The Mirror Man

Meet 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 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.

Praise for The Mirror Man

“A story that is both profound and artfully contained. Claustrophobic and disturbingly intimate. Simply brilliant.”

—Sylvain Neuvel, bestselling author of The Themis Files trilogy

“An incredible debut, fascinating in concept with characters that grip you from the get-go. A timely and touching novel.”

—New York Times bestselling author Heather Graham

“A first-rate science-based thriller...and a subtle and ultimately gripping examination of what it means to be human... A complex, intelligent and ultimately illuminating look at life, love and destiny.”

—New York Times bestselling author Carsten Stroud

“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.”

—Mike Chen, author of A Beginning at the End

“A remarkable debut...Great concept and brilliantly executed.”

—John Marrs, internationally bestselling author of The One

Jane Gilmartin has been a news reporter and editor for several small-town weekly papers and has enjoyed a brief but exciting stint as a rock music journalist. A bucket list review just before she turned fifty set her on the path to fiction writing. Previously checked off that list: an accidental singing career, attending a Star Trek convention and getting a hug from David Bowie. She lives in her hometown of Hingham, Massachusetts.

The Mirror Man

Jane Gilmartin

In memory of my mother and David Bowie

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36