A gothic atmospheric read! This is my first novel by Carter and won't be my last. I loved her writing. She drew me in from the first page. This is one to recommend for book clubs with lots to discuss.

I really wanted to like Marguerite by the Lake, and the beginning held a lot of promise. But as the story progressed, that promise began to fall flat, and then was gone completely. The characters, especially Phoenix, were very unlikable and unrelatable, and the story lacked a good flow. The story line was all over the place and while I was able to follow it easily enough, I was annoyed the whole time. Definitely not the book for me, but would recommend for others to give it a try.

The story is told in Phoenix’s. words
At a garden party that Marguerite planned to show off her garden, a storm occurred and Phoenix the designer and Gardner, who had strangely been invited, noticed a large tree on the edge of the cliff that was in danger of falling as a storm was brewing. She ran onto the stage where Marguerite was welcoming party member and shouted for everyone to evacuate the tent as the tree was falling. Marguerite ignored her, but Geoffrey understood and grabbed the microphone. As she and Geoffrey were trying to move the people Phoenix notice Geoffrey was in danger. She ran and threw herself on Geoffrey, Marguerite’s husband, to save him from being killed as the tree came down.

Geoffrey was forever thankful, to the point that they became lovers. Marguerite had had her portrait done by a famous painter and he called it Marguerite By The Lake. The painting hung in the living room of the Manor, the painting became a significant part of the story. While Phoenix was in the garden one day she saw Marguerite standing at the cliffs edge looking out into the lake, she was scared the ground wasn’t safe and tried to convince Marguerite to step back. Marguerite didn’t want to hear, especially as she was aware of Phoenix relationship with her husband…..disaster occurred.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when reading this book. It was not the thriller I thought it would be based on the cover. It was written well but didn’t love the characters and felt they were a little underdeveloped. It was different but not sure it was for me.

The Art Teacher's Return: A Lake Placid Mystery Worth Diving Into

You know that creeping feeling when a place from your past isn't quite how you remember it? That hits Marguerite when she returns to Camp Jackson as an art teacher. The elite summer camp on Lake Placid's shores seems the same at first - same weathered cabins, same entitled parents dropping off their kids, same dark lake reflecting the Adirondack pines. But something's off.

Mary Dixie Carter's new thriller peels back the glossy veneer of summer camp life like old paint, revealing the rot underneath. Through her photographer's lens (a fitting skill, given her debut The Photographer), Carter captures the subtle warfare between camp staff, wealthy helicopter parents, and kids who've learned manipulation before their multiplication tables.

The story builds slowly, like a summer storm. Some might call the first act slow, but Carter uses those pages to lay tripwires that snap later with devastating effect. Past and present blur as Marguerite's history with the camp surfaces in fragments, each revelation muddying the waters further.

The lake itself becomes more than a setting—it's a mirror for the characters' depths, reflecting both beauty and darkness. Carter's prose is sharp enough to draw blood, especially when dissecting the power plays of the privileged. A few plot threads drift away like fallen leaves, and certain side characters feel more like sketches than portraits. But these are minor ripples in an otherwise masterful work.

By the end, Marguerite by the Lake proves itself more than just another psychological thriller - it's a stark look at class, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves to sleep at night. If you loved The Secret History or The Silent Patient, clear your schedule. Just don't read it before your kid's first summer camp drop-off.

3.5/5 stars

Phoenix Sullivan is an expert, if unestablished, landscape artist, working for the home influencer Marguerite Gray. Marguerite is the subject of a famous painting and has parlayed that fame into a Martha Stewart-esque home and garden design empire. An affair builds between Phoenix and Marguerite’s husband Geoffrey, who she saves in an accident at their home. She’s not sure if Marguerite knows, but one day they get into an argument and the wealthy Ms. Gray falls to her death from the same cliff where the painting is set.

This story hinges on uncertainty. Tension builds because we’re just not sure of a few things: if Phoenix is responsible for Marguerite’s death, if neighbors saw what happened, if Geoffrey plans to continue the relationship. Carter does a great job infusing the reader’s mind with all the maddening questions inside Phoenix’s head. The poor girl is straight up freaking out on page after page, and we can feel her hair falling out and pounds shed from the anxiety.

The initial incident is set up brilliantly. Action begins on page one with the tree accident, and the aftermath is fraught with all kinds of juicy subtext. From there, various bad situations unfold, ones which Phoenix can’t seem to avoid. The specter of danger and chaos looms throughout. Also, the ghost of Marguerite, haunting Phoenix through the house calls forth the brilliance of Daphne du Maurier’s classic Rebecca. It initiates and intensifies her descent into madness. And that madness was a driving force, a great way to engage the reader. There was even some magical realism going on: the ghost seems to thwart her with strange happenings. Phoenix then feels compelled to keep destroying things to rid herself of her. “Wow, she’s legit crazy,” I thought. And that’s always fun.

However, I thought there were missed opportunities to build excitement. Characters made odd decisions, and tense scenes felt unfinished. There’s clearly a rivalry between Phoenix and Taylor, Marguerite’s lookalike daughter. But Taylor let her off the hook once too often, which I thought was uncharacteristic. Also, I wished the detective was more proactive, as those interrogations also seemed stilted. Finally, I thought we’d learn more about Phoenix’s history. It seemed it would be a major plot point, but there was only a hint of it at the climax.

But all in all, this was a quick and interesting murder-mystery, a solid entry into the psychological thriller genre.

Marguerite is a force to be reckoned with. She is a famous “gardener” and her brand - built around her books - is also built on a lie. Phoenix, her talented landscape designer begins to resent how Marguerite continues to present Phoenix’s work as her own. Phoenix’s complicated childhood and damaged family cause her to be vulnerable when she is suddenly swept into Marguerite’s social circle and simultaneously becomes the object of Marguerite’s husband’s attention.
When Marguerite dies under suspicious circumstances Phoenix is the only witness. As the novel progresses, the reader becomes less confident in Phoenix’s description of the tragic event. Phoenix seems to be experiencing episodes of hallucinations and breaks with reality. Is she going mad or has she always been a bit crazy? What is real and what is not?

This one wasn’t for me. It was more literary than I was expecting, which might really work for some, but not me. Overall the story was good, but for me, with a literary book it just takes too long to get to the point.

The novel Marguerite by the Lake by Mary Dixie Carter had an intriguing premise that initially drew me in, but unfortunately, the execution just wasn’t there. The pacing was just bizarre…. While the central idea had potential, the characters were completely unlikable and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with or care about their journeys. Their motivations were unclear and they often made decisions that seemed absolutely ridiculous. On top of that, the storytelling was disjointed, with abrupt transitions and choppy pacing that made it hard to stay engaged. Instead of building tension or intrigue, the narrative felt like a collection of loosely connected scenes that never fully came together. By the end, what could have been a compelling story instead fell totally flat.

Book Review: Marguerite By The Lake
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Mary Dixie Carter @marydixiecarter
Publisher: Minotaur Books @minotaur_books
Thank you @netgalley for the ARC and the publisher for my gifted books.

Marguerite Gray is the epitome of high society—an influencer, lifestyle icon, and the face behind the famed Marguerite by the Lake painting. Her lavish Rosecliff estate and perfectly curated image define her legacy. Meanwhile, Phoenix, the estate’s gardener, has spent years shaping the land that underpins Marguerite’s empire. She knows her place—until a fateful storm changes everything.

After saving Marguerite’s husband, Geoffrey, from a falling tree, Phoenix suddenly finds herself entangled in their marriage. Geoffrey is too grateful, Marguerite is too jealous, and Phoenix—despite her better judgment—gets swept into an affair that threatens her entire future. But when Marguerite falls to her death from the same scenic spot where she once posed for her infamous portrait, Phoenix is left with more than just guilt. As Detective Hanna and Marguerite’s eerily identical daughter begin to investigate, Phoenix must navigate a web of secrets where nothing stays buried forever.

The novel’s premise is intoxicatingly dramatic, blending high society, betrayal, and suspense. However, the execution falters. The pacing drags, weighed down by excessive gardening details that add little to the plot. Phoenix, rather than being a compelling lead, spends most of the book scheming to secure her place at Rosecliff, making her difficult to sympathize with. The characters feel underdeveloped, their decisions often unrealistic, and the writing jumps between scenes without fully fleshing them out. While the setup promises a juicy, high-society thriller, the novel struggles to deliver on its potential.




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I received an advanced copy of this book from St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books via NetGalley.

Marguerite Gray is the epitome of high society, flawless garden parties, a luxurious lifestyle, and the face behind the famed Marguerite by the Lake painting. As the visionary behind the Rosecliff estate, her influence is undeniable. Meanwhile, Phoenix, the estate’s dedicated gardener, has spent years shaping the land that underpins Marguerite’s empire. She knows her place—until one fateful storm changes everything.

After saving Marguerite’s husband, Geoffrey, from a falling tree, Phoenix suddenly finds herself in the center of their dangerously tangled marriage. Geoffrey is too grateful, Marguerite is too jealous, and Phoenix—despite her better judgment—finds herself swept into an affair that could cost her everything. But when Marguerite plunges to her death from the same scenic spot where she once posed for her infamous portrait, Phoenix is left with more than just a guilty conscience. As Detective Hanna and Marguerite’s eerily identical daughter start circling, Phoenix must navigate a web of secrets where nothing stays buried forever.

The premise is deliciously dramatic, but the execution? Not so much. The story moves at a snail’s pace, bogged down by WAY too many gardening details that add little to the plot. Phoenix, rather than being a compelling lead, spends most of the book whining and scheming to secure her place at Rosecliff, making her extremely unlikable. The characters feel underdeveloped, their choices and interactions often unrealistic, and the writing itself is disjointed, jumping from scene to scene without fully fleshing them out. What could have been a juicy, high-society thriller instead feels like a tangled mess of underwhelming drama.

Phoenix’s anxiety and paranoia were so strong in this book. I felt like we would learn more about why Curtis kept saying he urgently needed to talk to her but I’m still left wanting. I feel like there were a couple loose ends to be tied that’s why it wasn’t 5stars but overall I really enjoyed this book and the characters became real to me, even if I didn’t like them all that much ha!

“Marguerite by the Lake” is by Mary Dixie Carter. I thought the summary of this book sounded really interesting. I found myself not really liking any of the characters, which always makes for a difficult read. However, on the positive side, Ms. Carter did a good enough job with her characters to make me feel something about them. I can see the comparison to the book “Rebecca,” as people don’t want the main character in the house - and it does feel like Marguerite’s spirit could still be around. The estate Rosecliff sounded like a place I’d like to spend some time exploring, but I’d try avoid any people I meet there.

I was so graciously given an ARC of this title.

This is my first book I've read from this author, and I really enjoyed it! I felt engaged and it kept my attention throughout the entire book.

Phoenix thinks the party before her at Rosecliff Manor looks magical as does the life of her employers Marguerite and Geoffrey. Until a storm and falling tree threaten not only the party but Geoffrey's life. From that moment, Phoenix is draw into a web of intrigue and deceit. What is real, what is she imagining.

Marguerite by the Lake is a twisty, complex novel full of characters who are not what they seem It's a tense, dramatic read but well worth every turn of the page.

Phoenix has found her place in the world as a gardener for estates. Her favorite is owned by Marguerite, a household name in aspirational living. Phoenix soaks in the attention Marguerite gives her as she shares gardening wisdom. Invited to a book party on the estate, a sudden storm fells a tree which almost hits Marguerite`s husband.

Slowly Phoenix tries to move into this world any way she can.

If you’re looking for a captivating and beautifully written story, Marguerite by the Lake by Mary Dixie Carter is a must-read! With its rich character development and a setting that feels like a character of its own, this book will pull you right in. The emotional depth and unexpected twists make it a perfect choice for anyone who loves a great mix of mystery, heart, and stunning prose. Don’t miss out – dive into this gem today!

I saw Kimberly Belle recommended this book and so I knew I had to read it. Definitely worth a read if you are into mystery or thriller books.

This was a DNF for me. The novel started well but then it just became strange and my attention wandered. The story has good bones but was lacking in some way.

This book had potential but fell a little flat for me. It centers primarily on Phoenix, who does gardening and landscaping for a wealthy client when she gets too involved in their lives. When one of them dies, Phoenix swoops in and tries to take over what she thinks she deserves. I felt like this book was more focused on mental health issues than an actual mystery.

It was very difficult to like Phoenix, as many of the things she did just didn’t make sense, and the reader wasn’t given enough of a backstory to understand her motivations. Though it was clear that she was struggling with her mental health, nothing she did endeared me to her. The overall story really wasn’t all that mysterious but still left unanswered questions at the end. I wish I could’ve gotten more background on all of these characters to help me better understand their actions. The ending was abrupt and didn’t answer some of the questions I still had. The setting was done really well and I did feel that I could immerse myself in the surroundings of the house and surrounding gardens.

Overall this one wasn’t really for me, lacking in both mystery and characterization. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.