A tense thriller from one of my favourite authors that absolutely bludgeoned my emotions.Honestly I didn't expect to get sucked in quite as much as as I did and although I had an inkling what might happen the execution by this author had me really despising the fact that I had to stop and sleep!
Gwen has risen from the ashes of her life as unsuspecting Gina and she might share that same body and DNA but the woman she has become is as formidable and dangerous as a lioness protecting her cubs. Yes she's paranoid but she has good reason as not only is her ex husband sitting and plotting on death row but the crazies out in the world, the relatives of those brutalised and even those who naively presume the worst of Gwen never truly believe her and why should they? Yet her two children don't deserve the fate so many seem to bay for so on and on relentlessly Gwen relocates, reinvents herself and finally hopes that just maybe they can have not a house but a home. When a young woman is found dead in suspiciously familiar circumstances yet again suspicion falls on Gwens head and her instincts say to flee but perhaps now is the time to face the past and fight!
I've mentioned that Gwen has developed from a young idealistic woman into an uber protective and indeed proactive woman but it's the children here who made this so chilling. Without saying too much I liked that the children felt real. Lanny is a teenage girl acting out, feeling cut off and yet wanting so much to feel she's really involved. Conner is struggling too as he too cannot really seem to form friendships and I liked the juxtaposition of both children knowing their father was a monster and yet at times to them he is just simply daddy. Truly chilling and it made the thoughts of nature versus nurture rise and indeed the author explores that idea to some extent as the story progresses.
Yes there is a sort of cliffhanger but I didn't feel cheated and the pace, the uncertainty of the final outcome made this such an engrossing read which means I will definitely read the next book.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are my honest and I believe fair opinion

Ironically, I already purchased and read this before you, the publisher, granted my wish. LOVED IT. Having been a long time Caine reader, I was kind of expecting some supernatural element to pop up all through the book. LOL. I loved the mystery to this, reminded me a bit of "The Following"...but much better. I loved Gina/Gwen. I could feel her frustration during her questioning, her need to do anything to protect her kids, and all her suspicions. Then that ending! I really can't wait for the next book and have a list of friends waiting to borrow my copy of Stillhouse Lake!

Full review to be published online with the end of month reviews.

STILLHOUSE LAKE will not keep the reader entranced; but will also instill a strong urge to constantly look over their shoulder. Gina's nightmarish story will leave the reader with a strong sense of paranoia.

STILLHOUSE LAKE offers a unique spin on the standard murder mystery as it followed the wife and children of a convicted serial killer. Gina, who changes her name to Gwen, and her kids are constantly on the move and in need of new identities; due to a popular belief that she was her husband's accomplice in mutilating, murdering, and disposing of young women.

Not only that, there is a large group of crazies on the Internet who wish to harm Gina and her children as revenge for her husband's crimes. The heinous things they wish to do to her are vividly, disturbingly described and it's no wonder that she lives in constant fear of everyone she comes across.

STILLHOUSE LAKE is the intriguing first book in the new “Stillhouse Lake” series by Rachel Caine. This series promises to be one to keep the reader involved for years to come.

This is one of the most intense dark mysteries i have read. I could not put it down- stayed up last night reading it. the story and characters are real and very scary. the ending is heart stopping better than James Patterson! Can't wait for the next one.

Gripping suspense from start to finish. I didn't see a lot of the twists and turns coming.

Stillhouse Lake is the first exciting psychological thriller in this series written by author Rachel Caine. It's a very intense story with a surprise cliffhanger ending. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the advance copy. Can't wait to read the sequel.