Reflections in the Dark

by Jason Garman, Mario Nevado (Illustrator)

Detective Maria Voss has spent her career holding reality together through sheer force of will. Smart, relentless, and grounded in the tangible world of crime and consequence, she knows how to survive Chicago’s streets. But when a series of brutal killings erupts across the city, she is forced to confront events that should be impossible.

Across town, Dr. Reed Ashland wakes to fractured memories and impossible visions staring back at him from every mirror he passes. Once a respected philosophy professor, Reed is now a disgraced academic spiraling through grief, alcoholism, and the growing certainty that something is watching from the other side of the glass.

When Voss and Ashland are drawn into an uneasy partnership, their investigation quickly slips beyond logic. Victims appear who should not exist. Reflections behave independently. Messages surface where no human hand could have written them. And the killer they are hunting does not seem bound by the rules of a single reality.

All paths lead to a phenomenon Reed knows too well but fears to name: the Elsewhere Fold, a place that exists between worlds where memory, identity, and consciousness bleed into one another. A place that remembers everyone who enters it and does not always let them leave.

As the boundary between the Fold and the waking world begins to erode, Voss and Ashland must confront the versions of themselves reflected in the dark. Some familiar. Some monstrous. Some terrifyingly true. Because the killer they seek may not be entirely human, and if they fail, the Fold will not remain on the other side of the mirror.

Reflections in the Dark is a gripping blend of crime thriller, psychological horror, and surreal mystery that explores fractured identity, existential dread, and the darkness waiting behind every reflection. Fans of Night Film, True Detective, and the dreamlike terror of David Lynch will feel right at home.

Genres: Horror

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 21, 2026

About the author

Jason Garman is the author of Reflections in the Dark: A Horror-Noir, a psychological thriller set in Chicago where reality begins to fracture at the edges. His work blends crime fiction with surreal, unsettling horror—drawing inspiration from the atmospheric dread of Twin Peaks, the procedural grit of The X-Files, and the psychological weight of modern noir.

He is the creator of the “Elsewhere Fold,” an ongoing story universe exploring fractured identity, mirrored realities, and the thin line between perception and truth. His fiction is known for its cinematic tone, slow-building tension, and moments of stark, haunting imagery.

Garman lives in Illinois with his family, where he continues to develop new entries in the Reflections in the Dark series, along with standalone works of horror and speculative fiction.

Reviews

[Kent Priore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trippy, nightmarish surrealism haunts this book at every turn. While I have not yet plunged into the revered stories of David Lynch, reading Reflections in the Dark felt to me as if I was playing the Alan Wake games again, which were heavily inspired by Lynch’s Twin Peaks—and has me wanting to finally watch the show to experience more bizarre surrealism! Through descriptive, mind-bending horror, Garman weaves a story of mystery and supernatural murder that any fan of cop dramas will love.

[HomelessMind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Reflections in the Dark by Jason Garman was an incredible experience from start to finish. The level of detail woven into the story immediately pulled me in and kept me completely immersed in the world the author created.
What stood out to me the most was the strength of the detective on the investigation. The determination, intelligence, and dedication to their work made them an incredibly compelling character to follow. Watching them piece together the mystery felt both intense and rewarding, and it kept me eagerly turning the pages.
Garman’s writing is sharp and deliberate, building tension while carefully revealing just enough to keep the reader guessing. The pacing and atmosphere made this feel like a true investigative journey rather than just another mystery.
And that ending… I genuinely did not see it coming. It tied everything together in a way that felt both surprising and satisfying, leaving a lasting impression.
If you enjoy well-crafted mysteries with strong characters, intricate details, and an ending that makes you pause for a moment after finishing, Reflections in the Dark is absolutely worth the read.

[Lukas Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reflections in the Dark by Jason Garman is the 50th book I’ve read this year.

This twisted horror-noir blends a detective novel and a psychological thriller. While this isn’t normally the kind of novel I read, I was captivated from near the start. We start with Reed Ashland, a retired professor whose life is being torn apart by visions and apparent paranoia. But is it paranoia if it's real? Or is it even real? The other POV is from Maria Voss, a detective in the local department who is investigating a string of murders. These two POVs seem to be unconnected, but they quickly merge together as Reed’s visions bring him to Maria’s crime scenes.

Reed is a twisted character who progressively can’t tell what is reality and what is from a mirror dimension. From the outside he looks like he’s in the grips of delusional paranoia that is causing him to spiral into madness, and it’s cost him dearly. This mind-bending story follows Reed and Maria coming together to try to unravel everything so they can solve this mystery, but the more they figure out, the closer they come to harm.

[Teresa Garman]

Surreal Horror Noir Masterpiece - Chapter One hooks you at the beginning. A lecturer is speaking to her class about mirrors not reflecting back what it should. Then Reed Ashland is introduced with a mind that unravels and morphs. The detective, Maria Voss, is explained as a single mother of two heartwarming, humorous boys that love their mom as much as she loves them. Maria becomes just as confused as the rest of us when she is investigating a murder. The dead body is on the bed when she notices a symbol carved into the body’s forehead. The mirror across from the bed does not reflect the dead body. It’s inexplicably disappeared. It’s a page turner with an unforeseen ending that stuns and leaves the door open for a sequel. The author introduces us to fractured places. His descriptive text allows us to almost smell the rooms Reed Ashland occupies. There’s also a playlist that goes with the book. For his debut novel, this is a must read by an exceptional author.

[Jessica Manges · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gripping psychological thriller that blends sharp detective work with an imaginative, reality‑bending mystery. Maria Voss, a seasoned detective, finds herself on a case that defies every rule of logic she’s built her career on. As the clues twist into something otherworldly, she’s forced to rely on instinct more than evidence, and that tension fuels the novel’s relentless momentum.

The writing is vivid and immersive, with descriptive passages that make even the strangest moments feel unsettlingly real. The characters are well‑drawn, especially Voss, whose determination and vulnerability make her easy to root for. The story’s most shocking element, a bizarre, mind‑bending world that lurks beneath the surface of reality, is handled with creativity and flair, adding layers of suspense without overwhelming the narrative.

A true page‑turner, Reflections in the Dark delivers atmosphere, tension, and imagination in equal measure.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an advanced copy of the book to read and I am so glad I was able to read this! This book is the author's first published work and I hope it won't be his last...I am looking forward to reading more!

I read a little bit of everything (all genre's) so I was intrigued by the premise of this book and from the very beginning it captured me. The author used such detail in describing the events happening that it was easy to picture what was going on and it captivated me into wanting to know more about the characters and to want to continue reading.

I immediately became invested in the characters (especially Maria) and I couldn't wait to see how it "ended"....and with the ending it came as a BIG surprise...I even had to reread the last few pages and it was very unexpected!

I hope Jason continues his love of writing and I hope he does a continuation of this book as I would love to know what happens next.....Keep on living your dreams Jason!!!

[Nicole Genereaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book read like a true‑crime thriller in the best way—fast, vivid, and absolutely gripping. The graphic detail pulled me so deeply into the story that I genuinely felt like I was living it. I even caught myself getting creeped out around mirrors while reading, which says a lot about how immersive it was. The twist at the end left my jaw on the floor. Such a wild, addictive read. I loved every minute of it.

[Christine Bode · Rating 4 out of 5]

I became acquainted with first-time author Jason Garman on Substack and received an ARC copy of Reflections in the Dark for my honest review. The author describes this story as a horror-noir, but for me, it’s more of a surreal speculative thriller.

In Chapter One, a nervous lecturer stands in front of her psychology class and starts talking about Jacques Lacan’s theory of the mirror stage. “What if what mirrors reflect back … is not always who we are?” Then, Immanuel Kant’s belief that reality is unknowable. And I am hooked. I can’t wait to discover where it’s going to take me.

Next, we meet Reed Ashland, a former professor and mad alcoholic, “buried in conspiracy theories and pseudo-science.” He awakes from a disturbing dream at 3:33 a.m.—again. The number 333 is significant. Drinking warm gin, he notices his journal—The Prison of the Human Mind in red Sharpie on the cover. A humming sound from the living room washes over him, and the way Garman describes how his reality shifts is pure poetry. Reed is losing time as well as what’s left of his once brilliant mind. What’s happening to him? Are aliens responsible?

In Chapter Three, Detective Maria Voss, an exceptional Chicago homicide detective and single mother of two boys (her sons Eli and Tommy are later written with warmth, humour and heart), is in Mary Johnson’s house, investigating her murder. She notices a strange symbol that the killer carved into her forehead as she lies dead on the bed. However, when Maria looks into the bedroom mirror, Johnson’s body has inexplicably disappeared, shaking her to her core.

Medical examiner, Dr. Krista Rutkowski, Maria Voss’s close friend, gives Maria her impressions about the murder of Mary Johnson, and a homeless John Doe, killed the same way. And it’s not long before we meet the serial killer, for whom the time 3:33 a.m., broken clocks, smashed mirrors, and strange symbols are also significant.

Captain Solomon Bryans is Maria’s superior and friend, who always has her back. After years of serving in the army, he’s now a serious, no-nonsense, by-the-book cop. Together, they work in a race against time to find the killer.

Reed’s interest in metaphysics, philosophy, astrophysics, ancient cultures, and symbols, among other fascinating topics, made him someone I’d want to talk to. This is the first book I’ve read in which the main character has a PhD in epistemology and phenomenology—just one of the reasons I love this cleverly conceived novel. I wanted to learn more about those subjects and exactly how they influenced him during his surreal journey. Furthermore, his undefinable connection with Maria made me want to keep reading.

The first half of the book is exceptional for a debut novel. Garman is remarkably adept at writing surrealism! Those scenes beg the reader to pay attention. I found it was sometimes hard to picture them in my mind, even though he’d written them with so much detail. By chapter 36, I still didn’t know where the story was headed, which to me is the sign of a well-written thriller.

The pacing of this book is excellent, as is the tone, atmosphere, writing, and editing. The plot asks us to suspend belief, which I had no issue with, but the end was shocking and totally unexpected. It screams for a sequel because we still don’t know what’s actually going on. The author has left our imaginations to run wild. This is a story that doesn’t end—it echoes. That feeling may not be for everyone, but I will definitely show up for his next book.

If I have one note for Jason, it’s that sometimes fewer similes are better than too many, and to pay attention to diction when using adjectives as well as to overusing certain words. Overall, this is a remarkably creative debut, and the cover—designed by digital artist Mario Nevado—is bright, bold, and striking. Garman has also created a Spotify playlist representing the official soundtrack for the book, which you can find in the back matter.

You skip the light fandango reading Reflections in the Dark, an often surreal journey—especially for Reed, as in his existence, time doesn’t behave—yet also a horrific, mind-bending, murder mystery. It feels as if reality itself has slipped its frame—and kept moving. And still, I wonder: What truth waits on the other side of the mirror?

Reed isn’t the only one who can’t tell what’s real and what isn’t. The author keeps us guessing about what’s really going on. It feels as if Dali painted The Matrix, and it came to life. Who is the mysterious Mr. Morrow, the Man in the Charcoal Suit? And what is the significance of a shimmering triangle and an old library in which the books won’t let you touch them? What lies between the where and the elsewhere? I have so many questions.

Reflections in the Dark will be published on April 21, 2026, on Amazon. Pre-order it now if you love speculative fiction, Lynchian surrealism, psychological horror, a great mystery, and you enjoyed my review. Finally, its author, Jason Garman, may just be the Christopher Nolan of indie fiction. He’s definitely one to watch.

[Literary Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason Garman’s Reflections in the Dark is a horror-noir that treats reality like a crime scene and every mirror like a witness that knows more than it should. The book opens on ideas of consciousness, reflection, and fractured identity, then threads those ideas through a story that moves between police procedural, cosmic nightmare, and grief-soaked character study. Reed Ashland, the burned-out academic drawn toward impossible visions, and Detective Maria Voss, the sharp Chicago homicide detective trying to make sense of ritualistic murders, give the novel its two strongest currents. Together they make the book feel grounded and unstable at the same time, which is exactly the right tension for a story this interested in perception.

The author doesn’t treat the horror as decoration. The horror is the book’s language. It shows up in the imagery, the rhythms of the sentences, and the way ordinary spaces keep turning strange. A bedroom, a precinct, a parking garage, a hospital room, all of them become charged with the sense that something is leaning in from just outside the known world. There’s a line early on, “Reality is a story badly translated from another dimension,” and it works because it feels like a mission statement for the whole novel. That’s the kind of book this is: moody, philosophical, and deeply committed to making disorientation feel intimate rather than abstract.

It’s also a character-driven book, which gives the weirdness some real emotional weight. Reed could’ve been just the classic unraveling visionary, but he’s more damaged and human than that. Maria could’ve been just the hard-edged detective, but she carries fatigue, intelligence, and tenderness in a way that keeps her from ever feeling stock. Even the supporting relationships help round out the novel’s world, especially the glimpses of family life, old love, and accumulated loss. Those parts matter because they keep the book from floating off into pure abstraction. When the story says, “We live inside ambiguity’s prison,” it isn’t only talking about metaphysics. It’s also talking about grief, guilt, and the way people keep moving through lives they don’t fully understand.

The prose is rich, stylized, and often intentionally feverish. Garman clearly loves image-making, and when he’s in rhythm, the book can feel like it’s casting a spell. This is a novel that wants you to sink into its atmosphere more than race through its plot mechanics. The procedural spine is there, and the mystery keeps tightening, but the real pull is the mood of it all: the cracked clocks, the broken mirrors, the recurring 3:33, the sense that language itself is starting to warp. I kept coming back to how confidently the novel blends the hard-boiled and the surreal. It’s not shy about being strange, and that confidence gives it personality.

Reflections in the Dark feels less like a simple whodunit and more like a descent into a worldview, one where identity, memory, and evil keep slipping out of their usual shapes. It’s a book that wants to unsettle you, but it also wants to linger with damaged people trying to make meaning out of what’s happened to them. That combination gives it its own pulse. This is a debut that knows its obsessions and leans into them fully: mirrors, thresholds, sorrow, perception, and the awful possibility that something might be looking back. For readers who like horror with noir bones and a surreal edge, this one has a lot to chew on.

[Rochelle Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I have read this author and I so enjoyed his macabre writing style. It makes you think reality is not as black and white as it seems. This book is a surreal horror-noir that blends detective fiction, psychological horror and cosmic dread into a story about fractured identity and reality itself. set against the backdrop of Chicago, ( and by the way the Captain of the police department is a cubs fan!!) the novel follows Detective Maria Voss and disgraced philosophy professor Reed Ashland as they investigate impossible murders tied to mirrors , reflection in mirrors disappearing, alternate realities and a mysterious phenomenon called the “Elsewhere Fold” .
Rooms fold as Ashland moves through the book from place to place, and the description the writer uses pulls you in like your brain is being sucked into one ear and twisted and pulled out the other.
You can’t imagine how the characters are going to come together, but with brilliant ease he pulls them together in a twist at the end you don’t see coming. Thus is a must read for anyone that enjoys mystery murder books and then puts a twist that makes you pay attention to every detail and think all the way through it!!! Loved the read !!!!

[Esther Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. From the very beginning, the atmosphere pulls you in—it’s dark, immersive, and almost cinematic in the way everything is described. Jason Garman has a strong, unique voice that gives the story a slightly eerie, psychological edge that keeps you reading.

One of the standout aspects for me was the writing style. It’s descriptive and vivid without losing that sense of tension, and you can tell a lot of care went into crafting each scene. The main character’s perspective feels distinct and intriguing, which adds to the overall mood of the story.

At times, the prose can feel a little heavy, but it also adds to the intensity and tone Jason Grarman is going for.

Overall, this is a strong and promising read, especially if you enjoy darker, more introspective thrillers. I’m excited to see what Jason does next.

[David Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason Garman's first book is a thought-provoking read. Maria and Reed are compelling characters who draw you into a world where the impossible may be possible. The author's descriptive language is unique and sticks with the reader. I enjoyed the philosophical elements that were woven throughout the story, from character observations to references from the mainstays of philosophy on what life and reality truly mean. The mystery at the heart of the book leaves one turning the page to find out what will happen next. The relationships among the main characters and the situations they find themselves drawn into will keep you invested from start to finish.

[Thea O'Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me instantly hooked! It's one of the strangest horror novels I've ever read - and I mean that as an absolute complement. Garman perfectly blends surreal and, at times, disorienting world-building with extremely human and grounded characters to keep you invested in the story even as it delves deeper and deeper into the strange. Genuinely one of the best things I've ever had the pleasure of reading. I could not believe that this was a debut novel because it feels like reading the work of a seasoned master.

[AlifeInChapters.tx · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could have easily been a 5 star book, I’m not a reader of horror so I didn’t feel confident giving it 5 stars. I’m more of a cozy, happily ever after reader, lol. This book was very atmospheric, the writing is detailed and it played out like a movie in my mind. Surreal is the word that popped up over and over in my mind as I moved through the story. If you’re into mystery, mind bending, atmospheric horror, this is the book for you! Surprised it’s a debut novel.

[Rhys Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reflections in the dark is a perfectly crafted horror noir that keeps you on your toes the whole way through. The thrill reading this novel was amazing and I couldn’t put the book down. Jason mixes a thriller and horror perfectly in this book and I can’t wait to read more from him. HIGHLY recommend reading if you’re a fan of horror or want to get into the genre.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a brilliant and intriguing tale that question the reality of life. He is starting to see things in mirrors he should never see. She has been trying to keep reality together when victims appear when they should not be there. They will be brought together to try to find out what is going on so see what they will find
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great tale

[A.C. Hessenauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of Beta reading Reflections in the Dark a few months back. If you're a fan of noir detective thrillers and Lovecraftian surrealism, this twisted novel is right up your alley. Garman does a fantastic job of building unease, and his surrealist descriptions are beautifully disorienting. It reads like a murder noir inspired by Lovecraft, written by a poet. This is Garman's debut, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

[Alder Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent mystery filled with surreal imagery and underlying horror! The chemistry between the trio of leads is great, and the moments from the killer's perspective are chilling. A great read

[Mandys_Book_Nook3 · Rating 3 out of 5]

📚 Book Review: Reflections in the Dark by Jason Garman

Dark, eerie, and completely mind-bending… this one pulled me in from the start. The mix of psychological thriller and horror kept me guessing, with twists that made me question what was real the entire time.

I loved the unsettling atmosphere and the way the story slowly unraveled—it’s one of those reads that sticks with you even after you finish.

If you enjoy dark, twisty, slightly surreal thrillers… this is for you. 🖤
✨ Definitely a unique and haunting read!

Question:
Do you like thrillers that mess with your mind or keep things more straightforward? 👀📚