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BOOK INFO
Title: Stranger in the Lake
Author: Kimberly Belle
Publisher: Park Row
Publish Date: June 9, 2020
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Series: na
My Rating: 3/5
BOOK BLURB
Charlotte didn’t know her greatest risk was saying, “I do.”
When Charlotte married the wealthy widower Paul, it caused a ripple of gossip in their small lakeside town. They have a charmed life together, despite the cruel whispers about her humble past and his first marriage. But everything starts to unravel when she discovers a young woman’s body floating in the exact same spot where Paul’s first wife tragically drowned.
At first, it seems like a horrific coincidence, but the stranger in the lake is no stranger. Charlotte saw Paul talking to her the day before, even though Paul tells the police he’s never met the woman. His lie exposes cracks in their fragile new marriage, cracks Charlotte is determined to keep from breaking them in two.
As Charlotte uncovers dark mysteries about the man she married, she doesn’t know what to trust—her heart, which knows Paul to be a good man, or her growing suspicion that there’s something he’s hiding in the water.

MY REVIEW
Charlotte discovers a woman’s body in the lake. It brings up questions about Charlotte’s husband’s first wife, who drowned in the same lake. It seems like an unfortunate coincidence, but Charlotte soon realizes the woman isn’t really a stranger. Charlotte is no longer sure who she can trust, but she suspects the recent drowning was not an accident.
Alternating points of view tell the story in two timelines. The current timeline is from Charlotte, and deals with the drama in her marriage to Paul and the mysterious drowning of the stranger. The other point of view is Jax, a friend of Paul. Jax’s story takes place in 1999, and involves Paul and their friend Micah. The men are still in contact with one another, and Charlotte is unsure about Jax.
A slow-burning psychological thriller. This one moved a little too slowly for me, but I enjoyed the twists. A good read for fans of Kimberly Belle and domestic thrillers.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Books by Kimberly Belle:
- The Last Breath
- The Ones We Trust
- The Marriage Lie
- Three Days Missing
- Dear Wife
- Stranger in the Lake
- My Darling Husband
- The Personal Assistant
Oh man, a slow pace? Thank you for the honest review!!! I’ve been itching for this one, but I’ll wait a little bit. Thank you!
It’s enjoyable, but definitely slow. When you’re in the mood for something a little slower, this one might work for you. 💜
It moved way too slowly for me as well. I dnf’d it!
Sorry this one didn’t work for you. It was a slow one. 💜
sorry to hear it is such a slow burn–those can easily turn into snoozers.
Yeah. This one was enjoyable, but it took me a few days to read. Not a one or two sitting read.
I enjoyed this one, but agree, there were parts that moved a bit too slowly. The twists made up for it though. Great review Darinda.
Thanks, Carla! 💜