Thanks to Netgalley and Polis Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Greg Norman was recently found not guilty of the murder of his wife. Despite this, everyone in the small town in Connecticut, where he is building a house on the lake, believes he is guilty. Then a body washes up on the shore near his house, making everyone suspicious all over again.

This book was overall pretty good. When I thought I knew who was guilty, I was sort of right but there was more to the story. The story was told from a number of perspectives and it kept me guessing as to who was guilty of what. I would probably read more from this author.

Not as good as his Jay Porter series, but still a good book about small for secrets and the people who keep them. All in all, it kept me intrigued and interested all the way through. Had a couple of surprises I didn't see coming which added to the allure of the book. I would still recommend this to readers.

This started off good then slowly just slowed down for me. So many people to connect with. Had a hard time picking it up and wanting to continue to read. The premise was good the characters just didn't draw me in enough.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Net Galley for an early release of this book.

Greg Norman was accused of killing his wife, April, and once innocent moves back to her small town in Connecticut to build a house on the lake. When a woman is found dead on the beach near his house, the sheriff sets out to prove that Norman is guilty of both crimes.

3.5 stars. I liked the set up of the book—it was immediately interesting and suspenseful, trying to figure out if Greg Norman was as guilty as everyone made him out to be, and connecting the dots of the characters across this typically sleepy small town. While I was immediately suspicious of some of the characters, the back stories of motivations, secrets, and linkages unravel throughout the pages, leaving the Sheriff in the middle trying to piece it all together.

At times it was difficult to keep straight the many characters and their connection points. While I somewhat guessed the big reveal in the end, I am still left with so many questions after finishing the book. I haven't figured out yet if I just missed some details or it wasn't all tied up nicely. Check this one out for a quick and interesting thriller taking place over New England’s distinct four seasons.

The Lakehouse sounded intriguing. A man acquitted of murder moves to a small town where a woman's body is discovered meters from his newly refurbished lake house. Unfortunately, the dead body is quickly dismissed by the local police and the accused, Greg Norman, who should be the most interesting character barely surfaces throughout the pages. All of the other characters are unlikable and one dimensional. The story, not quite a crime novel nor a drama story, was incredibly bland and boring. I seem to be in the minority with this one so others might enjoy this but this story should have been right up my alley.

Thanks to Polis Books and Netgalley for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

This story is told from a four different viewpoints: Greg Norman, who was accused but cleared of all charges of murdering his wife; Tracy Somerset, a single-mom, who was down on her luck in her love life; small-town Police Chief Sobczak; and Dr. Bakshir, the local psychiatrist. Greg returns to his late-wife's small hometown to finish building a house they had started together. While cleared of all charges, the small-town isn't receptive to Greg's arrival, particularly when a dead body shows up on the beach next to his house soon after. The small town fights hard to keep secrets, as the Chief tries to solve the case.

The story started out well, the characters were well-developed, and the plot began slowly unfolding. The plot was a slow-burn for me. While the book did keep me guessing until the end, there wasn't a lot of suspense and mystery throughout the book to really entice me to keep reading. The characters, though fairly stereotypical for a small-town, were vivid; however, I wish there had been more dialogue among them, especially where the smaller story lines overlap.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this book!

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected pub date: September 22, 2020
“The Lakehouse” is the newest domestic psychological thriller by author Joe Clifford. Clifford is a new writer for me, so I was eager to give his writing a try.
Greg Norman was arrested for the murder of his wife years ago and, although he was found not guilty and cleared of the charges, his small home town of Covenant doesn’t forget. So when Greg moves back after years away, and starts building a lake house, the townspeople do what they can to remind Greg that he isn’t wanted. When another girl disappears, and then another, Greg is thrust into the spotlight once again. But Greg’s new girlfriend, Tracy, is convinced Greg didn’t commit the murder and she is willing to risk it all to prove his innocence. However, the father of the victim, the town and even the chief of police are all convinced Greg had a part to play.
This novel is told from the perspective of Tracy, the divorced single mother and recent love interest of Greg, and the police chief, who also has a personal connection to the murder Greg was charged for (and acquitted of). Both tell their sides of the story and through this, an easy bond is formed with the reader. Both characters are likable, honest and are easy to root for, even though wanting one to succeed means the other has to fail. Even Greg, so dubbed the “Banker Butcher”, has his moments of being charming and likable, even though right from the onset, it is difficult to believe he is any kind of killer.
I found some of the writing, especially toward the end of the story, to be a little bit choppy. Perhaps this was just my advanced electronic copy, but there were a few passages I needed to re-read as I wasn’t sure who was supposed to be talking and what was going on. This happened so infrequently though, it did not prevent me from enjoying the story itself. And, to those of us who are familiar with this type of genre, the ending of the novel was not exactly surprising, although I did really enjoy the final plot twist.
An intriguing novel about undiscovered secrets, hidden pasts and the lies we tell to protect those we love, “The Lighthouse” is an entertaining story full of intrigue and suspicion. Clifford has definitely piqued my interest and I’m keeping an eye out for his future works!

This was a quick, short read which i finished in one day. It was also a great thriller. Todd Norman, who has recently been found not guilty of murdering his wife, moves back to her small close-knit hometown to finish building their lake house. His appearance does not sit well with the local crowd especially when the dead body of a woman washed up on the shore of the lake near his future lake house. Todd meets Tracy, a single mom at Walmart one night and they hit it off. But nothing is easy.
This story seems simple but the more I read, the more intricate it got with different, dysfunctional characters being introduced and intermingled with guilt cast on others, besides Todd, as it progressed. Great characters with interesting backgrounds and a very interesting story that kept me on the edge of my seat until the end. Definitely a great thriller! Do not miss this one! Quick easy read perfect for vacation or the beach, unless you are at a lake.....thanks to NG for the ARC!!!

This book is a thriller about a murder that takes place near Lake House. I highly enjoyed it even though there was a lot going on. There were several plots several characters. Still an enjoyable read though.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
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Todd was recently acquitted of his wife’s murder. He has returned to her small hometown to fulfill his promise to her and finish building their house on the lake. Todd just wants to live a quiet life.
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Late one night, Tracy, a lonely single mother meets Todd in a store. He is so kind and makes her feel a spark that she hasn’t felt in so long.
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A body is found on the shore near the house Todd is building.
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The town is a tightknit community that all believe Todd got away with murdering his wife and is now preying on other women.
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Tracy can’t reconcile the gentle man she met with the man everyone is calling a monster.
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As the investigation unfolds, a link is discovered to the town psychologist and a group home that has been closed down for years.
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I was completely entralled with this story. It kept me up reading late into the night to find out what happened. Just a fair warning- this one leaves some things open to interpretation, which I personally like.
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I really like this author’s writing. It took me a bit to familiarize with his cadence, but I grew to love his diction and syntax. I will definitely read more of his work.
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Isn’t this such a pretty cover?!

Thank you so much for this ARC!

Wow, what an interesting ride! I really was not sure what to expect with this, but wow was it a good ride.

At first, I almost gave up, but so glad I didn't. It was full of twists and turns and I honestly did not see the ending coming, totally surprised!

The cover and premise of this book drew me in. Overall, this was a really good mystery! I This book features a small town where everybody knows each other but there is still some semblance of mistrust amongst the characters. I think this book really excelled in depicting the setting. I really enjoyed getting each of the different characters perspectives and each of the characters had their own voice. I usually enjoy when my mysteries and thrillers have a group of unlikeable characters and this book definitely had that!

Thanks to Joe Clifford, Polis Books and Netgalley for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was very excited to read this book. It started off great and was really well written, but there wasn’t enough suspense or mystery. I figured out who was to blame early on and the rest of the book was just ok to me.

Joe Clifford created a fast paced storyline, one that transpired throughout a years time. Instead of bogging you down in details that don't add to the plot, Clifford would jump head weeks or months in time and give you a summary of what happened (or didn't happen in some cases). I never felt like I was missing anything with this style and appreciated the effort to keep everything moving. As stories started to unfold, and secrets from the past came to light there were several characters that I thought could be 'guilty' but what really happens had me shocked. Everything does not get wrapped up in a neat little bow, there are loose ends that the reader has to put together themselves. It was the perfect ending for the way The Lakehouse was written.

This was a really fast read. I read this in one sitting and the writing style and the pacing were quick and it was easy to understand the story. I really liked the atmosphere, the setting near the lake was intriguing and the cover definitely portrays the vibes this story had.
I enjoyed the switching POVs too, although I found the Psychiatrist's POV to be a little repetitive. I really liked Tracy and seeing her emotions and struggles as a mother and her relationship with Norman. However, I found that there wasn't enough dialogue and too much inner monologue, especially in the Psychiatrist's chapters.
The plot itself was solid but not very exciting, although I did enjoy seeing all the little clues and how they fell together in the end. I knew who the killer was about halfway through, but I still enjoyed the ending. The mystery was well-constructed and yet I didn't feel like there was ever any real suspense, it was more like just reading along while the plot happened.
I still kept waiting for one more plot twist which never came in the end, and the book somehow left a certain feeling that not all questions have been answered.

+2 just for the amazing cover,
+1 not predictable
-1 not a lot of dialogue
-1 been there, read that kind of story
+1 still readable even with many errors in ARC proof

So the idea and premise of this book is not anything new, but can we talk about the great cover? So pretty! I want that house and the view! Todd Norman is accused of murdering his wife nut gets a not guilty verdict at his trial. He changes his name and moves back to Shallow Lake Connecticut to fulfill the promise he made to his murdered wife to build their dream house. All is going well until neighbors get nosy and another body washes up on the beach by his new house. The police detective is convinced he is guilty and everyone in town knows who he really is "the Banker Butcher." There a lot of misunderstandings, and someone is obviously setting up poo Todd Norman. Is one of his angry former NY bank clients or someone from his deceased wife's old town that is jealous?

I am surprised I liked this as much as I did given there really was not much character dialogue but I was rooting for Todd to the fresh start he deserves. Easier said than done.. Highly recommended. Joe Clifford will definitely be a re=read author.

Thanks to Netgalley, Joe Clifford, and Polis Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 9/22/20

#TheLakehouse #NetGalley
Thanks NetGalley, Polis Books and Joe Clifford for an early copy for review.
This is way difficult to review. A man who was suspected and cleared off murdering his wife returns to her childhood hometown to build their dream home, A single divorced mom falls for him and believes in his innocence unlike the whole town who turns to angry mob fixated on him.
The book is engaging, keeps you hooked till the very last word till you suddenly find no more words but still need unfulfilled answers. I felt like it was the perfect mystery as I feel I never knew the full story, who did what and who didn't do what.
The uncorrected copy has lots of typos, even in the characters names.
I enjoyed the book as a whole and will try another book for Joe Clifford.

Todd Norman was accused of killing his wife, April, who came from a small town in New England. Once he is proven innocent, he surprises the town by moving there to renovate a house on the lake. But, that’s not the only surprise - a girl is found dead near the water right by his house. The town chief sets out to prove that Norman is not innocent on either accounts.

The book has three main POV, the town chief, the town counsellor and a recent divorcee who happens to fall for the suspected murderer in town. The divorcee, Tracey, felt so highly strung I started to feel stressed reading her points of view. The counsellor was meant to be a bit of a creep who made others feel uncomfortable - and I didn’t like him. And simply put, I had no issues with the chief and even felt bad for him in parts.

For a thriller/suspense style book, I found this one really easy to read and actually read it in one sitting which is highly unusual for me. I haven’t read a lot in this genre but have started to recently. This is also my first book from this author and I received a copy of this book in exchanges for a review via netgalley. It’s fast paced, particularly in the second half where a lot is going on with a few twists and turns. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It’s plot was interesting but some of the characters were a little hard to warm to.

This is my first book I have read by Joe Clifford and it won't be the last.The mystery is well written and kept me guessing until the end. I liked that it was set in a small town and I really liked the characters. It is a great thriller/mystery.

Thank you Netgalley, Polis Books, and Joe Clifford for a digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

like other reviews here I was not a fan of The Lakehouse. It lacks any redeeming characters and 1/3 of the way through I realized I didn't care about the plot. The slow pacing made me skim through the psychiatrist Dr Bahsir chapters (and i obviously didn't miss much) and the ending came out of nowhere. Not for me.