Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Wright was alright. There were some things I liked and some I didn’t.
Liked:
Multiple POV, dangerous water setting, gay characters, timeline that spans many decades, two narrators Christopher Ragland and Katherine Fenton on the audiobook, and the psychological aspect
Didn’t like:
Slow pace, the beginning was especially slow and then this book was too long for my preference, the fragments, the repetition as we would read the same scenes over and over again
Thank you to Macmillan Audio via NetGalley for my ALC!

I'm on a thriller kick and Catriona Ward's book hit just the right mark. I have been getting back into my workouts and audiobooks have found their way into my routine. A huge thank you to MacMillan Audio for this atmospheric thriller. Wilder Harlow is writing his last book about a killer that stalked his New English town during a summer in his youth. As he writes, his grasp with reality blurs and now he's unsure of what is really happening. I love the setting for this novel and the trauma bond between Wilder and his friends that continues to show deeper and deeper layers.

I was also a fan of the narration and found it easy to listen to. The narrator did a great job of keeping the listener captivated.

This is my second book from this author and it was just ok for me.
I think I enjoyed Sundial more because it was such a crazy plot. I mean that whole story was f**cked to infinity and beyond.
Even though this one is a coming-of-age story, I felt like I was perpetually waiting and waiting for more and when it finally did come I was probably too exhausted to appreciate it.
I did love how very distinct each character was, at times felt like I was wholly immersed in what was happening.
But then I would drift away.
I dunno, I'll read more from her in case this one was just an outlier.

A runaway train of a narrative that is both mesmerizing and frustrating, unlike most of the currently publishing genre authors specialize in thriller/mystery, Catriona Ward's output is consistently far from the norm, and Looking Glass Sound is no exception—starting out as a coming-of-age teenage friendship story with a side serving of serial killer on the loose, it gradually morphs into a meta-fiction about authorship and the (literal) power of storytelling. As much as I marvel at where the plot ends up, the transition from one subject matter to the other is admittedly patchy in this one, and not as seamless as her breakout hit The Last House on Needless Street.

It's unfortunately Looking Glass Sound starts out at its worst, with a bloated first act the feels unnecessarily long and meandering. By the time the pivotal 'gimmick' reveals itself around the 40% mark, the book might have already lost a good portion of its audience. The 'gimmick' utilizes here is something I love seeing authors explore (I can think of a few other titles, but referencing them here might be spoilery), yet the execution might has gone one layer too far—not only does it muddy the book's internal logic, it also takes readers' mind away from its central thesis (my brain hurts just from trying to sort out the eventual character map).

Catriona Ward's strength as a storyteller remains present throughout: the prose is soaked in atmosphere, scenes of horror are deeply harrowing, and there's even a surprisingly turbulent, yet tender MM romance subplot I did not see coming. But as a whole Looking Glass Sound comes a across a little try-hard and under-edited, too many interesting elements that don't quite gel together, and a lopsided pacing testing people's patience. It's definitely a diamond in the rough—if you're already a fan of Catriona Ward (like myself), I would still recommend picking it up.

Wilder Harlow is an author busy at work writing the last novel he will ever pen. It’s all about a killer who’s hunting ground was the small town of his childhood. It’s also about Sky, his friend turned thief after Sky stole Wilder’s previous work, a memoir, and claimed it as his own. Much to Wilder’s chagrin it became a bestseller entitled Looking Glass Sound. Retreating to a cottage overlooking the coast of Maine with the dream of finding his way to the bestseller list, Wilder soon questions his sanity when he begins to find notes hidden throughout the cottage, notes written in Sky’s distinct green ink.

I was not a big fan of this novel. I like strange, twisted novels, but this one jumped around way too much for me and I often found myself confused about what exactly was happening throughout the majority of the novel and to whom. I liked the basic concept of Looking Glass Sound, but I was just too confused too often to truly enjoy the novel the way I would have liked to.

The audiobook didn’t make Looking Glass Sound any less confusing. The pace was rather slow (which is often the case with audiobooks for me) and the narrators were often monotone in their delivery of the story. There was not enough inflection and, by extension, there was little to no suspense created. Even during the moments when I should have been at the edge of my seat I was, simply put, not.

Title: A Sonic Tapestry of Intrigue: "Looking Glass Sound" by Catriona Ward

Rating: ★★★★☆

Catriona Ward's "Looking Glass Sound" is a captivating exploration of the intersection between music, mystery, and the enigmatic corridors of the human psyche. With its unique narrative structure and rich character development, Ward delivers a novel that resonates as much through its haunting melodies as it does through its complex storyline.

The novel unfolds against the backdrop of the music industry, introducing readers to the world of Charlie, a talented but troubled musician, and her pursuit of the elusive "Looking Glass Sound." Ward's narrative style is a standout feature, with the story told through multiple perspectives and timelines. This structure not only adds layers of complexity to the plot but also keeps readers guessing as they piece together the puzzle.

Ward's portrayal of the music scene is vivid and immersive. The author's love for and understanding of the industry shines through, making the setting a character in itself. The exploration of the creative process, the highs and lows of fame, and the sacrifices artists make for their art adds depth to the narrative.

The characters are meticulously crafted, each with their own set of flaws, aspirations, and secrets. Charlie, in particular, is a compelling protagonist whose journey resonates with the struggles many artists face in the pursuit of their artistic vision. The supporting cast adds nuance to the story, creating a web of relationships that intertwines with the central mystery.

Ward's prose is lyrical, evoking a sensory experience that transcends the written word. The descriptions of music and its emotional impact are so vivid that readers can almost hear the haunting melodies of the "Looking Glass Sound" echoing in their minds. This immersive quality enhances the overall reading experience and reinforces the novel's themes of artistry and obsession.

While the novel's nonlinear narrative may challenge some readers, those who appreciate a puzzle-like structure will find it adds to the intrigue. The resolution of the central mystery is satisfying, though some may feel that certain threads are left intentionally open-ended, inviting interpretation.

In conclusion, "Looking Glass Sound" is a symphony of mystery and psychological depth that will resonate with readers who enjoy atmospheric storytelling and intricate character studies. Catriona Ward's ability to blend the realms of music and mystery creates a unique literary composition that lingers in the mind long after the final notes have faded.

𝙈𝙮 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)

𝙈𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨:

So much to say here… I’m going to try to be as succinct as possible but even 12 hours after finishing this book my heads still spinning, so I’ll probably fail.

First, a note on formatting…

If you got this book from NetGalley and had it sent to your kindle, be aware that the formatting is off. Line breaks where there shouldn’t be, random 1’s and 0’s, etc. I think it actually added to my enjoyment of this book, because I had to read it super closely instead of just letting myself zone into it, but it took me a bit to get used to it.

Now, the book itself…

If someone were to hand me this book, and I’d never heard of Catriona Ward and never read anything she wrote, I might have decided to put this one down after the first third. Sure, it was interesting, but in such a way that is pretty standard and can be found in many other gothic horror novels. In fact, I wouldn’t even consider the first third particularly “horror”.

But as it was, I knew better. And boy am I glad I did. This is my fifth novel by Ms. Ward. She was an auto-buy after Sundial. I would read the instructions on a shampoo bottle if she wrote them.

The twists, the mind-bending, the gender fluidity, the absolute “wtaf is going on here”… this isn’t a book you can read once and move on with your life. I’ll have to read it at least twice to even have a minor grasp. But I will, and happily.

Catriona Ward has earned her place on my shelf among Stephen King and Chuck Wendig. I absolutely cannot wait to see where her imagination takes me next.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Nightfire and Catriona Ward for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Looking Glass Sound is textbook Ward. Weird, creepy, and a little unhinged. The narration was very well done and added to the creepiness factor of this story. Ward once kept me guessing for the vast majority of the story and the narration made it prefect for long walks with my dogs. Thoroughly enjoyed this dark story. A great fall or winter read.

After loving Last House on Needless Street, I was so excited to get the opportunity to read Looking Glass Sound. However, I felt like I couldn’t get into the story, I wasn’t connecting with the characters or able to figure out exactly what was going on. I feel like this can be Catriona’s MO, but this time it was a little too off the rails for me. I wanted to love it and have seen a lot of mixed reviews and am sad to be on the other side of this one. I look forward to read what she comes out with next! I feel like the narrator did a great job, and wasn’t hindering my ability to grasp the book.

I have no idea what I was listening to. This story does not make for a great audiobook. I felt like I was missing something the whole time.

Ward once again plays with the reader's perspectives with this nesting doll of a thriller. The ending is ambiguous enough to stick with readers long after the story ends.

Looking Glass Sound was unfortunately a DNF for me - while the premise sounded right up my alley the slow build and execution did not hook me. Thank you for the ARC - I know many readers will enjoy this one and it was just not for me.

Although I finished this book weeks ago, I’ve been putting off reviewing it because it’s just really difficult to describe. I find myself not even wanting to say much about it. I loved this book up until I realized it was a book within a book within a book. What!?! Yeah, it should have just stopped with the original story without all the confusion. I really enjoyed previous books by Catriona Ward & I’ll continue to read her books but this one was just too much for me.

Also, I hated the narration of the audiobook so much that I had to get the kindle version on Libby so that I could read it instead of forcing myself to listen to it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for proving me with this audiobook.

The audiobook is just as wonderful as the actual book itself. The story is so encapsulating that I burnt dinner listening--and I already knew what happened. Although anyone who's read Catriona Ward knows that her books always deserve a second helping. It's a treat digging into them a second time.

I'm so torn about this novel. I have so many feelings. I loved the beginning of the book so much in the town as the friendship was forged and the mystery about the seeming antagonist was laid out. I especially enjoyed the nuance of the teenage heartache and navigation of attraction, jealousy, queerness, etc. (Which is saying a lot because I'm usually a bit annoyed at romance within horror/thriller books). Then after around the first 3rd of the book after he leaves college I found myself frustrated or my mind wandering as it splintered off and morphed into something different. That being said I appreciated that the author trusts readers to be up for a challenge and to focus through the more challenging shifts in the book. It made me want to pick up a hard copy to see if I found it less confusing than the audiobook. All in all I think for my preference I wanted the thread to be a little clearer but the writing was good, the images are very striking and the characters were memorable.

Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward is a masterclass in literary horror. It is a complex and unsettling novel that explores themes of grief, loss, and the power of stories.

The novel is set in the late 1980s and follows Wilder Harlow, a teenage boy who spends the summer with his parents at their deceased uncle's cottage on Whistler Bay in Maine. Wilder is immediately drawn to the bay's eerie whistling sound and its dark history of drownings. As he explores the area, he begins to uncover secrets about his uncle and his past.

Ward's writing is beautiful and lyrical, but it is also deeply unsettling. She creates a palpable sense of dread and suspense as Wilder's reality begins to unravel. The novel is also emotionally resonant, exploring the themes of grief and loss in a powerful and moving way.

One of the things that makes Looking Glass Sound so unique is its complex structure. The novel is told from multiple perspectives, including Wilder's, his uncle's, and even the perspective of the bay itself. This allows Ward to weave a complex and intricate web of stories, all of which are interconnected.

Another strength of the novel is its characters. Wilder is a complex and relatable protagonist, and the supporting characters are equally well-developed. Ward does a masterful job of creating characters that the reader will care about, even as they are drawn into the dark and disturbing world of the novel.

Overall, Looking Glass Sound is an outstanding novel that is sure to stay with the reader long after they finish reading it. It is a must-read for fans of literary horror and suspense.

Here are some specific things that I liked about the novel:

The writing is beautiful and lyrical, but also deeply unsettling.
The structure of the novel is complex and intricate.
The characters are well-developed and relatable.
The novel explores themes of grief, loss, and the power of stories in a powerful and moving way.
I highly recommend Looking Glass Sound to anyone who is looking for a well-written, suspenseful, and thought-provoking horror novel.

This was far more tense than I thought it would be, even from the first chapter. I am, however, a sucker for stories that require an adult to re-evaluate their teen years, so I could be biased.

The dreaded one star has returned. I received an advanced readers copy of this novel, but did not have a chance to read it until earlier this month. This is also my first Catriona Ward novel and I was really looking forward to reading this, but it absolutely did not live up to the excitement for me personally. However, I have read that Ward is known for convoluted psychological thrillers, but this one was a bit too hard to follow.

This book begins as a Memoir from the perspective of 16 year old Wilder Harlow, whose Uncle has passed away and left his family a cottage on the coast of Maine. That summer Wilder quickly befriends two other young teens Nat and Harper. The three friends have a great summer creating memories despite the rumors of a local serial killer in the area. Fast forward to the following summer things quickly change, discoveries are made, dark secrets come to light, and friendships are broken.

I did enjoy the first part of this novel, however, after part one Wilder writes a book that has a slightly different plot and character names that made things repetitive and confusing. This is a novel that will require your full attention and you may still get lost. Although the beginning was fascinating to me, it just did not come together well

Catriona Ward does it again with Looking Glass Sound! She has such a unique voice and a way of telling a story that keeps you guessing until the very end. This one was written in multiple timelines and I did have a little bit of a hard time keeping up with the plot a few times, but I think I just needed to slow down. Another great read, and the performance of the narrator was also great. Would highly recommend!

I struggled at first with the digital format of this one, but started listening on audio that was definitely the best way to enjoy this one.

The story had me hooked from the start and had me coming up with all sorts of crazy theories of what I thought was happening, but after the first section I can admit that I really had no idea what was going on.

It got a little confusing towards the end as the stories and characters started to converge. It was difficult to determine what was actually happening and what was part of the story, but overall I enjoyed it.

This is one I think would benefit from a re-read to full grasp the concepts and storylines.