“Great concept and brilliantly executed.”—John Marrs, international bestselling author of The OneMeet Jeremiah Adams. There are two of him.The offer is too tempting: be part of a scientific breakthrough, step out of his life for a year, and be paid hugely for it. When ViMed Pharmaceutical asks Jeremiah to be part of an illegal cloning experiment, he sees it as a break from an existence he feels … part of an illegal cloning experiment, he sees it as a break from an existence he feels disconnected from.
No one will know he’s been replaced—not the son who ignores him, not his increasingly distant wife—since a revolutionary drug called Meld can transfer his consciousness and memories to his copy.
From a luxurious apartment, he watches the clone navigate his day-to-day life. But soon Jeremiah discovers that examining himself from an outsider’s perspective isn’t what he thought it would be, and he watches in horror as “his” life spirals out of control.
ViMed needs the experiment to succeed—they won’t call it off, and are prepared to remove any obstacle. With his family in danger, Jeremiah needs to finally find the courage to face himself head-on.
A vivid and original technothriller that questions the nature of self and races to a stunning finish.
“Thrilling…thought-provoking.”—Publishers Weekly
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I will say that it took me a bit to get into this story, but I’m glad that I stuck with it because not only was it good sci fi, it also produced an interesting commentary on humanity and how we all see each other. Jeremiah works for a company that has produced a drug called Meld that essentially allows for entrance into people’s minds. This same company has “perfected” cloning. In short, Jeremiah is chosen (volunteers?) to be the subject of a new experiment. Right away I got a feeling of foreboding because the premise addresses a basic fear that many people carry: how do people really see me? Do they recognize me as me? Do they know me well enough to realize if they’re talking to someone other than me? Do we ever really know each other? There are some subplots about military interest in the project and the fate of people who may or may not recognize that Jeremiah has “changed” but honestly, they didn’t play a huge part for me. I thought the author really did a good job of using cloning as a mechanism for a human to take stock of what matters in life while ultimately realizing the importance of recognizing – and truly seeing – the humanity in each of us. For a full review, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Mira for a digital copy of the book.
Part Twilight Zone episode and part medical thriller, The Mirror Man seamlessly weaves together clones and family for a fascinating story about the lies we tell ourselves — and what we might do with second chances. Tense, poignant, and frequently funny, Gilmartin’s debut waxes lyrical on the human condition while racing to an unforgettable finish.
I rarely read thrillers or mystery books but sometimes they catch my eye like Mirror Man has. On the surface you might call this a cheesy fun thriller. I say this to compare to thriller movies that I do actually watch. But it has compelling moments throughout the pages that give me heebie jeebies because it could happen. Playing God with Science when nature doesn’t want it so is very creepy to me.
The main character Jeremiah is a marketing manager for a pharmaceutical company called ViGen. He makes the mistake of accepting to be a participant in an illegal cloning experiment. So he accepts and fate begins her plans for him. He was far too accepting without knowing the actual details of the experiment. His life begins to fall apart before his very eyes, knowing full well he cannot intervene. And he is wondering what will happen if he takes back his consent to participate. Something that may have a higher cost than he’s willing or knowingly can give.
The book really sells on what ethics and dignity a person has. And how far someone will go for the right price.
I enjoyed the book and it’s crazy themes and atmosphere. It’s well paced and chilling.
I want to thank Netgalley and the Publisher MIRA for the ARC.
Very original and beautifully executed…A first-rate science-based thriller… and a subtle and ultimately gripping examination of what it means to be human, and of what stuff the human soul is made… A complex, intelligent and ultimately illuminating look at life, love and destiny.
I loved it! Intriguing…suspenseful. Even the slow moments held my attention.
The premise of the story is that Jeremiah must allow his clone to replace him for a year. No one can know about the clone. He can have no contact with his wife and son for a year. But at the end, he receives $10M. Quite the deal!
As Jeremiah observes his clone interacting with his family, he begins to see himself differently. He recognizes the mistakes he has made with his family and wants to do better when he is with them again. At first. I saw Jeremiah as man who placed money ahead of his family. I didn’t like him at the beginning. But as he began to see himself differently, so did I. His character development was gradual and realistic.
It also sets off a series of ethical dilemmas for him. What makes one human? Quite the philosophical question, especially as today’s scientists continue to experiment with cloning.
Brent was my favorite character. At first, he seemed so inconsequential, so I was surprised by the development of his role in the story. I loved seeing a friendship develop between Brent and Jeremiah. And Louie – I loved Louie, the family dog.
When I reached the last few chapters, I was holding my breath, wondering what would happen, afraid to learn the outcome.
The Mirror Man by Jane Gilmartin is simply fascinating.
Jeremiah agrees to be cloned, and in return, he has to watch his clone take over his life, relating to his wife, son, and mother for a year. And after the year is up, he will receive a tidy sum that means he never has to work again.
It seemed so easy. But what Jeremiah discovers is not easy: he doesn’t like the man he’s watching, who, for all intents and purposes, is him. And then, things start going drastically wrong, and Jeremiah is caught in a nightmare of his own making.
This book cannot be read fast enough. It cannot be put down. It is a mix of science fiction and thriller that will leave you breathless until the very end.
An incredible debut, fascinating in concept with characters that grip you from the get-go. A timely and touching novel.
A story that is both profound and artfully contained. Claustrophobic and disturbingly intimate. Simply brilliant.
A remarkable debut… Great concept and brilliantly executed.
I was enchanted by the blurb at the story I really wanted to find out what twist the author would add to this type of read. This is more of a story about the man himself and what he learned about himself watching the clone. There are a few other twists and terms in here that make the story quite interesting and make you want to finish it to find out what happens. I enjoyed it I was expecting more of a thriller suspense type thing than the psychological type that the story actually ended up being but that does not mean that it was a bad book.
I haven’t read this other before and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised and will gladly read this offer in the future.
Would you be willing to get a million dollars for scientist to make a clone of you and for one year you are kept in a luxurious apartment watching? Don’t be so quick to answer until you read this book.
The Mirror Man is good. Jeremiah is asked by the company he works for to be part of an illegal cloning project. Why shouldn’t he agree to it? His wife is distant and his son ignores him. Who will ever know?
Jeremiah grows through this book. He comes to see himself has others do. From his family to his co-workers. But does what he say make him happy or sad?
Even though it was good, the ending was perdictable to me. I was kinda of disappointed with that. I don’t know how it could have been changed, but wish it would’ve been more climatic.
I think after you read this book, you will definitely look at cloning differently. I for one am glad it’s illegal and after read this book, hope it stays that way.
Thanks to Goodreads, Mirabooks, and Gilmartin for an ARC, for my honest opinion and thoughts on this book.