Isabella's Reading Corner: Stillhouse Lake

Stillhouse Lake (Stillhouse Lake, #1)

Author: Rachel Caine

Publication Date: July 1st 2017

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Gina lives a somewhat satisfying existence as a wife and mom until an accident uncovers her husband Mel's secret penchant for killing women. Desperate to give her children some semblance of a normal life, she finds a haven for them in a peaceful community under assumed names. Reinventing herself as Gwen Proctor, she learns how to physically and emotionally defend herself to regain some control and power over her future. It is also to better shield her kids from the repercussions of Mel's crimes.

Gwen and her children's security in their new home is short lived however when a body is found in nearby Stillhouse Lake. With new threats against her, she must find the strength to protect them all from an even more sinister danger.

A unique aspect of this novel is that the story is told not from the perspective of the killer's victims, but from that of his family. Gwen looks back on her past, horrified that she had no knowledge or suspicion about what her husband was really like and capable of. This creates an overwhelming urge in her to become a different person and her transformation into a fighter is convincing.

Stillhouse Lake is a fast-paced thriller with well developed, dynamic characters and an exciting storyline. Gwen is an intriguing protagonist and one I'm looking forward to getting to know more of in the sequel, Killman Creek.

From the publisher:

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.

You can read my original Isabella's Reading Corner post on Stillhouse Lake here.