The Murderer Inside the Mirror is the second in Sarah Rayne’s series of the Fitzglen theatre family in early 20th century England. It is also the title of a mysterious play found hidden in a secret box among Uncle Montague’s papers after his accidental death. A play with a mysterious aura, thought possibly written by the famous playwright, Phelan Rafferty. This discovery propels the action of the story which at times became a bit frenetic.

The narrative occurs in three times, 1908, the present day of the main action for the famed Fitzglen family, known for their theatrical skills, much less known for their sideline of filching, but only from the rich. The second is 1534 involving an Irish Earl’s attempts to put off the English yoke being forced by Henry VIII. There is also a briefer third narrative set in 1903. I admit to becoming a bit confused in the middle of the book when I didn’t understand the point of some diversions, but everything came together very well and well before the end—an ending I enjoyed and found well earned. I do enjoy Sarah Rayne’s work.

Thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for an eARC of this book. This review.is my own

This is the second Theatre of Thieves novel from mystery writer, Sarah Rayne, featuring the eccentric Fitzglen family and their rival thespians, the Gilfillans. Those who know the Fitzglens well know that their more lucrative sideline, aside from staging plays, is theft – of the Robin Hood variety, whereby they relieve those who can afford it, of part of their wealth. It’s 1908, and sadly, a message has arrived that Great Uncle Montague (the family’s master forger) has died unexpectedly. Now it’s up to young Jack to find the infamous iron box Montague was rumoured to have hidden. Jack also needs Montague’s notes on his plan to rob the wealthy Girdlestone family of an original Gainsborough, if he is to pull off the heist himself. The box turns out to hold a manuscript entitled “The Murderer Inside the Mirror,” which seems to have been penned by the deceased Irish playwright, Phelan Rafferty, and has ominous and shadowy overtones within its first pages. This makes Jack think some darkness may be best left undisturbed. While sidelining on the Gainsborough heist, Jack spies a painting of Catherine O’Raifeartaigh hung in a dark corner. Why has her history been concealed by the Raffertys?

This entry, like the previous book, Chalice of Darkness, unrolls multiple stories in multiple timeframes. Rayne’s mystery novels are intriguing, but readers have to pay close attention to connect all the pieces of the puzzle. As one character tells Jack, “you need to hear the story… in full—or you won’t understand.” Rayne blends fiction with history—in this case Henry VIII’s rebellious nemesis, Thomas Fitzgerald, 10th Earl of Kildare—and her stories prompt many questions along a circuitous route. A few scenes stretch credulity a little, and one can’t help thinking there’s a bit of tongue-in-cheek going on, but overall, a clever story-within-a-story of rebellion, betrayal and revenge.

Sarah Rayne always delivers twisty and dark historical mistery that mixes genre and keep me reading.
This is a very good one, the second in the Theater of Thieves, a gothic story that follows multiple timeline.
I enjoyed it and had a lot of fun.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Sarah Rayne does a wonderful job of blending historical facts into a deeply imagined present world of theater, family and filches. There is a touch of romance, but this is primarily a complex mystery set in three timelines, the main 1908 theatre world, and glimpses into 16th century Ireland and the current day character's more recent past.

This is the second book in the Theatre of Thieves series, and I enjoyed it so much that I went back and immediately read the first in the series. I eagerly await more of the Fitzglens!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is my first book by Sarah Rayne. She reminds me of reading Ellis Peters, just that kind of luxurious way with words. Except scarier. I was reading this book late at night and I wondered if that was a good idea, lol. I was so impressed with this book. I don't even think I can explain the plot. It is so intricate and I feel smarter just from reading it. Five stars!!!!!
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Sarah Rayne's The Murderer Inside the Mirror straddles the mystery and romance genres. I love mysteries, especially ones with historical elements, which The Murderer Inside the Mirror definitely has. I generally steer clear of romance. But I'm quite glad that I requested and received a review copy of this title.

The Murderer Inside the Mirror operates along three timelines: one during the reign of Henry VIII, the other two in the present and the near past. This is a series novel, which I hadn't realized when I requested it. It's volume two in the "Theater of Thieves" and features a family who are both respected thespians and very successful thieves. As happens in fiction (I'm not so sure about real life as I'm not aware that I know any families of very successful thieves), they have standards. They don't steal from anyone who can't afford the loss and they focus on underappreciated treasures owned by the wealthy.

I really don't want to say much about the plots. They're a wonderfully complex mix and deserve to be met as they arise. Rayne weaves a complex tapestry, but it's the kind of complex tapestry that results in elegance, not confusion.

If you like mysteries, especially mysteries with period elements, you'll find this book a pleasure, even if, like me, you eschew romance. If you like romance, especially romance with period elements, you'll find this book as pleasure, even if, for some inexplicable reason, you eschew mysteries.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.

Sarah Rayne is a new author to me. These books are the Theatre of Thieves mystery series. Set in Victorian England , the Fitzglens are gentlemen thieves, stealing from the rich and undeserving. I like that the author blends mystery with a little bit of history. I got the second book, The Murderer Inside The Mirror as a free e-book for review not realising it was a series. So of course I bought the first one, Chalice of Darkness, and glad I did as it does help with characters and back story for the 2nd. I will be reading some of her other series.

I am a huge Sarah Rayne fan, having read her entire book back catalogue over the last maybe 10 or more years - my heart always lifts at the annual arrival of a new historical mystery/thriller from her pen - this time 'The Murderer Inside the Mirror: 2 (A Theatre of Thieves mystery)' starring the Fitzglen theatrical family of London, in 1908, an era I adore reading about, with gaslit streets, penned letters, musty documents, hand delivered secret messages, lush descriptions of the stage and the costumes.
I preferred this second 'Theatre of Thieves' outing to the first one, if I am being entirely honest. It was more exciting and gripping. The characters more familiar. I still pine for the series of books starring Nell West and Michael Flint but hey I can always reread them.
As usual with Sarah Rayne novels the story/plot is set out over 2 or 3 time periods, with different characters' voices in different chapters - but the mystery is entwined across all the time periods. In this novel you have Ireland, in 1534 when Henry V111 was on the throne and the Irish Kildares were inciting rebellion, in 1908 in the London theatre world where Jack Fitzglen and his cousin, Tansy, live and work as actors, and a slightly earlier third period where a hideous crime was committed, hidden and has had macabre consequences.
Rayne is superb at creating creeping unease, building up layers of history, mystery with clues and delivering some truly violent and hideous outcomes with great panache.
If you don't know what a 'filch' is you will after reading this gripping yarn.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc.

Thank you Netgalley & Severn House Publishing for an eARC ♥️


Wow, what a ride! The second book in the Theatre of Thieves series is a total masterpiece🔥. I mean, I thought the first one was good, but this one takes the cake. The Fitzglen family is back, and they're up to their old tricks again - scheming, thieving, and generally causing chaos wherever they go.

But this time around, things get personal. Jack's great uncle Montague has kicked the bucket, and the family is in a tizzy trying to figure out what happened to his infamous iron box. I won't give away too many spoilers, but let's just say that what they find is totally unexpected - and totally creepy.

I'm a huge fan of Sarah Rayne , and it's clear that she has outdone herself with this latest installment. Her writing is as captivating as ever, with characters that leap off the page and a plot that keeps you guessing until the very end.

I love how the author weaves together elements of mystery, thriller, and historical fiction to create this totally unique story. And the characters? Forget about it. They're so well-written, I feel like I know them personally. Jack's struggles with his family's legacy, his own morals, and his general awkwardness? Totally relatable.

I'm obsessed with this series, and I can't wait to see what Sarah Rayne has in store for us next. If you haven't started it yet, what are you even doing with your life? Trust me, you won't regret it!" 5/5 stars 🔥🔥🔥🔥

I suspect I would have enjoyed this more if I'd read the first book and therefore better understood both the Fitzglen family and the dynamics of the theater community. That said, this tale that centers around the discovery of a previously unknown play by a famous author has some entertaining turns. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Over to fans.

Sarah Rayne rarely disappoints and in The Murderer Inside the Mirror she has delivered another tense, clever, and engaging mystery featuring one of her series families. Rayne does exceptionally well in telling stories that alternate time periods and some sort of time travel or past life connection. Here, the FitzGlen clan of actors and thieves find themselves embroiled in a mystery surrounding a previously-unknown play written by a well-known author which disappears as mysteriously as it was found. The search for the manuscript reveals a complicated web of scandal, betrayal, and love spanning centuries.

Rayne’s books are always well written and this is no exception. The plot will keep readers engaged, and will appeal to fans of mysteries, romance, and history.

With the death of Montague Fitzglen a previously unknown play of the famous Irish playwright Phelan Rafferty is discovered among Montague's belongings. The Fitzglen's decide to be cautious about releasing this play to the world because while it would certainly make them rich for all they know Uncle Montague forged it, or worse it contains evidence of the Flitzglen family's other line of work. Unfortunately they may have been to cautious because when Jack goes to retrieve it the play is gone and the following day they discover their hated rivals The Gilfillans will be performing the play. The Fitzglen's know they have to act if they are to protect themselves against whatever is in this play so they send in Tansy, the youngest of the family and one completely unknown to the Gilfillans to hopefully retrieve the play before everything comes crashing down around them.

I did not read the first book in this series but I'm gonna be honest I don't think it would helped me figure out why the Fitzglens jumped to the conclusion that this play was some sort of tell all of either Montague's or the family's past. The reaction seems somehow overblown and not as large as it should be when they find that the play has been stolen. Especially since they are supposed to be these accomplished thieves, instead of just stealing it back they just let the Gilfillans have it.

We don't spend enough time with each of the characters to really get a good feel for any of them. Or really even the dynamics between the family. The roles each of them have within the family are obvious but I would have like to have spent more time with the Fitzglen's than we did, especially since I think they'd be quite a bit of fun while on a "flich" as they call it in the book. We did however spend a large amount of time with the "bad guy" in the book, who I think is supposed to come across as unhinged from the beginning but never does or at least not to the point where they just snap. And again blown out of proportion if you don't feel like they are a little cracked to begin with and I really never felt that way.

There is also a second story within this one which is actually kind of the main story and it is far better than what's happening in the present. I would have loved to have read an entire book of Thomas Kildare and Catherine Rafferty, the asshole who betrayed them, and the brother that saves the day.

Overall, I'd say that this was an excellent historical fiction novel that got buried under a mystery that garnered only a meh. I probably won't read anything more in this series, however, if the author decided to write the story of Thomas Kildare and Catherine as a stand alone novel I'd read it.

As always thanks to Severn House and NetGalley!

Uncle Montague has died and amongst his effects is an unknown play "The Murderer Inside the Mirror" by the renowned playwright Phelan Rafferty together with notes about investigating connections between the Girdlestone's and the Rafferty families. Montague's surviving relatives the Fitzglens, who run a theatre company with a sideline in thievery or "Flitching" decide to investigate.
This charming story mixing including some Irish history and two fictional and eccentric theatre companies at the turn of the century is a lot of fun. I enjoyed reading it and will look out for more works by Sarah Rayne

The storyline is absolutely captivating!
I was completely engrossed and couldn't stop reading.
The author skillfully creates suspense through rich character development and vivid settings.
This Gothic historical mystery is truly remarkable!
I can't wait to delve into more works by this author in the future.

I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this advance reader copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Super excited I got approved for this one.
I have always loved every book by Sarah Rayne.
Amazing gothic settings and descriptions, plus some supernatural thrown in.
Another great one!