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Mirror Man: A nostalgic mystery set in 80's Yorkshire
There are two things twenty-one-year-old John-Michael wants most in life; to be accepted and to be treated like an adult. But John-Michael has an odd compulsion which is hindering his efforts towards acceptance; an urge that leads him to follow and mirror the men around town in search of something he can’t explain. Meanwhile, his family are struggling more than ever to understand him, especially his mother who is fighting her own inner demons. Until one day a strange man in a blue suit appears in the town. A man who doesn’t belong there, and who has a suspicious curiosity for the antique shop where John-Michael works. What’s more, John-Michael's boss Claude grows progressively more anxious as the man in blue creeps ever closer. When John-Michael arrives to work one day to find Claude cowering in fear, he has no choice but to abandon his odd ways, bring his family together and get to the bottom of the mystery threatening everything he knows before the man in blue turns his sights on him.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 3, 2021
A unique tale with an intriguing mystery and an absolutely wonderful insight into the mind of a young man with functional autism.
Seriously people. 'Chef's kiss' for that part.
John Michael is a 21 year old young man suffering from functional autism. Not a really big issue nowadays but certainly a huge one in a small town full of small minded people who have no understanding whatsoever of autism and it's characteristics. In such a place, among such people with a limited understanding, John Michael will be instantly labelled as a 'retard, not quite right in the head'. And he'll have a real tough time blending in, and even functioning at times, without a strong method to cope.
There are two things our John-Michael wants most in life; to be accepted and to be treated like an adult. Unfortunately for him though, his method of coping, hinders his efforts towards acceptance. Because he has an odd compulsion, an urge that leads him to follow and mirror the men around town in search of something he can't explain.
'All I knew was I had something missing, and somebody out there had what I needed to make me whole again.'
And I swear my heart just about broke for him. Because he knew something is wrong with him but didn't know how to fix it and he tried so damn hard!!
'I wish I knew what was wrong with me. Maybe I could learn how to fix it, and I'd be accepted by everyone, but especially by Mum.'
And this was the cherry on the rotten top for me. The way his mum treated him. I may have wanted to slap her at times but then, can one blame her truly? And hers was a truly impressive character ARC. Because from hate and resentment, I ended up rooting for her in the end!
But back to the story, because I digress, John-Michael soon finds himself neck-deep into trouble that's by far more serious than the occasional drive home in the back of a police car for trailing someone or the other. Trouble that starts with a strange man in a blue suit, who makes Claude, the boss of John-Michael cower in fear. A man who doesn't belong there and whose threatening presence will leave John-Michael with no choice but to abandon his odd ways to get to the bottom of the mystery threatening everything he knows.
A very hard thing to do for someone like him. Especially when doubt is all but clouding his judgement.
'What could I do? Me, the weird kid who didn't look at people in the eye, who had to use mirrors to have a proper conversation.'
Very well written and nicely flowing, Mirror Man is a fascinating coming of age mystery with a profound insight into human nature. Great pace and a constantly upping tension combine with just the right amount of intrigue to keep you guessing till the very end. And the character development is the best part of it. Wonderfully done, side cast included.
A few threads could have done with a better wrap up and a few details seemed forgotten in the end but other than that I have no complaint.
Mirror Man is a book I found myself reluctant to set down after passing the halfway mark. And I highly recommend it to all mystery fans out there.
It's truly a unique and fascinating book with a profound insight into human nature.
Happy reading everyone
and always remember
even the smallest of words said in anger can have the most disastrous consequences.
Be kind!
Seriously people. 'Chef's kiss' for that part.
John Michael is a 21 year old young man suffering from functional autism. Not a really big issue nowadays but certainly a huge one in a small town full of small minded people who have no understanding whatsoever of autism and it's characteristics. In such a place, among such people with a limited understanding, John Michael will be instantly labelled as a 'retard, not quite right in the head'. And he'll have a real tough time blending in, and even functioning at times, without a strong method to cope.
There are two things our John-Michael wants most in life; to be accepted and to be treated like an adult. Unfortunately for him though, his method of coping, hinders his efforts towards acceptance. Because he has an odd compulsion, an urge that leads him to follow and mirror the men around town in search of something he can't explain.
'All I knew was I had something missing, and somebody out there had what I needed to make me whole again.'
And I swear my heart just about broke for him. Because he knew something is wrong with him but didn't know how to fix it and he tried so damn hard!!
'I wish I knew what was wrong with me. Maybe I could learn how to fix it, and I'd be accepted by everyone, but especially by Mum.'
And this was the cherry on the rotten top for me. The way his mum treated him. I may have wanted to slap her at times but then, can one blame her truly? And hers was a truly impressive character ARC. Because from hate and resentment, I ended up rooting for her in the end!
But back to the story, because I digress, John-Michael soon finds himself neck-deep into trouble that's by far more serious than the occasional drive home in the back of a police car for trailing someone or the other. Trouble that starts with a strange man in a blue suit, who makes Claude, the boss of John-Michael cower in fear. A man who doesn't belong there and whose threatening presence will leave John-Michael with no choice but to abandon his odd ways to get to the bottom of the mystery threatening everything he knows.
A very hard thing to do for someone like him. Especially when doubt is all but clouding his judgement.
'What could I do? Me, the weird kid who didn't look at people in the eye, who had to use mirrors to have a proper conversation.'
Very well written and nicely flowing, Mirror Man is a fascinating coming of age mystery with a profound insight into human nature. Great pace and a constantly upping tension combine with just the right amount of intrigue to keep you guessing till the very end. And the character development is the best part of it. Wonderfully done, side cast included.
A few threads could have done with a better wrap up and a few details seemed forgotten in the end but other than that I have no complaint.
Mirror Man is a book I found myself reluctant to set down after passing the halfway mark. And I highly recommend it to all mystery fans out there.
It's truly a unique and fascinating book with a profound insight into human nature.
Happy reading everyone
and always remember
even the smallest of words said in anger can have the most disastrous consequences.
Be kind!
February 25, 2023
John-Michael is 22 years old and rather unusual. He's a loner and has never had a girlfriend. He loves to watch people, but not directly, only in mirrors. He has a compulsion to follow certain people who catch his eye, but he does not know why. He feels like he is searching for...something, something he cannot identify. His mother is horrible, his father is dead, but his grandfather and sister are kind, as are a few others in the town. Even the local police look out for him in their way. John-Michael works repairing watches and clocks, a job in which he is highly skilled. His tendencies scream out autism, but I have to wonder how he would have turned out with a loving mother. Would his obsession with mirrors have developed if his mother had accepted him and had not told him that no one wanted to look at him because his eyes were strange? Would he have gotten better than a C-average if his mother did not ridicule him and call him stupid?
Mirror Man is an engaging character study written in first person. The more we learn about John-Michael, the more impossible it is not to care about him. I did not find the mystery all that compelling and the conclusion to this tale seemed unrealistic in a couple of ways. Nonetheless, John-Michael is an interesting character that I shall remember with fondness.
Mirror Man is an engaging character study written in first person. The more we learn about John-Michael, the more impossible it is not to care about him. I did not find the mystery all that compelling and the conclusion to this tale seemed unrealistic in a couple of ways. Nonetheless, John-Michael is an interesting character that I shall remember with fondness.
March 6, 2022
An unusual and very enjoyable story.
Set in the 1980’s, the story is told from the perspective of John-Michael, a young man who views the world differently from everyone he knows, and who only looks at people’s faces through their reflections.
I really liked John-Michael. He is a sweet, innocent and endearing character, who is viewed as a weirdo by most people, leaving them quick to think the worst of him. The authors did a great job bringing his character to life. I really felt for John-Michael with his problems and difficulties in communicating with others. The secondary characters, especially his family, were believable and I cheered on his attempts to improve his relationship with them, while at the same time terrified that it would all fall apart.
Although billed as a mystery, the mystery element is light and the action only picks in the second half. Having said that, as a character story, it really held my interest and kept me turning the pages.
A well-written story with an unusual and appealing protagonist.
Set in the 1980’s, the story is told from the perspective of John-Michael, a young man who views the world differently from everyone he knows, and who only looks at people’s faces through their reflections.
I really liked John-Michael. He is a sweet, innocent and endearing character, who is viewed as a weirdo by most people, leaving them quick to think the worst of him. The authors did a great job bringing his character to life. I really felt for John-Michael with his problems and difficulties in communicating with others. The secondary characters, especially his family, were believable and I cheered on his attempts to improve his relationship with them, while at the same time terrified that it would all fall apart.
Although billed as a mystery, the mystery element is light and the action only picks in the second half. Having said that, as a character story, it really held my interest and kept me turning the pages.
A well-written story with an unusual and appealing protagonist.
November 10, 2023
The narrator makes the book
“I watched the world and the townsfolk pass me by from the reflections in the shop windows.”
That eerie sentence leads off Mirror Man and had me hooked. Readers may think at first they’re privy to the thoughts of a lunatic criminal evading the cops, or maybe some weird loner. The author keeps things mysterious and offbeat in the dreary town of Thorne, England, in the mid-1980s, a place and period that drew me to the book.
The weird thing is how relatable the narrator, John-Michael, is. As the story moves on, he evokes sympathy. Later still, readers may wonder how reliable he is – and if he’s dangerous, as alluded to at the start and in other portions of the story. All the while, the man in his early twenties is blooming, coming of age, figuring things out as readers try to decipher who exactly this guy is.
Author Jacques Von Kat does a fantastic job of spacing Mirror Man out, building the sense of mystery and eventual suspense in a slow, deliberate way. I could be wrong, but the pace of the book is perhaps meant to "mirror" the main character, who is “slow” but smart.
Does John-Michael have autism? It never really says, but he certainly has a grandpa and sister who love him. His mom … well, that’s another story, and it’s interesting to see their relationship evolve as the book moves along.
Mirror Man is a unique book, one that I’m glad I took a chance on. If you’re looking for fiction that's different, I would recommend it.
“I watched the world and the townsfolk pass me by from the reflections in the shop windows.”
That eerie sentence leads off Mirror Man and had me hooked. Readers may think at first they’re privy to the thoughts of a lunatic criminal evading the cops, or maybe some weird loner. The author keeps things mysterious and offbeat in the dreary town of Thorne, England, in the mid-1980s, a place and period that drew me to the book.
The weird thing is how relatable the narrator, John-Michael, is. As the story moves on, he evokes sympathy. Later still, readers may wonder how reliable he is – and if he’s dangerous, as alluded to at the start and in other portions of the story. All the while, the man in his early twenties is blooming, coming of age, figuring things out as readers try to decipher who exactly this guy is.
Author Jacques Von Kat does a fantastic job of spacing Mirror Man out, building the sense of mystery and eventual suspense in a slow, deliberate way. I could be wrong, but the pace of the book is perhaps meant to "mirror" the main character, who is “slow” but smart.
Does John-Michael have autism? It never really says, but he certainly has a grandpa and sister who love him. His mom … well, that’s another story, and it’s interesting to see their relationship evolve as the book moves along.
Mirror Man is a unique book, one that I’m glad I took a chance on. If you’re looking for fiction that's different, I would recommend it.
August 28, 2021
I love the unique concept behind Mirror Man. For those that have little understanding about the autism spectrum, this is an insightful overview as well as an intriguing young Adult mystery novel.
The novel is written from the view point of John Michael and the rich narrative allows the reader to get inside the boy’s mind and learn how he perceives life while living with functional autism. John Michael has recently become of age and his greatest wish is to be treated and respected as an adult. The small coal mining town (Yorkshire) he was brought up in has small minded people there who have not yet learned the parameters of the autism spectrum. As a result, the locals find him odd and rather than try to understand him, they shun him instead.
We learn through John Michael’s character arc that he has a gift for repairing watches, uses mirrors as a portal to the outside world (as a way of seeing others without making eye contact) and more importantly he is highly alert in his close observation of others.
The reader becomes invested in John Michael’s character quickly, feeling his pain as a young man who finds it difficult to fit in. Friends are not easy to come by and he spends much of his time watching other closely and learning their habits.
There is a man that John Michael calls ‘the suit’ whose behaviour makes him suspicious. It becomes obvious that this man is interested in something contained in his employers safe. The story takes on a dark turn when John Michael's employer is murdered and he becomes a prime suspect.
John Michael ends up becoming caught up in the unusual happenings going on around him and feels a sense of responsibility to solve the mystery based on his own observations of the suspect that others have missed. His brain is wired to solve the clues and finally he feels a sense of achievement.
This Young Adult mystery novel is well written and Von Kat has touched on a sensitive topic that will leave the readers thinking about it long after they have stopped turning the pages.
I came across this book via Bookroar and my opinions are my own.
The novel is written from the view point of John Michael and the rich narrative allows the reader to get inside the boy’s mind and learn how he perceives life while living with functional autism. John Michael has recently become of age and his greatest wish is to be treated and respected as an adult. The small coal mining town (Yorkshire) he was brought up in has small minded people there who have not yet learned the parameters of the autism spectrum. As a result, the locals find him odd and rather than try to understand him, they shun him instead.
We learn through John Michael’s character arc that he has a gift for repairing watches, uses mirrors as a portal to the outside world (as a way of seeing others without making eye contact) and more importantly he is highly alert in his close observation of others.
The reader becomes invested in John Michael’s character quickly, feeling his pain as a young man who finds it difficult to fit in. Friends are not easy to come by and he spends much of his time watching other closely and learning their habits.
There is a man that John Michael calls ‘the suit’ whose behaviour makes him suspicious. It becomes obvious that this man is interested in something contained in his employers safe. The story takes on a dark turn when John Michael's employer is murdered and he becomes a prime suspect.
John Michael ends up becoming caught up in the unusual happenings going on around him and feels a sense of responsibility to solve the mystery based on his own observations of the suspect that others have missed. His brain is wired to solve the clues and finally he feels a sense of achievement.
This Young Adult mystery novel is well written and Von Kat has touched on a sensitive topic that will leave the readers thinking about it long after they have stopped turning the pages.
I came across this book via Bookroar and my opinions are my own.
December 19, 2021
You know that expression, “I couldn’t put it down” when describing a good book? That very much applies here. Set in Yorkshire (where I grew up) in the ‘80s (when I grew up there) we see the world through the eyes of John-Michael. It’s never outright said, but it seems he has autism and can only look at people through reflective surfaces.
I didn’t know what to expect from this story. I usually opt for grand adventures but this is very much the daily – albeit incredible – life of one young man and a mystery only he can solve.
The world-building is excellent, the characterisations are fantastic (I HATED the mother) and to say this is a page-turner is a gross understatement.
My only criticism comes with the ending. The whole book leads up to the climax and then it’s over in just a few pages. I needed more. I needed to know the who’s, what’s and where’s, but sadly these were brushed over. The ending does wrap everything up – there’s no annoying cliff-hanger here, I just really wished the author had given us a little more. I’d spent my nights following John-Michael’s life and felt I was denied a more substantial final act.
Regarding the rating, I’m of the opinion that each of the five stars represents 20% - so a five-star book is between 80-100%. Even though the ending wasn’t what I hoped for, everything else was fantastic and I couldn’t not give Mirror Man five stars and I will definitely be checking out other works by this author.
I didn’t know what to expect from this story. I usually opt for grand adventures but this is very much the daily – albeit incredible – life of one young man and a mystery only he can solve.
The world-building is excellent, the characterisations are fantastic (I HATED the mother) and to say this is a page-turner is a gross understatement.
My only criticism comes with the ending. The whole book leads up to the climax and then it’s over in just a few pages. I needed more. I needed to know the who’s, what’s and where’s, but sadly these were brushed over. The ending does wrap everything up – there’s no annoying cliff-hanger here, I just really wished the author had given us a little more. I’d spent my nights following John-Michael’s life and felt I was denied a more substantial final act.
Regarding the rating, I’m of the opinion that each of the five stars represents 20% - so a five-star book is between 80-100%. Even though the ending wasn’t what I hoped for, everything else was fantastic and I couldn’t not give Mirror Man five stars and I will definitely be checking out other works by this author.
February 6, 2022
I found Mirror Man by Jaques Von Kat free on Kindle Unlimited.
"Time ebbed away rapidly, and it was looking more than likely I would have to choose someone to follow at random"
This is an enjoyable fiction, I would class it as young adult with a mystery twist.
You will be taken inside the life of a young man living in a small town, with some complex family dynamics.
Twenty-one-year-old John-Michael likes working with an elderly local man, in a shop helping to repair and sell old items.
He also has a compulsive fascination with mirrors and is compelled to follow people and mirror their mannerisms. He realizes his obsession with mirrors and mirroring, must have an underlying cause, and everyone else seems to be asking him about this as well, but he doesn't know what is behind his obsession.
His powers of observation are acute, and he starts to notice some unnerving characters coming to his home town and becomes caught in their dangerous, shadowy spider's web and struggles to untangle himself.
It is an easy to read story. There are not too many characters, nor is the story too complex (there are no typos and the formatting is perfect).
It brushes against some deeper psychological issues and the mystery keeps you wanting to read to know who these dark characters are, are they real, what do they want? Will John-Michael free himself, will he find that unknown thing he is looking for and will his mother turn against him or offer him support?
"Time ebbed away rapidly, and it was looking more than likely I would have to choose someone to follow at random"
This is an enjoyable fiction, I would class it as young adult with a mystery twist.
You will be taken inside the life of a young man living in a small town, with some complex family dynamics.
Twenty-one-year-old John-Michael likes working with an elderly local man, in a shop helping to repair and sell old items.
He also has a compulsive fascination with mirrors and is compelled to follow people and mirror their mannerisms. He realizes his obsession with mirrors and mirroring, must have an underlying cause, and everyone else seems to be asking him about this as well, but he doesn't know what is behind his obsession.
His powers of observation are acute, and he starts to notice some unnerving characters coming to his home town and becomes caught in their dangerous, shadowy spider's web and struggles to untangle himself.
It is an easy to read story. There are not too many characters, nor is the story too complex (there are no typos and the formatting is perfect).
It brushes against some deeper psychological issues and the mystery keeps you wanting to read to know who these dark characters are, are they real, what do they want? Will John-Michael free himself, will he find that unknown thing he is looking for and will his mother turn against him or offer him support?
January 31, 2022
This mystery tale centers around John Michael who is twenty-one years old. He has the peculiar habit of following strangers around town and mimicking their behavior. Moreover, he also gives them funny nicknames based on one of their features. We wind out that the reason he does this is because he is looking for “the one.” The person who will make him whole again. He also has an aversion for looking anyone in the eye. Whenever possible, he uses mirrors to actually look at the person. His home is also filled with countless mirrors. As the story unfolds, we discover that his mother, Anna, treats him horribly. John Michael’s father, Alex, died when he was only nine years old and Anna has never been the same after that tragedy. One day, he notices a strange man in town, whom he nicknames “the suit.” When he sees him again, John Michael gets the sense that he is definitely up to something but he can’t quite understand what it is. As the story progresses, we find out that Mr. Claude Phillips, John Michael’s boss, closed the store and had a private meeting with an important client. These clues serve as the starting point for a great mystery that lies ahead.
This is a well written mystery novel with relatable and likeable characters. It is filled with humor and a strong positive underlying message. Readers of any age will enjoy this book.
This is a well written mystery novel with relatable and likeable characters. It is filled with humor and a strong positive underlying message. Readers of any age will enjoy this book.
August 31, 2021
Mirror Man by Jacques Von Kat (the pseudonym of a husband-wife duo) is a young-adult mystery / coming-of-age story. I somehow missed the "young adult" part of the description, but that didn't have any negative impact on the story. I enjoyed it as an older reader.
The book takes place in the 1980s, and the setting is immersive and enjoyable. It also causes some heartbreaking moments due to how neurodivergence was treated at the time. Our main character, a young man named John-Michael, is on the autism spectrum and prefers experiencing the world through reflections. He also has a habit of following people, which comes in handy since this is a mystery.
It takes a little while for things to get going, but once they do the plot moves at a quick pace, and involves a murder at the local antique shop where our main character works. Suspicion turns to Jean-Michael, and he uses his unique talents to figure out what's going on.
Jean-Michael is a fascinating voice for the story, and it's enjoyable to read from his perspective. Side characters aren't quite as compelling, but they're reasonably fleshed out. I enjoyed Grandad the best of them.
Overall, I had a good time reading this book, and I'd read another book by the authors in a heartbeat.
The book takes place in the 1980s, and the setting is immersive and enjoyable. It also causes some heartbreaking moments due to how neurodivergence was treated at the time. Our main character, a young man named John-Michael, is on the autism spectrum and prefers experiencing the world through reflections. He also has a habit of following people, which comes in handy since this is a mystery.
It takes a little while for things to get going, but once they do the plot moves at a quick pace, and involves a murder at the local antique shop where our main character works. Suspicion turns to Jean-Michael, and he uses his unique talents to figure out what's going on.
Jean-Michael is a fascinating voice for the story, and it's enjoyable to read from his perspective. Side characters aren't quite as compelling, but they're reasonably fleshed out. I enjoyed Grandad the best of them.
Overall, I had a good time reading this book, and I'd read another book by the authors in a heartbeat.
February 5, 2022
This is the second book I've read by this author, and once again the story doesn't disappoint! The husband/wife author duo has a way with evoking emotion and make you really feel for and connect with the characters. In this book, John Michael is considered a bit of an odd young man fascinated with watching people through mirrors and reflective surfaces, and following them while he observes their behavior. Most people treat him differently in some way, whether its his cruel mother or the others in town who seem to treat him more like a child than an adult, but his sister and granddad are kind to him.
The story follows John Michael searching for something he feels he's missing, but he's not exactly sure what it is. Things start to pick up when a mysterious man in a blue suit shows up and John Michael becomes a little suspicious of the guy. He has this ability to see things in people other's don't, and just knows there's something off about the new visitor in town. Turns out he was on to something, but when John Michael becomes the prime suspect in the murder at the shop where he works, he has to put his detective skills to the test to prove his innocence, find out what really happened, and bring the right man to justice.
The story follows John Michael searching for something he feels he's missing, but he's not exactly sure what it is. Things start to pick up when a mysterious man in a blue suit shows up and John Michael becomes a little suspicious of the guy. He has this ability to see things in people other's don't, and just knows there's something off about the new visitor in town. Turns out he was on to something, but when John Michael becomes the prime suspect in the murder at the shop where he works, he has to put his detective skills to the test to prove his innocence, find out what really happened, and bring the right man to justice.
August 23, 2021
John Michael turned 21. He is an adult now and would really like it if everyone treated him as such but growing up in a small coal-mining town in Yorkshire at a time when there was little known about autism means that he is treated more as an oddity.
The book is written from John Michael’s perspective which gives the reader a solid idea of what it is like to grow up with functional autism. As the main character, we learn that he is gifted in watch repair, obsessed with using mirrors to see people for fear of looking them in the eye, and keenly adept at observation. He is struggling to find his face in the world amongst strong opposition.
On the much lighter side, John Michael finds himself in the middle of a mystery that he feels is up to him to solve. Using his skills and struggling to overcome his various issues, John Michael navigates the clues.
Von Kat has written a terrific Young Adult mystery but I also strongly recommend it for anyone trying to learn more about autism and how it can affect a mind. The book is very well written and has a great mystery included.
The book is written from John Michael’s perspective which gives the reader a solid idea of what it is like to grow up with functional autism. As the main character, we learn that he is gifted in watch repair, obsessed with using mirrors to see people for fear of looking them in the eye, and keenly adept at observation. He is struggling to find his face in the world amongst strong opposition.
On the much lighter side, John Michael finds himself in the middle of a mystery that he feels is up to him to solve. Using his skills and struggling to overcome his various issues, John Michael navigates the clues.
Von Kat has written a terrific Young Adult mystery but I also strongly recommend it for anyone trying to learn more about autism and how it can affect a mind. The book is very well written and has a great mystery included.
August 26, 2021
Mirror Man
by Jacques Von Kat
Twenty-one-year-old, John-Michael is often misunderstood and considered odd or weird.
He feels like he’s missing something in life but he’s not sure what that is. But when he is looking into mirrors he sees everything and more…that most people don’t.
Then one day he sees a strange man in a blue suit that appears in town. A man who doesn’t belong there, and who has a suspicious curiosity for the antique shop where John-Michael works and its owner.
And then his employer is found dead, and he becomes the number one suspect.
John Michael finds himself trying to solve the mystery himself maybe with being overly observant he can find clues others miss. But if he does will anyone really believe him or will the man in the blue suit catch up to him?
I really liked the character John-Michael. He was sweet and entertaining. The plot was good and flowed easily. But the ending was a twist.
Mystery
Action
Fantasy
Crime
Autism
by Jacques Von Kat
Twenty-one-year-old, John-Michael is often misunderstood and considered odd or weird.
He feels like he’s missing something in life but he’s not sure what that is. But when he is looking into mirrors he sees everything and more…that most people don’t.
Then one day he sees a strange man in a blue suit that appears in town. A man who doesn’t belong there, and who has a suspicious curiosity for the antique shop where John-Michael works and its owner.
And then his employer is found dead, and he becomes the number one suspect.
John Michael finds himself trying to solve the mystery himself maybe with being overly observant he can find clues others miss. But if he does will anyone really believe him or will the man in the blue suit catch up to him?
I really liked the character John-Michael. He was sweet and entertaining. The plot was good and flowed easily. But the ending was a twist.
Mystery
Action
Fantasy
Crime
Autism
October 3, 2023
Mysterious and Endearing Story set in the 80’s
The first thing that grabbed my interest and attention with this story was the writing which I felt to be above average literature. But it was the main character, 21-year-old John-Michael that really won me over. I found it fitting that those close to John-Michael called him JC, since his kindness and blamelessness were nothing short of Christ-like. John-Michael is not like others and his many compulsions and quirks cause others around him to treat him poorly at times. This only adds to his endearing qualities which had me routing for him ever step of the way of the mysterious journey he was on. The narrator of the audiobook is quite hypnotising and greatly contributed to this very entertaining and enjoyable story. The book is rich in characters and the story is intriguing with a mystery that keeps you guessing until the end when all is explained.
The first thing that grabbed my interest and attention with this story was the writing which I felt to be above average literature. But it was the main character, 21-year-old John-Michael that really won me over. I found it fitting that those close to John-Michael called him JC, since his kindness and blamelessness were nothing short of Christ-like. John-Michael is not like others and his many compulsions and quirks cause others around him to treat him poorly at times. This only adds to his endearing qualities which had me routing for him ever step of the way of the mysterious journey he was on. The narrator of the audiobook is quite hypnotising and greatly contributed to this very entertaining and enjoyable story. The book is rich in characters and the story is intriguing with a mystery that keeps you guessing until the end when all is explained.
June 24, 2021
The mirror sees all
A charming story of a unusual boy John Michael. He looks at the world differently (via mirrors) and notices very specific things about people. Since he doesn't have a lot of friends, he spends his time fulfilling his curiosity about people. He notices them and calls them nicknames.
one day he accidental sees a man he calls the The Suit who is acting weird and is after something his employer holds in his safe. Things quickly turn dark when John Michael's employer is murdered and he becomes a prime suspect.
If you are looking for a different style of mystery, read this one.
A charming story of a unusual boy John Michael. He looks at the world differently (via mirrors) and notices very specific things about people. Since he doesn't have a lot of friends, he spends his time fulfilling his curiosity about people. He notices them and calls them nicknames.
one day he accidental sees a man he calls the The Suit who is acting weird and is after something his employer holds in his safe. Things quickly turn dark when John Michael's employer is murdered and he becomes a prime suspect.
If you are looking for a different style of mystery, read this one.
August 3, 2021
Format: audiobook
Narrator: Joseph Collins
John-Michael immediately struck me as someone with high functioning autism with his ocd traits and literal interpretation of certain phrases, it was nice to read/listen to a story told from that perspective.
John-Michael’s observant behaviour that others consider odd or quirky could be instrumental in finding a killer but will anyone believe him?
An enjoyable story that’ll make you second guess yourself, is the man in the suit real or is he a figment of an over active imagination?
The narrator does a great job of telling the story.
Narrator: Joseph Collins
John-Michael immediately struck me as someone with high functioning autism with his ocd traits and literal interpretation of certain phrases, it was nice to read/listen to a story told from that perspective.
John-Michael’s observant behaviour that others consider odd or quirky could be instrumental in finding a killer but will anyone believe him?
An enjoyable story that’ll make you second guess yourself, is the man in the suit real or is he a figment of an over active imagination?
The narrator does a great job of telling the story.
June 15, 2021
I loved this book. The characters are so real. I loved the story and the mystery. What I loved most was the neurodiverse character John -Michael. John-Michael, the main character is the narrator so we see and understand his struggles and his triumphs. I especially love this book for its' heart. Like my favorite book, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, neurodiversity is well portrayed.
June 19, 2021
I wrote my review and then had to go back and rewrite it because I started off with the things I didn't like and it sounded like a terrible review (sometimes I only read the beginning). So let me FIRST say that I enjoyed the book. It was entertaining. I felt like it was a little slow getting started. Some of the Dialog seemed a little unnatural, and I was disappointed at the ease of catching the bad-guy. So those things keep me from giving it 5 stars.
September 10, 2021
Great YA novel
This novel was so out-of-the box extraordinary. It was creative and well written. The author kept the story moving and I binge-read it in one sitting so I could find out what happened. Loved it.
This novel was so out-of-the box extraordinary. It was creative and well written. The author kept the story moving and I binge-read it in one sitting so I could find out what happened. Loved it.
June 15, 2021
Loved it. I haven't read a mystery in a long time but I am very glad I downloaded this one. I am usually pretty good and figuring out the ending but I did not with this one. Highly recommend.
July 20, 2021
Mirror Man is set in 1984 if you are of an older age you will remember what it was like to be a young adult back then, times were tough and people were mean, very mean. John-Michael is different to his peers and somehow has kept himself under the radar from potential bullies, except for his mother. Back then if you were different your life could be made extremely difficult. He's different, and painfully aware so and he doesn't know why. He is on a mission to find what is missing from his life to become "normal" and accepted although he doesn't believe there is such a thing as normalcy. To me, he comes across as autistic but in the 80's it wasn't a word you heard. Today he would be able to accept his differences and learn he isn't a "wrong un" like his mother describes him. Everything changes for John-Michael when a stranger arrives in town, and his boss starts acting weird he abandons his search to find out who the stranger is and why his arrival troubles his boss. Things take a turn for the worse which I won't spoil for potential readers. By the end John-Michael has changed and has gained the acceptance he so longed for.
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