Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

An Image in the Lake is the 20th installment in the Joanne Kilbourn mystery series by Gail Bowen, a Canadian author and winner of the Arthur Ellis Award.

In this story, Joanne and her husband Zack are looking forward to the premiere of a TV series based on Joanne's early life, the birth of a new grandchild, and the political campaign of their friend Ali Janvier. However, their lives are disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious young woman who wears a grief amulet with her dead brother's hair and harbors a dark secret that threatens everything they hold dear.

The book is a gripping and suspenseful story that explores themes of family, loyalty, betrayal, and justice. Bowen skillfully weaves together the past and the present, the personal and the political, and the secrets and the lies that shape the characters' lives. The book also offers a vivid portrait of Saskatchewan, its history, culture, and landscape.

The audiobook is narrated by Athena Karkanis, a Canadian actress and voice artist who has appeared in several films and TV shows, including: Manifest, The Expanse, and Wild Kratts. Karkanis does a superb job of bringing the characters to life with her expressive and versatile voice. She captures the emotions, personalities, and accents of the diverse cast of characters, from the strong and smart Joanne to the charming and charismatic Ali to the troubled and tormented young woman. Karkanis also sets the tone and pace of the story, keeping the listeners engaged and intrigued throughout the audiobook.

An Image in the Lake is a captivating and compelling audiobook that will appeal to fans of mystery, drama, and Canadian literature. It is a well-written and well-narrated book that showcases the talents of both Bowen and Karkanis. It is a book that will keep you guessing until the end and leave you wanting more.

The government supported television channel is about to premiere a show that tells the story of Joanne Kilbourne's childhood and that of her best friend and as she finds out half-sister, Sally. Joanne isn't sure what she thinks about this public telling of her story but has worked with the actors and writers to make sure the show is accurate.

The channel is having growing pains. One administrator was forced out amid rumors that she couldn't do her job anymore and another has disappeared after losing her long running show. The summer interns have banded together and are a source of trouble. Joanne's former friend, Jill, is brought in to straighten things out.

But things continue to go wrong. Someone seems to have it in for Joanne's daughter, Taylor, and is doing things to hurt her. A couple she and her husband, Zack, have known for years is having marital problems and it's about to blow up. Then things get worse. The wife of the couple is found dead in her bed and the husband is suspected of doing something. There is another death and soon Joanne and Zack are up to their ears in another mystery.

This is the twentieth mystery in this series. As always, there is lots of talk about food and Joanne and Zack's everyday life. Their daughter has a romantic breakup and another daughter has a son born. Friends come to ask help and advice from Joanne and the couple are drawn into the troubles around them. Readers will find themselves entranced with the couple and their lives and working along with them to try to solve the mysteries around them. I listened to this novel and the narrator's voice enhances the coziness of the novel. This book is recommended for mystery readers.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and ECW press audio for my copy of An Image in the Lake A Joanne Kilbourn Mystery by Gail Bowen Narrated by Athena Karkanis in exchange for an honest review, it published September 7, 2021.
Even though this was only my second book in this series, I didn’t feel too lost. I enjoyed this story line, and the development of the characters. I also loved the scenery and narration!

While this book was part of a series I didn’t anticipate having any issues reading it as a stand alone - which I’ve done with many series books. That being said I may not have been completely prepared for this book and would probably have done better to check out the other books in the series to see if this would keep my interest.

There were a LOT of characters to sort which was a bit overwhelming. I was quite interested in the mystery, thriller aspect but didn’t expect a religious element. Typically this is fine but it seemed to be a larger piece than I was expecting so I would think that would be a part of the synopsis of the book otherwise it may lead to disappointment or readers feeling misled? Maybe it’s generally a common theme with a Canadian writing as a cultural element? There was also a lot of repeating characters full names, and I’m talking long names. It seemed strange to me to keep referring to a baby by his complete name and also of a more primary character by his first and last (Charlie D/Charlie Dee - not quite sure since it was the audio version). Overall, I found some of these pieces distracting and it made the focus pull away from the mystery element a bit too much for my own taste.

It was also quite long. Some of the description was just overly unnecessary. Going into detail about meals (repeatedly) or other foods and wines when it really has no connection other than being descriptive just was too much for me. I started to find myself less engaged and more focused on these pieces that just seemed too superfluous.

It’s worth noting that there are a LOT of issues that arise in this book. It hits nearly every issue one could imagine. Suicide, alcoholism, rape, teen pregnancy, divorce.

Special thanks for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of the audio version
#ECWPressAudio #AnImageintheLake
#NetGalley

After listening to this audio book I felt there was parts not explained I then found out its part of a series so that explains the missing links but doesn't really help someone listening to what they thought was a new book

There is a murder in this book but its definitely not an thriller which is what I was expecting its
The story follows the lives and loves of the Shreve family its all a bit too sugar sweet for my tastes and I found it very slow going so much so I missed who actually did the murder so had to go back a re-listen to the chapter regarding who did the murder

There was far too many characters to keep up with so much so there was even a chapter that gave a character guide but this was near the end of the audio book so too late for me

That said , I am not saying don't read/listen to this book its just that its not my kind of book

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and ECW Press Audio and I am leaving this review voluntarily

A perfectly pleasant book for those looking for a simple, sweet and rather uneventful read. Which if i’m being honest might be just the thing for many readers among the pandemic! However I found the pace far too slow for my liking and the vast number of characters left me feeling indifferent to all of them.

I pushed to finish but I kind of forgot it as soon as it ended…….

⭐️⭐️ 2 stars for a bit of a snoozer PG rating

I am afraid I just couldn't enjoy this one. I wasn't keen on the narration and American politics leave me cold. I may come back to it when I am short on something to read, so it wasn't a total no from me, but I won't be recommending it

This book was really a mixed bag. Some pars of the story were interesting, others not so much. First off, there are too many relevant characters, it's hard to keep track at first so I found myself going back and re-listening to parts to figure out who was who - I never do this, I'm an experience audiobook listener. The sub-plot about the affair was a non-starter and just not relevant. I have not real connection to the character who dies, so the end was just blah. Not a thriller, not a mystery, just well-written drama.

OK…… this sounded so interesting when I sought on NetGalley. I was thrilled when I got approved. Sadly it wasn’t….

It’s very sweet and nice and simple but it’s also very very boring.

Well to me at least I don’t know a lot of the characters were just flat and I didn’t care.

I push to get it done over the last couple days because. It’s due literally on 1 October and today is the 27th

I started it last night and I pushed to finish it.

But yeah I just know.

Not for me
But if you like it that’s awesome. I actually think my grandma might really like those she likes those kind of an old sweet sappy thing. 🤣

I would like to thank @NetGalley and @ECW Press for an ARC in return for an honest review of ‘An Image in the Lake’ by Gail Bowen. There was a lot to like in this book, but it is the 20th book in the ongoing series of Joanne Kilbourn mysteries; and, as a reader, I suffered from a distinct disadvantage in not having read any of the other books in the series. This review should be read with that handicap in mind.

Because of it, I was often lost in a sea of names—despite the addition of a “Cast of Characters” at the end of the book. It also seemed as though an inordinate amount of time was spent explaining the relationships among the characters. These excursions bogged down the plot development, with the actual mystery being introduced more than halfway through the text. It also contributed to the impression—I believe a valid one—that most of the events take place “off-screen,” only being retold, as second-hand stories, to the protagonist, Joanne Kilbourn.

Kilbourn is a 60-year-old former detective, renowned in her town of Regina, Saskatchewan, because she is also a broadcaster, writer, and wife of a well-known lawyer, who is also a paraplegic. She is the matriarch of a large, complex family, comprising children, foster-children, grandchildren, and courtesy relatives. It is this group and their warm-hearted but believable family life that is at the heart of this book; and it is what, I am fairly certain, keeps readers loyal to this series.

Bowen is often compared to Louise Penny, another Canadian mystery writer known for her creation of a community. And—although Penny keeps the plot moving, whereas Bowen does not—there is a distinct resemblance in the “feel” of the book. The reader enters a caring community that makes them want to stay awhile. Bowen’s plots are more sensational, though (as noted above) most of the action is only narrated, not shown. But in “An Image in the Lake” there are numerous references to intriguingly shocking family annals. This, as well as the characters and the Saskatchewan setting, might make me pick up another Joanne Kilbourn mystery in the future. I would be happy to learn more about the characters, their intertwined pasts, and their reliable kindnesses to each other. 3 stars.

Sadly, this is a DNF for me. I drew the line at 20% of the audiobook and chapters. This is #20 in a series, and my first and last experience with Bowen. I struggled with the story from the first chapter. Part of my problem was the narration. It was tough, and didn't match the tone Bowden was attempting to set in my mind. After six chapters all Bowen has managed is to frustrate and insult me.

There needs to be a visible trash warning on the cover, ghetto? . She yes SHE, takes profanity to the lowest level for women several times, and that was forever it for me.

I would hate to be put in a position to read such trash, and wondered if it even bothered the narrator.

NetGalley thank you for the opportunity. I do hope you take into consideration as a reader DNF will happen.

An Image in the Lake - Gail Bowen
Narrated by Athena Karkanis

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and ECW Press Audio and I am leaving this review voluntarily

A dark secret threatens the future of the Shreve family It's August 24 and Joanne Shreve and her husband, Zack, are savoring the last lazy days of summer and looking forward to the birth of a new grandchild; involvement in the campaign of Ali Janvier, a gifted politician with a solid chance of becoming the province's next premier; and the debut of Sisters and Strangers, the six-part series Joanne co-wrote that focuses on her early life.

This is my first introduction to the series - maybe the 20th book in the series wasn't the best book to start with, but this is no way ruined my enjoyment. This book has a slow plot, but for me this allowed me time to acclimatise with the series.

An entertaining read with just enough mystery to keep me interested to the end.

Rating 4/5