Reviews with content warning for Torture - Stillhouse Lake

This book was really predictable & confusing. There were so many “attempted” plot twists that just kind of fell short & when the true antagonist was revealed, it was a little underwhelming. I think the plot is really good in theory but wasn’t a fan of how everything was executed.

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bxnnny's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

i got this book as well as the entire series as a gift this past holiday season and listen: i really didn't expect to get into it as much as i did but i actually really liked this. the premise is interesting, the writing was well done, and most of the characters felt believable (minus the serial killer husband - he's giving michael myers levels of power and unstoppability coupled with a mind that rivals the combined sick and twistedness of the worst of the worst serial killers you know). i got really attached to gwen and her kids and teared up a lot whenever things were going awry or people didn't believe her because i could clearly feel gwen's distress and fear and anger. the emotions felt so real and raw. i'm so surprised how hooked i was and honestly can't wait to read more of this series. hopefully it continues to be this good!

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greenclovers75's review against another edition

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dark slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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lissar749's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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readkatieread's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense

5.0

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christiansenmy's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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baisles's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Really enjoyable read, but with such a small cast of characters it was kind of easy to guess who the bad guy was going to be. I can’t say I was surprised by any of the “twists” in the final act but it was still a great time.

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samanthawade92's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Pretty good thriller overall. She did a good job of building suspense and suspicious with the characters but did find some of the bigger twists pretty implausible.

I’d guessed Sam had to be connected to the original story. I’m kind of surprised that he “ended up with” Gwen given the history. That doesn’t seem very plausible.

I didn’t expect Graham to be the copycat killer and doing Mel’s bidding from prison. I did find it kind of implausible that Mel had this whole network of people at this disposal. Typically serial killers don’t have a network, but instead ten to work alone. Kind of seemed like she wanted to make Mel out to be a loner killer but also a criminal mastermind?

And finally, the ending where Mel had supposedly broken out of prison wasn’t very believable to me. I guess she wanted to end on a cliffhanger but I just didn’t find that very plausible.

Overall fine thriller. Engaging. Some pretty gruesome parts but good overall.

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