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Mirrored Image: When Obsession Kills
THEIR FACES WERE THE SAME, WILL THEIR FATES BE AS WELL?
Quirky newspaper columnist Cassandra Chase and by-the-book Detective Jeff McMichaels clash over the murder investigation of a woman who looks eerily like the popular reporter. Despite departmental regulations and his own common sense, McMichaels finds himself drawn to a woman he was determined to dislike. While he and the department hunt the murderer, Cassie sees the uncanny similarities between her and the deadwoman’s lives as a reason to launch her own investigation—and what she uncovers gives her the sneaking suspicion that she was the murderer’s original mark.
She just needs to stay alive long enough to prove it.
Set in the mid 1980s, Mirrored Image is a classic Romantic Suspense similar to the novels that inspired the author to first dream of becoming a novelist. This new edition is an updated version of the original.
Mirrored Image was a 2011 finalist for the ACFW Carol Award in Mystery.Content This book may contain certain sensitive issues that may trigger strong emotions in some people such as suicide. While the author has endeavored to address these sensitive matters in a compassionate and respectful manner, the issues covered may trouble some readers.
Quirky newspaper columnist Cassandra Chase and by-the-book Detective Jeff McMichaels clash over the murder investigation of a woman who looks eerily like the popular reporter. Despite departmental regulations and his own common sense, McMichaels finds himself drawn to a woman he was determined to dislike. While he and the department hunt the murderer, Cassie sees the uncanny similarities between her and the deadwoman’s lives as a reason to launch her own investigation—and what she uncovers gives her the sneaking suspicion that she was the murderer’s original mark.
She just needs to stay alive long enough to prove it.
Set in the mid 1980s, Mirrored Image is a classic Romantic Suspense similar to the novels that inspired the author to first dream of becoming a novelist. This new edition is an updated version of the original.
Mirrored Image was a 2011 finalist for the ACFW Carol Award in Mystery.Content This book may contain certain sensitive issues that may trigger strong emotions in some people such as suicide. While the author has endeavored to address these sensitive matters in a compassionate and respectful manner, the issues covered may trouble some readers.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2010
1 person is currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Alice K. Arenz
21 books58 followersMysteries, Cozy Mysteries, Suspense, Romance, and Women's Fiction--writing across the spectrum with a Pinch of Humor and a Twist of Faith.
About the Author:
I enjoy writing in all genres—classic romantic suspense, mystery/suspense, cozy mysteries, romance, and woman’s fiction. Since I’ve an awesome publisher who encourages such things, I’m excited at the prospect!
Writing since I was a child, my first published pieces were in the weekly newspaper my parents owned. Years later, I had poems published in a local paper, won honorable mention in a regional contest with a short story, which was then published in their chapbook. In the mid 90's, I signed with a big New York literary agency, where I remained for the next five years. Though things didn’t work out, and there was a period of time I didn’t write, the experience is responsible for where my career is today.
After several years of illnesses that kept me from writing, I was led to Cynthia Hickey and Forget Me Not Romances and Take Me Away Books, divisions of Winged Publications. Not only were my first three novels republished under their umbrella, but I’ve been honored to add five more books and be included in several boxed sets.
NOTE: Though republished and updated in 2015, The Case of The Bouncing Grandma was a 2009 Finalist in the ACFW Carol Award contest in mystery.
The Case of the Mystified M.D., was the 2010 winner of ACFW’s Carol Award in mystery, and Mirrored Image was a 2011 Finalist in ACFW’s Carol Award in mystery.
About the Author:
I enjoy writing in all genres—classic romantic suspense, mystery/suspense, cozy mysteries, romance, and woman’s fiction. Since I’ve an awesome publisher who encourages such things, I’m excited at the prospect!
Writing since I was a child, my first published pieces were in the weekly newspaper my parents owned. Years later, I had poems published in a local paper, won honorable mention in a regional contest with a short story, which was then published in their chapbook. In the mid 90's, I signed with a big New York literary agency, where I remained for the next five years. Though things didn’t work out, and there was a period of time I didn’t write, the experience is responsible for where my career is today.
After several years of illnesses that kept me from writing, I was led to Cynthia Hickey and Forget Me Not Romances and Take Me Away Books, divisions of Winged Publications. Not only were my first three novels republished under their umbrella, but I’ve been honored to add five more books and be included in several boxed sets.
NOTE: Though republished and updated in 2015, The Case of The Bouncing Grandma was a 2009 Finalist in the ACFW Carol Award contest in mystery.
The Case of the Mystified M.D., was the 2010 winner of ACFW’s Carol Award in mystery, and Mirrored Image was a 2011 Finalist in ACFW’s Carol Award in mystery.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 30, 2013
Every once in a while you run across a book that holds you captive. The cover, the blurb on the back, and most especially the book. This is one of those.
In a way, Mirrored Image reminds me of Alice K Arenz, aka A.K. Arenz. As A.K. Arenz, Alice wrote cozy mysteries--the kind that keep you grinning while you read and enjoy the mystery. As Alice, it's spine-tingling, edge of the seat, keep you guessing until the last chapter writing. (And I'll try not to use any more old, tired cliche's.)
Cassie Chase has a career she loves--a columnist writing light-hearted articles about whimsical happenings around the country. Her editor and friend David thought she wasted her talents, so he threw her into investigating and writing about the murder of a young woman who just happens to look amazingly like Cassie.
Even more amazing--this look-alike victim knew her editor, the publisher of the newspaper, her sister-in-law, her brother, and her editor's secretary. None of them ever mentioned this woman who so amazingly resembled Cassie.
To top that off, her house is robbed--sort of--the same day as the murder. Except instead of taking anything, the intruder sleeps in her bed. Otherwise, the house is cleaner than when she left it. Things get stranger when someone apparently wants to also do harm to her.
Cassie butts heads with a handsome policeman as separately and together they search for clues. Detective Jeff McMichaels would like to work on his own, but he finds he has to take her along to keep her safe.
Did the murderer kill the wrong person? Will she be next? Should you buy the book and find out for yourself?
In a way, Mirrored Image reminds me of Alice K Arenz, aka A.K. Arenz. As A.K. Arenz, Alice wrote cozy mysteries--the kind that keep you grinning while you read and enjoy the mystery. As Alice, it's spine-tingling, edge of the seat, keep you guessing until the last chapter writing. (And I'll try not to use any more old, tired cliche's.)
Cassie Chase has a career she loves--a columnist writing light-hearted articles about whimsical happenings around the country. Her editor and friend David thought she wasted her talents, so he threw her into investigating and writing about the murder of a young woman who just happens to look amazingly like Cassie.
Even more amazing--this look-alike victim knew her editor, the publisher of the newspaper, her sister-in-law, her brother, and her editor's secretary. None of them ever mentioned this woman who so amazingly resembled Cassie.
To top that off, her house is robbed--sort of--the same day as the murder. Except instead of taking anything, the intruder sleeps in her bed. Otherwise, the house is cleaner than when she left it. Things get stranger when someone apparently wants to also do harm to her.
Cassie butts heads with a handsome policeman as separately and together they search for clues. Detective Jeff McMichaels would like to work on his own, but he finds he has to take her along to keep her safe.
Did the murderer kill the wrong person? Will she be next? Should you buy the book and find out for yourself?
April 3, 2015
What does Cassie, a newspaper journalist have in common with a murder victim? Is it perhaps they are a mirror image of each other? Has the right woman been murdered ... or was the intended target Cassie? This is just a couple of questions that Detective Jeff McDaniels needs to have answered.
A great who-dun-it with a cast of many characters.. all who seem to have something to hide...lies, secrets, affairs. A little romance and a little faith-based writing. I have to admit that a couple of secondary characters gave me the willies .... and they were the good guys!
Cassie starts out as a slightly flashy blonde with a love of life and taking nothing seriously. It was rather fun seeing her turn into a grown-up version of herself.
The mystery was good .. with so many well-rounded characters, it was hard to figure out who did what and when, but the ending was solid.
If you like a good mystery, you will undoubtedly like this one!
A great who-dun-it with a cast of many characters.. all who seem to have something to hide...lies, secrets, affairs. A little romance and a little faith-based writing. I have to admit that a couple of secondary characters gave me the willies .... and they were the good guys!
Cassie starts out as a slightly flashy blonde with a love of life and taking nothing seriously. It was rather fun seeing her turn into a grown-up version of herself.
The mystery was good .. with so many well-rounded characters, it was hard to figure out who did what and when, but the ending was solid.
If you like a good mystery, you will undoubtedly like this one!
October 11, 2010
Outstanding! It is rare that I find a good "Who Dunnit" that I can't figure out right way! I love the interesting collection of characters, and the twists that tie them together. I couldn't put it down until I finished the very last page. Her writing is excellent and she paints word portraits of her cast as well as Di Vinci paints with oil. I could clearly see their reflections in my mind and the look on their faces as they reflected their dismay and annimosity. I must add, this was not too "preachy" even though it was written from a Christian perspective. I would reccomend this as a gift for your non-christian friends as well as believers. It said enough to make you think, but not too much that you felt overwhelmed with a sermon....nice touch! Good, clean, fiction you could share with your mom or your teenage daughter and not be embarrassed.
January 5, 2011
Mirrored Image has more twists and turns than when my hair was permed. Just as you think you one something figured out, Ms. Arenz adds something new to the mystery. Then to keep it even more interesting, she adds enough romance to have you fantasizing how this romance will blossom. She does it without being sappy about the romance.
I especially appreciated her characterizations which developed well with the mystery, including the murdered woman's character.
I seldom consider giving a novel 5 stars, but this one deserves it.
I especially appreciated her characterizations which developed well with the mystery, including the murdered woman's character.
I seldom consider giving a novel 5 stars, but this one deserves it.
September 8, 2014
Alice K. Arenz has created such an intricate web of relationships and secrets that that one of the detectives complains he needs a scorecard. But everything unfolds clearly for the reader.
Cassie is a perky character and I liked her from the beginning, and while I couldn’t guess “whodunit” I had fun speculating on the various possibilities.
The puzzle is set in the prologue, where we see the victim dying. From her thoughts and those of at least two unnamed individuals, we have enough to lead—or mislead—us as we follow Cassie’s and (Detective)Jeff’s investigation.
Mirrored Image is a romantic suspense that’s closer to the cozy end of the spectrum than the intense or frightening. The murder, and later events aimed at terrorizing Cassie, aren’t graphic or traumatic to readers. It’s a book that kept me reading, kept my mind guessing about the plot, without being too scary to read at bedtime.
I’ll definitely be looking for more from Alice K. Arenz. Her follow-up novel to Mirrored Image is An American Gothic, to release in October 2011. In the mean time I’ll be checking out her more comedic cozy mysteries, The Case of the Bouncing Grandma (a finalist in the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Contest) and The Case of the Mystified M.D. (which received the 2010 ACFW Carol Award for Mystery).
Alice is October 2010’s featured author at the American Christian Fiction Writers’ site. To learn more about her and her books, visit the A.K. Arenz website.
[Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an unbiased review.]
Cassie is a perky character and I liked her from the beginning, and while I couldn’t guess “whodunit” I had fun speculating on the various possibilities.
The puzzle is set in the prologue, where we see the victim dying. From her thoughts and those of at least two unnamed individuals, we have enough to lead—or mislead—us as we follow Cassie’s and (Detective)Jeff’s investigation.
Mirrored Image is a romantic suspense that’s closer to the cozy end of the spectrum than the intense or frightening. The murder, and later events aimed at terrorizing Cassie, aren’t graphic or traumatic to readers. It’s a book that kept me reading, kept my mind guessing about the plot, without being too scary to read at bedtime.
I’ll definitely be looking for more from Alice K. Arenz. Her follow-up novel to Mirrored Image is An American Gothic, to release in October 2011. In the mean time I’ll be checking out her more comedic cozy mysteries, The Case of the Bouncing Grandma (a finalist in the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Contest) and The Case of the Mystified M.D. (which received the 2010 ACFW Carol Award for Mystery).
Alice is October 2010’s featured author at the American Christian Fiction Writers’ site. To learn more about her and her books, visit the A.K. Arenz website.
[Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an unbiased review.]
June 24, 2011
It's been said that every person has a look-alike living somewhere else in the world. What if your look-alike lived in the same town and suddenly turned up dead? Cassandra Chase, this book's main character, gets the opportunity to answer that question as a newspaper reporter when junior high teacher Lynette Sandler is found murdered.
Without giving away too much information and spoiling it for others, this book is filled with twists and turns that the reader will never see coming. Situations are not always what they seem and there is more than one person to share the guilt of what has happened when the story is all said and done. This reader had an important part of the story figured out before the end of the book, however until the last page was turned, there were still surprises left to discover.
This book reminded me that in small towns even when you don't know someone, you know someone that knows that other someone. Sometimes those connections between people can get complicated, however this author makes things easy to follow without sacrificing the story.
This is the first book I have read by this author, but it won't be the last. I truly enjoyed the "good" characters in the book and felt like they were normal people thrown into extraordinary circumstances.
You can read my full review of this book at Examiner.com where I write about Christian fiction.
http://www.examiner.com/christian-fic...
Without giving away too much information and spoiling it for others, this book is filled with twists and turns that the reader will never see coming. Situations are not always what they seem and there is more than one person to share the guilt of what has happened when the story is all said and done. This reader had an important part of the story figured out before the end of the book, however until the last page was turned, there were still surprises left to discover.
This book reminded me that in small towns even when you don't know someone, you know someone that knows that other someone. Sometimes those connections between people can get complicated, however this author makes things easy to follow without sacrificing the story.
This is the first book I have read by this author, but it won't be the last. I truly enjoyed the "good" characters in the book and felt like they were normal people thrown into extraordinary circumstances.
You can read my full review of this book at Examiner.com where I write about Christian fiction.
http://www.examiner.com/christian-fic...
January 26, 2016
This book is in the 3rd Collection of Forget Me Not Romance
I like NCIS n crime shows but the bottom line is someone writes these scripts. So I am in awe of the author putting together such a plot in writing for people to read. To put together the characters n work the criminal scenes n thoughts. Amazes me how long the process would take to put this together. (knowing in reality so much unsolved n injustice cases there are). The secrets of the characters in this story was revealed through the pages, held you to the last word. (one thought I had was that a person thought to be dead was truly alive. not to be)
I like NCIS n crime shows but the bottom line is someone writes these scripts. So I am in awe of the author putting together such a plot in writing for people to read. To put together the characters n work the criminal scenes n thoughts. Amazes me how long the process would take to put this together. (knowing in reality so much unsolved n injustice cases there are). The secrets of the characters in this story was revealed through the pages, held you to the last word. (one thought I had was that a person thought to be dead was truly alive. not to be)
October 7, 2010
Finished Mirrored Image, great treatment of a highly complex plot an edge of the seat mystery with the killer still on the loose. Fast paced tale with lots of surprises, twists, secrets and a bit of romance which is well handled. Christian authors can grab ya and not let go till the final curtain comes down. A must read for the doubters.
January 9, 2015
This book was okay, but I had trouble keeping all the characters straight. I had to keep going back and reviewing who each one was. A lot of them are only mentioned in passing and then they end up being important at the end.
February 18, 2016
I could not get into this thriller. The story line was good but I just don't feel like the author delivered. The conversations were all over the place. A lot of people loved this book, I just couldn't get into it.
February 25, 2011
not bad... kind of comical ...good reading.
July 12, 2012
It is scary to think that something like this could actually happen. What a great story with great characters.
March 26, 2013
Could not put it down. I gasped. Several times. I rarely gasp while reading.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews