I listened to the audiobook for this one and I really liked the narrator a lot. This is a quick read and an interesting thriller. It wasn’t quite as twisty as I was hoping for, but it was a fun ride. When Rose is told her oldest friend is acting out of character and no one has heard from her she tries not to care since they aren’t currently speaking. But she can’t help but try to find out what happened to her. As she goes to the tiny town her friend was last seen at there is clearly something wrong. Everyone is acting suspicious and no one will help her to find what happened to her friend. This book is mostly told in Rose’s perspective with journal entries from Eve strewn throughout the chapters. I really liked getting to see things from Eve’s perspective, it really added to the story.

Whispers of the Lake is a fantastic edge of your seat thriller with a big shock at the end! Shanora Williams has done it again and I read this book in one sitting! Rose Howard's marriage is ending and she's moved out of the house into her own apartment. She works as an investigative reporter and enjoys uncovering facts for her stories. When Eve's sister calls Rose concerned for Eve, Rose takes it seriously. Rose and Eve were best friends until just recently and she knows that Eve would not ignore calls/texts from her sister. They're very close and she hasn't been in touch for several days now. When Rose promises to look into it, she thinks she'll find Eve somewhere taking a break from life.

Rose finds out that Eve rented a cottage on the lake in Sage Hill, a town in North Carolina, about 2 hours away. When Rose can't get answers over the phone, she rents the same cottage as soon as it's available. Rose tries to call Eve many times, but it goes straight to voicemail. Eve has her phone with her at all times and is constantly posting to social media, so this is out of character. Rose is alarmed at what might have happened to Eve. Sage Hill is a small town and everyone from the sheriff to the owners of the cottage are lying to her. Rose can see that they know something about Eve, but no one will tell her anything.

What really happened to Eve and where is she? Will Rose be able to find Eve before it's too late? Will the threats Rose receives cause her to give up the search? Why does everyone want Rose to stop investigating and go back home? Rose knows there's something going on here, but doesn't feel safe in the cottage after a couple of nights. She's going to have to find a way to stay safe and still continue her investigation. She has to get answers for Eve's sister! I enjoyed trying to figure out the person behind Eve's disappearance, but had no luck. Whispers of the Lake will leave you guessing until the shocking end! I rate Whispers of the Lake 4 stars with a high recommendation. If you love a good mystery, this is the book for you! I'd like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advanced copy of Whispers of the Lake in exchange for a fair review. #WhispersOfTheLake

Just when I think Shanora Williams can't get any better, she somehow makes just that happen.

Whispers of the Lake drew me in within the first chapter and kept me intrigued until the very end. This book is full of deception, betrayal, unreliable characters and so full of twists! There were plenty of moments I *thought* I had this one figured out but oh man did it continue to throw surprises. I think the eerie atmosphere definitely helped with the creepy factor in this book.

Rose, an investigative journalist, is setting out to find her ex-best friend, Eve. After searching high and low, she finds herself in Sage Hill, Eve's last known location. Eve has vanished without taking any of her belongings, most which she never would leave behind. Eve conducts her own investigation in Eve disappearance around Sage Hill but is soon met with lots of dangerous challenges. She has also found Eve's digital diary, and there are many secrets she's starting to peel back layer by layer. She knows she needs to leave before she seems to disappear as well.

This book does hit on mental health related to trauma, so definitely be cautious of that if those types of things trigger you!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It kept me intrigued, the suspense kept me guessing, it was very difficult to put down! Lots of fall themes perfect to get you excited for a little bit of cooler and *spookier* weather.

Thank you to Shanora Williams and Kensington Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I enjoyed this thriller. I wish there was more of a “WOW” to the plot twists, but the overall story was great. The characters were relatable and realistic, and the story pacing was great.

I was really hoping I would love this. I've never read anything by Shanora Williams before so I wasnt sure what her writing style was like... I'm not sure if I liked it? This was very different from other thrillers I've read. It was almost unserious, which at first I was really loving... but mixed with Rose's bad decision after bad decision... by the end I wasn't sure if I liked it as much.

I did enjoy having a cast of primarily black characters. I'm going to be honest in that I feel like usually thrillers as a genre don't have that very often.

I devoured this book in about four hours—it was that good. The pacing was sharp, the suspense was constant, and just when I thought I had it figured out, the twist at the end completely caught me off guard. I love a story that keeps me guessing, and Whispers of The Lake did exactly that. If you’re into thrillers that mess with your head in the best way possible, this one’s a must-read.

interesting premise and the twist definitely took me by surprise. Definitely didn’t know who to trust in this town and everyone seemed like they were in on it.

I don’t think the main character should’ve felt guilty for being upset w her friend even though I do understand her letting that pain go in the end.

Somehow I don’t believe the journal entries provided for us contained extraordinary insight, could just be me tho. All in all solid story and I did enjoy the read

I really enjoyed the mystery of this book. I liked the back and forth of Eve’s diary with Rose’s POV. While the writing felt a little choppy at times I still found this a really fun mystery/ thriller. Perfect to knock out in a day at the pool or beach. 3.5⭐️ rounded up to 4.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgally for the review copy!

Whispers of the Lake is a twisty, emotionally charged thriller that keeps you guessing. Rose, a successful journalist, is struggling in her personal life when her former best friend Eve disappears from a secluded lake cottage. Despite their fallout, Rose sets out to uncover what happened and walks into a small town filled with secrets, lies, and danger.

I loved the eerie setting, the complexity of the characters, and the fast pace. Eve’s journal entries added depth and suspense, while the emotional tension between the two women gave the mystery real heart. The final twist wasn’t earth shattering, but it tied the story together nicely and kept me engaged until the end.

This was a solid 3.5 🌟 for me as I love all of author’s books, this one was a little different for me. I was not able to connect with the characters or the story. It could be timing so as usual, I highly recommend you the story for yourself to gather your own thoughts. I am most definitely waiting on the next book by Shanora as she’s an amazing writer!

Thank you Netgalley and RBMedia for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

Source: 🎧📘
3.5 ⭐

Whispers of the Lake was alright—fast-paced and easy to devour. I finished it in about a day, maybe even a little under that. I think it was a well written book and flowed really well.

I really liked the characters. They were all pretty well fleshed out, distinct enough that I never felt like I was mixing anyone up, and their dynamics kept me engaged. That said, there was a moment that threw me off. A particular event happened (which honestly felt major), and I was surprised by how lightly it was addressed. The reactions felt a bit too casual, especially from the main character and one therapist, which made things feel slightly off-kilter emotionally.

Still, Whispers of the Lake isn’t aiming to be groundbreaking, and that’s okay. Sometimes you don’t want a literary earthquake—you just want a snack-like read. Its predictability offers comfort rather than boredom, and the use of journal entries as bridges between chapters adds a nice touch.

All in all, a solid, quick read. Not life-changing, but enjoyable—especially if you’re in the mood for something moody and fast-moving without the emotional exhaustion.

I never go into a Shanora Williams thriller with any expectations because I know she is going to twist and turn me out of them LOL. And boy did these twists and turns turn and twist!

Whispers of the Lake is a gripping, atmospheric tale about chosen family and sisterhood, and ushers in discourse around two important topics:
1) How far would you go to find a best friend who's done the unthinkable to you?
2) How much do we, consciously or unconsciously, expect bad things to happen to people who live their lives in ways we don't understand?

When investigative reporter Rose's best friend Eve goes missing after a visit to small town Sage Hill, Rose pushes past Eve's recent betrayal and goes to search for answers relentlessly. Sage Hill is a tight-knit town committed to holding in each other's secrets, so she is met with lots of zipped lips and cold shoulders, but Rose's journalistic skills, Eve's journal, and Rose's work connections lead her down a path she never expected.

I really love thrillers that make us challenge the way we think about things. So many times we engage with true crime stories and hear about the woman who lit up a room then learn they've been brutally murdered. Or we read about the party girl who slept around and aren't surprised when they go missing. This book forces the reader to face these biases head on and navigate with a main character who must first put aside her grudges and inability to forgive to find the answers she seeks. I thought this aspect of the book was very powerfully-written and engaging.

While I would consider this more of a mystery than a thriller, I thought the campy nods to horror movies were engaging—and frustrating, as always—but they added to the atmospheric value of the narrative. The first half is slow, but the second half is so worth hanging around for.

The narrators were engaging and easy to listen to—I enjoyed the audiobook very much!

Thank you to Kensington Publishing, Dafina, RBmedia, Recorded Books, Shanora Williams, and NetGalley for sending me an ALC and an ARC!

4 ⭐️s
1 🌶️

📚 Format: ARC via NetGalley
📅 Released: June 24
Okay fam—this book? Wrecked me. I got an ARC of Whispers of the Lake through NetGalley and the second I finished, I had to read it again. That twist? That pacing? The tension?? I needed a full reset.
We follow Rose, an investigative reporter, who suddenly gets a message from the sister of her ex-best friend, Eve, asking if she’s seen her. Eve’s gone missing, and Rose is like… “Ugh, not my circus.” But she can’t let it go—and what unfolds is one of the juiciest, most twisty psychological thrillers I’ve read this year.
Would I have gone to the lengths Rose did for an ex-bestie? Absolutely not. But that’s what makes her story so wild. Once you find out what happened between her and Eve, it gets even more complicated, and you have to know how it all went down.
I also loved the dual POVs—we get Rose’s side and Eve’s, and that format made the unraveling of secrets so satisfying. You’re constantly flipping between “who do I trust?” and “what the hell is going on?” in the best way. And the ending? SHOOK.
✨ Dual POV thriller
✨ Messy female friendship fallout
✨ Secrets, lies, betrayal
✨ That “still thinking about it” energy
✨ Perfect beach read if your beach reads include chaos and murder
Shoutout to NetGalley , Kensington Publishing and the author (who I even tried to DM 😭) for this ARC. And a special thanks to my girl Bri for putting me on. The book is out now, so if you love thrillers that mess with your head and leave you spiraling—in a good way—go get Whispers of the Lake. You will not stop thinking about it.

Shanora Williams
Whispers of the Lake

If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that won’t turn you loose, this is a good option. Rose is an ambitious investigative reporter. Sadly, her personal life is in shambles. Her marriage is nonexistent, at this point she’s doing her best to cope.

Rose has a bleeding heart. Her moral convictions force her to go above and beyond when others might mind their business 🤐.

Eve is deeply troubled. She doesn’t make the best decisions, she puts herself in compromising situations and she freezes in the face of danger. It’s a shame really. Trauma’s effect on a person’s mental state really has a lasting effect if they don’t deal with it.

Back to Rose, I wouldn’t have gone to the lengths she went to find the truth. Rose’s loyalty could never be questioned.

The twists and sinister points of the thriller were perfectly placed. It had me nervous 😬. The setting plays an excellent role in creating an environment where anything is possible.

Thank you for the ARC NetGalley, Kensington Publishing and Dafina.

#readandtellwithshantel #netgalley #whispersofthelake #shanorawilliams

Whiskey & Blues Gary Tunes, Eric Blues and Red Whiskey

Social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are excellent places to find new authors; I know, as I follow many of them on each. When members ask for recommendations for books or authors, Shanora Williams' name always comes up. Her excellent thrillers have earned her a dedicated group of fans who love to sing her praises. Me, I love her books and have recommended them many times.

Rose Howard is mentally and physically exhausted from trying to maintain appearances. She has a great career that she loves, but it eats up so much of her time that she has no life outside of work. It has strained her marriage and pushed her friends to the side. When Rose's friend, Eve, fails to contact or respond to anyone, Rose knows something is wrong. This is the backstory. The story draws clues from many sources, leaving readers racing to keep up as Eve's situation becomes increasingly dire. Williams feeds clues out sparingly, pay close attention or you'll miss them. The reveal comes as a surprise; I certainly had not figured it out. Another 5 star read for an author you'll want to follow.

I questioned my own morals so many times while reading this… because if we aren’t friends anymore, why do I care that you’re missing?? Especially to the point where I’m the one who decides to visit the cottage you’re vacationing at to figure out why no one can reach you! But the more I read, the more context I uncovered and that changed my perspective to be a bit more understanding of Rose’s actions.
I really enjoyed how the journal entries revealed Eve’s perspective and the twist at the end.
Thank you Dafina Publishers for the arc!

Absolutely enjoyed this book. Rose was determined to figure out what happened at the Lake House. Some many secrets and lies!! This definitely was a good time

I loved the dual POVs of Rose and Eve, and how deeply the author delved into their characters. The plot was fast-paced, entertaining, and filled with drama. Fans of psychological thrillers will like this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and the UK publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Williams' writing style was so easy to digest. It hooked me in immediately and I found myself flying through this book.

I loved the setting, I loved the characters and heart that underpinned the plot.

The plot was enjoyable but it didn't blow my mind. The ending was a bit outlandish but definitely fun. I'd recommend this read and can't wait to go back and read more of this authors backlist.

Let me start with a round of applause for Shanora Williams. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Whispers of the Lake was so good. I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know more. I had my own questions throughout and felt like I hopped right into this book and was right there with the characters. I never once guessed how this was going to go. Every time I thought I was close to figuring out something turn the page and nope she said she was going to leave me guessing.

The audio was really good too. The voices were good and being able to hear them and the infliction in their tones made it an even better reading experience. If you enjoy audiobooks I definitely recommend immersion reading because it enhanced the books.