Look in the mirror by Catherine Steadman

Wow! This is an epic thriller that grabs your attention and will not let go. Maria is the first to be linked to the grand palatial mansion in the British Virgin Islands. Her instructions are to wait for the owners to arrive, but in reality she is being played. Nina also becomes linked to this dream-worthy home when she inherits the home after the death of her father. But she never knew of its existence and now also fears that in some way she has fallen into the clutches of a macabre plot. The home itself becomes a twisted prison, or complex escape room for the women and they must exercise all their powers of resilience and fortitude to overcome the challenges placed in their path. Can they survive, or will they be quarry for stronger predators?

This is a cleverly crafted thriller, set in a glorious, but intricate setting that has the power to shift the characters from normality to a strange and perverse unknown. For readers, this unknown world adds to the tension, and tension is what this book has in spades! The isolation adds to the drama and mystique and ultimately to the power of the novel. The story is mostly told from the perspective of Maria and Nina and much of the drama builds because their interwoven stories add uncertainty about the timeline and the complexity behind their experience. There is obviously evil or illicit intent woven into the story, but the reader and the characters are kept in the dark for much of the story. This mystery and the tension make this an adult story that will linger long after the book is finished.  Highly recommended for those who love thrillers and crime dramas. This story would make an exceptional plot for a movie. You would be on the edge of your seat for the entire session.

Highly recommended for 17+ readers.

Themes: Thriller, escape rooms, British Virgin Islands, inheritance, fear, challenge, wealth.

Carolyn Hull