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jaylee_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Stalking, Confinement, Murder, Grief, Alcohol, Addiction, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual content
sarahmaemae's review against another edition
3.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Stalking, Mental illness, and Violence
Minor: Suicide
map_to_neverland's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Stalking, Addiction, Death, Suicide, Murder, Kidnapping, Alcoholism, Grief, and Violence
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Murder, Alcohol, Stalking, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, and Alcoholism
sydneybedell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Murder, and Stalking
Moderate: Confinement and Suicide
Minor: Infidelity
arthur_ant18's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Death, Stalking, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Grief, and Cursing
Moderate: Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, and Blood
lizsbookreviews21's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first Riley Sager novel and I’m proud to say that it will not be my last. The plot and world building that Riley did here was phenomenal. I love how they created a whole world and life around every character, and they all intertwined together in some way. The plot was easy to follow and really was addicting. I went from 105 pages to 300 in what felt like a blink of an eye.
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Addiction, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Forced institutionalization, and Murder
Minor: Suicide attempt
kenziburke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Stalking
vereadsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
“At night, you can’t see your reflection on the water. Centuries ago, before people knew any better, it was a common belief that reflective surfaces could trap the souls of the dead.”
The settings in Sager's novels are such a powerful element. They draw you in, and the story would not be the same if they happened in other places. In this case, it is Green Lake. It's impossible not to imagine being at the lake spying on the neighbors with Casey. Casey Fletcher, a recently widowed actress trying to escape a streak of bad press, has retreated to the peace and quiet of her family’s lake house in Vermont. Armed with a pair of binoculars and several bottles of liquor, she passes the time watching Tom and Katherine Royce, the glamorous couple who live in the house across the lake. They make for good viewing—a tech innovator, Tom is rich; and a former model, Katherine is gorgeous.
One day on the lake, Casey saves Katherine from drowning, and the two strike up a budding friendship. But the more they get to know each other—and the longer Casey watches—it becomes clear that Katherine and Tom’s marriage is not as perfect and placid as it appears.
“The lake is darker than a coffin with the lid shut,” she’d say. “And as deep as the ocean. If you sink under, you’ll never come back up again. You’ll be trapped forever.”
Casey is the typical unreliable narrator who drinks heavily and ends up obsessed with the couple who live in the house across the lake. I dislike these types of stories because they bore me, and I find them tedious. I also don't like it when the main character becomes obsessed with someone younger and prettier than her.
“The worst part about drinking too much—other than, you know, drinking too much”
The first part of the book is slow and dull. Things begin to take off slowly in the second half and become interesting. I didn't see the first plot twist coming. It was a twist that woke me up from the lethargy that the rest of the story had caused me. The plot twist was over the top, but I like it.
(view spoiler)
“there’s no such thing as happily ever after. There’s only happy for a short period of time before everything falls apart.”
This book has elements that sound ridiculous and excessive but somehow work.
Books I have read by this author
Final Girls ★★★☆☆
The Last Time I Lied ★★★★ ½
Home Before Dark ★★★★☆
Survive the Night ★☆☆☆☆
If you like this book, try this book
The Girl on the Train
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Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Stalking
Moderate: Confinement and Kidnapping
mallory10100's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Stalking, Forced institutionalization, Addiction, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Grief, Drug use, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, and Cursing
Minor: Blood, Infidelity, and Vomit