Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Content: Strong Language, Some gruesome killings



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—

I think my bad streak with mystery thrillers may be over! I actually liked this one quite a bit. The main character was likeable and so were her kids. I felt a lot of sympathy for them. It wasn't perfect but it was good. What I liked most about Gwen was how much she loved her kids and would do anything to protect them. I liked that she was able to reinvent herself from Gina, an average woman who never had to think twice about the evils in the world, to Gwen, a savvy woman, who despite the fact that she wasn't crazy about using a gun, learned how and became really good at it because she saw that it was necessary. I do feel like she contradicted herself a bit on this subject, but at least she knew that it was the best way to protect her family. And she becomes a fierce protector.

The plot twists were pretty obvious to me, but most of the mystery thrillers I read are that way so it didn't make me like the book any less. Still it would be nice to read something that actually surprised me. What I disliked about the book was the fact that Gwen trusts a couple of people too easily, and also that she defeats the killer way too easily. I felt like there wasn't nearly enough of a struggle there. Other than that, this was a good read that kept me reading right from the opening line. I probably would have preferred if this book had been a stand-alone, but the sequel isn't a bad idea. I do wonder why it ends up being a trilogy though. I guess I'll find out.



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