This haunting and suspenseful crime novel held my attention from beginning to end. This is a fresh and original novel that is going to be quite the fit for this debut author. I am now anxiously awaiting more releases from Sarah Bailey!

** Full review to be posted during release week **

I really loved The Dark Lake – One of those brilliantly layered human drama’s that are within the psychological thriller genre. Sarah Bailey has created some memorable and relatable characters who will stay with me – especially the victim Rosalind who even after resolution will linger in your head and make you wonder.

Gemma as a main protagonist is, to be fair, divisive. Haunted by memories of a past she can’t fix, living in a family situation she is not sure of and involved in a slightly obsessive affair, when the beautiful Rosalind is found dead it throws up some difficult challenges for her that may be beyond her ability to cope with. I felt sorry for her and at random times annoyed with her – she is certainly prone to human error both in her working and personal life. This really worked for me I was with her all the way even on the occasions I wanted to slap her.

The mystery element is clever, haunting and unpredictable – I loved the setting, descriptively speaking the author puts you right there and the surroundings added to the slightly melancholy feeling the narrative gave, that emotional core that I love to find in a book.

Overall The Dark Lake is one of the good ones – addictive and intelligent with a heavy dose of drama and a twisted mystery that may well have you guessing right up until the end. Nothing not to love here.

Yep. I’m a fan. Highly Recommended.

**Review also posted pre-release to Goodreads, Amazon upon Publication**

A lot of chaff amongst the wheat- that's this The Dark Lake. A lot should have IMO been edited out if only to keep the reader from despising some of the characters.