(might not be on Amazon or Goodreads etc)
I was not quite in the mood for a cozy mystery when I began reading what turned out to be an excellent novella - I'd mainly been reading short, romantic stories and not had to think too hard about the plot or sift through the clues to keep on top of events. However, the writing quickly reeled me in with the glimpses of life in 1971 - post decimalisation and most definitely pre internet - and the domesticity of the main narrator Jan Christopher's world.
I loved this easy-to-read cozy mystery and have determined to read the five other books in this series.
There are some interesting characters, Aunt Madge amongst them, who I warmed to immediately and one or two others, like the obnoxious Mr Hurst and his wife, both of whom I disliked on first encounter, who I hoped would meet a fitting end.
A number of crimes are committed and therefore several threads to keep an eye on. Although it was not a complicated story to follow, there was plenty to intrigue me and keep me on my toes. The gentle pacing of the story also suited me nicely and I enjoyed the budding romance between Jan and Laurie as much as I did solving the mystery.
I would recommend A Mirror Murder, which I thoroughly enjoyed, to readers who love a historical cozy mystery with a snapshort of life in the 1970s and a fledgling romance.
I do love a cozy crime series, and Helen Hollick’s Jan Christopher stories are fabulous.
As I so often do, I have read the series slightly out of order, and all you sensible people will start with A Mirror Murder, and you are in for a real treat as you read your way through the entire series.
The first book, A Mirror Murder, sets the scene for the series and introduces us to the cast. As someone who loves a really well-written and tightly plotted cosy mystery, I adored this book.
Perfectly evoking the early 1970s, with reference to newspaper events and Jackie magazine, including the cost of chocolate and a bus ticket, as well as some evocative pre-electronic library administration, I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery. It did bring back memories of my school days when I was forced to volunteer in the local library, and they sent us to the depths of the library and let us loose on the card filing system.
Having started to read this cracking series with Book 2 (jumping the gun, if you pardon the pun), I finally got around to reading the first book in the series, A Mirror Murder. Not that it matters, as I found the back story in A Mystery of Murder easy to follow.
In A Mirror Murder, we are introduced to Jan Christopher, a young librarian working in north-east London in 1971. Jan is a thoughtful girl, polite, and conscientious in her work. The daughter of a murdered Detective Inspector, and niece to DCI Toby Christopher, her father's brother, she was raised fully aware of the world outside the front door. Yet there is also a sense of endearing naïvety about her that comes with a protected upbringing.
When her uncle introduces her to his new DC, Lawrence (Laurie) Walker, she feels immediately drawn to him, and fortunately, that feeling is mutual. They arrange a movie date one evening, which goes exceedingly well – until they pass the house of a library customer, and the front door is open!
Checking in on Mrs Norris, it is Jan who discover the older woman's dead body. Furthermore, Laurie asks her to stay put whilst he runs to the local police HQ. Left with the poor dead woman, and despite a surreal fear of the murderer returning, Jan notices certain things, the importance of which only become clear later to her.
This is how Jan becomes involved in sleuthing, and her knowledge of the woman helps them paint a picture – which then turns out to be not quite real!
At the same time, a flasher threatens hikers and riders in a nearby park area, and Jan has a faint idea of who it might be – with severe consequences later on in the novel.
There is also a third mystery having occurred in nearby Cambridgeshire – a baby has gone missing!
Are all these cases connected, and if yes, how? Is it a wider web of conspiracy, or simply an opportunistic murder? You should really read the series to find out!
Thank you @rararesources for letting me be part of this tour and reviewing this book.A Mirror Murder is book 1 in the series and is a crime mystery genre. The story is written elegantly and is easy to get into. I enjoyed the plot, and I liked the characters a lot and felt like I knew them and built a bond with them. The story is set in 1971 and is about Jan, who is 18 years old and a library assistant, and her uncle, who is a policeman. A Mirror MIdder is a cozy and light read that is brilliant for these dark nights. I was hooked on the story and can’t wait for book 2. I also loved the twist because I could not, for the life of me, work out who had done it. Brilliant,
5 stars.
Based in the summer of 1971, I enjoyed the setting and took to the people in this story immediately. I also liked the way the narrative switched between Jan and Laurie. It’s an easy and quick read, with some great characters and humour, and quite gentle, despite some horrible crimes being committed as Jan finds herself caught up in a murder investigation. As a lifelong horse owner and rider, I am always so happy to see all equine related details being so spot on - clearly this author knows her stuff! Loved it so much I went out and ordered the entire series! 5*
I really enjoyed this 1970s set crime novel, while I wasn’t around in the 70s (I’m an 80s baby) my mum always tells me about then, as she was training to be a nurse and met my dad during the decade, but I have worked in a library or two, so I could relate to Jan’s job, libraries attract some interesting people.
I thought this was a very enjoyable, entertaining and clever book. The case was more involved than it first appeared, and there were other, smaller crimes to resolve along the way. Eventually Laurie and Jan might even get to go out for a nice dinner, somewhere other than her aunt and uncle’s house.
I’ve heard many a goof thing about Helen Hollick so was really looking forward to getting to grips with this one.
The story follows Jan Christopher is a young librarian. She’s got an inquisitive mind and takes note of the little details in life.
Her Uncle Toby is a DCI in the local police force and introduces her to a colleague DC Laurie Walker… you can tell Uncle Toby planned this.. the little ploy works and they agree to go on a date.
whilst walking home a murder is discovered and Jan turns amateur sleuth.. she’s perfect for the role.. who knows the people in the area better than her?
This is where it gets fun and the cosy element of the tale really kicks in.. we quickly learn while Jan has noted the little quirks people have there’s a lot more to them that.. and some are a little more suspicious than others… you can’t help but get sucked in and get excited to see what Jan can find out!
I really liked Jan and how we are introduced, it sets the tone and pace nicely and puts the reader in a relaxed mode.. you really can curl up on the couch with a cuppa for this one and enjoy.
I feel the setting really played to the cosy feel of the story, the connections that perhaps we don’t have these days with our neighbours etc, noting the little thing in life. There’s also a lot of little titbits of info putting you nicely in the time period.
I won’t spoil Jan’s adventure but it’s certainly an engrossing read, the pace perfect and light..super easy to read and enjoy. If you like the idea of an old school mystery you’ll love this..
My thanks go to the author, publisher and Rachel’s Random Resources for having me on the tour!
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