Riley Sager's "The House Across the Lake" is a twisty and suspenseful thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. The novel follows Casey Fletcher, a recently widowed actress seeking solace at her family's lake house in Vermont. Armed with a pair of binoculars and a healthy dose of bourbon, she becomes obsessed with her seemingly perfect neighbors, Tom and Katherine Royce, across the lake. When Katherine mysteriously disappears, Casey's curiosity turns into a dangerous obsession as she sets out to uncover the truth.

Sager masterfully crafts a claustrophobic and atmospheric setting, where the idyllic lake house becomes a stage for dark secrets and hidden dangers. The narrative is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers guessing and second-guessing their own assumptions. The pacing is relentless, propelling the story forward with a sense of urgency and unease.

Casey, the unreliable narrator, is a complex and flawed protagonist, battling grief, addiction, and a growing paranoia. Her observations and deductions are colored by her own biases and struggles, making it difficult to distinguish between reality and delusion. This adds an extra layer of intrigue and suspense to the story, as readers are forced to question everything they think they know.

However, "The House Across the Lake" is not without its flaws. Some readers may find the plot twists overly convoluted or far-fetched. The ending, while satisfying in its own way, may leave some feeling underwhelmed or cheated. Additionally, the character development, particularly of the supporting cast, feels somewhat underdeveloped, leaving their motivations and actions feeling less impactful.

Overall, "The House Across the Lake" is a thrilling and addictive read for fans of psychological suspense. It's a captivating story about voyeurism, obsession, and the dark secrets lurking beneath seemingly perfect facades. While not without its flaws, the novel's strengths in atmosphere, pacing, and suspense make it a worthwhile addition to the genre.

As a huge Riley Sager fan, this isn't my favorite of his books. It starts out with a lot of the similar elements and plot lines as The Woman in the Window. It ends up being a very different story and better than I expected, but it just fell a bit flat overall. I like the twists it took as I didn't figure out any of the big ones which is really how I choose to rate a psychological thriller. Because I've read other Sager novels, it's possible I'm judging it a bit harsher based on his past writing and not just on other similar novels. The characters are just okay. The plot is just okay. The writing is still just as good as it normally is which is the real highlight of this book! I love Sager's writing style, and if you do too, then you'll be pleased to hear this book follows suit.

There are some definite themes here that resonate strongly of other books, but overall this was a compelling, enjoyable read. I did not see the supernatural twist coming--you never can tell with Sager!--and the protagonist Casey was appropriately insufferable throughout the majority of the book, but the last third of this book left my heart pounding to see how everything would unfold.

I am a huge Riley Sager fan. I feel like all of his books really speak to his fans and you were on a roller coaster ride for beginning to end five out of five.

Riley Sager’s The House Across the Lake is a taut, suspenseful thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Known for his knack for crafting gripping, twist-laden narratives, Sager once again delivers a story filled with intrigue, complex characters, and a plethora of surprises.

The novel centers around Casey Fletcher, a recently widowed actress who retreats to her family’s lake house in Vermont to escape the relentless media scrutiny following her husband’s death. Casey spends her days drinking and spying on her neighbors across the lake, Tom and Katherine Royce, a glamorous tech mogul and his supermodel wife. Her voyeuristic habit takes a dark turn when she believes she witnesses Katherine drowning. But as she delves deeper into the mystery, Casey uncovers secrets that shake her understanding of what’s really happening across the lake.

Sager’s portrayal of Casey is nuanced and compelling. As a protagonist, Casey is flawed and struggling with her own demons, making her a relatable and sympathetic figure. Her grief and alcoholism add layers to her character, and Sager expertly explores how these aspects of her life influence her perception and actions. This unreliable narrator element adds a psychological depth to the story, keeping readers questioning what is real and what is imagined.

The setting of the lake house and its surroundings is vividly depicted, creating an atmosphere of isolation and tension. Sager’s descriptive prose brings the eerie, serene lake and its contrasting, opulent houses to life, effectively setting the stage for the unfolding drama. The remote, tranquil environment contrasts sharply with the suspenseful and sometimes sinister events, amplifying the sense of unease.

The narrative is expertly paced, with Sager skillfully balancing moments of introspection and tension with heart-pounding action. The plot twists are well-executed, each one more shocking than the last, ensuring that readers remain hooked until the very end. Just when you think you have figured out the mystery, Sager throws in another twist that completely upends the narrative.

One of the novel’s standout elements is its exploration of themes such as grief, obsession, and the blurred lines between reality and illusion. Casey’s descent into obsession with the Royces is both unsettling and compelling, reflecting broader questions about privacy, voyeurism, and the nature of truth. Sager’s ability to weave these themes into the plot adds depth and resonance to the story.

The supporting characters are equally well-drawn, each adding their own intrigue and complexity to the narrative. Tom and Katherine Royce are particularly fascinating, their glamorous facade hiding dark secrets that gradually come to light. The interplay between Casey and the Royces drives much of the novel’s tension and suspense, culminating in a thrilling and unexpected climax.

In conclusion, The House Across the Lake is a masterfully crafted thriller that showcases Riley Sager’s talent for creating suspenseful, character-driven narratives. With its gripping plot, complex protagonist, and atmospheric setting, the novel is a standout in the genre. Fans of psychological thrillers and mystery will find much to love in this riveting tale of obsession, secrets, and the quest for truth. Sager’s ability to keep readers guessing until the very end makes The House Across the Lake a must-read for anyone looking for a thrilling and thought-provoking read.

Well, I’m a big Riley Sager fan and I was so happy when @netgalley provided me with a copy to review. Unfortunately, I didn’t like this one. The story wasn’t compelling me enough to keep me interested. I think others would still enjoy but it wasn’t for me and the twist had nothing to do with why I didn’t enjoy it. I was fine with part.

Perfect weekend type of thriller. Loved the whole cast of characters in this one. The plot twists were perfectly timed and very very good.

okay, Sager finally WENT THERE with these themes/tropes. this book was wild and a bit chaotic at times and i honestly ate it up; i loved the woman in the window vibe, and that Sager really made every single person look like they could be involved in one way or another. Definitely kept me guessing till the end, and i had a grand ol' time!

I've read a lot of Riley Sager and unfortunately it's getting to a point where I'm not sure how invested I am in his books anymore. They feel a little one-note, and this book is no different. I find the main character a bit cliche and the twists and turns are not quite hitting, the reveals not quite satisfying.

The story revolves around Casey Fletcher, a recently widowed actress seeking solace at her family's lake house in Vermont. Yet, her respite is short-lived when she becomes an inadvertent witness to a disturbing incident involving her seemingly perfect neighbors, Tom and Katherine Royce. As Casey delves deeper into the Royces' lives, she unravels a complex tapestry of secrets and hidden motives, forcing her to confront the fragility of her own reality.

One of the book's standout features is its suspenseful atmosphere, expertly crafted by Sager. The serene lakeside setting serves as a backdrop for mounting tension, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they navigate the twists and turns of the narrative.

Central to the story are the well-developed characters, particularly Casey, whose complexity and relatability draw readers into her world. Despite her flaws, Casey's journey resonates, as she grapples with personal loss and newfound revelations. The supporting cast is equally compelling, each harboring their own secrets and motivations that add layers to the intricate plot.

Sager's skillful plotting ensures that the story is rife with surprising twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the final pages. The fast-paced narrative propels the story forward, making it a gripping page-turner for fans of the genre.

However, some readers may find fault in the familiarity of the overall plot, noting similarities to other thrillers and a lack of originality. Additionally, the characterization may prove divisive, with Casey's complexity contrasting with the perceived unlikability of certain characters.

While the pacing may falter slightly in the middle section, "The House Across the Lake" ultimately delivers a captivating tale of suspense and deception that will leave readers eager for more. With its blend of gripping storytelling and compelling characters, it cements Riley Sager's reputation as a master of the psychological thriller genre.

Like most books written by this author it did not dissapoint. It took a little bit to get good but like a roller coaster once I did it was a worthy ride.

I love books by Riley Sager and this one did not disappoint. It was the right amount of scary and the characters were compelling.

2.5⭐️

Honestly the best part of this book was the Taylor Swift dedication at the beginning

Why do I keep reading this author’s books when they’re always so bad ??

2.5 ⭐️ I was so intrigued and surprised by how the story seemed to be going roughly halfway through and I wish that part of the story would have come sooner The first half of the book was slow for me, it was mainly “she’s drinking again” over and over and then glimpses of her life before this time at the lake. I would have liked to have learned more about her life with Len and more importantly, some more about the lake (and why!). There’s a much more interesting story in there without having to circle back to Tom and Katherine. What I thought was cool turned out to just be kind of odd.

This is my first Riley Sager novel and I will say that I enjoyed this book very much. It was fast paced, wild, and overall a great time. This novel could best be described as Rear Window but with a massive twist from the story we know. What I didn't love about this novel is that, because of Sager's massive left turn in the traditional Rear Window storyline, there were TONS of loose ends to tie up and the ending definitely felt rushed and a little haphazard. But overall a great read and one I'd recommend!

I didn’t not like this one, but reading it after some of Sagers other books possibly made me enjoy this less than I’d expect. A slow burn that picks up around half way through. Some of the twists felt a bit rushed. I love Sagers books and look forward to future work however this one just didn’t stand out to me.

In true Sager fashion this book was filled with crazy twists and turns and a major plot twist at the end that I did not see coming from a mile away.

Sager is a master at leading the reader towards a false sense of understanding where the story is going, just to pull the rug out at the very last second and reveal that things were not as they seemed.

As always I really enjoyed following along this story that was full of suspense. This one felt like more of a slow burn thriller in the beginning but once the action ramped up it was truly unputdownable.

RILEY SAGER, ya damn genius I LOVE YA.

He did it again folks, he did it again.

Loved it. Start to finish. No slow parts. A twist you won’t see coming.

Thriller by a lake? Add to cart. 🛒

If you know anything about me by now, I love reading a thriller set by a lake while sitting on the shore of a lake. Best summer pastime!

Riley Sager never misses!! The way I thought I knew where this story was going, but every time Riley was like SURPRISE! The writing had me on the edge of my seat and literally gasping out loud

He literally never misses and this book was no different

Wildly twisty, this suspenseful read starts out as what feels like a slow and interesting burn. With building insight into the puzzling activities of the neighbors populating a somewhat sinister lake-view community, our story is led by the first-person POV narration of Casey Fletcher, a thirty-something “troubled” actress who is still reeling emotionally from the recent drowning of her screenwriter husband. Huddled on the wrap-around deck of her private lakefront cottage, with a birds-eye view of her glamorous mega-model neighbor and her tech-titan husband, as Casey rapidly descends into a darkly alcoholic haze, it’s not clear if the drama unfolding is real, imagined, or a product of her addled brain cells.

Sinister and creepy, the story now unwinds with a crisp and compelling pace, right up to its explosive ending, virtually impossible to guess, and crowded with so many twists out of nowhere it feels downright chaotic. Hats-off to the author for this crazily inventive finish, which pulls out all the stops, literarily, weaving tricks and surprises that left this reader slightly dazzled, and more than a little awed.

A great big thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.