The Reflection: A Dark Psychological Thriller

by Franklin Christopher, C.F. Edwards, Christopher F. Edwards Jr.

I don’t trust anyone; not even myself.

After a childhood riddled with manic episodes, Mora Manning is trying to rebuild her life.Her parents have increased her medication dosage and are convinced everything is finally under control. From the outside, everything looks perfect — an elite private school, a beautiful home in Maryland, and a father whose reputation as a psychiatrist convinces everyone she’s in good hands.

At first, Mora believes them. But small things begin to feel wrong.

Memories don’t line up. Messages appear on her phone and vanish before anyone else can see them, but when she looks in the mirror, her reflection lingers too long — watching.

Then it starts to speak. Her parents insist it’s her illness resurfacing.

But Mora is starting to wonder if the voice in the mirror isn’t coming from her mind at all — and if the truth she’s been kept from is far more dangerous than a diagnosis.

For Fans Hidden Pictures, Incidents Around The House, The Last House on Needless Street and Behind Her Eyes.

156 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2024

About the author

Also writes under Christopher F. Edwards Jr. and C.F. Edwards.

Reviews

[Kimberly Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was an ARC reader for this book and here's my honest review.

I found Mora to be very relatable
Everything looks perfect from the outside but inside she's struggling. The book started strong, and just as I started to get bored with it......... BAM! My jaw hit the floor. Lots of twists towards the end and a big cliffhanger.

All in all, I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, partially because I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. Very captivating and suspenseful. I can't wait for the next installment to see how it turns out.

[Quynh · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Mora is a 16 year old girl who comes from a well to do family. But underneath all the advantages she has, she hates how she looks, how her hair is, and the color of her skin. Haunted by her own self-image, Mora believes the girl in the mirror is trying to harm her.

The story in the beginning started out strong. The imagery was very vivid. However, I found the storyline became repetitive. Also, the grammatical errors throughout the book were hard to overlook. Overall, it's an okay book as a start. It did end in a cliffhanger, and I am interested in reading the next installment.

[Steph Adkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** ARC REVIEW***

Great book!
This story is a gripping psych thriller with supernatural mixed in. Mora believes that someone is out to hurt her but no one else can see them or the pain she is caused. Has Mora completely lost her mind or is someone tormenting her from the other side?

An easy quick read! Looking forward to the next installment of this story.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve just finished this ARC and this is my opinion….


**Book Review: The Reflection by Franklin Christopher**

From the outside, Mora's life appears to be a fairytale. She resides in a beautiful neighborhood, attends a prestigious school in Maryland, and is the daughter of a highly respected psychiatrist. However, as Franklin Christopher skillfully reveals in "The Reflection," appearances can be deceiving. This gripping supernatural and psychological thriller takes readers on an unsettling journey into the complexities of the human mind and the thin line between reality and illusion.

Christopher's writing draws you in with its vivid descriptions and an atmosphere steeped in eerie suspense. The story unfolds as Mora begins to experience disturbing events: whispering voices, flickering ghosts, and cryptic text messages urging her to stay silent. These elements create an unsettling tension that permeates the narrative, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Mora's character is both relatable and haunting. As she grapples with her mental health, the question of her sanity looms large. Is she truly losing her grip on reality, or is there a sinister force at play? This ambiguity is a powerful theme throughout the book, encouraging readers to ponder the nature of mental illness and the societal stigma that often accompanies it. Christopher deftly navigates these themes, prompting readers to reflect on their own perceptions of sanity and truth.

The supporting characters, particularly Mora's parents, add depth to the story. Their desperation to help their daughter is palpable, yet it raises the question: Are they protecting her, or are they contributing to her spiraling condition? This intricate dynamic adds layers to the plot, making it more than just a simple thriller.

Overall, "The Reflection" is a thought-provoking read that delves into the psychological turmoil of its protagonist while weaving in supernatural elements that heighten the tension. Franklin Christopher has crafted a story that not only entertains but also challenges readers to confront their own beliefs about mental health and the unseen forces that may influence our lives.

I highly recommend "The Reflection" to fans of psychological thrillers and supernatural fiction. It is a captivating exploration of fear, perception, and the fragility of the human mind that will leave you questioning what is real long after you've turned the last page.

I need MORE, click, click, click….(iykyk)

[Katie Justesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Haunting Descent into the Unknown

Franklin Christopher's "The Reflection" is a chilling masterpiece that will leave you questioning your own reality.

From the first page, I was drawn into Mora's unsettling world, a place where the lines between the real and the supernatural blur. This story masterfully builds suspense, gradually unraveling the mystery behind Mora's terrifying experiences.

The psychological depth of the characters is truly impressive, and I found myself empathizing with Mora's growing fear and confusion.

Almost every page is filled with eerie details and suspenseful events that keep you guessing until the very end.

"The Reflection" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and supernatural horror. It's a haunting journey into the darkness of the human mind and the unknown forces that may lurk beyond.

[Megan Figgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mora is a frustrated high school girl who has a hard time fitting in and has always been a little bit haunted...and then things finally come to a head in this exciting and pulse-pounding story!

I'm rating this as ⭐⭐⭐⭐, this book was very entertaining and moved right along. I was always looking forward to knowing what would happen next and couldn't wait to pick it up again! I will say that the writing is a bit amateur it feels like, but as Mr. Christopher's writing continues to improve, I can't wait to see what other stories he can come up with after the conclusion of Mora's story, of course!

[Natalie Haberman · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC reader* This was a quick read (almost too quick). Although the plot was intriguing, I found most of the adjectives to be repetitive and unnecessary. There were also grammatical errors that took away from the flow of the story. That being said, the ending left me excited for the second book. I can see this being turned into a movie, or perhaps a tv series depending on how the next book goes.

Be careful looking in the mirror……

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the beginning to end. Franklin Christopher has a way of mesmerizing and capitavating with his words. The Reflection will definitely leave you wanting more in the best way. This book is a must for all thriller/supernatural fans. I am on the edge of my seat waiting for more!!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The twists in this book gave me whiplash and the thrills gave me anxiety in the best way. I did not know how it was going to end! This was a quick read and I am so glad to know there is a second book. I don’t want to spoil anything so just read it!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy.
Mora is not your typical teenage girl. She wants to feel normal, but she keeps seeing something coming for her.
The main characters were well developed. The imagery was good as well. I felt like I was there with her, seeing what she was seeing.
The grammatical errors that I came across took away from the story a bit.
Overall it was pretty good, and looking forward to the next 2 parts of the story.

[Ali McMurray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was an ARC for this book so I could read and review before it came out, and wow! Quick read, very detailed in describing certain things, kept me wondering what will happen next! There is a second book coming out next month to go with this and I can’t wait! What a cliff hanger! Definitely recommend reading for a fun thriller to keep you in the edge on your seat!

[Sorell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading The Reflection by Franklin Christopher prior to its release, which is the first in the series. I enjoyed this immensely.

We join Mora, a teenager who, from outward appearances, has a fortunate life. However we learn that Mora has been tormented since a young age by terrifying nightmares. The frightening occurrences of her sleeping world creep into her awake world, leaving her plagued with fear. Are these hauntings real or are they manifestations of a fractured mind?

Weaved into the story are Franklin’s delicate explorations of issues that so many younger people grapple with, particularly teenage girls. The struggle with self. Self confidence, self consciousness, self doubt, self awareness, self loathing, and self belief. Added to the tale are the intricacies of relationship dynamics between a teenager and her family, her peers at school, and a world she doesn’t feel she fits in to.

The horrors Mora experiences suggest a somewhat blurred reality, but the darkness enveloping her may be a very real threat indeed.

I can’t wait to read the next installment to see how this plays out. Incredibly well written. A quick read that sends shivers down your spine and leaves you wanting more. Without doubt a 5⭐️ book and highly recommended.

[Alanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Holy F*ck! What the hell just happened?!?" That ending made me literally sit up and say those words, lol. I was grateful to be selected as an ARC reader of The Reflection by Franklin Christopher. I love supernatural shows and movies and I love psychological thriller books, shows, & movies, but this is my first time reading a BOOK that borders more on the supernatural psychological horror side of the house so I can only compare it to my visual experiences. When I read a book, I see it play out in my head as if I'm watching it on screen, I know not many have that experience but that's the closest way I can describe how I enjoy reading. Reading The Reflection, I could see every detail of every scene of the story because of the vastly descriptive detail that Franklin Christopher produces. I will admit that character details were a bit repetitive for my liking but that did not take away from the story by any means. As a Chocolate Queen myself, I deeply understood and felt the emotions expressed by Mora through the story, so for me, parts of this were very relatable and what sucked me deeper into the storyline. As I mentioned earlier, I love supernatural and psychological thrillers, so seeing the scary scenes play out in my mind's eye, as if on the big screen, had me locked into every emotion and shock like I feel when watching scary movies. I absolutely LOVED it!! I'm REALLY hoping book 2 is a continuation of this storyline because my jaw was dropped with that ending!!

[Ssydney Martiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, a warning to others this book does end on a cliff hanger. Luckily not a long wait for the next.

I enjoy short stories and definitely am ready for part two. I think the author did a great job adding in the more gory detailed descriptions. I will say it hooked me right in from the first few pages. I read it in a little over an hour. There were some grammatical errors. Although to me that wasn't a huge deal.

Note to Author -
I appreciate the work put into these books, your social media interaction with readers and for getting to be part of your ARC team. Thank you and looking forward to reading more by you!

[Marcia · Rating 2 out of 5]

...what WAS that? Next to no character development or intro really ( people just show up at complete random), plot all over the place, setting all over the place.

I am relatively disappointed with this one.

[Keiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

To the outside world Mora should be happy with life. She has a big house and wealthy parents. But Mora isn’t happy with herself. She doesn’t like the girl she sees. Is this a deeper meaning to the reflection girl trying to hurt her? Mora’s dad is a psychologist you would think he would be able to help his daughter, but being in a split home he doesn’t see her all the time. Did her parents split cause the issue or as the end of the book starts to unravel secrets this family holds… is there something more sinister going on?!?!?

I received this book as an ARC, and I couldn’t put it down! This was a very fast read for me. I need to know what happens next! I cannot wait for the next book to come out in December.

[Dawn Birdwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

** ARC REVIEW **

The storyline for Mora started off decently, although there is some jumping in timeline but it's still easy enough to follow. The descriptions the author provides for the characters and the supernatural really pull you in though, and even with a few grammatical errors this is definitely a quick read that ends on a cliffhanger, leaving you wanting more. I gave this 3 stars because I felt like instead of a short book, this would have been better as a longer story with more details. It feels like you're missing some of the character history that would build up why the family dynamic is the way it is, and also a longer storyline would help it feel not so rushed. More instances of seeing the supernatural would build up the suspense as well. Overall still a good book, leaving me wanting more.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book and found the plot to be interesting once it picked up (a little bit of a slow burn at the beginning). Once I got hooked though, it definitely was interesting and had me wanting to find out who was going to be left standing in all of it.
The thing I found frustrating is the lack of editing. Misplaced punctuation marks, continually talking about the characters' complexion--I'm not against POC, but I don't know if a different writer would have mentioned skin tone as much if their characters were white, and the need to go to a thesaurus every time a character is verbalizing something was driving me crazy. The ideas are there, so I'm hoping he gets an editor who can help with the details in future books.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a really hard time getting into this book which is shocking because I loved the authors last book. This one was a bit dry for me however it did pick up towards the end and I couldn’t put it down. We are left on a cliffhanger so I do look forward to seeing how it ends. Christopher's writing is engaging at times, with vivid descriptions and moments of tension that keep the reader interested.

However, while the premise is strong, the execution sometimes falls short. The pacing can feel uneven, with certain sections dragging on longer than necessary, which detracts from the overall impact of the story. Additionally, some of the character development feels a bit shallow.

[cierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. I will definitely like to read the second one in the series. This book is a creepy entertaining story about a girl who is haunted my ghost. It makes you wonder who is really losing their mind. I was starting to think it was me losing my mind (haha). I only gave it 4 stars because it gets kind of confusing and I feel like it could have been written in a better way for the reader (I’m not a writer so it’s just my opinion). Overall I think the author did a great job and he was definitely able to keep my attention.

[Kala J · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

This book is * chefs kiss*

This book is so good! It is exactly what you want in a thriller and supernatural book. The characters are well developed, and reel you in from the beginning. Mora’s character makes you question your own sanity, and what your mind creates. I could not put this book down, and had to know what Mora was going to face next. The ending was amazing, and leaves you wanting more! I can’t wait for the rest of the books in this series. This story is unlike anything I have read before. Get it, and read it! You won’t be disappointed. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Nikki B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a decent thriller. Moira is one of those girls that doesn't think she's attractive and doesn't like the way she looks. This low self esteem and negativity she has toward herself seems to have angered the reflection in the mirror and she wants to out. The story started off great and then slowed down a little bit in the middle, but picked up again towards the end. The story was entertaining and kept me intrigued. I wasn't expecting it to end that way at all and now I'll be sitting at the edge of my seat until the next one comes out.

[Pauliny Melo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. Did I love it? No. Could I? Yes.
The Author needs to rewrite this and give some background on the characters. How has Franklin been with Veronica for 18yrs on and off if Faith is 18 and Mora is 16? He's been dating both Mary An and Veronica? & we find out Veronica was Mora's surrogate? Like what is going on? Is Mora crazy because of Veronica and we don't know it yet? I know there's a second book but we need more in the first one to not be scratching our heads questioning this Jerry Springer shit.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually don’t go for the supernatural but I occasionally like to try something different from my usual thrillers. Glad I did because this book pulled me into the story right from the start. It was a creepy, quick easy read that I had trouble putting down, therefore finishing it in one day. The only thing that disappointed me was that I have to wait for the next book because I really need to know what happens next.

[Emily Fallow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC review.

While I throughly enjoyed that the character of Mora was very relatable and dealing with issues of self discovery and self esteem, I wish that we had been given a bit more backstory about the reflection ghost and how it all started. I find it odd that Mora kept attacking the reflection ghost even though it meant she was harming herself, and I hoped for more of a resolution at the end.

Overall,It was an entertaining read and I did enjoy it!

[Melanie Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC -Reader.

Mora is a 16 year old girl who dislikes everything about herself. She sees things no one else can and is haunted by a reflection in the mirror. Really good gripping thriller which leaves you thinking is it all real or all hallucinations in Mora’s mind. I’m now reading book 2 The Threshold as this book was left on a cliffhanger. These books are brought to you by none other than Franklin Christopher - the author that brought you The Husbands Secret

[Holly Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s hard to know where to start…The book was very creepy. Franklin’s words set spooky scenes and at times gave me chills! A few times at night I just had to stop because I was getting creeped out. It’s a very quick read and I’m looking forward to the second book! The books storyline really sucks you in because you have to know what happens next!

[Lauren Esposito · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before I start, I got this book as an ARC reader. I am a bit behind but this is my honest opinion/review.

I am rating this book 3 stars due to it being a bit slow for me. The book its self is a fast read. Mira is definitely an interesting character and not what I expected but in a good way! I was/am very honored to once again be an ARC reader! I can’t wait for more books by this author!

[Candina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't love this one as much as the author's other works. There are spelling and grammar mistakes, which has me wondering if not enough editing is being done or rushing to production. However, the story is catching - many of us have an internal demon picking at our flaws - and the author has goven that inner demon a seat at the table in this story.

[Zara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a read

Absolutely lost for words. This book had me hooked. Mora, a teenage girl who's bullied for her looks, deals with a reflection girl/ghost and even though she feels everything that happens which lands her in hospital, nobody believes her that things are happening.


Looking forward to reading the other 2 books!