Mirror, Mirror

The Barbara Holloway Mysteries, Book 14

By: Kate Wilhelm

Narrated by: Carrington MacDuffie

Length: 14 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Chaos has descended on the Valducci family. Gina Valducci's grandmother and mentor, the founder of the family's thriving nursery business, has died. Her death sets off a string of seemingly unrelated events, including two horrific murders. Gina's colleague Jeff stands out as an obvious suspect, with plenty of motivation, opportunity, and means.

In her most unusual and complex case yet, Barbara Holloway accepts Jeff as her reluctant client. But to defend him, she must first discover how a secret will, corporate greed, stolen art of the World War II era, family skeletons, attempted murder, and an old ornate mirror factor in to the case. Barbara must reassemble the puzzle pieces perfectly before it's too late.

©2017 Kate Wilhelm (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Believe me I wish it wasn't my true opinion

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

This is awful because I feel like I'm saying bad things about a close friend. That's how much I love the B. Holloway books. I have listened to ALL of them. It pains me to say that this one failed me. Perhaps it's my fault. It could be that I'm distracted, abstracted or not feeling well. The story has a convoluted feel to it. I don't like most of the characters, which is a first for me. Normally, I care very deeply for the people in the books. ( I know that's ridiculous since they aren't real people.) BUT, this matters to me. If you are an author and you make me love or hate or fear or pity or resent or whatever, then you have me. Kate Wilhelm, normally has me completely. This time, not so much.

Had to listen to it twice!!

I'm an audio bibliophile and the Barbara Holloway series is one of my very favorites!! Kate Wilhelm is an incredible writer, her character development is amazing...they all feel like old friends of mine. I listened to the entire series, AGAIN, as I anxiously awaited the release of the audio edition. I really appreciate how Kate Wilhelm threads facts and details about the state of our world today, hopefully helping people to become more aware of the changes that need to happen for our happy future survival!! The environment, Red Wriggly compost worms, the injustice of our justice system, the lack of morality of big business and certain humans...good ole Frank, Barbara and the 'team' shine their conscientious goodness throughout twisting and turning, yet believable, plots!! I always have a wish list when I'm done, I wished Alex had made an appearance and Maria's Mum, jack of all trades Herbert (?)w/ his amazing dogs...just goes to show how attached one can get to fictional characters!! Barbara Holloway, along w/ the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear and a few others are my go to good JuJu feeling listens. Carrington MacDuffy is an amazing narrator as well! Thank you Kate Wilhelm for another terrific book!
When's the next one going to be available⁉️😃

Predictable

I’ve listened to the whole Barbara Holloway series and have come to the conclusion that they are basically all the same. Lawyer gets case, people die, everything is centered around affluent white families, meals, lawyer wins case the end. Very predictable. There are chapters in each book that seem to be cut and pasted into all the books. Recommended if your don’t mind rereading the series in each book.

amazing

loved the whole series. Barbara is a great, strong, and beautiful character. Kate created a very powerful and righteous woman. I must say character like that are hard to come by.
When Barbara had personal battles, they weren't about insecurities, lack of communication, love (pride and insecurity), or other things that drive me bonkers. Rather, her conflicts came from a place of justice, and injustice. Ethical issues, matters of sustenance.
it's so sad the series is over. The ending leaves room for more exciting adventures to come, but the awesome author passed away not long after writing this book. She was 89!!! what a woman!!!

Great listen

I have a 40 minute commute to and from work and found great joy in my driving just so I had time to listen. This story is very well written and narrated. The characters are believable. The dialogue and story line is well done. Just love it.

Fantastic

I love this series. The characters are believable and full of life. The plot was outstanding.
Smart. Sassy. Great Courtroom Drama and Great Out of the Courtroom Drama.
As someone who grew up in Eugene OR it is also fun to recognize some of the places the characters frequent in this series. Ms. Wilhelm keep writing!

Great Entertainment!

Great plot and characters! Fun twists and turns! I love how the people and story developed and the eye into the art world! And damning of our current criminal legal system.

Good plot with a twist

 While reading the whole string of books from this series, I found this one the most interesting and complex. Thoroughly enjoyed the beginning, middle end, especially the end.

Great listen

Loved all the Barbara books. I have now heard them all and would recommend to anyone who likes serial thrillers!

Excellent story!

I have listened to many books by Kate Antrim, and don't know what to say without sounding repetitive. This novel doesn't disappoint either. The narrator is superb, and has quite the range of accents. Truly enjoyable.