Book Review: Stillhouse Lake

Stillhouse Lake

by: Rachel Caine

Publication Date: July 1, 2017
Finished on: December 5, 2017
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Note: I received a free physical copy of Stillhouse Lake and its sequel Killman Creek from the publisher (Thomas & Mercer) in exchange for my honest review.  All thoughts expressed below are my own.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

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.

My review:

I will admit, there was a lot of hype about this book, so I wasn't really sure if I was going to enjoy it as much as I wanted to (and as much as everyone else did).  Thankfully, this book totally lived up to the hype and I had a great time reading it.

I've been in a bit of a book slump lately - I've been feeling stressed and tired and just not really enjoying reading.  Instead, I want to lay on the couch and zone out in front of Netflix.  I was heading out of town this past weekend for a mini vacation with my boyfriend and packed Stillhouse Lake and a few other books, just hoping I'd want to pick something up.  Stillhouse Lake was the first book I started and it quickly hooked me. 

This novel starts with a creepy storyline - Gwen (previously Gina) was unknowingly married to a serial killer.  This is not a spoiler - its announced on the back cover and within the first few pages of the book.  Instead of concentrating on that storyline, we are fast forwarded several years into the future and Gwen is in hiding with her two children, trying to stay one step ahead of the online trolls and out of her ex-husband's reach from prison.  She has finally settled in the perfect small community.  The only problem is, a body is found, killed in what appears to be a copycat killing from how her husband previously murdered.  Should she flee the life she has built?  Will she be able to get out?  There is definitely a ton of suspense happening in this creepy serial killer read!

Rachel Caine did an amazing job at putting a bunch of suspicious (but maybe trustworthy??) people in Gwen's life.  I will say that I definitely suspected a few of the real bad guys, but I didn't see everything/everyone coming, by any means.  And she packed in one whopper of an ending, leading us waiting and wanting for book 2 (which thankfully I already have a copy of and will start today!).  This is a great suspense/thriller and I'm really happy that I read it and that it helped me out of my slump!

Overall, I rate this 4.5/5 stars.  This is an excellent thriller and my first read of Rachel Caine's. I'll definitely be reading the second (today!) and will be checking out for more of her books in the future!