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cheyfay1995 's review for:
The House Across the Lake
by Riley Sager
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 ⭐s
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager is one of those thrillers that reels you in with atmosphere right from the start. The creepy lakeside setting, the voyeuristic Rear Window–style premise, and the unreliable narrator all work together to create a story that’s moody, unsettling, and hard to put down. Sager knows how to keep you second-guessing, and I’ll admit, I didn’t see every twist coming.
That said, the book can be a bit of a mixed bag. The first half builds delicious tension, but the second half veers into territory that feels more outrageous than chilling. The big reveal is bold, sure—but it might lose some readers with how far it stretches believability. The main character also isn’t the easiest to root for, which made some sections drag.
Overall, it’s a fun, bingeable thriller with a wild twist that either makes or breaks the book depending on your taste. For me, it was entertaining, creepy in parts, but not quite top-tier Sager.
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager is one of those thrillers that reels you in with atmosphere right from the start. The creepy lakeside setting, the voyeuristic Rear Window–style premise, and the unreliable narrator all work together to create a story that’s moody, unsettling, and hard to put down. Sager knows how to keep you second-guessing, and I’ll admit, I didn’t see every twist coming.
That said, the book can be a bit of a mixed bag. The first half builds delicious tension, but the second half veers into territory that feels more outrageous than chilling. The big reveal is bold, sure—but it might lose some readers with how far it stretches believability. The main character also isn’t the easiest to root for, which made some sections drag.
Overall, it’s a fun, bingeable thriller with a wild twist that either makes or breaks the book depending on your taste. For me, it was entertaining, creepy in parts, but not quite top-tier Sager.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence