Mirrorland by Carol Johnstone

Mirrorland by Carol Johnstone | Published April 20, 2021 | 320 pages | Goodreads

REVIEW

This book is a slow-burn mystery. Cat and El are estranged twin sisters; Cat lives in L.A. while El has lived in their childhood home in Edinburgh.

While growing up, they invented a game called Mirrorland, a dark, twisted place under the stairs. One day, Cat learns that El has gone missing; and the news forces her to pack her suitcase and head back to their childhood home.

The story is atmospheric with fantastic elements; it alternated between the present moment and the twins’ past. At times, I felt it was a bit slow, and the summary description had more information than necessary; I think there is a spoiler in there, and had I not read that, I would have enjoyed the story more.

I recommend it to those who enjoy slow-burn thrillers and mysteries.

PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION

Cat lives in Los Angeles, far away from 36 Westeryk Road, the imposing gothic house in Edinburgh where she and her estranged twin sister, El, grew up. As girls, they invented Mirrorland, a dark, imaginary place under the pantry stairs full of pirates, witches, and clowns. These days Cat rarely thinks about their childhood home, or the fact that El now lives there with her husband Ross.

But when El mysteriously disappears after going out on her sailboat, Cat is forced to return to 36 Westeryk Road, which has scarcely changed in twenty years. The grand old house is still full of shadowy corners, and at every turn Cat finds herself stumbling on long-held secrets and terrifying ghosts from the past. Because someone—El?—has left Cat clues in almost every room: a treasure hunt that leads right back to Mirrorland, where she knows the truth lies crouched and waiting…

A twisty, dark, and brilliantly crafted thriller about love and betrayal, redemption and revenge, Mirrorland is a propulsive, page-turning debut about the power of imagination and the price of freedom.

BOOK SOURCE AND FORMAT

ARC, ebook