Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine Series: Stillhouse Lake #1
Published by Thomas & Mercer on July 1, 2017
Pages: 301
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Amazon Audible
An Amazon Charts and USA Today bestseller.
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.
What a ride Stillhouse Lake is! I love it when women who are helpless victims become fierce and formidable foes. Gwen Proctor gave me those Sarah Connor in Terminator and Ripley from Aliens vibes.
Gina Royal was a meek housewife unknowingly married to a gruesome serial killer, a fact that continues to torment her. She has lived with the consequences, including appalling daily threats from people who believe she must have assisted her ex-husband with the killings and want to see her tortured as a result. It has forced her to relocate her and her two children multiple times, always changing their identities. Now she is Gwen Proctor — a single mother who is always suspicious, always on high alert, and always prepared to protect her family against any worse-case scenario at all costs.
I enjoyed seeing how sharp Gwen’s mind has become, how calculating and fearless she is in her decision-making, and how capable she is to defend herself and her kids against physical threats. Just when she begins to find some peace in a new town, a woman murdered in an eerily similar manner is discovered floating in the lake by Gwen’s house. Is she being framed? Is she in danger? How long before she is discovered?
The author does a great job setting the tone for this taut thriller. Some of the exchanges with her ex-husband are downright chilling. It feels as if someone is watching Gwen’s every move, and it’s understandable that she trusts nobody. This is the biggest issue I have with the story. For someone so paranoid, she makes some careless choices and trusts people that she admits aren’t trustworthy.
I had my suspicions about whodunit, and I turned out to be right. How it all plays out is an edge-of-your-seat rollercoaster though. This suspenseful thriller kept my heart pumping throughout most of the book. I was surprised to find that the end of Stillhouse Lake leaves so many loose threads dangling. Heads up: the story continues in Killman Creek.
Recommended for fans of:
Thrillers
Mysteries
Fierce heroines
Stillhouse Lake is available to read and listen for free in Kindle Unlimited.
I’m so happy you enjoyed this one! I did, too. The whole series was good. I’m sad it’s over now. I’m glad she was able to give us an ending before she passed. Great review!