These Still Black Waters - (Jess Lambert) by Christina McDonald (Paperback)

About the Book

"After a violent home invasion, Neve Maguire returns with her daughter to Black Lake, her childhood summer home, hoping for a fresh start. But when the body of a woman is found floating among the reeds in the lake behind her house, she fears she has made a horrible mistake. Neve is hiding secrets, though. Detective Jess Lambert can tell. Recently back after her own personal tragedy, Jess knows what it's like to live with skeletons in your closet, and she's sure Neve has a few of her own. When another woman's body is found, Jess and Neve are forced to confront a horrible truth. Because one thing is clear: the darkness of the past is waiting. And the secrets of Black Lake are only just beginning to surface."--

Book Synopsis

Two women struggle toward a dark truth as a killer avenges the sins of the past in a twisting novel of suspense by the USA Today bestselling author of Do No Harm, Behind Every Lie, and The Night Olivia Fell.

After a violent home invasion, Neve Maguire returns with her daughter to Black Lake, her childhood summer home, hoping for a fresh start. But when the body of a woman is found floating among the reeds in the lake behind her house, she fears she has made a horrible mistake.

Neve is hiding secrets, though. Detective Jess Lambert can tell. Recently back after her own personal tragedy, Jess knows what it's like to live with skeletons in your closet, and she's sure Neve has a few of her own.

When another woman's body is found, Jess and Neve are forced to confront a horrible truth. Because one thing is clear: the darkness of the past is waiting. And the secrets of Black Lake are only just beginning to surface.

Review Quotes

2024 Killer Nashville Reader's Choice Award Winner

"Christina McDonald has written a thrilling novel that keeps you engaged throughout." --Red Carpet Crash

"Atmospheric and inventive, Christina McDonald's These Still Black Waters pulled me in on page one and held tight. In this haunting and beautifully written thriller chock full of secrets that won't stay buried, McDonald is a masterful storyteller. A truly nightmarish trip to the lake guaranteed to keep readers enthralled." --Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest

"These Still Black Waters has it all: electric writing, complex characters, a touch of the supernatural, and whiplash twists guaranteed to keep you up long past your bedtime." --Jess Lourey, Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Quarry Girls

"Christina McDonald always delivers a gripping, twisty thriller, and These Still Black Waters is no exception. Detective Jess Lambert, damaged both physically and emotionally, must stop a killer set on avenging the dark secrets of the past. But as the body count rises, and the story hurtles toward a shocking and unique reveal, Jess must face her own demons before it's too late." --Robyn Harding, bestselling author of The Perfect Family

"No one does dark heartbreak like Christina McDonald--and this captivating thriller wraps its sinister self around you the minute you begin. Gorgeously written and deeply immersive, this relatable story of envy and grief and motherhood and friendship will also haunt you long after you close the final shocking pages. Edgy, original, and completely surprising, These Still Black Waters is a triumph of storytelling." --Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author of The House Guest

"Christina McDonald shines in These Still Black Waters, a dark and dazzling thriller. The twists and turns culminate in an ending we promise you won't see coming. Highly recommend!" --Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke, authors of Forever Hold Your Peace

"A whip-smart and completely unexpected story of a killer out for revenge and a damaged detective out to stop him, a phenomenal story built on gorgeous prose and twists so surprising they'll leave you breathless. This is not the book you think it is, and I mean that in the best possible way." --Kimberly Belle, internationally bestselling author of The Personal Assistant