A Broken Reflection

by

Shelly M. Patel

A baffling series of murders are all connected to one couple.

A Broken Reflection by Shelly M. Patel is a dark and baffling tale of mystery and murder. When women connected to either Claire Bell or her husband, Stephen, become the victims of murder, the police take note and start asking very probing questions. Claire soon finds herself suspected of being a serial killer. 

Claire is the main character in this twisty tale of murder and deception and is as baffled as the police about who is killing women she has some connection to. She’s a mild and amazingly forgiving woman, especially considering her knowledge of her husband’s infidelities. However, she wouldn’t hurt a fly, let alone another human being. But why is she missing great blocks of time from her life? And what’s going on then that she doesn’t remember? 

The plot moves quickly, using multiple points of view to reveal the story. The reader learns early on that Claire is being watched, but it could be any number of mysterious people. While she wavers back and forth about her husband’s cheating, the killer seems to take those matters in hand for her as each one of her rivals becomes a victim. The different narrators all have an axe to grind regarding Claire, and the descriptions of their relationships with her vary greatly – almost as if they are not dealing with the same person. 

The story is easy to read, but there were a few places that required re-reading to figure out what the author was trying to say, and there were a couple of awkward transitions between points of view that were confusing. Still, the story was interesting, entertaining, and short. 

I recommend A BROKEN REFLECTION to readers of psychological or domestic thrillers. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.