by Rachel Caine
Series: Stillhouse Lake #1
Narrator: Emily Sutton-Smith
Genres: Psychological Thriller
Source: Prime, Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating:
Narration: 4.5 cups
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.
I received STILLHOUSE LAKE by Rachel Caine from Prime’s Kindle First feature and added the audio for a few dollars. I am really glad that I did as the narration by Emily Sutton-Smith was superb. Caine delivers a psychological thriller that kept me on edge. It is the first novel in the Stillhouse Lake series. Addictive with small-town quirks, twists, and suspense.
Five Caffeinated Reasons to grab your earbuds and listen to Stillhouse Lake
- Rachel Caine is a fantastic writer who knows how to write fleshed out characters and suspenseful tales. She doesn’t rush things but slowly builds up to climactic scenes. In STILLHOUSE LAKE we meet Gina Royal, happily married mother of two, who later becomes Gwen Proctor survivor and protector of her young. Gina’s world is turned upside down when she learns her husband had a secret life as a serial killer. Caine will send chills down listener’s spines.
- After several moves and name changes, Gina, and her children through the help of an online contact, purchase a home in a rural area and for the first time lay down roots. All that changes when a body is found mutilated very similarly to her husband’s murder victims. *cue creepy music* I really enjoyed the way Caine shared what happened after the world discovered her husband’s secrets. Gina went through hell, and Caine skillfully shares its impact on her from overprotectiveness to newly acquired skills and the nightmares she still has.
- Topics such as societies’ reactions to the families of serial killers were chilling. Our society is quick to judge, lay blame and some refuse to believe the wife is the last to know. Some believe Gina helped her husband, victim’s families come after her in the media and physically. One only needs to log on to their Facebook or Twitter account to see the attacks and slamming of celebrities, authors, and the latest news stories. Some seek justice making the world Gina and her children live in a very scary place.
- The lakeside murder(s) from the investigation to the fall out held me captive. I admired Gwen’s strength and felt for her through growth and setbacks. We are treated to plenty of twists and while admittedly I picked up on certain clues, I did get a few surprises along the way.
- There are a few things I would love to chat about but “spoilers darling” Grab this if you love a good thriller, you are in for a treat.
- Emily Sutton-Smith was a new to me narrator but wow did she impress me. I love when a narration enhances an already good story. Her voices, tone, and pacing allowed me to slip into the story and I found I could listen for hours on end. My house thanks you too Emily, because I went on a cleaning spree while listening.
The first in the Stillhouse Lake series, STILLHOUSE LAKE delivered all the elements I love in a good psychological thriller. The jaw-dropping ending has me eager for more. Make this a “must” fall listen.
STILLHOUSE LAKE delivered all the elements I love in a good psychological thriller #audio Share on X
Olivia Roach
Now this sounds like MY kind of thriller – especially as I don’t read the genre too often. I have heard so much about this author and she certainly sounds like she knows how to work over the reader right. I’ll try this one!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Oliva. I have enjoyed quite a few of her books
Jennifer
I really enjoyed this one. I’m glad to hear the narrator did an excellent job. If she does the next book, I may try the audio. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I am so glad you enjoyed it, and it was perfect for audio.
Darlene
Oooooooh, I want!! I have this one on my Wishlist. I had this one featured on blog for “Can’t-Wait Wednesday” a while ago. It sounds so good, and I love the cover! It looks very eerie.
kimbacaffeinate
Grab it on audio Darlene!
Danielle
Oh I have this downloaded and cannot wait to explore it. I may have to opt for audio on this one. I am currently reading her Ink and Bone. It actually was not until you posted this that it even clicked it was the same author!
kimbacaffeinate
I love that series!
Danielle
I am completely hooked! I need to invest in the second book ASAP. The first was a review copy and now I need to carry on with it haha.
Katherine
This sounds awesome! I haven’t read anything by Rachel Caine but I really need to read this one. I love the narrator’s voice so hopefully I can get this one on audio.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, grab it and enjoy!
Evie
This sounds like a movie. I could totally picture it as you described it. It’s the kind of thriller I love. I will definitely look it up.
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo yes, this would make an excellent thriller movie.
Verushka
This genuinely blew me away with how good it was. The couple of things that didn’t sit well with eventually pales in comparison to the powerful characterization of Gwen and the kids.
kimbacaffeinate
I agree, and I had a few moments myself, but cannot wait for the next book.
Carole
I may have to do just what you did. I have the kindle copy but adding the audio sounds like a good idea. This sounds like such a great story. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Totally worth the upgrade!
Sophia Rose
Wow, it does have a great story line.. I was just thinking about how this sort of thing impacts families when I watched a documentary on Scott Peterson and his parent’s were being interviewed.
This will definitely be going on my list.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh yes, it happens often Sophia.
Angela Adams
“The jaw dropping ending…” Those three words have me sold on this read. Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, I am anxious for the next book.
Melissa (Books and Things)
Oh this sounds like a really good thriller. I mean that cover already has me on the edge of my seat. Might read this one as the audio might freak me out too much. Don’t want to scare the dogs. LOL
kimbacaffeinate
Ha, it does. I knew right away I had to choose it 🙂
Mary Kirkland
I love that cover, it’s creepy as hell. This sounds like a really good one.
kimbacaffeinate
I do too Mary 🙂
Suzanne
Oh wow, great review. This sounds like such a creepy read. Thanks for sharing the audio teaser too. It drew me in right away!
kimbacaffeinate
Happy to share I hope you get to try it 🙂
Lily B
glad you gave this a shot I am so looking forward to see what happens in the next book after that ending
kimbacaffeinate
Oh me too!
ShootingStarsMag
I really want to read this one – I read another great review so I’m so curious now.
It’s true that society is quick to blame the wife when a husband turns out to be a murderer, etc. – but it’s quite possible they didn’t know!
-Lauren
kimbacaffeinate
I agree with you Lauren. I hope you get to read this soon.
Ethan
A thriller by a Texas based author…Count me in!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Ethan!
blodeuedd
It seems every is branching out this genre 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I love this genre so *happy dance*
Laurie
Hmmm, this sounds interesting but I am swimming in books! I’ll probably grab it nonetheless 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
That sentence perfectly describes book addicts *winks*
Geybie's Book Blog
I read good things about this book. Lots of positive reviews. Agree with you. Our society is very quick to judge. We never think about the families, what they’ve been through. Reading lots of novels brings lots of positive things to me and one of them is be more open-minded and have lots of compassion for those who’ve been judged by society. Thanks for sharing this book, Kim. Awesome review, as always. ❤️
kimbacaffeinate
Yay, glad others are loving it too 🙂 I agree we condemn people whose shoes we have ever walked it.
Stormi Johnson
You make me wish I would have picked this up when it was a kindle first…darn it. 🙂 Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
It is always such a tough choice! For me, I deliberate it like picking wall color!
Laurel-Rain Snow
I have this book resting quietly on Pippa…and now I hear it clamoring for my attention! Thanks for reminding me of why I want to read it.
kimbacaffeinate
Pippa the Kindle correct? LOL Enjoy!
Laurel-Rain Snow
Yes, Pippa is my Kindle…LOL.
Debbie Haupt
Great review Kim, I do love a good thriller and I’m always looking for the next “big” listen. Thanks
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy!
kindlemom1
I’m so glad you read this one too Kim. I felt very similar about it and I’m looking forward to the second book releasing soon and seeing where this series is headed.
kimbacaffeinate
Thank you, Ali, and now we wait…LOL
Melliane
I’m curious about this one, it looks well done. I’m a bit late with her books, I have some to read at home.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you get to try her soon 🙂
Anne Clarence
I think I got chills just looking at the synopsis. How do you survive listening to it as audio book XD
Great review though! I would read this if I’m able to handle a thriller book.
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, I love listening to creepy stories it only enhances the chills.