Book three in the Stillhouse series, Wolfhunter River was another powerful thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, although all of the previous books did as well. When book 4, Bitter Falls, become available I rushed to press that button and download this book hoping for the thrill I had experienced with the previous books. Thankfully, it was, and I embarked onto another thrilling path with wonderful protagonists and an electrifying read.

Looking for a strong protagonist, one needs to look no further than Gwen Proctor. Gwen, formerly unknowingly married to a serial killer, is now involved in a search for a missing young man in Tennessee. This young man has been missing for three years, and though there are no clues, Gwen, now working as a private investigator, thinks she might be able to find this boy and if nothing else put his mother's heart to rest knowing the fate of her son.

Gwen stumbles onto a cult, one whose origins were inherent in Gwen's former life. It's a cult that threatens, kills, and enslaves women in their clutches. They are evil and the cult's leader mimics those like Jim Jones and others of his ilk. Gwen pits herself against the cult leader and this game becomes one that threatens the lives of her children and the man she loves. It a battle of wits and strength and once again Gwen proves that she is a formidable opponent.

She worries about he children, placing them in the line of fire, even though her goal is always to protect them no matter what. She constantly finds her town in opposition to her and one family in particular the Belldenes seem to have a personal vendetta against Gwen. Gwen is stuck between this family's threat and the cult that is pledged to fight to the death to preserve their evil way of life.

I recommend this thriller and ideally the entire series to those who love to be whisked away for many hours eagerly turning those pages as Gwen fires up and let's go on those who seem to want evil things to happen to her family. Gwen is the true mama bear, so do watch out to those who dare to cross her.

Thank you to Rachel Caine, Thomas and Mercer, and Netgalley for a copy of this great addition to the Stillhouse series. This book is due out January 21,2020.

Thank you to Net Galley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In this fourth book in the Stillhouse Lake series, Gwen Proctor is moving on with Sam and her children and investigating cold cases. Her current case becomes entwined with her personal life, and Gwen is forced to fight for her family. I enjoyed this installment in the series, though I felt the ending was rather abrupt.

4.5/5 stars

Bitter Falls is the fourth book in the Stillhouse Lake series. These books are mystery/thrillers.

I have really enjoyed all of the books in the Stillhouse Lake series. So I was very excited to get to read this new book. It was one of my most anticipated reads of Winter 2020.

The main question that people want to know is whether this book can be read without having read the previous books in the series? My answer is yes and no. The author does give a recap of some of the pertinent information. And the mystery is self-contained to this story. So I do think that a new reader would be able to follow the story. However, there is a lot of backstory in this series. And the books follow the same characters. So you would be missing out on a lot of character development.

Gwen is back in Bitter Falls and she is now a private investigator. I absolutely love this new development. She is one of the most fierce and amazing heroines that I've ever read. I love how protective she is of her family. And I definitely feel so bad for all that she has to go through.

The main narrator of this book is Gwen (1st person POV). But there are also 1st person POV chapters narrated by her kids (Lanny-16 and Connor-13) and her boyfriend Sam.

This book is very chilling and disturbing. What Gwen and her family have to go through is upsetting. The message boards. The stalkers. There is so much hate. So sometimes that can be hard to read.

But I could not put this book down. The mystery in Bitter Falls was very strong. The story is full of suspense. But there is also romance. I like the balance and find these books riveting.

At around the halfway point the mystery aspect really kicked in. And everything started to come together. Overall, this was another very good book in a great series.

In Bitter Falls, Gwen Proctor and her family are back in Stillhouse Lake, trying to live as normal of a life as they can gather for themselves. Unfortunately, their welcome is worn out by locals, and as pressure increases for them to move away, Gwen is hired to investigate the disappearance of Remy Landry, who has vanished after trying to help a young woman. As Gwen stumbles into yet another sinister cult, she faces one of the most difficult events yet - the abduction of one of her children. As old faces make appearances and new ones promise to do all they can to destroy her life, Gwen acts in usual Gwen fashion - stubbornly, bravely, emotionally. Bitter Falls builds upon the history and the momentum of the previous novels in the series and while the characterizations remain steady and true to the series, Gwen’s emotionally driven decisions in this one seem to diminish her past balance of heart and a capable mind. Overall, still an entertaining read to pretty solid series.

Another great story in this series, good to catch up with the family. Fast paced and exciting with some surprises! Interesting to see where they go next.

Bitter Falls is the fourth installment in the Stillhouse Lake Series. I was captivated by this dark suspense series. I enjoy how Rachel Caine uses multiple character points of view as the story is told. Gwen Proctor is a heroine like no other and when she is on a mission no one stands in her way. Especially when that mission includes keeping her family safe. Each book in this series is full of suspenseful twists and this one is no different. I literally gasped out loud more than once while reading.

Man...this book was brutal for Gwen and family. It starts out with hate they are used to, those in Stillhouse not wanting them around. Oddly enough this is the tame part of the book for them, normal hate because of the connection to Melvin. You would think that people would have learned that by now that they all had nothing to do with that evil.

From here things slowly spin out of control. The case Gwen is working on is not at all what it seems and the more that Gwen learns the more that she feels the need to do something. The craziness at home seems to ramp up, causing all sorts of issues, then all of a sudden the home violence is connected to Gwen's case and things explode, leaving Gwen to do whatever it takes to make sure that those that she loves are safe.

By the end of the book the family has closed ranks, knowing that they can 100% depend on themselves, with only those who prove themselves let in. It will be interesting to see where things go from here.

I really enjoyed Bitter Falls. It brings back past characters and really ramps up the tension. I found that I couldn’t put it down for the latter half of reading, I just had to know what was going to happen. Thoroughly enjoying this series!

Gwen Proctor already defeated one monster in her quest to protect her children. But what happens when other people need protection from similar monsters? I loved Stillhouse Lake, liked Killman Creek, really enjoyed Wolfhunter River, and couldn't wait to get my hands on Bitter Falls to find out how the story ultimately plays out.

I really liked the approach that this book took of alternating chapters from the perspectives of Gwen, Lanny, Connor and Sam. Stillhouse Creek was entirely from Gwen's perspective and it was interesting to hear what the other characters have been feeling about the whole situation and to get an opportunity to learn a little more about them and get in their heads. Killman Creek alternated perspectives, but I felt that the story was a bit slower and not as interesting.

Gwen is working as a private investigator and a new case involving a missing young man grabs her and won't let go. The search for the missing boy, leads to a cult, which leads to the Proctor family being put in danger yet again. With an appearance from Vee from Wolfhunter Creek and unlikely allies in the redneck neighbors, can Gwen and her family get out of this latest jam? I enjoyed this one even more than the last addition and thought it was a lot more fast-paced and action-packed. I can't wait to read the next chapter in the Proctor family's story.

Thank you so much to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.
I absolutely LOVE this series and was desperately waiting for this book to come out and it surely did not disappoint. Gwen just wants to live her life in the town her family has finally settled in but due to her shocking past that is no easy task. This book brings a new case to Gwen, one that ends up tangling her family in a scary situation with a long standing cult ( and the return of Vee!). When Gwens son and Sam are taken she launches into action, but can she find them and save them? Or is this the end of the Proctors as we know them.
This book was a thrill ride start to finish, the characters we adore shine bright and you will not want to put this one down. Mega suspense and a fantastic story line make this a perfect fit with the rest of the Stillhouse series. A plus. Put this one on your reading list straight away.

Bitter Falls is the fourth book in the Stillhouse Lake series.
After reading the other three i wondered where the author could go with another book. Gwen is now a private investigator working on a cold case of a missing teenager. A lot of drama for Gwen, Sam and her kids. I enjoyed the fourth book almost as much as the first.
Thank you to netgalley, Rachel Caine and the publisher for the advance copy.

The fourth book in Stillhouse Lake series is once again thrilling and gripping.
This time they all have a good reason to want to leave Stillhouse Lake house and Gwens new case is offering them the possibility to leave. They have to decide, will they stay in their home and fight for it or they back up and leave.

Before they can decide several things run together and they leave one way or another Stillhouse Lake, while hoping they live long enough to see the lake again. Some enemies become allies and some friendly acquaintances become enemies.

The story keeps you on a ledge till the end.

Good read!!

I love this series! When “Stillhouse Lake” was published I was skeptical of the reviews until I read it myself. That’s when I was hooked. Some series burn out quickly after the first premise has been exhausted and the author struggles to keep the readers interest.
Well, that is not the case here. I have loved every book in this series.
The plot of “Bitter Falls” was a perfect fit for our protagonist and the series overall.

My only letdown is having to wait another year for the 5th installment.

Get well soon, dear Rachel Caine.

Five very enthusiastic stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This has been a great series and Bitter Falls doesn't disappoint. I highly suggest reading at least the first book before jumping in to this one. There is back story that helps understand the characters much better. While the author does a good job of recapping enough for new readers and not dragging the story down for other readers, there is a lot you'll have missed without reading the first books.

Gwen Proctor is trying to go on and live as normal a life as possible for her kids. The town has closed ranks against them. There is a paramilitary/crime family that has a grudge against them. Gwen is now a P. I. Investigating the 3 year old disappearance of a college student. The story is compelling and has a strong female lead. This book is part of a series. It could be read as a stand alone but I highly recommend the previous books in the series. thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Did I stop everything and read 𝐁𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 in one day after getting my paws on it? You bet I did! And I have zero regrets about that because WHAT.A.RIDE!⁣⁣
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Book 4 is just as fast paced and dark as the other books in the Stillhouse Lake series. I LOVE this series and am always anxiously waiting for the next book to come out. While this would work as a stand alone, I HIGHLY recommend you start with book one in the series. Serial killers, white knuckled adventure, and twisty mysteries...what’s not to love? Add a strong female lead with an endearing family and you’ve got this fantastic series! As always, my time with Gwen and her crew was too short. I look forward to more escapades with this kick butt family! 4.5⭐️.⁣⁣
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Thank you @amazonpublishing for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

I am addicted to this ingeniously plotted, well written, character driven stories. The smallest details and comments weave together to create stories that grab you by the throat and drag you into the darkness. I never know what's coming next and i find myself counting the days until the next book is released.

Although lacking the obsessive compulsive readability of the first two books in this series, Bitter Falls is still an excellent installment in the Stillhouse Lake series. I love a good cult thriller, and this one did not disappoint. If this series continues, I would like to see a little more character growth, it often feels like they are just running in place. Rachel Caine sure can write the heck out of a good thriller! Would be happy to see more in this series :)

I really wondered where Caine was going to take this after the end of Wolfhunter and this was better than I imagined. My library patrons really love Gwen and her family. They are so gritty and real. We all love this series and can't wait to see where we will go next.

Gwen Proctor is trying to put her past behind her, and a new assignment gives her something to focus on. She’s looking into the very cold case of a missing man from Tennessee for three years. Gwen understands all too well what it’s like to have no answers about a missing child, so she puts her all into finding answers for the young man’s mother. But while Gwen looks for answers for Ruth Landry, danger lies in wait for her family at home. Fighting for Ruth and for her own family, Gwen risks everything for truth and justice