#BookReview Shattered Mirror by Iris Johansen @StMartinsPress

Shattered Mirror by Iris Johansen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author comes a new explosive thriller featuring forensic sculptor Eve Duncan.

Iris Johansen returns with a thrilling novel of action and danger where fan favorite Eve Duncan is thrown once more into a deadly game of intrigue. It begins when Eve receives a package containing a skull—and instructions for Eve to do her work reconstructing it. When she does, a beautiful woman’s face emerges. But when Eve is introduced to the dead woman’s mirror image, a game is on where her twin’s life hangs in the balance.

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First, I want to say that I had some trepidation about reading this book. I do find this series wonderful, but the last book just didn't do much for me. So, I really wanted to like this book, but I was worried that I would be disappointed again. Thankfully, this book worked better for, although it's still far away from the best ones I read in this series. At least Eve Duncan has a more prominent role to play in this book than in the last. I do like Jane Macguire, but I do prefer to have Eve as the main character rather than a secondary. Unfortunately, Eve had to share the limelight with Cara Delaney, who she saved a couple of years ago. This review contains spoiler about the previous book and I will also deal with things about what is going on in this book. So if you want a spoiler-free review, should you perhaps stop reading here.

Shattered Mirror takes place a couple of years later on than the previous book. Eve and Joe's son Michael is now six and Cara is eighteen. This felt like a big leap, but it was necessary for the story, or rather for Cara's story since the connection she has had with Jock since she was twelve hardly could evolve with her being underaged. Yeah, this part of the book was hardly surprising, Cara has grown up and she has always had a soft spot for Jock. This is probably a good thing since I have to admit that Cara's and Jock's "thing", felt borderline creepy when she was so young. Cara is now studying music and has a roommate Darcy, but after Cara is attacked by an unknown enemy do they both go home to Eve and Joe. Meanwhile, Eve has gotten her hands on a mystery skull. And, the unknown enemy out there seems to be having a torn on the side to both Eve, Cara and Cara's criminal grandfather.

I'm a bit on the fence when it comes to this book, on one side is it refreshing to be back to Eve trying to find out the identity of the woman whose skull she is working on. On the other hand, was I not so thrilled about Cara's story, nor Darcys. The whole Darcy is so beautiful she turns everyone's head around was boring from the first time I heard about her. She was a character that I felt never really got to me. And, Cara and Jock's "dance" through this book was also something that bothered me.

What worked for me was Eve, Joe and Michael. I like Michael, he's a special book and I've always liked Eve. The best part of the book was about them. Eve's worry now when Michael is the same age as Bonnie was when she lost her. And, as always do I enjoy her work with reconstructing skulls.

This book is OK. I was pleased that Eve took a more central role, but I would love to read a book without Cara in it, or with her in a smaller role. Right now I'm thinking of going back to the beginning of the series and pick up where I left off.

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!