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A review by booksforbrunch
Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine
3.0
UPDATE: 3 stars
Stillhouse Lake a decent fast-paced suspense novel. Although I enjoyed the writing and the characters of Gwen, Lanny and Connor, I felt cheated by not having a better knowledge of Gina, Lily and Brady. To me, the characters had no real ARC or if they did it happened before this book took place and the reader missed out.
I'm sure there was reason to keep Mel mysterious because he'll play a big role in the sequel but all we were given were tiny details here and there of the crimes he committed. No reason why or any backstory. Only hints at his devious physical demeanors and how his voice changed. The only glimpse we received into their marriage was from Gwen's memory, which didn't feel like the best way to tell the story. I feel it would have been much stronger with the switch of POV or even the switch of time, perhaps before The Event in Kansas and after.
In the end it was very predictable. And very repetitive. I know you have two kids. I know your husband is a convicted serial killer. I know you're obsessed with being safe. And I never blamed her for any of these things but every other sentence? I needed a little more from Gwen as a character and deeper thoughts/realizations on the whole.
Stillhouse Lake a decent fast-paced suspense novel. Although I enjoyed the writing and the characters of Gwen, Lanny and Connor, I felt cheated by not having a better knowledge of Gina, Lily and Brady. To me, the characters had no real ARC or if they did it happened before this book took place and the reader missed out.
I'm sure there was reason to keep Mel mysterious because he'll play a big role in the sequel but all we were given were tiny details here and there of the crimes he committed. No reason why or any backstory. Only hints at his devious physical demeanors and how his voice changed. The only glimpse we received into their marriage was from Gwen's memory, which didn't feel like the best way to tell the story. I feel it would have been much stronger with the switch of POV or even the switch of time, perhaps before The Event in Kansas and after.
In the end it was very predictable. And very repetitive. I know you have two kids. I know your husband is a convicted serial killer. I know you're obsessed with being safe. And I never blamed her for any of these things but every other sentence? I needed a little more from Gwen as a character and deeper thoughts/realizations on the whole.