Lightning in a Mirror (Fogg Lake) Mass Market Paperback – November 8, 2022

FINAL DECISION: Enjoyable conclusion to the Fogg Lake trilogy. There is plenty of romance and light suspense in this one. Olivia and Harlan had some nice chemistry and made good partners in this one. As a longtime Krentz reader, I'm glad to see the return of connections to the Arcane Society.THE STORY: Olivia LeClair's experience with speed dating hasn't gone well. First, a serial killer attempted to make her his latest victim. Then, her icebreaker question is not exactly attracting good attention from her "dates" until a mysterious man sits down at her table. Harlan Rancourt has an extremely strong psychic talent and despite questions about his true motives, he insists that Olivia help him as they search for secrets about a lost lab that may hold the answers to questions about who has been committing murders in town.OPINION: One thing I really like about Krentz's romantic suspense books is that they are not too dark. Instead, the book is light and infused with humor. That makes it a fun read (but not comedy or slapstick). I liked the characters, especially Harlan, who is a classic Krentz hero.There is plenty of action and Krentz has been best in recent years by using her psychic storylines which she clearly has had an affinity for through the years. The stories have a more compelling suspense element and it appears to me that Krentz really likes these "enhanced" characters better.This book nicely wraps up the trilogy and answers the questions that have lingered through the two prior books. I enjoyed seeing the characters meet up in the end for a satisfying ending to the series.But my favorite part of these books is always the romance and here the romance works (although I wish there was more about the relationship than there is). There is little internal romance. Instead, Olivia and Harlan seemed matched from the start and only need to deal with the external issues for them to have a happily ever after. However, I've come to expect this in Krentz's more recent stories and this one is good although at times I still yearn for her more emotional and character-centered books from earlier in her career.WORTH MENTIONING: This book also has allusions to the Arcane books which are not necessary to enjoy this book but are recognizable for fans of that series.CONNECTED BOOKS: LIGHTNING IN A MIRROR is the third book, and the conclusion, of the Fogg Lake trilogy. While the romance here is self-contained, this book ends the overarching storyline of the series and thus is better read in order.STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

Olivia LeClair has had a rough time the last few years. There was her mother’s death, her own kidnapping, and now she is facing down a serial killer! Luckily, she had that mysterious camera with her…Harlan Rancourt is the son and grandson of the two infamous leaders of the Foundation. Rejecting his heritage, he has been in search of Vortex now for a while.Putting two people together who should theoretically be enemies might not seem the sanest of ideas, but Harlan knows that there is a big showdown with Vortex coming, and he needs Olivia to help him prevent a catastrophe.This is the final in the Fogg Lake trilogy, and has some very complex ties to Krentz’s contemporary Arcane society books: we get a couple of special cameos from that. Then there is the tie-in with that series in the form of Vortex, which also has a few other “Jayneverse” ties as the author point out. While it helps to have read those, it isn’t necessary to understand this story, it just is a bit of an Easter egg for Krentz’s readers.All that aside, this is a very satisfying conclusion to the Fogg Lake series, with some very interesting loose end tying too! There is plenty of action, lots of paranormal events, and one or two bad guys seeing their just rewards.A thoroughly enjoyable story, and finish to the story arc. Recommended for paranormal romance fans.

‘Lightning in a Mirror’ is the third, and final, book in the Fogg Lake series by author Jayne Ann Krentz. The crumbs of information scattered throughout Book 1, ‘The Vanishing’ and Book 2, ‘All the Colours of Night’ are bought to fruition with our two new main characters, Olivia LeClaire and Harlan Rancourt, finally discovering the truth of the Vortex lab. There are a lot of parallels to the previous two books and the formula doesn’t really deviate from the template that has been created. It is still a good read and I found myself engaged in the investigation and mystery, however, the romance still doesn’t feel credible to me. The writing doesn’t emphasis any sexual tension or attraction between Olivia and Harlan, rather it focuses on the action and mystery. Yet, they suddenly jump into bed together and realise they are in love. It’s a problem I’ve had with the other books and it would have been nice to see a different outcome. Apart from this, it’s a fun read and kept me turning the page until the end.Olivia LeClaire was introduced in Book 1, ‘The Vanishing’, as the best friend of the main character, Catalina Lark. Originally a resident of Fogg Lake, she moved to Seattle along with Catalina and embraced her artistic heritage by working at a local art gallery. However, after the scandal that labelled Catalina as a psychic fraud and cost her the job she loved and her relationship, Olivia cast caution aside, quit her job, and joined Catalina in opening Lark & LeClair – a private detective agency. Olivia seems to have embraced the career change whole heartedly and has even begun consulting with the police in confidence. However, there is one case she can’t get closure on and that is the death of her mother the year prior. Whilst everyone believed it to be just a tragic accident, Olivia is certain that someone murdered her mother, but has hit a dead end in her search for answers.Harlan Rancourt is the son of Stenson Rancourt, and the grandson of Crocker Rancourt, who incidentally founded the Foundation. It was an open secret that Stenson was grooming Harlan to take control of the Foundation as part of the Rancourt legacy. However, Harlan had no desire to perpetuate the Rancourt’s iron rule over the Foundation or to continue to run it like a criminal organisation, fattening the Rancourt finances whilst crushing any opposition. Around five years before the start of the series there had been a coup led by Victor Arganbright and Lucas Pine. During the transition, Stenson had been killed in an explosion and Harlan took the opportunity to disappear.Harlan has been surreptitiously investigating and researching in the intervening years and finally has a lead on the almost mythical Vortex Lab created by the Bluestone Project. The Bluestone Project originated in the latter half of the twentieth century. It had been a top-secret, clandestine government program that was established to conduct research into the paranormal. Based in several hidden laboratories across America, one lab was focused on creating paranormal weapons. Weapons that could be used to devastating effect but leave no trace of the perpetrator. This was known as the Vortex lab, and it had been lost when the project was shut down… until artifacts originating from the lost lab started to circulate.After finding evidence linking Olivia’s grandmother to the Vortex lab, Harlan enlists her help, promising that the search for the lab will also uncover the person responsible for her mother’s death. They join forces and follow the evidence as it leads them deeper and deeper into the dark mystery surrounding the Vortex lab and the creations to be found within. We see the culmination of several plot points that were started in Book 1 and Book 2 but are still left with some questions should Ms Krentz wish to write more in this series or create a spinoff.I really enjoyed following Olivia and Harlan as they uncovered clues and pursued leads. The mystery and investigation are well written, and Ms Krentz has a knack for captivating your attention. However, as per reviews for Book 1 and Book 2, the same problems persist. The paranormal lore that has been created is complex but a little ambiguous as to why people are willing to go to any lengths to get their hands on paranormal, or hot, artifacts. After reading all three books I am still unclear as to why people want the artifacts. They have a paranormal energy signature but that is all that is described. I would have liked to find out if they have a bigger purpose.I should have learnt from reading the previous two books to just skip over the supposed romance between Olivia and Harlan. Again, I am all for a well written insta-love story, but there is nothing beyond a mild physical attraction to one another before they are jumping into bed and professing their love. There needed to be a lot more work in building up the sexual tension and attraction to one another to make me believe in their romance. Instead, the focus is on the investigation and the romance seems to have been added last minute and just shoved in haphazardly. I will be skipping right over these scenes in any future re-reds.Overall, ‘Lightning in a Mirror’ by Jayne Ann Krentz is an enjoyable and easy read. The whole series was interesting and had enough intrigue and suspense to keep me engaged in the plot and characters. The world Ms Krentz has created is one I would like to visit again, and I would happily read another book in this series or a spinoff series. I would have liked to have see a little more tie in with the main characters from the other books. Catalina and Slater from ‘The Vanishing’ and Sierra and North from ‘All the Colours of Night’, but they are absent from most of the book. The story pace moves along nicely, except for the romance scenes, until about 90% where the investigation ends, and we get several chapters that read like an over-long epilogue. All the books had a similar device so not too sure if this is something Ms Krentz is known for or something specific to the Fogg Lake series. I don’t mind having a peek at the characters futures, but the ending should have been a lot tighter than it was. I would recommend this series to any fans of Ms Krentz or anyone who enjoys a good paranormal mystery romance.3.5 out of 5 stars! Rounded to 4 stars.‘Lightning in a Mirror’ is the third, and as of now final, book in the Fogg Lake series by Jayne Ann Krentz. As of August 2022, the series consist of:Book 1: The VanishingBook 2: All the Colours of NightBook 3: Lightning in a MirrorNOTE: Jayne Ann Krentz also writes under the pseudonyms Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle.

Very interesting reading!!! Keeps you glued to the story - hard to put down!I. A must read story. ........

She wrote multiple mysteries and twisted them into a hot romance topped with - spoiler - a rescue cat. Who could ask for anything better . Brilliant as always!!

I’ve been a fan of JAK for years and always enjoy her books. I like her characters, the humorous dialogue and the storylines. At his book was no exception. I look forward to the next read.

I always love her books. Some more then others. Haven't read this one as yet will update later.

I really enjoyed this book as usual it was excellent.I have read most of her books and I never get tired of them even though they follow the same type of plot each time and can never wait until the next one comes out.The other books especially in her other world books are also excellent but I do wish she would write books that explains how the people got to other places instead of explaining time and time again about them coming through the “curtain” it would be great to share in their adventures.

I truly love this series, the characters and the links to the Jones family.Thanks for sharing your awesome skills Jayne.

This was the third book in the Series and I enjoyed all 3.