Once again, I find myself trying to review a book without revealing anything outside of the synopsis! I was intrigued by this one, and wasn’t disappointed; this was a very entertaining and quick read.

Nina’s father has just died, and since her mother died while giving birth, she now has nobody left in her life. After her father’s passing, she finds a letter, giving the name and number of an estate firm that wants to let her know her father’s house in the British Virgin Islands has been willed to her…but she is confused. The house in London, along with everything else, was already given to her. Her dad has a house in the Caribbean? Has he even been to the Caribbean? She arrives to sign the paperwork, and then realizes her father must have had a lot more money than she ever realized…

Meanwhile, a medical student turned nanny to the uber-wealthy has been assigned a two-week job, while the family’s regular nanny goes on vacation. She arrives at the massive house and is given a tour by the hiring agent - she is allowed to do anything she wants and make herself at home, except for two things: she can’t leave the house unless she’s with the client and his children, and she is under no circumstances to go to the basement. Soon, she realizes the family isn’t showing up, but she still gets paid if she stays, so stay to enjoy this beautiful home she does.

I realized very early on what the connection between these women is, but it was still very entertaining to see everything play out (and get a few other surprises). My only complaints would be that this is very similar to a popular horror series, and the American characters spoke like they were from England, presumably because the author is British. Overall though, this was an enjoyable read! 3.5 stars, rounded up.

(Thank you to Random House - Ballantine, Catherine Steadman and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review!)

I have loved all of Catherine Steadman's books! Look in the Mirror was another great thriller by her.
Nina is grieving the loss of her father, and when the will is read, she discovers she is bequeathed his home in the Virgin Islands. She had no idea this home existed and she begins to question what else she didn't know about her Father,

Maria is a nanny to a wealthy family, invited to a home in the islands. But her charges don't show. She spends her days by the pool and relaxing, but curiousity gets the better of her and she begins to explore, finding things she never was meant to find.

This book was WILD!!!

Look in the Mirror by Catherine Steadman. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have enjoyed her other books so excited to start this one. Told in different POVs and timelines. When her Nina’s father dies and leaves her a house in the British Virgin Islands…is it truly a dream come true or will she discover all of his secrets? This was fast paced, with an escape room feel. It held my interest and had me guessing until the end. Lots of twists and turns. Thank you to @netgalley for this advanced ebook by @catsteadman from @ballantinecorp @penguinrandomhouse #netgalley #books #noseinabook #booklover #bookstagram #thriller #mystery ##penguinrandomhouse #ballantinebooks

Nina’s father dies and finds out in his will that he left her a dream home in a tropical paradise she knew nothing about.

I really enjoyed the mystery, the pace, and the unique surprises of the house! This was another book that I really liked it when I was reading, I just didn’t feel the NEED to pick it up and finish it. It was entertaining and had some heart pumping moments here and there! This was my first Catherine Steadman book and I will definitely be grabbing more.

*This book is for you if you like: moody and dark mysteries, escape room type atmospheres, medium paced story with questions needing to be answered.
*TW: murder, violence, death, trafficking

I really enjoyed this book. I had no idea what was even going on until over halfway through and even then I only had hints.

In the typical Catherine Steadman style it was a thrill ride the entire time and I couldn’t put it down.

I will read anything from this author because all of her books are so good and kept you guessing from the very first page!

Unfortunately, this title did not "grab me" as "Something in the Water" did. I gave it a couple of hours and set it aside.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This one was twisty and blew my mind wide open. The book is about two women who have no real connection to each other. You can't stop thinking about how these two might be connected and what's going on in their homes. I couldn't put it down.

Thank you netgalley for the chance to read this!
This is a very hard book to write a review of without spoilers: so be forewarned!

I really enjoyed this. We follow Nina as she inherits a strange house from her elusive father and Maria, a nanny piqued with curiosity over her newest clients home. We realize very quickly we are actually in the same house, just time apart, with a curious basement drawing both women into a series of deadly and elaborate traps. This book has EVERYTHING: games, puzzles, life and death scenarios, harrowing escapes, violence and drama. There's a tiny smidge of romance thrown in, a global ring of I suppose human trafficking / voyeurism, and a large scoop of twists at the end. You realize really quickly that this is modeled after Squid Game: dangerous, terrible escape rooms meant to trap our heroines and force them to face the things they learned in their past.

I really enjoyed the side characters, the pacing, and especially the twists: many of the things at the end I didn't see coming (especially the diner scene!). Don't get me wrong: this is entirely far fetched. And clearly built off a TV show. But I honestly found myself drawn back in page after page!

What a ride this book was…oof! Full review to come

4.5 ⭐️ maybe 5 still deciding. I could’t put it down!

I’m still thinking about this book the next morning after finishing. I mostly read it but also listened to it while doing chores. I loved all the twists, the multiple different POV kept you continue to guess what’s going to happen and loved the short chapters.

The ending was fantastic too! Loved it! A solid mystery book that keeps you hooked until the finally page!

I thought this was a really well written story and I enjoyed it for the most part but it did drag in some places and it was difficult keeping track of things at times. I do love Catherine Steadman though and eagerly await her next book.

If you’re reading this review trying to decide if Look in the Mirror is for you, if it’s worth the read, what it’s all about, I have two things to say. First, read the book. Second, buckle up! Told in alternating points of view, Look in the Mirror is smart, captivating, and chilling.

Nina’s brilliant father has passed away. Being his only heir, she’s left a house overseas, a tropical getaway she never knew existed. Unable to squash her curiosity, she decides she must go see what it’s all about in person. This is where the roller coaster ride of suspense begins.

I loved everything about this book, its fast pace, twists and turns, suspense, and mystery. Read it if you enjoy any of those things yourself. I found myself comparing it in my mind to a couple of movies/series I really enjoyed, but I don’t think I should say which ones. It might give too much away. So yeah, just read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy.

this was exactly what i wanted when i read it. i don't think it's phenomenal, but it's a solid thriller, and it was a perfect companion to building my new bookshelves :)

This mystery thriller involves two women with initially no obvious connection. I began thinking that I was reading two different novels that just happened to be within the pages of one book. Eventually little nuggets of clues are presented and you can begin to see a bit of connection between them.
Nina is an academic professor and is a loner. She admits that she is an introvert. Her life seems to consist of teaching and visiting her father. Her father raised her after his wife died. When she loses her father, she receives a strange phone call informing her that as part of her father’s estate, she is now the owner of a house in the British Virgin Islands. She believed that she knew everything about her loving father and doesn’t understand how she was kept in the dark of this property. Since all expenses have been covered by her father’s will, Nina decides to see this mystery house in hopes of finding out more about her father.
Maria takes on short-term employment as a nanny for wealthy people around the world. Due to financial difficulties, she is taking a break from medical school, while trying to earn enough money to live in New York City so she can return to her education. She arrives at her next assignment, awaiting a dad and his two small children, however the house is empty. Her only contact person is the company that hired her. When she does speak to them, they provide her with many rules that she must follow in the house. Day after day, she awaits for them to arrive. As she tires of the strict rules, she begins to relax and enjoy herself.
Most of the story line takes place in the houses that both Nina and Maria are in. It’s hard to describe what happens in these places without giving too much away.
The chapters were quick, alternating between Nina and Maria as well as an electrician. It was a fast read as the suspense built as quickly as you could turn the page.
Both of these main characters are strong, capable women, who when tested, become even stronger. The book gets a little dark at times but “Whatever you do, do not go in the basement.”
This book will definitely leave you on the edge of your seat.
Many thanks to Random House Group and NetGalley for allowing me to read the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Published on July 30, 2024.

This was a pretty decent thriller. I went into this completely blind and was glad i did. However, i just was not wowed by the twists and shocks. But i did enjoy the characters and the plot. and also the attempt. I would not say this has been my favorite read, but it kept me entertained enough to finish.

3.5/5
Definitely a different read.

The book is told in two different perspectives Nina and Maria.
Joon- Go the house electrician also has a couple chapters too. In the beginning, the Maria parts are more interesting to read. Nina’s parts get interesting towards the end.
The ending was very abrupt and the loose ends tied up felt very fast.

A quick and decent read.

This was my first book by Catherine Steadman. I had a difficult time getting involved in the story. I had trouble determining the timeline for Nina and Maria. Were these simultaneous or different timelines? You do find out the chronology of the events later in the book, but I would have liked that information upfront. The story didn’t grab me and I struggled to finish it. The ending seemed anticlimactic and is similar to many other books/movies out there. It just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books, and Catherine Steadman for the eARC.

Amazing and truly frightening! It pulled me right in. Curiouser and curiouser the timelines weaved and I tried to piece together who and why the entire time. SO glad that it wasn't really her father's doing and that the three characters I was rooting for are safe right now, but I'm still shocked by the epilogue! Will they stay safe?

This was a wild ride and I really enjoyed it. We are following a few different POVs, all of which are associated with a luxury villa in the tropics. To start, we follow a woman who believes she has been hired to be the nanny for a wealthy couple on vacation. When she arrives, she is discouraged to realize no one is there and there are some interesting rules for staying in this villa -- in particular the explicit rule not to enter a certain room in the basement. Like many of us, she falls for the trap and becomes curious. She soon realizes she has made a grave error.

We also follow another woman who is grieving the death of her beloved father. After being given information that her father left a vacation home for her, she travels there to see what the deal is. Similarly to our other main character, what you see on the surface is not always what you get. The story really takes off from here and brings you on a wild ride.

This really is the perfect book to read on vacation or on the plane. It is fast paced and keeps you interested throughout. The mysteries are not given away quickly and it keeps you wanting to read more to see what's going to happen. Overall I really enjoyed this. I think there was room for growth and I think it could have been even more successful if it went full horror, bordering on slasher flicks. I think I just wanted a little more of everything: the mystery, the gore, the backstory. I would highly recommend this for anyone looking for a fun summer thriller.

A thrilling ride with a suspenseful atmosphere that kept me guessing. The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, some of which are a bit predictable but still managed to keep me engaged. The pacing is excellent with just the right amount of tension.
Many thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The book is told in two alternating stories that ends in one unbelievable conclusion.

Nina’s father just passed away and while finishing up with his final wishes she opens a letter, Nina is shocked to learn her father owned a home in the British Virgin Islands. That home is now hers! It was always just the two of them so she’s confused he never told her about the home. Now Nina is headed to this mysterious property, and hoping to find some answers. The house is extraordinary: state-of-the-art, all glass and marble. She’s left with the question
Why did he keep it from her? And what else was he hiding?

Maria takes on short term contracts as a nanny for the ultra-wealthy and these jobs takes her around the world. She’s happy with just a few more jobs and she can finally live comfortably in New City and then begin medical school that was previously only a dream. Her latest assignment is for a father of two small children. But when she arrives at the secluded estate the man and his kids are not there.
All she has is a contact phone number and a large list of rules. Maria begins to make herself at home, spending her days laying by the pool and in the sauna. The only catch There’s just one rule: Don’t go in the basement. That room is off-limits.

Never in a million years did I guess how these storylines were going to play out. Never in a million years could I guess how this storyline was going to play out I read this is one day!!