Reviews with content warning for Murder - The Lake

Reviews tagging 'Murder'

The Lake by Natasha Preston

23 reviews

ruthypoo2's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

This book is fine for a YA thriller and it reads very YA. There’s mystery and best friends with a secret and budding romances and new friends, all rolled up in a traditional summer camp setting. The story is a little slow to start as it takes its time establishing the characters’ backstories and evolving relationships. There are creepy sightings and hints about a past tragedy woven throughout the first couple of weeks as campers and their counselors arrive and get settled into the day-to-day camp activities.

Mid-point the pace picks up with more action and a various suspicious behavior occurring that causes the main character and narrator, Esme, to question who she can trust. The final act takes the reader down a dark and winding path, and for me, it didn’t entirely add up that the consequences for some of the characters was rightfully deserved. I liked the ending and while it probably wouldn’t hold up in the real world, it was calculated and twisted enough to fit the psyche of the culprit who engineered the events.

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narration by Lillie Ricciardi. Her voice is clear and she captured the youthful naïveté and banter of the teenage characters.

Content Warnings

rene_reads02's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious tense

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

kaylaiscool321's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-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

3.0

Was good, dragged on in the middle and ending was a bit rushed although it was surprising,

definitely didn’t expect EVERYONE to die

Some of the plot was like huh with the whole calling the cops thing and constantlyyyyyy talking about the fire they set off like 100 years ago
but still good overall

Content Warnings

addybug1125's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

1.75

I disliked the main character, esme. I felt that I couldn't get too into her character because she didn't feel real. There were a lot of missing pieces regarding her background but Kelly being hinted at. I felt that there were too many praises for her thinking, once I noticed it, I couldn't go back. I hated the ending. Very typical horror story ending. There's much more I could say but don't

Content Warnings

vj_thompson's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.0

If you can get through the terrible dialogue and the child-like behavior, I think it’s worth finding out how the books ends. The. Ending. Is. Crazy!!

Content Warnings

featherinthewind's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

do not read this if you want a decisive answer and ending because what the hell. I will say this book is much better than her other ones but I did notice it had the same issues as others. For one, there are so many characters to keep track of and only a few really matter. I couldn’t keep everyone straight and only started to match names to descriptions half way through. The story was strong and kept its edge and suspense.

Content Warnings

bookmarkedjosie's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

4.5

I really the writing style! Really makes you LIVE the story. I enjoyed the book and started questioning and thinking about every possibility. Although it's a similar genre to what I'm used to, it's still different in its own way, like the way she ends her books is something I hadn't yet seen before.

Content Warnings