A young womans escalating obsession with a seemingly perfect man leads her down a dangerous path in this delicious and marvelously controlled (The New York Times Book Review) novel of suspense.
Bitingly modern and totally addictive, Lindsay Camerons suspense debut is the freshest take on stalker fiction since You.Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of We Were Never Here
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY SHE READS
Eyes arent the windows to the soul. Emails are.
Cassie Woodson is adrift. After suffering an epic tumble down the corporate ladder, Cassie finds the only way she can pay her bills is to take a thankless temp job reviewing correspondence for a large-scale fraud suit. The daily drudgery amplifies all that her life is lackinglove, friends, stabilityand leaves her with too much time on her hands, which she spends fixating on the mistakes that brought her to this point.
While sorting through a relentless deluge of emails, something catches her eye: the tender (and totally private) exchanges between a partner at the firm, Forest Watts, and his enchanting wife, Annabelle. Cassie knows she shouldnt read them. But its just one look. And once that door opens, she finds she cant look away.
Every day, twenty floors below Forests corner office, Cassie dissects their emails from her dingy workstation. A few clicks of her mouse and she can see every adoring word they write to each other. By peeking into their apparently perfect life, Cassie finds renewed purpose and happiness, reveling in their penchant for vintage wines, morning juice presses, and lavish dinner parties thrown in their stately Westchester home. There are no secrets from her. Or so she thinks.
Her admiration quickly escalates into all-out mimicry, because she wants this life more than anything. Maybe if she plays make-believe long enough, it will become real for her. But when Cassie orchestrates a chance meeting with Forest in the real world and sees something that throws the state of his marriage into question, the fantasy shes been carefully cultivating shatters. Suddenly, she doesnt simply admire Annabelleshe wants to take her place. And shes armed with the tools to make that happen.
Dive into the gripping world of "Just One Look: A Novel" by Lindsay Cameron, a psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last. This compulsively readable suspense novel explores the dark side of obsession, the allure of a seemingly perfect life, and the dangerous consequences of blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. Cassie Woodson is at a crossroads. Recently down on her luck and struggling to make ends meet, she takes a temporary job sorting through emails for a massive fraud case. The monotonous work only serves to highlight the emptiness she feels in her own life the lack of love, friends, and stability. As she wades through the endless stream of digital correspondence, she stumbles upon something that ignites an insatiable curiosity: the private and intimate emails between Forest Watts, a partner at the firm, and his captivating wife, Annabelle. Knowing she shouldn't, Cassie allows herself a peek into their world. What starts as a harmless glance quickly spirals into a full-blown obsession. From her drab workstation, twenty floors below Forest's opulent office, she meticulously dissects their emails, becoming intimately familiar with their lives their shared love of vintage wines, their healthy morning rituals, and the extravagant dinner parties they host in their magnificent Westchester home. To Cassie, Forest and Annabelle embody the perfect couple, living the perfect life, a stark contrast to her own struggles. Driven by a desperate desire for a life like theirs, Cassie begins to emulate Annabelle, adopting her tastes and mannerisms. She dreams of a "chance" encounter with Forest, hoping to insert herself into their picture-perfect world. But when she finally meets Forest in person, she witnesses something that shatters the illusion of their flawless marriage. The cracks in their faade expose a hidden darkness, and Cassie's admiration twists into a dangerous desire to not just admire Annabelle, but to *become* her. "Just One Look" is more than just a thriller; it's a chilling exploration of the human psyche, delving into themes of envy, identity, and the lengths to which someone will go to attain what they believe will bring them happiness. Cameron expertly crafts a narrative filled with suspense, intrigue, and unsettling twists, drawing readers into Cassie's increasingly distorted reality. As Cassie's obsession intensifies, the line between observer and participant blurs, leading to a dangerous game of deception and manipulation with potentially devastating consequences. This gripping novel is perfect for fans of psychological thrillers and suspense, particularly those who enjoy stories with strong female leads and a compelling exploration of human nature. Prepare to be captivated by Lindsay Cameron's masterful storytelling and the unsettling questions she raises about the true nature of happiness and the dangers of unchecked desire. Named one of the best books of the year by She Reads and praised by authors like Andrea Bartz (New York Times bestselling author of We Were Never Here) as "bitingly modern and totally addictive," "Just One Look" is a must-read for anyone seeking a thrilling and thought-provoking escape. Discover the dark side of perfection and prepare to question everything you think you know in this unforgettable novel of suspense.