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.

What a weird, wondrous, coming-of-age novel full of twists, turns, lies, and love! I was totally engulfed in the story and intrigued to the end. This was the first @CatrionaWard book I have listen to, but it won’t be my last. The narration of the audiobook was spot on. Thank you @Netgalley and @MacmillanAudio for gifting @LookingGlassSound to me for my honest review. I really enjoyed it!

Catriona Ward is an underrated powerhouse when it comes to horror. I absolutely love her writing style and distinct voice. This was a fantastic read, quick, gripping, and thrilling.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC for an honest review.

This one was well-written, but it was also quite confusing. It wasn't until the end that everything finally made sense. Even then, I had to take some time to really think about it and piece everything together. The audiobook narration was excellent and done skillfully. While I didn't personally connect with any of the characters, it wasn't because of their portrayal or anything like that. It was mostly because there wasn't enough time spent delving deep into their backgrounds. Despite the events happening in the story, the characters felt superficial, which in this case may have been intentional.

This was the first book I have read from Ward, but I now know it won’t be my last!

WHAT. A. RIDE.
This book has so many layers. It is a little bit of a slow burn in the beginning, but the smooth writing keeps you lured in and interested. As the layers start to peel back you find yourself engulfed in a literary cave of wonders. It truly feels like a siren has lured you into the depths and by the time you realize you’re drowning it’s too late, you’re in too deep. Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

"Looking Glass Sound" by Catriona Ward is a captivating and chilling novel that expertly navigates the realms of psychological horror and mystery. Ward's writing is both atmospheric and immersive, creating a narrative that keeps readers engaged and on edge.

The characters are well-drawn and multi-dimensional, with the protagonist standing out as a relatable figure whose journey into the heart of the enigma is both intriguing and emotionally resonant. The supporting cast adds complexity to the narrative, each character harboring their own secrets and insecurities.

Some reviews are hard to write - and some of the hardest are the ones for books that are twisty, convoluted, and mind-bending fun reads. You don't want to give away much in the way of plot because therein lies half the fun of the reading. That's what Catriona Ward excels at writing, and this was no exception. Every time I thought I had a clue as to what was happening, she'd throw in another twist. It starts as a coming of age story but takes multiple turns throughout and at the end I was left wondering WTH did I just read? But in the best way. It's dark and wry and atmospheric and creepy and fascinating. It won't be everyone's cup of tea, but if that describes the type of book you enjoy, dive on in to Looking Glass Sound. And if you enjoy audiobooks, this was well-done. Both narrators did an excellent job.
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

Happy belated Pub Day to LOOKING GLASS SOUND by @catward66 ! This beauty came into the world yesterday so it is on shelves already! Thank you to the author, @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the audio ARC.

Ok I have read about 4 Catriona Ward books in the last 2 years. I have liked them all, but this might be my new favorite. This is a tragically beautiful coming of age story set in a coastal town full of dark folkloric stories.

When his family visits their new vacation home, Wilder meets bristley but charismatic Harper (also a summer visitor) and charming Nat, who lives in the normally sleepy town that turns into a tourist destination in the summer months. They play games and dare each other to do wild things until they find the body of what can only be one of The Dagger Man's latest victims. Their lives, and their friendships will never be the same...

💀💀💀

I absolutely loved the complicated characters in this story. I was compelled to continue the story by the mystery alone but the character development kept me going too. This story is a great example of how proximity to violence as a child can lead to psychological issues and other complications as they become adults.

I absolutely love the way that Ward's stories are all so different. Definitely an auto-buy author for me!

Have you read this or any of Ward's other titles? What did you think?

Have a great day our there bookbots!

💚SMASHBOT💚

#bibliophile #booknerd #booksta #instabooks #catrionaward #macmillanaudio #netgalley #netgalleyreviewer #bookish

LOOKING GLASS SOUND
Catriona Ward

LOOKING GLASS SOUND is more about the journey than the destination. Ward takes the scenic route and I was along for the ride.

In LOOKING GLASS SOUND we are following Wilder. Wilder is an author who is haunted by the stories he holds, haunted by his past.

I contemplated breaking up with Catriona Ward if I didn’t like this book. We have a rocky relationship and although I always appreciate her wonder I don’t always see her vision. This makes for an oftentimes underwhelming reading experience.

I want more of some parts of her craft while wishing I had a little less of the eccentricities that go along with it.

By the end of the book I had made peace with the trajectory of the story, all the stops along the way, and most importantly I made peace with Catriona Ward and her writing.

I find myself even more of a fan.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy!

LOOKING GLASS SOUND...⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Having previously read “The Last House on Needless Street” I am excited to read anything by Catriona Ward. This story was just as twisty, and mind-bending. As with her previous work, Ward is masterful in layering perspectives, and potential outcomes. Part coming of age story, part romantic love triangle, part thriller, there are lots of secrets that unravel as the novel progresses.

The struggle I had with this story was due to the complexity of character and plot; I had trouble following along at times while listening to the audiobook. The pacing was just a little off for me, and dragged at some parts of the story. Overall, I definitely would love to read more from this author.

I always loved Ward's writing, and Looking Glass Sound did not disappoint. I liked the concept of a book within a book, as it kept me on my toes in figuring out which story I was reading. Like Ward, the tension was up all throughout and I didn't see the ending coming.

This was my first Catriona Ward novel and I will definitely read her backlog. I am always instantly interested when there’s a New England setting in a book. I really loved the characters and the mystery surrounding the murders. I did feel like this book was a little too fast paced only because I kept feeling like I was missing some information. And it can also be a little much when there’s a book inside a book. But once I could keep everything straight, I really enjoyed the story.

The narration was pretty good too. The Boston accents were not great but thankfully there wasn’t too much of that.

Looking Glass Sound
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Catonia Ward

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley, Tor Publishing, and Macmillan Audio and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: In a lonely cottage overlooking the windswept Maine coast, Wilder Harlow begins the last book he will ever write. It is the story of his childhood summer companions and the killer that stalked the small New England town. Of the body they found, and the horror of that discovery echoing down the decades. And of Sky, Wilder’s one-time best friend, who stole his unfinished memoir and turned it into a lurid bestselling novel, Looking Glass Sound.

But as Wilder writes, the lines between memory and fiction blur. He fears he’s losing his grip on reality when he finds notes hidden around the cottage written in Sky’s signature green ink.

My Thoughts: Ward is known for mind bending fiction, as well as fiction within fiction and this latest novel does not disappoint. Wilder Harlow and his two close friends have the summer of their lives before Wilder’s parents divorced. Wilder is also working on a novel, which we get pieces of. This small town in Maine, also has a known serial killer, the Dagger Man of Whistler Bay. There are also a vast amount of women missing from this sleepy small town. Fast forward to Wilder’s college years when he is befriended by Skylar, does this friendship come at a cost? The cost of his novel that he has been working on for years? This coming of age story with ghastly horrors will have you second guessing your thought process.

This is a book within a book. Those are the hardest novels to write but Ward does it so well. There are two presenting mysteries here of the serial killer and the missing women. The characters were well developed with depth, mystery, and intriguing. The author’s writing style was complex, multifaceted, very twisty, mind bending, thought provoking, and suspenseful. You think the story is going in one direction, then boom it switches gears and throws your brain for a loop. Your brain 🧠 cells will get a workout in this novel. The terrors this novel outlines goes deeper than a slasher flick, the tragedies are more than a mire surface level, and the who, what and when will throw you for a loop over and over.

I had the pleasure of having both the digital book and audiobook. I think the audiobook was better, easier to follow along. The narrator chose for the audiobook was perfect, had amazing voice affliction, voice variation between characters, and really brought the characters and plot horror to life from the pages into your brain. This is a compelling, unique, unpredictable, tragic horror suspense novel that will keep you guessing until the very end. There are a vast amount of books that are one and done, you read once and it would not benefit you to read again. However, with this novel, I think it could be read over and over and each time, you would gain new insight into the mind of Ward. I would highly recommend picking up this book.

I loved this wild ride. You have to FOCUS when reading or listening to this one - so you gotta be in the right headspace. I don’t know how to describe this but this is the most insane thing I’ve read in a long time. There were moments where I thought that it was too out there but I should have trusted Catriona Ward would always bring us back to earth and somehow convince us what happened is logical and real. Whew this was kind of my biggest fear at the end, but damn I loved it. Lost 1 star because I was a little distracted and bored at times, but once I got to the last third, I could not stop listening. Lots of triggers so please be careful!

I both read and listened to the audiobook. The audiobook really helped me absorb the setting and class of the characters. It held me transfixed and I found it honestly, enchanting. I couldn't put it down. Catriona Ward knows how to spin a tale in a way that makes you know that something isn't quite right and yet, I never expect where her books will go. I enjoyed "Last House on Needless Street" and thought it was a studied and kind portrayal of an often mischaracterized illness.

Here, I knew something was off, but I really did not expect where this went at all. It felt like a cozy read that was speaking more deeply about narrative and stories within stories and who really controls the narrative. I loved the ending, but also felt confused and disoriented. Ward's writing style is perfectly plotted. She is playing with several storylines and expertly constructs in a way that I have never seen done so well.

I don't think I enjoyed reading the ending as much as I will enjoy seeing it made into an A24 movie. It is pure bait for some director looking to twist us up into a ball of mirrors.

The premise behind this book was oh so promising, and I rapidly consumed the first half. If it had kept to just that I would have loved it. But, half way through it takes a twist, and I struggled to stay invested in the story and the main character. He has nothing endearing to him, and it becomes a painful struggle to care about what happens to him.

I'm not sure what I was expecting from this one, but like the other 29384738974 reviews say, it's best to go in blind. I started out bored, grew more interested, and then left utterly confused. I'm not sure psychological horror is what I would label this, as I've read others that fit the bill perhaps a little more. If you're listening on audio, the accents are atrocious.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.