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

First published September 1, 2020

About the author

Per Jacobsen is an internationally bestselling Danish author known for writing thrillers with supernatural elements, including the Strung series, Dry, and 25 Days. He lives in southern Spain with his wife and children.

Reviews

[Soph ♡]

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]

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]

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.

[Barbara]

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]

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]

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!

[Jill Paschal]

4/5 stars. The Mansion of Mirrors is a dark, atmospheric journey through grief and a terrifying parallel world called Urari. The chemistry between the grieving psychology teacher and his student was compelling, and the 'mirrors' concept added a layer of dread I haven't seen elsewhere. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but the payoff is worth it for anyone who likes their thrillers with a supernatural edge.

[CindyPutt]

Story of journey through grief.

This is a story of what losing someone you love is like for many. It is a very lonely process that each and every one of us goes through at times in our lifetime. Even though you have people around you it is an individual journey. Some never make it through.

[Angharad Morris]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Powerful

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

[Kathy]

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

[Karen]

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]

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]

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

[Kyra]

this book was beautifully written. Per you're a master of your craft

[Nikki Reid]

I absolutely love this author! Great story with engaging characters, incredibly thought provoking story about how everyone handles grief differently.

[Jill E]

Need a fast-paced read? Try "The Mansion of Mirrors" by Per Jacobsen. It is a longer book, but I couldn't put it down. It has a great storyline and is an excellent way to express grief.

[Mary Donegan]

‘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 books by this author for me. A horror-type “advent calendar” for me ! 25 chapters / “25 days” (‘24 - 4 Stars) and this one, The Mansion of Mirrors (‘25 - 3 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 !

[Kristina Larsen (Reader's World)]

*Anmeldereksemplar*

Spejlkabinettet startede virkelig godt ud. Alt virkede til at fungerer; sproget, personerne, introduktionen til historien. Det var virkelig godt og tydeligt gennemarbejdet.
Desværre udviklede historien sig til en ualmindeligt langtrukken affære af en rejse gennem et konflikthærget land på den anden side af spejlene. Flowet døde simpelthen med beskrivelserne af ligegyldige ting, og samtalerne mellem personerne blev karikerede og unatulige. Jeg kan i hvert fald garantere for at ingen gymnasieelever taler som Lisa Vang gør i den her bog, og ingen er så fri for usympatiske træk som Michael Bendixen. Det endte ud med at blive komisk og til slut bare tåkrummende at læse.

[Jette]

Spejlkabinettet er Per Jacobsens romandebut, men det mærkes ikke. Historien er helstøbt, velskrevet og gribende. Jeg blev fanget ind stort set fra første side, og kan kun anbefale alle, der holder af gode historier, at tage en tur til Urari sammen med Michael, Lisa og bibliotekaren Erik Starck, der kan andet end at alfabetisere bøger.

https://gyseren.dk/2021/03/05/spejlka...

[Kirsten]

2-2,5

[Sarah Damgaard]

En virkelig god spændingsroman, der også behandler lidt dybere emner som sorg og familie.