Title: The Stranger in the Mirror by Liv Constantine
Publisher: Harper
Genre: Contemporary, Domestic Mystery
Length. 336 pages:
Book Rating: B
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss
Summary:
A diabolically twisty, psychologically unsettling novel about a woman with no recollection of her past from the authors of the Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick The Last Mrs. Parrish and The Wife Stalker.
Addison’s about to get married, but she’s not looking forward to the big day. It’s not her fiancé; he’s a wonderful man. It’s because Addison doesn’t know who she really is. A few years ago, a kind driver found her bleeding next to a New Jersey highway and rescued her. While her physical wounds healed, Addison’s memory never returned. She doesn’t know her real name. Or how she ended up injured on the side of a road. Or why she can’t shake the notion that she may have done something very, very bad . . .
In a posh home in the Boston suburbs, Julian tries to figure out what happened to his loving, caring wife, Cassandra, who disappeared without a trace two years ago. She would never have left him and their seven-year-old daughter Valentina of her own free will—or would she?
As these two lives intersect, The Stranger in the Mirror hooks readers with riveting drama, told with Liv Constantine’s hallmark blend of glamour, tense psychological thrills, and jaw-dropping twists.
Review:
The Stranger in the Mirror by Liv Constantine is a mesmerizing domestic mystery.
Addison Hope is engaged to Gabriel Oliver who works in his family-owned art gallery. Between her upcoming marriage and photography show, she should be on top of the world. Instead, Addison is anxious about her future because she has no memories of her past. Her life began two years ago when a helpful trucker picks her up when she was hitchhiking. Ed and his wife, Gigi, have become surrogate parents who help her as she navigates her new life. Outside of a few disturbing flashes, Addison has absolutely no recollections from before Ed found her. With the assistance of her future mother- and sister-in-law, Addison and Gabriel’s wedding planning is underway. She loves Gabriel, but Addison’s continued memory loss remains deeply troubling.
Dr. Julian Hunter has been raising his seven-year-old daughter Valentina on his own because his beloved wife Cassandra vanished two years ago. Although the detective he hired turn up no trace of her, he remains hopeful she will one day return. What could have happened Cassandra? Is she still alive? If so, where could she be? And more important, will Julian find her?
The Stranger in the Mirror is a clever domestic mystery with an intriguing storyline and interesting characters. Addison remains uneasy about her upcoming nuptials and the few glimpses of memory leave her questioning what type of person she used to be. Gabriel’s love for her is steadfast and he is unconcerned about her past. Julian mourns the disappearance of his wife but without any leads, will he ever locate her? The plot is quite well-executed but some of the late in the story twists require a suspension of disbelief. With a few shocking turns, Liv Constantine brings this fast-paced domestic mystery to a very unanticipated conclusion.
