Erin Kelly’s writing is always absorbing and authentic with a touch of gothic flair, and this latest release does not disappoint. I didn’t realise when I picked it up that it’s a sequel to her hit 2010 debut, The Poison Tree, which I have read, but – I have to confess – I don’t really remember. But, I can safely say, that doesn’t detract from enjoying this novel. There’s a lot of backstory woven into The House of Mirrors along the way, so it works whether you’ve read its predecessor or not – plus it will help trigger some memories of the original if your memory is as poor as mine.
At the heart of this story is a closeknit family; Rex, Karen and their daughter, Alice. Alice has just launched a quirky vintage clothes shop in London, and her parents are fully supportive of their only daughter’s dreams. But, the happy family isn’t as perfect as they first seem. Nestled among the vintage clothes, there’s a whole lot of skeletons lurking in the closet.
Karen and Alice take turns in the narration of this story, and the contrast between mother and daughter works well – both giving the reader different perspectives, and revealing how much this family are truly keeping from eachother. Alice is happily in love, about to commit to her new partner Gabe, while protective Karen doesn’t trust her daughter’s new man and definitely doesn’t want the two of them delving too much into their shared family history.
Erin Kelly just has a way of writing which I love, although personally this wasn’t one of my favourites from her. It’s still got all her trademarks, her loyal fans will love the connections to the previous novel, and it’s an excellent mix of domestic drama and psychological thriller.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. 3.5/5.
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