My thanks to Bonnier Books UK Zaffre for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Mirror Man’ by Lars Kepler in exchange for an honest review. This novel was originally published in Sweden in 2020 and translated from the Swedish by Alice Menzies. I complemented my reading with its unabridged audiobook edition. This is Book 8 in their series of police procedurals featuring Detective Joona Linna with the National Crime Unit. I have read four of the previous books in this series so somewhat familiar with its characters and setting, though it can be read as a standalone and background is provided for new readers. Kepler’s plots are quite complex and often rather gruesome and this one is no different. It opens with the shocking kidnapping of 16-year-old Jenny Lind as well as a tragic accident for another family. The story then moves forward five years and Jenny’s case is long gone cold. Then one night … no, I cannot reveal more as it’s all too easy to enter spoiler territory. It really is the kind of crime thriller that is best read with little advance knowledge of the plot. In their Authors’ Note Alexander and Alexandra Ahndoril, who write under the pen name of Lars Kepler, explain that while crime fiction is primarily written as entertainment that it can also be a platform for discussions about social issues; in this case violence against women including human trafficking. Like much Nordic Noir ‘The Mirror Man’ has very dark themes that might prove disturbing for some readers. Overall, I remain impressed by this excellent series and plan to catch up with the books that I missed as well as look forward to further cases with Joona Linna and his team.

This is a fantastically written and compelling novel that has you gripped from the second you start reading. I was gripped more by the first two chapters of this book than the entirety of the last three books i have read. This series is only getting better!

This is an outstanding read, it grips and takes hold from the opening pages, it is then relentless a and absorbing read, it would be fair to say it takes a difficult but sadly very real subject matter and puts into the context of a Police thriller, however it never seeks to glorify. It is as chilling as the Scandinavian landscape in which it is set, there are moments throughout in which the raw emotion from the characters voices come to the fore and where the actions taken bring home the horrors inflicted, in seeking to justify the need for swift and decisive action The Mirror Man doesn’t think twice. This is a book in which the psychology of the human mind is brought to the fore, the way the book is written though just captivated and held my attention, you can feel the pain of the victims and those affected, the narrative throughout is strong, the way the authors give voices to the main protagonists, combined with a plot which is constructed and brought wonderfully to life on the page It is a read with a high intensity, full of suspense and drama, where your nerves are tested to the limit as you read along, where the twists keep coming and where you need to expect the unexpected In someways the book is told from three differing points of view, those of the Mirror Man, the victims and their families, the way that each are written, you can feel the anguish and pain and in someways the torment, the characters certainly get under your skin, so vivid are they, with descriptive passages that make everything feel real. It feels as though the book is richly researched For me this is a high intensity thriller and whilst the book does tackle strong themes it also entertains, it flows with a pace that keeps the pages turning, as you read along your never quite sure what to expect as you read along to the dramatic ending. It is difficult to put down It is a book which poses a lot of questions, and doesn’t necessarily set out to answer them all, it certainly a read which will linger long in the memory Would highly recommend, 5* One of the years top reads

I could not keep away from this adrenaline rush of a read. It hit so intense during one part I out it dien & had to clean the oven to calm myself down. Yes, that heart palpatatingly terrifying yet voyeuristic crime catnip. Missing girls, a horrific ice incident & a man with mental illness is the only witness to a murder. There's carnage as Joona Linna chases the case & I didn't see how he could possibly win this one. There's something about Loona's persistence when everyone else says no, & grittiness of the job that makes this crime series so incredibly moreish. If you were scared in that episode of Luther with the man under the bed, that was nothing compared to The Mirror Man It's a big chonky tome but I read it in a few days as it was so addictive. Highly recommend. Thank you publishers for my gifted copy, it was terrifying.

The Mirror Man by Lars Kepler is a gripping addition to the Joona Linna series. In this eighth book, Joona investigates the abduction of a young woman, racing against time to outwit a cunning and methodical killer. The plot is dark and full of unexpected twists, and the psychological tension between Joona and the villain keeps you hooked. Kepler's pacing is relentless, with intricate details and complex mysteries that tie back to past events. Joona remains a compelling protagonist, grappling with his demons while navigating the case. His dynamic with Saga Bauer adds emotional depth amidst the tension. The writing is atmospheric and gritty, with strong character development and a chilling villain. While the pacing occasionally drags, The Mirror Man remains an engaging and immersive read. It’s a must-read for fans of Nordic noir and psychological thrillers, delivering suspense and depth from start to finish.