Gareth Rubin’s "he Turnglass," published by Union Square & Co. book tour sponsored by Rockstar Book Tours, is a brilliantly crafted tête-bêche novel—a format as inventive as the dual mysteries within. Released on December 3, 2024, this book captivates with its unique structure, atmospheric storytelling, and haunting themes. Perfect for fans of Gothic tales and literary innovation, The Turnglass will keep you flipping pages—literally and figuratively! If this is your cup of tea, enter the giveaway below to win your own copy.
Title: THE TURNGLASS
Author: Gareth Rubin
Pub. Date: December 3, 2024
Publisher: Union Square & Co.
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 443
This beautifully written, immersive, and unique crime story is a tête-bêche novel—two intertwined stories printed back-to-back. Open the book and the first novella begins. It ends in the middle of the book. Flip the book over, head to tail, and read the second story in the opposite direction. At the book’s core are two separate mysteries running across two different timelines, which are inextricably, forever linked.1880s, Essex, England: Idealistic young doctor Simeon Lee is called from London to treat his ailing relative Parson Oliver Hawes, who lives in Turnglass House on a bleak island off the coast. Hawes believes he's being poisoned by his sister-in-law, Florence, who was declared mad years ago after killing the parson’s brother in a jealous rage. Hawes keeps her locked in a glass-walled apartment in the Turnglass library; the secret to how she came to be there is found in his tête-bêche journal, where one side tells a very different story from the other.1930s, Hollywood: Celebrated author Oliver Tooke, the governor’s son, is found dead by apparent suicide. His aspiring actor friend Ken Kourian isn’t so sure Oliver took his own life. He finds a link between Oliver’s death and the mysterious kidnapping of Oliver’s brother when they were children. He also discovers the secret incarceration of Oliver’s mother, Florence, in an asylum. To get to the truth, Ken must decipher clues hidden in Oliver’s final book, a tête-bêche novel called The Turnglass—which is about a young doctor named Simeon Lee . . .
My Review
⭐ Rating: 5/5 ⭐
From the moment you pick up The Turnglass, you know you’re in for something extraordinary. The tête-bêche format is ingenious—one story begins, ends at the book’s midpoint, and then you flip the book upside down to dive into the second tale. Like the book’s titular metaphor, the format itself reflects the interconnected timelines and secrets running through the stories. It’s not just a gimmick; it’s an essential part of the experience, adding a tactile and visual layer to the narrative.
Plot and Atmosphere
Rubin expertly crafts two parallel mysteries: in 1880s Essex, young doctor Simeon Lee faces a chilling case involving Turnglass House, a crumbling estate shrouded in dark secrets and suspicion. In 1930s Hollywood, aspiring actor Ken Kourian races to uncover the truth behind his friend Oliver Tooke’s death and the shadowy threads linking their lives to the past. Both stories are steeped in eerie atmospheres—Victorian Gothic in one, and the glamour-meets-despair of Golden Age Hollywood in the other.
The settings come alive in Rubin’s prose, from the foggy shores of Essex to the glitzy yet shadowy backlots of Los Angeles. Each detail enhances the pervasive sense of mystery and unease, making the novel a page-turner in the truest sense.
What I Loved
The format was an absolute highlight. The experience of flipping the book upside down, mirroring the act of turning a glass, felt fresh and exciting. This innovative structure beautifully mirrors the themes of inversion and duality in the story itself. Beyond the format, the haunting and creepy narrative kept me hooked. Each mystery unfolded with clever twists, and Rubin masterfully wove the threads of the two stories together. The layers of intrigue and the eerie atmosphere stayed with me long after I turned the final page.
What I Didn’t Like
Absolutely nothing! This book was a five-star read from start to finish. It’s rare to find a novel that delivers on every level—storytelling, format, character depth, and sheer inventiveness.
Final Thoughts
Gareth Rubin’s The Turnglass is a masterpiece of mystery and storytelling. With its innovative tête-bêche format and two tightly linked tales spanning centuries, this book is a triumph of both form and content. It’s perfect for readers who crave something truly original and hauntingly unforgettable. If you’re ready to be captivated by a novel that challenges and enchants in equal measure, The Turnglass deserves a spot on your shelf.
✨ Highly Recommended for Fans Of:
Gothic mysteries
Dual-timeline narratives
Unique book formats
Unsettling yet compelling stories
About Gareth Rubin:
Gareth Rubin writes about social affairs, travel, and the arts for British newspapers. In 2013, he directed a documentary about therapeutic art at the Bethlem Royal Hospital in London (Bedlam). His books include The Great Cat Massacre, which details how the course of British history has been changed by people making mistakes; Liberation Square, a thriller set in Soviet-occupied London; and The Winter Agent, a thriller set in Paris in 1944. He lives in London.
Giveaway Details:
1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE TURNGLASS, US Only.
Ends December 17th, midnight EST.
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