What a journey this book was! Phoenix, the main character, is not a likable character, which makes this novel even more compelling as we’re seeing the whole book from Phoenix’s point of view as she essentially descends into madness. Part Rebecca, part Tell-Tale Heart, this is a psychological suspense novel that will keep you hooked until the very end! The narration by Helen Laser was excellent!

I gave this one 4 ⭐️ A seductive, slow-burn suspense where a young gardener gets tangled in a deadly web of jealousy, secrets, and privilege at a glamorous estate. I really enjoyed this one (audio book format). Tension built up as the story progressed. Who's responsible for Marguerite's death?
I felt super engaged and really into the story.

Thank you to @macmillan.audio for these #gifted audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book didn't really make sense to me. We already knew what happened to Marguerite so there was no mystery or suspense to this. It more so felt like a book about a Phoenix's obsession with Marguerite's husband and how that spiraled.

First I would like to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the early audiobook.

I was really looking forward to this book but unfortunately it didn’t work for me. I found the main character very unlikable and for most of the book I couldn’t understand any of her actions.

I also wish we had at least one other storyline going on. It just felt a little too one dimensional for my liking.

I did like the MCs descent into madness and felt that was the main highlight of the book.

I am a fan of Helen Laser and thought the narration was well done.

2.5/5 rounded down to 2 for this review.

I really enjoyed Mary Dixie Carters book the Photographer, so I was excited to receive the audio for Marguerite By The Lake, but the story just did not resonate with me.

Carter's writing and the characters were still engaging, but the plot and story line just did not catch my attention.

The narrator had a good voice and an even tone of reading without being monotone, which did make the book a bit more enjoyable.

But as always, I would recommend this book for thriller readers, because we are all different and writing is subjective and many people
with come out with this being their favorite book. Also, a one off book that I didn't enjoy will not keep me from picking up Carter's next book.

I listened to MARGUERITE BY THE LAKE on audio and enjoyed it. It had a great narrator to tell this wild story. I found this book to be enjoyable. It was almost like a cozy mystery. It had a plot that kept me interested, and characters that while mostly unlikable were entertaining. I’d say this was on the lighter side and was a quick read/listen. It could easily be read in one sitting. I will definitely read another book by this author!

This was a miss for me. I thought I'd enjoy it more based off the premise, but it just didn't hit. It moved too slowly for me, and none of the characters were likeable enough for me to root for. Which is not a requirement, but doesn't bother me when the plot and rest of the story are entertaining enough.

This novel had an intriguing premise and some beautifully atmospheric moments, but overall it didn’t fully land for me. The characters felt a bit distant, and while the writing was strong in parts, the story didn’t quite deliver the emotional impact I was hoping for. I appreciated the slow-burn tension and eerie setting, but I found myself wanting more depth and connection. A solid read, just not a standout.

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

3 stars

Enjoyed the narration. I will definitely listen to more books from this narrator. Sadly the book overall was a miss.

I was intrigued by the plot of this one, but unfortunately I didn’t love the execution. The back and forth between POVs made the story hard to follow at times. Also, I think the label of the genre is a bit confusing. I can see people picking this book up expecting a thriller. This is actually more mystery and domestic suspense than anything else. The pacing was a bit slow and overall the story didn’t keep me fully engaged.

Still, I enjoyed this authors writing and I will try more of her books in the future. Thank you Netgalley and St Martins press for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Marguerite by the Lake
by Mary Dixie Carter
Narrated by Helen Laser

Marguerite by the Lake is a captivating novel reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier's classic, Rebecca. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of our protagonist, Phoenix, revealing a string of often unlikable characters.

At the heart of the story is Marguerite Gray, a lifestyle icon celebrated for her extravagant garden parties, upscale business endeavors, and her role as the muse behind the renowned painting by Serge Kuhnert, Marguerite by the Lake.

The plot takes a gripping turn with Marguerite's death, propelling the story into a whirlwind of intrigue. Narrator Helen Laser masterfully maintains the tension and pace throughout, drawing listeners into a web of secrets and deception. With so many mysteries to unravel, you’ll find yourself compelled to read and listen until the very end.

Special thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the audiobook.

Here's to New Adventures in our Reading & Journaling Journey!
@thewritingwhisperer &
@shh_imreading Continue to Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, & the Power of the Written Word!✒📖

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I enjoyed the psychological and paranormal aspects of this book. I wish the characters had been more likable. They were all pretty superficial and selfish. I'm not sure how I feel about the end. It does provoke further thought - so that aspect I do like!

I was sure this was going to be great review as this book grabbed my attention very quickly. Awesome tension, so much backstory to uncover and then last third of the book it sorta became unhinged and meaningless. Sorta like the main character. Narration was good though.

Marguerite by the Lake is the perfect summer read, with just enough suspense and mystery to keep me flipping pages/listening and the right amount of characters to be interesting but not to struggle to keep track of. Mary Dixie Carter did such a good job describing Rosecliff that I could picture it in my mind, almost see Marguerite at the moment that changes Phoenix's life forever. Helen Laser is the perfect choice as narrator, and, as much as I wanted to know how it would end, I was sorry when it did.

A slow burn, atmospheric read. I loved how the flowers and garden created a parallel to life, between not connecting with the characters and the extremely slow burn, I found I was a little lost as I listened to this one.

There was a lot of tension in part created by the haves and the have nots. It might be better marketed as a mystery instead of a thriller or suspense novel.

Helen Laser narrated this one and she did a good job creating the atmosphere of the novel.

If you are a fan of slow burn mysteries, this one will probably work for you.

3.5⭐️

"Marguerite by the Lake" is an atmospheric and suspenseful Gothic thriller. The book started off really strong, with so much action and tension beginning in the first few pages. The plot was intriguing, unique, and unpredictable. While the story was told from the sole point of view of Phoenix, there was still some uncertainty as to what was real and what she was imagining. Although it was quite fast-paced in the beginning, it did become a bit of a slow-burn. But I really enjoyed the unpredictability of it all and not knowing whether Phoenix was a reliable narrator as she increasingly became more unhinged. Overall, an entertaining read, and I will read more from this author in the future.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Helen Laser. As always, she was fabulous and had my full attention. She did such a great job bringing the story to life and creating so much tension and suspense. Highly recommend this one on audio!

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review!

Great imagery, well-written thriller with unlikable, unrelatable characters. Audiobook narrator was good - tone matched the emotions of the characters.

"My home is a reflection of me. I worked hard to put my stamp on this home . It’s layers and layers deep. Any future mistress of this house will find it impossible to get rid of me."

“I know something ugly about myself. And I can never unknow it.”

It's the way it sneaks up on you. You know you're listening to or reading a psychological thriller, but as the unnerving descent into paranoia madness escalates, you realize you didn't see it coming, and then there was no stopping the fiery spiral.

The above is exactly how I experienced the fast, almost frantic paced, Marguerite By The Lake, by subtle, yet unsettling, psychological thriller author Mary Dixie Carter. It's a study of losing control, bad decisions, and untethered fear.

Phoenix is the gardener for the lavish Rosecliff Estate, owned by lifestyle guru Marguerite Gray. When Phoenix saves Geoffrey, Marguerite's husband, from a falling tree, it sets up a series of events leading to an affair, long buried secrets being unearthed and a startling death.

Every time I have the privilege to listen to voice actress Helen Laser I am enthralled by her perfection. Phoenix becoming unhinged manic was a page turning performance.

Marguerite By The Lake is a famous painting of Marguerite, one that begins to haunt Phoenix. Is it guilt? She hasn't been the most honest moral person; in fact she's often unlikeable. Is she losing her mind? Or is it Marguerite making sure she remains the mistress of Rosecliff?!

*If you love Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier this story is for you.

I received free copies of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest novel by Mary Dixie Carter, with the audiobook beautifully narrated by Helen Laser. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Marguerite Gray is a lifestyle icon known for her gardens as well being the muse behind the famous Serge Kuhnert painting, Marguerite by the Lake. She lives with her husband, Geoffrey, on the famed Rosecliff grounds. Phoenix is the gardener on the estate and works hard to craft the landscape that is so important to Marguerite’s brand. The night of the launch party for Marguerite’s latest book, Phoenix spots a falling tree and saves Geoffrey, and an affair soon begins. Then Marguerite falls to her death from the same point where she posed for the famous painting.

Helen Laser did a great job narrating this intriguing story of obsession, jealousy, mental illness, with a touch of the supernatural. After Phoenix gets the life she thinks she wants and deserves, it’s still not enough for her – a good reminder to be careful what you wish for. There were a lot of relationship drama here and you could cut the tension with a knife. I liked the gardening aspect to the story and that ending was perfect, though it did leave some threads to the reader’s imagination.

This book was just so.... melancholy. That's really all I can think of to describe it. I just felt sad and empty the whole time listening to the audiobook. The main character was not super likable, and I had a hard time buying into her desire for the relationship she should not have been pursuing.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Minotaur Books for my #gifted copy of Marguerite by the Lake and thank you Macmillan Audio for my #gifted listening copy! #MacAudio2025 #MargueriteByTheLake #minotaurbooks

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐱𝐢𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐫
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Marguerite by The Lake is tense and atmospheric and so chaotic. The best way to describe this one is by comparing it to Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. Marguerite Gray is a lifestyle icon known for her beautiful garden parties and is married to Geoffrey. Phoenix, who came from humble beginnings, has been working for the family for years as the gardener, and up keeping Marguerite’s brand. When a storm threatens the launch party for Marguerite’s latest book, it’s Phoenix who recognizes the danger and rushes to save Geoffrey from a falling tree. Geoffrey is a little too grateful that Phoenix saved him, and the two begin an affair with one another. It’s not long after the affair begins that Marguerite falls to her own death and Geoffrey invites Phoenix to move in with him. But Phoenix has her own secret that she tries to put behind her. The problem is, nothing stays buried for long.

I really struggled with this one. While I thought the premise was interesting, the book started off really fast and then was just too slow for me. I also did not connect with the characters. I would definitely read a book by this author in the future, but this one was just not for me.

🪴Atmospheric
🪴Daphne du Maurier's "Rebecca" Vibes
🪴Slow Burn
🪴Unlikeable Characters

🎧Narrated by Helen Laser, I will say I kept with this book because she was the one narrating it. I will listen to anything she narrates and felt like she really did a great job with this atmospheric novel. While I struggled with the overall plot, her performance was stellar, as usual!

Posted on Goodreads on May 20, 2025: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around May 20, 2025: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on May 20, 2025
**-will post on designated date