Book Review by Christine Bode
Publishing Information
Title: Reflections in the Dark
Author: Jason Garman
Publisher: GARM Press
Released: April 21, 2026
Pages: 322
ASIN: B0GSCM3Z7M
Stars: 4.0
Introduction to a Surreal Speculative Thriller
I became acquainted with first-time author Jason Garman on Substack and received an ARC copy of Reflections in the Dark for my honest review. In this Reflections in the Dark review, the author describes this story as a horror-noir, but for me, it’s more of a surreal speculative thriller.
A Philosophical Opening That Hooks
In Chapter One, a nervous lecturer stands in front of her psychology class and starts talking about Jacques Lacan’s theory of the mirror stage. “What if what mirrors reflect back … is not always who we are?” Then, Immanuel Kant’s belief that reality is unknowable. And I am hooked. I can’t wait to discover where it’s going to take me.
Reed Ashland: A Mind Unravelling
Next, we meet Reed Ashland, a former professor and mad alcoholic, “buried in conspiracy theories and pseudo-science.” He awakes from a disturbing dream at 3:33 a.m.—again. The number 333 is significant. Drinking warm gin, he notices his journal—The Prison of the Human Mind in red Sharpie on the cover. A humming sound from the living room washes over him, and the way Garman describes how his reality shifts is pure poetry. Reed is losing time as well as what’s left of his once brilliant mind. What’s happening to him? Are aliens responsible?
Detective Maria Voss and a Disturbing Case
In Chapter Three, Detective Maria Voss, an exceptional Chicago homicide detective and single mother of two boys (her sons Eli and Tommy are later written with warmth, humour and heart), is in Mary Johnson’s house, investigating her murder. She notices a strange symbol that the killer carved into her forehead as she lies dead on the bed. However, when Maria looks into the bedroom mirror, Johnson’s body has inexplicably disappeared, shaking her to her core.
Expanding the Mystery
Medical examiner, Dr. Krista Rutkowski, Maria Voss’s close friend, gives Maria her impressions about the murder of Mary Johnson, and a homeless John Doe, killed the same way. And it’s not long before we meet the serial killer, for whom the time 3:33 a.m., broken clocks, smashed mirrors, and strange symbols are also significant.
Captain Solomon Bryans is Maria’s superior and friend, who always has her back. After years of serving in the army, he’s now a serious, no-nonsense, by-the-book cop. Together, they work in a race against time to find the killer.
A Character Driven by Ideas
Reed’s interest in metaphysics, philosophy, astrophysics, ancient cultures, and symbols, among other fascinating topics, made him someone I’d want to talk to. This is the first book I’ve read in which the main character has a PhD in epistemology and phenomenology—just one of the reasons I love this cleverly conceived book. I wanted to learn more about those subjects and exactly how they influenced him during his surreal journey. Furthermore, his undefinable connection with Maria made me want to keep reading.
Strengths: Atmosphere, Pacing, and Surrealism
The first half of the book is exceptional for a debut novel. Garman is remarkably adept at writing surrealism! Those scenes beg the reader to pay attention. I found it was sometimes hard to picture them in my mind, even though he’d written them with so much detail. If how surreal elements shape narrative tension interests you, you might also enjoy my thoughts on the overuse of simile and metaphor in fiction. By chapter 36, I still didn’t know where the story was headed, which to me is the sign of a well-written thriller.
The pacing of this book is excellent, as is the tone, atmosphere, writing, and editing. The plot asks us to suspend belief, which I had no issue with, but the end was shocking and totally unexpected. It screams for a sequel because we still don’t know what’s actually going on. The author has left our imaginations to run wild. This is a story that doesn’t end—it echoes. That feeling may not be for everyone, but I will definitely show up for his next book.
A Note on Style
If I have one note for Jason, it’s that sometimes fewer similes are better than too many, and to pay attention to diction when using adjectives as well as to overusing certain words. Overall, this is a remarkably creative debut, and the cover—designed by digital artist Mario Nevado—is bright, bold, and striking. Garman has also created a Spotify playlist representing the official soundtrack for the book, which you can find in the back matter.
Final Thoughts: A Mind-Bending Experience
You skip the light fandango reading Reflections in the Dark, an often surreal journey—especially for Reed, as in his existence, time doesn’t behave—yet also a horrific, mind-bending, murder mystery. It feels as if reality itself has slipped its frame—and kept moving. And still, I wonder: what truth waits on the other side of the mirror?
Reed isn’t the only one who can’t tell what’s real and what isn’t. The author keeps us guessing about what’s really going on. It feels as if Dali painted The Matrix, and it came to life. Who is the mysterious Mr. Morrow, the Man in the Charcoal Suit? And what is the significance of a shimmering triangle and an old library in which the books won’t let you touch them? What lies between the where and the elsewhere? I have so many questions.
Should You Read Reflections in the Dark?
Reflections in the Dark will be published on April 21, 2026, on Amazon. Pre-order it now if you love speculative fiction, Lynchian surrealism, psychological horror, a great mystery, and you enjoyed this Reflections in the Dark review. Finally, its author, Jason Garman, may just be the Christopher Nolan of indie fiction. He’s definitely one to watch.