WHEW.
Look, we know I am a massive Riley Sager fan, MASSIVE people MASSIVE. Like where are the thriller writer stans hanging out? Do we have a convention I am missing? Anyway, prior to discovering Sager, I wouldn’t have picked up a thriller, but he’s got me. He's now an instant add to cart/beg for an ARC author on my list.
I got lucky and received an ARC of House Across the Lake, from Dutton and loved it.
Casey Fletcher, a recently widowed actress trying to escape a streak of bad press, has retreated to the peace and quiet of her family’s lake house in Vermont. Armed with a pair of binoculars and several bottles of liquor, she passes the time watching Tom and Katherine Royce, the glamorous couple who live in the house across the lake. They make for good viewing—a tech innovator, Tom is rich; and a former model, Katherine is gorgeous.
One day on the lake, Casey saves Katherine from drowning, and the two strike up a budding friendship. But the more they get to know each other—and the longer Casey watches—it becomes clear that Katherine and Tom’s marriage is not as perfect and placid as it appears. When Katherine suddenly vanishes, Casey becomes consumed with finding out what happened to her. In the process, she uncovers eerie, darker truths that turn a tale of voyeurism and suspicion into a story of guilt, obsession and how looks can be very deceiving.
With his trademark blend of sharp characters, psychological suspense, and gasp-worthy surprises, Riley Sager’s The House Across the Lake unveils more than one twist that will shock readers until the very last page.
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I was immediately intrigued with the Rear Window, and The Woman on the Train vibes. And while usually as an actor I usually get the ick when author’s write about actors, Sager does it well and keeps her from being utterly unlikable.
I did not expect the twist on the twist at all, which is my favorite thriller moment when you’re reading and want to gasp aloud or look around the room for someone, anyone else to say CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT, and you absolutely will in The House Across the Lake. There’s plenty of red herrings to be found in this one, and the misdirects start happening at breakneck speed about mid-way thru. I know devout thriller readers will potentially not dig the left turn *NO SPOILERS* that really hit ya towards the end, but I loved it!
My only negative note, I will say I am bored of drunk unreliable female narrators in thrillers, switch it up. That said I loved this one and I highly recommend you add it to your summer reading list!
Grab it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3bA1vmZ
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️/6 For a wild ride!