Hall of Mirrors Book Review
But I know that weakness can pose as bravery in our world, and strength can be forged in tears.
Synopsis
When a popular mystery novelist dies suspiciously, his writing partner must untangle the author’s connection to a serial killer in award-winning John Copenhaver’s new novel set in 1950s McCarthy-era Washington, DC.
In May 1954, Lionel Kane witnesses his apartment engulfed in flames with his lover and writing partner, Roger Raymond, inside. Police declare it a suicide due to gas ignition, but Lionel refuses to believe Roger was suicidal.
A month earlier, Judy Nightingale and Philippa Watson—the tenacious and troubled heroines from The Savage Kind—attend a lecture by Roger and, being eager fans, befriend him. He has just been fired from his day job at the State Department, another victim of the Lavender Scare, an anti-gay crusade led by figures like Senator Joseph McCarthy and J. Edgar Hoover, claiming homosexuals are security risks. Little do Judy and Philippa know, but their obsessive manhunt of the past several years has fueled the flames of his dismissal.
They have been tracking their old enemy Adrian Bogdan, a spy and vicious serial killer protected by powerful forces in the government. He’s on the rampage again, and the police are ignoring his crimes. Frustrated, they send their research to the media and their favorite mystery writer anonymously, hoping to inspire someone, somehow, to publish on the crimes—anything to draw Bogdan out. But has their persistence brought deadly forces to the writing team behind their most beloved books?
In the wake of Roger’s death, Lionel searches for clues, but Judy and Philippa threaten his quest, concealing dark secrets of their own. As the crimes of the past and present converge, danger mounts, and the characters race to uncover the truth, even if it means bending their moral boundaries to stop a killer.
Hall of Mirrors is book two of the Nightingale trilogy.
Review
Book 2 of the Nightingale trilogy, John Copenhaver’s Hall of Mirrors is a riveting dive into 1950’s McCarthy-era Washington, D.C., with a thrilling blend of mystery, historical depth, and complex characters. Copenhaver’s talent for painting a vivid picture of the time period shines through every page, making this novel not just a story, but a rich historical tapestry.
The plot kicks off with a bang as Lionel Kane’s life is upended by the suspicious death of his lover and writing partner, Roger Raymond. The official ruling is suicide, but Lionel’s guts tell him otherwise. This sets the stage for a gripping investigation that intertwines the fates of Lionel, and the dynamic duo from The Savage Kind, Judy Nightingale and Philippa Watson. These two heroines, with their tenacity and troubled pasts, add layers of intrigue and tension as they cross paths with Lionel.
One of the standout aspects of the book is its multiple perspective narrative. Told mostly from the viewpoints of Judy and Lionel, the story unfolds with a deep, personal touch. Judy, a half-white/half-black woman who passes as white, and Lionel, a black man, provide unique lenses through which we experience the oppressive atmosphere of McCarthyism and the Lavender Scare. The representation of the LGBTQ+ community and African-Americans during this period is both poignant and powerful, highlighting the social injustices of the time.
Copenhaver’s meticulous research is evident, and as a historian, I greatly appreciated the effort put into accurately depicting the era. The author’s descriptions are detailed and evocative, though at times, they verge on the overly descriptive. While I usually crave more detail in historical fiction, there were moments when the narrative could have been tighter.
The interplay between the main characters and the sinister figure of Adrian Bogdan, a serial killer shielded by powerful forces, is compelling. Judy and Philippa’s history with Bogdan is a crucial part of the plot, and while the book can be read as a standalone, I felt a stronger connection to their story would unquestionably come from reading the first book in the series. Their relentless pursuit of justice, driven by past obsessions, adds a thrilling edge to the narrative. However, the conclusion felt a bit anticlimactic. After such a buildup, I expected a more dramatic ending. Despite this, the journey there is filled with tension, danger, and moral quandaries that keep you reading more.
In summary, Hall of Mirrors is a well-crafted mystery set against a richly detailed historical backdrop. It’s a story of love, betrayal, and the fight for justice in a time of widespread fear and prejudice. While not without its flaws, it’s certainly a book that makes an impact!
Content warnings include racism, homophobia, violence, and death.
Expected publication date is 4 June 2024.
Author Profile
John Copenhaver’s historical crime novel, Dodging and Burning, won the 2019 Macavity Award for Best First Mystery, and his second novel, The Savage Kind, won the 2021 Lambda Literary Award for Best LGBTQ Mystery. He is a founding member of Queer Crime Writers and an at-large board member of Mystery Writers of America. He currently cohosts on the House of Mystery radio show. He’s a faculty mentor in the University of Nebraska’s low-residency MFA program and teaches at VCU in Richmond, VA, where he lives with his husband, artist Jeffery Paul.
TL;DR
- Rating: 4 stars | Genre: Mystery Thriller, Historical Fiction | Pages: 336
- Book 2 of Nightingale trilogy
- Set in 1950’s McCarthy-era Washington, D.C.
- Multiple perspective narrative
- Thrilling blend of mystery, historical depth, and complex characters
- Poignant and powerful representation of LGBTQ+ community and African-Americans
- Can be read as a standalone, but would recommend reading book 1, The Savage Kind
- Conclusion felt a bit anticlimactic
- CWs: racism, homophobia, violence, and death
