Reviews with content warning for Murder - The House Across the Lake

Reviews tagging 'Murder'

The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager

462 reviews

shaydecker's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

4.5⭐️ This book had me guessing till the very end. I really thought I figured out the twist but it just kept going! Definitely not what I expected but a really good fast paced thriller

Content Warnings

the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition

2.5

mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This just felt really underwhelming! While I didn't see the twists coming and can offer the credit for originality on that front, they just felt random and poorly thought out. The exploration of alcoholism was surface-level at best and none of the characters felt like real people so much as caricatures in the plot.

Content Warnings

kalexcassady's review against another edition

3.75

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

So slow. But good twist at the end finally worth it.

Content Warnings

noellekelly7's review against another edition

4.0

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I almost stopped reading until halfway through the book where the first twist comes in that completely changes the tone of the book - in a good way. I thought it was just going to be a redo of Rear Window or the plot device where “woman sees crime, no one believes her” which is overly done in mystery books but this was a great twist on it!

Content Warnings

taliatalksbooks's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Riley Sager’s The House Across The Lake was about as perfect as you can get with a book. It’s been a while since I’ve read a thriller that has kept me so enthralled I couldn’t put it down, but I easily could have devoured this book in one sitting (I, once again, started this book too late at night and on a busy weekend to boot). This book was twisty and spooky and bridged the gap between the real and mythological folklore with ease. I loved every aspect of this novel from cover to cover (and it doesn’t hurt that the dedication was one of my favorite Taylor songs). I loved the way the characters developed, and how that development played into the plot of the book. I thought the secondary characters were supportive and added helpfully to the plot (which in thrillers I feel like is hard to come by sometimes). My immediate instinct is to tell you that this is one of the best twists I’ve read in a while, because it is, but I don’t want to give away anything more than that. The plot is *chef’s kiss* and it’s so good I almost want to break my no spoilers rule just so I can tell you exactly what I loved about it. BUT, you’ll just have to trust me on this one. I cannot recommend this thriller highly enough. If you’re a fan of unreliable narrators, folklore/myths, or just in the mood for a whodunnit that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this book is for you.

Content Warnings

bookishwithms_blinn's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book was on my TBR and I just happened to stumble up on it on Libby. Started it one day and realized the next day I was hours in. It was very easy to listen to and I was immediately sucked into the story. I loved the emotional complexity of the main character, Casey. At times you dislike her, or you feel bad for her or you want to help her. It definitely plays well for where this story goes. She has different types of relationships with each other character which helps you to understand her. I loved her relationship with Catherine even though it was short lived. This book has murder mystery along with a little paranormal thriller and although it's not something I would go out of my way to read I found myself unable to put it down. There were times that it felt slightly cheesy but then you have to remember that it's a work of fiction.

Content Warnings

alaskachan's review against another edition

4.0

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

honorbound13's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Note before the review: this book was solely read in one night between 1-4am so please bear that in mind.

I have to say, I was entertained as hell. Honestly this is the kind of stuff I want when I pick up a thriller, but I know that that isn’t true for everyone: a literal rollercoaster where some of it makes just enough sense for you to suspend your disbelief until the end of the book, and it really hooks you. I did read this in one sitting, so it seems fair to say Sager’s writing works for me.

I haven’t seen the media this book seems to be based on so i had no expectations going in. I had a lot of theories as I went through, but when we got to about 75% where it all takes a turn, I have to say I was impressed. I went back and reread the “now” chapters to see if I had missed an important detail, but I realized I had very conveniently assumed some things using the context. I know that’s the point, but I can appreciate my man Riley doing it in a way so I didn’t notice I was doing it; should I have noticed, probably, but see aforementioned comment about it being 1-4am.

I think my enjoyment of this was enhanced by 2 things: this is my first Riley Sager, and I didn’t know if it was a normal thriller or a paranormal thriller. Those two things meant I had no idea what to expect, which for me was ideal. Was it ridiculous? Absolutely. Did I have a great time? Yes. This got me out of the start of a reading slump so I’m happy about that

Content Warnings

lyndsmarie321's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I felt like this book had potential but fell short. I am not buying how the author shaped the end of the story. I was suspicious of every single character and I felt that because there were so many characters introduced in this book that Sager just chose an off-the-wall conclusion rather than picking one of them to be the culprit. And just when you think everything is being tied up in a neat little bow, Sager was like "oh wait, I meant to actually end it this so let me add 3 more pages". This thriller just didn't hit the mark for me.

Content Warnings

kayjay2012's review against another edition

2.0

mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

More...