I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Mirror, Mirror
by
Elaine Fox, J.D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Mary Kay McComas, R.C. Ryan
It is part of the In Death #37.5 series and is a fantasy, romantic suspense, short stories in Paperback edition that was published by Jove on September 24, 2013 and has 410 pages.
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Other books in this series include [books_series]
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Down the Rabbit Hole, Indulgence in Death, Treachery in Death, Kindred in Death, The Other Side, New York to Dallas, Unquiet, Celebrity in Death, Delusion in Death, Calculated in Death, Thankless in Death, Festive in Death, Obsession in Death, Betrayal in Death, "Wonderment in Death", "Possession in Death", "Midnight in Death", Devoted in Death, Brotherhood in Death, Apprentice in Death, Echoes in Death, Secrets in Death, Dark in Death, Leverage in Death, "Interlude in Death", Vendetta in Death, Golden in Death, Faithless in Death, Naked in Death, Glory in Death, Immortal in Death, Rapture in Death, Ceremony in Death, Vengeance in Death, , Loyalty in Death, Witness in Death, Judgment in Death, Seduction in Death, Reunion in Death, Holiday in Death, Purity in Death, Portrait in Death, Imitation in Death, Divided in Death, Visions in Death, Desperation in Death, Abandoned in Death, Creation in Death, Survivor in Death, Concealed in Death, Origin in Death, One More Kiss
Five short stories with a fairy tale at their core.
Series:
“Taken in Death” (In Death, 37.5)
The Stories
J.D. Robb wrote “Taken in Death” and channels Hansel and Gretel while Eve is the good witch whom the children pray finds them. Great job on this one. Tension, drama, and great work from Eve, Roarke, Feeney and his eBoys, and Dr. Mira as well as the Feds!
Mary Blayney wrote “If Wishes Were Horses“, which finds Martha Stepp in a Goldilocks of trouble through her need to find “just right” when the major gets home early with a keen-eyed aide. The clichéd confusion is redeemed by a twist of a pair of wishes.
I do love Martha’s point that she was never looking for perfection, but just right for her. Jack’s own last thought made me sigh deeply when he “hoped it would be the last scent he knew every night of his life”. Mmmm, sigh…
Elaine Fox‘s “Beauty, Sleeping” is cute enough with its Sleeping Beauty references. Thankfully, those were original to the story, I wish, though, that Fox had been less clichéd in her execution, although the table scene was original in how Fox applied it to the curse. Nice descriptions. I’m not happy with that ending as it was too unbelievable in how Fox tied everything up.
Mary Kay McComas wrote “The Christmas Comet“, a blend of The Little Match Girl and The Star Money, was just depressing for most of it, and I didn’t care for the stupidity of her main character. Yeah, yeah, it was very sweet and caring and giving and warmhearted, and what was she thinking!? Another one that tied up too easily at the sweet ending.
R.C. Ryan wrote “Stroke of Midnight“, and it’s cute enough with its sweet Sydney and her trials and tribulations. Most of ’em imposed by herself as she’s too timid to deal with her stepmama. Fox’s idea of the “ball” was fun, although that “stroke of midnight” interpretation was not believable. I can’t believe that even Sydney would fall for that one! As for Cullen’s last name? Oh, brother…at least Ryan avoided most of the clichés.
Warning: insta-love with some random eye-rolling.
The Cover and Title
The cover is rather dull with its textured burgundy background that runs a gradient of dark to light at the top that ends with a filigreed silver hand mirror radiating a Twilight Zone-ish effect.
The title is from a fairy tale, and I’m not sure if the authors intend for us to see ourselves or others in Mirror, Mirror.
