Catherine Steadman is known for her gripping thrillers, and while Look in the Mirror had a lot of elements I enjoyed, it didn’t quite live up to the excitement I’ve come to expect from her work.

The novel follows two separate storylines: Nina, who inherits a stunning vacation home in the British Virgin Islands after the death of her father, and Maria, a nanny for the ultra-wealthy who finds herself in a mysterious situation involving the same property. Both characters are dealing with secrets, but it takes a while to see how their paths will intersect, and at times, it was difficult to tell how the two storylines were going to come together. However, Steadman does a commendable job of keeping readers guessing. I found myself intrigued by the twists and turns, wondering how the two narratives would ultimately converge.

That said, the pacing felt uneven. The buildup was slow/ confusing to follow, and while the mystery surrounding Nina’s father’s hidden life and the forbidden basement was intriguing, it didn’t really kick into high gear until about 75% through the book. Even then, the climax felt rushed. The ending, in particular, felt abrupt, leaving me wanting more resolution or at least a deeper exploration of the story's key revelations.

While I’ve enjoyed other books by Steadman, this one didn’t fully resonate with me. The slow pacing, combined with some flat character development, made it hard for me to fully invest. Still, Steadman’s skill at keeping readers on edge with her unpredictable twists is clear, and while this wasn’t my favorite of her books, it does offer a decent mix of suspense and mystery.

Thank you Netgalley and Ballantine books for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this book was intriguing, yet the execution was less so. I felt like the book got very jumbled in the middle, and it took a long time for me to fully understand what was actually happening in the house. I think others may like this book more than I did.

"From the New York Times bestselling author of Something in the Water comes“an utter white-knuckle ride that took me into a heart of darkness” (Lucy Foley, author of The Paris Apartment).

“Addictive, thrilling, intoxicating.”—Lisa Jewell, author of None of This Is True

“The vacation home of dreams . . . or nightmares? What a ride—I tore through this nail-biting, pacey read.”—Sarah Pearse, author of The Retreat"

this book was hard for me to read, the premise sounded amazing but the execution was not for me. I struggled to keep track of what was happening and the details about the red button, Maria not leaving the house when things were going off what she was told, etc didn't ring true to me. I was unable to even suspend belief they way you can in thrillers that engage you. This was not that book for me.

Look in the Mirror by Catherine Steadman is a tensely plotted thriller that takes some big swings, which I respect. The pacing is quick, making it an easy book to fly through, and the tension is palpable from start to finish.

That said, the story can get a bit confusing at times, and much of the ground it covers feels familiar—like territory that’s already been well-explored in similar books and films. While the ambition is commendable, it ultimately didn’t deliver anything particularly new or groundbreaking.

This was a very different book from anything else I’ve read but I really enjoyed it. Loved the puzzle-aspect!

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy of this book. Book was fine, really good if you like the genre! I would read more from this author.

Four stars. I thought this was a clever read and unlike other thrillers. I loved the remote setting and the back and forth of timeline/characters. This one kept me in it until the very end.

Catherine does it again!! This book was insane. Like I couldn’t believe it. Highly recommend if you love any type of show or book about survival skills and trapped mazes. I literally felt like I was reading a screenplay. Can someone turn this into a movie? How does Catherine come up with this stuff? So many twists and turns and yet I was wrong on every single one of them. Overall a great twisted novel!

Nina’s father passes away and she finds out he left her a house in the BVI that she never knew about. Her father, a talented engineer loves games of all kinds. Nina thinks that this house, built with mysterious rooms underneath is another one of his games- but is it? Many twists and turns will have you rooting for Nina and a couple of other wonderful characters. A must read.

Catherine Steadman's Look in the Mirror is an unsettling story with high tension and stress from start to finish. It is the type of novel that an audience will want to devour in one sitting. When Nina Hepworth's father dies, he leaves her a mysterious property in the British Virgin Islands. Once Nina arrives she quickly realizes everything is not so cut and dry. Suddenly her father is a stranger who can no longer answer her questions, and Nina has plenty of them. Part "house of horrors", part mental games, Nina must power through the house in order to come out alive.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Publishing for the opportunity to read this novel.

This was a fun thriller. It was so different! I love escape rooms but make it life or death so the rich can watch? No thank you… The story had me hooked right from the start because I truthfully had no clue what was going to happen. It was a quick read especially since I listened to it on audio. Very engaging storyline and I was rooting for Nina the whole time. I also enjoyed the multiple POV and the way the POVs were done. The ending also really made me want a sequel.

Thank you for the ARC !
Love all the authors book including this one ! It was hard to put down and I definitely couldn’t stop reading until the end. Enjoyed the characters and story !

Catherine Steadman has been a go to author of mine for some time now. I love that this story is told by two POV during 2 different time periods which make the book that more intense.

Nina is dealing with her father's death and learning all about his house that she had no idea he owned.
Maria is hired as a nanny but with no kids.

Again, both POVs and two different timelines. This was a wild roller coaster of a ride and honestly I didn't trust any of these characters!

This has to be on your reading list!

This was my first book from Steadman, and I had a hard time putting it down. That said, A LOT of this was pretty implausible, which I tried to overlook due to the quick pace and a good number of twists.

I truly enjoyed the writing, multiple narrators, and timelines. I will say.....as you say 'don't go up the stairs' or 'don't go back into the house' in the suspense movies, you also say 'don't push the button' in this one.

Definitely an escape.
Really stretched my imagination.
Sloooooow start but a WILD finish.
Not my favorite Steadman novel.
Not for my classroom.
I wasn't connected to the characters and kept reading because I wasn't sure I was believing what I was reading!
Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to preview #LookintheMirror by Catherine Steadman - I am looking forward to her next release!

I read this book a little while ago but somehow forgot reviewing and posting. While it is mostly set on an island in the Caribbean I think it still works for spooky October reading - there's definitely something sinister going on here ...
This was an intense read! Imagine inheriting a fortune from your father and to discover a mysterious house in the Caribbean included in the estate. When you visit, you're confronted with a locked door and malfunctioning high-end technology. Meanwhile, alternating chapters introduce another woman, seemingly visiting the same house-either in a different time or a parallel situation. Both women are trapped, and different people attempt to rescue them. But what's going on and who can be trusted?
The novel opens with a gripping mystery that borders on thriller and horror. As the story unfolds, its clues reveal more about the house and the women's fates.
While I loved the premise, the motivations behind certain actions-especially why characters lie or commit murders—aren't always fully explained.
But l'll definitely pick up more from Steadman!

Weird, complex, unbelievable, predictable….
Have you ever had one of those books that draws you in and you enjoy reading it, but after finishing it you realize you didn’t like it as much as you thought you did?
It was good, but I probably wouldn’t recommend it. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

Look In The Mirror was such a great locked room mystery. I really enjoyed the idea of a real life escape room and found myself wanting to know everything about what was happening in the world.

I do think there were some loose ends but I read this and did audio and overall really enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend to my friends

This book was crazy and I really liked it. I had no idea where it was going, but when we got there, I was very thrown off. It’s very unique but also feels familiar. I am a huge fan of books and this is no different.

I just finished reading Look In the Mirror by Catherine Steadman, and I’m so excited to share my thoughts with you!

This book is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Steadman’s writing is both suspenseful and thought-provoking, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

One of my favorite scenes is when the protagonist, Emma, discovers a hidden diary in the attic of her childhood home. The diary, filled with eerie entries that hint at long-buried secrets, adds a chilling layer of intrigue to the story. The way Steadman describes Emma’s mounting fear and curiosity as she unravels the diary’s mysteries is so vivid—you can almost feel the tension and the hairs rising on the back of your neck. This moment perfectly encapsulates the book’s blend of psychological suspense and deep emotional exploration.

What I love most about Look In the Mirror is its complex and multi-dimensional characters. Emma’s journey of confronting her past and uncovering the truth about her family is both compelling and emotionally resonant. The twists and turns in the plot keep you guessing, and the atmospheric writing immerses you completely in the story.

If you’re looking for a book that will captivate your mind and keep you turning pages late into the night, Look In the Mirror is a must-read. Trust me, you’ll be hooked from the very first page!