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The Shadow in the Mirror
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Expected 17 Nov 26Win a free print copy of this book!
3 days and 15:33:41
10 copies available
U.S. only
A portrait artist whose brushstrokes reveal murder, a skeptical inspector who can't explain what she knows, and a killer using mirrors as instruments of death — a gothic paranormal mystery set in Victorian London's most shadowed corners, where the line between vision and madness is razor thin.
Her paintings show the truth. Someone doesn't want it to stay on canvas.
When portrait artist Seraphine Marrow paints a murdered woman, she discovers something her art reveals her subjects' final moments. Each brushstroke brings visions she cannot explain, and the more she paints, the harder it becomes to separate memory from madness. Desperate to keep her ability hidden, she avoids the authorities — until one painting exposes a killer who has made mirrors into weapons.
Inspector Lucien Harrow trusts evidence, not visions. But when a string of strange deaths defies all logic, he's forced to follow the only lead that makes Seraphine Marrow. Her knowledge of the victims is too precise to ignore — and too dangerous to dismiss.
As they descend into London's hidden laboratories, Seraphine's visions grow stronger and more demanding. The mirrors at the center of the murders are not merely surfaces — they are something far more deliberate, and each revelation pulls her closer to their grasp. With the body count rising and the line between truth and illusion blurring, Seraphine and Lucien must learn to trust each other before a killer obsessed with immortality claims them both as its next victims.
The Shadow in the Mirror is a dark, atmospheric gothic paranormal mystery set in Victorian London's most treacherous corners — tightly plotted, relentlessly tense, and haunted by the question of how much truth a mirror can hold.
Perfect for readers who
– Dark, atmospheric gothic mysteries
– A gifted artist with an eye for what cannot be seen
– A skeptical inspector with a penchant for the facts
– Foggy Victorian London with streets heavy with paranormal dread
Her paintings show the truth. Someone doesn't want it to stay on canvas.
When portrait artist Seraphine Marrow paints a murdered woman, she discovers something her art reveals her subjects' final moments. Each brushstroke brings visions she cannot explain, and the more she paints, the harder it becomes to separate memory from madness. Desperate to keep her ability hidden, she avoids the authorities — until one painting exposes a killer who has made mirrors into weapons.
Inspector Lucien Harrow trusts evidence, not visions. But when a string of strange deaths defies all logic, he's forced to follow the only lead that makes Seraphine Marrow. Her knowledge of the victims is too precise to ignore — and too dangerous to dismiss.
As they descend into London's hidden laboratories, Seraphine's visions grow stronger and more demanding. The mirrors at the center of the murders are not merely surfaces — they are something far more deliberate, and each revelation pulls her closer to their grasp. With the body count rising and the line between truth and illusion blurring, Seraphine and Lucien must learn to trust each other before a killer obsessed with immortality claims them both as its next victims.
The Shadow in the Mirror is a dark, atmospheric gothic paranormal mystery set in Victorian London's most treacherous corners — tightly plotted, relentlessly tense, and haunted by the question of how much truth a mirror can hold.
Perfect for readers who
– Dark, atmospheric gothic mysteries
– A gifted artist with an eye for what cannot be seen
– A skeptical inspector with a penchant for the facts
– Foggy Victorian London with streets heavy with paranormal dread
- GenresMystery
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 17, 2026
About the author
Kari Lee Townsend
145 books476 followersNational Bestselling Author, Agatha, RT Reviewer's Choice & Golden Duck Award Nominee. Kari lives in Central New York with her husband & Samoyeds. She's a lover of wine & travel, obsessed with reality TV, and loves a good book with mystery, romance & humor. Inspired by TV shows like SMK, Moonlighting, Bones & Castle, she writes paranormal and fantasy cozy mysteries, historical mysteries & upper Middle Grade as Kari Lee Townsend, romantic suspense, romantic comedy & women's fiction as Kari Lee Harmon.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy
Tropes: opposites attract; MC's team up to solve a mystery; MFC has paranormal abilities; MMC is a detective
Steam level: none
First in a series
I really liked the cover of this book, and based on the opening chapters, had high expectations. I love a Victorian-era mystery with a dab of romance and the set up here is intriguing. Lucien is a detective who is a wry realist, while Seraphine is a painter who specializes in capturing the essence of those who are deceased. She also has the uncanny knack of discerning the sensory impressions of her subjects' final moments as she paints. I've read a few HR/mystery series where the lead MFC has a paranormal abilities (my favorite probably being Cara Devlin's) and this was a unique slant on the trope.
The world building is strong, with eerie scenes galore involving recurrent imagery of fog, light, darkness, and mirrors. There are twists involved (some more believable than others) and while the killer's motivation is a bit muddled, it does fit into the interests of that era.
Why the 3.5 stars? I read to become immersed, but the writing style often kept me at an emotional distance from the characters and storyline. The language could be slightly stilted, even oblique. And it's weird that I had a similar complaint when reading another HR recently. I don't know if it's a current trend, but just because a book is set in the past doesn't mean that the author's voice should be trussed up and muffled. I re-read some sentences scattered throughout this book multiple times, not because they were badly proofread, but because I didn't actually know what the author was getting at. Style had swallowed substance.
This book has compelling elements to it, particularly in the beginning, but for me to feel fully invested, the prose needed to be more direct and focused on showing. A lot can be conveyed to the reader with basic body language and stark, effective description.
This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this book. Thanks to the author and Oliver Heber books.
Steam level: none
First in a series
I really liked the cover of this book, and based on the opening chapters, had high expectations. I love a Victorian-era mystery with a dab of romance and the set up here is intriguing. Lucien is a detective who is a wry realist, while Seraphine is a painter who specializes in capturing the essence of those who are deceased. She also has the uncanny knack of discerning the sensory impressions of her subjects' final moments as she paints. I've read a few HR/mystery series where the lead MFC has a paranormal abilities (my favorite probably being Cara Devlin's) and this was a unique slant on the trope.
The world building is strong, with eerie scenes galore involving recurrent imagery of fog, light, darkness, and mirrors. There are twists involved (some more believable than others) and while the killer's motivation is a bit muddled, it does fit into the interests of that era.
Why the 3.5 stars? I read to become immersed, but the writing style often kept me at an emotional distance from the characters and storyline. The language could be slightly stilted, even oblique. And it's weird that I had a similar complaint when reading another HR recently. I don't know if it's a current trend, but just because a book is set in the past doesn't mean that the author's voice should be trussed up and muffled. I re-read some sentences scattered throughout this book multiple times, not because they were badly proofread, but because I didn't actually know what the author was getting at. Style had swallowed substance.
This book has compelling elements to it, particularly in the beginning, but for me to feel fully invested, the prose needed to be more direct and focused on showing. A lot can be conveyed to the reader with basic body language and stark, effective description.
This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this book. Thanks to the author and Oliver Heber books.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance copy of the book for my enjoyment. This book was such a fantastic read! If you enjoy Victorian-era stories with a hint of the supernatural, the Harrow and Marrow series is absolutely one to add to your list. I was drawn in by the wonderful connection between S&L, and Rook was the cutest. The mystery kept me guessing, and I was so invested that I could not stop reading it. I had to uncover the truth behind the deaths. I’m already looking forward to the next book and it can’t come fast enough!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If you like Victorian setting with a touch of the supernatural, then you will love this first installment of the Harrow and Marrow series. I loved the chemistry between Seraphine and Lucien, and the dog Rook as her sidekick was a nice touch. I stayed up past midnight because I had to know who was behind the deaths. I read this book as an advanced reader copy and was not disappointed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This captivating historical mystery masterfully blends murder and paranormal elements, creating a truly sublime read. I thoroughly enjoyed it, staying glued to the page from beginning to end.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews