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Monster in the Mirror: A Novel
Dark, twisty, and atmospheric debut thriller for readers of The Quiet Tenant and The Butcher. Her uncle was a serial killer. The town whispers, could she be a killer too?
On the night Jiah Rai was found cradling her girlfriend Georgia's dead body at the bottom of Wailing Cliff, everyone suspected her. There wasn't enough evidence to charge her, but the town refuses to forget. They murder must run in the family. Jiah's uncle was a convicted serial killer, and while he died behind bars, his legacy lives on in Jiah and her sister. It doesn't matter that they've lived in Dumont their whole lives—her family has never fit into the insular white community. And legacy isn't done with her yet.
One year later, memories of Georgia's death and torment from her twin brother threaten to crumble the shaky safe haven Jiah rebuilt. Maybe the neighborhood dinner party Estrella invited her to will ease her mind. But when her best friend never shows, a series of texts lead Jiah to the beach below, where she finds a mutilated body positioned exactly how her uncle displayed his victims over a decade ago. The killer mocks Jiah, hinting they know about her secrets, too. But is Jiah the monster Dumont thinks she is? As Jiah hunts the killer, how far will she go to keep her lies buried with the dead?
On the night Jiah Rai was found cradling her girlfriend Georgia's dead body at the bottom of Wailing Cliff, everyone suspected her. There wasn't enough evidence to charge her, but the town refuses to forget. They murder must run in the family. Jiah's uncle was a convicted serial killer, and while he died behind bars, his legacy lives on in Jiah and her sister. It doesn't matter that they've lived in Dumont their whole lives—her family has never fit into the insular white community. And legacy isn't done with her yet.
One year later, memories of Georgia's death and torment from her twin brother threaten to crumble the shaky safe haven Jiah rebuilt. Maybe the neighborhood dinner party Estrella invited her to will ease her mind. But when her best friend never shows, a series of texts lead Jiah to the beach below, where she finds a mutilated body positioned exactly how her uncle displayed his victims over a decade ago. The killer mocks Jiah, hinting they know about her secrets, too. But is Jiah the monster Dumont thinks she is? As Jiah hunts the killer, how far will she go to keep her lies buried with the dead?
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2026
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July 23, 2026ARC provided by Sourcebooks.
Monster in the Mirror never pulled me in. The premise did not grab my attention, and as the story continued, I kept waiting for something to make me care, but it never happened.
The pacing felt slow, I never connected with the characters, and there was not enough tension or emotional impact to keep me invested. By the end, I was finishing because I had already started it, not because I was curious about where the story was going.
This was simply not the right fit for me.
I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy slower, more atmospheric stories and do not need a strong hook or immediate character connection to stay interested.
Monster in the Mirror never pulled me in. The premise did not grab my attention, and as the story continued, I kept waiting for something to make me care, but it never happened.
The pacing felt slow, I never connected with the characters, and there was not enough tension or emotional impact to keep me invested. By the end, I was finishing because I had already started it, not because I was curious about where the story was going.
This was simply not the right fit for me.
I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy slower, more atmospheric stories and do not need a strong hook or immediate character connection to stay interested.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jiah already has enough history with murder thanks to being related to the infamous Doppelgänger Killer, so when her best friend, Estrella, disappears and Jiah finds a body staged like one of his victims, things get complicated very quickly.
One of the things that stood out most for me was the coastal setting and the way Dumont looked like this postcard-perfect little town, even though there was always something slightly off about it. The beaches, cliffs, old houses and surrounding woods gave the story plenty of atmosphere, and I liked the recurring focus on mirrors, reflections and appearances, especially with so many of the characters hiding parts of themselves.
As the mystery around Estrella’s disappearance pulled more of Jiah’s past into the open, I realised there was a lot more going on with her than I first expected. Her grief over her former girlfriend, Georgia, is much more complicated than it first appears, and as that relationship came into focus, so did a different side of Jiah. I found her relationship with her younger sister interesting too, especially because Jiah is so protective of her that she sometimes takes it too far, keeping things from her and deciding what she needs to know.
That ties into the family legacy side of the story, which worked for me as well. Jiah’s connection to someone so notorious has followed her for years and shaped the way people see her, while the book also touches on the fascination around serial killers and how easily they can become the main story, leaving the victims and the people left behind somewhere in the background.
It did take a while for this story and me to click, and I found myself disengaging a little in the earlier chapters because I never felt fully pulled into it. There’s quite a bit of history to take in at first, along with a lot of relationships and names, and I was waiting for the central mystery to properly take shape. Once it really got underway, things picked up for me, especially with the old case details and the way smaller things from earlier chapters started becoming more important.
There are a lot of reveals towards the end, and while I enjoyed seeing some of the earlier clues come back into play, it did start to tip into busy territory for me. There was definitely a lot to keep track of by that point. Some of the twists relied on Jiah withholding some pretty major information from the reader, which occasionally made the misdirection feel more convenient than clever, and a few developments wrapped themselves up more neatly than I expected considering how messy everything had become.
Even though it never quite became a winner for me, Monster in the Mirror still feels like a solid debut, and Janasha Prabhu is definitely an author I’d keep on my radar.
Just a heads-up that this gets pretty dark in places, especially around abuse, violence and some disturbing imagery.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC
One of the things that stood out most for me was the coastal setting and the way Dumont looked like this postcard-perfect little town, even though there was always something slightly off about it. The beaches, cliffs, old houses and surrounding woods gave the story plenty of atmosphere, and I liked the recurring focus on mirrors, reflections and appearances, especially with so many of the characters hiding parts of themselves.
As the mystery around Estrella’s disappearance pulled more of Jiah’s past into the open, I realised there was a lot more going on with her than I first expected. Her grief over her former girlfriend, Georgia, is much more complicated than it first appears, and as that relationship came into focus, so did a different side of Jiah. I found her relationship with her younger sister interesting too, especially because Jiah is so protective of her that she sometimes takes it too far, keeping things from her and deciding what she needs to know.
That ties into the family legacy side of the story, which worked for me as well. Jiah’s connection to someone so notorious has followed her for years and shaped the way people see her, while the book also touches on the fascination around serial killers and how easily they can become the main story, leaving the victims and the people left behind somewhere in the background.
It did take a while for this story and me to click, and I found myself disengaging a little in the earlier chapters because I never felt fully pulled into it. There’s quite a bit of history to take in at first, along with a lot of relationships and names, and I was waiting for the central mystery to properly take shape. Once it really got underway, things picked up for me, especially with the old case details and the way smaller things from earlier chapters started becoming more important.
There are a lot of reveals towards the end, and while I enjoyed seeing some of the earlier clues come back into play, it did start to tip into busy territory for me. There was definitely a lot to keep track of by that point. Some of the twists relied on Jiah withholding some pretty major information from the reader, which occasionally made the misdirection feel more convenient than clever, and a few developments wrapped themselves up more neatly than I expected considering how messy everything had become.
Even though it never quite became a winner for me, Monster in the Mirror still feels like a solid debut, and Janasha Prabhu is definitely an author I’d keep on my radar.
Just a heads-up that this gets pretty dark in places, especially around abuse, violence and some disturbing imagery.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC
August 5, 2026
this one was unfortunately a miss for me. the pacing was slow, & i had a hard time getting fully pulled into the story. i’d find myself getting slightly intrigued, only for that feeling to fade right after. i just kept feeling like i needed more from the story, & unfortunately i just didn’t get it. there weren’t any real shocking twists or momentum that caught me off guard like i was hoping there would be.
overall, this was an okay-ish read. although it wasn’t a perfect match for me, i’m sure there will be readers out there who enjoy this one more than i did!
thank you netgalley & sourcebooks landmark for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
overall, this was an okay-ish read. although it wasn’t a perfect match for me, i’m sure there will be readers out there who enjoy this one more than i did!
thank you netgalley & sourcebooks landmark for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2026
Jiah is a pariah in her small town for two big reasons: 1) she is the niece of a literal serial killer (who has since died in jail) and 2) everyone thinks she’s responsible for her girlfriend falling to her death. The only reason she’s stuck around is because her younger sister, who she is enormously protective of, lives here with her family. Thankfully, she has her BFF Estrella—until Estrella is found dead, apparently killed by a copycat of Jiah’s uncle. And the cops? Well, they would just love to pin the blame on Jiah. She needs to find out who killed her friend, and fast.
This was the kind of fun, fast-paced read that I think would be incredible for busting out of a reading slump. The dynamics Jiah faces as a BIPOC person in a small New England town were really interesting to me. She’s the daughter of a mother whose family had been there for generations and a South Asian immigrant father. Even though she grew up there and has as much right to claim the town as her home as any white person, she is exoticized and othered.
I definitely saw some of the main elements of the final twist coming, but other parts of it shocked me.
Thank you to the publisher for giving me access to an eARC of this book!
This was the kind of fun, fast-paced read that I think would be incredible for busting out of a reading slump. The dynamics Jiah faces as a BIPOC person in a small New England town were really interesting to me. She’s the daughter of a mother whose family had been there for generations and a South Asian immigrant father. Even though she grew up there and has as much right to claim the town as her home as any white person, she is exoticized and othered.
I definitely saw some of the main elements of the final twist coming, but other parts of it shocked me.
Thank you to the publisher for giving me access to an eARC of this book!
September 9, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book. All opinions are my own!
I really wanted to love this one because the premise sounded so interesting, but unfortunately it just didn’t work for me.
This was such a slow burn, and the long chapters definitely did not help. I kept waiting for that strong hook or twist that would make me desperate to keep reading, but it never really came. There wasn’t enough tension or suspense to keep me invested, and I never really connected with the characters either.
I think the biggest issue for me was that I just wasn’t curious enough about where the story was going. There were times when I found myself pushing through, not because I was dying to know what happened next, but because I had already started the book and wanted to finish it. And for a thriller, that’s just not what I’m looking for.
The premise had so much potential, especially with Jiah being connected to a serial killer and then finding a body displayed in the same way as her uncle’s victims. I was really hoping that would lead to some seriously creepy moments, shocking reveals, and twists that would keep me guessing. Instead, the story felt pretty predictable for me and didn’t have nearly as much tension as I wanted.
I will say that I don’t think this was necessarily a bad book. It just wasn’t the thriller I was hoping it would be. I needed more twists, more tension, shorter chapters, and a stronger sense of urgency to keep me locked in. There was definitely an interesting idea here, I just wish the execution had kept me more invested.
I really wanted to love this one because the premise sounded so interesting, but unfortunately it just didn’t work for me.
This was such a slow burn, and the long chapters definitely did not help. I kept waiting for that strong hook or twist that would make me desperate to keep reading, but it never really came. There wasn’t enough tension or suspense to keep me invested, and I never really connected with the characters either.
I think the biggest issue for me was that I just wasn’t curious enough about where the story was going. There were times when I found myself pushing through, not because I was dying to know what happened next, but because I had already started the book and wanted to finish it. And for a thriller, that’s just not what I’m looking for.
The premise had so much potential, especially with Jiah being connected to a serial killer and then finding a body displayed in the same way as her uncle’s victims. I was really hoping that would lead to some seriously creepy moments, shocking reveals, and twists that would keep me guessing. Instead, the story felt pretty predictable for me and didn’t have nearly as much tension as I wanted.
I will say that I don’t think this was necessarily a bad book. It just wasn’t the thriller I was hoping it would be. I needed more twists, more tension, shorter chapters, and a stronger sense of urgency to keep me locked in. There was definitely an interesting idea here, I just wish the execution had kept me more invested.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Monster In The Mirror was a book that didn’t quite grab me all the way through.
Jiah lives in a small town where rumours are believed. Since she found her girlfriend’s body in suspicious circumstances she has been thought of as a murderer, this is largely because of her uncle being a serial killer and died in prison. People think this trait is hereditary and although there wasn’t enough evidence to convict her of Georgia’s murder the town still believes she’s guilty. Another murder has happened mimicking her uncles ways, Jiah tries to find the murderer whilst dealing with her inner demons.
This was an ok read for me, I liked the characters and the setting but I wasn’t a fan of the switching of timelines which happened a lot at the beginning of the book and it could have been made clearer if you were reading them or now as I did get a little confused. The plot got stuck a little around halfway and there were no big moments that would have moved it on a little faster for me. I liked how Jiah was portrayed and how she had to deal with family trauma and identity.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks, Landmark for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
Jiah lives in a small town where rumours are believed. Since she found her girlfriend’s body in suspicious circumstances she has been thought of as a murderer, this is largely because of her uncle being a serial killer and died in prison. People think this trait is hereditary and although there wasn’t enough evidence to convict her of Georgia’s murder the town still believes she’s guilty. Another murder has happened mimicking her uncles ways, Jiah tries to find the murderer whilst dealing with her inner demons.
This was an ok read for me, I liked the characters and the setting but I wasn’t a fan of the switching of timelines which happened a lot at the beginning of the book and it could have been made clearer if you were reading them or now as I did get a little confused. The plot got stuck a little around halfway and there were no big moments that would have moved it on a little faster for me. I liked how Jiah was portrayed and how she had to deal with family trauma and identity.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks, Landmark for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book hooked me immediately and made it nearly impossible to put down. Monster in the mirror delivers a dark, twisty plot with tension that kept me flipping the pages as fast as I could. I loved the mention of Sea Cliff since it’s just down the street from me, and it made the setting hit so much closer to home. If you love a fast paced thriller that will keep you guessing the entire time you should definitely check out Monster in the Mirror. 4.5/5 thank you NetGalley for the opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Finished reading: October 17th 2026
"A safe town, until you looked closer, deeper. Until you found yourself staring into the dark jaws of a monster, and then realized you were looking at yourself."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
Oh boy, that went just about as well as expected... I honestly kind of regretted requesting a copy of this debut after I saw the negative reviews started piling up, but it is what it is I guess. I can't deny that the premise of Monster In The Mirror is fantastic, and it's not really a surprise I wasn't able to resist this story back in May as I do have a weak spot for a serial killer thriller. With this book being marketed as horror and both dark and twisty, I was looking forward to a wild ride... Imagine my surprise when I found myself feeling mainly just bored and irritated instead. Let's just say that I can definitely understand the lower ratings now!
I do think that this book is being marketed incorrectly, and this sure didn't help. Monster In The Mirror wasn't at all the dark, twisty and intense serial killer thriller I was expecting. I found little evidence of this book belonging to the horror genre, and instead this story was mainly just a very slowburn psychological thriller filled with toxic relationships, SO much drama and a huge cast of unlikeable characters that are often hard to keep apart. To make things worse, there is quite a big romance subplot, which is something I never enjoy in my thrillers and especially if they come as a surprise. The sexy scenes were another nail in the coffin.
Another thing that turned me off very early on was the animal cruelty element. I don't mind my crime thrillers going very dark and gory, but I draw the line at animal cruelty. To make things worse, it wasn't even an isolated incident... It made me wish I had just DNFed this book instead. Why didn't I then? Mostly because I didn't want to have two DNF two books in a row, because Monster In The Mirror wasn't exactly offering me many reasons to want to keep on reading. Sure, there were scenes that were atmospheric, and I can't deny that the author did a solid job creating a dark and ominous vibe. BUT. It ment sacrificing both plot and characters as a consequence, and I don't think this was a worthy trade-off.
I already mentioned the unlikeable characters, and main character Jiah is without a doubt VERY hard to like indeed. Her so-called connections with the other characters all felt very one-dimensional and just not believable at all... And I can't say that I enjoyed spending time inside her head. I wasn't a fan of the writing either, and the constant jumping back and forth only made things more confusing to follow. There were so many scenes that felt more like a filler instead of a meaningful part of the plot, and I confess that I caught myself skimreading multiple times along the way.
All in all unfortunately I can't say that I enjoyed my time with Monster In The Mirror at all despite the fact that the premise itself sounded right up my alley. Of course I was expecting a dark serial killer thriller and not this slowburn drama-filled thriller... This definitely wasn't the book for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I finished this book about 2 weeks ago, and I'm still not sure how I feel about it.
In one hand, I really liked the setting, the atmosphere, and the mystery around Jiah's uncle, everything about Jiah, really. I think she is a very intriguing and fascinating main character. And her uncle's storyline was just as interesting.
On the other hand, the slow burn storyline, with multiple mysteries and too may characters made me feel a little overwhelmed. The chapters could also have been a little shorter, in my opinion. And the conclusion, with its final reveal... even though I did not predict it, it is by no means original or mind-blowing. It suits the storyline, but that's it. Not a remarklable plot twist at all.
I'd say it's a nice option for readers who usually enjoy atmospheric thrillers with a coastal setting, serial killer tropes, and family drama. Also, there's queer representation.
Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
In one hand, I really liked the setting, the atmosphere, and the mystery around Jiah's uncle, everything about Jiah, really. I think she is a very intriguing and fascinating main character. And her uncle's storyline was just as interesting.
On the other hand, the slow burn storyline, with multiple mysteries and too may characters made me feel a little overwhelmed. The chapters could also have been a little shorter, in my opinion. And the conclusion, with its final reveal... even though I did not predict it, it is by no means original or mind-blowing. It suits the storyline, but that's it. Not a remarklable plot twist at all.
I'd say it's a nice option for readers who usually enjoy atmospheric thrillers with a coastal setting, serial killer tropes, and family drama. Also, there's queer representation.
Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 25, 2026
usually don't rate the books I dnf but I got to 70% and i still felt confused. I wanted to really like this, I should've dnfed sooner. the writing felt all over the place. That far in and I didn't feel connected to the story or characters.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
MONSTER IN THE MIRROR by Janasha Prabhu is a fierce, deeply disturbing book that seamlessly weaves the horror of systemic isolation with a heart-pounding crime mystery.
The Hook
When your uncle is an infamous convicted serial killer, a small town will always look at you and wonder if murder runs in your blood—but what happens when a new killer starts staging bodies exactly like he did, just to mock you?
Elevator Pitch
Janasha Prabhu’s dark, razor-sharp debut follows Jiah Rai, a young queer woman of color who has spent her life being treated as a social pariah in her insular, predominantly white town. Years after being found cradling her dead girlfriend Georgia at the bottom of Wailing Cliff—a tragedy the town automatically blamed her for—Jiah’s fragile peace is shattered.
When her best friend Estrella goes missing and a new corpse is found meticulously posed on the beach like one of her uncle's historic victims, Jiah realizes she is being hunted by someone who knows her deepest secrets. To survive and clear her name, she must track down the killer herself, forced to confront the growing, violent darkness building inside her own reflection.
Setting
The insular, claustrophobic, and deeply judgmental coastal town of Dumont.
Vibe
Atmospheric, deeply unsettling, tense, and fueled by female rage.
Genre
Psychological Thriller / Horror / Crime Fiction.
Themes
• The heavy burden of a toxic family legacy
• Being an intersectional outsider in an insular community
• The psychological fine line between self-defense and unfettered violence
• Grief, institutional bias, and systemic isolation
Standout Characters
• Jiah Rai The resilient but deeply fractured protagonist who is forced to navigate both an active killer and a town looking for any excuse to brand her a monster.
• Estrella Jiah’s fiercely loyal best friend who disappears right before a dinner party, throwing the plot into high gear.
• Georgia’s Brother A volatile figure whose threats and lingering grief push Jiah's fragile stability over the edge.
• The Ghost of the Past The shadowy legacy of Jiah's infamous uncle, whose horrific crimes still dictate how the living are allowed to exist.
Author Writing Standout
Prabhu, a fellow of Reese’s Book Club LitUp program, expertly weaponizes the thriller framework to deliver a scathing social commentary. Her writing doesn't just sprint toward the next shock; it builds a heavy, moody atmosphere where the emotional trauma feels just as sharp and dangerous as the physical threat. Janasha Prabhu exhibits an incredible ability to weave sharp social justice themes into a deeply emotional exploration of trauma, crafting an exceptional psychological thriller that brilliantly redefines what it means to face your inner demons.
Takeaway
When a community is determined to view you as a villain simply because of who you are and where you come from, the real danger is what happens when you finally stop fighting their narrative.
Title Significance
Monster in the Mirror functions as a chilling literal and psychological question. It represents Jiah’s terrifying internal battle as she stares at her own reflection, constantly forced to interrogate whether she has inherited her family’s capacity for violence, or if the town's relentless cruelty has simply shaped her into the beast they always claimed she was.
Metaphor
The serial killer's legacy is like an unescapable shadow on a sunless day. No matter how clean Jiah tries to live or how far she steps out of the dark, the insular structure of her town blocks the light, ensuring that the outline of her family's crimes is always trailing directly behind her.
Why You Should Read
It is a brilliant, subverted take on the serial killer trope that prioritizes character depth, queer representation, and the messy reality of trauma. If you want a book that weaves a tight mystery while delivering a gut-punch exploration of identity and isolation, this debut demands a spot on your shelf.
My Thoughts
This book is an absolute powder keg. It’s a slow-burning, incredibly moody nightmare where the tension wraps around your neck like a vice and doesn't let go until the final page. It's full of female rage, heavy tension, and sharp social commentary
In her debut novel Monster in the Mirror, Janasha Prabhu examines the devastating psychological effects of systemic isolation and generational stigma. A gripping, brilliant case study wrapped in a psychological thriller that challenges how organizations and communities define accountability and guilt.
Verdict 4/5 Stars
"Janasha Prabhu delivers a razor-sharp, atmospheric debut that forces us to look directly into the eyes of our darkest generational shadows. A fierce, deeply disturbing debut that masterfully balances the horror of systemic isolation with a heart-pounding crime mystery."
Recs or read alikes
~They Never Learn by Janasha Prabhu
~The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon
~The Butcher by Alaina Urquhart
~She Dies in the End by Elle Marr
Special thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for an advance reading copy for my honest thoughts.
Blog review posted @
JudithD.Collins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
#LitLitMiniAuthorChats | #AuthorElevatorSeries
#AudioElevatorSeries
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Oct 20, 2026
Oct Newsletter
Oct 2026 Must-Read Books
The Hook
When your uncle is an infamous convicted serial killer, a small town will always look at you and wonder if murder runs in your blood—but what happens when a new killer starts staging bodies exactly like he did, just to mock you?
Elevator Pitch
Janasha Prabhu’s dark, razor-sharp debut follows Jiah Rai, a young queer woman of color who has spent her life being treated as a social pariah in her insular, predominantly white town. Years after being found cradling her dead girlfriend Georgia at the bottom of Wailing Cliff—a tragedy the town automatically blamed her for—Jiah’s fragile peace is shattered.
When her best friend Estrella goes missing and a new corpse is found meticulously posed on the beach like one of her uncle's historic victims, Jiah realizes she is being hunted by someone who knows her deepest secrets. To survive and clear her name, she must track down the killer herself, forced to confront the growing, violent darkness building inside her own reflection.
Setting
The insular, claustrophobic, and deeply judgmental coastal town of Dumont.
Vibe
Atmospheric, deeply unsettling, tense, and fueled by female rage.
Genre
Psychological Thriller / Horror / Crime Fiction.
Themes
• The heavy burden of a toxic family legacy
• Being an intersectional outsider in an insular community
• The psychological fine line between self-defense and unfettered violence
• Grief, institutional bias, and systemic isolation
Standout Characters
• Jiah Rai The resilient but deeply fractured protagonist who is forced to navigate both an active killer and a town looking for any excuse to brand her a monster.
• Estrella Jiah’s fiercely loyal best friend who disappears right before a dinner party, throwing the plot into high gear.
• Georgia’s Brother A volatile figure whose threats and lingering grief push Jiah's fragile stability over the edge.
• The Ghost of the Past The shadowy legacy of Jiah's infamous uncle, whose horrific crimes still dictate how the living are allowed to exist.
Author Writing Standout
Prabhu, a fellow of Reese’s Book Club LitUp program, expertly weaponizes the thriller framework to deliver a scathing social commentary. Her writing doesn't just sprint toward the next shock; it builds a heavy, moody atmosphere where the emotional trauma feels just as sharp and dangerous as the physical threat. Janasha Prabhu exhibits an incredible ability to weave sharp social justice themes into a deeply emotional exploration of trauma, crafting an exceptional psychological thriller that brilliantly redefines what it means to face your inner demons.
Takeaway
When a community is determined to view you as a villain simply because of who you are and where you come from, the real danger is what happens when you finally stop fighting their narrative.
Title Significance
Monster in the Mirror functions as a chilling literal and psychological question. It represents Jiah’s terrifying internal battle as she stares at her own reflection, constantly forced to interrogate whether she has inherited her family’s capacity for violence, or if the town's relentless cruelty has simply shaped her into the beast they always claimed she was.
Metaphor
The serial killer's legacy is like an unescapable shadow on a sunless day. No matter how clean Jiah tries to live or how far she steps out of the dark, the insular structure of her town blocks the light, ensuring that the outline of her family's crimes is always trailing directly behind her.
Why You Should Read
It is a brilliant, subverted take on the serial killer trope that prioritizes character depth, queer representation, and the messy reality of trauma. If you want a book that weaves a tight mystery while delivering a gut-punch exploration of identity and isolation, this debut demands a spot on your shelf.
My Thoughts
This book is an absolute powder keg. It’s a slow-burning, incredibly moody nightmare where the tension wraps around your neck like a vice and doesn't let go until the final page. It's full of female rage, heavy tension, and sharp social commentary
In her debut novel Monster in the Mirror, Janasha Prabhu examines the devastating psychological effects of systemic isolation and generational stigma. A gripping, brilliant case study wrapped in a psychological thriller that challenges how organizations and communities define accountability and guilt.
Verdict 4/5 Stars
"Janasha Prabhu delivers a razor-sharp, atmospheric debut that forces us to look directly into the eyes of our darkest generational shadows. A fierce, deeply disturbing debut that masterfully balances the horror of systemic isolation with a heart-pounding crime mystery."
Recs or read alikes
~They Never Learn by Janasha Prabhu
~The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon
~The Butcher by Alaina Urquhart
~She Dies in the End by Elle Marr
Special thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for an advance reading copy for my honest thoughts.
Blog review posted @
JudithD.Collins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
#LitLitMiniAuthorChats | #AuthorElevatorSeries
#AudioElevatorSeries
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Oct 20, 2026
Oct Newsletter
Oct 2026 Must-Read Books
October 9, 2026
Thank you to the Sourcebooks Landmark for the #gifted advanced reader copy of Monster in the Mirror by Janasha Prabhu in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own
Monster in the Mirror is a dark, atmospheric, debut thriller filled with vivid imagery. The twisty plot features Jiah Rai, a social pariah in her small coastal town because her uncle was an infamous serial killer in the area. When Jiah’s girlfriend is found dead, whispers grow louder, and the townspeople, police, and reader don’t know if murder might run in the family.
I picked up this novel because of its intriguing premise, and although it’s darker than I expected, I kept reading because of the strong writing. I would characterize it as more of a literary suspense novel than a traditional thriller due to its vivid imagery. “The skin around any part of the body really, so thin and delicate, blood vessels popping and then crowding to the surface to darken it. But the throat especially.” Jiah is a morally grey character and I never fully trusted her as a reliable narrator. The story is slow to develop, but with an ending filled with both predictable and surprising twists. I had some difficulty connecting with the various characters, except for Madeline (IYKYK). Overall I think this novel will appeal to literary suspense readers who aren’t intimidated by slower pacing or darker themes 3.25/5⭐️
Monster in the Mirror is a dark, atmospheric, debut thriller filled with vivid imagery. The twisty plot features Jiah Rai, a social pariah in her small coastal town because her uncle was an infamous serial killer in the area. When Jiah’s girlfriend is found dead, whispers grow louder, and the townspeople, police, and reader don’t know if murder might run in the family.
I picked up this novel because of its intriguing premise, and although it’s darker than I expected, I kept reading because of the strong writing. I would characterize it as more of a literary suspense novel than a traditional thriller due to its vivid imagery. “The skin around any part of the body really, so thin and delicate, blood vessels popping and then crowding to the surface to darken it. But the throat especially.” Jiah is a morally grey character and I never fully trusted her as a reliable narrator. The story is slow to develop, but with an ending filled with both predictable and surprising twists. I had some difficulty connecting with the various characters, except for Madeline (IYKYK). Overall I think this novel will appeal to literary suspense readers who aren’t intimidated by slower pacing or darker themes 3.25/5⭐️
November 2, 2026
Enjoyed this dark twisty read
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https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPLmdy7ua/
July 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this eARC!
Im giving this 2 stars because I read this whole book and I still don’t think I could tell you what it was about. The premise was intriguing and a large part of why I requested it on Netgalley- but the execution was lacking. Once the story did wrap up and the twists and turns were revealed, the logistics behind the story didn’t add up and I was left with questions.
Additionally, the main character was exhausting. Her relationships with the people around her felt so random and two-dimensional, especially her friendship with Estrella. It’s weird to me that she is her best friend but doesn’t know much about her…
Also this is a minor issue but don’t we think it’s weird how every person in her life looks the exact same? Everybody has dark hair and similar eye colors…just a small detail but started to feel repetitive.
Im giving this 2 stars because I read this whole book and I still don’t think I could tell you what it was about. The premise was intriguing and a large part of why I requested it on Netgalley- but the execution was lacking. Once the story did wrap up and the twists and turns were revealed, the logistics behind the story didn’t add up and I was left with questions.
Additionally, the main character was exhausting. Her relationships with the people around her felt so random and two-dimensional, especially her friendship with Estrella. It’s weird to me that she is her best friend but doesn’t know much about her…
Also this is a minor issue but don’t we think it’s weird how every person in her life looks the exact same? Everybody has dark hair and similar eye colors…just a small detail but started to feel repetitive.
August 2, 2026
★★
Jiah Rai's life is shattered the night her girlfriend, Georgia, dies. Was it a tragic accident or something far more sinister? When Jiah is found holding Georgia's body, her hometown of Dumont is reminded of another monster: Jiah's uncle, the infamous Doppelgänger Murder, a convicted serial killer. A few months later, Jiah's best friend, Estrella, is found murdered, and once again, Jiah is the one to make the gruesome discovery. Does the murder gene run in families? Could it run in Jiah?
This debut promised a dark, twisty, atmospheric story. NetGalley categorizes it as a Mystery & Thriller, while Goodreads lists it as Horror and Thriller. The blurb even compares it to The Quiet Tenant and The Butcher, two of my favorite dark, twisty thrillers. Needless to say, I was excited to dive in!
Unfortunately, Monster in the Mirror wasn't the right fit for me. I can overlook a few rough edges in a debut, but I found myself distracted by a number of inconsistencies and plot holes, ranging from character relationships to investigative procedures, that I wish had been addressed during editing.
I also went in expecting some horror based on the marketing, but I never really found those elements in the story. It certainly has a dark, heavy atmosphere, largely because the main character, and sole narrator, is struggling with profound depression.
That said, readers who enjoy unhinged thrillers and don't mind overlooking a fair amount of implausibility may have a better experience with this one than I did.
Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Janasha Prabhu for a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Jiah Rai's life is shattered the night her girlfriend, Georgia, dies. Was it a tragic accident or something far more sinister? When Jiah is found holding Georgia's body, her hometown of Dumont is reminded of another monster: Jiah's uncle, the infamous Doppelgänger Murder, a convicted serial killer. A few months later, Jiah's best friend, Estrella, is found murdered, and once again, Jiah is the one to make the gruesome discovery. Does the murder gene run in families? Could it run in Jiah?
This debut promised a dark, twisty, atmospheric story. NetGalley categorizes it as a Mystery & Thriller, while Goodreads lists it as Horror and Thriller. The blurb even compares it to The Quiet Tenant and The Butcher, two of my favorite dark, twisty thrillers. Needless to say, I was excited to dive in!
Unfortunately, Monster in the Mirror wasn't the right fit for me. I can overlook a few rough edges in a debut, but I found myself distracted by a number of inconsistencies and plot holes, ranging from character relationships to investigative procedures, that I wish had been addressed during editing.
I also went in expecting some horror based on the marketing, but I never really found those elements in the story. It certainly has a dark, heavy atmosphere, largely because the main character, and sole narrator, is struggling with profound depression.
That said, readers who enjoy unhinged thrillers and don't mind overlooking a fair amount of implausibility may have a better experience with this one than I did.
Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Janasha Prabhu for a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
October 24, 2026
The beginning of the book grabbed my attention immediately. Jiah and her sister live in a small town, one that was impacted by a serial killer many years ago who turned out to be their uncle. Guilt by association and their connection to the events of the past hang over them like a dark cloud. Jiah's only reason for staying is to take care of her sister's family.
Jiah is an outcast, interacting with very few people and constantly being the centre of gossip, which cannot be easy. When her girlfriend dies two years earlier, Jiah is immediately blamed, and the woman's brother has harassed and bullied her ever since. When he goes missing, it sets off a chain of events that connects the past to the present.
This story had a lot of potential, and the first half was the part I enjoyed the most. It set the stage for a mystery waiting to be solved, and Jiah was a character I really felt for. Her frustration and loneliness came across very well. The switching timelines and the inclusion of newspaper clippings about the past murders were elements I actually enjoyed, as they added small clues about what had happened back then.
Bit by bit, however, the story became a little too weird for me, and some of the plot points felt over the top. Was it still an easy and enjoyable read? Yes. However, it felt as though it lost its direction towards the end.
received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jiah is an outcast, interacting with very few people and constantly being the centre of gossip, which cannot be easy. When her girlfriend dies two years earlier, Jiah is immediately blamed, and the woman's brother has harassed and bullied her ever since. When he goes missing, it sets off a chain of events that connects the past to the present.
This story had a lot of potential, and the first half was the part I enjoyed the most. It set the stage for a mystery waiting to be solved, and Jiah was a character I really felt for. Her frustration and loneliness came across very well. The switching timelines and the inclusion of newspaper clippings about the past murders were elements I actually enjoyed, as they added small clues about what had happened back then.
Bit by bit, however, the story became a little too weird for me, and some of the plot points felt over the top. Was it still an easy and enjoyable read? Yes. However, it felt as though it lost its direction towards the end.
received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 9, 2026
The synopsis pulled me in but the story itself did not hold my attention. I did finish it out just to see if my theory was correct and it wasn't, which is a good thing.
Jiah and her family grew up with the dark side of having their uncle be names as a serial killer forecasting a dark shadow on their family. Now, there is a copy cat along with Jiah being accused of murder as well.
The story progresses with some antagonizing from local community members but also does not keep a pace (for me) that had me sitting to finish in one book.
The ending was much better really picked up although the twist could have came sooner and the finale could have been grander. I did like the plot of it all but wish their was more emphasis on that part of the storyline.
Overall, not a bad read.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark via NetGalley
Jiah and her family grew up with the dark side of having their uncle be names as a serial killer forecasting a dark shadow on their family. Now, there is a copy cat along with Jiah being accused of murder as well.
The story progresses with some antagonizing from local community members but also does not keep a pace (for me) that had me sitting to finish in one book.
The ending was much better really picked up although the twist could have came sooner and the finale could have been grander. I did like the plot of it all but wish their was more emphasis on that part of the storyline.
Overall, not a bad read.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark via NetGalley
September 24, 2026
Review of Advance Copy revived from NetGalley
This was a fast paced thriller, even though it took me a little while to get into the story. I really enjoyed the small town setting and all the secrets that tend to come with it. I especially loved the feeling of being watched that followed Jiah, how she always felt eyes on her, even when she was completely alone.
Jiah was definitely a highlight for me. I loved that she had so many layers and that her character felt complex and unpredictable.
While this didn’t leave me gasping or completely blow me away, it was still an entertaining read that kept me turning the pages.
This was a fast paced thriller, even though it took me a little while to get into the story. I really enjoyed the small town setting and all the secrets that tend to come with it. I especially loved the feeling of being watched that followed Jiah, how she always felt eyes on her, even when she was completely alone.
Jiah was definitely a highlight for me. I loved that she had so many layers and that her character felt complex and unpredictable.
While this didn’t leave me gasping or completely blow me away, it was still an entertaining read that kept me turning the pages.
Did Not Finish
August 8, 2026I was very intrigued by this book but it was a let down for me.
The book opens with some brief but graphic animal torture, and this is not the only time it happens.
Jiah has a lot going on. Her uncle was a serial killer, her girlfriend was murdered recently, she has a violent stalker, and a bunch of other personal issues. Unfortunately, all these just felt messy, rather than exciting.
I didn't think the characterization in this novel was strong. There was too much happening, but it also felt slow. Sadly, not for me.
Thanks netgalley for the opportunity to read the eARC.
The book opens with some brief but graphic animal torture, and this is not the only time it happens.
Jiah has a lot going on. Her uncle was a serial killer, her girlfriend was murdered recently, she has a violent stalker, and a bunch of other personal issues. Unfortunately, all these just felt messy, rather than exciting.
I didn't think the characterization in this novel was strong. There was too much happening, but it also felt slow. Sadly, not for me.
Thanks netgalley for the opportunity to read the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Y’all! ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Monster in the Mirror is one twisted ride! Jiah Rai can’t escape her serial-killer uncle’s shadow, and when bodies start appearing with his chilling signature, secrets and suspicion explode. Janasha Prabhu serves up an atmospheric psychological thriller loaded with paranoia, prejudice, and blurred lines between victim and monster. Jiah is complicated and compelling, and the tension kept me guessing. Dark, disturbing, and deliciously twisted, this one will have you side-eyeing everybody!
Thanks to #NetGalley, Janasha Pradhu and Sourcebooks Landmark for a copy of The Monster In The Mirror for my honest, voluntary review. #TheMonsterInTheMirror #JanashaPradhu #PsycologicalThriller #ARCReview
Thanks to #NetGalley, Janasha Pradhu and Sourcebooks Landmark for a copy of The Monster In The Mirror for my honest, voluntary review. #TheMonsterInTheMirror #JanashaPradhu #PsycologicalThriller #ARCReview
October 22, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley and SourceBooks for the free e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
A young woman is haunted by her uncle's decades old conviction for murdering a series of young women. Everyone in their small town assumes that means their entire family is a monster. When those around her begin to suffer misfortunes, she begins to question if everyone is right about her.
I found this to be a well written story based upon an interesting premise with layered mysteries, an atmospheric small-town setting, and meaningful social commentary woven throughout its psychological suspense. The exploration of how prejudice, family history, and public perception can influence a person's identity and sense of belonging was what held my interest. Recommend!!
A young woman is haunted by her uncle's decades old conviction for murdering a series of young women. Everyone in their small town assumes that means their entire family is a monster. When those around her begin to suffer misfortunes, she begins to question if everyone is right about her.
I found this to be a well written story based upon an interesting premise with layered mysteries, an atmospheric small-town setting, and meaningful social commentary woven throughout its psychological suspense. The exploration of how prejudice, family history, and public perception can influence a person's identity and sense of belonging was what held my interest. Recommend!!
October 25, 2026
The premise of this book was really good. The things that haunt a family, the things you cannot escape in a family. I’m big on settings and this world building is coastal. I was pulled in with Jiah Rai, I do wish the book had an easier flow but that could be a me problem. I would still recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a mysterious thriller tied to family murders and the impact it had.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.
August 14, 2026
Dark and twisty.
I wasn’t sure if I should trust the narrator or not, which I think is a sign of a well done unreliable narrator. At one point I almost walked away without finishing it, but the ending was not really surprising but it was satisfying so I’m glad I pushed through.
I wasn’t sure if I should trust the narrator or not, which I think is a sign of a well done unreliable narrator. At one point I almost walked away without finishing it, but the ending was not really surprising but it was satisfying so I’m glad I pushed through.
October 14, 2026
Unfortunately, this one was almost a DNF for me. I just could not get into these characters and there were a lot of eye roll moments in this. I ended up skipping a lot of the nonsense material that I felt was thrown in as "filler" material.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC.
October 26, 2026
I don't think this was my type of book. I just didn't get it. I didn't know what I was reading. I didn't like the characters. Like I said this was just not my type of book.
September 14, 2026
Monster in the Mirror had an intriguing premise and a lot of potential. I was immediately curious about where the story was going to take me, and there were definitely some creepy and interesting moments along the way.
Unfortunately, I didn't connect with this one quite as much as I hoped I would. The story had some good ideas, but the pacing felt a little uneven for me, and I found myself wanting a bit more depth from the characters and the overall storyline. There were moments that pulled me in, but I didn't always feel that same momentum throughout the book.
Overall, this was a quick and interesting read, but it ultimately landed in the middle for me. I think readers who enjoy darker, atmospheric stories with a supernatural or psychological edge may find more to love here than I did.
I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my review.
Unfortunately, I didn't connect with this one quite as much as I hoped I would. The story had some good ideas, but the pacing felt a little uneven for me, and I found myself wanting a bit more depth from the characters and the overall storyline. There were moments that pulled me in, but I didn't always feel that same momentum throughout the book.
Overall, this was a quick and interesting read, but it ultimately landed in the middle for me. I think readers who enjoy darker, atmospheric stories with a supernatural or psychological edge may find more to love here than I did.
I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my review.
Read
September 3, 2026(read this with an ARC via netgalley)
I've been on the hunt for more queer stories in the thriller/horror genre and the premise of this book immediately grabbed me. I was especially interested in reading about a Desi sapphic woman, the sole protagonist Jiah, as I've realized I've never had the opportunity to read from this pov and what a shame that is!!
The beginning of the novel does a great job steeping you in the atmosphere of the location, a small, isolated town on the Long Island coast. And the opening chapter kicks off with a visceral gut punch. I really wanted to get to know Jiah and her sister, Lila, to learn more about how their psyche has been affected by growing up related to an infamous serial killer, the shame by association. Also, Jiah gets points for being a loving cat owner! There are also two generally really creepy jump scares that gave me chills when reading, which is no easy feat!
Ultimately, at the end of the book, I felt the way Jiah did about the people in her life, like she still didn't know much about them and should have asked more. I wanted to see more about Jiah and Lila's struggle with feeling like pariahs. For some reason it comes across that only Jiah feels this burden and Lila never quite seems to think about it, which made Lila feel rather two-dimensional. I admittedly completely forgot about their parents because they never physically show the whole book, not even for an in scene phone call when shit is going down, and I started to think maybe they were dead and I had misread until they're briefly mentioned again at the end. There's a few other promising characters, David, Kennedy, the Sheriff, but they never quite feel developed.
Even their serial killer uncle is largely unknowable, his motives and intentions never really being discussed analytically, nor pseudo-imagined by Jiah. I had hoped his presence would feel threaded throughout the novel but I couldn't tell you what he sounded like. They never even had a conversation with him (that would have made for a creepy scene!).
We're also told the whole town is watching to see if the sisters are actually psychos too, but we don't really get to see this very much. The pressure of watching eyes of the towns people feels for the most part absent. I would've liked to see more of a struggle, more interactions in town, her at work (she doesn't work the whole novel), more whispering, a council meeting calling to evict her, prejudice (for instance what if her crush Kennedy's family said she couldn't be around Kennedy's niece Grace etc), just more palpable fear and wariness around them both.
For the most part the writing is pretty straight forward, and I think the author does a good job physically moving her characters around the town and pacing the plot. Yet I did struggle with the frequent similes (sometimes 2 a page) and oddly reused adjectives. The result was that a lot of the similes ended up feeling weak upon impact because "it was like something but also like something else or also something else" and everything was velvet, so therefore nothing was.
One small callout, at one point Jiah recalls a story she heard as a child and it is extremely sexually explicit. I was confused how this was a story that would be told to a child. Perhaps if she told us who told it to her or where she heard it (could've been a good one for killer uncle to tell) then I could've understood where it was coming from. In a similar vein, we know Jiah's ex Georgia named their cat Madeline and she knew that was her name immediately. But why? Why Madeline? We're missing that crucial context to finish fleshing out the backstory, to make it feel real and lived in. That was a prevalent feeling throughout the text, the bones are there, it just needs a little more meat.
Lastly, I understand this is a "hide the truth for the big reveal tactic," but two of the more pivotal moment of the book occur off page and then we're clued in later. This felt a bit disappointing to me as I think those moments could have been better served in real time to let us sit with the weight of them. Namely, the first pivotal moment, would have allowed for a much more interesting psychological read of Jiah had we been clued in from the jump. And looking back, I don't think her mental state quite reflects the aftermath I would've expected, and that it could've gotten more cerebral, although I could see the actions I had missed that were hinting to the truth (nicely done!).
All in all, I walked away wishing there have been deeper characterization as I so badly want to know a character like Jiah and think her world could be much richer.
*I'm not going to rate this on a star level because I think debut authors can benefit from feedback but the stars are not always an accurate source for that.
I've been on the hunt for more queer stories in the thriller/horror genre and the premise of this book immediately grabbed me. I was especially interested in reading about a Desi sapphic woman, the sole protagonist Jiah, as I've realized I've never had the opportunity to read from this pov and what a shame that is!!
The beginning of the novel does a great job steeping you in the atmosphere of the location, a small, isolated town on the Long Island coast. And the opening chapter kicks off with a visceral gut punch. I really wanted to get to know Jiah and her sister, Lila, to learn more about how their psyche has been affected by growing up related to an infamous serial killer, the shame by association. Also, Jiah gets points for being a loving cat owner! There are also two generally really creepy jump scares that gave me chills when reading, which is no easy feat!
Ultimately, at the end of the book, I felt the way Jiah did about the people in her life, like she still didn't know much about them and should have asked more. I wanted to see more about Jiah and Lila's struggle with feeling like pariahs. For some reason it comes across that only Jiah feels this burden and Lila never quite seems to think about it, which made Lila feel rather two-dimensional. I admittedly completely forgot about their parents because they never physically show the whole book, not even for an in scene phone call when shit is going down, and I started to think maybe they were dead and I had misread until they're briefly mentioned again at the end. There's a few other promising characters, David, Kennedy, the Sheriff, but they never quite feel developed.
Even their serial killer uncle is largely unknowable, his motives and intentions never really being discussed analytically, nor pseudo-imagined by Jiah. I had hoped his presence would feel threaded throughout the novel but I couldn't tell you what he sounded like. They never even had a conversation with him (that would have made for a creepy scene!).
We're also told the whole town is watching to see if the sisters are actually psychos too, but we don't really get to see this very much. The pressure of watching eyes of the towns people feels for the most part absent. I would've liked to see more of a struggle, more interactions in town, her at work (she doesn't work the whole novel), more whispering, a council meeting calling to evict her, prejudice (for instance what if her crush Kennedy's family said she couldn't be around Kennedy's niece Grace etc), just more palpable fear and wariness around them both.
For the most part the writing is pretty straight forward, and I think the author does a good job physically moving her characters around the town and pacing the plot. Yet I did struggle with the frequent similes (sometimes 2 a page) and oddly reused adjectives. The result was that a lot of the similes ended up feeling weak upon impact because "it was like something but also like something else or also something else" and everything was velvet, so therefore nothing was.
One small callout, at one point Jiah recalls a story she heard as a child and it is extremely sexually explicit. I was confused how this was a story that would be told to a child. Perhaps if she told us who told it to her or where she heard it (could've been a good one for killer uncle to tell) then I could've understood where it was coming from. In a similar vein, we know Jiah's ex Georgia named their cat Madeline and she knew that was her name immediately. But why? Why Madeline? We're missing that crucial context to finish fleshing out the backstory, to make it feel real and lived in. That was a prevalent feeling throughout the text, the bones are there, it just needs a little more meat.
Lastly, I understand this is a "hide the truth for the big reveal tactic," but two of the more pivotal moment of the book occur off page and then we're clued in later. This felt a bit disappointing to me as I think those moments could have been better served in real time to let us sit with the weight of them. Namely, the first pivotal moment, would have allowed for a much more interesting psychological read of Jiah had we been clued in from the jump. And looking back, I don't think her mental state quite reflects the aftermath I would've expected, and that it could've gotten more cerebral, although I could see the actions I had missed that were hinting to the truth (nicely done!).
All in all, I walked away wishing there have been deeper characterization as I so badly want to know a character like Jiah and think her world could be much richer.
*I'm not going to rate this on a star level because I think debut authors can benefit from feedback but the stars are not always an accurate source for that.
Read
August 13, 2026Can murder run in the family? When Jiah is found with her girlfriend's dead body the small coastal town of Dumont is convinced she’s the killer. Her uncle was a serial killer after all. But ultimately there's not enough evidence to convict her. So years later when another person in Jiah's life shows up dead in the exact same way her uncle used to display his victims the town begins to spiral around Jiah again. There's a copycat killer on the loose and they know Jiah's secrets. It is up to her to clear her name and make sure her secrets are safe too.
This book was a proper whodunit murder mystery with some twists and turns. Great for fans who like mystery with a plot like Lisa Jewell fans. Mystery is the main plot but you also have so much more in this book. Like what happens to a person when they've been harassed and turned into the town pariah? Sisterly relationships. Should one have to atone for family crimes? And the internal struggle of learning to believe you're worth more than what you've been through.
I enjoyed this book. It definitely leans more mystery than thriller so if you're in it for the serial killer murder aspect know that this is not that book. I don't think the plot twists were jaw dropping and overtly shocking but they were enjoyable, even if slightly predictable, but there is nothing wrong with being predictable. And the pacing is steady and it feels very intentional.
The true heart of this book is in the characters and the narrative. I loved Jiah, Kennedy, and Estrella; they were all dynamic characters. Especially Jiah, I found her character growth in the story to be super rewarding and she was an intriguing character throughout. Estrella is also a little freak and I love her for that. The representation in this book is also lovely. I really enjoy POC and LGBTQ characters existing without making either of those things the identifying characteristics of the characters. The writing of this book is delightful. “In the end, the blood did leave a stain.” From the moment I read those words I knew I was going to enjoy Janasha Prabhu’s writing. The book is as thoughtful as it is compelling. There’s this idea that there’s these stains on Jiah’s life and she’s trying so hard to get those stains out, but maybe it’s useless, maybe it’s not. And that is exactly how I’d describe this book to someone. This book is the stains in Jiah’s life.
Objectively, it does take a minute to get into this book. I'd say it was around chapter 5 or so that I really locked in. I do think the back of the book promises a slightly different experience (especially with the highlight of the serial killer uncle) it feels like the book might go in another direction. But if you go into the book with the understanding that it's not a high stakes murder-thriller-twists-and-turns and honestly relatively little is explored into the uncle serial killer then you might be able to enjoy this book for what it is.
This is a great mystery book if you’re looking for a summerween vibe as it’s set in a coastal town or just straight autumnal mystery vibes. It’s a classic whodunit with a little bit of horror and just mentions of serial killer elements without the aggressive blood, gore, and body horror (there’s a little but not a lot.) You don’t know who to trust and inherently you trust no one because of that. So the book feels eerie like someone’s always lurking and watching. And you’ll find yourself squinting looking for clues between the lines. I also highly recommend this as a book club book because there is so much under the surface of this book that deserves to be unpacked and highlighted. This was a solid book that I would recommend for mystery lovers.
This book was a proper whodunit murder mystery with some twists and turns. Great for fans who like mystery with a plot like Lisa Jewell fans. Mystery is the main plot but you also have so much more in this book. Like what happens to a person when they've been harassed and turned into the town pariah? Sisterly relationships. Should one have to atone for family crimes? And the internal struggle of learning to believe you're worth more than what you've been through.
I enjoyed this book. It definitely leans more mystery than thriller so if you're in it for the serial killer murder aspect know that this is not that book. I don't think the plot twists were jaw dropping and overtly shocking but they were enjoyable, even if slightly predictable, but there is nothing wrong with being predictable. And the pacing is steady and it feels very intentional.
The true heart of this book is in the characters and the narrative. I loved Jiah, Kennedy, and Estrella; they were all dynamic characters. Especially Jiah, I found her character growth in the story to be super rewarding and she was an intriguing character throughout. Estrella is also a little freak and I love her for that. The representation in this book is also lovely. I really enjoy POC and LGBTQ characters existing without making either of those things the identifying characteristics of the characters. The writing of this book is delightful. “In the end, the blood did leave a stain.” From the moment I read those words I knew I was going to enjoy Janasha Prabhu’s writing. The book is as thoughtful as it is compelling. There’s this idea that there’s these stains on Jiah’s life and she’s trying so hard to get those stains out, but maybe it’s useless, maybe it’s not. And that is exactly how I’d describe this book to someone. This book is the stains in Jiah’s life.
Objectively, it does take a minute to get into this book. I'd say it was around chapter 5 or so that I really locked in. I do think the back of the book promises a slightly different experience (especially with the highlight of the serial killer uncle) it feels like the book might go in another direction. But if you go into the book with the understanding that it's not a high stakes murder-thriller-twists-and-turns and honestly relatively little is explored into the uncle serial killer then you might be able to enjoy this book for what it is.
This is a great mystery book if you’re looking for a summerween vibe as it’s set in a coastal town or just straight autumnal mystery vibes. It’s a classic whodunit with a little bit of horror and just mentions of serial killer elements without the aggressive blood, gore, and body horror (there’s a little but not a lot.) You don’t know who to trust and inherently you trust no one because of that. So the book feels eerie like someone’s always lurking and watching. And you’ll find yourself squinting looking for clues between the lines. I also highly recommend this as a book club book because there is so much under the surface of this book that deserves to be unpacked and highlighted. This was a solid book that I would recommend for mystery lovers.
October 21, 2026
This book presents an intriguing psychological thriller that intertwines murder, family legacies, and social commentary, particularly examining discrimination, prejudice, and the challenges of belonging within a small, insular community. While these themes are not necessarily new to the genre, I appreciated how the author incorporated them into the characters, setting, and overarching mystery. The story explores how an individual's identity can become shaped by their family's history and the perceptions of others, regardless of whether those assumptions are justified.
The decision to tell the story entirely through Jiah's perspective was an interesting narrative choice. As readers, we experience events through her observations, emotions, and interpretations, which naturally limits our understanding of what is actually happening. This restricted perspective works well within the psychological thriller genre, particularly when the narrative relies on uncertainty, withheld information, and questions surrounding a character's reliability. As the story progresses, previously undisclosed details gradually emerge, encouraging readers to reconsider earlier events and the motivations of those involved. However, while I appreciated the intention behind this approach, I had mixed feelings about how effectively the suspense and eventual revelations were delivered. Withheld information is a familiar thriller device that I generally enjoy, especially when it is complemented by strong characterization, subtle foreshadowing, and carefully constructed misdirection. In this instance, I felt that some of the mysteries and twists were easier to anticipate than I had hoped. Several characters stood out as potentially suspicious or seemed positioned to play a larger role in the eventual revelations, which made certain developments feel less surprising.
There were still moments of uncertainty and attempts at misdirection that kept me curious about how everything would connect. However, I would have enjoyed a little more subtlety in the buildup to certain reveals, allowing the suspense to develop more organically and giving those moments a stronger impact. For me, the intrigue came less from the individual twists and more from seeing how the various storylines and character connections ultimately fit together.
Jiah herself was a character I felt uncertain about. She embodies a familiar psychological thriller archetype: an emotionally troubled and socially isolated protagonist whose past continues to influence her present circumstances. Given her experiences, the community's treatment of her, and the unresolved questions surrounding her history, I understood why the author chose to portray her with a degree of emotional instability and uncertainty. At times, however, I found it difficult to fully connect with her. Some of her decisions, or moments of indecision, were frustrating to read, even when I could recognize how they served the narrative and reflected her emotional state. While flawed protagonists can be particularly compelling in psychological thrillers, I think I would have appreciated a little more depth in Jiah's characterization beyond the circumstances surrounding the central mysteries.
I also wished for further development of her relationships with the supporting characters. Because so much of the narrative revolves around secrets, suspicion, and unanswered questions, some of those connections felt more closely tied to advancing the plot than to establishing the emotional depth of the relationships themselves. Exploring these dynamics more fully could have strengthened my investment in Jiah's experiences and made certain revelations feel more impactful
The decision to tell the story entirely through Jiah's perspective was an interesting narrative choice. As readers, we experience events through her observations, emotions, and interpretations, which naturally limits our understanding of what is actually happening. This restricted perspective works well within the psychological thriller genre, particularly when the narrative relies on uncertainty, withheld information, and questions surrounding a character's reliability. As the story progresses, previously undisclosed details gradually emerge, encouraging readers to reconsider earlier events and the motivations of those involved. However, while I appreciated the intention behind this approach, I had mixed feelings about how effectively the suspense and eventual revelations were delivered. Withheld information is a familiar thriller device that I generally enjoy, especially when it is complemented by strong characterization, subtle foreshadowing, and carefully constructed misdirection. In this instance, I felt that some of the mysteries and twists were easier to anticipate than I had hoped. Several characters stood out as potentially suspicious or seemed positioned to play a larger role in the eventual revelations, which made certain developments feel less surprising.
There were still moments of uncertainty and attempts at misdirection that kept me curious about how everything would connect. However, I would have enjoyed a little more subtlety in the buildup to certain reveals, allowing the suspense to develop more organically and giving those moments a stronger impact. For me, the intrigue came less from the individual twists and more from seeing how the various storylines and character connections ultimately fit together.
Jiah herself was a character I felt uncertain about. She embodies a familiar psychological thriller archetype: an emotionally troubled and socially isolated protagonist whose past continues to influence her present circumstances. Given her experiences, the community's treatment of her, and the unresolved questions surrounding her history, I understood why the author chose to portray her with a degree of emotional instability and uncertainty. At times, however, I found it difficult to fully connect with her. Some of her decisions, or moments of indecision, were frustrating to read, even when I could recognize how they served the narrative and reflected her emotional state. While flawed protagonists can be particularly compelling in psychological thrillers, I think I would have appreciated a little more depth in Jiah's characterization beyond the circumstances surrounding the central mysteries.
I also wished for further development of her relationships with the supporting characters. Because so much of the narrative revolves around secrets, suspicion, and unanswered questions, some of those connections felt more closely tied to advancing the plot than to establishing the emotional depth of the relationships themselves. Exploring these dynamics more fully could have strengthened my investment in Jiah's experiences and made certain revelations feel more impactful
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 ⭐ | For the most part, I enjoyed this, but it left me feeling a little conflicted. Monster in the Mirror is definitely less of a fast-paced thriller and more of a slow burn psychological mystery that leans heavily into its atmosphere, trauma, and the weight of reputation. I think if you're expecting constant twists and action, the deliberate pacing may take some adjusting, but readers who enjoy character-driven suspense will likely find plenty to love about this.
The strongest aspect of the novel is undoubtedly its setting. Dumont feels oppressive in the way only a small town can, where gossip becomes truth and no one ever lets the past stay buried. That constant sense of being watched hangs over every moment, making it easy to understand why Jiah is always looking over her shoulder. Her family's history, combined with the town's prejudice, creates an interesting exploration of how quickly people decide who someone is based on where they come from rather than what they've actually done.
Jiah herself is... complicated. She's guarded, often frustrating, and not always easy to connect with, but I think that's intentional. Well, I hope it was intentional. She's carrying years of grief, suspicion, and unresolved trauma, and the story never tries to make her a perfectly likable main character. I appreciated the morally gray direction her character took, even if some of her decisions tested my patience.
Where the book lost me a bit was in the middle. The mystery occasionally felt like it stalled while focusing on Jiah's internal struggles, and I found myself wanting the investigation to take center stage more often. If I wanted a character study, I would've chosen a different book. I wanted more thrill and less internal dialogue. There were also a few moments that stretched the believability of the story, and one subplot involving perceived animal harm made for an uncomfortable reading experience, even though it ultimately had more context than it initially seemed. And to be fair, I was warned about the animal moments, so while I wasn't surprised it was happening, I still wasn't a huge fan.
That said, the final quarter elevated the book. The reveals felt earned instead of relying solely on shock value, and I enjoyed seeing seemingly unrelated pieces finally click together. The ending raises interesting questions about justice, revenge, and whether someone can ever truly escape the story other people have written for them, and the epilogue leaves things on an unsettling note.
Overall, while Monster in the Mirror didn't completely blow me away, it kept me interested enough to want answers, and the payoff made the slower journey worthwhile. It's a thoughtful, atmospheric debut that blends psychological suspense with literary themes, even if the pacing occasionally keeps it from reaching its full potential.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this eARC!
The strongest aspect of the novel is undoubtedly its setting. Dumont feels oppressive in the way only a small town can, where gossip becomes truth and no one ever lets the past stay buried. That constant sense of being watched hangs over every moment, making it easy to understand why Jiah is always looking over her shoulder. Her family's history, combined with the town's prejudice, creates an interesting exploration of how quickly people decide who someone is based on where they come from rather than what they've actually done.
Jiah herself is... complicated. She's guarded, often frustrating, and not always easy to connect with, but I think that's intentional. Well, I hope it was intentional. She's carrying years of grief, suspicion, and unresolved trauma, and the story never tries to make her a perfectly likable main character. I appreciated the morally gray direction her character took, even if some of her decisions tested my patience.
Where the book lost me a bit was in the middle. The mystery occasionally felt like it stalled while focusing on Jiah's internal struggles, and I found myself wanting the investigation to take center stage more often. If I wanted a character study, I would've chosen a different book. I wanted more thrill and less internal dialogue. There were also a few moments that stretched the believability of the story, and one subplot involving perceived animal harm made for an uncomfortable reading experience, even though it ultimately had more context than it initially seemed. And to be fair, I was warned about the animal moments, so while I wasn't surprised it was happening, I still wasn't a huge fan.
That said, the final quarter elevated the book. The reveals felt earned instead of relying solely on shock value, and I enjoyed seeing seemingly unrelated pieces finally click together. The ending raises interesting questions about justice, revenge, and whether someone can ever truly escape the story other people have written for them, and the epilogue leaves things on an unsettling note.
Overall, while Monster in the Mirror didn't completely blow me away, it kept me interested enough to want answers, and the payoff made the slower journey worthwhile. It's a thoughtful, atmospheric debut that blends psychological suspense with literary themes, even if the pacing occasionally keeps it from reaching its full potential.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this eARC!
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