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The House of Mirrors
One of them has killed before.
One of them will kill again.
In the sweltering summer of 1997, straight-laced, straight-A student Karen met Biba - a bohemian and impossibly glamorous aspiring actress. A few months later, two people were dead and another had been sent to prison.
Having stood by Rex as he served his sentence, Karen is now married to him with a daughter, Alice, who runs a vintage clothing company in London. They're a normal family, as long as they don't talk about the past, never mention the name Biba, and ignore Alice's flashes of dark, dangerous fury.
Karen has kept what really happened that summer of '97 hidden deep inside her. Alice is keeping secrets of her own. But when anonymous notes begin to arrive at Alice's shop, it seems the past is about to catch up with them all ...
One of them will kill again.
In the sweltering summer of 1997, straight-laced, straight-A student Karen met Biba - a bohemian and impossibly glamorous aspiring actress. A few months later, two people were dead and another had been sent to prison.
Having stood by Rex as he served his sentence, Karen is now married to him with a daughter, Alice, who runs a vintage clothing company in London. They're a normal family, as long as they don't talk about the past, never mention the name Biba, and ignore Alice's flashes of dark, dangerous fury.
Karen has kept what really happened that summer of '97 hidden deep inside her. Alice is keeping secrets of her own. But when anonymous notes begin to arrive at Alice's shop, it seems the past is about to catch up with them all ...
368 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2024
156 people are currently reading
2674 people want to read
About the author
Erin Kelly
57 books1,613 followersErin Kelly was born in London in 1976 and grew up in Essex. She read English at Warwick University and has been working as a journalist since 1998.
She has written for newspapers including the The Sunday Times, The Sunday Telegraph, the Daily Mail and the Express and magazines including Red, Psychologies, Marie Claire, Elle and Cosmopolitan.
She has written for newspapers including the The Sunday Times, The Sunday Telegraph, the Daily Mail and the Express and magazines including Red, Psychologies, Marie Claire, Elle and Cosmopolitan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
February 13, 2024
4+
Karen and Rex’s daughter Alice is opening a vintage dress shop which she has Instagrammed to perfection apart from a poster which Karen insists she takes down so the past doesn’t catch up with them, particularly Rex. Alice really is Rex’s sister Bibas ghost right down to her avant-garde dress. They don’t talk about the summer of ‘97 especially ‘The Night Of’, the summer that Karen meets Biba as Karen has buried it deep inside. What is the truth of what lurks in the past in that pivotal year of 1997? Not even Rex entirely knows although he serves time for what transpires. Maybe only Biba can tell us that and she’s disappeared, presumed dead. Will the truth ever be known of what happens at the Highgate House of Horrors? A family of secrets, big secrets and Alice is keeping some of her own and when anonymous notes arrive at her shop it seems it’s impossible to shut the door on the past. The story is principally told by Karen and Alice.
We first meet many of these characters in this latest Erin Kelly novel in The Poison Tree which I read in 2018 but don’t have the sharpest recollections of. This is not so much a sequel as it can easily be read as a standalone and my faltering memory is no barrier to this one!
I really enjoy the contrasting points of view of Karen and Alice especially Alice as her desperation to know the truth (and yet also not know) is heard loud and clear and this is the main direction the plot takes. Alice seems straightforward and honest but is she? She’s not above keeping secrets and her investigations give us much of the backstory - maybe. I love the vintage dress angle of the storytelling via Alice which gives the plot even greater technicolour. Karen’s viewpoint is also fascinating, she seems uncertain at times, her memories are ominous but one thing is crystal clear and that is her love of Alice and her desire to protect her. This is visible in her dislike of Gabe, Alice’s partner as she’s not only suspicious but has other concerns too. Is she right? How far can we trust Karen’s narrative? This is a delicious conundrum. It’s fair to say that few of the characters are very likeable but I enjoy that aspect of the plot.
For quite a long time the storytelling is of the slow burner kind, it seems the very definition of one. Then, things begin to change and how. Does it ever ramp up in tempo! Twist after plot twist, excellent moments of suspense and tension, some shocking reveals and incidents and as for that ending - it’s a cracker!
Overall, this is a good multilayered read, a mix of domestic drama though maybe towards the more dramatic end, it’s a tantalising mystery and part psychological thriller with some definite dark moments. The scorching summer adds its own sticky atmosphere to the heated dynamics and richly atmospheric plot. A very accomplished page turner of a read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Karen and Rex’s daughter Alice is opening a vintage dress shop which she has Instagrammed to perfection apart from a poster which Karen insists she takes down so the past doesn’t catch up with them, particularly Rex. Alice really is Rex’s sister Bibas ghost right down to her avant-garde dress. They don’t talk about the summer of ‘97 especially ‘The Night Of’, the summer that Karen meets Biba as Karen has buried it deep inside. What is the truth of what lurks in the past in that pivotal year of 1997? Not even Rex entirely knows although he serves time for what transpires. Maybe only Biba can tell us that and she’s disappeared, presumed dead. Will the truth ever be known of what happens at the Highgate House of Horrors? A family of secrets, big secrets and Alice is keeping some of her own and when anonymous notes arrive at her shop it seems it’s impossible to shut the door on the past. The story is principally told by Karen and Alice.
We first meet many of these characters in this latest Erin Kelly novel in The Poison Tree which I read in 2018 but don’t have the sharpest recollections of. This is not so much a sequel as it can easily be read as a standalone and my faltering memory is no barrier to this one!
I really enjoy the contrasting points of view of Karen and Alice especially Alice as her desperation to know the truth (and yet also not know) is heard loud and clear and this is the main direction the plot takes. Alice seems straightforward and honest but is she? She’s not above keeping secrets and her investigations give us much of the backstory - maybe. I love the vintage dress angle of the storytelling via Alice which gives the plot even greater technicolour. Karen’s viewpoint is also fascinating, she seems uncertain at times, her memories are ominous but one thing is crystal clear and that is her love of Alice and her desire to protect her. This is visible in her dislike of Gabe, Alice’s partner as she’s not only suspicious but has other concerns too. Is she right? How far can we trust Karen’s narrative? This is a delicious conundrum. It’s fair to say that few of the characters are very likeable but I enjoy that aspect of the plot.
For quite a long time the storytelling is of the slow burner kind, it seems the very definition of one. Then, things begin to change and how. Does it ever ramp up in tempo! Twist after plot twist, excellent moments of suspense and tension, some shocking reveals and incidents and as for that ending - it’s a cracker!
Overall, this is a good multilayered read, a mix of domestic drama though maybe towards the more dramatic end, it’s a tantalising mystery and part psychological thriller with some definite dark moments. The scorching summer adds its own sticky atmosphere to the heated dynamics and richly atmospheric plot. A very accomplished page turner of a read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
April 4, 2024
The Poison Tree
is one of my favourites among Erin Kelly’s novels, but to be honest, I never felt it needed a sequel. So I approached this book – which revisits Karen, Rex and their daughter Alice more than twenty years after the fateful summer of 1997 – with what I’d call cautious interest. However, as soon as I started reading, that was it: I was hooked. This is Kelly’s most arresting, compelling work in years.
It’s also not exactly a sequel, not a straightforward ‘second in the series’. It works just as well as a standalone novel, and is more of a reimagining – a reboot, if you like. It sets us down in another blazingly hot London summer, among a set of characters that mirror (but don’t simply replicate) those in the earlier book. The narrative is split between Alice, now in her twenties and running a vintage clothing boutique, and an increasingly paranoid Karen, desperate to protect her family as the Capels’ scandalous past rears its head again. The plot hinges on Alice’s obsessive curiosity about her parents’ history; her relationship with the sketchy (or is he?) Gabe; and the mystery of an eerily familiar stranger who’s keen to make contact with Alice. It has the heart and soul of the paciest thriller while it explores the depths of familial love from multiple angles.
It’s a brilliant way of approaching the premise, and you can absolutely read it if you haven’t read The Poison Tree. In fact, it might be even more enjoyable that way – a couple of things readers of The Poison Tree will already know are treated as plot twists here. I wasn’t bothered by this, though: even if you already know what’s coming, it all works because the perspective is new, the stakes different.
A real treat for fans of Kelly’s debut, but great in its own right, too. And so gripping, from first to last. Calling it a page-turner is an understatement; the speed with which I tore through this thing must actually have broken some record, if only a personal one.
I received an advance review copy of The House of Mirrors from the publisher through NetGalley.
It’s also not exactly a sequel, not a straightforward ‘second in the series’. It works just as well as a standalone novel, and is more of a reimagining – a reboot, if you like. It sets us down in another blazingly hot London summer, among a set of characters that mirror (but don’t simply replicate) those in the earlier book. The narrative is split between Alice, now in her twenties and running a vintage clothing boutique, and an increasingly paranoid Karen, desperate to protect her family as the Capels’ scandalous past rears its head again. The plot hinges on Alice’s obsessive curiosity about her parents’ history; her relationship with the sketchy (or is he?) Gabe; and the mystery of an eerily familiar stranger who’s keen to make contact with Alice. It has the heart and soul of the paciest thriller while it explores the depths of familial love from multiple angles.
It’s a brilliant way of approaching the premise, and you can absolutely read it if you haven’t read The Poison Tree. In fact, it might be even more enjoyable that way – a couple of things readers of The Poison Tree will already know are treated as plot twists here. I wasn’t bothered by this, though: even if you already know what’s coming, it all works because the perspective is new, the stakes different.
A real treat for fans of Kelly’s debut, but great in its own right, too. And so gripping, from first to last. Calling it a page-turner is an understatement; the speed with which I tore through this thing must actually have broken some record, if only a personal one.
I received an advance review copy of The House of Mirrors from the publisher through NetGalley.
June 6, 2024
Really enjoyed this thriller was interesting and kept you thinking
April 24, 2025
I would definitely not call this a standalone book, but a sequel to the Poison Tree, which I read ages ago! Having said that, I enjoyed this even though I couldn't remember much about the first book. Could there be a third??
May 5, 2024
Erin Kelly does know how to write a really good story and this one is up there with her best!
The House of Mirrors is set in Surrey and London where Alice opens a vintage dress shop, ably supported by her parents Rex and Karen, and her new boyfriend. Secrets are squirreled away under the surface going way back to the summer of 1997 when Karen first met Rex's sister Biba and the disasters that caused.
There is little I can say about the plot, except that in true Erin Kelly fashion she is many steps ahead of her readers, with sub-plots, intrigue and sheer brilliance bouncing off every page making for an exquisite tale. The characters are bright and shiny, yet absolutely realistic in all ways.
This is one of my favourite reads of the year so far.
The House of Mirrors is set in Surrey and London where Alice opens a vintage dress shop, ably supported by her parents Rex and Karen, and her new boyfriend. Secrets are squirreled away under the surface going way back to the summer of 1997 when Karen first met Rex's sister Biba and the disasters that caused.
There is little I can say about the plot, except that in true Erin Kelly fashion she is many steps ahead of her readers, with sub-plots, intrigue and sheer brilliance bouncing off every page making for an exquisite tale. The characters are bright and shiny, yet absolutely realistic in all ways.
This is one of my favourite reads of the year so far.
June 13, 2024
This was an okay read but I felt it dragged a bit at the end. My main gripe was typos. They were throughout the book and actually started to distract me from the story.
October 11, 2024
One of the best books I've read in a while. Twisty and gothic and so so gripping. Will 100% be checking out some more Erin Kelly books after this!
November 21, 2024
4.5 ⭐ rounded up
I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it captivated me from the very first page. The storyline is one of the most intriguing I've encountered in quite some time, weaving a rich tapestry of characters whose diverse narratives kept me eager for more.
One of the elements I especially appreciated was the shifting point of view between the mother and daughter. This dynamic allowed for a deeper understanding of Alice's journey as she grapples with the tumultuous history that has shaped her childhood. Alice herself is a wonderfully crafted character, and I found myself enchanted by her vintage clothing shop—a charming endeavor that resonates with my personal style.
However, my instincts were on high alert when it came to Alice's boyfriend; there was an underlying sense of distrust that suggested his intentions were far from honorable.
While the plot was engaging, there were a few moments that stretched believability a bit too far. For instance, the idea that one could listen to a podcast about strangulation and then execute it flawlessly seemed a bit far-fetched. There is a stark difference between studying a technique in theory and actually committing such an act in reality.
Nevertheless, the author’s writing skills surpassed my expectations, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages. I am definitely looking forward to exploring more of her works in the future.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it captivated me from the very first page. The storyline is one of the most intriguing I've encountered in quite some time, weaving a rich tapestry of characters whose diverse narratives kept me eager for more.
One of the elements I especially appreciated was the shifting point of view between the mother and daughter. This dynamic allowed for a deeper understanding of Alice's journey as she grapples with the tumultuous history that has shaped her childhood. Alice herself is a wonderfully crafted character, and I found myself enchanted by her vintage clothing shop—a charming endeavor that resonates with my personal style.
However, my instincts were on high alert when it came to Alice's boyfriend; there was an underlying sense of distrust that suggested his intentions were far from honorable.
While the plot was engaging, there were a few moments that stretched believability a bit too far. For instance, the idea that one could listen to a podcast about strangulation and then execute it flawlessly seemed a bit far-fetched. There is a stark difference between studying a technique in theory and actually committing such an act in reality.
Nevertheless, the author’s writing skills surpassed my expectations, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages. I am definitely looking forward to exploring more of her works in the future.
March 30, 2024
3.5 stars
The story follows the lives of Karen, Rex and their daughter Alice years after his release from prison for murder.
Alice has always known what her Dad did and knows that it needs to stay a secret in their new lives. However, she's intrigued by the night in question and starts doing some digging.
Alice is particularly interested in her father’s sister Biba, who has been missing ever since it happened and is presumed dead.
Alice wants to know if her dad took the blame to protect his sister but when she starts getting random notes and mysterious phone calls, she starts to become more wary.
This is a bit of a slow burner, but overall, a good read.
Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The story follows the lives of Karen, Rex and their daughter Alice years after his release from prison for murder.
Alice has always known what her Dad did and knows that it needs to stay a secret in their new lives. However, she's intrigued by the night in question and starts doing some digging.
Alice is particularly interested in her father’s sister Biba, who has been missing ever since it happened and is presumed dead.
Alice wants to know if her dad took the blame to protect his sister but when she starts getting random notes and mysterious phone calls, she starts to become more wary.
This is a bit of a slow burner, but overall, a good read.
Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
December 12, 2024
I have to say I wish I had known before I started this book it was the 2nd book in a series, or may not be a series but it follows the family from The Poison Tree - this should be mentioned, especially for new readers like me. I had started the book and was unsure whether to continue or go back and read The Poison Tree first. I did read a few reviews of The Poison Tree so I got the gist of what happened, and so I carried on,
Boy, am I glad I did!
This book was so addictive, I needed to know what happened, even though the reader knew a lot more than Alice did. Throw in a spanner in the works with another female and this book lit up like a firework. Gabe's investigation and his secret were shocking enough. However, I was obsessed with Alice, Karen, Lis and Rex. All tied together by the enigmatic Biba.
I did love the chapters by Biba. I have no idea if we know these things from the previous book but I felt they added to our knowledge of what occurred before. It was shocking!! I can't believe how much has been kept secret, and with the ending of this book, boy do we need a follow-up to it. It seems like a fuse has been lit. Too many things can easily destroy everything the family holds dear, with Karen potentially losing more than anyone.
I loved Alice's shop and the name. I found her to be fascinating. I wanted to know more about her, and her thoughts. I cared what she had to say. I found this entire book fascinating and addictive! I had the audiobook as soon as I saw Clare Corbett was a narrator. I love everything she narrates and this book is no different. It wouldn't let me go and I couldn't believe everything I was hearing.
What a read, and maybe a top book of the year for me. Obsessed is how I would describe what the book made me feel. I think obsession is also so key here too within the book.
Boy, am I glad I did!
This book was so addictive, I needed to know what happened, even though the reader knew a lot more than Alice did. Throw in a spanner in the works with another female and this book lit up like a firework. Gabe's investigation and his secret were shocking enough. However, I was obsessed with Alice, Karen, Lis and Rex. All tied together by the enigmatic Biba.
I did love the chapters by Biba. I have no idea if we know these things from the previous book but I felt they added to our knowledge of what occurred before. It was shocking!! I can't believe how much has been kept secret, and with the ending of this book, boy do we need a follow-up to it. It seems like a fuse has been lit. Too many things can easily destroy everything the family holds dear, with Karen potentially losing more than anyone.
I loved Alice's shop and the name. I found her to be fascinating. I wanted to know more about her, and her thoughts. I cared what she had to say. I found this entire book fascinating and addictive! I had the audiobook as soon as I saw Clare Corbett was a narrator. I love everything she narrates and this book is no different. It wouldn't let me go and I couldn't believe everything I was hearing.
What a read, and maybe a top book of the year for me. Obsessed is how I would describe what the book made me feel. I think obsession is also so key here too within the book.
October 7, 2025
The setting, the atmosphere, the characters, the story - 10/10, absolutely mind-blowing
Read
April 2, 2024I am a huge Erin Kelly fan but came to The House of Mirrors having not read The Poison Tree, the book it's a sequel to. Not having read The Poison Tree didn't spoil my enjoyment of The House of Mirrors- there's enough backstory woven in that you don't feel lost or short-changed, it definitely works as a gripping and enchanting mystery all by itself.
There is so much to admire in The House of Mirrors, the elegant language, the claustrophobia of being part a screwed up family, the sickening weight of closely guarded secrets, and the rich, rounded and very real characters. Then there are the dresses - Kelly's love of vintage fashion shines out from Alice's chapters.
The House of Mirrors is a novel about passion and obsession, where some characters seek out the truth while others run from the shadow of the past. It's a book to lose yourself in, one that swallows you whole. Breathtaking, original and beautifully written, I absolutely loved it.
There is so much to admire in The House of Mirrors, the elegant language, the claustrophobia of being part a screwed up family, the sickening weight of closely guarded secrets, and the rich, rounded and very real characters. Then there are the dresses - Kelly's love of vintage fashion shines out from Alice's chapters.
The House of Mirrors is a novel about passion and obsession, where some characters seek out the truth while others run from the shadow of the past. It's a book to lose yourself in, one that swallows you whole. Breathtaking, original and beautifully written, I absolutely loved it.
August 28, 2025
I really loved this book! For someone who gets bored easily with books this story kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire thing! I love mysteries and unexpected twists in the story and this book has a lot of them!
The story is a guessing game of “who did it?” Or “who is it?” because of how many secrets the family is keeping and you just want the story to unravel, The book stayed in my hands as I went through my days! Couldn’t put it down!
The characters were very well written and I could relate to them in some ways and in some ways not, very complicated and bright characters! I totally would recommend, one of the best books I have ever read!
The story is a guessing game of “who did it?” Or “who is it?” because of how many secrets the family is keeping and you just want the story to unravel, The book stayed in my hands as I went through my days! Couldn’t put it down!
The characters were very well written and I could relate to them in some ways and in some ways not, very complicated and bright characters! I totally would recommend, one of the best books I have ever read!
March 21, 2025
I'd heard good things about Erin Kelly books, however this seemed slow and sometimes hard to remember who was who. Nothing really endeared me to any of the characters and I felt nothing really at the end, other than perhaps confusion.
Want to read
June 14, 2024⚠️ Read The Poison Tree first
September 21, 2024
Maybe a 2.5 but it was not clear that this was a sequel!! So now I feel like I maybe missed something from the first book lol but also I just overall didn’t like the style
April 18, 2024
A follow-up that surpasses the original and leaves you desperate for more!
I wasn't sure what to expect with House of Mirrors, Erin Kelly is easily one of my favorite authors but back in the day, The Poison Tree didn't stand out at the time.
Although House of Mirrors can be read stand alone, you owe it to yourself to read The Poison Tree first. The depths of hatred and disgust for Biba can only be fully realized with proper context.
Picking up many years (13?) after the original novel we catch up with Karen, Rez and a grown Alice as they still work through their generational trauma. I don't want to say much about the plot but the novel certainly is driven by the characters and it's masterful.
It took me a minute to get into, Part One is heavy with Rex and Karen still dealing with Biba baggage, but as it evolves and slightly pivots its focus, it gets better and better right to the very last page.
If you know you know but Biba is one of the most depraved, selfish and overlooked villains ever written, it was a treat to see her plotline fully realized.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I wasn't sure what to expect with House of Mirrors, Erin Kelly is easily one of my favorite authors but back in the day, The Poison Tree didn't stand out at the time.
Although House of Mirrors can be read stand alone, you owe it to yourself to read The Poison Tree first. The depths of hatred and disgust for Biba can only be fully realized with proper context.
Picking up many years (13?) after the original novel we catch up with Karen, Rez and a grown Alice as they still work through their generational trauma. I don't want to say much about the plot but the novel certainly is driven by the characters and it's masterful.
It took me a minute to get into, Part One is heavy with Rex and Karen still dealing with Biba baggage, but as it evolves and slightly pivots its focus, it gets better and better right to the very last page.
If you know you know but Biba is one of the most depraved, selfish and overlooked villains ever written, it was a treat to see her plotline fully realized.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
June 11, 2025
I hate dark books with angsty characters who have secrets to hide and it was clear this was going to be one of them.
But shit oh dear Erin Kelly knows how to spin a good story.
It quietly broods away, adding more angst at each twist and turn, unfolding gradually.
You think all is revealed, then it finishes beautifully - the best ending this book could possibly have had.
This is a banger of a book!
But shit oh dear Erin Kelly knows how to spin a good story.
It quietly broods away, adding more angst at each twist and turn, unfolding gradually.
You think all is revealed, then it finishes beautifully - the best ending this book could possibly have had.
This is a banger of a book!
June 7, 2024
I loved the Poison Tree so it was an unexpected surprise to read its sequel, set - almost in real time - over a decade since the end of the first and picking up the main characters’ lives after that time. Smartly written, it both ties up loose ends and remains a compelling standalone novel (although I’d still recommend reading the Poison Tree before this one). A great domestic thriller underpinned by themes of family dysfunction and tangled loyalties.
October 25, 2024
имаше някои недъгави моменти, ама иначе ЛЕЛЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕ много ми хареса и краят беше учудващо добър
June 9, 2025
Loved the atmosphere and it kinda made me miss living in London. The story was equal amounts of mystery and a study on family dynamics which seems to work for me. This book also proves I still enjoy unlikeable characters as long as they make sense and are interesting. Looking at you, Alice.
February 25, 2024
I am so glad that I read The Poison Tree before I read The House of Mirrors. Not that this does not read well as a standalone, because it does. There is plenty of recap within the story so that we can understand the complicated dynamic between Karen, Rex, Alice and the extended family that plays out within the book. It is just enough for new readers, and a nice recap for those who may have read the original some time before. I jut think that in knowing Karen and Rex, understanding some of the nuances of their lives and why Karen is so protective - very protective - of Alice really did enhance my enjoyment of this book.
This is, to a degree, a kind of thriller, although probably more of a family or relationship drama to me. There are mystery elements to the book, happenings which certainly serve to keep Karen on edge and the reader, especially of those of us who have read Poison Tree, nodding in smug understanding. At least ... that's what we think. As much as I expected I knew where this was going, be prepared for a surprise or two all is not what it seems. We join the family as Alice is on the cusp of opening her own store, a shop selling vintage dresses and giving them new lives with just the right owners. Alice has a real talent for this, something that she has inherited from a creative spark that runs in the family. But strange things are happening around the shop, and a mysterious woman seems to be stalking Alice for reasons unknown. Unsettling enough, but Alice is keeping a few secrets of her own so she has more reason than enough to be jumpy.
I really did enjoy this trip down memory lane with Rex, Karen and even Biba. It fills in many of the missing years from The Poison Tree, whilst also drawing us into the ever complex familial world. Erin Kelly steers us skilfully through the then and now, but in a way that has an undercurrent of unease, as if at any moment the carefully built life that Karen has established may come crashing down around her. This whole story is built on a bed of lies, and that threat of discovery is ever present. So many questions raised as to who might be stalking Alice and why, and who she can really trust when all is said and done. There are many surprises throughout the book, some more shocking than others. Times when I was left thinking 'she can't possibly have', and wondering if, in fact, she really had.
The story is told from a multitude of perspectives. Alice - the focus of so much attention. There are elements of her character which will resonate with people who have read the first book, and her obsession with true crime podcasts, whilst a touch on the macabre side, is understandable. I liked Alice, but saw in her many traits which were easy to connect to her family, and the way in which the author has portrayed her is authentic and sympathetic. Karen I admire for her strength, if not always her actions, and Rex is still as damaged by his family as ever, but with an enduring need to protect those he loves, no matter what that you have to admire. There's is a complex little family bubble, set to be even more complicated by the addition of a fourth - Alice's fiance, Gabe, environmental campaigner and keeper of his own set of secrets. In fact, it comes to mind that there wasn't anyone really capable of authenticity and truthfulness in the whole book other than Peggy, the dog.
But I loved it. Rich in atmosphere and the kind of beautiful, lyrical narrative that the author is known for and which transports you to the heart of the story, it completely held my attention to the very last page. Answering many of the questions I probably didn't know I had about the missing years in The Poison Tree, it was a welcome extension to the story of the Capels and Clarkes, and whether new to their sordid world or not, I think it will be a big hit amongst Erin Kelly's readers. Definitely recommended.
This is, to a degree, a kind of thriller, although probably more of a family or relationship drama to me. There are mystery elements to the book, happenings which certainly serve to keep Karen on edge and the reader, especially of those of us who have read Poison Tree, nodding in smug understanding. At least ... that's what we think. As much as I expected I knew where this was going, be prepared for a surprise or two all is not what it seems. We join the family as Alice is on the cusp of opening her own store, a shop selling vintage dresses and giving them new lives with just the right owners. Alice has a real talent for this, something that she has inherited from a creative spark that runs in the family. But strange things are happening around the shop, and a mysterious woman seems to be stalking Alice for reasons unknown. Unsettling enough, but Alice is keeping a few secrets of her own so she has more reason than enough to be jumpy.
I really did enjoy this trip down memory lane with Rex, Karen and even Biba. It fills in many of the missing years from The Poison Tree, whilst also drawing us into the ever complex familial world. Erin Kelly steers us skilfully through the then and now, but in a way that has an undercurrent of unease, as if at any moment the carefully built life that Karen has established may come crashing down around her. This whole story is built on a bed of lies, and that threat of discovery is ever present. So many questions raised as to who might be stalking Alice and why, and who she can really trust when all is said and done. There are many surprises throughout the book, some more shocking than others. Times when I was left thinking 'she can't possibly have', and wondering if, in fact, she really had.
The story is told from a multitude of perspectives. Alice - the focus of so much attention. There are elements of her character which will resonate with people who have read the first book, and her obsession with true crime podcasts, whilst a touch on the macabre side, is understandable. I liked Alice, but saw in her many traits which were easy to connect to her family, and the way in which the author has portrayed her is authentic and sympathetic. Karen I admire for her strength, if not always her actions, and Rex is still as damaged by his family as ever, but with an enduring need to protect those he loves, no matter what that you have to admire. There's is a complex little family bubble, set to be even more complicated by the addition of a fourth - Alice's fiance, Gabe, environmental campaigner and keeper of his own set of secrets. In fact, it comes to mind that there wasn't anyone really capable of authenticity and truthfulness in the whole book other than Peggy, the dog.
But I loved it. Rich in atmosphere and the kind of beautiful, lyrical narrative that the author is known for and which transports you to the heart of the story, it completely held my attention to the very last page. Answering many of the questions I probably didn't know I had about the missing years in The Poison Tree, it was a welcome extension to the story of the Capels and Clarkes, and whether new to their sordid world or not, I think it will be a big hit amongst Erin Kelly's readers. Definitely recommended.
June 30, 2025
Erin Kelly’s House of Mirrors is a psychological thriller that traps you in its eerie halls from the very first page. With atmospheric settings, razor sharp character work, and a plot that keeps twisting just when you think it’s over, it’s the perfect read for anyone who loves a smart, suspense laden story. A masterclass in tension and surprise. Don’t miss it!
April 2, 2024
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
its a slow burner of a book and one with mystery and a bit of a psychological thriller that will keep you reading till the end
its a slow burner of a book and one with mystery and a bit of a psychological thriller that will keep you reading till the end
April 16, 2024
I don’t think I’ve ever read an epilogue that made me go ‘Ohhhh Sh*t’ before. Enjoyed this, especially having read the prequel. (Audiobook)
July 5, 2024
ok and why should i care. 2.5 stars
Read
October 28, 2024DNF
December 26, 2024
This was a stuggggle to finish
September 29, 2025
I’ve been a fan of Erin Kelly for a few years now. I know that whatever the first half of the book is telling you is invariably not the truth and you’re going to be in for a heck of a ride in the second half of the book.
The House of Mirrors does build suspense and is full of misdirection. While I enjoyed it, it didn’t have the gasp in surprise moment for me that some of her other books had. I thought it was intentional that some of the reveals were made obvious because they were concealing something bigger, but that didn’t seem to pay off. Themes were built upon that never delivered.
Alice has grown up believing that while her father is a good man, he is also responsible for murdering two people. She has questions, though, and when she starts to dig around for the truth, there’s no telling what might be revealed. Was her father truly guilty and is the mysterious aunt no one will talk about really dead?
Along with her partner, Gabe, Alice tries to uncover more of the truth. Her parents disapprove of her boyfriend, and her mother can handle a crisis a little too well for Alice to be comfortable about. Her long-lost ‘cousin’ appears, so identical to her in every way they could be twins. Or, at least, a closer relation than cousins. But that’s impossible. Isn’t it?
Alice’s parentage came as no surprise. As did the idea that there was a kernel of truth in her mother’s distrust of Gabe. When secrets are revealed, there has been so much foreshadowing and lead up that it didn’t feel like a big deal. We’ve had pages and pages of Karen distrusting Gabe and thinking he was up to something, so why should the reader be surprised when something is revealed?
Karen’s constant suspicion and the repetition of what she would do for her daughter caused suspense at the beginning but got tired halfway through. We know she’s hiding something. When you know how Kelly writes, you know the secret won’t be the first or second revealed, but something bigger.
I didn’t fully understand Liss. While wanting to know more about her birth mother makes sense, she appears to just up-end her life and integrate herself so seamlessly in Alice’s that it felt you didn’t get to know her as a character, only an extension of Alice.
I admit that while I enjoyed the read and did get swept up in the suspense, The House of Mirrors wasn’t as strong as Kelly’s other books. The final few pages, however, did give it a great end that made me want more. It’s a good mystery, with curveballs to keep you guessing. But while hidden secrets are brought to light, they don’t have the ‘change everything you’ve read up until that point’ vibe.
Maybe my expectations were too high and that coloured my perception? An enjoyable and compelling read, even if not as gripping.
The House of Mirrors does build suspense and is full of misdirection. While I enjoyed it, it didn’t have the gasp in surprise moment for me that some of her other books had. I thought it was intentional that some of the reveals were made obvious because they were concealing something bigger, but that didn’t seem to pay off. Themes were built upon that never delivered.
Alice has grown up believing that while her father is a good man, he is also responsible for murdering two people. She has questions, though, and when she starts to dig around for the truth, there’s no telling what might be revealed. Was her father truly guilty and is the mysterious aunt no one will talk about really dead?
Along with her partner, Gabe, Alice tries to uncover more of the truth. Her parents disapprove of her boyfriend, and her mother can handle a crisis a little too well for Alice to be comfortable about. Her long-lost ‘cousin’ appears, so identical to her in every way they could be twins. Or, at least, a closer relation than cousins. But that’s impossible. Isn’t it?
Alice’s parentage came as no surprise. As did the idea that there was a kernel of truth in her mother’s distrust of Gabe. When secrets are revealed, there has been so much foreshadowing and lead up that it didn’t feel like a big deal. We’ve had pages and pages of Karen distrusting Gabe and thinking he was up to something, so why should the reader be surprised when something is revealed?
Karen’s constant suspicion and the repetition of what she would do for her daughter caused suspense at the beginning but got tired halfway through. We know she’s hiding something. When you know how Kelly writes, you know the secret won’t be the first or second revealed, but something bigger.
I didn’t fully understand Liss. While wanting to know more about her birth mother makes sense, she appears to just up-end her life and integrate herself so seamlessly in Alice’s that it felt you didn’t get to know her as a character, only an extension of Alice.
I admit that while I enjoyed the read and did get swept up in the suspense, The House of Mirrors wasn’t as strong as Kelly’s other books. The final few pages, however, did give it a great end that made me want more. It’s a good mystery, with curveballs to keep you guessing. But while hidden secrets are brought to light, they don’t have the ‘change everything you’ve read up until that point’ vibe.
Maybe my expectations were too high and that coloured my perception? An enjoyable and compelling read, even if not as gripping.
June 30, 2024
One of them has killed before. One of them will kill again
In the sweltering summer of 1997, straight-laced, straight-A student Karen met Biba - a bohemian and impossibly glamorous aspiring actress. A few months later, two people were dead and another had been sent to prison. Having stood by Rex as he served his sentence, Karen is now married to him with a daughter, Alice, who runs a vintage clothing company in London. They're a normal family, as long as they don't talk about the past, never mention the name Biba, and ignore Alice's flashes of dark, dangerous fury. Karen has kept what really happened that summer of '97 hidden deep inside her. Alice is keeping secrets of her own. But when anonymous notes begin to arrive at Alice's shop, it seems the past is about to catch up with them all ...
This was a good story and I enjoyed reading it overall but I did find it dragged in places I had high hopes after loving The skeleton key but this didn't quite live up to that for me. I think maybe because I haven't read The poison tree maybe lost of my enjoyment here. With this one I will be picking up The Poison Tree to give that a go. This is definitely a slow burn but still an ok read.
Thank you to Netgalley, Hodder and Stoughton and Erin Kelly for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In the sweltering summer of 1997, straight-laced, straight-A student Karen met Biba - a bohemian and impossibly glamorous aspiring actress. A few months later, two people were dead and another had been sent to prison. Having stood by Rex as he served his sentence, Karen is now married to him with a daughter, Alice, who runs a vintage clothing company in London. They're a normal family, as long as they don't talk about the past, never mention the name Biba, and ignore Alice's flashes of dark, dangerous fury. Karen has kept what really happened that summer of '97 hidden deep inside her. Alice is keeping secrets of her own. But when anonymous notes begin to arrive at Alice's shop, it seems the past is about to catch up with them all ...
This was a good story and I enjoyed reading it overall but I did find it dragged in places I had high hopes after loving The skeleton key but this didn't quite live up to that for me. I think maybe because I haven't read The poison tree maybe lost of my enjoyment here. With this one I will be picking up The Poison Tree to give that a go. This is definitely a slow burn but still an ok read.
Thank you to Netgalley, Hodder and Stoughton and Erin Kelly for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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