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Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Blog Tour & Review: The Mirror Man by Jane Gilmartin

The Mirror Man 
by Jane Gilmartin

Thank you Mira Books for this copy and stop on the blog tour.


Publisher: Mira 
Publish Date: October 20, 2020
Hardcover
352 Pages
Standalone
Genres: Science Fiction, Suspense

The offer is too tempting: be part of a scientific breakthrough, step out of his life for a year, and be paid hugely for it. When ViGen Pharmaceuticals asks Jeremiah to be part of an illegal cloning experiment, he sees it as a break from an existence he feels disconnected from. No one will know he’s been replaced—not the son who ignores him, not his increasingly distant wife—since a revolutionary drug called Meld can transfer his consciousness and memories to his copy.

From a luxurious apartment, he watches the clone navigate his day-to-day life. But soon Jeremiah discovers that examining himself from an outsider’s perspective isn’t what he thought it would be, and he watches in horror as “his” life spirals out of control. ViGen needs the experiment to succeed—they won’t call it off, and are prepared to remove any obstacle. With his family in danger, Jeremiah needs to finally find the courage to face himself head-on.


Jane Gilmartin has been a news reporter and editor for several small-town weekly papers and enjoyed a brief but exciting stint as a rock music journalist. A bucket list review just before she turned 50 set her on the path to fiction writing. Also checked off that list: an accidental singing career, attending a Star Trek convention, and getting a hug from David Bowie. She lives in her hometown of Hingham, Massachusetts.

My Review:


If you could have a clone replace you for a year, unbeknownst to anyone at all, and get paid $10M for it, would you? I mean, it's TEN MILLION DOLLARS!  Phew!  It's been a minute since I've read some addictive sci-fi and Gilmartin delivers.

We have all seen the advances in science throughout our decades on this planet.  We've even seen cloning happening and talks of organ possibilities to extend the human life.  We have also seen this type of storyline from other books and movies.  However, what The Mirror Man does is give us a look at the other side.  How someone who voluntarily accepts this role, is now sequestered from his family and can now see himself playing himself.... and when you're watching yourself from afar, you really get an introspective look.  And sometimes it sure ain't pretty.  So, how far would you go to get your life back because even if you didn't, no one would ever know any different....

Honestly, what a run and refreshing read.  I really felt a lot for Jeremiah and loved seeing his full arc.  And for those of you with pets out there, give them a little extra love.  Louie. 💗  For a science fiction read, this was a story about so much humanity and the complexities that are a part of even the most mundane existences.  An outstanding debut. 

★★★★


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