A Mirror Murder: A Jan Christopher Mystery (Jan Christopher Mysteries Book 1)

January Christopher wants to be a writer, but her teachers at school more or less laugh her out of the room when she expresses as much, saying that it is quite, quite impossible as dear January (Jan, she hisses, I call myself Jan) can’t even type. Already here, Ms Hollick presents us with quite the window into a world not much more than half a century distant, but so very different from ours—especially if you were a girl.Jan navigates a world with constraints, many of them imposed on her because of her gender, but she is fortunate in her aunt and uncle and, to some extent, in her job as library assistant. In her free time she writes, but her days she spends at the beck and call of the rather unlikeable head librarian. (Who, to my delight, gets his comeuppance in a rather entertaining manner)And then one of the more regular visitors to the library is found dead, apparently killed by the shattered mirror found beside her. Through a series of events Jan is suddenly indirectly involved in a murder investigation, together with her uncle, DCI Christopher, and his new sidekick, the rather handsome Laurie Walker.The hesitant relationship between Jan and Laurie is beautifully depicted, without going all sugary-sweet. After all, Jan may not know how to type, but she is a sensible and intelligent young woman who may yearn for love and romance but who stays true to herself. It is very easy to like Jan—and Laurie—and to be somewhat touched by their innocence.Ms Hollick set out to write a cosy mystery, and she has achieved just that, a not too convoluted story featuring characters it is easy to like and relate to. Reading A Mirror Murder is a bit like putting on a favourite jumper when it is cold outside, leaving you quite warm—and cosy—inside.

Talented author, Helen Hollick launches a British cozy mystery series with A Mirror Murder / A Jan Christopher Mystery, and in true Hollick style, she delights from the first line. Prolific and crossing many genres from nonfiction, pirates, kings, and more, Hollick masters this latest venture (as all others) with her special aplomb and gives readers a real treat guaranteed to please cozy mystery fans everywhere – especially those who love British-set stories.Anglophiles and nostalgia-lovers, especially, will be in their element in the world of Jan Christopher, the series’ heroine, as the English setting not only whisks you straight to Merry Olde, but also transports the reader back to the 1970s. The retro aspect is a lovely walk-down-memory lane for those of us who lived those years, and if you were lucky enough to visit England in the period, you’ll be doubly pleased because Hollick’s pen is magical and wonderfully recreates a slower-paced time without cell phones and Internet, instant-everything, and atmospheric rainy evening walks so real, you’ll be astonished to look up and realize you aren’t there.Other reviewers have noted the plot, so I’ll just praise the above-mentioned elements that I enjoyed so much. In addition, I love the depth Hollick gives to the characters, something she does in all her various genres. From the strong, but touchingly innocent heroine, Jan, a young library assistant, to Jan’s aunt and uncle, her love interest, colleagues, neighbors, and the villain, all story people are fleshed-out and real-seeming. Likewise, a strong sense of place carries throughout, enhancing the reading experience. There’s also enough quaintness and ‘quirk’ to thrill England-obsessed readers, as already stated, but repeated here because this element gives the story so much charm. And, yes, Hollick had me guessing to the end, surprising me with her villain.Bottom Line: Get comfy, enjoy a good cuppa, and let Jan and her friends sweep you back to 1970s England! Highly recommended.

I greatly enjoyed Helen Hollick’s medieval English historical fiction, as well as her rollicking Sea Witch series; each transports you into the times with its appropriate “lingo,” due to the author’s deep knowledge of her subjects.With “A Mirror Murder: A Jan Christopher Mystery (Book 1),” Hollick easily slips into her writer’s chameleon-skin. Her young 1971-era murder mystery heroine hits spot on, voice and all. Those of us who lived through the early 1970s may groan as we remember Jan’s teenage angst; wearing the wrong shoes; a ladder in the stocking; a blushing encounter with a young man.This is a true cosy (British spelling) story, nevertheless turning suspenseful with the murder of an old lady. The characters are a bit “quirky,” as the English would put it, which makes them the more enjoyable. The budding romance between Jan and a handsome young detective adds a soft touch. But, as this is Book 1, I fear there may come some challenges for the young couple as more murderers lurk in the bushes of their London suburb.Thus, I very much look forward to the next book in Hollick’s new series.

Helen has done it again! I have read every book she has written, fiction and non-fiction (as evidenced by her place of prominence on my bookshelf!) and "A Mirror Murder" hits it out of the park as her first "cozy mystery"!I found her characters very relatable and real, particularly her heroine Jan Christopher. I mean, who hasn't felt like the awkward ugly duckling at some point in their life? That is one of the things I love about the characters, they are very realistic (metaphorical warts and all!).To me, this story is very reminiscent to an episode of "Midsomer Murders," not very graphic, plot twists and turns, romance for the hero and heroine, and a very satisfactory conclusion.I can't wait for the second book in the series!

A pleasantly surprising new genre from one of my favorite historical writers. A most pleasant read and I appreciate the restrained build-up of the romance. It makes me want to know "what happens next."

I sank into this gentle cosy mystery story with the same enthusiasm and relish as I approach a hot bubble bath, (in fact this would be a great book to relax in the bath with!), and really enjoyed getting to know the central character, a shy young librarian, and the young police officer who becomes her romantic interest. The nostalgic setting of the 1970s was balm, so clearly evoked, and although there is a murder at the heart of the story, it was an enjoyable comfort read.It looks as if this is the first in a new series, and I'm looking forward to the next one already - always glad to discover a new, gentle, intelligent mystery series, and as I've just finished James Runcie's Grantchester books, this will nicely fill the void.

A Mirror Murder by Helen HollickA Jan Christopher Mystery (Jan Christopher Mysteries Book 1)Eighteen-year-old Jan did not excel at school. She has an excellent sense of humour about her inadequacies – her rock cakes could build a wall. When asked at school what she wants to do Jan says she wants to be a writer. A career in the library is suggested. Like her heroine the author worked in a library. Jan meets all sorts of people – the old lady who comes every day, eats biscuits, and cuts coupons out of the newspapers, and the boy who asks for a book about Copper Knickers. Jan works out that he is looking for a book about Copernicus for a school project.On a rainy afternoon, her uncle DCI Toby Christopher gives her a lift home. When she meets Detective Constable, Laurie Walker they immediately fall in love. After an old lady was murdered, and other crimes were committed I wondered if Jan and Laurie’s love would survive.I love the author’s style and excellent dialogue. I really enjoyed A Mirror Murder and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

You can tell when you’re in the hands of an accomplished writer. Ms Hollick has a considerable and very successful backlist in historical fiction. This cozy crime is a departure for her and for us, her readers. But as soon as I was into the first chapters I was so absorbed I needn’t have worried.As with her previous books, the attention to the background is so good and so well written that you *are* in the 1970s. The plot gentles along like a quiet ride in the forest then we are shaken out of the normal, calm everyday. I felt for Jan, the shy librarian heroine, as she came face to face with the murder victim. She could be any of us.But inside that pleasant and modest young woman is a solid strength. Ms Hollick shows us how Jan develops without losing her ‘niceness’, and shows us also a quiet but steady blossoming of a romance. one of the most enjoyable parts of their book is how the characters are as vivid and well-defined as the world they live in. I certainly want to read Jan’s next adventure! Highly recommended for all readers of cozy crime.

A fantastic break from what Ms Hollick is known for, she has triumphed again. Still historic, but this is very much within a lifetime, not the distant past, and on the surface, mundane and not the sweeping sagas she has written before. Here we have a librarian, not a king or wealthy landowner (pirate), but the skill is the same.Jan works in a library, not the most exciting of places, but all of life is there to be observed, regulars, newbies, children lost in the sea of volumes. She lives with her uncle who is in the police force, and she has to work with him when she becomes accidentally embroiled in the murder of one of the library's regulars. She knows details that others don't that shed light on the case, not least she stumbled upon the murder scene on a walk with her new beau, Laurie, a DC she met courtesy of her uncle.This is the first in the series and I am very much looking forward to seeing what trouble Jan can get herself into next time, and following her blossoming love affair with Laurie.

I couldn’t sleep last night, just couldn’t get to sleep to start with. I turned to my iPad, thought I’d browse books on Amazon. I searched for murder mysteries. A Mirror Murder caught my eye, I liked the sound of it so downloaded it to my kindle app. I completed the book in one wakeful night. It is a testament to the interest-holding quality of this book that I didn’t doze off once. I enjoyed the writing, the plot, the red herrings and the fact that the main character is only 6months younger than I am so I could so easily identify with the time in which the book is set.When will the second Jan Christopher book be available please? I’m bound to have more sleepless nights. Thank you for making a night without sleep bearable.