The Red Mirror: A Short Story

by K.L. Patrick

A stained mirror, a darkened heart, when a game from her past comes back Shye is forced to face the supernatural and one truth.

Bloody Mary is real, and hasn't forgotten about her.

The portal will open, and Mary will not let it close.

Genres: Horror

35 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2025

Reviews

[Alyx Fincham · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review-
A great little read! Honestly, the teaser at the end for the authors new book has me ready for a full novel.

[Angel Medina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good old-fashioned horror story based on a tried and true trope, haunted mirrors. Playing spooky games with a mirror and finding out to the point where you have to avoid mirrors forever, only to find that the horrors never truly disappear. It is based on the old Bloody Mary story.

There is a second story that I enjoyed as well, only to find out it's on a book that will be released later. I admit the excerpt based on 'The Basement' has me wanting to read the actual book when it's out.

The Red Mirror is a spooky story that is good for those who enjoy creepy horror. I did wish there was a bit more to the story as there is room for expansion. However, it's great for being a short story.

[Agus · Rating 1 out of 5]

It reads like something i could’ve written in high school. It’s bad.

[Iler Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm truly intrigued and hooked to the very end. It's beautifully written 100. I'm curious how Rose died and she kept kept calling out to Bloody Mary and she was obsessed with her secretly I believed. I love how Bloody Mary comes out the mirror is amazing. I will follow Shye's journey to the end. As the saying goes "Becare what you wish for." can come back to bite you in the butter months or years give or take. This book will be added to my book collection 100. K.L. Patrick out did himself with this book. Iler.

[Rena · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 very short stories but they pack a punch. The first one is about a common urban legend but with a twist and the second was pretty quick, filled with mystery and a cliff hanger.

I didn't realize there were going to be 2 stories in this and wish the writer stuck with the first one a tad longer.

I found it odd there was random acknowledgements and thank yous in between. That kind of sent me in a loop.

But over all its a decent short story novella.

[Alana Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story is a nice twist on the folk tale of Bloody Mary. Personally I found it very nostalgic and took my back to my childhood. It’s definitely short, but well written.

The second half of the book is another short story, The Basement, which leaves on a bit of a cliffhanger with promise for more of the story yet to come.

Both stories read like a personal story. Quite intimate. A little like a personal diary. Which I definitely appreciate. I will be looking to read more from KL Patrick.

3.5-4⭐️

[Lb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first story was short but still able to get across the creepiness and left me as the reader wanting to find out what happened next with Shye's story. I would have also liked to find out what happened to Rose.

The second story reads like a diary and gave me kind of an HP Lovecraft kind of vibe with something creepy in the basement leading the nuns to tell all the orphans they can't go to the basement, also what is in the forest?

Both stories had me wanting to read more, if you enjoy horror stories you will enjoy these short stories.

Blog post: https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...

*short stories *horror *Bloody Mary *cliffhanger *ARC read

[Danielle Heptinstall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spooky shorty story that brought on nostalgia from childhood. Playing spooky games, in hopes of catching a glimpse of the unknown. This book is creepy, disturbing, & will have you avoiding mirrors for a while!

[Jace Gentry-Barr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed both stories, but I wish Patrick had stuck with the first one and fleshed it out more. It kind of reminds me of the movie The Unborn a bit (I did enjoy that movie). It has a lot of potential if the stories are a bit more fleshed out! Otherwise I’m happy to have been an ARC reader for this story!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was short and to the point but it brought back memories of debating whether to try it with the older kids at the boys and girls club I can't recall if I did lol

[BookSplatterBritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

a nice spooky little read. everyone knows the urban legend of bloody Mary. she just wants to come out and "play ".
mess with urban legends, deal with the end consequences.

[Book hoarder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Red Mirror is a very short, but excellent story. I enjoyed it.
The sneak peak is promising and I look forward to its release in 2026.
I will be following this author, because I am intrigued.

[Destiney Foust · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not wowed but also giving very much Halloween vibes so maybe I’m just not in the right mindset LOL spooky scary but also kind of boring and predictable

[Adrienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - good take on an urban legend!

[Morgan Treichler (frml. Gossett-Pugh) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short but fun and unique take on a familiar story. I appreciated the scary bits, which were just enough to get the heart racing. I wish it were a little longer because now I’m invested in how our main character ended up where she is and I need to know what happens next. Definitely a recommended read for any spooky short story lovers out there.

[Ian Gielen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short spooky take on the Bloody Mary story that is perfect for spooky season. You can really see the growth in K.L. Patrick's writing with each release and this one showcases that. There is a nice mix of past and present in the story that comes together to make a strong conclusion.

The second story included ends on a bit of a cliffhanger which left me eager for more. Definitely grab this if you're after a couple of quick spooky reads.

[Michael Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool short story on the Bloody Mary legend. I enjoy retellings with a different twist. I also remember playing this exact game as a child, so it plucked some old nerves.

What a great short story.

Also, I’m definitely looking forward to reading about the happenings in the orphanage basement!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting concept, especially for those of us who grew up saying Bloody Mary at sleepovers. Great fast read.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rose and Shye have a sleepover. They decide to play the Bloody Mary Game. Play the game but beware that the consequences can be deadly. Bloody Mary is always watching and waiting.

I am not really afraid of much. In fact, I love horror movies. Although, there are a few things that I would never dare to play with, and one is a Ouija board, and the other is Bloody Mary.

I liked the concept of this book. However, I do wish that it was a bit longer so as to stretch out the appearance of Bloody Mary. That scene involving Bloody Mary and Shye was creepy and I was hooked. I would have liked to have seen the interaction between Bloody Mary and Rose and then I do feel like that would have amped up the spooky factor for me. Yet still a good read.

[glee book adventures · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short novella is all horrifying re-tell of "Bloody Mary" unlike any you've read it before. and the ending, I was not prepared 🫣. Growing up, this was not only a slumber party favorite, but also Appalachian folklore that was re-told around the fire. I loved reading the authors view of this tale; as he has quickly became an autobuy author for me. Plus, you get a special excerpt from his next book!! Love horror, thrillers, and folklore? check it out!

[Dan Mckeithan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two short powerful stories in this novella. K L packs a punch in a short amount of space. The first tale gives us a look at a different version of Bloody Mary and the way the mirror works. Then in the basement, we get a short burst with a cliffhanger that leaves us wanting for more. Both are very well written and creepy. Can't wait for more.

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

KL Patrick returns with his short story Red Mirror, and its everything I wanted and more! Its a fresh spin on the Bloody Mary urban legend, and I never saw THAT ending coming. There's also a teaser with one hell of a cliff hanger. KL Patrick has cemented himself as one of my most to be watched authors of the year.

[Emily Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two young friends play an innocent game. What could go wrong? Spooky

[Delilah Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing short read the plot was amazing and so was the characters

[Brian Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spin on Bloody Mary

I enjoyed this spin on Bloody Mary. Well written and brought me back to my childhood.
If you're into short stories, give this one a try. You cant go wrong.