of your life. And not only do you have no recollection of your husband, but he is someone you immediately dislike. You have a gut feeling that something isn’t right. Due to your situation, though, you must go home with this man and live your life as his partner. Kate finds herself in this predicament and you will feel for her from the outset of this novel.
I did find the circumstances surrounding the protagonist’s amnesia a little too convenient. However, the story was so gripping and filled with tension, I found I couldn't put it down. A great fast-paced book for mystery and thriller readers. 4 stars
On the Other Side of the Looking Glass is a suspenseful psychological thriller by Kathleen Harryman. This story grabbed my attention right from the beginning. Imagine waking up in hospital with no memory of your life. And not only do you have no recollection of your husband, but he is someone you immediately dislike. You have a gut feeling that something isn’t right. Due to your situation, though, you must go home with this man and live your life as his partner. Kate finds herself in this predicament and you will feel for her from the outset of this novel.
I did find the circumstances surrounding the protagonist’s amnesia a little too convenient. However, the story was so gripping and filled with tension, I found I couldn't put it down. A great fast-paced book for mystery and thriller readers. 4 stars
August 22, 2016
This book kept me reading until the end. However for me there seems to be a few too many holes in the plot. I think as a first novel the writer shows promise, not quite SJ Watson yet , but one to watch for the future . I rate this book 2.5
October 22, 2018
Amazing writing, wonderful read.
March 23, 2019
This novel had a lot of twists and turns and surprised me. Kattthleen Harryman has a way of developing a character without too many words. She lets the actions speak for them and I loved this book.
March 28, 2019
Loved it! I couldn’t put it down. I fell in love with Kate and Chrissie’s story and I was gripped until the very end. I cried and laughed. I didn’t want it to end.
February 29, 2020
The Other Side of the Looking Glass by Kathleen Harryman is an amazing and well-written story. It focuses on some very hard topics (that I discuss in the final paragraph) and readers need to be prepared for that. The frequent reader will probably figure out the plot early like I did.
Kate is married to a very wealthy man, Liam, who believes appearances are everything. Liam spends thousands on clothing for Kate to keep her looking what he considers to be appropriate. The only time they really spend any time together is at events when Liam wants or feels the need to show Kate off. However, Kate is very unhappy with this arrangement and ends up falling in love with one of her doctors. Kate knows Liam will never let her go, so with the help of her doctor they create an elaborate plan to make Liam believe Kate is going to die of cancer and send her away to a clinic.
Even in severe sickness Liam refuses to give up Kate, but her current state of “illness” is unacceptable to him so he does exactly as she expects and sends her away. What he does after she is gone is even more of a problem. With that being said Liam creates his own plan. He will replace the “sick” Kate with a healthy look-a-like. The only problem is that he must change the look-a-like’s memories and behaviors to match that of the original Kate. Too bad for Liam memories have a way of coming back, that and because he is a perfectionist a look-a-like will not do it for him. No, he needs someone identical to Kate. Now, where can he find an identical match to his wife?
The emotions the book provoked were very strong and very real. The writing was well done to the point that while reading it was possible to feel everything the characters go through. It is impressive when writing can provoke real emotions. What I did not like was that the plot is given away way too early into the book. The book ended up being externally predictive because of it. There really wasn’t much in the lines of surprising twist either, which was disappointing.
An adult book for sure. Some very mature high school students should be able to handle it, but I would not recommend it for anyone under 16. Foul language, abuse both physical and mental, and rape run rampant in this book, not to mention pregnancy death and kidnapping. You have been warned. I rate this book 2 out of 4. I really enjoyed this book but the fact that I had the ending figured out three chapters in was disappointing. It can really ruin a well written, emotional book when the entire plot is exposed way to early.
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Kate is married to a very wealthy man, Liam, who believes appearances are everything. Liam spends thousands on clothing for Kate to keep her looking what he considers to be appropriate. The only time they really spend any time together is at events when Liam wants or feels the need to show Kate off. However, Kate is very unhappy with this arrangement and ends up falling in love with one of her doctors. Kate knows Liam will never let her go, so with the help of her doctor they create an elaborate plan to make Liam believe Kate is going to die of cancer and send her away to a clinic.
Even in severe sickness Liam refuses to give up Kate, but her current state of “illness” is unacceptable to him so he does exactly as she expects and sends her away. What he does after she is gone is even more of a problem. With that being said Liam creates his own plan. He will replace the “sick” Kate with a healthy look-a-like. The only problem is that he must change the look-a-like’s memories and behaviors to match that of the original Kate. Too bad for Liam memories have a way of coming back, that and because he is a perfectionist a look-a-like will not do it for him. No, he needs someone identical to Kate. Now, where can he find an identical match to his wife?
The emotions the book provoked were very strong and very real. The writing was well done to the point that while reading it was possible to feel everything the characters go through. It is impressive when writing can provoke real emotions. What I did not like was that the plot is given away way too early into the book. The book ended up being externally predictive because of it. There really wasn’t much in the lines of surprising twist either, which was disappointing.
An adult book for sure. Some very mature high school students should be able to handle it, but I would not recommend it for anyone under 16. Foul language, abuse both physical and mental, and rape run rampant in this book, not to mention pregnancy death and kidnapping. You have been warned. I rate this book 2 out of 4. I really enjoyed this book but the fact that I had the ending figured out three chapters in was disappointing. It can really ruin a well written, emotional book when the entire plot is exposed way to early.
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October 29, 2024
The Other Side of the Looking Glass is an intriguing and well written psychological suspense which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Told through various viewpoints, the plot moves speedily along with many twists and turns as the tension builds up.
The story opens with Kate, a beautiful young woman, waking in a hospital bed, with no recollection of what happened to put her there. Gradually, snatches of previous events begin to unfold and make more sense to her. Liam, the man she is married to, is a psychopath who controls every aspect of her life, including how she dresses, speaks and conducts herself at the many ‘events’ he holds or attends. He is an extremely rich, egotistical brute who enjoys destroying others for the sake of seeing them humbled and losing face with former friends and colleagues. Those who betray Liam are dealt with by his hit man.
Slowly, Kate remembers her plans to escape her life with Liam and flee with a man she had come to love. A false diagnosis of cancer does the trick. Consequently, believing Kate would soon be dead, Liam makes plans to replace her with her twin sister, Chrissie. The fact that Chrissie is already married with a son of her own means nothing to such a callous and egotistic man.
The plot hastens along and we follow not only the story of Liam and the feisty twin sister, Chrissie, who is forced to replace Kate in every way, but the story of Kate and the man she loves fleeing to a place where they will never be found.
This is an engrossing story, with a cast of well-drawn characters and a plot to keep the reader wondering what will happen next. An enjoyable read all round.
The story opens with Kate, a beautiful young woman, waking in a hospital bed, with no recollection of what happened to put her there. Gradually, snatches of previous events begin to unfold and make more sense to her. Liam, the man she is married to, is a psychopath who controls every aspect of her life, including how she dresses, speaks and conducts herself at the many ‘events’ he holds or attends. He is an extremely rich, egotistical brute who enjoys destroying others for the sake of seeing them humbled and losing face with former friends and colleagues. Those who betray Liam are dealt with by his hit man.
Slowly, Kate remembers her plans to escape her life with Liam and flee with a man she had come to love. A false diagnosis of cancer does the trick. Consequently, believing Kate would soon be dead, Liam makes plans to replace her with her twin sister, Chrissie. The fact that Chrissie is already married with a son of her own means nothing to such a callous and egotistic man.
The plot hastens along and we follow not only the story of Liam and the feisty twin sister, Chrissie, who is forced to replace Kate in every way, but the story of Kate and the man she loves fleeing to a place where they will never be found.
This is an engrossing story, with a cast of well-drawn characters and a plot to keep the reader wondering what will happen next. An enjoyable read all round.
July 18, 2024
I love the premise with which The Other Side of The Looking Glass begins- a young woman who wakes up with no memory of who she is and is faced with a cold and calculating looking man who claims to be her husband. Kate's heart insists that this man could never be her husband but the proof is undeniable. So what happened? What's the truth? How does she deal with the reality of a life that does not seem to be hers at all?
The story unfolds from the POV of different characters and gradually the author expertly peels away layer by layer to disclose the suspenseful and thrilling tale. When you read this book expect the unexpected and be prepared for anything. The author Kathleen Harryman will help you suspend your disbelief as you realize the truth of why Kate is in the situation she is.
The Other Side of The Looking Glass is classy, fast paced, with never a dull moment or a dip in tension as it takes you from a beginning where a young woman is lost and vulnerable to the point where she finds herself and fights back no matter what she has been put through.
I'm loathe to give away the plot at all. I'd rather you discover it yourself as you turn the pages and let the author draw you in.
The story unfolds from the POV of different characters and gradually the author expertly peels away layer by layer to disclose the suspenseful and thrilling tale. When you read this book expect the unexpected and be prepared for anything. The author Kathleen Harryman will help you suspend your disbelief as you realize the truth of why Kate is in the situation she is.
The Other Side of The Looking Glass is classy, fast paced, with never a dull moment or a dip in tension as it takes you from a beginning where a young woman is lost and vulnerable to the point where she finds herself and fights back no matter what she has been put through.
I'm loathe to give away the plot at all. I'd rather you discover it yourself as you turn the pages and let the author draw you in.
January 27, 2020
The Other Side of the Looking Glass by Kathleen Harryman.
A well written, thought out, intriguing and beguiling story by the author, as told by the characters involved. Twins are not just born with identical looks, they share the same DNA, although for Kate and Chrissie fate has decided upon a set of unexpected circumstances that will alter both the sister’s destiny.
To Liam, a cold, calculating control freak, money, looking good and prestige means everything. This includes having an immaculate, beautiful looking woman on his arm, albeit his wife Kate, or her sister Chrissie at whatever the cost.
When amnesia strikes kidnapping her of her life, her every thought, her memory and family, Liam suddenly appears taking control of Chrissie’s life with terrible consequences.
In a fast paced story of good versus evil with twists and turns, pregnancies and abuse, the plot begins to unfold and throughout the book nothing is certain, leaving happiness to chance, and in the shadows a man rarely mentioned, and never seen can destroy your whole world. As often the case however the knight in shining armour is the person you least expect.
An enjoyable recommended read.
A well written, thought out, intriguing and beguiling story by the author, as told by the characters involved. Twins are not just born with identical looks, they share the same DNA, although for Kate and Chrissie fate has decided upon a set of unexpected circumstances that will alter both the sister’s destiny.
To Liam, a cold, calculating control freak, money, looking good and prestige means everything. This includes having an immaculate, beautiful looking woman on his arm, albeit his wife Kate, or her sister Chrissie at whatever the cost.
When amnesia strikes kidnapping her of her life, her every thought, her memory and family, Liam suddenly appears taking control of Chrissie’s life with terrible consequences.
In a fast paced story of good versus evil with twists and turns, pregnancies and abuse, the plot begins to unfold and throughout the book nothing is certain, leaving happiness to chance, and in the shadows a man rarely mentioned, and never seen can destroy your whole world. As often the case however the knight in shining armour is the person you least expect.
An enjoyable recommended read.
May 21, 2025
Kate wakes up in a hospital room unable to remember anything about her past. Soon she learns she’s married to a man she doesn’t feel anything for. Laim her husband is a character I grew to hate completely while feeling for Kate. I liked how it was told through more than one POV which made some of it chilling reading. Some twists completely surprised me, but I don’t want to give anything away. I rooted for Kate and loved her strength in the worst of situations. This was a hard book to put down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. A great psychological thriller where murder is as easy as ordering a pizza, but with love weaved in there the unexpected happens. A story I can easily recommend.
June 9, 2023
Kathleen Harryman’s book The Other Side of the Looking Glass is a romantic psychological suspense thriller that is so well written one cannot put it down.
Her protagonist Kate finds herself without a memory in the hospital, a man you does not recognize is claiming to be her husband. But is he?
Ms. Harryman’s ability to write a novel that keeps one dripping in suspense while unable to shut the pages until the end has no equal. Her character’s are real, her antagonist is one we love to hate, especially when we find out the level of his depravity and vileness of his evil.
This is an absolute reread.
Her protagonist Kate finds herself without a memory in the hospital, a man you does not recognize is claiming to be her husband. But is he?
Ms. Harryman’s ability to write a novel that keeps one dripping in suspense while unable to shut the pages until the end has no equal. Her character’s are real, her antagonist is one we love to hate, especially when we find out the level of his depravity and vileness of his evil.
This is an absolute reread.
January 30, 2019
Cra - Cra
This book was crazy. Kate turned into Jessica and Chrissie turned into Kate. A bunch of lives were turned upside over one money hungry powerful man who had to control everyone and everything around him. The best part of the book came when Liam died. That was the part of the book that I cheered at. Good Riddance MF.
This book was crazy. Kate turned into Jessica and Chrissie turned into Kate. A bunch of lives were turned upside over one money hungry powerful man who had to control everyone and everything around him. The best part of the book came when Liam died. That was the part of the book that I cheered at. Good Riddance MF.
July 22, 2023
Complexities of Life
Take a sojourn to Scotland and meet Liam, Kate, Jessica, and Chrissie! Intriguing read with heartbreaking circumstances and twists and revelations that will have you completely vested. The characters are superbly displayed and the dialogue is captivating. A truly beautiful work! Highly recommended read!
Take a sojourn to Scotland and meet Liam, Kate, Jessica, and Chrissie! Intriguing read with heartbreaking circumstances and twists and revelations that will have you completely vested. The characters are superbly displayed and the dialogue is captivating. A truly beautiful work! Highly recommended read!
December 7, 2023
"The Other Side Of The Looking Glass" by Kathleen Harryman was a thoroughly delightful experience, with a fascinating premise that quickly captivated me.
The relatively unusual plot provides a distinct flavor to the story. The overall reading experience was enjoyable keeping me guessing and turning the pages.
It reminded me of "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn.
The relatively unusual plot provides a distinct flavor to the story. The overall reading experience was enjoyable keeping me guessing and turning the pages.
It reminded me of "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn.
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