I absolutely loved The Family Game so I was excited to read this one - however, it didn't quite deliver in the same way for me. I found this to drag on a bit and also felt somewhat confused about what was happening at different points. Not quite enough action for me but I will still read her next one. Thanks to the author and Netgalley for an advance copy!

Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
Genre: Thriller
Violence: 🔪🔪
Triggers: Death in the family, confinement, drowning, suffocation

Synopsis: Nina inherits an island vacation home she has no idea when or how her recently deceased father acquired. Now she worries what else he was hiding. Maria, former med student turned nanny, is hired for a short gig at a luxurious tropical getaway. She quickly discovers two weird things: 1) Her charges never show & 2) She’s instructed to stay out of the basement. Is the twist that the two houses are one in the same? Not even close. This newest psychological thriller from the author of 2018’s Something in the Water will keep you whipping through pages to piece together what the heck is going on.

Thoughts: I’m challenged to keep this spoiler-free because the mystery at the heart of this story begins unfolding from the very beginning. Stead devises a fiendishly clever premise then uses powerful storytelling to misdirect us—and I loved every second of it. The book explores the callus depths of the human heart when one has the power to do whatever they wish. But it also illustrates humanity’s goodness and the willingness to put oneself at risk to aid another. Steadman is an author who understands the grief of lost loved ones and the trauma inherent in surviving. That she could reflect this profound empathy in a page-turning thriller is a rare gift. And I absolutely did not see the final twist coming. The ultimate lesson: when someone says don’t go in the basement? Just..don’t. This is my first Catherine Steadman book but it certainly won’t be my last.

Thank you to @randomhouse and @netgalley for the #gifted copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Thank you Random House for the ARC!

I was so excited for this one! I really enjoyed her last book, THE FAMILY GAME and don't think that one gets enough hype!

While this one started out strong, it ended up becoming one that dragged on for me and I was confused what was happening a lot of the time. I think the plot was too simplistic and lacked enough action. I really wish I liked it more and am sad I didn't!

I'll still read what she writes next!

After losing her father, Nina is shocked to receive a letter about a house he owned that now belongs to her in the British Virgin Islands. When she arrives, the house is gorgeous, but how could her father possibly afford this, and why is someone leaving her notes to run? Meanwhile Maria has been hired to nanny for a family for two weeks. But the family never shows, so she has their home to herself for two weeks. There is only one rule, don’t go in the basement. When the security system goes on the fritz however, the basement calls.

Holy goodness! I went into this book fairly blind and I will tell you to do the same! I was incredibly confused as to what was happening for a good portion of this book, but I also could not stop reading because I needed to know more! I don’t want to say much else because this is one you really need to just start reading! There is no question this is a twisty, unputdownable thriller!

Thank you to @randomhouse for my gifted copy of this book!

Rounding up from 3.75 stars.

Read this if you like escape rooms, unsettling reads, dual narration, high-stakes, inheritance, secluded islands and puzzles.

I'm not sure I liked this book as much as I liked The Family Game, but it was very entertaining! You can tell the author has a passion for clues and codes and puzzles, and it is very fun to read. So many webs and twists. Her writing style is easy to read and so bingeable - I hope to read more of her work in the future!

A Look in the Mirror is a mysterious title which won’t be understood until much later in this confusing, propulsive, absolutely terrifying thriller. The chapters alternate between the voices of Nina, a universitynprofessor and Maria, a medical student turned nanny to the rich. Nina has inherited a home in Virgin Gorda, a striking glass structure set into rock. This is her late father’s gift to her although she has never heard about it. She travels to the island to settle the estate and stays in her new vacation home. Maria is in Virgin Gorda to be a vacation nanny to a single father and his two children. A concierge shows her around the luxurious rental home and explains the security system. She settles in for the arrival of her employer.

This is where I stop. As much as I would like to tell you what happens to these two women, there are no spoilers here. I’d also like to tell you that I had everything figured out but I didn’t. A Look in the Mirror establishes Catherine Steadman as one of the best thriller writers. This pilot is so unique, so perfectly woven together and so terrifying that she is in a class by herself. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Catherine Steadman for this ARC.

This book was an excellent, fast-paced thriller. I didn't want to put it down, and read it over the course of a few days. It was a unique storyline, that pulled my attention and had me guessing where it was going. I read all of Catherine Steadman's books, and this was just as enjoyable as the others.

Nina Hepworth is still grieving her father's death when she receives a letter notifying her that she's inherited his luxurious estate in the British Virgin Islands. A successful, intelligent, but fiercely-private man, Nina's father has managed to--even in death--make her question if she ever really knew him at all. With little else tying her to her lonely life in London, Nina flies out to the British Virgin Islands to meet James, the executor of her father's will, to learn about the home she's been left...and hopefully about the father who feels more and more like a stranger.

When Nina arrives at her father's estate, it's clear that not only has there been no mistake, but that her father is clearly trying to send her a message from beyond the grave: "Anderrsen's Opening," the house is aptly titled. A chess opening, and one that has a special connection to Nina and her father. As Nina explores more of the state-of-the-art island home she's been left, she finds its halls teeming with her father's memory; surely there must be something she's missing.

Like a locked basement. A home under the home, with white-walled rooms devoid of any art, life, or personal touch. Cryptic notes tucked within the nooks an crannies of the house. A threat--or an urging, perhaps?--for Nina to "get out." Whatever is going on within Anderssen's Opening, it's clearly much bigger than Nina could have ever anticipated.

With that, readers, Catherine Steadman's latest thriller (and my first by her, somehow) makes a monumental splash in the summer reading season. This was a layered, expertly-executed, binge-worthy read that I flew through in three sittings; and looking back on it, it's best to go in as blind as possible to really enjoy the wild ride that it is. Definitely one of the more unexpected great reads of the year so far, it's a thriller I'd recommend to anyone.

4.5 stars rounded down.

Great thriller with some super creepy elements thrown in. I had no idea what was going on (in a good way!) for most of the book and I really had no idea what the ending would be. I love when a thriller book does that for me! Super fast paced and enjoyed the multiple character POVs.

Rating: 5 ⭐️
Pub Date: July 30, 2024
How I Read It: 📱

Synopsis
Nina’s father has just passed away and she is contacted by a lawyer from a British Virgin Island who tells her that she has inherited a vacation home there. But she had no idea existed. When did her father go to the Virgin Islands? There must be some mistake?

Maria is a nanny for the wealthy and takes an assignment where she spends her days living in luxury by the pool as she waits for the owners of the home to arrive, only she keeps waiting, and they aren’t showing up. There’s also one house rule: don’t go in the basement, but with the clients not arriving, her curiosity might just get the better of her. Is it a mistake to just peek and see what’s behind that door?

My Thoughts
Omg what the heck did I just read? I don’t think I’ve ever turned pages in a book so fast in my life! Wow, just wow! I went into this book completely blind. I saw Catherine Steadman had a new book out, and I just had to read it, and I made the right choice! This book is told in multiple viewpoints, the main characters of Nina and Maria and then a few other characters a little later in the book. In the beginning of the book, you’re wondering how Nina and Maria’s stories are going to connect, and you will soon find out, it’s the house. The house that is downright creepy. I was so terrified at one point, I was closing my eyes but, then I remembered I was reading a book, so I had to keep reading to see what happened next. The suspense and agita at that point were just super high. I don’t want to give away too many details, so I’m just going to say, this book was REALLY good, and some may think the ending was a little rushed, but honestly, my nerves and suspense were at such a high level from what was going on, that I couldn’t take much more at that point. It needed to be done! I felt like the suspense was going to kill me! So yeah, the ending was perfect. It ended where it needed to end. So if you want a heart-pounding thriller, pick this one up.

Final Thoughts
This is a wild book. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything so intense. I’m still wowed by this book. I think you just need to read it!

❗️Of Note
Death
Kidnapping

Themes
👥 Alternating narrators
🫣 Suspense
🌪️ Twists and turns

Ratings
Characters: 5 ⭐️
Pace: 5 ⭐️
Enjoyability: 5 ⭐️

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!

Wow I need a drink after reading this book! I’m out of breathe. Was unsure of what was going on for the majority of the book which was a surprise. Great, twisted thriller that made my heart pound.

One twisted book! What a horrifying thrill ride! You really don't know what's going on for most of the book. But you may have some suspicions, it's not *that* out of the realm of possibility which makes it even scarier. By far my favorite Catherine Steadman book though I do still need to read The Disappearing Act and Mr. Nobody.

This book was not what I was expecting at all but was very happily surprised. Gorgeous setting, with unsettling/menacing stories it. I really enjoyed how the POVs of all the different characters intertwined. Great summer mystery/thriller. Only wish the blurb matched the story a bit more.

Thank you @penguinrandomhouse @netgalley #partner for the gifted copy of this book!

This was such a wild concept of a book! WOW. Wowza. What the?! Grab a glass of champagne and don’t forget your popcorn because this my friends was insanity. This was one frenzied, demented and deranged story! 😂 I liked it and I’m here for it. I think in my opinion you’re going to have to go into this one suspending belief in what really would/could happen! If you can do that then you’re going to be just fine! I absolutely love are games in books so this one definitely wins in that category. I don’t want to spoil anything but let’s just say Nina (one of our main characters) gets way more than she bargained for when her father passes away and leaves her this dreamy estate in the Virgin Islands. What’s odd…she never knew it existed. And soon discovers she doesn’t really know her father…at all. 🙃 There are hidden rooms, shady characters, lies, games, puzzles, and one massive race against time. If all of that is your cup of tea make sure you grab this one at the end of the month!

Nina recently learned that her deceased father has left her an estate in the British Virgin Islands in his will. Nina was never aware that lavish, state of the art smart home existed. Nina is trying to understand why her father kept this information from her, only to leave her the home following his unexpected passing.

Maria is a nanny for the well-to-do and has recently been assigned a job with a family who lives on a stunning coastal estate. Oddly, the family does not show. Maria takes it upon herself to settle in…making note of the only house rule which is to never go into the basement.

The story is told from alternating POV’s and due to the storylines, I found it to be a bit confusing at times. As a reader, we are crossing time periods, trying to unravel stories that are never fully explained, basically just piecing everything together until the abrupt end.
Overall, this was a decent read. It felt rushed and upon completion I didn’t feel closure – I kept waiting for something that never came.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballentine, NetGalley, and the author for this ARC.

Had an absolute great time reading LOOK IN THE MIRROR by Catherine Steadman. It's a thriller, yes, but there are some creepy horror elements at play, too. The overall premise of this was so neat: a daughter inherits this mansion off an island that she never knew her dad even had. What?! Why!? But let's go check it out! There are quite a few twists in this one... and I am a huge fan of escape rooms so this whole book just really checked off a lot of boxes for me.

Catherine Steadman wrote something unique, intriguing and utterly different in this book! The premise of escape is often seen in domestic thrillers - but actual escape, to save your life, is a new concept in the psychological thriller genre! I found I was unable to put this down because I wanted to know WHY? Without spoiling, readers need to be patient until the end in this one! Thank you so much for the advance copy - I will be looking for more from this author!!!

Catherine Steadman continues to prove to be a favorite author of mine. This book had me all in and fully engaged from the jump. It honestly it hard to say much beyond the book blurb for fear of spoiling anything. Just know it's a great read and you will not be disappointed!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in advance of publication.

this. was. so. INTENSE. like, truly could not put it down in a way I haven’t experienced in a hot minute. I really can't say too much about it without giving anything away, but this is a wild ride I highly recommend you take. it had decent twists and really enjoyable characters with a lot of dimension. this might be my favorite @catsteadman book? thanks to @netgalley for this advanced copy, this book will be available to the public on 7/30! (reviewing a book before pub date - who am I? really makes me feel like I have my life together 😂

Well, count me as an official Catherine Steadman fan! I didn’t realize I have been devouring her books until I was on here looking at her bibliography and realized I’ve read an throughly enjoyed her two, make that now three, last releases. I’ve just been so pulled in by the premises and intense settings.

Take this one: a young woman who inherits a house from her father in the British Virgin Islands that she never knew existed. When she gets there, things immediately feel off - and her suspicions are confirmed. Meanwhile, in a parallel story, we read about another young woman, hired as a au pair for a wealthy family, who is in a creepy house, trying to figure out what she’s gotten herself into. I don’t want to say much more.

These young women are both really great characters that you get invested in, right from the beginning. And I was rooting for them to figure things out as their stories progressed. I was absolutely hooked watching them and waiting to see how things worked out. It took everything in me not to jump to the end of the book.

But Mazel Tov to me - I held out this time! And it was worth the wait!

So, bottom line: pick this one up….then head on over to check out Steadman’s other books for ,ore great atmospheric reads with intense plots and thrills. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait too long for the next one!

Maybe it was the sunshine, maybe it was the bottle of wine but this book had me in a chokehold. This is an easily read in one sitting thriller. Absolute wild summer entertainment. I’m not going to say a lot as it’s best to go in blind and enjoy the ride.