The Cracked Mirror by Chris Brookmyre is a a crime novel which is both innovative with its use of different crime fiction styles as well as being deeply entertaining,
| Title | The Cracked Mirror |
| Writer | Chris Brookmyre |
| Publisher | Abacus |
| Publication date | 18th June 2024 |
| MBR star rating /5 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Genre | Mystery & Thrillers General Fiction (Adult) |
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Synopsis: The Cracked Mirror
Forget everything you think you know about crime novels—The Cracked by Mirror by Chris Brookmyre subverts the usual tropes to deliver a fresh and unexpected take on the genre.
Johnny Hawke is the hard-nosed LAPD homicide detective you think you know well. He’s been through it all: always butting heads with his captain, always losing partners, but relentlessly pursuing the truth, no matter the cost.
On the other side of the world, there’s Penny Coyne, the seemingly sweet, elderly amateur sleuth who has a knack for solving murders in her quiet village. While the local police bumble through cases, Penny, with her sharp mind and grandmotherly demeanor, often beats them to the punch.
These two seemingly disparate worlds—gritty Los Angeles crime and quaint English village mysteries—are about to collide in ways no one could predict. It all begins with the discovery of a dead writer and a mysterious wedding invitation. From there, Johnny and Penny are thrust into a case that challenges everything they think they know about solving crimes.
As they follow the clues, they are drawn into a labyrinth of secrets that stretches far beyond the usual whodunnit. What starts as a murder investigation quickly becomes something much deeper, leading both Johnny and Penny to confront their own beliefs about truth, justice, and the stories we tell ourselves. As the mystery unravels, they may find themselves questioning not just the identity of the culprit, but whether they even want to uncover the truth at all.
Chris Brookmyre’s The Cracked by Mirror is an intriguing exploration of the crime genre, blending dark humor, unexpected twists, and memorable characters. It’s a thought-provoking novel that turns the familiar detective and amateur sleuth archetypes on their heads, keeping readers on their toes from start to finish.
Review: The Cracked Mirror
Chris Brookmyre’s The Cracked Mirror is a genre-bending crime novel that brilliantly merges two contrasting traditions within mystery fiction: the cozy, puzzle-like mysteries made famous by Agatha Christie, and the darker, grittier American detective stories of Ed McBain. I received an advance review copy of this novel for free, and I’m excited to share my thoughts on how Brookmyre plays with these two iconic crime fiction styles.
The novel centers on two detectives from vastly different worlds. First, we meet Penny Coyne, a little old lady who lives in a quiet Scottish village. She’s the archetype of the cozy mystery sleuth—sharp, determined, and frequently outwitting local authorities in solving murders, much like Christie’s Miss Marple. On the other side of the narrative is Johnny Hawke, an LAPD detective straight out of the hard-boiled school of crime fiction. Johnny’s world is dark, filled with violence, corruption, and moral ambiguity. He’s a rule-breaking cop, always at odds with his superiors, and perpetually haunted by past cases.
The magic of The Cracked Mirror lies in how these two characters and their worlds collide. Both Penny and Johnny find themselves entangled in two seemingly unconnected locked-room murders that span continents and time. As the narrative progresses, these cases reveal surprising links to one another—and to an unsolved mystery from the past.
What sets this novel apart is Brookmyre’s clever use of narrative style to reflect the distinct traditions each character represents. Penny Coyne’s sections of the book are written in the classic cozy mystery style: charming, witty, and filled with small-town atmosphere. These chapters are slower-paced, focusing on the characters’ motives, subtle clues, and the intellectual puzzle of the crime.
In contrast, Johnny Hawke’s sections are written in the gritty, fast-paced style of American noir. His world is tough and unforgiving, filled with high-stakes danger, terse dialogue, and moral complexity. The shifts between these two styles create a fascinating tension within the book, offering readers a unique dual experience that feels like two different novels seamlessly woven together.
Brookmyre masterfully balances these two genres, and the interplay between cozy mystery and hardboiled detective fiction deepens the novel’s themes. It raises questions about truth, justice, and the nature of crime-solving itself. In one scene, Penny’s quiet method of deduction contrasts starkly with Johnny’s more visceral, hands-on approach. Yet, as different as they are, both sleuths are deeply committed to uncovering the truth, no matter the cost.
The novel is filled with jaw-dropping twists and turns, some of which feel like they belong in an Agatha Christie novel, while others would fit right into a gritty LA crime thriller. As a reader, you’re constantly kept off-balance, unsure which genre’s conventions Brookmyre will follow or subvert next. By the end, the narrative surprises in ways you won’t see coming.
Ultimately, The Cracked Mirror is more than just a clever blending of two crime fiction styles—it’s a reflection on how our expectations of genre can shape the way we understand stories. By playing with both cozy mystery and noir conventions, Brookmyre challenges readers to think about what makes a mystery compelling, and how the two sides of the genre aren’t as different as they seem.
Conclusion The Cracked Mirror
For fans of both Agatha Christie-style whodunits and hard-edged detective stories, The Cracked Mirror offers a satisfying, mind-bending mystery that pushes the boundaries of the genre. It’s a thrilling, genre-stretching novel that will leave you eager for more from Brookmyre’s distinctive brand of crime fiction.
If you’re looking for a crime novel that’s both innovative and deeply entertaining, The Cracked Mirror is a must-read.
Meet : Chris Brookmyre
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His real name is Christopher Brookmyre is a Scottish novelist whose novels mix politics, social comment and action with a strong narrative. He has been referred to as a Tartan Noir author. His debut novel was Quite Ugly One Morning, and subsequent works have included One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night, which he said “was just the sort of book he needed to write before he turned 30”, and All Fun and Games until Somebody Loses an Eye (2005)
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Above all Keep Safe and treat people fairly.
Mark.