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His Dark Reflection

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LOVE . SECRETS . MURDER
Mote was keeping secrets when she married Jack. So was he.
When the single shot that takes their son's life blows open all they've kept hidden, they have to face their worst nightmares alone.
Their daughter, Ara, remembers one thing from the night her brother was killed. She knows who pulled the trigger.
She knows Mote is sleeping in the same bed as the man who killed her child.
She knows something is off with the man pretending to be her father.
And she will get her revenge.

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 9, 2023

31 people are currently reading
1008 people want to read

About the author

Marvellous Michael Anson

2 books384 followers

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5 stars
58 (50%)
4 stars
34 (29%)
3 stars
15 (12%)
2 stars
7 (6%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
Profile Image for Rachel Bowdler.
Author 20 books154 followers
April 2, 2023
This was certainly a wild ride from start to finish with tonnes of both unpredictable and expected twists and turns that left me shocked and invested throughout. The author certainly knows how to keep us on our toes in this suspense thriller that questions morality and highlights the inherent complexity of every human being. I especially loved the way that we were given the chance to understand every mistake and violent action; that even the most innocent characters were given the opportunity to feel anger and hatred. I did feel rushed through the story and some of the plot lines needed more time to be fleshed out, as they seemed a little far-fetched, but overall I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end and enjoyed the way these complicated lives were woven together to make a story of murder, betrayal, secrets, darkness, and intrigue.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
2,090 reviews59 followers
December 17, 2022
Intense suspenseful read of Jack and his family. I kept flipping the pages as the twists kept coming. You really are not sure who you are getting and when. This has it all Lies, Murder, and Love.

A sister will get her revenge, A father who is trying to protect his family from a familiar face, and your left wondering what El will do.

**ARC from book sprout for honest review.
Profile Image for Brianna North.
Author 5 books41 followers
December 10, 2023
His Dark Reflection was a suspenseful read that hooked me right from the beginning! As the secrets were revealed, I found myself really rooting for the characters to solve the mystery and get their happy ending, especially for Ara. She was so strong-willed, and was my favourite character! The ending was fast paced, and though it felt a little rushed at times, I enjoyed the book overall and would recommend to anyone who's a fan of psychological thrillers!
Profile Image for Jessica Huntley.
Author 22 books403 followers
February 14, 2024
A gripping read! I had no idea where the story was going but it certainly took an interesting turn and by the end I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!
Profile Image for Akaku Red.
Author 8 books73 followers
May 23, 2023
Normally I don’t read books written in 3rd POV but this was amazing✨

I loved the way the Jack and Mote met 💕 there love-story was so cute but too short because we came to the horrible events 😞 I felt so sorry for Ara! And I was shocked as the plot kept going.

I’m more than happy to have discovered this amazing author! Also I love the questions at the end of the book 💕
Profile Image for amb.
3 reviews1 follower
May 12, 2023
If I could give this 10 stars, I would. Recommending to any and everyone.
Profile Image for Jess Popps.
47 reviews9 followers
February 21, 2023
Thank you to Marvellous Michael Anson for sending me an ARC of her debut novel His Dark Reflection.

It’s difficult to talk about the themes and premise of this story without giving too much away that I’d rather readers discover for themselves – but I will say, it’s a thriller, with family dynamics at its heart, as well as secrets and lies (naturally, for a thriller) and plenty of point-of-view shifts to keep you on the edge of your seat and wondering what’s coming next.

The book largely follows the family of Mote, Jack, and their two children. Mote and Jack had secrets when they got married, but they've managed a successful 17-year relationship... or have they?

For me, this book really gets going in Chapter 3 because the first two chapters happen so far in the past (Jack and Mote's wedding) – but once it does, the action runs screaming through the book and doesn’t stop until the very last page.

There are car accidents, confidence tricks, kidnaps and infidelities, as well as lies piled on top of lies, spiralling around each other until the inevitable climax.

That is one of the two things I enjoyed most about this book – it’s a whirlwind of excitement. If you’re looking for something fast-paced and tricksy, and if you enjoy multiple POV shifts, you’ll enjoy this book. There’s something disconcerting about the way you’ll read a whole chapter following Mote as she yells at a police detective to get out of her daughter’s room, and in the next section, you’re in the detective’s head as she tries to hide how close she’s let herself get to the case. It gives the book a kind of gossipy omniscience that keeps the plot moving at a cracking pace.

The other thing I really enjoyed was the portrayal of the aftermath of various traumatic plot points. For example, it’s not a spoiler (given the title) to say that someone in this book is not precisely who they say they are – and when that is revealed, it is handled in a deeply interesting way. It’s like tossing a stone into a still pool, and as the displaced water ripples outwards, every character in the pool is impacted differently. This book asks questions like, can you forgive a friend for a betrayal if it turns out it wasn’t the betrayal they thought it was? Does intent matter? And how does trauma change the inner workings of a relationship or a person overall?

There were some fairly minor things I didn't love so much, which is why this is getting a 4 rather than a 5, but overall as a debut novel this is wildly entertaining.
Profile Image for Lucy Appadoo.
Author 36 books58 followers
February 15, 2024
I enjoyed this story about family secrets, traumatic pasts, death, lies, love, and grief that had lots of twists and turns, causing me to turn the pages.

It starts off with the story of Mote and Jack who are about to get married, but they’ve both kept secrets from each other. Fast forward 17 years later when Mote and Jack start a family, and have a son and daughter until a tragic incident occurs.

These events take a turn for the worst after Jack is kidnapped due to a vengeful act pertaining to the past. He loses more than he could ever imagine, and finds himself saved by a woman, Victoria who he initially doesn’t trust, given she is married to the kidnapper/murderer.

Jack’s daughter witnesses her brother’s killer and vows to get revenge. She discovers secrets through a document, which confuses her even more, but the only man who knows anything has threatened to hurt her if she tells the truth about the identity of her brother’s murderer.

While Jack is hiding from his family to hopefully save them from the man who had kidnapped him, he discovers the truth behind his childhood and comes up with a plan to fight against the villain. He grieves the death of his son and vows to find and kill his son’s murderer. But Victoria stops him, promising she has evidence that shows her husband’s crimes so he lies in wait to concoct a plan with his lawyer friend, Ethan and a detective by the name of Maureen.

The story culminates in an unexpected climax, not knowing who will live and who will carry their last breath.

I enjoyed the diverse characters, the intricate plot and twists, and the exciting action that kept me gripped from the first page to the last.

My only critique would be that the ending needed a few loose ends tied up, with a bit more clarification regarding the motivation behind the death of Jack’s son. But overall, it was a great read and I highly recommend it.






Profile Image for L.E. Harper.
Author 2 books81 followers
March 2, 2023
4.5 stars! HIS DARK REFLECTION is a rollercoaster of family secrets, drama, intrigue, and lies. This genre is pretty far outside my usual wheelhouse of fantasy, magic, and dragons, yet I found it entertaining to read.

The story centers around Mote and Jack's once-nuclear family (at least, it seemed that way on the surface...) and the dark secrets they've been keeping for years. The book features multiple points of view, alternately following Mote, Jack, their daughter Ara who experiences something extremely traumatic, and others. I can't say too much without giving away spoilers!

As the story progresses, we witness the characters' emotional journey through additional traumas, and follow them as they cope with uncovered secrets. Ara was my favorite character by far, as many of the others routinely made decisions that frustrated me. Regardless, each character is uniquely flawed and connected in a way that keeps the readers guessing until the end. While the main plot has a satisfying resolution, it's not necessarily what I'd call a happy ending, and that's one of the things I enjoyed most about this book. There's also room for a sequel, which I look forward to reading.

While there were some minor issues with the pacing, overall this was a highly entertaining read. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers and dark family dramas, this is definitely the book for you!
Profile Image for books_with_sass.
394 reviews30 followers
December 13, 2022
Thank you to Marvellous Michael Anson for sending me an ARC of her debut novel His Dark Reflection. I'm giving this 5 stars, which is rare for me.

The premise is something different that I haven't seen before in a novel. Ara watched her father shoot her younger brother point-blank then has to continue to live with him, terrified of her own father and afraid to tell anyone the truth. She can't come to terms that her own father, the man she had loved, could do this unthinkable thing...and all the drama ensues. There are misunderstandings and secrets, and around every corner is a twist and a turn. I truly did not see the ending coming.

There are multiple viewpoints in this, and although there are quite a few different POVs, it wasn't enough to be distracting, and I was able to keep them all straight. The character development is good, and you like the people you're supposed to like and loathe the ones you're supposed to loathe. There's enough backstory to make it all believable.

All in all, if you enjoy family drama, murder, suspense, twists and turns, and strong character development, then I highly recommend His Dark Reflection.
Profile Image for Sarah.
219 reviews3 followers
December 16, 2022
I'm incredibly appreciative of the author sending me a copy of His Dark Reflection!

What do you do when your eyes are seeing one thing and your mind is telling you another? Ara witnesses her dad murder her brother without even hesitating. Didn't she? The Jack she knows isn't the Jack that's in her home, pretending like he isn't a monster. As it turns out, Ara is closer to the truth than she could have guessed.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, and if you enjoy murder mysteries, you probably will too! The story is compelling and the characters are interesting. You find yourself caring about nearly everyone involved and wanting them to pick up the pieces and make the best of their lives.

Where this book fell a bit short for me was that at times the conversations felt a bit wooden and forced and the characters made highly questionable decisions from time to time. This doesn't really impact the overall story, but it did make me incredibly frustrated (looking at you Jack!).

The ending of this story is superb. Is it a little predictable? Yes. Does that take anything away from its entertainment value? Definitely not!
Profile Image for Mike.
1,353 reviews93 followers
March 8, 2023
Marvellous ‘Marve’ Michael Anson’s debut novel, His Dark Reflection is a psychological suspenseful thriller. It begins with a flashback seventeen years earlier, when Nigerian woman Mote is about to marry her beloved Jack, despite her family’s misgivings. Mote and Jack each have a dark secret that will eventually visit violence and calamity to the family and shatter their lives permanently. When Jack, his son and his daughter are kidnapped, it sets off a series of events that will fundamentally challenge the meaning of family and their catastrophic secrets. An enjoyable psychological suspense mystery, with a flowing narrative and multi-layered characters, that make for a three stars read rating. Unfortunately, the well-telegraphed twist at the beginning meant the promised dark family tension tale was somewhat lessened. With thanks to Storyorigin and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.
Profile Image for Fallacious Rose.
Author 23 books13 followers
April 24, 2023
The writing was competent, and the cover was attractive. Beyond that, I read about five chapters and couldn't get beyond that. My main problem with the book was believability. What kind of person, when the twin brother they never knew they had turns up out of the blue, says go away, I don't want to know you? It's blindingly obvious that the existence of an evil lookalike is going to be a problem going forward, but our hero chooses to keep it secret from his new bride, who he for some reason expects will ditch him if she knows. The whole scenario is beyond unlikely, plus the sudden appearance of the twin brother was so far (up till that chapter) unexplained, as was the background to why the brother was so cranky with his new-found twin. Then Mote has a secret of her own, which - to the author's credit - she doesn't reveal immediately. The plot rolls from improbability to improbability with the speed of a car chase. I wasn't hooked.
1 review
December 30, 2022
I started reading this book while eating breakfast to pass the time and couldn’t put it down! My whole day is gone because of this book - yes I blame the book. You want to know what happens to the characters and where the author is going with the story. It also had me having conversations with the book (or the author or myself...I don't know anymore) saying things like: "I bet he will be the only person who believes her" or "I really wanted her to be a good friend!!! Why??!!!" Without revealing spoilers, it's certainly an enjoyable book that you will want to know the ending of. I also appreciate the use of indigenous language sprinkled in the book. "His Dark Reflection" has reminded me of the pleasure and imaginative appeal of reading fiction books again. Good one! And kudos to the author!
Profile Image for KimMacs.
418 reviews16 followers
March 8, 2023
His Dark Reflection is a suspenseful thriller that does not disappoint! The first few chapters reel you in and then the rest of the book takes you on a roller coaster. The story is centered around a family unit, Jack, Mote, Ara, and Tale. After 17 years of marriage, you wouldn't think there could be many secrets in their relationship, however, we learn just how many secrets are being kept rather quickly.

This story has many twists, turns, and definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat. Some of the plot lines are from out of left field and others are completely predictable, but either way, it was an entertaining book with a solid storyline.
Profile Image for Tyler Marshall.
928 reviews52 followers
May 22, 2023
Wow I want expecting that!

When I went into this book I kind of went into it blind, I read the blurb but it doesn’t give much away. I was surprised by this authors intricate writing that had me on the edge of my seat through out this read.

This thriller is loaded with lots of twists and turn, murder, secrets and betrayals that will have you gasping and wanting to know what’s going to happen next.

I highly recommend going in blind like me and being wowed by what’s to come, is you’re looking for a book that will have you cancelling your plans so that you can finish the book this is for you!
Profile Image for Kimmy.
17 reviews
December 27, 2023
I have to confess, it's been sooooo long since a book held me captive from cover to cover in a single sitting, but this gem pulled me in and refused to let go. The characters are nothing short of brilliant, and the multiple perspectives pull you so deep into the story that you'll lose track of time. Honestly, brace yourself for those plot twists that hit you out of nowhere, only to have everything fall into place in those final shocking chapters (Seriously, I didn't think anymore secrets would be revealed. and then boom she has a half-sister?) Murder, mystery, family secrets, romance—it's got it all!

For those craving a compelling storyline with characters that linger in your thoughts long after you've closed the book, I wholeheartedly recommend diving into this!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dana Hartmann.
142 reviews11 followers
December 19, 2022
I have never read a book that kept me guessing what the outcome would be. There are many suspects and a few bad characters. As each person is pushed to show their loyalty and love, the reader is left to determine who will do what to show the other characters what that love will cause them to do. The bad characters do what they do because of jealousy and hatred. But what makes a bad person bad and can a bad person do good? Without giving the plot away, I look forward the next book by a great author who will cause you to be second guessing all the way through the story.
Profile Image for FaceBehindABook.
272 reviews10 followers
February 26, 2023
This page turner was paced just right, packed with action and a who dunnit sort of vibe.

I liked:
- The book was P.O.V so you got to see events unfold through the eyes of different perspectives.
- That it wasn't all H.E.A
- The rollercoaster of thoughts and emotions as you read through this journey.
- The portrayal of how traumatic events can lead to some awkward secrets being uncovered and how we deal with our feelings when going through these events.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Danielle Paquette-Harvey.
Author 38 books120 followers
February 18, 2024
Wow this book was such a thrill ride!! Everyone has secrets they hide. People are not who they seem to be. Betrayal, murders, this book has it all!!

I really liked Mote and Jack, and Ara. They were my favorite characters. I really love that the author has a Discussion/Question section. It's so fun and I really never seen anything like this.

I will not spoil, but I read this book in one sitting. Some of the twists, I saw them coming, and others, I didn't. And this ending!!! Omg 😳 Now I need more! I need to see what will happen.

This book will keep you flipping the pages!
Profile Image for C.D. McKenna.
Author 12 books74 followers
February 18, 2024
*SPOIL FREE REVIEW*

This was such a fun read. It's a page turner with LOTS of twists - some expected, some not. What I loved most about this book is that nobody is necessarily 'innocent' - everyone has a secret, no one can be trusted. Murder, lies, and betrayal call this story home. It exploits some of the most terrifying traits of humanity, while also honing in on some brutal ones.

Ara was a fun character to get to know. She is strong willed and while characters like Mote and Jack are awesome, she was a favorite.

An awesome ending too that I think fits the entire tone of the story.
Profile Image for Temi Karaki.
1 review
December 14, 2022
Really surprised at how engrossed I was in this book. I'm not one to be usually caught off guard but certain twists towards the end/climax of this book surprised me, pleasantly. The evil twin was so sick, evil and deeply committed to ruining his brother's perfect life, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Don't know what that says about me lol. All in all, I recommend this book for when you need a dose of excitement and "Revenge (the popular TV show)" level drama to stimulate you
1 review
December 18, 2022
Before reading this book, I got the review(s) that suggested that you wouldn't be able to put it down. No kidding! I always wanted to know what was next and read it within the shortest time. So many emotions here and there. And then there's this thing I coined a name for which I experienced. Lol. Called it "the Tyler Perry effect". So we have to expect what'd happen next even after the book says "THE END". It was an amazing read! Loved it, loved it.
Profile Image for Skylar Annairo.
Author 1 book2 followers
May 8, 2023
This is a complex story ripe with suspense and tension. The POVs at the start of the story can be a bit confusing, as there are many characters to keep track of. There was much foreshadowing to the point I felt as if the twists were rather predictable and anticlimactic. This is still a riveting read, though, and the author sure knows how to build thick tension among characters.
Would I read more from this author? Absolutely.
I score this 8.5/10, or 4/5.
69 reviews
May 31, 2023
Wow! This book is almost like a Greek tragedy. Brother against brother, husband against wife, friend against friend. All master-minded by a shunned man whom no one even knew existed!
The story has so many twists and yet the author seamlessly knits together a coherent narrative. There is no favorite character. Just when you think you picked one and feel comfortable knowing them, there’s a twist and your emotions are racing again!
Definitely recommend!
Author 2 books
March 8, 2024
Ok so I may go back and finish this book, but right now I'm DNF at 66%. It's a fair enough debut novel, and you may like it as a reader, but I do not like the narrative style. It's just not jiving with me. And I'm starting to think both main male characters should be yeeted into the sea. Maybe that's how I'm supposed to feel, maybe not. And one or two of the main female characters should be yeeted along with them.

Like I said, I may go back and finish, but for now I'm saying no.
696 reviews7 followers
December 21, 2022
I did not expect this story to be so good for our author's first novel. Murder, mystery, fear, sadness, revenge and love permeate this story. Characters and locations are well developed and the plot twists keep the reader enthralled. Our author's imagination is a wonderful place to explore. Set aside time, you won't want to set this one down. But be aware - there is a cliffhanger.
Profile Image for Casey Carter.
225 reviews
January 24, 2023
A very suspenseful read! A well thought out story with well rounded characters. The chapters were a bit long and I felt some of conversations in said chapters wasn’t necessary. I did figure out one of the twists but the ending was left open enough for a sequel which I would love to be able to read!

Thank you to the Marvelous Michael Anson for an arc of this book!
Profile Image for Lacy Chantell.
Author 15 books93 followers
February 21, 2023
This book is beautifully written! Each chapter has a new twist and keeps you engulfed in the story of the main characters. The way she gives you different POVs so you know things the characters don't know is magic and I loved it. Just when I thought there weren't any more plot twists something else comes to light. For my first ever mystery/thriller I can't recommend this book enough!
4,218 reviews52 followers
March 9, 2023
I wasn't sure what to expect. The author is new to me, the two main characters, Jack and Mote are complex they are holding things back. Needless to say the truth always has a way of coming out. How will these two deal with the consequences of those secrets and what will it mean for their relationship. There are intense moments all in all not a bad read. 3.5 stars roundup
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews

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