Name: Crist Mortuary & Cremation and Mountain View Memorial Park
Address: Boulder, CO

I am so late to the party.  Don’t know how The Mirror was recommended to me, but luckily I listened.  It’s wonderful. I am so excited to read all her works. Like others, I had to google out of curiosity and found myself here. She left behind real treasures!

This was the story for me. A neighbor had loaned The Mirror to my mother when we were snowed in one winter in '78. I read it out of boredom, and promptly forgot all about it... 

In 1989, after having been in a poetry writing group for several years which had just broken up, I decided to try to write a novel... 

After eventually learning how to listen to the muse, so that I could get more than just two lines on a piece of paper before finally giving up, I would end up writing five complete novels from 1989 to 1991. The Plot of Peaceful Valley was the first. 

Years later, I took a serious look at my first two books; the second one being The Master of the Lost and Found. 

The main characters in both books were named after the characters in The Mirror, and many of the devices in the story - such as the pink granite tombstones - were subconsciously carried over into mine...

This was a completely subliminal effect; I did not once think of her book the entire three years that I wrote my five women's fiction novels.

The young girl in my only Western, the Pursuit of Sundown (fourth novel), Chattee Dawson, was a girl whose appearance I had subconsciously attributed to the painting of the young girl on the cover of The Mirror. 

I wrote a fan letter to the author, Marlys Millhiser, and told her how she had subconsciously inspired me in my writing... 

She was working on her CHARLIE GREENE series at the time, and her daughter had been run over by a train, resulting in the loss of her feet. 

 I ended up publishing these on Amazon, and she and I maintained a nice correspondence for a number of years before her passing in 2017.

On a whim, I decided to Google Marlys Millhiser, one of my favorite authors, and was saddened to learn of her passing. Like many others who have left messages, I fell in love with her work after discovering The Mirror. As a shy, introverted teenager, I often retreated to my room to lose myself in books. One day, while grocery shopping with my parents, I wandered off to the books and magazines section, where a lone, out-of-place book caught my eye. It was The Mirror, the only copy on the shelf. I persuaded my parents to buy it for me, and it remains one of my favorites to this day. I went on to read her other books, including The Threshold and the Charlie Greene series.

As a graphic designer, one of my passions is reimagining the covers of my favorite books. Quite a few years ago, I decided to pay homage to Marlys Millhiser by reimagining the covers of The Mirror, Nella Waits, and The Threshold, which I’ve shared below.

Thank you, Marlys Millhiser, for the joy you brought to me and many others.

My name is Toni. I was fascinated with Marlys book, "The Mirror", after having checked it out of the library, so I called Marly, back before cell phones. Her number was listed. 
She was very kind, talked about herself a little, and put me in touch with a book seller with whom I was able to buy the book. I have read it multiple times. 
I'm truly sorry that she has passed. God bless you, her family.

i love Marlys, the ones I read many years ago. My favorite was Willing Hostage. She was a great writer and lovely woman. She is surely missed


"The Mirror" !!! A friend of mine gave me "The Mirror" to read years ago. I can't tell you how it affected me. The story I could see in my mind ! Oh, to switch places with MY Grand-ma !! I have kept that book with me (plus one other I found at a resale shop). I re-read that book about once every year or so.
Truly a though provocating, wonderful book. I can not believe a movie was never made of this book. Absolutely a big mistake. RIP Marlys and Thank You!

12/04/2020 - Nearing the end of 2020, I pulled down one of two copies I have of The Mirror last week, to find a comfort zone, so familiar to me.  It is a book I always have on my bookshelf and have read numerous times over the last 4 decades.  Just now, reading the back of the soft cover version, I decided to look up info about the real Gingerbread House... which led me to this obituary.  So sorry to learn of Marlys' passing.  This one story is one of the few "must-haves" in my library.  Whenever I see a copy of it in a second hand store, I buy it so I can gift it to a friend.  Thank you for being a part of my life, MM.  I also hope, as others mentioned, that your wonderful story may someday become a movie.  RIP

I never met Ms. Milhiser, but someone gave me a book called "The Mirror" and to this day I still have it and have read it several times.  I also ordered more of the same book for my sisters.  We all loved it.  I sent her a letter telling her how much I loved the book and wanted to know if it could be made into a TV movie.  She said that she had 10 copies and they had to be available in case Hollywood would need them for their use in case by chance they decided to make a movie of The Mirror.  She was 53 at time and had a husband of 31 years and 2 grown children.  She would let me know when Moot Point comes out.  I really appreciate the letter and keep it in a lock box.  I am so sorry for your loss, but she gave me many hours of enjoyment during her lifetime.  The envelope was stamped Dec. 27, 1991.  She sounded like a wonderful lady.  Will miss her books, but still have The Mirror.  Condolences to the family.


Willing Hostage has been my favorite book ever since I read it on a camping trip,with my husband and baby son in 1977. I pulled an all-nighter with a flashlight. I’ve loved Ms. Milhiser’s other books as well, but Glade Wyndham has never left me. So sorry, even though 2 1/2 years have passed, to learn that such an amazing talent has left us.

I found a copy of the Mirror in a Portland, Oregon library in the early '80s. From then on, I read every book by Marlys I could find.  Over the years, I often re-read the Mirror and think it's my favorite book of all time. I became a writer myself and have Marlys to thank in part, as an inspiration.

I see that Marlys passed on over a year ago and I'm terribly sad today. She had a wonderful gift that enriched so many lives with her craft, including my own.  I will be forever grateful for her amazing stories that drew me into another world. Patrice Raplee

I found my first Marlys Millhiser book at a local used book store in Bend Oregon. Willing Hostage
 After that I started searching for as many of her books as I could. As with so many, I fell in love with The Mirror.  So sorry to hear, belatedly, of her passing, but know that reading her books gave me great pleasure


To Marlys family,

I so wish I had met Marlys to thank her. I loved all of her books, but most of all, my well read, torn, tattered and truly loved copy of the Mirror. I have by my bed and a couple times a year, immerse myself into the story once again like an old friend. I even went to visit *Nederland area years ago.  Please know she is not forgotten. Holding her in my heart. So sorry for your loss. Lisa 

For Marlys, I didn't know her but I'll miss having to know they're won't be any more books written by her.

I am reading her book The Mirror for the fifth time. I bought it in 1979 and it is the only book I have kept and I reread it every few years.  I was going to write and tell her how much I loved it and was sad to see she had passed.  Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.  She was loved as an author and will be missed.

We are reading The Mirror in our book club. She remains a beloved author

I read The Mirror when I was 10 and it was a book I took with me everywhere.  I read and reread it so many times.  I was thinking of it today and thought of writing to Ms. Millhiser to tell her how important her book was to me all through my teen years, only to find that she so recently passed away.  I hope her family finds some comfort in knowing what an impact she made on people with her work.  I wish I could have told her.  I send my heartfelt condolences to her family.

I just learned of her passing. She wrote some of my favorite books, including Michael's Wife. I had the great thrill to meet her twice in Boulder, CO in the 1980's while visiting my brother. She was very gracious to allow me this pleasure.  My thoughts go out to the family.

Just found her books a few years ago, read "The Mirror" "Michael' s Wife" "Willing Hostage" and "Nella Waits".  I like how she used Iowa and Colorado in some of her books.  She seemed like a lovely person, condolences to her family

Sad to know Marlys passed away, I read her book Michael's Wife years ago, gave my copy to someone and never received it back. When I tried to purchase it again it was out of print. Then one day I found it on kindle and purchased it and have read it many time, my favorite book of any book I've ever read God bless your wife and mom. Ps I also read the mirror and willing hostage. Michael's Wife was the first book I ever read.

I met Marlys years ago at a Mystery Writers of America dinner. She was so kind to new writers, warm and witty. I loved her books, especially The Mirror, which was an extraordinary book. I was thinking about her today because I missed being able to buy her books for our library district.  I googled her and learned that she had died after battling Alzheimer's. She will be missed by many.

I never met Marlys but her book The Mirror is my very favorite book ever.  I emailed her once to tell her that and was so pleased when she wrote me back. (star-struck actually!) I am so sorry she has passed and hope the happy memories of her make her family and friends smile in the years to come.

I only knew Marlys through her books. After I read The Mirror  I made an effort to read all her books. I have a complete collection of the books and have a few of the short stories.  I am so sorry that there will be no more. She had something special.

I had the privilege of knowing Marlys from book signings at my store and from mystery conventions. I loved the newsletter she wrote. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was great fun to be with. I also admired her strength and resilience when disaster struck a member of her family. It seemed there was nothing she couldn't cope with. I am sorry for what she went through in recent years and deeply saddened to hear that she is gone. The world is a sadder place without her. My sincere condolences go to her family.

Thank you for the many hours of enjoyment, reading your stories. My condolences to your friends and family.
Beverly, a reader

I just learned about Marlys's death. She was a wonderful writer and friend. I treasure my copies of her books, including one that she gave to me because she knew I liked it so much.

Marlys was a joy to all.  I am so sorry that we have lost her.

I just heard this sad news. I met Marlys at Malice Domestic through Megan Bladen-Blinkoff, the inaugural editor of the Femmes Fatales newsletter. Marlys was charming, hilarious, and most graciously welcoming to this then-closeted writer. When I sold my first book, she was again charming, hilarious and most graciously welcoming to me. Always herself. Always wonderful. My profound sympathy for this loss.

Thinking about Marlys, her charm and her talent.

I hadn't seen Marlys in years, and just now found out about her death. She and I did a newsletter as part of the Femmes Fatales for several years, and did many events together. She was always a treat to be around, and her books were just wonderful.

I'm so very sorry for her loss.

Sorry Dave, I wish the best for you going forward..

Orie

Having recently re-read my favorites of her books, I was very sad to hear of Ms. Millhiser's passing. She had a singular talent wrapped up with a wonderful sense of character and excellent writing. She was a terrific Colorado ambassador. My condolences to her friends and family. Her books are timeless. May she long be remembered and honored.

I did not know her but I so loved all of the books she wrote.  I think "The Mirror" was my favorite but I enjoyed then all. I am so glad she gave up teaching to write.

SIncerely,
Mollie Morton
Boulder

Deepest sympathy to the entire family,  Marlys was a lady of talent, grace and warmth.  I feel fortunate to have known her as a friend.  Lorna Greene

Joy and David. I am truly sorry to hear that Marlys passed away. She was truly a great person to know and listen too. I will never forget how much she loved her new home; especially her kitchen. The years I knew her were so special to myself and my family. Especially my son Chris; whom she gave great advise towards his writing career. Hold her memory close and know that now she no longer has the pain and agony of a horrid disease.
Sandy Ransom

May God's loving kindness and comfort help you and your family through this very sad time Psalms 29:11

OBITUARY

Marlys Joy Millhiser

May 27, 1938 – April 20, 2017

Crist Mortuary & Cremation and Mountain View Memorial Park

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