Whispers Of The Lake by Shanora Williams, Rose is a reporter who recently left her husband and is currently estranged from her best friend Eve. When she gets a call from eaves sister Zoe who’s away at college begging her to pass by her house because she hasn’t heard from her Rose is skeptical. Eve has ran off before and for reasons not being mentioned yet she’s also the last person she wants to see. she still has a key to Eve‘s house so stops on her way home to look for her wayward X friend, and finds no clue as to where she could be. It isn’t until Eve‘s little sister Zoe goes through her email that she sees her sister made a reservation at a cabin by a lake and despite rose and eaves estrangement rose now wants to know where she is. throughout the book we also get excerpts from Eve‘s diary and learn her ex is an abuser and he wasn’t the first bad mistake she’s made and unfortunately in the book we learned also not the last one. Rose makes her own reservations and when she arrives is even more suspicious when she meets the owner of the B&B. However soon after her arrival someone leaves eaves purse by the door and although rose thinks she knows who left it she still has no clue as to where Eve could be. as the story goes on the reader learns eve was at the rental with her abusive ex but there was someone else who visited her. Using a coworkers cousin who is a whiz on the computer and in real life Rose finds out things she couldn’t have known otherwise and still she is no closer to finding her friend. With Racist police and a tentative growing romance rose does her best to find her friend but will she live through learning the answer or will she be a casualty of eaves anonymous fate?
Ever since I read The Other Mistress by the author I knew I would absolutely love her books and except for a few negative things in this one I did absolutely enjoy it. I liked that although the sheriff who was white was racist it wasn’t pointed in blatant like in most books by people of color he did come off badly but not in the glaringly obvious I want to be racist type way. I hope that makes sense. I always love her characters there’s always a twist that leaves my head spinning at the end of Miss Williams books and this one is no exception. What I didn’t like was how I felt as if we were supposed to feel bad for Eve but I don’t care what happened to her as a child there’s no excuse for what she ultimately did. I read someone’s review that the author also stuck to certain tropes but I guess I was wrapped up in the story because I didn’t notice I just Thought this was a great read and rose was quite clumsy. I definitely recommend this book for those who are looking for good authors you definitely should read this book if you like thrillers then you absolutely enjoy this one. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #ShanoraWilliams, #WhispersOfTheLake,

This author never ceases to amaze me with her highly creative stories.

Fast paced, with well developed characters, this intriguing mystery/ horror thriller story drew me in as I went along for the ride to discover whodunnit.
The characters weren’t always very likable and there were some elements of the story that did feel predictable.

HOWEVER, those elements and “those” mistakes was what for me that added to the complexity of story. In addition, this read was brimming with unpredictable twists and turns that as much as I tried to guess what was going to happen next I never did.

Their imperfection and their journey as they navigated this mystery made it a fun read!
4.5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Shanora Williams for a ARC of this book.

What a ride! My first thriller from Shanora Williams. This book had me hooked—such a page turner. I’m actually surprised how much I enjoyed this book given that the main character pissed me off so many times!

This is a good and easy read for someone wanting a pallet cleanser or that dabbles in the thriller genre.

This was a twisty and atmospheric read that had me hooked as we find out more about Eve's disappearance and uncover buried secrets along the way.

Whispers of the Lake is a captivating thriller that pulls you in from the very first pages. The story follows Rose, an investigative reporter whose life is in turmoil. With her marriage on the rocks and her estranged best friend missing, Rose embarks on a quest to find her. This journey takes Rose to a seemingly serene lakefront cottage in North Carolina, where she must navigate a web of shocking lies and hidden secrets.

This popcorn thriller was exactly the escape I needed! It kept me engaged and eager to find out what would happen next. Rose is a determined character who is committed to solving the mystery, despite the complicated history she shares with Eve and potential risks involved.

One of the standout features of the book is the inclusion of journal entries that provide insight into Eve’s thoughts and past traumas. These entries add depth to the story and enhance the mystery surrounding Eve’s disappearance.

The themes of friendship and forgiveness are also beautifully woven into the plot, adding an emotional layer that resonates throughout the story.

Overall, Whispers of the Lake is a thrilling read that you won’t want to put down and will keep you guessing until the end.

I want to start off by saying thank you to the team for allowing me to read an ARC Advanced reader copy of Whispers of the Lake by Shanora Williams.
This book was so intriguing from beginning to end. I couldn't put this book down. As I was reading this book the phrase Would you go to war for your best friend? came to mind. No matter how much Rose may not have wanted to go investigate for herself what was going on with the disappearance of her friend Eve she still went. I love that Rose gave a representation of the phrase she may not have agreed with what Eve had done but she still proceeded with doing the best that she could with the tools and skill set she was given. I loved the pacing and flow of this book I was never bored I wanted to keep picking the book up. Every chapter had me guessing!
Picture this your best friend did you wrong with one decision. WOULD YOU STILL GO TO WAR FOR HER? After she goes missing how far would you go? Is your friends wrong doing worth your time and energy to search for her? Would you leave the situation alone or would you put your feelings aside and do what you felt needed to be done and go search for her?

Whispers of the Lake is another great thriller from the talented Shanora Williams. The story is fast-paced with shorter chapters (which I love btw) and features a keen-minded heroine and her search for the ex-best friend who has seemingly and suddenly disappeared. As Rose Gibson ventures to Sage Hill, the last place Eve was seen and/or heard from, things go from weird to ridiculously creepy as she encounters other residents and the mystery of Eve's disappearance consumes her.

I liked that Rose is the type of person to not leave any stone unturned, even if it meant she would be in terrible danger. Her profession as an investigative reporter serves her well with Eve's disappearance, even when she doesn't always stay in her lane and is close to breaking the law more than once.

The use of Eve's journal to understand her better and to realize all that she has been through as a child and then wild adult made me sympathetic towards her actions. Although what she did to Rose was unforgivable on the surface, I agreed with Rose that had she known the whole story then maybe their friendship might have been spared along with Eve's fate.

A great read for a lazy summer day, I'm always in the mood for one of Williams' thrillers. They are well-paced, easy to read and even provide a bit of steam and levity when necessary. Williams throws in quite a few characters to try and throw the reader off the trail, so to speak, and I was happily thrown off course more than once.

I look forward to more in this genre since Shanora Williams continues to write the kinds of thrillers I can't help but adore.

4 huge stars!!

3.5 ⭐ There's something about books with a secluded camp/woodsy setting that will ALWAYS lure me in!! I couldn't read this one fast enough!

Whispers on the Lake starts with a bang. There's Rose, who is hurt that she caught her husband & her bestie, Eve, having sex. Her husband doesn't seem too apologetic about it 😒

Rose cuts all ties with Eve, but puts herself in danger to get final answers once Eve is determined missing. Not just once.. but a few times. (What a friend - I'm not sure it would've been me! 🥴)

Eve had an abusive childhood, which showcases in her present day relationships & impulses. I felt a little bad for her & wished she was able to seek help sooner. This can be triggering for some readers!

I liked Eve's journal entries, which tells us more about her past & gives clues on who may be the one to blame for her disappearance. But don't worry, there are a few turns to make you second guess! My initial thought on "who" was wrong. But as the book moves along, the culprit becomes clear. I would say this is more of a mystery than thriller.

The ending was a little... crazy 😅 - you definitely get the true villain effect!

I love a good psychological thriller and this one was so good! The story line had twist and turns and keeps you reading. I liked the flow of the writing and the fast pace of the book. Don't go into this expecting to like the characters, like most thrillers they are very unlikable and that makes this read even better in my opinion. If you are looking for a good summer time thriller please grab a copy of this book and carve out some reading time.

"Whispers of The Lake" is an absolute masterpiece that gripped me from the very first page and didn’t let go until the final, breathtaking revelation. Shanora Williams has crafted an enthralling narrative filled with suspense, mystery, and profound emotional undercurrents that make this novel unforgettable.

The standout feature of this book is undoubtedly its jaw-dropping plot twist. Just when I believed I had unraveled the story’s secrets, Williams flipped the narrative with such finesse that I was left stunned, eagerly flipping back pages to piece together the clues I had missed. It’s a rare thrill to be so genuinely surprised, and this novel delivers that excitement in spades.

The setting adds another layer of intrigue—an enigmatic lake described with such vivid, atmospheric detail that it feels like a character of its own. The eerie charm of the landscape perfectly amplifies the story’s suspenseful tone, enveloping the reader in an immersive, haunting world.

Williams' evocative writing style pulls you in, makes you feel every emotion, and keeps you invested in the characters’ journeys. "Whispers of The Lake" is a must-read for anyone who loves a well-crafted mystery with emotional depth and unexpected twists. Highly recommended!

3⭐️
(ARC review) — Thank you to author Shanora Williams, her publisher Kensington Publishing. I received an Advanced Reader Copy for the June 2025 release of WHISPERS OF THE LAKE in exchange for my honest review.

⛵️ fast paced
🛶 suspenseful
⛵️ twisty
🛶 messy unreliable characters

Marriage falling apart, missing friend, web of lies, with a picturesque peaceful lakefront cottage. Let the twists and turns begin.

This was quick fast paced thriller that you can finish in a quick sitting. You’ll dislike every single character but enjoy the ride.

3 star for me because I enjoyed the intensity and found it to be a page turner throughout most of the book until towards the end. I still enjoyed it and think it’s a fun one for a summer read just didn’t keep a consistent pace throughout.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this read. This was so fast paced in the best of ways. The book was dark and creepyish..but was it ever good. It was a good read that I suggest others to read. The book was full of small town secrets and twists. I found this good.

Special thanks to the author & @kensingtonbooks #Dafina for my gifted copy‼️

If nothing more Shanora knows how to entertain readers because this was the messiest thriller I’ve ever read by her. I came for the suspense and thrill but definitely stayed for the drama.

🚩 Rose’s ex-bestfriend goes missing heavy on the EX cause why we even care where she at?

🚩Then Eve committed the ultimate betrayal so yet again why the hell on earth do we care that she’s missing lol

🚩 Cole and his saggy nut audacity we won’t even get into his BS

🚩 Alex was hella suspicious from the jump. Rory was giving Hills Have Eyes vibes for a minute cause why you acting creepy and weird boo? Damian was just an innocent bystander caught in the mix it was damned if you do damned if you don’t for him.

🚩 The author never said it but I’m 100% sure Griffin was abusing his wife his attitude was on 10 for no reason.

🚩 Then Rose just had to be Dora the Explorer and go searching high and low for Eve in this small town with 8 residents, poor cell service, a crooked sheriff, an old diner with workers that ain’t seen nothing but know everything, and two shady cabin owners that had the time of their life with Eve. From the moment Rose arrived in Sage Hill she should’ve known trouble would come knocking.

I’m not gonna say I didn’t like the book because I definitely did it just didn’t give mystery/thriller like I wanted. I liked how there was a lot of back and forth with whodunnit because this does keep you guessing but in the end I wasn’t really surprised by the culprit. I also didn’t want Rose to forgive Eve lmao she didn’t deserve it dead or alive. Overall, if you’re a fan of Shanora and love messy drama filled thrillers you’ll enjoy this book.

Rating: 3.75/5⭐️

This is a fast-paced, emotional thriller that surprised me with how heavy it got. While the story didn’t fully GRAB me, it was a quick read thanks to its short chapters that kept the momentum going.

The story follows Rose, who drops everything to search for her ex best friend Eve after she unexpectedly goes missing. Eve is a travel influencer known for being flighty and unreliable, with some unresolved childhood trauma, so at first it’s unclear if something is really wrong. Rose was almost too good of a friend. If Eve did what she did to me, I wouldn’t have been looking that hard for her. That loyalty made Rose a strong FMC who trusted her gut.

The build-up pays off and the last few chapters were hard to put down. Worth picking up if you like thrillers with emotional depth, unreliable characters, and rapid pacing.

Thank you to Shanora, Kensington Publishing & NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was another example of how well rounded Shanora Williams is an author. Rose knows that Eve is fickle, but that nagging feeling that something isn't right keeps gnawing at her. As an investigative reporter, it's her nature to find out 'what happened' when things aren't adding up.

Eve has caused a damaging rift in their friendship, but Rose still feels a sense of finding out what happens. This book has this suspenseful and kind of creepy tone that keeps you reading. There are so many revelations and a true disbelief of what happens and who is responsible. If you love a suspenseful story that keeps you guessing in a small town where you don't know who all is involved...pick this up, you won't be disappointed! Happy Reading Y'all!💋

This is a fast-paced, psychological thriller set at a secluded North Carolina lake cottage, the story follows investigative reporter Rose Howard as she investigates the mysterious disappearance of her former best friend, Eve Castillo- a vlogger with a tangled past involving Rose's marriage.

If you enjoy psychological thrillers with atmospheric settings, twisty plots, and flawed, emotionally charged characters, this book is for you. It's the kind of story that pulls you in late at night and doesn't let go. It is a "page-turner" brimming with red herrings and unexpected twists that keep the reader guessing.

A Compelling "Ride", Undeniable Eerie Vibe, and Secrets Revealed! 3 Stars!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy. This book will be released 6/24/25.

3.5 stars - thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this digital ARC

An easy, fast-paced read (which I love) with intriguing, multilayered characters. I didn't like all of them, but I liked how their character development went The twists were good, but I felt like the ending was rushed. Loved the dark vibes, town secrets, and alternating pov's. Unpredictable and an enjoyable read!

Check content warnings before going in

This was a great book!! As an Immersive reader it was great to have the ebook and the audio so I can have the full experience and it did not disappoint. I didn’t want to put it down! kept me on my toes and did not know what was going to happen next which I love when it comes to thrillers. I loved it so much I went ahead and preordered the physical book can’t wait to put it on my shelf. Will be reading more of her books for sure 5 stars read!!

Book Review
3⭐️
Happy publication day!!!

Guys I’ve been so proud of myself these last few months. I’ve been so much more organized when it comes to reviews and release dates. Ya I started adding it to my mom calendar. I honestly don’t know why I didn’t do that in the first place🤪. Well this is my second book by the author so I was so excited bc I just knew I would love it as much as her romance one i previously read. Welllllllllll I don’t sadly. This one was a thriller about two estranged best friends. One an investigative journalist and the other a social media personality. Of course things will get rocky when you sleep with your besties hubby. Look from that part I felt like I’m here for it, bring on the drama. Well the story dragged in certain areas to me and I found myself bored in certain areas. As rose searched for Eve the danger she was putting herself in I wanted to scream. I finished the book because I became invested in seeing how this finished. While I didn’t really care for this one I do encourage you to give this authors romance reads a try.
❤️thank you @netgalley for my ARC & ALC of this one .

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3.5 stars only because there were no real likeable characters. Yes, the FMC was betrayed by her husband and best friend, but her best friend was trash in my opinion. No matter how much the author portrayed her as growing up in an abusive household she simply didn't take accountability for her p*ss poor decisions and continued with her trifling ways without a care in the world. Until she went too far.

Rose is an investigative reporter and a good. So, when she receives a call from her former BFF's little sister about her ex-bestie missing, she tries to rationalize getting involved. Rose and Eve grew up together and I honestly don't know how they were best friends. Rose literally had nothing good to say about Eve. Yeah, she was fun and like a sister to her but in my opinion, Rose had more negative things to say about her so-called ex-bestie than good things.

As an investigative reporter it is second nature to be nosey and inquisitive. Rose was ready to throw in the towel and let bygones be bygones until the clues surrounding Eve's disappearance wasn't adding up causing her to dig deeper leading her to Eve's last known vacation Twilight Oaks in Sage Hills.

After arriving Rose begin her snooping and quickly realizes that something is off in that small town, but nobody is talking. Rose had to venture down numerous rabbit holes for answers. My annoyance with Rose came from her lack of self-preservation. Nothing she did was safe and/or smart. Not only that she was going through a lot of dangerous stuff to find answers about the ex-BFF who she caught sleeping with her husband. Not to mention all of the hurt and pain Eve has been known to cause for as long as she's known her.

The author did a good job keeping the reader guessing. I thought I had it figured out. Although I had part of the puzzle and suspects figured out; I had them guilty of the wrong thing although they played a key part in this entire debacle.

This was a solid story, but the FMC was annoying. Her missing friend was a horrible person who should have had counseling when she was younger because here, she was at the big age of 32 and still doing ratchet, reckless, selfish things to garner attention and screaming for someone to love her. Girl go find a therapist ASAP.

The more Rose digs into Eve's disappearance the more she uncovers the truth that Eve wasn't as blameless in the events that lead to her fate but it's up to Rose to figure out who is truly responsible. Talk about a Plot Twist she never saw coming.

Secrets, Betrayal, Deception and Manipulation runs deep in Sage Hills. The whispers at the lake are becoming louder and louder.