This book blew my mind! It took me a minute to realize what was happening with the plot, then I was so intrigued I could not put it down. (I'm afraid if I say more, it will include spoilers.)
I highly recommend this mind bender for those who enjoy a solid, but totally bizarre tale. Catherine Steadman has a best seller on the horizon when "Look In the Mirror" is published July 30, 2024. I cannot thank you enough, NetGalley, Random House & Ballentine for allowing me the privilege of this ARC.
Catherine Steadman. #LookIntheMirror #NetGalley #RandomHousePublishingGroup #Ballentine

I've loved this author's other books but this one fell a little flat for me. There were certain creepy aspects of it that I liked but overall I didn't think the story flowed super well and it was hard to picture

A fast-paced locked room story that will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat. However, I found the whole premise a bit over-the-top for my taste.

Look in the Mirror Is so horrific and terrifyingly suspenseful that i did not
put the book down until the end. Scene after scene compels you to hold your breath as the mystery unfolds. This one is a winner.

This started off SO strong, and then it became a bit too unoriginal for me. I can’t say what it compares to or else that would spoil it, but it was clear that this was inspired by that show. If I hadn’t watched/read something like this before, I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more!

Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for the eARC!

I loved “Something In The Water” by Catherine Steadman, but found her next two that I read, “Mr. Nobody” and “The Disappearing Act,” to be less than I had hoped. Nonetheless, I was happy to receive a copy of her latest, “Look In The Mirror” from Random Mouse/Ballantine and NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. Most recently, in my relationship with Steadman’s books, I wrote about Mr. Nobody, “I’m willing to say maybe Mr. Nobody was just a hiccup or possibly it was just me. In any case, I’ll gladly read Ms. Steadman’s next book. “

In this latest thriller, there are two young women, Nina and Maria, and their stories are told in tandem. Nina apparently has inherited a fabulous house on an island in the B.V.I., but she has no idea how or why he owned it, or left it to her. Or did he? Maria is a nanny for uber-wealthy people who just wants one last job to set her up to quit working.

Weird things happen to both of them, and there is lots of creepy action. Overall, it is strange and entertaining. Not my fave of hers, and I doubt I will be eager to read her next one, as my ratings for her books have steadily declined. But I appreciate the effort, and was happy to avoid the news for another day. Three stars.

Thank you for the advanced copy of Look in the Mirror.

I finished this book a few days ago and I am still thinking about it. That being said, it definitely was not what I was expecting. I enjoyed the two following along with the two storylines of both Nina and Maria and slowly learning the trouble that they are having with this house on a secluded island. I wasn't a big fan of how the story wrapped up, but I have a hard time determining what I would have liked to see. It is a page turner and does keep you invested, but it was not my favorite story by Catherine Steadman.

This rating reflects my own opinion and it may be just the cup of tea of others who love thrillers. I ;do not love thrillers. I find the whole genre manipulative and boring. I would give five stars to the creativity of Catherine Steadman for coming up with the safe-room, house challenge and the young women victims. I would give fewer stars to the writing. (Well, Steadman earns the big bucks for her acting.)

The chapters follow Nina, our heroine if there is one, Maria, a refugee survivor, Lucinda, the recruiter, John and Jung-Ji, the electronic wizard. The seeing is lovely, British Virgin Islands, and the suspense builds. Usual thriller warnings, Look in the Mirror, Don't Open That Door, Don't go in that room. Of course they will be ignored.

My apologies to the author and publisher. I promise to swear off the thriller category from now on.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early ARC copy to read and review.

The pros: the prose is better than average for mystery thrillers, the mystery was pretty gripping, and the scenery really comes to life.

The cons: the big reveal is a bit underwhelming, there are several times I wanted to shake the main character for making really poor decisions, and there isn’t enough setup at the beginning to really make readers care about the characters.

I would definitely read this at the beach or on a trip but it’s definitely a middle of the pack mystery.

Such an awesome thriller! There were so many twists and turns, and it kept my attention the whole time. Definitely pick this one up!

Two women, one house, no escape.

This book was definitely a slow burn, but the payoff at the end made it worth it. Nina Hepworth is grieving the loss of her father when she finds out he has left her a house that she didn't know existed. As she makes her way there, she realizes there may have been much more to her father, and the house, than she ever thought possible.

Maria has put her dreams of being a doctor on hold as she works as a nanny for the super rich. Her latest job, an ultra modern house with secret rooms, but no people.

This book is slow to draw you in, but once there, I couldn't get myself out.

That was an adventure! I love Steadman’s constant twists in her work. You have it figured out, until you don’t. Nina Hepworth is alone after her famous academic father passes. She discovers she was left a house in his will, one she knew nothing about. Upon arrival things are very strange, but can be explained. That is, until she stumbles upon the basement. This book is truly a game of uneasy puzzles that mean life or death. Some advice? Stay. Out. Of. The. Basement. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a truly sinister, shocking, and twisty horror / thriller! I particularly liked the middle third of the book, after the plot got going but before you understand what’s going on.

I truly had no clue in the first 20% of the book what was happening and how the two main characters were connected. I was blindsided by the reveal, which I love.

I do feel that the “twist” was revealed too early on in the story. Once you know what’s going on, it becomes less interesting. The ending dragged on a bit.

Also, I recommend that the title be changed. “Look in the Mirror” strongly implies that the characters are being punished for their sins - which they’re not. I understand that the title is literal, but it truly makes no sense for this book despite being a viable title for many other thriller or horror books.

Review of Advance Reader’s Copy [Uncorrected Proof]

Nina Hepworth, dealing with the minutiae of details following the death of her father, John, discovers that he had, unknown to her, a second home . . . in the Caribbean. Traveling to Pond Bay, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands, Nina is stunned by the house, Anderssen’s Opening, a three-bedroom glass and steel house built on the clifftop.

How had her father managed to keep this from her?

Maria Yossarian, once a medical school student, has come to Virgin Gorda for a temporary position as a nanny for two young children. But the family does not arrive as expected, and Maria finds herself with several days to herself. Finally, as she begins to wonder if they were ever planning to come, she makes a fateful decision. She will do the one thing that has been expressly forbidden . . . .

She will check out the locked room in the basement.

=========

Told from several points of view . . . mostly those of Nina and Maria . . . the unfolding story rapidly evolves into a suspense-filled tale of terror. Well-defined characters, a superbly-twisty plot, and a strong sense of place all work together to keep the reader turning pages as fast as possible.

Anderssen’s Opening has a tight hold on its secrets, slowly revealing its dark and sinister nature. Unique . . . and horrific . . . the narrative keeps readers glued to its pages, eager for the “what comes next.” Deception plays a strong role in the telling of this disquieting tale that most readers are sure to find unputdownable.

Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers, especially ones with a bit of the fantastic, will find much to appreciate here as the story weaves its seemingly disparate parts into a highly satisfactory denouement.

Highly recommended

I received a free copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine/Ballantine Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
#LookIntheMirror #NetGalley

This was my first of Catherine Steadman’s novels.. and now I have a lot to look forward to, as I will be reading her others. I am not usually into destination thrillers.. but I finished this one in two sittings. Her writing instantly drew me in and the development of the story continued to surprise me. Whenever I thought I knew where things were going.. I was DEAD wrong!

Catherine Steadman is becoming an auto-purchase author for me. Look in the Mirror is just as twisty and thrilling as Something in the Water, if not more. I absolutely love the setting and the vibey atmosphere of the British Virgin Islands.

"Looking in the Mirror" by Catherine Steadman captivates with its intricate plot and compelling characters. The narrative follows Nina, a Cambridge professor, and Maria, a medical student turned nanny, as they navigate a web of secrets and mysteries. Steadman's ability to craft relatively believable twists kept me engaged from start to finish, and I found myself unable to predict the outcomes. Some of the background story might be a little unbelievable. Overall, "Looking in the Mirror" is a gripping tale of secrets and illusions that will leave readers questioning reality long after turning the final page.

Catherine Steadman has cemented her place on my MUST READ list with this. It is so fast-paced, I read it in one day. I had no idea where she was going with this story and with these characters and that was a good thing. While the twist was nothing I expected, it still held up and kept me interested until the very last page. Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC. I am always happy to get my hands on an early release of Steadman's books.

This story starts off about two women that do not seem related in any way. Yet we are getting both of their stories and perspectives. I knew they had to be connected somehow but the author did a GREAT job keeping you wanting to read to find out how and what the heck was going on.

Nina finds out that her father left her a huge mansion in the Virgin Islands and she has never heard of this house or the fact that her father traveled to the islands at anytime. She sets her path to go to the islands and find out what is going on. Maria is a nanny for the wealthy and she is trying to save her money to move to the States and finish her medical degree. This job at the mansion on the Virgin Islands will give her a huge boost in her savings.

But this house is NOT what you think at all and there is one rule for anyone that enters, do not go into the basement. But with all good intentions, what is the one thing that people will normally do? Go to the place there are not allowed to enter. This is where the story really takes off and has a plethora of twists and turns. My heart rate was elevated during some of the chapters and I had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen. Talk about gripping!!

Catherine Steadman is a brilliant author and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us readers next. If she is not one of your go to authors, you are missing out.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Catherine Steadman has been a consistent 4 star for me! Her latest gives me some “The Last One” vibes and has some elements of other books I’ve read in the last few years but definitely an overall unique premise that was fast paced and kept me hooked until the end!