Book Review: Shadow in the Mirror by Deepti Menon

The first book I picked up this year as a part of the Blogchatter Book Review program is “Shadow in the Mirror”. I was happy with my decision, as this book has become a good companion for me during my last travel. I just couldn’t keep the book down, as Deepti got me completely captivated by her characters.

Genre: Action/Crime Thriller

Author: Deepti Menon

Publisher: Readomania

Available at: Amazon, GoodReads, Readomania

The Plot:

The entire story begins with the death of Nita. Nita was a happy girl, and also she was pregnant. So her jumping from the balcony arouses suspicions all around. So her death casts a shadow over many lives; her heartbroken father, her husband, and Vinny, a young journalist, drawn in by the whiff of foul play and murder.

What follows are stories within stories, eras, and worlds colliding with each other, leaving behind splintered relationships and mesmerizing slices of lives that appear to be drawn together and driven apart by the whimsical threads of destiny.

Whether the dark shadow that has been cast over so many people due to the death of Nita could be removed or this dark shadow would suffocate them also along with Nita is what needs to be understood only by reading this book.

My thoughts:

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Honestly, there are so many elements in this book, “Shadow in the Mirror,” that will take the reader by surprise. Deepti has used the layered narrative technique in the best possible way. The way she started each story, which has become another branch of the big tree, is mesmerizing. This way, Deepti has left the reader to tie the loose ends and connections so that we can understand the story completely. This book is not an easy read, which can be put down after the reader completes the book. Those haunting eyes on the book cover are not going to leave you soon.

Like in any other mystery thrillers, all these subplots will make the reader tie the connections properly. Initially, I was surprised by the number of subplots this book was getting into. But everything just falls into its own space like a jigsaw puzzle. Deepti has done a really wonderful job on that part. The ending really gave me goosebumps, and I started hating the murder all the more after reading those last lines. Though I was suspecting that this one character might be the murderer, reading the last lines made me wish that that character should have been dead by that time.

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My recommendations:

One thing that stands out very clearly in this book is the number of strong female characters portrayed in this book. Every character in this book has a parallel life to them, and this story intervenes in their life at some point or the other. But these characters are not too consumed by the story alone. Which adds a realistic touch to the story. Deepti delves into women’s psychology at a deeper level. One can find an ambitious career woman along with another who has lost everything in life because of her decisions. But whatever may be the case, all of them have exhibited their true inner strength. No matter with whom the reader identifies in the story, each character has their own flaws and positives. That’s what I feel made this book more interesting.

So, whether I am going to recommend this book, “Shadow in the Mirror,” further or not? Yes, I would definitely for the author’s strong characters and good narrative style. Of course, I would also have to credit the wonderful cover page, which will captivate you to pick up the book.

About the Author:

Deepti Menon is the author of two books, Arms and the Woman and Deeparadhana. She has worked as a journalist with several publications and is now a freelance editor. Her forte is short stories with deft twists and tongue-in-cheek articles that tickle the funny bone. Deepti lives with her family in Chennai.

One can reach her on Social Media at:

Blog: Deep Ties

Instagram: DeepsMenon

Facebook: Deepti Menon