I was given a copy of The Lake by Louise Sharland by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. When Kate's son drowns six years ago she still doesn't believe in commited suicide. Kate begins to look into what really happened. Some lovely characters, a great novel.

The Lake by Louise Sharland is about Kate who is grieving from the drowning of her 15-year-old son. After Kate’s mother becomes ill and she finds her son’s diary, suspicions about his death arise. Kate starts a search for answers to find out what really happened to her son. Intense and heartbreaking. #NetGalley

Six years post Michael’s drowning, his mother Kate found a clue in a diary hidden in her mother’s closet. That started the ball rolling, and she wanted nothing more than to get to her truth, against everyone’s wishes. After all, she would always be Michael’s mother.

My first book by author Louise Sharland, I was completely sucked into the plot. I loved how Kate came out of her slumber to find out what really happened to her son that night by the lake. An atmosphere of suspense was well created with a few suspects.

But then around 70%, the story changed directions and meandered. To me, it felt it lost focus, not that the direction taken was not interesting enough but needed a gradual molding. There was something dichotomous about it. I read through the book but didn’t feel the same high as I did in the initial 2/3rd. Maybe it was just me

Overall, it was entertaining enough for a Saturday.

Kate had come from a very strict upbringing in a religious community that governed all aspects of her, her sister Grace, and her mother's life. Kate and Grace's father had left. Grace was rebellious and left in the middle of the night. At 15, Kate became pregnant and after refusing to abide by the Plymouth Brethren's demands, which lead to Kate and her mother being ostracized from the religious community. Later, Kate remarried Adam Hardy.

Six years later, Kate Hardy is still grieving over the loss of her only son, Michael Penrose, who at age 15 drowned.

When Kate receives a call from her mother's neighbor, Doris Livingstone, informing her that her mother had suffered a stroke and was in the hospital. Kate heads to the hospital alone against her husband's wishes. She stays in her mother's home and it is here that Kate makes some startling discoveries about her late son. These discoveries drive Kate to dig through her son's past to find out what really happened the night he drowned.

I really empathized with Kate as a mom, and in the beginning, I thought Adam was looking after Kate's best interests. It was obvious that Kate had her crutches to cope, but as the story unfolded, I started to think that Adam was jealous of Michael's ghost and attempting to redirect Kate so she'd just move on. Michael's diary suggested that Adam had another side to him towards Michael. I think Kate's grieving broke her spirit, and Michael's diary gave her a purpose again. Kate had to do a lot of sleuthing and some bribing to get the answers Kate needed. The ending was very satisfying.

I received an ARC from NetGalley via Avon Books UK and I voluntarily reviewed this book.

Kate`s teenage son Michael died in what has been recorded as an accident, he drowned in a lake near his school.
Kate has never believed this to be the case, so when she finds Michael`s diary years later she is convinced that now she will finally be able to prove exactly what happened to Michael..
Gripping story line with many twists and turns. The ending was unexpected.. Recommened read for thriller/mystery/crime fans.

A story of a mother's dogged determination to uncover the truth of her son's death. The characters were interesting but the story was very long winded.

I never read this author so thought I give her a go and so glad I did if It wasn't for having to do other things I would read this in one go.

“ The story premise had great potential as the author has touched upon sensitive issues such as loss of a child, emotional abuse and underage abuse. While the first half of the book maintained a steady pace, the latter half drags by. The story itself was intriguing; my curiosity to find out what happens next kept me reading till the end. But the writing style was not to my taste. For eg: Though not an expert, I would suppose that a diary entry would be written in the past tense not in the present or present continuous tense. Also the repetitive use of certain lines (How many times have I said this? Why does everyone keep asking me this?) quickly got old. Not to forget the very convenient, coincidental way Kate found out the location of the antagonist.” – RK_reads

This was pretty good at first, but the second half really dragged. The main character, Kate, spends a week at a poetry retreat and I think the author spent too much time detailing each day. If she wanted to touch on every day, then make the retreat last for just a weekend. Otherwise, gloss over a few days. Just get to the point.

Overall I thought it was good. Would it be tops on my list of books to recommend? No.

Reading Between the Wines book review #34/115 for 2021:
Rating: 2 🍷 🍷
Book 📱: The Lake
Author: Louise Sharland
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers | True Crime
RELEASED on March 18, 2021!!!

Final sipping thoughts: I was so invested in finding out what happened to Michael. I sensed Kate’s grief as a mother and absolutely despised how people treated her, especially her douchebag husband. Unfortunately, the second part fell off for me and got a little convoluted with the extra characters and storyline. I also think the early reveal took the wind of out the story and made me feel like I didn’t have much to look forward to. With that said, those looking for a slow burn dramatic thriller-this is the read for you.

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley. This is her first psychological thriller and look forward to reading more from her.

This ticked a lot of boxes for me gripping,dark,haunting ,unpredictable and featuring my love of swimming.

Who can be trusted as Kate starts searching for the truth and will she finally get the answers she deserves.

Twists and turns this is a non stop emotive read.

Firstly, thank you to Louise Sharland, netgalley and Avon Books for the ARC of this book.

I got through this book really quickly, in two sittings. The first quarter of the book was a tad slow, but really picked up in the middle. It was definitely a page turner.

The narrative from Kate’s POV was heartbreaking. I would definitely think carefully before picking this up if you have lost a child. The story explores a mother’s loss, grief and heartbreak brilliantly.

I did question Kate’s actions in some parts of the book. However, I can appreciate that someone in Kate’s position would do absolutely everything to get to the truth surrounding their child’s death.

While I enjoyed the majority of the book, the ending left me feeling underwhelmed.

Kate is still grieving for her son who died six years ago from drowning which Kate this is strange as Micheal was a strong competitive swimmer.
Her husband comes across as controlling and Micheal didn’t get on with.
Kate’s mother falls ill so Kate goes to the hospital to see her while she is in hospital Kate stays at her mothers house.
While there Kate starts sorting through her mothers house and comes across a diary of Michaels .
As she reads it did she really know her son.
Kate decides to find out the truth of what happened to Micheal that night.
A good read
Thanks NetGalley

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books and Louise Sharland for this e-copy in return for my honest review. This book kept me engaged and engrossed throughout. A well written story with interesting and evolving characters. I was intrigued by the premise and would rate it 3.5 out of 5 rounded up to 4 stars. Will definitely be on the look out for more books by Louise.

*Thank you to the Publisher, Louise Sharland and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Previously published on https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/the-lake/

The Lake is the heartbreaking story of a mother whose son dies in a drowning accident, but is convinced that his death is no accident. Kate Hardy, former accident and emergency nurse, will not stop until she finds the truth.

Six years ago, 15-year-old Michael drowned at a lake while away at boarding school. It appears to be an accident, as he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol when he drowned. However, Kate knows her competitive swimmer son didn’t drown, and there must be someone else involved, as he didn’t drink or do drugs. Nor would he go for a swim so late at night by himself. When tragedy strikes again and Kate’s estranged mother has a stroke, she returns to her mother’s home where she finds Michael’s old diary and cell phone. Intrigued, she reads the diary cover-to-cover and finds out secrets about her son she never would have guessed. Though her sister and husband agree she must move on, she is determined to find out the truth.

One of the interesting things about The Lake is how it defines relationships. Kate has had mostly abusive relationships in her life, stemming from her upbringing in the Brethren, a religious cult. They excommunicated her entire family when Kate was pregnant at 15 with Michael. The relationship that Kate has with her husband is a perfect example of abuse, as he is controlling and manipulative, requiring Kate to call him at a certain time every day and tries desperately to stop her from looking further into Michael’s death. As the marriage unravels and he becomes more and more upset that she is not listening to him regarding her son, we find ourselves questioning if he was involved in Michael’s death.

Kate’s relationship with her mother is also interesting: a religious zealot who has blamed Kate for 20 years for their release from the Brethren. Even during a hospital visit, her mother’s anger and hate is palpable.

The Lake really takes off in the second half of the book. Kate starts to believe in herself and the search for what really happened with Michael becomes more and more intense. As the reader becomes more connected to Kate, we root for her. She often makes choices that are out of character for her, and it can become confusing. There is also an entire set of characters added in the last quarter of the book, but it all comes together. The ending of The Lake is the pinnacle of satisfaction; a phenomenal debut for Louise Sharland.

**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review**

A grieving mother trying to find out the truth about the death of her teenage son. Is she right in her suspicions that there is more to it than a tragic accident?

I enjoyed this book, the plot line was complex enough to keep me guessing to the end. I loved the development as the main character tackled her complicated childhood and unhealthy marriage along with the trauma of losing her son. Has she been right all along or is she losing touch with reality?

A solid 3/5 for the story with an extra star for ending with all of the plot lines neatly tied up and a happy ending (my personal favourite!)

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and Louise Sharland for the eARC, in exchange for an honest review.

A solid, well written, enjoyable read.

The plot is steady-paced, but still kept me gripped.

The characters are well developed and believable.

Enough twists and turns to keep you guessing.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kate's world falls apart when her teenage son drowns in the waters by his school. She’s convinced it wasn’t just a tragic accident, but no one will listen.

Now, six years later, Kate unearths Michael’s lost diary and realises she may finally be able uncover what really happened that night.

But as she delves deeper, she begins to realise that she didn’t really know her son – or the people in his life – at all. And that, sometimes, secrets are better left submerged…

An interesting premise with an equally good plot!

The plot flows smoothly and it' has a dark theme to it, that keeps you hooked on. AIso, it's filled with twists and turns. I kept guessing and changing my suspect right till the end, but even then I couldn't figure it out before Kate.

In terms of the main character, Kate, there were times when I genuinely felt bad for her, because losing a child is obviously difficult and plus, she didn't have the right support system to help her grieve. But there were instances in the book, when I lost connection with her and found some of her actions questionable.

But overall, a good read.

Thank You NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC!

Kate's world falls apart when her teenage son drowns in the waters by his school. She’s convinced it wasn’t just a tragic accident, but no one will listen. Then, six years later, Kate unearths Michael’s lost diary and realises she may finally be able uncover what really happened that night.

I listened to the audiobook and was immediately carried away by the exciting plot. The book can be read in one go, you don't want to put the book or the smartphone down. A great recommendation!

When Michael died six years earlier Kate, his mother, never felt it was suicide. Trapped in her grief she had struggled with her life since. Now with her mother in hospital and her husband controlling her life she begins to find out secrets about Michael that make her realise that she was right.
This is quite a dark read but a very good one. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.