Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book ahead of time in exchange for a review. It didn't disappoint! Must read!!

Salthouse Place is Jamie Lee Sogn's gripping debut novel, and a must-read for thriller enthusiasts and cult mystery lovers alike. The story takes readers on an intense journey following Delia, who, plagued by grief over her best friend Zee's decade-old disappearance, receives a cryptic email from another missing friend, Cara. Sogn skillfully weaves a tale of suspense as Delia embarks on a quest for answers, navigating a dangerous cult that guards its secrets zealously.

Sogn's narrative expertise shines through as she immerses readers in Delia's world, unraveling unexpected twists at every turn. The plot's shocking revelations kept me turning the pages. Unexpectedly, Salthouse Place delves deep into the complexities of friendship, exploring both the bonds that connect us and the toxic dynamics that can tear us apart.

The novel is a masterclass in portraying the nuances of relationships, blending heart-wrenching realizations about love with the adrenaline of a suspenseful plot. Sogn deftly captures the essence of lost friendships, toxic alliances, and the profound self-discoveries that adulthood brings.

Salthouse Place is a sensational debut, leaving me eagerly anticipating Jamie Lee Sogn's next literary endeavor. Strap in, because this novel is a roller-coaster ride of emotions, mysteries, and unexpected revelations that will keep you hooked until the very end. 4.5 stars

Really enj0yed this one, well written and the characters and plot seemed to come to life. I thought the writing was easy to read and also atmospheric, and overall a good read!

I loved the description of this book (a psychological thriller with a missing person and a cult), however it didn't live up to its potential.
It started well and kept me gripped for the first 30% until the story became tedious, repetitive and lacking in characterisation. There could have been so much tension within the cult scenes but everything fell flat. The twist right at the end didn't make up for the the wasted opportunity of what could have been a gripping and punchy thriller.
Wouldn't really recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5⭐️ I think for an author's debut it was just fine. The storytelling was well done but I didn't care for the characters.

The book opens with 3 teen friends hanging out by a lake and as the day progresses, one of them goes missing. Now 10 years later, Delia one of the survivors who hasn't been in contact with the other remaining friend, Cara receives a puzzling email saying she has some important information to share.

Only for Delia to come back to their small town for a visit to find Cara missing too. Cue in the amateur detective investigation mission and putting her whole life on hold so she can save another missing friend. This investigation leads her to a cult and with that danger and more unanswered questions.

Thanks to netgalley, the author and publisher for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review 🎉

I enjoyed this, yes it was more or less an exact description of NXIVM but for me that worked. I have taken off a star as I didn't really understand the bartender (yes integral to the plot but didn't do it for me). The other plot twists make sense and I loved the ending.

For a debut author this was great, wish I could write like this and have this imagination.

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

A twisty thriller which starts out with three teenage girls swimming in the late but only 2 return home. The fast forward several years and Cara goes missing and then Delia decides to go back to her hometown to find out what is going on. Delia sets out to search Cara's home from childhood and she discovery that Cara might be involved in some cult like activity. The setting of the book is in the Pacific Northwest and the setting has an eerie feeling to it. Delia takes the responsibility on herself to find out what is going on!

First novel I've read by Jamie Lee Sogn and I would definitely like to read more of hers. But I don't think Salthouse Place was my best start.

I liked the whole theme of the plot, the story, the characters and the intricate nature of certain situations, characters and the plot twists, I think that was incredible. But I also felt that the way of writing was not up to par, like it ended up becoming tedious, there were chapters that I simply wanted to finish and things that came out of nowhere at times.

But that is something that I felt, and it is something quite personal, that is why I think this book is a three star and that I want to continue reading it. I liked how he presented the story and everything that was discovered little by little.

Thank you Lake Union Publishing for the ARC I read on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

My first book about a cult. I thought is was an okay book. The twists and turns throughout the book kept me engaged. When i thought i had it figured out the author would throw in a new twist. I enjoyed the writing style, am a fan of past/present timeline.

In the far reaches of the Pacific Northwest, three best friends spend a day at the lake…but only two come home.

This felt like something I've read before, but not in a good way.

Fantastic writing and a very neat plot concept. I really enjoyed the characters and the premise of the plot.
Where it fell a little short for me was in the pace. I felt it slipped over some parts, while dragging in others. I found some of the plot white unbelievable as well, as in how quickly and thoroughly Jenny was brainwashed, and the wishy washiness of Sage.
Overall, I thought the writing shows great potential, though and I look forward to watching the author grow.

I love love love books like this. Our girl lost her best friend to a potential drowning at her family's lake house when she was 14 (or 15). It has been ten years and she recieves an email from her other best friend, which basically drags her back to that house.
I love her! She doesn't want to do the polar plunge and she is so snarky about it. I wouldn't do it either. No freaking way. Also I think Teddy's behavior gave her a good reason to dump him, What an asshole.


I related so much to her memories of being a teenager with her friends.

I absolutely love books of women returning to their hometown to solve a mystery or work through trauma.
This is likely because I am still in my hometown. I am here waiting to run into the main character who is forced to come home.
I especially love "going home" books when there is a potential cult connection.
This got better and better and OMG I love it.

I loved the part where she goes to the seminar because it is so exactly how those are!

An ok read for me where I felt with a bit more could have been a good one
Parts were long and drawn out but then other parts dynamically told and moved the story on quickly
A n interesting premise that just didn’t hit the mark for me but the writing was good and would read more from this author

This book has been on my list since I first saw it on Amazons first reads. I was excited when I saw that it was available as an ARC through NetGalley. But I had a really hard time getting into this book. The start was slow and so many parts could have been left out completely. Once Delia got to Salthouse it felt like a lot of pointless details about wellness and self help.

It wasn’t until the 50% mark that I finally started to see some movement in the story line. There were a lot of twists and turns and “revelations” within the second half of the book that ended up jumbled up and confusing. Nicklin’s role got completely lost when Jenny kills him and they both die together.

Then the final chapter, Delia casually asks Tom about Zee and he spills an entire confession. Then he acts surprised that Delia is upset. The sudden confession with no cause felt forced. Then Delia pushes him and there is no struggle, he’s just gone.

Overall the story wasn’t what I was hoping for. I was very disappointed by it.

Three teen girls go into the water but only two come out that day. Nobody knows what happened to Zee and the mystery haunts Cara and Delia. Years later, when Cara goes missing, Delia decides to infiltrate a cult that Cara is a part of to try to find her. I love a good cult storyline but this one was hard to get through. Some parts were confusing and there were a couple plot holes that didn't make sense. I did enjoy the twist at the end. Overall, 'Salthouse Place' was just okay for me.

I am a sucker for Bookstagram...

When I see everyone posting something I have yet to experience myself, my FOMO sets in and I become determined to get my hands on a copy as well.

Salthouse Place, is worth every bit of the hype and more.

Jamie Lee Sogn, is coming in HOT with her debut novel. The amount of detail that went into the book, shows. The writing style is fluid and will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time.

I haven't read many books on cults so it was a nice treat to try something new and I loved every minute of it. This book right here is "all consuming" so make sure to cancel your plans before you dive on in, there is no way you will put this one down once you pick it up.

This might just be one of my new favorite books.

Don't believe me? Check out this teaser :

Longlisted for The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize.

From debut author Jamie Sogn comes a twisty thriller about the allure of the past and the danger of the truth as a young woman dives headlong into a cult in a desperate search for answers.

In the far reaches of the Pacific Northwest, three best friends spend a day at the lake…but only two come home.

Ten years later, Delia Albio is tormented by the mystery of what happened to fifteen-year-old Zee on the lake that day. When she receives an email from Cara, the remaining friend in the trio, she can’t resist the pull of the “life-changing” news in the message. Delia, hopeful for answers, travels home to see her old friend.

But Cara is gone by the time she gets there, setting off another mystery. When Delia hears about the women’s empowerment group that Cara joined, she sets out for the group’s retreat property on the Oregon coast to find her. Delia feels this could be her chance to reconnect with Cara and reckon with that fateful day at the lake.

Instead, Delia uncovers a possessive group with a dark agenda. As their leadership closes in, Delia hurtles ever closer to the truth—if only she can survive a cult that will protect its secrets at any cost.

I wanted to like this book but unfortunately this read did not work for me. I could not connect to the main protagonist. The plot had a real potential but somehow it was not reached I feel. Right from the start there were the cult vibes but somehow it did not work for me

I would love to read more books by the author.
Thanks for the ARC.

Super fun, super fast read. Stories about cults are irresistible to me, so Salthouse Place was already on my radar. Sogn’s gripping plot kept me turning the pages. Excited to see what she writes next!

Salthouse Place starts off very strong. While the reader sees what happens at the lake, the story quickly moves to present time, where it really takes off. Delia's return home and the subsequent unraveling of what happened to Cara held my attention for the first half of the book.

However, the second half — particularly the last 20% — really dragged out. The author set up so many intriguing mysteries, but the resolutions didn't feel satisfying. In addition to the pacing, it seemed like there were two completely separate stories that were trying to be tied together, but just didn't fit.

There are a lot of great aspects to Salthouse Place, including the writing itself, but the ending felt expected, and after bringing readers along for such a rollercoaster of a plot, I was hoping for a bit more.