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Alexandra Mallory #1
The Woman In the Mirror
The ad said a sweet and responsible woman was looking for housemates to share her bungalow.
I would never describe myself as sweet. It’s not that I’m horrid, I’m not an axe murderer, but I’m not sweet.
In fact, I would never describe any woman as sweet. Sweet is for cookies and ice cream, not women.
I’m Alexandra Mallory. I love martinis and men. I smoke more than I should, and I can’t seem to stop killing misogynistic men, or the women who enable them.
After recently killing a man who was willfully destroying a woman’s life, all I want now is a quiet room to rent where no one will know who I am.
But when one of my new housemates tells me a tragic story of an innocent death, it sounds like an absolute lie. I’m obsessed with finding out what really happened.
Noreen thinks we can be friends, Jared thinks we can be lovers. Only one of them is right. And one will wind up dead, because they don’t know who I am.
The Woman In the Mirror is the captivating first book in the Alexandra Mallory psychological suspense series.
If you like books with fierce, powerful female protagonists, characters with dark secrets, and shocking twists and turns, then you’ll love The Woman In the Mirror.
“I love this sociopath/psychopath, beautiful, smart, and dangerous woman. In some ways, I am her.” -Amazon Reviewer
“I can't remember when I've last enjoyed a character or series more.” -Amazon Reviewer
“I enjoyed reading The Woman In the Mirror more than any other book in years (and I read a lot of books). Thank you.” -Amazon Reviewer
“I love a good psychological thriller, and this one does not disappoint. I couldn't put it down to the degree I had to read the following two in the series back-to-back. A character you don't want to like but just can't help yourself.” -Amazon Reviewer
Book One of the Alexandra Mallory series.
I would never describe myself as sweet. It’s not that I’m horrid, I’m not an axe murderer, but I’m not sweet.
In fact, I would never describe any woman as sweet. Sweet is for cookies and ice cream, not women.
I’m Alexandra Mallory. I love martinis and men. I smoke more than I should, and I can’t seem to stop killing misogynistic men, or the women who enable them.
After recently killing a man who was willfully destroying a woman’s life, all I want now is a quiet room to rent where no one will know who I am.
But when one of my new housemates tells me a tragic story of an innocent death, it sounds like an absolute lie. I’m obsessed with finding out what really happened.
Noreen thinks we can be friends, Jared thinks we can be lovers. Only one of them is right. And one will wind up dead, because they don’t know who I am.
The Woman In the Mirror is the captivating first book in the Alexandra Mallory psychological suspense series.
If you like books with fierce, powerful female protagonists, characters with dark secrets, and shocking twists and turns, then you’ll love The Woman In the Mirror.
“I love this sociopath/psychopath, beautiful, smart, and dangerous woman. In some ways, I am her.” -Amazon Reviewer
“I can't remember when I've last enjoyed a character or series more.” -Amazon Reviewer
“I enjoyed reading The Woman In the Mirror more than any other book in years (and I read a lot of books). Thank you.” -Amazon Reviewer
“I love a good psychological thriller, and this one does not disappoint. I couldn't put it down to the degree I had to read the following two in the series back-to-back. A character you don't want to like but just can't help yourself.” -Amazon Reviewer
Book One of the Alexandra Mallory series.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2016
1418 people are currently reading
630 people want to read
About the author
Cathryn Grant
81 books390 followersCathryn is the author of over forty novels. She writes psychological thrillers, psychological suspense, and the ALEXANDRA MALLORY series which features a sociopath you can’t help but love. Readers say they're “absolutely addicted” to the series.
The things that cause torment in real life—obsession and revenge, guilt and envy and longing—are endlessly fascinating in fiction and she never grows tired of writing stories about characters struggling to overcome the worst.
Cathryn also writes ghost stories because who knows what lies beyond our senses—The Haunted Ship Trilogy and the Madison Keith series of novellas.
When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, walking on the beach, or playing golf, going way out of her way to avoid hitting her ball in the sand or the water. She lives on the Central California Coast with her husband and her cat, Cleopatra.
You can get in touch with her by email, find her social media links, or sign up for her monthly newsletter at cathryngrant.com/contact. As a thank you for signing up, you’ll receive a free short story about Alexandra Mallory.
The things that cause torment in real life—obsession and revenge, guilt and envy and longing—are endlessly fascinating in fiction and she never grows tired of writing stories about characters struggling to overcome the worst.
Cathryn also writes ghost stories because who knows what lies beyond our senses—The Haunted Ship Trilogy and the Madison Keith series of novellas.
When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, walking on the beach, or playing golf, going way out of her way to avoid hitting her ball in the sand or the water. She lives on the Central California Coast with her husband and her cat, Cleopatra.
You can get in touch with her by email, find her social media links, or sign up for her monthly newsletter at cathryngrant.com/contact. As a thank you for signing up, you’ll receive a free short story about Alexandra Mallory.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
October 4, 2016
I did not like this book.
There were many things I didn't like.
-The insta love. The guy just meets her and he falls in love. He instantly notices her ass and body. Ugh no thank you.
-The characters. I did not connect to them. I couldn't bring myself to feel anything for them. There was no character development. Noreen was beyond annoying.
-The writing style confused me. There are like three different views from Alexandra's view.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through Netgalley.
There were many things I didn't like.
-The insta love. The guy just meets her and he falls in love. He instantly notices her ass and body. Ugh no thank you.
-The characters. I did not connect to them. I couldn't bring myself to feel anything for them. There was no character development. Noreen was beyond annoying.
-The writing style confused me. There are like three different views from Alexandra's view.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through Netgalley.
July 29, 2016
Woman in the Mirror by Cathryn Grant
When Noreen Palmer rents two rooms out of her house to Alexandra Mallory and Jared Wellington they don't know the craziness they are getting involved with. Noreen has a lot of secrets and is lonely for a companionship arrangement. Noreen seems like she is trying to create a family with her roommates and neither Alex or Jared want that. The narrative is mostly from Alexandra's point of view and she has plenty of secrets of her own.
Alex and Jared are suspicious of Noreen because she can't stop telling lies. Alex and Jared have sex one night and Jared becomes completely obsessed with Alex. Noreen wants Jared to be her boyfriend but he is not interested. Meanwhile the story goes back and forth in time with Alex telling her story for why she does the murderous things she does. To say Alex does not have a conscious is putting it mildly.
Alex soon finds out Noreen's history. Noreen scratches all the glass out in the bathroom mirror because she keeps seeing the face of a woman in her past. Noreen places a dead rat under Jared's bed. The book could have been shorter. I was riveted on the edge of my seat but it seemed to drag on a little to long. Alex has a hang up about male chauvinist men and doles out her own brand of punishment, always hiding right under the radar.
Who is Joe? Why does he keep watching Noreen's house? It all comes out in the conclusion. Joe has ulterior motives for striking up sexual liaisons with Alex that have far reaching consequences. The ending was not what I expected and somehow felt a bit flat. Recommended for fans of psychological suspense. Three point five stars. This had a promising beginning and middle part to the story but somehow by dragging it out to far the ending doesn't deliver.
Thank you to Cathryn Grant and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
When Noreen Palmer rents two rooms out of her house to Alexandra Mallory and Jared Wellington they don't know the craziness they are getting involved with. Noreen has a lot of secrets and is lonely for a companionship arrangement. Noreen seems like she is trying to create a family with her roommates and neither Alex or Jared want that. The narrative is mostly from Alexandra's point of view and she has plenty of secrets of her own.
Alex and Jared are suspicious of Noreen because she can't stop telling lies. Alex and Jared have sex one night and Jared becomes completely obsessed with Alex. Noreen wants Jared to be her boyfriend but he is not interested. Meanwhile the story goes back and forth in time with Alex telling her story for why she does the murderous things she does. To say Alex does not have a conscious is putting it mildly.
Alex soon finds out Noreen's history. Noreen scratches all the glass out in the bathroom mirror because she keeps seeing the face of a woman in her past. Noreen places a dead rat under Jared's bed. The book could have been shorter. I was riveted on the edge of my seat but it seemed to drag on a little to long. Alex has a hang up about male chauvinist men and doles out her own brand of punishment, always hiding right under the radar.
Who is Joe? Why does he keep watching Noreen's house? It all comes out in the conclusion. Joe has ulterior motives for striking up sexual liaisons with Alex that have far reaching consequences. The ending was not what I expected and somehow felt a bit flat. Recommended for fans of psychological suspense. Three point five stars. This had a promising beginning and middle part to the story but somehow by dragging it out to far the ending doesn't deliver.
Thank you to Cathryn Grant and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2016
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read and review this book.
I liked it. Similar to Caroline Kepnes-"You" in that the main character is pretty much a psycho. The story is fast paced and you really don't know where it is going to lead you.
It is frightening to think that there really could be people like Alexandra Mallory in the world-the way her mind works is chilling.
I liked it. Similar to Caroline Kepnes-"You" in that the main character is pretty much a psycho. The story is fast paced and you really don't know where it is going to lead you.
It is frightening to think that there really could be people like Alexandra Mallory in the world-the way her mind works is chilling.
January 21, 2017
I received this arc from Netgalley.
A rambling mess. I wish I had chucked this earlier in the game. Just ridiculous and senseless. I don't recommend this one at all.
A rambling mess. I wish I had chucked this earlier in the game. Just ridiculous and senseless. I don't recommend this one at all.
September 26, 2016
Initial thoughts: I couldn't stop reading this book. I flew through the story and was anxious to see what these characters would do next. While none of them have redeeming qualities, they were definitely interesting to read about.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review. Thank you!
I devoured The Woman in the Mirror! I hated having to put it down when I was forced to do something like sleep, lol. These characters were a train wreck I couldn't look away from, and I was so anxious to see what they would do next that I flew through the pages. The dynamic between them was so tense, I felt it could snap at any moment, and while none of the characters have redeeming qualities, they're definitely interesting to read about.
At first glance, Alexandra (Alex) seems like a typical, normal young woman, but I quickly recognized her for what she truly is - a sociopath. As awful as she is, she does pull it off well, I've gotta give her that. This woman's thought processes are scarily skewed. She does a weird personality-mirroring thing that isn't obvious right away but puts her victims at ease to where they don't question her true motives. It even took me a little bit to catch on to it.
As much as I didn't like Alex, I was fascinated by her. The way she hurt others to benefit herself boggled my mind. I have no idea how she sleeps at night. I also have no idea why so many men fell all over themselves to have a chance to be with her. What's so great about her? Is her aloofness a turn-on because she isn't emotionally needy? Alex's past is revealed slowly throughout the novel, which I liked because knowing her history is essential to understanding who she is in the present and how she got to where she is. It was also annoying how full of herself she is and how she kept describing herself as so gorgeous and so in shape and blah blah blah. Get over yourself, girl!
Then there's Noreen, the girl who placed the ad looking for roommates. Unlike Alex, I could see right away that she has so many issues it isn't even funny. I doubt I would have stayed after the crazy stunts she pulled, but then again, Alex is also unhinged, just on a different level. Instead of advertising for two roommates, Noreen should have been honest and asked for the instant boyfriend and best friend package she actually wanted, people who would be completely okay with the fact that she's unstable and clingy. I truly believe Alex still would have responded to that kind of in-your-face-honest ad.
I felt bad for Jared at first, knowing he had no idea what kind of women he was shacking up with, but then he fell for Alex the instant he saw her and my sympathy for him went out the window. He's supposed to be practicing Buddhism and freeing himself of earthly ties, yet he wanted to tie himself down to Alex. He was way too smug about his meditation and yoga practices not to mention the fact he gave up a high paying job for a less complicated, less materialistic life. Dude, give up your flashy car and expensive clothes, then come talk to me.
I did think that Noreen's behavior toward him was unacceptable. She wouldn't take no for an answer and insisted on throwing herself at him every chance she got. She's guilty of sexually harassing him! While not as aggressive as Noreen, Jared did become obsessed with Alex, and I couldn't understand why. I suppose he didn't want to face facts.
I know it sounds like I didn't enjoy this novel, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Part of The Woman in the Mirror's appeal for me was how awful these characters were. It was entertaining and interesting, especially from a psychological perspective, to dissect their faults and behavior, plus wonder what awful thing they'd do next.
This is an exceptionally well written novel but may not be for everyone, depending on whether you're able to read about characters you don't like. If you're okay with characters who aren't redeemable, then you'll likely enjoy The Woman in the Mirror.
According to Goodreads, this appears to be the first book in a series. Is there more story to tell about Alexandra? She isn't someone you root for, not really, so I'm wondering what the next book will be like if there is one. I do think there's more story about her that can be told, and I'd definitely read it.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review. Thank you!
I devoured The Woman in the Mirror! I hated having to put it down when I was forced to do something like sleep, lol. These characters were a train wreck I couldn't look away from, and I was so anxious to see what they would do next that I flew through the pages. The dynamic between them was so tense, I felt it could snap at any moment, and while none of the characters have redeeming qualities, they're definitely interesting to read about.
At first glance, Alexandra (Alex) seems like a typical, normal young woman, but I quickly recognized her for what she truly is - a sociopath. As awful as she is, she does pull it off well, I've gotta give her that. This woman's thought processes are scarily skewed. She does a weird personality-mirroring thing that isn't obvious right away but puts her victims at ease to where they don't question her true motives. It even took me a little bit to catch on to it.
As much as I didn't like Alex, I was fascinated by her. The way she hurt others to benefit herself boggled my mind. I have no idea how she sleeps at night. I also have no idea why so many men fell all over themselves to have a chance to be with her. What's so great about her? Is her aloofness a turn-on because she isn't emotionally needy? Alex's past is revealed slowly throughout the novel, which I liked because knowing her history is essential to understanding who she is in the present and how she got to where she is. It was also annoying how full of herself she is and how she kept describing herself as so gorgeous and so in shape and blah blah blah. Get over yourself, girl!
Then there's Noreen, the girl who placed the ad looking for roommates. Unlike Alex, I could see right away that she has so many issues it isn't even funny. I doubt I would have stayed after the crazy stunts she pulled, but then again, Alex is also unhinged, just on a different level. Instead of advertising for two roommates, Noreen should have been honest and asked for the instant boyfriend and best friend package she actually wanted, people who would be completely okay with the fact that she's unstable and clingy. I truly believe Alex still would have responded to that kind of in-your-face-honest ad.
I felt bad for Jared at first, knowing he had no idea what kind of women he was shacking up with, but then he fell for Alex the instant he saw her and my sympathy for him went out the window. He's supposed to be practicing Buddhism and freeing himself of earthly ties, yet he wanted to tie himself down to Alex. He was way too smug about his meditation and yoga practices not to mention the fact he gave up a high paying job for a less complicated, less materialistic life. Dude, give up your flashy car and expensive clothes, then come talk to me.
I did think that Noreen's behavior toward him was unacceptable. She wouldn't take no for an answer and insisted on throwing herself at him every chance she got. She's guilty of sexually harassing him! While not as aggressive as Noreen, Jared did become obsessed with Alex, and I couldn't understand why. I suppose he didn't want to face facts.
I know it sounds like I didn't enjoy this novel, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Part of The Woman in the Mirror's appeal for me was how awful these characters were. It was entertaining and interesting, especially from a psychological perspective, to dissect their faults and behavior, plus wonder what awful thing they'd do next.
This is an exceptionally well written novel but may not be for everyone, depending on whether you're able to read about characters you don't like. If you're okay with characters who aren't redeemable, then you'll likely enjoy The Woman in the Mirror.
According to Goodreads, this appears to be the first book in a series. Is there more story to tell about Alexandra? She isn't someone you root for, not really, so I'm wondering what the next book will be like if there is one. I do think there's more story about her that can be told, and I'd definitely read it.
August 13, 2016
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
I looked forward to reading this book as I thought the description was interesting and I wanted to read a book by an indie author.
Unfortunately, this book was just terrible. If I didn't know better, I would have thought that pages were missing from the galley because so much of the plot was disconnected or contained conversations that were irrelevant to the plot.
I think it could have been a good story if the plot had been filled out. There were so many places where I couldn't figure out either the point of the that part of the story or a main aspect of the story was supposed to illicit a big surprise and just bombed. There was so much time spent on the fact the house sat on the edge of a cliff and yet when the purpose of all that detail was revealed I thought "so what?"
In short, this book needed a really good development editor to help Ms. Grant fill out the plot. I could see the potential but there just wasn't enough to make it interesting.
I looked forward to reading this book as I thought the description was interesting and I wanted to read a book by an indie author.
Unfortunately, this book was just terrible. If I didn't know better, I would have thought that pages were missing from the galley because so much of the plot was disconnected or contained conversations that were irrelevant to the plot.
I think it could have been a good story if the plot had been filled out. There were so many places where I couldn't figure out either the point of the that part of the story or a main aspect of the story was supposed to illicit a big surprise and just bombed. There was so much time spent on the fact the house sat on the edge of a cliff and yet when the purpose of all that detail was revealed I thought "so what?"
In short, this book needed a really good development editor to help Ms. Grant fill out the plot. I could see the potential but there just wasn't enough to make it interesting.
August 15, 2016
The woman in the mirror by cathryn grant is a mystery and thriller and general fiction (adult) read.
Everyone knows someone who deserves to die.
Noreen Palmer describes herself as sweet and responsible, but she can’t stop lying — about why she destroyed the mirror, about her broken love affair, about the things that happened in her bungalow perched on a cliff above the ocean.
When Alexandra Mallory and Jared Brady rent rooms in her precariously situated home, the danger of falling over the cliff is the least of their fears.
This started off slow but soon picked up. Very cleverly written with brilliant characters. I loved the ending too. highly recommended. I would give this book 5*. Thanks to netgalley for the arc.
Everyone knows someone who deserves to die.
Noreen Palmer describes herself as sweet and responsible, but she can’t stop lying — about why she destroyed the mirror, about her broken love affair, about the things that happened in her bungalow perched on a cliff above the ocean.
When Alexandra Mallory and Jared Brady rent rooms in her precariously situated home, the danger of falling over the cliff is the least of their fears.
This started off slow but soon picked up. Very cleverly written with brilliant characters. I loved the ending too. highly recommended. I would give this book 5*. Thanks to netgalley for the arc.
October 2, 2016
BORING
June 2, 2021
Very interesting book!
May 15, 2023
I always enjoy the suspense genre and this was interesting take on that: the protagonist is basically a female Dexter. Sure, she only kills people who need killing, but it's still unnerving to watch the thought process of a sociopath; the amoral, relentless plotting toward their goals is the real creepy factor here.
August 7, 2016
This book fell solidly in the middle of the road for me. I didn't love it - nor did I hate it. It was just kind of MEH.
On the plus side, it was a quick read (I read it in under 2 days). And while I don't feel as though I wasted that time - I also don't feel as though I will be continuing on with this series / these characters. Yes - the story jumps around between the past and present day, but I didn't have a problem with that. Even the writing was ok... I just couldn't become invested in these characters.
Alex has her secrets - and those secrets alone should have made for a very intriguing story, but instead of finding her to be the "strong" female lead I think the author was intending I just found her... well annoying. She uses everyone for her own ends, and she is so self-absorbed that it makes it hard to like her. Jared was no better - he was a weak minded male who sleeps with a girl once and becomes basically obsessed with her. And don't even get me started on Noreen. I honestly still don't know what the heck was up with her. Her character flip-flopped around to the point where I just gave up and sighed every time I read her name.
Overall, I am certain that this book will appeal to people who enjoy a more young-adult oriented "thriller" (loose on the thriller label) story. It did have its moments, but it just wasn't for me, and at this point I am unsure as to whether or not I will continue on with this series.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
On the plus side, it was a quick read (I read it in under 2 days). And while I don't feel as though I wasted that time - I also don't feel as though I will be continuing on with this series / these characters. Yes - the story jumps around between the past and present day, but I didn't have a problem with that. Even the writing was ok... I just couldn't become invested in these characters.
Alex has her secrets - and those secrets alone should have made for a very intriguing story, but instead of finding her to be the "strong" female lead I think the author was intending I just found her... well annoying. She uses everyone for her own ends, and she is so self-absorbed that it makes it hard to like her. Jared was no better - he was a weak minded male who sleeps with a girl once and becomes basically obsessed with her. And don't even get me started on Noreen. I honestly still don't know what the heck was up with her. Her character flip-flopped around to the point where I just gave up and sighed every time I read her name.
Overall, I am certain that this book will appeal to people who enjoy a more young-adult oriented "thriller" (loose on the thriller label) story. It did have its moments, but it just wasn't for me, and at this point I am unsure as to whether or not I will continue on with this series.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
August 29, 2016
Every psychological thriller with a female main character is now, fairly or unfairly, held up to the Gone Girl standard. But I'm not going to compare Alex Mallory with “Amazing Amy” Dunne.
Alex is her own woman.
Top 3 Reasons to Read The Woman in the Mirror
1. You had hellish roommates at one point in your life. Didn't we all? There was at least one person you put up with because you couldn’t afford to do anything else. I’ll just say Alex, our main character, gives you options.
2. You enjoy stories where you don’t have to LIKE all the characters. Let’s face it, if characters in books were all people who could be your besties, that would be boring. It’s why reality TV works – there’s always at least one person you love to hate. The Woman in the Mirror gives you several to work with:
Alex is too pretty and confident; Noreen is annoyingly needy; Jared falls in borderline obsessive insta-love. Believe me, he’s NOT your next book boyfriend. At least, I hope not.
3. You think we need more smart women in books taking control of their own destinies, and fewer taking crap – whether from their bosses/work peers, their spouses or their roommates.
Ok, that's all fine and good, but did I like it?
Yep. I have to admit, and it's only a little disturbing...I identified with Alex's detached confidence. Not because I'm beautiful or a runner, but because I know about mirroring, reflecting back what people want to see, rather than what's actually there. Can anyone really know Alex? Doubtful, but I'm interested to see who tries next.
Alex is her own woman.
Top 3 Reasons to Read The Woman in the Mirror
1. You had hellish roommates at one point in your life. Didn't we all? There was at least one person you put up with because you couldn’t afford to do anything else. I’ll just say Alex, our main character, gives you options.
2. You enjoy stories where you don’t have to LIKE all the characters. Let’s face it, if characters in books were all people who could be your besties, that would be boring. It’s why reality TV works – there’s always at least one person you love to hate. The Woman in the Mirror gives you several to work with:
Alex is too pretty and confident; Noreen is annoyingly needy; Jared falls in borderline obsessive insta-love. Believe me, he’s NOT your next book boyfriend. At least, I hope not.
3. You think we need more smart women in books taking control of their own destinies, and fewer taking crap – whether from their bosses/work peers, their spouses or their roommates.
Ok, that's all fine and good, but did I like it?
Yep. I have to admit, and it's only a little disturbing...I identified with Alex's detached confidence. Not because I'm beautiful or a runner, but because I know about mirroring, reflecting back what people want to see, rather than what's actually there. Can anyone really know Alex? Doubtful, but I'm interested to see who tries next.
September 5, 2016
Woman in the Mirror by Cathryn Grant
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book started out well enough. You begin thinking Alex is the crazy, then you think it’s Noreen, then you think it’s both. However, the book soon bogs down into Alex’s stream of consciousness style of narration, which is self-serving to the character but seems to go on forever and ever, mostly about her beauty and her buff body. Also, did we really need to know in detail all the outfits and accessories Alex wears (and she changes three to four times a day)?
As for writing style, the time shifts between three distinct periods in Alex’s life, and the shift is not fluid. There is also a third-person narration thrown in on occasion, which just adds more strangeness to the fluidity of the story. There is a disconnection that causes the reader to stop and really think about the time period and the characters the author is writing about.
I didn’t care for any of the characters either. Alex is portrayed as cold and calculating, and Jared is a wimp. Seriously, if my landlady had bolted me in my bedroom, I’d be packing my things in a matter of minutes, not just warning her not to do it again. Noreen’s “secret” at the end of the book was anti-climatic, but by that point I didn’t care anymore. In the end, this book just didn’t deliver the suspense I was expecting.
https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book started out well enough. You begin thinking Alex is the crazy, then you think it’s Noreen, then you think it’s both. However, the book soon bogs down into Alex’s stream of consciousness style of narration, which is self-serving to the character but seems to go on forever and ever, mostly about her beauty and her buff body. Also, did we really need to know in detail all the outfits and accessories Alex wears (and she changes three to four times a day)?
As for writing style, the time shifts between three distinct periods in Alex’s life, and the shift is not fluid. There is also a third-person narration thrown in on occasion, which just adds more strangeness to the fluidity of the story. There is a disconnection that causes the reader to stop and really think about the time period and the characters the author is writing about.
I didn’t care for any of the characters either. Alex is portrayed as cold and calculating, and Jared is a wimp. Seriously, if my landlady had bolted me in my bedroom, I’d be packing my things in a matter of minutes, not just warning her not to do it again. Noreen’s “secret” at the end of the book was anti-climatic, but by that point I didn’t care anymore. In the end, this book just didn’t deliver the suspense I was expecting.
https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/
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August 5, 2016Firstly I’d like to thank Netgalley and D2C Perspectives for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
DNF at 38%
I tried so hard, so, so hard. I promise. But I just couldn’t get past how YA this was, it genuinely hurt my brain. That’s not to say this is a bad novel, not at all, it was actually very well written, with some really kooky, well developed characters, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea at all.
I was initially intrigued by the synopsis because there was so much going on in it that it had me a little confused and I wanted to be able to wrap my head around it but alas, I’ll never get to understanding it.
I hated all the characters in this because, especially Alex, cause she was just so “bad-ass”. She was too arrogant and aggressive to be a likeable MC for this novel. I had no sympathy for her in her weird housing situation because she deserved it for being such a bitch! There was too much description about her tiny little body, pretty face, sexy hair etc that made this book vom worthy.
Why do books with “strong, out going” female MC’s then always have pathetic dick-led boys in them? Jared was a total selfish knob, whose obsession with Alex had me cringing and yawning.
Sorry for such harsh words but YA books are just too much!
...and why do they always have love triangles?
DNF at 38%
I tried so hard, so, so hard. I promise. But I just couldn’t get past how YA this was, it genuinely hurt my brain. That’s not to say this is a bad novel, not at all, it was actually very well written, with some really kooky, well developed characters, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea at all.
I was initially intrigued by the synopsis because there was so much going on in it that it had me a little confused and I wanted to be able to wrap my head around it but alas, I’ll never get to understanding it.
I hated all the characters in this because, especially Alex, cause she was just so “bad-ass”. She was too arrogant and aggressive to be a likeable MC for this novel. I had no sympathy for her in her weird housing situation because she deserved it for being such a bitch! There was too much description about her tiny little body, pretty face, sexy hair etc that made this book vom worthy.
Why do books with “strong, out going” female MC’s then always have pathetic dick-led boys in them? Jared was a total selfish knob, whose obsession with Alex had me cringing and yawning.
Sorry for such harsh words but YA books are just too much!
...and why do they always have love triangles?
March 13, 2018
This book was okay. To be honest I was expecting a book full of mystery and suspense. There was some mystery when it came to figuring out the characters real motives, but not enough of a mystery that I couldn't put the book down until it was done. As far as suspense, for me there was none. The book was well written, and the story line itself wasn't bad. The characters themselves were not very likable. The main character Alexandra was very self involved, cold, and without empathy or sympathy for others. The other female character, Noreen is just plain weird, crazy, and obsessive, but what really stands out is how desperately pathetic she is especially towards men. Finally, the main male character Jared was the only character who came close to being likable at all, but as soon as he meets Alexandra, that goes out the window and he turns out to be as pathetic as Noreen. That is all I can say without ruining the main plot. Seems to me this book would have faired better if it had been labeled women's fiction instead of psychological suspense. When you read it you may feel different. As I stated before, it wasn't a bad read. I would still recommend it. I would like to thank D2C Perspectives and IBPA for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 14, 2016
This book is the first in a series of stories based on Alexandra Mallory. It is based on the concept of bringing three people together in rented accommodation, all of whom have a troubled history and the combination of issues will inevitably lead to further problems. The challenge for the author is to keep the reader in suspense and care enough about the characters enough that they are carried through the journey to the final conclusion. On this occasion, I was engaged enough to want to know the outcome and will suspend judgement on character until I have read the second book in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 15, 2016
Before I start my review, I would like to thank D2C Productions and NetGalley for allowing me to review The Woman In the Mirror by Cathryn Scott.
**All opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone. I received The Woman in The Mirror from D2C Productions through NetGalley for free for my honest review**
From the blurb about the book, it sounded like a book that I would enjoy. Boy, was I wrong.
This book was a clunker: completely far-fetched plot, characters that I hated, ridiculous backstory for the main character, etc.
And evidently, given that it's subtitled "An Alexandra Mallory novel", they want to make this a series. No. Just no.
**All opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone. I received The Woman in The Mirror from D2C Productions through NetGalley for free for my honest review**
From the blurb about the book, it sounded like a book that I would enjoy. Boy, was I wrong.
This book was a clunker: completely far-fetched plot, characters that I hated, ridiculous backstory for the main character, etc.
And evidently, given that it's subtitled "An Alexandra Mallory novel", they want to make this a series. No. Just no.
July 30, 2016
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is a bazaar, twisted, but interesting thriller. At first I wasn't really sure where this story was going to go. All the characters are mysterious and quirky. Alex, Noreen and Jared are sharing a house together, but they are not the greatest of roommates. We slowly learn Alex holds many secrets and Noreen is not as sweet as she first portrayed. To be honest I never could figure Jared very well. It is well written and downs keep your attention. I certainly didn't see the twist it took. A good, quick read.
July 17, 2018
This is not a very good book.
I think what makes this book bad, for me, is the fact that all of the characters are one-dimensional.
Noreen is needy, neurotic, and obsessed with her male crush. Noreen didn't seem like a remotely realistic person. Her neediness and neuroticism was too over the top. The guy (forgot his name) has no interests other than Alex. Alex thinks she's too cool for school, but is just selfish and really only thinks about herself. There's not a lot of nuance to these characters.
I think what makes this book bad, for me, is the fact that all of the characters are one-dimensional.
Noreen is needy, neurotic, and obsessed with her male crush. Noreen didn't seem like a remotely realistic person. Her neediness and neuroticism was too over the top. The guy (forgot his name) has no interests other than Alex. Alex thinks she's too cool for school, but is just selfish and really only thinks about herself. There's not a lot of nuance to these characters.
August 16, 2016
Good read
The story was somewhat predictable but still very interesting and gripping. It is a book you can't put down. I read it in one day
The story was somewhat predictable but still very interesting and gripping. It is a book you can't put down. I read it in one day
August 23, 2016
scary, especially if you share character's views about many men
November 13, 2018
Slow to start, but built to an intense conclusion
I'm not usually a fan of murder and intrigue novels, but the main character's feminist motivations really resonated with me.
I'm not usually a fan of murder and intrigue novels, but the main character's feminist motivations really resonated with me.
August 3, 2024
I was hoping for a little bit more the characters were all childish,and self serving. I thought it dragged along. Would not recommend and don’t think I would read another of her books.
December 9, 2023
I am a new fan of Cathryn Grant's writing even as I find her mysteries uneven. The first one I tried, Don't Trust Her, was excellent and I have struggled to find any others, so far, that measure up.
I recently downloaded the first three books in the Alexandra Mallory series and found this first one to be good. Not great, not bad, just a solid good. Alex is a strong, secretive woman who has done some outrageous things in her past, as her form of inflicting justice on the world. When we meet her, she is working for a tech company and recently moved in to a house owned by Noreen who has rented it out to Alex and Jared to not only generate some income for her but also to become best friends with both and perhaps lover to Jared.
Noreen is an odd character, with her obsession over Jared making her behavior a bit over the top at times. She seems hot and cold with Alex, wanting her as a friend and then getting angry at her for taking Jared away from her.
Meanwhile, Jared is on his own self improvement/self awareness quest. But he became instantly besotted with Alex, who enjoys a sexual relationship with Jared but does not want any kind of full time relationship.
If it sounds like these storylines create a bit of a powder keg inside the house, you'd be right. Who will come out the other side intact and healthy?
I like Cathryn Grant's writing style. It's easy to get absorbed in her books. This one didn't rate higher than 3 stars because at times I thought it meandered too much, spent too much time on details and situations that led nowhere. I believe there are more than 10 in this series and I am curious how she will pull off keeping this character fresh, alive and in enough different situations to warrant a separate book. On to book number two!
I recently downloaded the first three books in the Alexandra Mallory series and found this first one to be good. Not great, not bad, just a solid good. Alex is a strong, secretive woman who has done some outrageous things in her past, as her form of inflicting justice on the world. When we meet her, she is working for a tech company and recently moved in to a house owned by Noreen who has rented it out to Alex and Jared to not only generate some income for her but also to become best friends with both and perhaps lover to Jared.
Noreen is an odd character, with her obsession over Jared making her behavior a bit over the top at times. She seems hot and cold with Alex, wanting her as a friend and then getting angry at her for taking Jared away from her.
Meanwhile, Jared is on his own self improvement/self awareness quest. But he became instantly besotted with Alex, who enjoys a sexual relationship with Jared but does not want any kind of full time relationship.
If it sounds like these storylines create a bit of a powder keg inside the house, you'd be right. Who will come out the other side intact and healthy?
I like Cathryn Grant's writing style. It's easy to get absorbed in her books. This one didn't rate higher than 3 stars because at times I thought it meandered too much, spent too much time on details and situations that led nowhere. I believe there are more than 10 in this series and I am curious how she will pull off keeping this character fresh, alive and in enough different situations to warrant a separate book. On to book number two!
March 11, 2020
Fun book
Kind of refreshing to read a protagonist who is intellectual, lacking much heart and the basic quirks of personality and feeling that make is human. It took me awhile to realize how deeply defective this person is, because intellectually I tended to agree with her.
There were some slip ups in characterization. The Alexandria character had a very definite sense of right and wrong and went to any lengths to defend it and to get her way. But the prose of her thinking sometimes suggested she cared about others, which is way out of character for someone so damaged.
Still, the book grabbed me from the first word and kept me engaged. Glad to see this series has ten books and the author has written several more novels.
Kind of refreshing to read a protagonist who is intellectual, lacking much heart and the basic quirks of personality and feeling that make is human. It took me awhile to realize how deeply defective this person is, because intellectually I tended to agree with her.
There were some slip ups in characterization. The Alexandria character had a very definite sense of right and wrong and went to any lengths to defend it and to get her way. But the prose of her thinking sometimes suggested she cared about others, which is way out of character for someone so damaged.
Still, the book grabbed me from the first word and kept me engaged. Glad to see this series has ten books and the author has written several more novels.
January 8, 2020
I also did not like this book, although it did keep my interest until the end. I do not like the main character, Alexandra, because of her warped view of the male sex and her consequent justification of her actions. The other characters were as badly flawed as Alexandra and none of them elicited a sympathetic response. I looked at the beginning of the next book and it picked up where this one left off, so I stopped reading and will not continue reading the series. So many other, better books to be read.
March 22, 2019
Excellent read today!
Brilliant writing I loved this story. It totally held my attention I didn't want it to end, the ending was a good set up for the next book. The characters are so interesting I can't wait to read about them in the next book, which I will be looking for asap
This is my favorite novel so far this year. C Grant Please keep writing and I will always be ready to read the next story.
Brilliant writing I loved this story. It totally held my attention I didn't want it to end, the ending was a good set up for the next book. The characters are so interesting I can't wait to read about them in the next book, which I will be looking for asap
This is my favorite novel so far this year. C Grant Please keep writing and I will always be ready to read the next story.
March 25, 2019
Well written but disturbing
This is the first of Cathryn Grants books I have read, I have to say the story was very strange and I can only assume it follows on in the other books in the series. In my opinion it doesn't do us women a lot of favours, yes we can be devious and sly and sneaky at times but Alex is something else, she takes all these things to a completely different disturbing level.
This is the first of Cathryn Grants books I have read, I have to say the story was very strange and I can only assume it follows on in the other books in the series. In my opinion it doesn't do us women a lot of favours, yes we can be devious and sly and sneaky at times but Alex is something else, she takes all these things to a completely different disturbing level.
August 1, 2020
This book/series has very mixed reviews so i wasn't sure what i'd make of it, but i need a kindle series and liked it enough to have immediately started on book 2. It kept my interest until i had to stop once or twice and try to imagine how on earth this or that could even be a possibility...which was irritating - but i was well in the story so four stars for that and hope the series will grow and improve.
October 27, 2020
I liked this book and already downloaded the second installment of the series. I'm not a killer but in many other ways I resonate with Alex. The things she says about sexism, ageism, and social media are spot on. Jared is annoying and I'm sure he may not survive the next book lol, I'm teasing, but who knows with Alex. Lastly, she is right about people liking semi-mirrored images of themselves. Our human nature seeks familiarity and we are comfortable among those we share things in common with.
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