Many thanks to Justine and publisher Harlequin Books for my spot on this Blog Tour.
After some hard hitting thrillers and police procedurals, I needed a book gentle yet suspenseful with mystery embroiled in its prose. Author Kimberly Belle’s story fit all of the things I needed. With the title and the cover, it pulled me in at first glance.
Charlotte was married to Paul and found a stranger in the lake, a dead body. Cops were called, the investigation began. Paul’s suspicious moves tof going camping immediately after and disappearing for long days made her start doubting the people around her.
My second book by the author, the story was slow moving with many of Charlotte’s thoughts being told to me. Most times, she was alone with her own surmises. Then came the doubts and red herrings where character appeared suspicious. I soon got the vibe of the perp as the pages turned, but the author had put in quite a few red herrings. Alibis were lied about, many hidden. The author added a new layer to the story after a few chapters.
But it was the last 20% which exploded with revelations and memories. The truth was laid bare and last chapter had me agog. That I didn’t expect. A gentle mystery it was, but packed a punch in the last few chapters. Completely fun. Just perfect for the mood I was in.
I received a ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!! STRICTLY HONEST AND UNBIASED.
All my reviews can be read here
When Charlotte married the wealthy widower Paul, it caused a ripple of gossip in their small lakeside town. They have a charmed life together, despite the cruel whispers about her humble past and his first marriage. But everything starts to unravel when she discovers a young woman’s body floating in the exact same spot where Paul’s first wife tragically drowned.
At first, it seems like a horrific coincidence, but the stranger in the lake is no stranger. Charlotte saw Paul talking to her the day before, even though Paul tells the police he’s never met the woman. His lie exposes cracks in their fragile new marriage, cracks Charlotte is determined to keep from breaking them in two.
As Charlotte uncovers dark mysteries about the man she married, she doesn’t know what to trust—her heart, which knows Paul to be a good man, or her growing suspicion that there’s something he’s hiding in the water.
Publication Date: May 2020
9 Responses
I have seen a number of reviews from gr friends that found this a mediocre book. Glad you were able to enjoy the last portion of it, Shalini!
I too saw that as I was writing my review. There were too many of her thoughts and few actions. But since I didn’t want something which would be too tiring, it was fun ❤️
Wonderful review! I’m happy to hear you enjoyed Stranger In The Lake too. xx
Thank you so much it was a gentle read where I didn’t have to pay too close an attention
Uncovering secrets is always very interesting. Thank you for another great review, Shalini! Be well and stay save. Michael
Aww you are my biggest support. Thank you so much for your lovely words. They encourage me ❤️
Me too, Shalini! I am only a simple reader.
It sounds good. When the main character doesn’t know who to trust, it is always complicated. Nice review, Shalini.
Thank you so much ❤️ her confusion kept me confused