If you’re one of the many readers that loved Inheritance, the first in Nora Roberts’ Lost Brides Trilogy, you’re going to fall right into the second book, The Mirror. Since I’m a fan of Roberts’ trilogies, I was caught up in this one right from the beginning. Roberts gives us strong characters, family support, romance, and that evil that permeates the books.

Sonya MacTavish inherited the Poole family mansion in Maine, although she knew nothing about her father’s connection to the family. Now, she’s happily ensconced in the manor with her best friend, Cleo, an artist, living and working on the third floor. Sonya is building her one-person graphic arts business, and has found a supportive lover, lawyer Trey Doyle. Her previously unknown cousin, Owen Poole, is also there to assist Sonya and Cleo with problems with the haunted manor. Hester Dobbs, an angry witch who wants to own the manor, has been haunting it since 1806.

In fact, Hester has cursed the Poole family. Seven Poole brides have died on their wedding days or soon after, and Hester has stolen their wedding rings. Sonya witnesses the brides’ deaths when she goes through a mirror that just appears in front of her, in different rooms, and even in the woods. Despite her grief over those tragedies, Sonya knows she has to witness those deaths so she can try to stop Dobbs.

Although at times, Sonya went into the mirror when her friends weren’t around, the group did have a rule, “Stay together.” And, they did try to do that when Hester attacked.

There are such delightful elements in this book as the friendly ghosts that haunt the manor get more comfortable with the friends, and participate in some of celebrations. And, Sonya’s ghostly grandmother Clover is wonderful with her playlist of songs that accompany the story. The families are brought together for a wonderful large event that adds joy to the story.

The Mirror was just what I needed right now. In Roberts’ last trilogy, The Dragon Heart Legacy, the second book was the bridge between the set-up for the series and the dramatic concluding book. The Mirror served the same purpose. It teases the reader along, with celebrations, meals and family, but ends on a dramatic note to lead to the final book in the series. If you’re looking for a peaceful book in between the two dramatic books in a series, you’ll want to read The Mirror. Now, I can’t wait for the dramatic conclusion.

Nora Roberts’ website is https://noraroberts.com/.

The Mirror by Nora Roberts. St. Martin’s Press, 2024. ISBN 9781250288776 (hardcover), 448p.

FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of the book, with no promise of a positive review.