The Mansion of Mirrors

by Per Jacobsen

HELL ISN'T FIRE. HELL IS A HALL FULL OF MIRRORS.

Psychology teacher Michael Bendixen knows it’s not uncommon for people in grief to imagine seeing or hearing lost loved ones. So, when he hears his dead son’s voice calling for him in the high school hallway, he chalks it up to just that. A hallucination born from his grief.

Then a student tells him she heard it too.

The student is Lisa Swan, a seventeen-year-old girl who, in the thirteen months since she suffered her own tragic loss, has had her own demons to battle.

The meeting between the two marks the beginning of a long and nerve-wracking journey that leads them to Urari—a world parallel to ours. A world in which mirrors reflect far more than just the observer's physical traits.

502 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 15, 2025

About the author

Per Jacobsen is a Danish author best known for writing thrillers with supernatural elements. He got his literary debut in 2018 when he won a writing competition issued by Byens publishing house in Denmark. Shortly afterwards, he signed a contract with the publishing house Valeta, also in Denmark, who published his debut novel, The mirror cabinet. Per Jacobsen's next three books (books 1-3 in the Strung trilogy) were translated and gave him his international breakthrough as they quickly went to the top of the bestseller list in several countries, including the US and England. Today, Per Jacobsen is a full-time writer and lives permanently in southern Spain with his wife and two children.

Reviews

[Soph ♡ (elfmumma) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sobbing yet again thanks to Per Jacobsen! This was such a beautiful story of loss and grief set in a very strange yet magical world!

[Dorothy A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ultimately a story of love, loss, grief, and resilience. This was actually Per Jacobsen's first book, but it has only just been translated into English. It is a FANTASTIC read, although definitely different from his other books. 4.75 ⭐s

For fans of The Dark Tower series by Stephen King, I highly recommend this book!! It honestly felt like another turn of the wheel, if you will, just in a different world (naturally) and a different cast of characters. 🖤

[Myrna O · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a heartbreaking yet beautiful story of love and resilience. The fragile mind that can either break or become stronger when loved ones are lost. But are your loved ones really lost? Can they be found and saved? Is it all in your mind?

What does truth mean when you search for answers? Sometimes you don’t need or want to know the truth. Sometimes it can destroy you and other times they save you.

[Mary Donegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘25 - 3 STARS

DESCRIPTION : Psychology teacher Michael Bendixen knows it’s not uncommon for people in grief to imagine seeing or hearing lost loved ones. So, when he hears his dead son’s voice calling for him in the high school hallway, he chalks it up to just that. A hallucination born from his grief. Then a student tells him she heard it too. The student is Lisa Swan, a seventeen-year-old girl who, in the thirteen months since she suffered her own tragic loss, has had her own demons to battle.
The meeting between the two marks the beginning of a long and nerve-wracking journey that leads them to Urari—a world parallel to ours. A world in which mirrors reflect far more than just the observer's physical traits.

REVIEW :

First book by this author for me. A horror-type “advent calendar” for me ! 25 chapters / “25 days” (‘24 - 4 Stars).

Sale $1.99; reg 4.99 less $3 Kindle Reward Points.

Let me start by saying I’m not a fantasy reader. So maybe fantasy readers will like this more than me. I liked reading two chapters a day with a group on Facebook. I did enjoy when sometimes you would be left hanging and had to wait for the next day. At 20% remaining to read, I still have no idea where this story is going. Hoping I’m not disappointed in the end. Once I was done reading, I felt like I had wasted my time. THEN I read the day’s “summary” on Facebook and felt soooo much better. A few things were explained that I did not pick-up on which helped me feel better about the whole book. Definitely a solid 3 Stars for me, and I’m sure if you are a fantasy reader, would even be more stars for you — give it a try !

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly, did not enjoy this book as much as I did the other seven books I have read by this author. I felt the book dragged and at 497 pages was too long.

Psychology teacher Michael Bendixen hears his dead son's voice calling for him in the high school library and chalks it up to a hallucination from his grief. Then a student, Lisa Swann, tells him she heard it too. Thirteen months ago Lisa suffered her own tragic loss.

The meeting between the two marks the beginning of a long journey to Urari, a world parallel to ours in which mirrors reflect far more than just the observers physical traits.

[Dawn Hills · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book in the author's reading group reading a few chapters a day. We had daily discussions on the chapters read :) I loved this book! The characters were interesting and likeable. There were many layers to the storyline. I like this author's writing style. He doesn't give you all the information some of it is up to how the reader interprets on what you think the outcome is. the story kept my interest throughout. I'm not gonna detail anything to do with the plot as its a journey the reader needs to go on for themselves.

[Sue Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grief roller-coaster for the main characters as well as the readers. Grief takes Michael and Lisa to another world where they have a guide to take them through this strange land. Add in creepy creatures and some bad guys along with some really good people they meet along the way and you've got the ups and downs of their journey.

A unique perspective on grief in a fantasy world and I highly recommend you take the journey!

[Angharad Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is different to what i normally read but really glad i bought it. Really interesting storyline and characters but ultimately a messge that resonates with us all im sure. Looking forward to reading more!

[Jamie Duggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Per

This one i think has been his darkest yet but an important story to tell. It's fictional but truthful words about how to deal with loss. Can't wait to read his next book!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant!

This has got to be in my top 10 books that I've ever read. A real emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. What an adventure. I loved it.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Per's first novel. While a bit different from following novels, the story line was good, the characters believable, and the chapters flowed smoothly. I got caught up in the characters' lives as they faced love and loss. So glad it got published in English!

[Cbennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful

That is the word that sums up this storyline. I want to personally thank the author for releasing this early work.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got 42% in. wasn't enjoying it. finally gave up.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too dragged out for me at times but I did finish it and that is why only a 3 instead of 3.5. I would find this book hard to recommend though

[Jenny Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing read by Per Jacobsen, he really knows how to get you thinking in all his books. You will not want to put this book down with all incidents that happen throughout the book.

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought-provoking and reflective story that delves into love, loss, the depths of grief, friendships, and life after loss.