Thanks NetGalley, Minotaur and Mary Dixie Carter for letting me read Marguerite By the Lake before its release!

Marguerite by the Lake is a slow-burn, beautifully written thriller that pulls you into a world of luxury, secrets, and ambition. Marguerite Gray is unforgettable—an icon with a dark edge—and Phoenix, the gardener caught in her orbit, makes for a compelling and relatable narrator.

As the lines between loyalty, desire, and danger blur, the story unfolds with just the right mix of tension and elegance. The twists are subtle but powerful.

A moody, addictive read that’s perfect for fans of layered drama and suspense.

Marguerite by the lake

This book really has a strong start that will draw you in for a tense page turning story. I thought the characters were strong and memorable and fit this book great! It had just enough mystery to keep you guessing with a couple twists as well. The tension the story carried throughout really kept me reading on!

Thanks net galley & St. Martins press/Minotaur Books for this digital arc!

Phoenix is a gardener for the Rosecliff grounds and starts an affair with Margeurites husband. Tragedy strikes and Marguerite falls from the cliff.
This was an interesting story that I hated to end.
Thanks NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this eARC that will be published May 2025!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Marguerite by the Lake was such an interesting experience that left me both satisfied and minimally let down. This is one that I might stew on for a while and change my rating. I think the first thing I want to say is some people may feel disappointed by the lack of suspense. This is a story of guilt and a slow descent into madness. It is not a who done it but rather a who knows about it One thing that I really enjoyed, that others may not, was the landscaping architecture bit. I found the aspects of the MC"s job interesting and I just love being outside so it hit a niche for me. I loved the way the story slowly gave us more and more of the madness the MC was experiencing.

I did find the ending a bit lackluster, but also hmmmm...... I'm going to have to sit on this for a while. Like I said a moment ago, I can see my rating for this one either going up or down over time.

The characters are intense and their scenes together equally as stressful. Now, I wouldn't call it suspense, it's more just an intense atmosphere. If you know, you know. I did really appreciate who much this author went on a lim (wink if ykyk) to write something different. Growing up my Mom watched a lot of lifetime movie network and this book totally reminds me of a movie that would have been featured on it.

Overall, I am glad I read this and it is a book that will stick with me.

I can’t stop thinking about the ending to this book. This is an atmospheric, eerie, psychological thriller that kept my attention throughout. Phoenix has been the gardener for the Grays, Marguerite and Geoffrey, and their gorgeous lakeside home for several years. Marguerite is famous for being the subject of the eponymous painting, Marguerite by the Lake, and has built a popular lifestyle and gardening brand. When Phoenix saves Geoffrey from a freak accident, an affair begins. Shortly thereafter, Marguerite tragically falls from the cliff at her home, and Phoenix quickly moves in with Geoffrey. But Marguerite won’t seem to let go…

This is so reminiscent of The Portrait of Dorian Gray and a brilliant portrayal of a character’s descent into madness. It’s very well done. None of the characters are particularly likable, but it works here. My only criticism is that some parts drag a bit, but overall this was an excellent novel. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/ Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the chance to read an advance copy of this book!

The cover is perfect. The writing is great. But I find the plot disturbing with every one of the characters extremely unlikable.

Tension. This is a page turner from beginning to end.

Taylor just returned from Yale with the news that her mother, Marguerite, fell off a cliff and died. While she was grieving, she was shocked to discover that her dad, Geoffrey, was having a passionate love affair with the gardener, Phoenix. This 34-year-old woman was now living in her childhood home.

Phoenix was a talented landscape designer. She felt it was why Marguerite had been successful with a TV series and books which featured their gorgeous property. It was filled with beautiful roses and trees along a large pristine lake. From time to time, Phoenix shared her knowledge with the care of trees – a plus for gardeners.

Phoenix felt like the home was now hers. Yet, Taylor was right on her tail. She kept thinking something wasn’t kosher. She wanted an investigation which made Phoenix nervous.

This murder mystery was cleverly written. There was a lot going on with the influence of wealth, secrets and the treatment of hired help. The story was narrated by Phoenix so readers only had her point of view. I would have loved to read Taylor’s views and maybe even Geoffrey’s. However, it was rush to get to the end and then … well, you decide.

My thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of May 20, 2025.

Could someone have seen Phoenix on the cliff when Marguerite fell?

Will the police think Phoenix pushed her?

Why didn't Phoenix just tell the truth about what happened?

Phoenix was a master gardener, and she worked for Marguerite Gray and her husband Geoffrey.

Marguerite was a famous home decorating influencer.

Phoenix was jealous of Marguerite because of her status and because she was in love with her husband.

Could she have pushed Marguerite?

Perhaps she pushed her since Phoenix and Geoffrey were having an affair.

If someone found out about the affair, would they be looking at the incident differently?

Uncertainty and a sinister tone abound in this slow moving read.

Give it a try and see if you can figure out what's going on with each character, why Phoenix does what she does.

A bizarre, eerie ending. 4/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Marguerite is a force of a woman: in life and in death. Her presence is felt throughout the book giving it and eery vibe. In addition, the grounds and house of Rosecliff Manor reek of sadness and evil. The protagonist, Phoenix, brings to it an air of desperation that permeates her character, darkening every room that she enters. Geoffrey seems light-hearted, but he is so distant. How can they all go on without Marguerite? It is not pretty, that's for sure. The dark atmosphere of the novel redeems the book from its poor execution of a plot. The characters save this book from being boring. All in all, not a bad book, but it will not be for everyone. ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 stars rounded to 4. Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur, for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I'm not a big fan of psychological thrillers, but the descriptive prose drew me in from the opening scene of a garden party as a storm approached. You can't help but keep turning pages to see what's going to happen.

I dove into Marguerite By The Lake blind and I'm so glad I did. I have no idea where the story was going and I loved the ride.
I'm not sure if the author wanted me to like the main character or not, but I couldn't stand her (in the best possible way (&). Maybe because my husband's name is Geoffrey. I don't want to give any spoilers, so when you read it you'll understand.
The ending came on fast and furious and left me wanting just a little bit more.
If you like Lisa Jewel, you will like this book!

There is nothing worse than the ghost of guilt haunting you. Completely immersive and plausible. I enjoyed this book as the pacing and plotting were well done. The characters are very unlikeable for a reason. Overall a nice quick read.

Marguerite by the Lake is an intriguing book dealing with themes like high society, human relationships, ghosts, guilt, and social class. Marguerite Gray is a high-society influencer who lives on an estate called Rosecliff. The landscaping and gardens are gorgeous, and Marguerite writes books and posts about how she created these beauties herself. However, her landscaping company does most of the work, headed up by Phoenix, a young woman who is a skilled gardener and landscaper..
The book opens with a party held on the grounds of Rosecliff, celebrating the publication of a new book written by Marguerite. A storm comes up during Marguerite’s speech, and a large tree falls, nearly killing or injuring many guests. Phoenix’s announcement for everyone to evacuate the area, precludes any injuries. She also saves Geoffrey, Marguerite’s husband, from being killed.
After this debacle, Marguerite begins treating Pheonix with suspicion, and it comes to light that Phoenix and Geoffrey are starting an affair. Phoenix continues to work at Rosecliff despite Marguerite’s poor treatment. One day, Marguerite is taking photographs on the cliff and Phoenix notices that she is standing too close to the edge. An argument ensues, and Marguerite falls to her death. Who is responsible for her death? Did Phoenix push her?
Because Phoenix feels that she would be blamed, she does not report anything to the police. An investigation ensues, plunging Phoenix into more guilt and shame. She can’t stay away from Geoffrey, however, and moves in with him. In their living room hangs a painting done by a famous artist named Serge Kuhnert called Marguerite by the Lake. Phoenix feels Marguerite’s presence all over the house, but particularly in the living room.
The story was well written and fast -paced, but I did not like the characters at all. I found them selfish and unkind. I also found many of the characters unidimensional, with not much depth. I would recommend this book as I found it entertaining.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

Received an ARC and I enjoyed the relationships between mother/daughter, husband/wife and husband/lover. An understanding of how an accidental death of the wife takes its toll. The guilt and voices that play havoc on your mind can drive you crazy. But the twists of who is guilty will surprise you.

Holy moly, this was one wild ride! I loved this book, it was magnificently written. Phoenix’ slow decent into madness from guilt of what she has done. It was so twisty and I loved every single minute! This story wrapped itself around me and wont let me go. Definitely recommend reading this, it’s absolutely mind blowing!

Marguerite by the Lake by Mary Dixie Carter is an atmospheric novel that delves into themes of ambition, desire, and the complexities of human relationships. The story centers around Phoenix Sullivan, a skilled yet unrecognized landscape artist employed by the renowned home influencer, Marguerite Gray. Marguerite, immortalized in a famous painting, has built a Martha Stewart-esque empire around home and garden design. The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Phoenix becomes entangled in an affair with Marguerite's husband, Geoffrey, after saving him during an accident at their estate. The tension escalates, culminating in a confrontation that leads to Marguerite's tragic fall from a cliff—the very location depicted in her iconic portrait.​

Carter's writing effectively captures the opulence and underlying tensions within the Gray household, providing readers with a vivid portrayal of the characters' intricate dynamics. Phoenix's internal conflict and the moral ambiguities she faces are well-articulated, adding depth to her character. However, some readers may find the plot progression somewhat predictable, and certain character motivations could have been explored more thoroughly to enhance the narrative's complexity.​

Overall, "Marguerite by the Lake" offers a compelling exploration of ambition and betrayal set against a backdrop of luxury and art. While it may not break new ground in the genre, it provides an engaging read for those interested in character-driven stories with elements of suspense

"Marguerite by the Lake" is a compelling and unsettling slow burn of a read that will leave you questioning the nature of appearances and the hidden motives that drive human behavior. Carter has crafted a suspenseful and thought-provoking thriller that is sure to captivate fans of the genre.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the ARC. #NetGalley #Margueritebythelake

Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for the book #MargueriteByTheLake by #MaryDixieCarter. Phoenix is the gardener for Marguerite and Geoffrey Gray. Marguerite is famous for being the muse of a painting called Marguerite by the Lake. After saving Geoffrey’s life from a falling tree, Phoenix and Geoffrey start having an affair. Not long after the affair starts, Marguerite falls to her death. Why did she fall and did Phoenix have something to do with it? It seems that everyone is hot on her trail.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book reminded me of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier in that it has similar vibes, but I felt that Rebecca was executed much better. In Marguerite by the Lake, I did not like any of the characters, but I continued the book to give an honest review and because I wanted to see how it ended. Phoenix, the gardener, at a garden party given by Marguerite, saves the life of Marguerite's husband which makes him too grateful. Shortly after Marguerite dies, Phoenix moves into Rosecliff, the house, which is another character. Marguerite's adult daughter Taylor arrives and immediately takes a dislike to Phoenix and is suspicious of her. I felt this was more of a literary mystery than a thriller. This book wasn't for me, but others may find that it is the perfect fit, so I would recommend it.