House Across the Lake: A Novel - by Riley Sager (Paperback)

Not my favorite because I think the ending was a little outlandish. However, it was a quick and easy read, still suspenseful up until the end:

Characters body morphing.? Silly.

I was wrong again and again, which I didn’t like but also LOVED this book kept you hooked and guessing. Beautifully, eerily done.

The storyline in the beginning had so much promise...To end in a big flop. This could have been a really great book, if continued in original plot twists. Held my interest, at some ending chapters I put it down in frustration exclaiming no *******way, only to be disappointed in the very end.

Love it! Could not put it down!

Riley Sager does a horrible job writing from a POV of a female. I picked up this book three times to try to read it before giving up around page 34. I decided I was going to read this and finish it for once to get it off my TBR shelf. It has such a slow and boring start. Once it picks up, it explodes into like 4 storylines in one, one of which being paranormal. It was odd. I highly doubt I’ll ever read another book by him.

The whole point of reading murder mystery is to see if you can figure out the “who done it” part. It’s a cheat to suddenly make a ghost murderer inhabit someone else’s body by a cursed lake; there is no way to figure THAT out. It’s an unguessable solution because it’s so far fetched and stupid. I’ll stick with Agatha Christie, thanks.

A mystery/thriller with a true crime feel PLUS a hint of the paranormal in the plot line - in a way you completely did not see coming? Yes please!!! Tried my best to avoid true spoilers to what was going on. If you want to truly go into this book not knowing a thing about it, don't continue reading. Otherwise, what I included below I think are small important pieces of the plot that don't give the story away. To start off with, as it's fresh on my mind, Riley Sager did right with what Colleen Hoover did soooo wrong in "Layla" in terms of spirits and souls. Was it still at the hands of abuse/domestic violence?... yes, but somehow I wasn't nearly as appalled in "The House Across the Lake" as I was in "Layla." While there is NEVER an excuse for abuse, in "The House Across the Lake" what was done by Tom to Katherine/Len makes sense. The first 1/3 of the book seemed slow and cut and dry: the husband did it. Then, all of a sudden, it picks up QUICK. I read the last 2/3 of the book in one sitting I was so enthralled. Every other page I was gasping, muttering expletives, questioning if I just read it right, and slamming the book down I was so shocked. You go from suspecting Tom, to Boone, back to Tom, then to a DEAD MAN, then to not even knowing what to think. Lastly, as soon as I thought everything was over, we reached the climax of the plot, the author reminded us of the broken wine glass and Katherines near-drowning, and was back down the rabbit hole again. It was just so perfectly done. Little logistic things... A a Minnesotan, used to Minnesota lakes, I was son confused on how Katherine could just swim across the lake from the opposite side to see Boone, or how Casey was able to easily walk around the lake to get to the Royce's house. I would've liked if a map of the lake was provided so I knew where Casey's and Eli's cabin were in relation to the lake along with the Royce, Mitchell, and Fitzgerald cabin, the stump in the lake, and then the roads. The map would have made envisioning the events that occured a lot easier. This book is tied up there with "Local Woman Missing" by Mary Kubica for me. Although, if I could read a book again for the first time I would chose "Local woman missing." "The House Across the Lake" had a lot more of the thriller aspect, which is good in it's own way, but I don't know if I could handle reading it again. When I read books, I really put myself in the shoes of the main character, and I'm not sure if I could "live out" Casey Fletchers life again. "Local Woman Missing" allows you to be an outsider to the story looking in while "The House Across the Lake" really puts you in the moment - until you realize Casey Fletcher has secrets that were yet to be revealed. Both books good in their own right and my favorite Mysteries I have read so far.

Appreciate the plot twists throughout the book. Definitely a page turner and found myself caring for the characters. I'd give it a 3.8/5. Overall, the book was great.

I haven't read in years now i can't put this book down

Loved this book!! So many plot twists that had you guessing. Great plot and character development!! Keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end!!

I seriously could not put this book down. Every end of a chapter kept you wanting more. So many twists & turns, just when you think you know, it throws you in the complete opposite direction.

Overall really liked the first half. Ending had way to big of an unbelievable twist. Pretty disappointed. Still is a page turner you can't put down but was hoping for more. Should have spent more time developing the lake's history/activity early on to make the ending more believable.

This book left me wanting to read more from the beginning. I liked the unexpected twist in it as well! If you’re into murder mystery/suspense, this is for you

The first part of the book is solid. It felt very much like Rear Window; in fact, the movie is mentioned in the book. However, the end took such an unbelievable turn the author should be embarrassed. The book book starts off with people watching and ends with spirit possession. It started off with a believable storyline with an interesting plot and took a nosedive.

The first half of the book is boring and redundant and the second half of the book is cringey, convoluted and contrived. It’s very hard to accept the revelations that come out because they come out of nowhere and don’t match the foundation that Sager laid.

Great book to read, love the author

Total page turner! Omg!