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Thea Kozak #2
Death in a Funhouse Mirror
Helene Streeter seems to be the perfect wife and mother--a cool, analytical psychologist at the pinnacle of her profession. When Streeter is slaughtered at her own doorstep, her daughter, Thea Kozak's old college roommate, begs Thea for help in finding her mother's killer. Soon, Thea is caught in a web of deceit and madness as she unravels a tangled web of lies.
348 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1995
176 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Kate Flora
53 books123 followersKate Flora grew up on a chicken farm in Maine where the Friday afternoon trip to the library was the high point of her week. She dreamed of being able to create the kind of compelling, enchanting worlds of the books she disappeared into every week, but growing up in the era when “help wanted” ads were still sex-segregated, she felt her calling was to go to law school and get the job they told her she couldn’t have.
After law school, Kate worked in the Maine attorney general’s office, protecting battered kids, chasing deadbeat dads, and representing the Human Rights Commission. Those years taught her all a crime writer needs to know about the human propensity to commit horrible acts. After some years in private practice, she decided to give writing a serious try when she quit the law to stay at home for a few years with her young sons. That ‘serious try’ led to ten tenacious and hellacious years in the unpublished writer’s corner, followed, finally, by the sale of her Thea Kozak series.
Kate’s eighteen books will include eight Thea Kozak mysteries, five gritty Joe Burgess police procedurals, a suspense thriller (written under the name Katharine Clark), two true crime books, Death Dealer and Finding Amy (co-written with Joseph Loughlin, a Portland, Maine Deputy Police Chief), a Maine game warden's memoir, A Good Man with a Dog, co-written with Roger Guay, and a book about police shootings from the police point of view, Shots Fired: The misunderstandings, misconceptions, and myths about police shootings, co-written with Joseph K. Loughlin. Finding Amy was a 2007 Edgar nominee as well as a Maine Literary Award finalist, and has been optioned for a movie. Kate’s award-winning short stories have been widely anthologized and Redemption and And Grant You Peace, her third and fourth Joe Burgess mysteries, won the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction.
Flora's fiction, nonfiction, and short fiction have been finalists for the Edgar, Agatha, Anthony, and Derringer Awards.
She is a founding member of the New England Crime Bake, the region's annual mystery conference, and the Maine Crime Wave. With two other crime writers, she started founded Level Best Books, where she worked as an editor and publisher for seven years. She served a term as international president of Sisters in Crime, an organization founded to promote awareness of women writers’ contributions to the mystery field. Currently, she teaches writing and does manuscript critiques for Grub Street in Boston.
She has two sons (one into film and the other into photovoltaics) two lovely daughters-in-law, an adorable eight-year-old grandson and five granddogs, Frances, Otis, Harvey, Oscar, and Daisy. When not conducting research for her novels and nonfiction—research that includes riding an ATV through the Canadian woods or hiding in a tick-infested field waiting to be found by search and rescue dogs—Kate can often be found in her garden, waging war against the woodchucks and her husband’s lawnmower, or in the kitchen, devising clever and devious ways to get the men in her life to eat their vegetables.
After law school, Kate worked in the Maine attorney general’s office, protecting battered kids, chasing deadbeat dads, and representing the Human Rights Commission. Those years taught her all a crime writer needs to know about the human propensity to commit horrible acts. After some years in private practice, she decided to give writing a serious try when she quit the law to stay at home for a few years with her young sons. That ‘serious try’ led to ten tenacious and hellacious years in the unpublished writer’s corner, followed, finally, by the sale of her Thea Kozak series.
Kate’s eighteen books will include eight Thea Kozak mysteries, five gritty Joe Burgess police procedurals, a suspense thriller (written under the name Katharine Clark), two true crime books, Death Dealer and Finding Amy (co-written with Joseph Loughlin, a Portland, Maine Deputy Police Chief), a Maine game warden's memoir, A Good Man with a Dog, co-written with Roger Guay, and a book about police shootings from the police point of view, Shots Fired: The misunderstandings, misconceptions, and myths about police shootings, co-written with Joseph K. Loughlin. Finding Amy was a 2007 Edgar nominee as well as a Maine Literary Award finalist, and has been optioned for a movie. Kate’s award-winning short stories have been widely anthologized and Redemption and And Grant You Peace, her third and fourth Joe Burgess mysteries, won the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction.
Flora's fiction, nonfiction, and short fiction have been finalists for the Edgar, Agatha, Anthony, and Derringer Awards.
She is a founding member of the New England Crime Bake, the region's annual mystery conference, and the Maine Crime Wave. With two other crime writers, she started founded Level Best Books, where she worked as an editor and publisher for seven years. She served a term as international president of Sisters in Crime, an organization founded to promote awareness of women writers’ contributions to the mystery field. Currently, she teaches writing and does manuscript critiques for Grub Street in Boston.
She has two sons (one into film and the other into photovoltaics) two lovely daughters-in-law, an adorable eight-year-old grandson and five granddogs, Frances, Otis, Harvey, Oscar, and Daisy. When not conducting research for her novels and nonfiction—research that includes riding an ATV through the Canadian woods or hiding in a tick-infested field waiting to be found by search and rescue dogs—Kate can often be found in her garden, waging war against the woodchucks and her husband’s lawnmower, or in the kitchen, devising clever and devious ways to get the men in her life to eat their vegetables.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 5, 2016
I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for my honest review. Thea is such a complex character I have a difficult time with her. In some areas I love her strong attitude, but at times it is just overbearing. The story in this book was very interesting. I did figure out the killer halfway through. It didn't kill the book for me though. It was an enjoyable read.
June 27, 2016
I received a copy of this book from ebook discovery in exchange for my honest review. I really enjoyed this book, it was good to get reacquainted with characters from the last book and to meet some new dysfunctional characters as well. This book had alot of twists and turns which kept me highly engaged. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
January 2, 2020
I can’t read anymore. This isn’t a very imaginative writer. To many fillers. The author goes off on to many tangents. Things that don’t even need to be put into the story. My impression of Thea is not very bright and sleepy, hungry. Why? Incompetent.
May 10, 2021
Thea Kozak works in the consulting business. She also is a cunning amateur detective on the side. After dealing with her husband, David's tragic death, her younger sister, Carrie's murder, and now she just wants to go back to being a workaholic. That is normal for Thea.
Her business partner, Suzanne is getting married and Thea is her maid of honor.
Her college roommate and friend, Eva Paris is back home. Sadly, to attend her mother's funeral. And now she is juggling time with her intermittent romantic partner, Andre Lemieux. A homicide detective in Maine. Between all her daily work assignments, murder threats, because she involved herself, with helping Eva find out who murdered her mother.
Andre wants to devote his time with Thea when possible, but doesn't know how to express his feelings.
They both have a difficult time dealing with commitment, because of past love experiences. Thea is a head strong woman, not to be reckoned with.
This is book 2 in The Thea Kozak Mystery Series. A riveting and heart pounding murder mystery. The author's writing is instantly engaging in this story, and starts on page 1.
I received this book from ebook discovery. I volunteered to review it and this is my honest review.
Her business partner, Suzanne is getting married and Thea is her maid of honor.
Her college roommate and friend, Eva Paris is back home. Sadly, to attend her mother's funeral. And now she is juggling time with her intermittent romantic partner, Andre Lemieux. A homicide detective in Maine. Between all her daily work assignments, murder threats, because she involved herself, with helping Eva find out who murdered her mother.
Andre wants to devote his time with Thea when possible, but doesn't know how to express his feelings.
They both have a difficult time dealing with commitment, because of past love experiences. Thea is a head strong woman, not to be reckoned with.
This is book 2 in The Thea Kozak Mystery Series. A riveting and heart pounding murder mystery. The author's writing is instantly engaging in this story, and starts on page 1.
I received this book from ebook discovery. I volunteered to review it and this is my honest review.
May 12, 2019
Thea and her friend Sue, and then her parents, she was often at there home. For Sue she didn’t have a life, with her parents profession, they expected her to be perfect, Now with the savage death of her mother, Sue reached out to Thea, the neediness and someone who would have answers. Her father Cliff has already found someone before to love and lean on. Her boyfriend Andre said be careful Sue will drain you of energy. Now Cliff has some ideas for her and Suzanne’s business venture, or is it something else.
For Andre he wants more, to be there for him, yet his works keeps him hours at the office, and irregular hours. For her, she works all hours, especially when the office is quiet, Guarded to fully be with him, after suddenly losing her husband. She knew she loved him, the same as the bourbon, it warmed and soothe her. She knew she would have to handle and decided sometime. A good series that has a murder to solve, as well as the drama of past friends. Will she be able to pull out, without damage.
For Andre he wants more, to be there for him, yet his works keeps him hours at the office, and irregular hours. For her, she works all hours, especially when the office is quiet, Guarded to fully be with him, after suddenly losing her husband. She knew she loved him, the same as the bourbon, it warmed and soothe her. She knew she would have to handle and decided sometime. A good series that has a murder to solve, as well as the drama of past friends. Will she be able to pull out, without damage.
January 8, 2021
Second in the Thea Kozak mystery series. Thea is an educational consultant whose friends and family just happen to get murdered (at least so far), a strong-willed woman with a 'fixer' personality. In this outing we get a lot more of Thea's relationships with her work and her significant others, past and present, and lost of scenes of food, with some investigation along the way. Kate Flora is adept at putting you right there with Thea in every scene, and both she, and the murder, are more than interesting enough to make you want to go along for the ride. Recommended, and Thea Kozak #3 is now on my TBR pile. (And if you like police procedurals more than 'happenstance' detectives, try Kate's Joe Burgess books first.)
June 22, 2022
"Death in a Funhouse Mirror" is a slow burn leading to a gripping finish. The second in the Thea Kozak series it can't quite match the depth of "Chosen for Death" but is still a fine read.
The mother of one of Thea's friends is brutally murdered and, despite her misgivings, Thea gets roped in. At the same time a scheming and manipulative former employee has Thea firmly in her sights (this strand, while promising at first, proves something of a damp squib)
Her relationship with Andre is rocky and, all in all, she's just not on her game much of the time.
It comes down to persistent work, overheard half-conversations, dreams and memories.
The final third sees an escalation in pace and is genuinely moving.
3.5 Stars
The mother of one of Thea's friends is brutally murdered and, despite her misgivings, Thea gets roped in. At the same time a scheming and manipulative former employee has Thea firmly in her sights (this strand, while promising at first, proves something of a damp squib)
Her relationship with Andre is rocky and, all in all, she's just not on her game much of the time.
It comes down to persistent work, overheard half-conversations, dreams and memories.
The final third sees an escalation in pace and is genuinely moving.
3.5 Stars
January 14, 2019
After solving her sister’s murder Thea is trying to return to normalcy with the added bonus of her new man Andre. A shocking murder of the mother of an old friend throws her right back into murder and mayhem. All the while she is trying to run a business and help her partner get through to her wedding day sane and happy. A roller coaster ride. An excellent read that kept me guessing til the end.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
February 1, 2019
The Thea Kozak Mystery Series is a series that I have really been enjoying. I find it to be interesting and entertaining. The character interaction is fantastic. I especially like how strong the main character Thea is. She is very independent and opinionated... a great role model.
I found Death in a Funhouse Mirror to be a great continuation to a well written series. A series that I would definitely recommend to others.
“I received a free copy of this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.”
I found Death in a Funhouse Mirror to be a great continuation to a well written series. A series that I would definitely recommend to others.
“I received a free copy of this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.”
January 12, 2019
As usual from this author, a well written story with very good characters. There are quite a few witty remarks and I especially like the part about Jack. Unfortunately, this book is a bit too long with too much stuff outside the real plot, and the action is dependent on too many stupid mistakes by the main character.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
October 9, 2017
Death in a funhouse mirror
I just finished Kate Flora's DEATH IN A FUNHOUSE MIRROR . . . and cried, as I do in real life, when the crisis is past and caring help is at hand. I love books in which I connect with the characters. I read until 2 a.m., to a halfway safe spot, and picked it up again this morning. Twisty and compelling and very well-written.
I just finished Kate Flora's DEATH IN A FUNHOUSE MIRROR . . . and cried, as I do in real life, when the crisis is past and caring help is at hand. I love books in which I connect with the characters. I read until 2 a.m., to a halfway safe spot, and picked it up again this morning. Twisty and compelling and very well-written.
April 21, 2021
Although it’s a murder mystery, this is actually a fun read, with quirky characters and a general irreverent tone. A bit (really not much) of romance, a host of diverse cops, and smart, independent colleagues are a great accompaniment to Thea’s extraordinary life.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
January 3, 2019
Romantic suspense with a tense spiral to the climax!
Great story line that is exceptionally well written.
I have become a Kate Flora addict!
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. This is my honest review.
Great story line that is exceptionally well written.
I have become a Kate Flora addict!
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. This is my honest review.
July 21, 2019
Mirror, Mirror
I’m in love with Thea, Andre and her collection of friends. This is becoming one of my favorite mystery series. I couldn’t wait to turn the page to see what happened next! There never seemed to be a dull moment with Thea!
I’m in love with Thea, Andre and her collection of friends. This is becoming one of my favorite mystery series. I couldn’t wait to turn the page to see what happened next! There never seemed to be a dull moment with Thea!
May 3, 2025
The ending was abrupt. I think this is the last of the series I’m reading. I don’t really like the main character, she forgets to eat, wears new clothes without washing them, takes really stupid risks and takes near death attacks and many, many pages to solve the crime.
December 27, 2018
3 1/2 stars. This is the second in her series. It was better than the first one but a few little things kept me from giving it 4 stars. I will read the next one.
February 4, 2019
Yet another superb read. I am thoroughly enjoying this author’s work. I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery. I am voluntarily posting this review. This is my honest review.
January 10, 2021
Another good one!
February 18, 2020
This the 2nd book in the Thea Kozak series. Even though Thea isn't a detective or work in any law enforcement capacity, she still gets involved with another mystery. Kate Flora does a good job writing and keeping you looking for another answer to situations that arise in the story. By the time you get toward the end, reading is alot slower than how fast you want to turn pages and find some answers. Book #3 next.
June 18, 2016
I received this book free from E-Book Discovery in exchange for an honest review.
Staying busy has never been a problem for Thea Kozak, she is a workaholic. She really has a busy life and believes she has all she can handle; that was before she had to fire an assistant for incompetence. Now she has to start interviewing people to fill the position. She also has a multitude of problems that arise with her best friend's wedding. Then to make matters worse, her old friend and former college roommate calls for help.
If Thea has a flaw, it is that she can’t say NO to a friend in need. Sometimes it’s hard trying to fit everything into a day, but she works hard at it and things seem to be working out.
She is working out the kinks with regard to the wedding and reception. Her executive assistant is getting people scheduled for the interviews. Suzanne and her business is expanding and she is trying to take care of her friend’s request, although that is proving to be more involved than she expected.
Then, the attacks on Thea begin, first attempted burglaries, then attacks on her person!
How can she handle everything? Will she be able to make the wedding happen? Will she end up being sued by the employee she fired? Will she be able to solve her old friend's problem? Will she live to see another day?
This is a very well written story with lots of twists, turns, and a few surprises. Her characters are well developed with definite personalities.
Staying busy has never been a problem for Thea Kozak, she is a workaholic. She really has a busy life and believes she has all she can handle; that was before she had to fire an assistant for incompetence. Now she has to start interviewing people to fill the position. She also has a multitude of problems that arise with her best friend's wedding. Then to make matters worse, her old friend and former college roommate calls for help.
If Thea has a flaw, it is that she can’t say NO to a friend in need. Sometimes it’s hard trying to fit everything into a day, but she works hard at it and things seem to be working out.
She is working out the kinks with regard to the wedding and reception. Her executive assistant is getting people scheduled for the interviews. Suzanne and her business is expanding and she is trying to take care of her friend’s request, although that is proving to be more involved than she expected.
Then, the attacks on Thea begin, first attempted burglaries, then attacks on her person!
How can she handle everything? Will she be able to make the wedding happen? Will she end up being sued by the employee she fired? Will she be able to solve her old friend's problem? Will she live to see another day?
This is a very well written story with lots of twists, turns, and a few surprises. Her characters are well developed with definite personalities.
June 4, 2016
Thea Kozak is a very confused, complex woman who hasn't gotten over her sister Carrie's death or the death of her husband David. She and her partner Suzanne are partners in a company that helps develop ways to bring in more business for private schools. She has a boyfriend who is a detective with the Maine police department and they spend time together whenever they can. But when Thea's friend's mother is killed, her friend wants Thea to help find out who killed her mother. There are many twists and turns in this book. Thea gets into so much trouble while trying just to help out her friend and almost doesn't make it. Oh and she's the maid of honor in Suzanne's wedding that is coming up in a week. Does Thea discover who would kill her friend's mother? Why are there so many different people giving different stories about her? Read the book to find out. I received this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for an honest review.
June 16, 2016
Thea is an interesting protagonist, and I enjoyed meeting her. The writing and editing are solid, making the book a delight to read. Andre could have been more fleshed out, so I'm hoping to see that in the next book. I never made the connection between the title and the story, but I could have missed it. I would like to see characters' backstories explored explored more deeply in future books. I look forward to seeing where this series goes.
I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for my honest review.
I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for my honest review.
February 12, 2009
Thea Kozak's mother browbeats her into investigating the suspicious death of a philandering banker. Interesting plot twists! Although I prefer the books where Thea's work as a consultant to private schools engenders the investigation, this was a good entry in the series.
January 21, 2012
Book #4 read in 2012
I really liked this book. The plot moved quickly and I grew to like Thea more. I can't wait to read more in this series.
I really liked this book. The plot moved quickly and I grew to like Thea more. I can't wait to read more in this series.
October 6, 2014
4.5
I might have given this a 5 but for all the early negative references to overweight women.
I might have given this a 5 but for all the early negative references to overweight women.
November 19, 2015
Great read!
Couldn't wait to turn each page. Great plot and characters. Really enjoyed this book and the one before. Will read every book by this author!!! Love, love, love.
Couldn't wait to turn each page. Great plot and characters. Really enjoyed this book and the one before. Will read every book by this author!!! Love, love, love.
June 26, 2016
A most enjoyable read can't wait to read more of here books.
"I received this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for an honest review."
"I received this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for an honest review."
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May 16, 2011Thea Kozak
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews