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.

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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!

I had not read anything by Catherine Steadman before I received this prepublication copy to read in exchange for an honest review. I am glad to have discovered this author. She is a skilled writer - in plotting and building suspense , creating believable characters, and in the use of precise and expressive language. The premise of this book stretched my willingness to suspend belief a little too far; I prefer more realistic stories. However, I think that lovers of science fiction, fantasy, and supernatural plots would find it highly enjoyable.

WOW! I flew through this book and honestly it was not at all what I imagined but in a good way. I think more or less going in blind to this one is worth it.

Nina is grieving her father’s death when she receives a letter notifying her of her inheritance of his property on an island she never even knew he visited. Maria, a nanny has lucked out with a two week job with all the sun and sand she can take. How do these two seemingly with nothing in common intersect? You’ll have to read it to find out.

The book kept me on my toes the entire time and I could picture the entire book in my head as I was reading. It’s fun, fast and definitely creative. Pick this up in July and read it on the beach and I promise you won’t be able to put it down. 4.5/5 stars!

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing/Ballantine Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, this is a nail biter: scary, thrilling and difficult to put down. The writing is wonderful, the setting too (I've actually been there) and the 2 main female characters very strong. Ms. Steadman really knows how to write!
The beautiful house Nina inherited from her beloved father is a shock to her, she didn't know he owned it...
It turns into the inheritance from hell, which Nina has to fight with all her might to survive. What a nail biter! Don't miss this book, it's so good.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Ballantyne for the eARC.

I liked this one! With a twist of horror Don't Look in the Mirror had me turning pages to find out what happens next.
Slightly resembling The Hostel movies, the insanely rich have no limits. Still, it was original enough for me to really get into it.
Follow 2 characters trying to survive the house of horrors that entrap them, on the beautiful island of Virgin Gorda in the BVI.
Thank you, Netgalley, Random House Publishing - Ballintine, and Catherine Steadman for the ARC.

This psychological thriller kept my eyes glued to its pages through to the very end. The idea is very original, at least to me, and oh-so-well executed with excellent writing, varied and distinct characters, a wonderful setting, and mysteries galore that kept me reading well into the night.

Nina has just lost her father—a gifted and wealthy engineer—the widower who raised her—the man who knew her best and whom she knew best. Or, so she thought until learning that the staid, conservative Englishman had built and owned a home in the British West Indies, a home she never knew about and which now belongs to her.

Hoping to learn more about her beloved father, she travels to Virgin Gorda where she finds a beautifully built house high on a cliff overlooking the ocean and containing everything one could desire in a secluded get-away. Then she discovers that, along with the state-of-the-art architecture, engineering, and amenities, the house is also filled with secrets she’d prefer not to know—secrets that might just get someone killed, if they haven’t already.

I haven’t enjoyed a mystery quite this much in a very long time. I found it quite unique and very imaginative and look forward to exploring author Catherine Steadman’s other works.

My thanks to NetGalley, author Catherine Steadman, and publisher Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for providing me with a complimentary ARC. The foregoing is my independent opinion.

It took me until about the 20% mark to actually get into this book. Up until that point I considered giving up on it. It was extremely slow. BUT - it picked up and I’m glad I stuck with it. I found some of the timing and changing narrators confusing at times. A few times I had to go back to that character’s last chapter to remember where they had left off. (Partly my own fault because I went almost a week between reads.) Overall, I’m mostly neutral about it and give it 3 stars.

This was not what I expected!

I was hooked early on - picked it up to read a few chapters before bed, and before I knew it, it was 2:30am. As one character is unpacking the mystery of her father bequeathing her a beach house she's never heard about, another is quickly learning the nanny gig she started is not at all what she signed up for. It was easy to get caught up in the suspense of what was happening to Maria, why Nina ended up there, and how the two of them were connected at all.

Weirdly, though, the more I learned about what was going on, the less I liked this. Points for originality, I haven't read a thriller quite like this, but the whole scenario was just not my cup of tea. Still, 3.5 stars for an exciting reading experience.

It is truly hard to find a suspense book that hasn't already been done. Maybe there is a version of Look In The Mirror out there but if that's the case, I have not come by it. Steadman wrote one unique story and I had no idea where this was going. Every chapter, every page, every moment was filled with suspense and made me feel on edge. My one negative to say actually has nothing to do with the story itself but rather my own preference. I don't do well when I have to suspend belief and I felt you definitely had to do that here. If that doesn't bother you, then this book would be a FIVE star read for you. It would also make a fun film and I would definitely go watch it.

Catherine Steadman does it again! Imagine having a parent die and they leave you a dream vacation home. Honestly I would probably think it is too good to be true. This is what happens to Nina and this is just the beginning of an unfolding of the past and truths she knew nothing about. I found myself unexpectedly surprised and found many unexpected things as I read this story.

Nina's father dies and leaves her a house, she has no idea he could afford. Maria ia a nanny, but she is not allowed to go into a locked room in the house. very fast paced story. I really enjoyed it.