The Missing Reflection: Hexwood Chronicles

by Courtney Hickling

Bria Sage doesn’t believe in ghosts, monsters, or magic.Once a hard-nosed journalist, she built her career on facts, not folklore. But when scandal ruins her reputation, she’s forced to return to her quiet, coastal hometown of Hexwood, North Carolina. A place where secrets linger in the shadows and mirrors never seem to sit quite right.

Desperate for work, Bria agrees to take on a missing person case that seems simple enough... until strange occurrences begin to creep in around the edges of her investigation.

As reality fractures around her, Bria uncovers a hidden world she never would have believed existed, and she discovers that the deeper she digs, the more the truth may cost, but the truth may be more than she’s able to afford.

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 2, 2025

Reviews

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page, Hickling drew me in with an eerie sense of mystery that kept me turning pages. I was so eager to find out what would happen next, I even caught myself skimming ahead out of pure excitement.The writing strikes a great balance—offering just enough detail to vividly set the scene without spoiling any of the suspense. I often struggle with stories that become predictable too quickly, but this one kept me guessing, which I genuinely appreciated.

There’s a good blend of story-building and character development that lays a strong foundation for what's to come. I'm really looking forward to seeing what Hickling delivers next!

This is my honest review based on an ARC.

[Alicia Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Missing Reflection is a wickedly eerie mystery that lingers with you like fog over a haunted lake, or should I say town? From the first page, I was pulled into the dusky small town, with hints of the supernatural just a whisper away and where every mirror seems to be hiding a secret.

Bria, the protagonist, is a perfect blend of big-city skepticism and small-town swagger. She navigates the twisted alleys of a chilling case with wit and grit. Her partnership with Dante is one of the novel’s strongest points—together, they exude seriously wicked witchy vibes that made every scene with them so much fun to read (#TeamDante). Their dynamic is both entertaining and magnetic, and I could honestly read a whole series featuring the two of them.

The descriptions in this book are absolutely top-notch. The story is described with such vivid attention to detail that I could practically hear the creak of old floorboards and the whispers from the- well, don't want to give it away! The author’s use of metaphors was on point throughout. I lost track of how many times I nodded my head thinking, whoa, I can picture it!

And that twist at the end? I did not see it coming. Everything wrapped up in a satisfying, spooky way that I cannot wait to see what Hexwood has in store!

If you're in the mood for a spooky read with layered characters, lush writing, and a plot that keeps you guessing, The Missing Reflection is exactly what you need. I highly recommend this book, especially on a rainy night with your favorite cup of coffee.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review, but I can't wait to purchase my own physical copy.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book drew me in so fast. I thought this was an incredible debut novel. Paranormal books are so hit or miss for me, but this one was a definite hit. There were so many layers to the mystery that combined small town secrets, supernatural powers and superstitions. It was so interesting and compelling that I didn’t want to put it down and definitely stayed up too late reading. It kept my interest throughout and it didn’t feel like there were lulls in the story, even when it was building background information.

I really enjoyed the characters. The main characters made a fun but efficient team. They brought different elements that balanced and complimented each other. I’m really looking forward to getting to see the different relationships develop through the series, because some definitely left me wanting more.

I’m excited to see where this series leads. I always get nervous reading series that aren’t complete, because I don’t want to be disappointed if I don’t like where the series goes. But I have such high hopes for this one!

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Missing Reflection is an atmospheric and gripping debut that hooked me from the very first page. Bria Sage is such a compelling heroine, a woman caught between her hard-nosed journalist instincts and the unsettling mysteries of her hometown. The setting of Hexwood is beautifully eerie, with its shadowed corners and unsettling mirrors, and Courtney Hickling does a fantastic job weaving suspense with supernatural intrigue.

What I loved most is how the story balances mystery with emotion. Bria’s personal struggles felt raw and real, while the creeping, otherworldly elements built a sense of dread that kept me turning pages late into the night. The pacing is sharp, the writing vivid, and the twists kept me guessing until the very end.

If you enjoy supernatural mysteries that blur the line between reality and the mystical, think small-town secrets, hidden dangers, and a heroine determined to uncover the truth, this book is a must-read. A stellar debut, and I can’t wait for what comes next in the Hexwood Chronicles!

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s just say that after reading this book, I didn’t want to look in any mirrors.

This book is just in time for spooky season. "The Missing Reflection" has so many layers and book 1 only scratched the surface because the reader is left with just as many questions as the FMC and her friends. This story is packed with mystery, ancestral history, and supernatural vibes in a small town.

The characters are relatable and gel well together and the suspense keeps you on your toes. I was left guessing at every turn of the page and I know the author did that by design because there are so many unanswered questions which makes for a compelling series. It seems the reader will be on the same journey with the characters learning about the past and the prophecy outlined in the FMC’s family grimoire.

I'm looking forward to reading what happens next.

[Ashlee Tharman · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ARC READ**

Bria, back in her hometown of Hexwood after a career mishap, is contacted by her friend Jessica when Jessica's brother goes missing. There is little evidence, but the more Bria digs into the case, the more she and her self appointed colleagues Cassian and Dante learn that things in Hexwood are not what they seem.

It's been a minute since a book has made me nervous for whats going to happen next, and this one totally hit that itch Ive had for a solid supernatural theme! The family anf town lore lured me in, and the writing style Hickling has made me feel every bit of the heavy atmosphere and tense feeling. The world building was top notch, and I will be patiently waiting for the next book in this Chronicles!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐.5


Thank you to Courtney Hickling for the ARC copy of The Missing Reflection. The review and opinions are 100% my own.

Enjoyed this paranormal mystery immensely. There were a few typos and one chapter’s ending seemed to be the next chapter’s intro so I’m hoping that was edited in the final version.

I know the author didn’t want any spoilers of any sort to be in the reviews which is hard for me so I’ll leave it at this…

It had some major creepy vibes
A brave FMC
Broody detective
Ride or die bestie
Family secrets
Secrets
And coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.

Almost wish I had saved it for my Booktober spooky reads but… yeah, I didn’t!

[Jamie Cheek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for allowing me to read this book as an ARC to provide an honest review.

This book starts out fast and sucks you right in. The premise is very intriguing and I was excited to learn about the FMC and the magic of Hexwood.

The book slowed in the middle and I feel by the end there are still a lot of unanswered questions. I also wish there was more happening between Bria and Cass, I love a good yearning story, but also like some kind of pay off in the end 😈

I would be interested additional stories in this world and look forward to the sequel!

[Sarah Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d give this more like 3.5 stars. There were alot of times that I didn’t want to continue as I felt bored, but then something a little creepy would happen that would captivate me so I continued. This happened multiple times in the book but I felt like it took forever to get to the ending. It wasn’t a horrible book, but I think the longer chapters weren’t necessary.

[Jasmine Agron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely OBSESSED with this book & days later I still cannot stop thinking about it. As someone who is deeply invested into the lore & superstition of mirrors, this book fed me well!!!!

It immediately pulls you in with the vivid gothic imagery & setting. It keeps your attention with the its mystery and implores you to dive deeper into the unraveling plot, constantly turning pages to seek answers. Town secrets, history, supernatural elements, & more amazing tropes that cannot be listed or else spoliers!!

Bria is used to mundane cases lately, like staking out the cheating husband, but when her former best friend reaches out to her about her missing brother, she feels responsible to help. A reluctant heroine & partnership with the a town cop, plus her amazing bestie take on the case, but not without strange occurrences. Is it merely a missing persons case, or do the shadows lurking beyond the reflection have something to do with it?

I received this book as an ARC & am voluntarily leaving an honest review.