Tim Meyer ‘In The House Of Mirrors’ Review

Written by: Vitina Molgaard

“ Never had I given much thought to the timeless debate of fate versus freewill, until I found that damned camera, the one that nearly cost me my life, and threatened the existence of the universe as we know it.”                      –Ritchie Naughton

Ritchie Naughton has had a very difficult time lately between the discovery of a serious health problem and one extremely foul episode with his fiance that has led to a nasty break up. He is actually a nice man that is about to find that being likeable just is not enough. He’s decided to return home and start life anew. Home, for the record, is a town in New Jersey named Red River.A place he had ensured himself that he would never return to and one that offers a whole slew of impediments. In a growing plight for survival it doesn’t take long before employment is his primary concern. The search for a job takes him to a small local newspaper, The Treebound Tribune. Hired on as a photographer, Ritchie comes face to face with one of the strangest cameras ever known to man… the Denlax. It is here that things really begin to shift and change in bizarre ways. Our protagonist finds himself suffering from nightmares and a constant sense of dread. In short time we start to meet up with a large number of characters, few of which are pleasant individuals. Equally important to character is the camera, which plays a role as a participant within the collective group of personalities we meet.

There are an abundance of characters that are key to this story, but Ill save illumination for the markedly relevant. Meet Uncle Bernie, not necessarily the nicest of men, but significant all the same. It’s through Bernie’s actions that Ritchie finds himself entangled  with so many horrors. Sheldon Daniels is Ritchie’s employer who makes sure the camera finds its way into Ritchie’s hands, as he’s got an agenda of his own. To be honest this journey contains so many twists that trying to give you a feel for the inhabitants is at best difficult. However I would be negligent if I omitted mention of Aurelia, a young woman who helps Ritchie balance a tumultuous life. And mention must be made of The House Of Mirrors itself, as it’s a most important aspect of this novel as a whole.

This narrative has quite a bit to offer and it takes us to some intriguing places. Tim Meyer has woven a fine tale of horror. Equipped with a dose of devil worship and cultic practices with just a small taste of humor, the novel catches the readers attention with ease. That being said I did find an issue with an otherwise well-crafted story. In the earlier goings of the book we are served up an extensive examination of his relationship problems, that in my opinion this book had no need to bring to light. This aspect just felt unneeded. A simple mention could have brought about the reasoning behind his initial departure and subsequent return home. The tale takes us to so many other enjoyable places that I was a bit perturbed by the rocky genesis. Not a major issue but an annoying one none the less.

My final thoughts and rating… This is a book well worth the time you will give it. As the reader you may not find the way the book launches to be off-putting. Each of us have different opinions and as such I trust you will make up your own in regards to this one. I’d recommend you pick up this book and invest yourself in it. It’s worth it.

Rating: 3.5/5