The Woman in the Mirror: A Novel
The Woman in the Mirror: A Novel book cover

The Woman in the Mirror: A Novel

Hardcover – March 17, 2020

Price
$9.98
Format
Hardcover
Pages
368
Publisher
Minotaur Books
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-1250230058
Dimensions
6.37 x 1.21 x 9.64 inches
Weight
1.25 pounds

Description

"Stunning..." ― Publishers Weekly " The Woman in the Mirror is a creepily enthralling tale." ―Shelf Awareness "Atmospheric and gloomy … This thrilling gothic endeavor keeps the pages turning with tense scenes and lush depictions.” ―Booklist "A gorgeous mansion thick with ghosts, enchanting children, a dangerously mysterious master of the house―THE WOMAN IN THE MIRROR has it all. Not since THE TURN OF THE SCREW has a governess encountered so much glorious Gothic malevolence. A deliciously atmospheric read that causes the hair on the back of the neck to stand up as something rustles in the shadows in the corner…read it with all the lights on." ― New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn"Haunting, unnerving, infused with atmosphere, dread and secrets...the perfect Gothic thriller." ― New York Time s bestselling author Amanda Quick“As dark and twisted as the creeping vines of malevolent wallpaper presiding over the governess's haunted bedroom, The Woman in the Mirror draws from classic horror sources to devise a sinister tale entirely of Rebecca James's devising. Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Susan Hill are echoed here, but the intertwined modern and historical plots make for a uniquely riveting tale.” ―Lyndsay Faye, author of The Gods of Gotham "Like a modern day Turn of the Screw , this book draws you in and slowly chills you. It's beautiful and spooky. I loved it!" ―Christi Daugherty, author of The Echo Killing “...a dark treat of a book, steeped in gothic detail and heavy with unease.” ―Kate Riordan, author of The Stranger "...elegantly written and deliciously creepy.” ―Emylia Hall, author of The Thousand Lights Hotel “Deliciously sinister...” ―Nicola Cornick, author of The Phantom Tree “Brilliant, addictive and superbly gripping.” ―Kate Furnivall Rebecca James worked in publishing for several years before leaving to write full-time, and is now the author of several novels written under a pseudonym, as well as The Woman in the Mirror under her own name. Her favorite things are autumn walks, Argentinean red wine and curling up in the winter with a good old-fashioned ghost story. She lives in Bristol with her husband and two daughters.

Features & Highlights

  • Rebecca James unveils a chilling modern gothic novel of a family consumed by the shadows and secrets of its past in
  • The Woman in the Mirror
  • .
  • For more than two centuries, Winterbourne Hall has stood atop a bluff overseeing the English countryside of Cornwall and the sea beyond. Enshrouded by fog and enveloped by howling winds, the imposing edifice casts a darkness over the town.In 1947, Londoner Alice Miller accepts a post as governess at Winterbourne, looking after twin children Constance and Edmund for their widower father, Captain Jonathan de Grey. Falling under the de Greys’ spell, Alice believes the family will heal her own past sorrows. But then the twins’ adoration becomes deceitful and taunting. Their father, ever distant, turns spiteful and cruel. The manor itself seems to lash out. Alice finds her surroundings subtly altered, her air slightly chilled. Something malicious resents her presence, something clouding her senses and threatening her very sanity.In present day New York, art gallery curator Rachel Wright has learned she is a descendant of the de Greys and heir to Winterbourne. Adopted as an infant, she never knew her birth parents or her lineage. At long last, Rachel will find answers to questions about her identity that have haunted her entire life. But what she finds in Cornwall is a devastating tragic legacy that has afflicted generations of de Greys. A legacy borne from greed and deceit, twisted by madness, and suffused with unrequited love and unequivocal rage.There is only one true mistress of Winterbourne. She will not tolerate any woman who dares to cross its threshold and call it home. Those who do will only find a reflection of their own wicked sins and an inherited vengeance.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
30%
(395)
★★★★
25%
(329)
★★★
15%
(197)
★★
7%
(92)
23%
(302)

Most Helpful Reviews

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Great Read

If you liked Haunting of Hill House or Haunting of Bly Manor, you’ll love this book! The perfect amount of “spooky” without going overboard.
6 people found this helpful
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Is there no escape from a curse?

Excellent story full of mysteries. What part is real, what part is obsession (or possession); what happened in the past, and how will it affect one's behavior in the present?
A bit hard to follow for some, perhaps -- due to the time-shifts -- but a well-told story indeed. I hope this author will do another in this vein.
6 people found this helpful
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All the elements of great mystery

Like a gown up Nancy Drew mystery
5 people found this helpful
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Great story line!

I couldn't put this down! The story plot and suspense of everything was an absolute page turner!
3 people found this helpful
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A wonderful read

loved this book thank you
3 people found this helpful
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Great Gothic Atmosphere!

Really enjoyed reading this book. The glimpses at women's lives over a few time periods was interesting and well told. I will definitely seek out other books by this author.
2 people found this helpful
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Wuthering Heights Meets Rebecca

3.5 stars

For someone who can be pretty picky when it comes to the horror genre, this book which felt more like a gothic horror, was the perfect pick for me. Although quite different, this book almost reminded me of a mutant hybrid between Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. Again, both of those classic novels are quite different but something within this story reminded me of both of them.

In the beginning of this novel, I was worried about how I would respond to the change in character narratives and time periods. However, I will say that each of these characters were quite different (.....while sharing some qualities...) and it made it easy to identify and distinguish each character from each other. In fact, in hindsight now that I've finished reading this novel, I don't think the story would have been as good without the change in character narratives.

Although I wouldn't consider myself the biggest horror fan, this is the style of story that I would gravitate to if I was. It was creepy and not too farfetched or nonsensical which made the story even scarier. I definitely would consider reading more from this author in the future.

***I received an ARC of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you to Goodreads and the publisher for hosting this giveaway***
2 people found this helpful
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Terrific book!

Very interesting premise and excellent character development. Its all good when you include a haunted painting and a creepy mirror, too! Loved it!
2 people found this helpful
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Unexpectedly Beautiful!

The action unfolds on two parallel and interchanging planes: the England’s post World War II, and the modern-day New York and England, having as common denominator the Winterbourne Hall, an impressive, majestic and mysterious mansion. Situated atop a cliff overseeing both the sea and the Cornwall countryside, this estate became the subject of all the scary and tragic folklore stories in the area.
In 1947, a young secretary, Alice Miller, moves from a post-war-recovering and bleak London to the promising countryside of Cornwall, to become the governess in charge of educating and loving the twin heirs of Winterbourne Hall, Constance and Edward. There she will also meet Captain Jonathan de Gray, the widowed father and master of the estate, who is, himself, recovering from the mental and physical trauma of both: the war and the loss of his beloved wife. Once arrived at Winterbourne Hall, a complicated network of secrets and mysteries slowly start to unravel and a charged and tense atmosphere, reminiscent of Henry James’ novella “The Turn of the Screw”, is felt throughout, like a hidden dark force that is slowly, but surely, gaining power not only over the estate, but also over every inhabitant there, and especially over the kids.
The modern-day story focuses on the New York art gallery owner Rachel, who unexpectedly inherits the massive estate and is put in the difficult situation of choosing either to keep and restore it, or just sell it and return to her exhilarating New York lifestyle.
Rebecca James masters the ability to switch between an exquisite writing style from a period where the beauty of words and phrases dominated, to a modern-day approach, more pragmatic and stripped of metaphoric embellishments. It is really surprising that this book did not make more waves upon its publication, as the story represents the perfect combination of mystery, love, tragedy and hope, while the writing style is far superior to many contemporary and popular novels.
1 people found this helpful
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Deep, Well-Crafted, Rich Characters

Ok we've read lots of Gothic books containing these elements: mansion on the cliff, governess falling in love with her employer, cursed/haunted mirror, etc. BUT this author utilized those seemingly cliche-ish Gothic elements flawlessly. Never once did I think "groan...not that again" but in fact I was enthralled from start to finish.

Rich character development, differing voices for the different characters, and, most importantly, a believable portrayal of someone questioning their sanity (or being influenced by a curse!).

Nicely flowing, intelligently-written prose peppered with lovely metaphors...a delight to read just for the wonderful writing!

And the ending...was satisfying.

Not high-action, Not graphic, Not violent, Not scary, Not light and fluffy, but definitely deep, atmospheric and character-driven.

Superb! My only complaint is that her other books are written under a pseudonym, so how do I find them? I'd love to read more from this author.
1 people found this helpful