Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine Narrator: Emily Sutton-Smith
Series: Stillhouse Lake #1
Published by Brilliance Audio on July 1, 2017
Genres: Thriller
Pages: 301
Length: 10 hours and 4 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Gina Royal is the definition of average—a shy Midwestern housewife with a happy marriage and two adorable children. But when a car accident reveals her husband’s secret life as a serial killer, she must remake herself as Gwen Proctor—the ultimate warrior mom.
With her ex now in prison, Gwen has finally found refuge in a new home on remote Stillhouse Lake. Though still the target of stalkers and Internet trolls who think she had something to do with her husband’s crimes, Gwen dares to think her kids can finally grow up in peace.
But just when she’s starting to feel at ease in her new identity, a body turns up in the lake—and threatening letters start arriving from an all-too-familiar address. Gwen Proctor must keep friends close and enemies at bay to avoid being exposed—or watch her kids fall victim to a killer who takes pleasure in tormenting her. One thing is certain: she’s learned how to fight evil. And she’ll never stop.
Stillhouse Lake is a book that has been on my radar since it was first released back in 2017. I heard rave reviews about this book, and each book in the series as they were released. I have no idea why I never picked this series up. I was probably so deep in so many series, I was already having a hard time keeping up. I was looking for something different and found this book in my Goodreads “Want to Read” list.
This was an interesting start to the Stillhouse Lake series. We open with a woman finding someone had crashed into their garage while she was out with her two young children. The issue is there’s a dead girl hanging from the garage ceiling. This is when Gina Royal learns she didn’t really know her husband.
This story follows Gina, who changes her name to Gwen Proctor and is hiding in a small town of Stillhouse Lake Tennessee. While she was acquitted of being an accomplice to her husband, there are many people in the public think she was guilty and just got away with murder. So, she’s gotten good at trying to hide and stay off the grid.
This is a great thriller with several twists and turns. It took me a bit to really get into it, I mean, we find the murderer in the first chapter. Boy was I wrong. There is a lot more going on here. Ms Caine took me on quite a ride and has me ready to binge the entire series. I’m sure I’ll be picking up the rest of the series very soon.
Narration:
This is my first time listening to Emily Sutton-Smith. She did a wonderful job. I really enjoyed all the voices she chose for each character. The cast isn’t a huge cast, but it is a diverse one and I could tell every character apart very easily based on how she was reading that part of the story. I would recommend listening to her if you come across her work. I plan to listen to the rest of the series (I’m hoping she is the narrator for the entire series. *Checks* She does, though there are additional narrators added.)
Listen to a clip:
About Emily Sutton-Smith
Emily sits in a carpet covered box and tells stories, and loves it. She also helped to found an Equity theatre, which she works to keep alive and thriving.
About Rachel Caine
Rachel Caine is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 45 novels to date, and many short stories, including fantasy, urban fantasy, science fiction, young adult fiction, mystery, thriller, and horror. Her notable series include The Morganville Vampires, Weather Warden, Revivalist, Red Letter Days, and Outcast Season novels. She graduated from Socorro High School in El Paso, Texas, and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Her first short story was published in 1990, and her first novel in 1991.
After a long career in business (including working as an office manager, payroll manager, insurance investigator, web designer, graphic designer, and corporate communications executive) she began writing full time in 2009.
She and her husband, artist R. Cat Conrad, lived in Fort Worth, Texas. She passed away November 1, 2020 from cancer.
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I started listening to audiobooks when a new book in a series was coming out and I wanted to get a refresher, but didn’t have time to read all the books (I think it was Anita Blake). I fell in love. I stayed with strictly re-reading books that I’d already read for a long time. I eventually tried an audiobook for something that I hadn’t read first and was hooked there too. Now, I listen to audio for both re-reads and first time. I have some series that I’ve given up reading and only listen. I try to get any many books/audiobooks from the library to help save on my budget. Books on CD and the newer digital downloads from the library really allow me to listen more. I then purchase my favorites (because who can wait in line for your favorite book??) and less mainstream books from Audible or some other online retailer.
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OH…. I don’t read thrillers, but this sounds really good. I hope there is a big kick butt scene in the end! lol
I’ve had the first book since it first came out and still not read it. I’d read all of her Morganville Vampire books and loved them. Not sure why I didn’t read this but you make me want to get it out and read it. Great review!
I got this as a Kindle first read I think, so I own it. I loved it. I have enjoyed all the books I have read from this author. I read them all as ebooks maybe because that is the format where I started the series.
Like you, I didn’t get to this series when it started coming out, but it is definitely on my radar.
I do love a good twisty thriller! And the cover on this one is amazing. Love your review. 🙂
I really enjoyed Stillhouse Lake, I read the first three or four in the series, but by the time the last one or two came out I was kind of over it.
Ash @ Essentially Ash
I haven’t read this series yet but it’s definitely on my radar.
Really happy you finally got to this gem! I was fortunate to get it as a kindle freebie but would love have listened to Sutton-Smith tell this story. Excellent review, Melanie💜
If you like paranormal reads with a touch of romance, Caine’s Morganville Vampire series is good too. It is YA though, a mature YA.
Oh, terrific review, Melanie!
This one sounds great. I’ve been wanting to read more thrillers. I’ll definitely be checking this one out.
Oh, I really enjoyed this one and the next book in the series. For some reason, I haven’t read any further in the series yet but do hope to soon.