Review: Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine

September 10, 2017

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Release date: July 1, 2017

Publisher: Thomas and Mercer

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

Gina Royal is the definition of average—a shy Midwestern housewife with a happy marriage and two adorable children. But when a car accident reveals her husband’s secret life as a serial killer, she must remake herself as Gwen Proctor—the ultimate warrior mom.

With her ex now in prison, Gwen has finally found refuge in a new home on remote Stillhouse Lake. Though still the target of stalkers and Internet trolls who think she had something to do with her husband’s crimes, Gwen dares to think her kids can finally grow up in peace.

But just when she’s starting to feel at ease in her new identity, a body turns up in the lake—and threatening letters start arriving from an all-too-familiar address. Gwen Proctor must keep friends close and enemies at bay to avoid being exposed—or watch her kids fall victim to a killer who takes pleasure in tormenting her. One thing is certain: she’s learned how to fight evil. And she’ll never stop.

Review:

I love the premise of this one, the idea that a woman is married to a sadistic serial killer and has no idea. Yes, it does seem a little far fetched that she never once went into the garage where he tortured and killed young women, but just go with me here, it’s worth it. Why is it worth it? Because Caine sure knows how to write one hell of a thrilling roller coaster ride, this was highly entertaining and super intense!

Gwen and her kids have been on the run for years but they’ve finally settled in Stillhouse Lake and are actually starting to get comfortable. I loved this setting, it was a creepy little small lakeside town and the perfect backdrop for the story. The isolation added to the mounting tension and sense of uneasiness, I feared for the Royal families safety the entire time. Gwen doesn’t trust anyone and I found myself questioning everyone as well, the residents of Stillhouse Lake are a tight knit community that are wary of outsiders, so there was a mutual feeling of distrust and paranoia.

This is steadily paced until the last ten percent or so when everything comes to a head in an exhilarating conclusion. There was a killer twist in the end that sets things up perfectly for the next book in the series and I can’t wait to read it!

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.