I devoured the first 35% ish in one sitting, then it gets a bit over the top but overall it’s an easy and fast read thriller! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC, what a ride!

Whispers of the Lake by Shanora Williams. An easy book to get hooked into, Rose’s ex best friend, Eve, goes missing, and Rose (despite her complicated feelings) drops everything to find out what on earth has happened to her. This leads her to a cottage on a lake which travel reviewer Eve was meant to be reviewing when she disappeared. I liked the tail end of this book, when it ramps up abit. There were definitely unlikeable characters, and I did struggle abit with them.
Thankyou NetGalley, the author and publisher for early access to this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I have read 2 other thrillers by this author so I know what to expect. Messy characters, messy relationships, simple writing that makes it a popcorn read I can fly through. And yet, I didn't love this one.

Don't get me wrong, this is a short book you can fly through. The author's writing is easy to read and just flip through the pages. However, the pacing in this one wasn't the best. Usually I feel like the author is good at keeping up the pace of the story. Since this one read more as a mystery than a thriller in the beginning, it was kind of slow as she gathered clues. I kept finding myself not called to pick up the book because the suspense just wasn't there for me.

The ending, while it did pick up, I just feel some of it just felt convenient. For example, the journal entries.
In the beginning they were okay but as we kept getting more information, it just felt inconsistent. And then of course, we don't get a piece of key information until it's convenient. Then at that point, you just know it's the villain. I've noticed the author does this in their other books but because I was kind of bored in the beginning, I couldn't really move past it in the beginning.

I will say that I enjoyed the messy dynamics of the relationships, the messy characters. That's an element that I enjoy that this author adds to their thrillers. Some topics were heavy (SA, abuse, etc) and because the author writes these popcorn thrillers, I don't think some were handled that well (I side eye the therapists in this book a little). But, loved the little romance that was in it. Just added a little light touch to so much...dark things.

Overall, I would recommend this to people who just want a mystery that reads fast. Check content warnings, though! There's quite a few.

Thank you to the publisher for providing a reader's copy. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this fast-paced thriller. The character development really stands out for me, and I love how the author wrote her flawed characters in such a way that I couldn’t help but root for them. I think thriller readers will really like this one.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book was exactly what i was looking for - a thriller book set in a lake house a while away from other people/other cities and when i tell you i flew through the book - i did omg. I finished this book in 3 days when i had barely time when so that has to say something about the book. In around 70% of the book i took a guess at who the one at fault is and boy oh boy i was soo wrong, it feels stupid even thinking it right now. But in the end im happy for Rose, Zoey, and Rory.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Whispers of the Lake is yet another twisty thriller from Shanora Williams, and it definitely delivered on the twists and turns! I was immersed from almost the first page, wanting to unravel the tangled web at the center of the book. And while some aspects fell a little short of expectations, it was a wild ride nonetheless.
This is definitely one of those thrillers where all the characters are very unlikable. As such, I wasn’t massively invested in them. But I did find the drama between them compelling, in the way I also enjoy messy interpersonal drama. While the musings about how Eve betrayed her friendship with Rose by sleeping with Rose’s husband were a bit overdone, I did appreciate how it contributed to Eve’s complex feelings about the matter.
The mystery was fairly compelling, although the ending was where it kind of jumped the shark for me. I feel like I had more personal investment in the messy interpersonal dynamics, so having the “twist” be removed from that, while creating shock value, had me scratching my head more than gasping in surprise.
But while this wasn’t my favorite of Shanora Williams’ thrillers, there were still aspects I enjoyed. I’d definitely still recommend it if you enjoy thrillers with flawed, messy characters, especially featuring Black people in leading roles.

If your ex-best friend went missing, would you drop everything to find her? Reluctantly, Rose does just thar, even after her ultimate betrayal. And to do that, she uses her investigative journalist skills to dig around this small town. I really enjoyed that we got to see the best friend's perspective on the events that happened. I could understand why some things happened and she became more likeable, instead of just a selfish friend.

This was a great introduction to Shanora Williams and I can't wait to dive into the rest of her catalog.

A fast paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire book. I personally didn’t trust ANYONE.
Rose (ex) bestfriend goes missing, as much as she doesn’t want to care, she wants to find out where the heck Eve is. As she figures out where Eve last location is, she takes the trip to ask the necessary questions to figure out what might’ve happen to her or did she just disappear in true Eve fashion.

Now listen🤣 I finished this book so fast because I really needed to figure out if Eve was playing. The whole time I kept saying “ Eve don’t piss me off”🤣🤣. The eerie tension in this book really kept me hooked. I was side eyeing everyone, and when I say everyone even those damn brownies 🤣🤣🤣 ( you’ll see, just read it, ok?)🤣🤣

Overall , i really enjoyed this book. If you’re looking for a fast paced thriller I highly recommend this one.

Whew… let me catch my breath. This was another fast-paced thriller that I devoured in one sitting!

In this story, we follow Rose, an investigative reporter on the cusp of her big break while simultaneously dealing with a cheating husband. Just as her career is about to take off, she receives devastating news: her childhood best friend, Eve, has vanished from an Instagram-worthy remote cabin in the small town of Sage Hill. Reluctantly, Rose travels to Sage Hill to investigate her friend’s disappearance—only to discover that beneath the town’s picture-perfect facade lies a web of dark secrets.

The narrative alternates between Rose’s present-day investigation and journal entries from her past, building suspense until the big reveal.

While I figured out the killer early on, I still thoroughly enjoyed the tense atmosphere and the eerie small-town vibes. Rose sometimes frustrated me; she tended to jump headfirst into dangerous situations without much thought, but her fierce loyalty to Eve kept me invested. This is ultimately a story about how trauma can seep into every corner of our lives and shape who we become. Rose and Eve’s complicated friendship was layered, raw, and compelling.

⚠️ I do recommend checking the content warnings before picking this one up, as the story contains multiple instances of domestic violence.

Pick this one up if you’re in the mood for a stay up all night, read under the covers with a flashlight kind of thriller!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Change of perspective is so nice. This is done very well. I really liked it alot.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

When Rose’s best friend Eve goes missing, she sets out to find her. This story had me hooked right from the beginning. I love how the author went between the perspective of Rose in real time and Eve via her journal entries. I could not put this one down!

WHISPERS OF THE LAKE is a fast-paced thriller that I had a hard time putting down. I liked learning about Rose and Eve’s friendship and all they had been through together. Eve went through a lot growing up, so her journal entries at the end of each chapter gave me a look into why she did the things she did. I never would have guessed the ending and for me that makes this a winner!

Many thanks to Shanora Williams, Kensington and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to publication day.

Make sure to check out the trigger warnings that the author mentions at the beginning of the book.

This was my first time reading a psycho-thriller book. I went in scared with my flashlight and it wasn't even needed.

We followed investigative reporter Rose in this story as she looked for her former friend Eve. She had her Bernadette moment when the book began because her husband was up to no good.

Although looking for Eve was the last thing she wanted to do, she did it for Eve's sister Zoey. As Eve did her investigation, she encountered multiple people that I questioned if they were involved.

This was a fast-paced story that had me second-guessing everything. Most of the characters in this story are flawed. Eve, especially, was a complex character. I was even wondering if I would look for someone like Eve after her betrayal. I know how horrible that sounds. There were so many twists and turns in this story. I can honestly say that I did not see them coming.

If you are into small-town mysteries, shady characters, and a whodunit plotline, this one is for you.

Thank you to Shanora, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Whispers of the Lake opens with a punch—and from that moment, the pacing never lets up. Shanora Williams delivers a fast-moving mystery layered with emotional tension and complicated relationships. I appreciated the journal entries from Eve—they added depth and insight to a character I initially felt little sympathy for. By the end, I saw her in a much more nuanced light.

Rose is a compelling lead, though some of her choices stretched belief for me personally. I found myself questioning her logic, but her determination kept me engaged. The mystery itself was well-plotted, with a few misdirections that genuinely surprised me.

My only critique is that a few plot threads and character motivations could’ve been explored further. Some questions lingered after the final page. That said, the emotional arc and resolution made for a satisfying read overall. A great pick for readers who enjoy domestic thrillers with high tension and complex women at the center.

If your best friend betrays you unforgivably and unforgettably, would you still search for her if she were to go missing? This thought-provoking question is explored in Whispers of the Lake.

The story follows Rose as she searches for her friend Eve in a small town filled with secrets and corruption. Despite Eve's past betrayal, Rose feels a strong sense of duty to find out what happened to her former best friend.

This was my first experience with this author, and I found it quite engaging. The narrative is filled with unexpected twists and turns, the characters are well-developed, and the plot is refreshingly imaginative.

One of the standout elements for me was Eve's journal entries, which provide valuable insight into her character. These entries help readers understand her motivations and struggles, allowing for a deeper comprehension of her actions, even if they are not entirely forgivable.

Rose is portrayed as a compelling main protagonist. Her strengths and vulnerabilities are skillfully depicted, making it easy for readers to connect with her and root for her safety throughout the story.

With its brisk pacing and gripping plot, Whispers of the Lake deserves a spot on every reader's TBR list this year. It’s a captivating read that will keep you hooked until the very end.

Much thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, “Whispers of the lake” written by Shanora Williams.

This is the second ARC I’ve read by Shanora and I wasn’t disappointed!
Quick and fast paced like the first one I read, “The Bitter Truth.”
Unexpected twists and turns; a friendship that to some degree, many people can relate to and the pressure to “fix, rescue & save” whether we’re asked to or not.
As a therapist, I appreciate the inclusion of therapy into this story and the connections made as well as encouragement of growth at the end.
This was GOOD!

This was a crazy thriller for sure, hands down. Rose is a journalist that is having marital issues at home & then also a fall out with her childhood best friend. This same friend goes missing while at a lake house on a solo getaway & although Rose is furious at Eve she goes out to that same house to find her. So many creepy secrets in this sleepy town but the plot twist was one I hadn’t seen coming. I do suggest that other readers check their triggers (abuse) & check out this suspenseful read. Very flawed characters in this book that you really feel for but also so much curiosity to see where all the mess leads up too. I loved that even though some things that Rose did wasn’t very realistic it still wasn’t too predictable. I enjoy this authors work & continue to check out her catalog. Thankful for a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

Whispers of the Lake is my first thriller by Shanora Williams and boy was I hooked!

On this story, we follow Rose who is recently single and no longer talking to her best friend, Eve. As Rose continues with her life, she learns from her ex-best friend’s sister that Eve is missing. Being the good person she is, Rose goes and searches for Eve at her house since she thinks Eve might just be seeking attention. However when she doesn’t find her we follow her journey as she tries to investigate where Eve is.

Rose being a journalist makes her good at searching for answers. She loves deeply and cares for the people in her life, even once that hurt her like Eve. As Rose continues her search, we find the truth behind everything that led to their distancing.

The story has all the tension, mystery and unexpected twists that a good thriller should have. Overall I enjoyed the book so much I couldn’t put my kindle down from the moment I started!

Thank you NetGalley, Kengsinton Publishing and Shanora Williams for proving me with this ARC.

Rose walked out of her marriage and her best friend's life when she caught Eve being intimate with her husband. But when Eve's younger sister calls her telling her Eve seems to be missing, Rose sets out to find her, despite her anger and misgivings. Eve's last known movements are when she rented a cabin in North Carolina so Rose heads there, renting the same cabin in the hope to find clues to Eve's whereabouts. The mystery deepens when Rose finds Eve's bag containing her purse and passport, despite evidence that Eve booked an overseas flight recently. Rose starts asking questions around the small town which upsets some of the locals, including the local sheriff, related to the young men who own the cabin she and Eve have rented. Rose believes something terrible may have happened to her impetuous ex-best friend and it's up to find out what happened.

This story, written in from both Rose and Eve's POV was a solid thriller read, with a number of twists to keep you interested and reading. Eve's character is quite unlikeable, terribly selfish and hard to develop any empathy for. I felt the ending didn't come together well in a realistic way for me - it was just a little too over the top and this is why I rated it ⭐⭐.5 rather than 3.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A wild ride indeed. This was my first time reading a Shanora Williams book and I enjoyed the thrill. There were definitely a few plot twists. I would recommend this book to others and will likely read more from the author.