Customer Reviews

Smoke in Mirrors

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

For the last several books, Jayne Ann Krentz (who also writes as Amanda Quick) has been ignoring current romance trends to shift her style more and more toward romantic suspense. As she's done so, her writing style has become a bit more aloof, leading to less development of her main characters and the romance between them. Quick's "Slightly Shady" was somewhat of a disappointment for me; the characters and romance seemed almost incidental to the plot.

"Smoke in Mirrors" retreats somewhat from that aloof style, giving us good character and romantic development and appealing secondary characters. In addition, the mystery here is well integrated with the characters.

Leonora is a good Krentz heroine, with the loyalty and spunk we've come to expect. Thomas is another brooding Krentz hero, complete with large scary (but appealing) dog. The romance between them seems natural and easy, and the development of a secondary romance between Thomas's brother and his yoga instructor is handled well.

That said, the pacing of this book was a little off. While the initial build-up of suspense worked well, the conclusion seems rushed, and the eventual unmasking of the "villain" doesn't seem to make all that much sense. All is explained, but it would have been clearer if the conclusion had gone a slightly different direction.

Still, this is good Krentz, with all the hallmarks her fans have come to expect of her. A good read! Enjoy!

I've read almost everything Krentz has written, under any of her pen names. This is not one of her best efforts. She seemed unable to decide whether the primary threat should be academic envy or the flaky self-help guru, and the story lacked focus on the leading couple. The result is a half realized and not very convincing threat to the heroine. The romantic interludes don't even have her usual steamy tension. I usually buy all Krentz's books in hardback when they first come out. Maybe I'll start waiting for the paperbacks. Here's hoping that this is a fluke and that future releases, under whatever pen name, return to her usual standard of good storytelling, interesting plot lines, humor and romance.

After the lackluster "Dawn in Eclipse Bay", the bland "Lost and Found", and the frankly dismal "Slightly Shady", Jayne Ann Krentz seems to have finally found her pace again with this lively tale of sensuality and psychoses in a small Northwestern college town. The characters snap and crackle in the best Krentz style, complete with coastal fog, excellent dog, and a supporting cast that not only supports, but also scene-steals in many places. The passion is front and center (although maybe a little more would have been nice?), and it's easy to lose track of time while adventuring with these lovers. I'm a confirmed JAK fan and I'm thrilled to see that vivacious turn of phrase back in play along with a sexy hero and a spunky heroine! Thanks, Jayne Ann - and welcome back!

The relationships (of which there are a few) are the most interesting aspect of this book. Good characters. As either a mystery or a romance alone, this book would be considered a failure. I thought it was obvious who the killer was. Romantically speaking, this book is rather lukewarm. As a combination mystery/romance, I'd say the book was good or fair but not great. The killer coming after Leonora made for an implausible ending.

Jayne has done it again! A great mystery with hot love scenes and laughter. I loved the way she has two sub plot romances going on in this book. It not only provided interest but kept the pace fast. If you are a Jayne Ann Krantz fan, this is a must read. If you haven't discovered her yet, this is the book to do it with. The mystery provides twist and turns enough to keep you guessing. The love scenes are enough to make you want a cool breeze. This book has it all romance, mystery and comedy.
It is a keeper!

I won't be buying anymore of Jayne Ann Krentz's books. Although I was a huge fan. This book is incredibly formula driven. It's the same old plot she's done again and again and the stereotype of the librarian/heroine as sexually repressed is offensive.

I am a long time fan of JAK and looked forward to her new book, I was not disappointed! Leonora and Thomas are a great team and a great couple. I enjoyed their interaction in dialogue and character as well as their relationships with Thomas' brother and Leonora's grandmother. JAK gives the characters substance and style and the only draw back with any of her novels is that they end. I look forward to other books by her and also books under her pen names. Thank you for an enjoyable time.

Smoke in Mirrors by J.A.Krentz is a wonderful story with mystery and intrique on every page.

Loved the characters and the plot of the story. Easy to relate to and easy to follow.

I thought the concept of an old mansion surrounded in mirrors being center stage in this story was quite unusual and interesting.

J.A.Krentz is one writer that has never disappointed me no matter what name she decides to write under.

The once beautiful and vibrant Meredith Spooner is dead and her closest confidant Leonora Hutton cleans out the deceased's apartment when Thomas Walker arrives. He informs Leonora that Meredith stole 1.5 million from the college alumni fund that his brother manages.

Leonora tries to ignore Thomas' threats to implicate her as an accomplice of Meredith if she fails to help him. However, Meredith eerily contacts Leonora, informing her where the loot is, but that the deceased worried about something she learned. Leonora offers to return the cash if Thomas helps her investigate Meredith's "accident". However, Leonora will soon hit the highest and lowest points of her life as she will find love at about the same time that someone tries to kill her.

Jayne Ann Krentz has written a fine romantic suspense novel starring two quirky lead characters that endear themselves to the audience. The fast-paced action works because the secondary cast adds the needed depth to turn this multi-faceted story line into a realistic endeavor. SMOKE IN MIRROR is Ms. Krentz at her most romantic and suspenseful best.

Harriet Klausner

Another winner for Krentz! This is another absolutely fabulous book by Krentz. Each book certainly gets better and better, this one being the best yet.

Krentz has once again managed to weave just the right amount of intrigue romance and humour together into what can only be called a delectable dessert.

Smoke in Mirrors was very unpredictable...the best kind of romance/mystery! The book was extremely well planned out in respects to the murderer, who's identity was unexpected until closer to the end - but that is undoubtedly planned by the author, who likes to let her readers think they have the upper hand...you know, when you are suddenly have a dawning realisation of who the killer is, and then have that triumphant feeling when you discover a few pages later that you are right!

The book begins with a chilling murder and right away, your curiosity compells you to turn the page. Each chapter ends in such a way that the aforementioned type of curiosity wins out and you must continue reading.

The book is also very modern and easy to relate to, in the sense of modern view and ideas...such as drugs, sex, and bisexual relationships. I think that it is a great thing that Krentz has kept her books quite up to date on the current views and occurences in today's society.

Smoke in Mirrors is an excellent book, and even if you are not the type to browse through the romance book department, the mystery in this book is imperious enough to read it anyway, regardless of the hovering hints of a love story.