Look In The Mirror by Catherine Steadman

 

Discovering that her father has left her a Caribbean villa in his will Nina Hepworth is intrigued as she knew nothing about it. Hoping to uncover why her father kept the property a secret from her, Nina travels to the villa, the start of a nightmare journey.

Catherine Steadman has created a psychological thriller in Look In The Mirror that will make you think twice about holiday accommodation. The author has tapped into that part of the human psyche that is obstinate enough to do something despite being told not to.

Nina Hepworth is a thirty-four-year-old academic, living in London. She's always had a close bond with her father who raised her alone after her mother died when she was a baby. Nina's father was a polymath, an acknowledged genius in mathematics, physics and civil engineering. With her father being her only close relative, Nina has struggled to come to terms with his death. Having such a close bond, it is therefore a huge surprise to discover her father had a Caribbean villa she knew nothing about. Perplexed, Nina decides to visit the villa in the hopes that she'll find some clues there about the secret her father has kept from her.

It is easy to put yourself in Nina's position, particularly if you have a close relationship with a relative. The raft of emotions she must be feeling are understandable; the feeling of betrayal, confusion and intrigue. It is also easy to understand her trepidation, is she likely to uncover a dark secret about the father she's always placed on a pedestal? Nina is aware that the only way she will get the answers she needs is to visit the villa.

Interwoven with Nina's story is that of Maria, a nanny, hired by wealthy families on short-term contracts. Arriving at their luxury villa before the rest of the family, Maria is told to relax, and make herself at home, but stay out of the basement. Her curiosity is piqued and eventually, she does the thing she's been expressly told not to, she enters the basement and a nightmare begins.

Over time it becomes obvious to the reader that the same villa features in both Nina and Maria's stories but the timings of when things are happening add confusion. This confusion is compounded when we are introduced to a few more characters who feature in both storylines. As the stories of the two main characters converge the timings begin to make sense and we discover how wealth and unchecked power can lead to horrific circumstances. However, we also witness the power of human endurance and the will to survive.

Look In The Mirror by Catherine Steadman will be published on 30th July 2024 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for a review copy.

Author Details

Catherine Steadman is a New York Times bestselling author, screenwriter & actress based in London. Her first novel, Something in the Water, was a New York Times bestseller, a Reese’s Book Club pick and a Richard & Judy Book Club pick with rights sold in more than thirty territories. She is also the author of Mr Nobody, The Disappearing Act and The Family Game.