Mirror, Mirror

Taken in Death (Mirror, Mirror) by J.D. Robb 2013

This is a short story included in the “in Death” series with Eve Dallas and Roarke. A short story has different rules than a longer novel, and this book of 145 pages helps to understand what is needed when a lot of action is put in a few pages.

The story begins with 7-year-old twins Gala and Henry being kidnapped after their nanny, Darcia, is brutally murdered. Henry calls the kidnapper a witch and the story has a fairytale theme running through it. The witch looks like his mother though. Eve knows the children have been taken and initially believes the mother is guilty since she used her car to take the children, but the parents, Tosha and Ross arrive. Tosha has a twin sister, Maj, who killed their father and tried to kill Tosha when she was 12. She’s crazy, and that level of danger ramps up the tension in the story.

In a short story, the crime needs to be simpler and focused like this one. A quick surprise or twist helps to keep the reader interested in the story. The theme makes it relatable as the children are forced to eat drugged sweets, and Maj threatens to eat them.

Eve assembles her team, but they are in the background to simplify the story. Limit the number of characters in a short story. The POV is told from Henry’s point of view as well as Eve’s which helps to increase the fear as the reader sees the witch through the child’s eyes.

A time factor is important in a short story. Maj calls and demands Tosha choose which child she will kill. Eve knows Maj isn’t bluffing and will likely kill both children but wants to torture Tosha. Even in a short story, the hero must solve the crime and rescue the captives. Keep it personal.

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#Mystery #JDRobb