The Lake of Dead Languages - by Carol Goodman (Paperback)

About the Book

A lake's shattering truth slowly floats to the surface in this national bestseller--a stunning, captivating first novel of youthful innocence drowned by dark sins. A Top Ten Book Sense selection in hardcover.

Book Synopsis

"A gothic and elegant page-turner."--The Boston Globe

Twenty years ago, Jane Hudson fled the Heart Lake School for Girls in the Adirondacks after a terrible tragedy. The week before her graduation, in that sheltered wonderland, three lives were taken, all victims of suicide. Only Jane was left to carry the burden of a mystery that has stayed hidden in the depths of Heart Lake for more than two decades. Now Jane has returned to the school as a Latin teacher, recently separated and hoping to make a fresh start with her young daughter. But ominous messages from the past dredge up forgotten memories. And young, troubled girls are beginning to die again-as piece by piece the shattering truth slowly floats to the surface. . . .

Review Quotes

"Like Donna Tartt's The Secret History or a good film noir . . . Jane's low-key narration has just the right tone to keep readers hooked."
-People (Page-turner of the week)

"The strength of The Lake of Dead Languages is a silken prose that lures the reader into Goodman's . . . story of murder, suicide . . . revenge, and madness."
-The Washington Post Book World

"PART SUSPENSE, PART COMING-OF-AGE, AND ALL-ENTHRALLING . . . A book that needs the roar of a fire to ward off its psychic chill."
-The Denver Post

About the Author

Carol Goodman's work has appeared in such journals as The Greensboro Review, Literal Latté, The Midwest Quarterly, and Other Voices. After graduation from Vassar College, where she majored in Latin, she taught Latin for several years in Austin, Texas. She then received an M.F.A. in fiction from the New School University, studying under Rick Moody, Francine Prose, David Gates, Amy Hempel, and Peter Carey. Goodman currently teaches writing and works as a writer-in-residence for Teachers & Writers. She lives in Long Island.