Look in the Mirror

[Elyse]

Join us for a buddy read of Look In the Mirror by Catherine Steadman in early June. Exact date TBD. It publishes on July 30.

Goodreads synopsis:
When Nina’s father dies, she is left something in his will: a gleaming dream vacation home in a balmy tropical paradise.

Still grieving her father's death, Nina learns she has inherited property in the British Virgin Islands—a vacation home she had no idea existed, until now. The house is extraordinary: state-of-the-art, all glass and marble. How did her sensible father come into enough money for this? Why did he keep it from her? And what else was he hiding?

Once an ambitious medical student, Maria is a nanny for the super-rich. The money’s better and so are the destinations where her work takes her. Just one more gig, and she’ll be set. Finally she’ll be secure. But when her wards never show, Maria begins to make herself at home, spending her days luxuriating by the pool and in the sauna. There’s just one rule: Don’t go in the basement. But her curiosity just might get the better of her—and soon she’ll wish her only worry was not getting paid.

[Kristie]

Sounds good, Elyse. I'll be checking in to see what you all think of it. I've yet to read any of Steadman's work.

[Vicki Willis]

I am in for this one

[Shruti morethanmylupus]

I’m in too :)

[Trisha]

so excited for this one!

[Tasha]

I've really enjoyed her books so I'm excited for this one!

[Elyse]

June 27 sound good for this?

[Shruti morethanmylupus]

works for me!

[Vicki Willis]

That is good for me as well!

[Marnie]

I’m going to start this tonight

[Marnie]

I’ve read the first 3 chapters/ 13%

The writing is very quick as is the setup I think.

(view spoiler)[ I’ve met two characters
Nina and Maria. It also seems the house is going to be a third character.

If I was Maria I would be getting very freaked out. The biometric security would be enough for me to say nope. (hide spoiler)]

[Elyse]

I'm hoping to start Saturday. Halfway through One Big Happy Family.

[Shruti morethanmylupus]

I'm also trying to finish One Big Happy Family and a couple other things. Sorry I'm so behind right now!

[Marnie]

Through chapter 7/ 22%

I’m still not sure where this is headed but I am intrigued
(view spoiler)[
I am very suspicious (which is good in a thriller) Both girls have been brought to this house for seemingly legit reasons but I’m waiting for the catch. Maria is not supposed to leave the property without permission and Nina has it fully stocked so why should she. Not wholly buying that her dad kept this from her. What is going on? Lol (hide spoiler)]

[Tasha]

I'll be getting started over the weekend. Looking forward to this one!

[Marnie]

Through chapter 13 (34%)

This is so different from The Family Game and Something in the Water. The chapters are short and the book reads fast like the others I’ve read but its vibe is more scary. Could just be my imagination.

(view spoiler)[ The house is definitely a third main character. Maria is locked into the forbidden room and “the house” is talking to her. It’s not looking good for her.

Nina is left a note telling her to leave. Seriously that would be enough for me. I’d be out. The lawyer James ( who is suspicious to me ) talks her down.

I have seen too many horror movies ( which I despise) to not see danger all around :) (hide spoiler)]

[Marnie]

Through chapter 25 (56%)

This is so weird. I hope the why makes sense.

[Marnie]

Finished. It’s a very quick read. I can’t wait to read what you think but I’d sum it up as (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

[Katrisa]

I have this one as well. I can start it but I just started another book yesterday too so I will be a bit slower with reading

[Shruti morethanmylupus]

I was hoping to start this today but I unexpectedly find myself babysitting my 3 year old nephew all weekend so I probably won’t start until early next week sadly.

[Katrisa]

Marnie wrote: "I’ve read the first 3 chapters/ 13%

The writing is very quick as is the setup I think.
.."
I am at ch 3 13% (view spoiler)[I would also be worried at this point - especially with there being really no evidence of children. But there is no way I would check out the forbidden room! And I think Maria caved pretty quickly for someone who prides herself on being able to delay gratification. I could see some people wanting to check out the room, but the book really tries to highlight how she is practical and prides herself on exceeding expectations so that she can pursue her dreams with the money she makes so I don't know why she would go into the room! (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki Willis]

I am starting this one today.

[Shruti morethanmylupus]

starting today!

[Vicki Willis]

End of Chap. 3 - 13%

Liking this so far. It feels like my kind of book.

Katrisa's spoiler
I agree (view spoiler)[ I am surprised the room was so curious to her. Especially bc she is focused with a goal in mind and it is easy money.
I would think it was boring work product stuff from the client.
I would be more focused on enjoying the amenities. It would be freaky though think you aren't allowed to leave without permission or an escort, but I would think she is used to strange requests/rules having done this enough times. (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

I'm so behind. hoping to start tomorrow!

[Tasha]

I'm a little behind as well. I did start it but have not read much of it. I will definitely read more this week.

[Elyse]

I'm there with you, Tasha! I'm only 10% in.

[Shruti morethanmylupus]

started on the train into work. i’m 15% in and hooked. wish i didn’t have to work today so i could finish it.

[Tasha]

Elyse wrote: "I'm there with you, Tasha! I'm only 10% in."

I got up to about 10% last night, Maria's story. I'm intrigued how these two characters will connect.

[Shruti morethanmylupus]

25%

ooh I’m hooked (view spoiler)[ I figured Maria must be in the same house but wasn’t sure if it’s before or after. Now that we know the electrician bill is on the table, I guess it’s before. I wonder how long before Maria was there - is she still stuck in the room or somewhere in the house? And why was she hired to watch kids? (hide spoiler)]

[Tasha]

Can't wait to see your comment!

[Vicki Willis]

End of chap. 18 42%

I am scared. (view spoiler)[look in the mirror... Oh my god, who is in the house? (hide spoiler)]

[Elyse]

What. Is. Happening?! 25% through and I am SO hooked. Read all the spoilers up to 25% and agree with you all about (view spoiler)[Maria being described one way but folding so quickly. Curiosity is a powerful thing! Is Maria dead or alive in that room?! Ahhhh! (hide spoiler)]

[Elyse]

Marnie wrote: "Through chapter 13 (34%)

This is so different from The Family Game and Something in the Water. The chapters are short and the book reads fast like the others I’ve r..."

I agree, it's nothing like either of those! I haven't read The Disappearing Act but I own that one as well. This one is so fast-paced!

[Shruti morethanmylupus]

It's definitely different. I really didn't like Something in the Water but I really liked The Family Game. Interested to see where this ends up falling. I haven't read The Disappearing Act yet either.

[Tasha]

I have to spend more time on this one this weekend based on these comments. lol. I read a bit last night but fell asleep bc it was late for me. I'm hoping with this holiday I will have some down time!

[Elyse]

Ch 22 (49%) (view spoiler)[Wtf. We go from Maria going through a couple of the hidden rooms to her being injured and passed out and then she is able, after 6 days of no food (she must have drank the water in the other room), to pull herself up through an air vent?? No way. And who are these men and how do they know her real last name? What is going on?! (hide spoiler)]

[Katrisa]

I am at 23% right now. I am still planning to read more this evening, but I had to stop by and leave some thoughts (view spoiler)[Seriously what is wrong with Maria!? Why would she go in there and press the button regardless of the electrician doing it? She doublechecked and it was reaffirmed that she was not to go into the room. This is the easiest money in the world to make! All she had to do was sit around and enjoy an awesome solo Caribbean vacation and be paid for it and now she is trapped!

I am really curious to see where Nina's story is going! How odd for her to be grieving and then have this craziness dropped on her! (hide spoiler)]
Now back to the book!

[Vicki Willis]

End of chap. 29 - 69%

Still scared
(view spoiler)[ this is so scary!
I don't know what is going on or who is doing this. I thought Maria was a goner, but she is hanging on.
Why is Nina's dad doing this to her?! (hide spoiler)]

[Elyse]

Vicki Willis wrote: "End of chap. 29 - 69%

Still scared
[spoilers removed]"

I'm exactly at the same spot, Vicki! This is so messed up!

[Vicki Willis]

More about end of chap.29 - 69%

(view spoiler)[I think what makes this so scary is we don't KNOW anything. Who is doing it? Why they are doing it? How are the two storylines going to connect?
And there was the one random chapter by the electrician (or security system fixer guy). Who is he?

As far as Maria goes...
How sad to be able to go missing and noone knows or is looking for you for a long time. That her roommate just thinks the chicken is missing. I was wondering what happened between the roommates that made them not as close as before. It was alluded to that the roommate wasn't as friendly anymore, but I didn't know if it was because Maria isn't doing the med school thing and is just naturally getting left behind.

As far as Nina... who can she trust?
The lawyer guy has disappeared. Granted he isn't even ON the island and she is just one of the firms clients.
The coffee guy. She texted him. Is he coming to the rescue? Is going going to meet with foul play himself?
Her dead father. Why would he do this to her? Is he even dead? Was he a cog in a wheel put in motion for this to happen to Nina?
(hide spoiler)]

This one is really checking all the boxes for me. I hope the ending can hold up!

[Elyse]

End of Ch 33 (76%) (view spoiler)[Frickin voyeurs. It's always the frickin rich voyeur looking for a show at the expense of normal, regular people.

Poor Maria, really dead this time. Off the page so maybe not? But seemingly yes for real. The curiosity is to not go to the Table of Contents for the remaining POVs!!! (hide spoiler)] I will definitely be finishing this tonight.

[Shruti morethanmylupus]

end of chapter 15

what is happening?!

(view spoiler)[
Ok wait so Maria is trapped but also she must get out because the pencil was in the nightstand. But who would send her there? We’re missing a lot of information about Maria’s past clearly. Why all this subterfuge to get her in the house?

How big is this house?! And who would ask for the building info pretending to be Nina? Maria? The lady who hired Maria?

so confused.

(hide spoiler)]

[Elyse]

I finished. Mindblown. So twisted.

[Katrisa]

I am at ch 17 (view spoiler)[Now Joon-gi is also weirdly obsessed with "The Room". What is it that is exerting such a pull? And who was pretending to be Nina? So many questions! (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki Willis]

Done!
So twisted and yes mind blown too!
Loved it!

My Review

[Shruti morethanmylupus]

end of ch 21

omg. WHY IS THERE A (view spoiler)[ RECORDING CAMERA?! That’s so creepy. Sometimes I appreciate an omnipresent narrator filling in gaps, but this time I think not having a single clue what’s happening is making this book so much more intense. Did her dad really own this house?! (hide spoiler)]

[Elyse]

Vicki Willis wrote: "Done!
So twisted and yes mind blown too!
Loved it!

My Review"

Great review, Vicki! I agree, the ending was very rushed. I also didn't like (view spoiler)[when we went forward 2 years and then back to how Joon-gi survived. That was weird. (hide spoiler)]

[Elyse]

Shruti morethanmylupus wrote: "end of ch 21

omg. WHY IS THERE A [spoilers removed]"

Right?! So creepy!

[Shruti morethanmylupus]

end of ch 33

wait what?! So (view spoiler)[ Maria is dead for real this time? Who is leaving notes? the electrician? the guy whose family firm did the stone excavating?

i was wondering if it was something like Nina being targeted as a scam to sell the video stream. seems like it was but also it was her dada house for real?

i wonder who the higher ups running this horrible enterprise are too (hide spoiler)]