by Rachel Caine
Series: Stillhouse Lake #4
Narrator: Emily Sutton-Smith, Michael Crouch, Dan John Miller, Lauren Ezzo, Will Ropp
Length: 11 hours and 33 minutes
Genres: Psychological Thriller
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.3x
She’s investigating a cold case no one else could—by going places no else would dare.
In spite of a harrowing past still haunting her, Gwen Proctor is trying to move forward. Until a new assignment gives her purpose: the cold-case disappearance of a young man in Tennessee. Three years missing, no clues. Just Ruth Landry, a tortured mother in limbo. Gwen understands what it’s like to worry about your children.
Gwen’s investigation unearths new suspects…and victims. As she follows each sinister lead, the implications of the mystery grow more disturbing. Because the closer Gwen gets, the closer she is to a threat that looms back home.
In a town that’s closed its ranks against Gwen; her partner, Sam; and her kids, there’s no bolder enemy than the Belldene family—paramilitary, criminal, powerful, and vengeful. As personal vendettas collide with Gwen’s investigation, she’s prepared to fight both battles. But is she prepared for the toll it could take on everyone she loves?
Bitter Falls by Rachel Caine is the fourth novel in the addictive Stillhouse Lake series. This thriller had me on edge as Gwen, Sam and her children find themselves in grave danger.
Narrated by Emily Sutton-Smith, Michael Crouch, Dan John Miller, Lauren Ezzo, and Will Ropp the Stillhouse Lake series is perfection on audio. Told from multiple perspectives Bitter Falls had me holding my breath as Gwen and the people she cherishes most find themselves in danger when Gwen works a cold case involving a missing young man in Tennessee.
It delighted me that the series would continue after the closure of the first ARC. Gwen now works as a private investigator and is working a three-year-old case involving a missing young man. Problems and fallout from their trauma continue and Caine did a great job with it, particularly with Conner’s POV. This family seriously has zero luck and darkness or evil surrounds them.
Caine touched on a couple of headliner topics and the impact those had on her characters. It allowed the reader to identify; particularly when it came to PTSD.
The case was intense, steeped in realism, and kicked into high gear at about the fifty percent mark. Prepare yourself, because Caine knows just how to grab her reader/listener. I was hooked and lost sleep devouring this one. Triggers! Triggers Everywhere! There are plenty of triggers if your susceptible begin with caution. View Spoiler »
I loved getting inside each of the characters’ heads and while Gwen is the main point of view, Conners and Sam’s slayed me. We get Lanny’s POV too and while powerful; it was the perspectives of the other three that were gut-wrenching.
If you love intense thrillers, I recommend listening to Bitter Falls. It will work as a standalone, but believe me, you’ll be missing out by not grabbing the series in the order of its release.
Emily Sutton-Smith narrates and brilliantly captures the tone, voices and emotions of these characters. She amps up the suspense and emotions. The whole series has been fantastic on audio.
Bitter Falls by Rachel Caine delivered an intense, edge of your seat listen #SillhouseLake #thriller #audiobook #NewRelease #MustListen Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
verushka
I read the first in this series and was seriously impressed but i couldn’t figure how this series could continue — however the books after haven’t really piqued my interest but this one has. It seems to be developing into such a good series !
Olivia Roach
There’s nothing better than a series you thought was over that you enjoyed being able to continue. It sounds like the added depth of the investigation colliding with personal issues makes this one all the more complex and intriguing. I actually love when investigations and business collides with personal life. It’s hard to separate the two!
Carole's Random Life in Books
I have listened to the first two books in this series and am looking forward to getting caught up. This sounds so good! Great review!
Anne - Books of My Heart
I love this series. That cover is one of my absolute favorites. I too was thrilled the series would continue after the first story ARC. I hope the future holds more of helping others than being targeted themselves. I have been reading. I do know I love Emily Sutton-Smith on the Tracey Crosswhite series though. Fantastic review!
Melliane
I need to read book 2 in this series!
Mary Kirkland
I haven’t read her yet but the books always sound so good.
sherry fundin
such a pretty cover for a fantastic sounding story. i love cold cases and this sounds like one for my library challenge
Jonetta (Ejaygirl) | Blue Mood Café
I’m so glad to see this series continue! I’ve got it on audio, too, and am glad you liked the narrator. Excellent review?
kindlemom1
This one was way more emotional for me, just so much is going on and they seem to never catch a break! So glad you liked this Kim, it really is turning out to be such a great series.
Debbie S Haupt
This series has been on my radar Kim, it’s nice to know that 4 books in it still draws you in.
Nadene
I do enjoy intense thriller. I need to get my hands on this series.
Silvia
I like that there are triggers everywhere! I’ll have to try this series at some point, some good psychological thrillers like this one are just what we need sometimes 😉