This book was entertaining as it left me entranced in the storyline but it was harrowing and sad and I was invested and intrigued and wanted to love it. I liked it. But there was a bit of disconnect for me and not sure why, maybe it was the characters I didn't feel connected to. Not sure. But it was good. I can see others loving it

I love all of Rachel Caine's books. This book is no exception. I'm sad that there won't be any other Rachel Caine books in the world.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I really enjoyed this adventure. Gwen has come a long way from the first book; its wonderful to see how much more confident she is in her own decisions. It was also a treat to have Kez join Gwen, another character I definitely wanted to see more of... Kez is everything I expected her to be and more. I guessed who "did it" almost right away but it not take away from the rest of the story even a little bit, that's how exciting the story is.
Not the best of the Stillhouse Lake series for me personally, but definitely a worthy conclusion to the series.

I was very sorry to hear about Ms. Caine's passing. I deeply appreciate her writing and for having given us one of the strongest female protagonists we know in Gwen Proctor.

Best book yet. Bittersweet knowing it will be the last. Such a great author gone way too soon!!!! I highly recommend any book by this Author, and this series. Definitely not a stand alone though.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader copy!

Gwen and Kez are back and there is a new killer on the loose. Gwen and her family are being stalked but this is no novice. With multiple murders and leads that are all over the place yet seem connected. It’s up to Gwen and Kez to save their own lives along with their family’s lives.

I love the Stillhouse Lake series and the fifth installment didn’t disappoint. I almost immediately figured out who the perpetrator was, but the end was a shock.

This book is very, very graphic with brutality, graphic violence, and extremely descriptive murder scenes. I had forgotten how awful these scenes were in previous books, so just a warning for those who may not be in the right place to read something like this.

I've enjoyed this series since the first book and have continued even through this one. I love that Rachael Caine is able to hold my connection and still have a place in my heart for the characters that I still love since the first book. Great series to binge read and keeps you wanting more.

First, let me say I was so sad to hear of Rachel Caine's passing. She was most definitely a catalyst that revived my book reading addiction with her Chicago Vampire series back when all of us horny middle-aged moms were bookswapping like crazies in order to fill our perverted fetishy minds.

I decided to break my own standing policy regarding reading past #1 in a series pretty much out of pure curiosity of exactly how this one could continue back when it was offered as a "Read Now" over on NetGalley. In case you aren't familiar, the Stillhouse Lake books begin with the female lead discovering her husband is a serial killer (so good, right?). I was terrified this was going to go in the direction of the "Garage Sale Mysteries" or "Aurora Teagarden" - which, truly no judgment here because I effing loooooooove those little pieces of brain candy. However, if these had started off pretty awesome only to turn into a Hallmark Murders and Mysteries would have made your girl a little stabby herself.

Luckily that wasn't the case and the lead had become a legit investigator that justified her sleuthing. Absolutely no regrets spending a day on this one.

<i>ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!</i>

Loved it!

Once again Rachel Caine has shown what a true thriller should be! The unfortunate end of this series because of Ms Caine's death makes this reader quite sad.

Ms Caine showed us, through this series, the development of a strong woman. Gwen Proctor has faced such adversity being once married to a serial killer and although he died, she still carries with her the stigma of that marriage. Many think she was his accomplice and that she knew of his crimes and they pursue her and her children. However, Gwen with the assistance of Kezia Claremont, another woman of strength, and her partner, Sam seemed to have come upon the perfect life. Unfortunately, they are once again thrown into a world of a sinister man who is out for Gwen and doesn't care what methods he uses to achieve his goal.

It's a harrowing journey for the ladies and one that offers a horrible death as its end. Just when life seems to have settled and be good for Gwen, it erupts into a case of ultimate destruction.

Recommended to those who love this series and to those who so enjoy the growth of a young woman into a paragon of strength, courage, and fortitude.

As an aside you will be missed Rachel Caine as you added so much joy and downright scariness into your books. All of them were a pleasure to read as you knew the true meaning of the word thriller.

Thanks you to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this amazing book due out March 9, 2021

This is part of the Stillwater series and no, you do not have to have read the others to understand the plot. But I have and at this point, I feel like they're family lol. Gwen and Kezia team up to form 2 bad-ass female protagonists to find a killer. I'm kinda sad that this might be the last book in the series!

My heart is broken that we've lost this amazing writer to cancer, and that this will be the last in the series. A fitting ending, and the afterword had me in tears.

You wont be sorry, she did this well, not knowing if there would be another reprieve and another book but knowing there's not, she did it right.

Rachel Caine, you will be missed.

I love this series so much and it just keeps getting better and better. I really didn't want it to end. I love how all of the characters have grown and developed. This is definitely an underrated series that deserves more buzz!

Fantastic installment to this series, memorable and thrilling. Dark and intense, a page turner and an immersive story. I discovered Rachel Caine through The Still House Lake series; what a talented author and what a wonderful legacy she has left us with. Great characters, wonderful story. A must-read series from this prolific author. Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to review an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review

Published: March 9, 2021
Thomas & Mercer
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rachel Caine is the winner of several national awards, and most recently, was a finalist in both the International Thriller Writers awards and the Killer Nashville awards for her debut thriller novel Stillhouse Lake.

“I’m a suspicious bitch, but I’ve found it works for me.”

Gwen wants stability. She wants to provide normalcy for her family. And after everything they have been through, she thinks they are getting close. Until she receives a call from her dear friend, Kezia, in the middle of the night. In the blink of an eye, Gwen finds herself smack dab in the middle of another fight to the death.

This book hit differently, knowing it was Rachel Caines last. She sadly lost her battle with cancer. So this will be the end of Gwen's fight.

This was such a brutal but beautiful installment to this series. Everyone seems to be trying to heal and move past the trauma of Melvin and the madness he created. When Kez asked Gwen for help, Gwen showed up ready and willing. And it almost cost her her life.

The kids, Lanny and Connor, are so well developed at this point. Lanny has become a strong and vocal woman, who despite her past, is brave and loyal. Connor is healing from the things that he went through before, and he is becoming a man who knows the meaning of family.

Sam is now the legal guardian of Lanny and Connor and is as close to married to Gwen as he can get without actually having the paper stating so. The family is thriving until they find themselves a target yet again.

The twists in this book are so well done, and the story unfolds so quickly that it is impossible to put this book down. The power of choice, the bond of friendship, and the commitment to choosing our family is so well played.

This might be my favorite novel in this series. Not just because it’s the last, and it ends with a relatively happy ending but because the growth and development within these pages are pure.

It is so apparent that Rachel Caine loved these characters. She creates Gwen, who is a fighter and a survivor. She gave Gwen everything she could give herself. The heartbreaking beauty in that speaks volumes.

Thank you, Ms. Caine, for sharing these characters with us. For giving us an unlikely hero to cheer for, and a story that we could believe in. This book was beautifully written, the plot was flawlessly delivered, and the journey was worthy.

What a chilling thriller. This author never fails to capture my attention with her ability to create a memorable story. The twists and turns never stop. The weaving of all the separate pieces is amazing. I totally enjoyed this book.

Thank you #Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me to read a ARC of this book. This was my first book by Rachel Caine, but it won't be my last. I am going to buy all of the other books in this series. I am so sorry to hear that she passed away earlier this year.
This book was so good. I loved the characters, and am anxious to read their backstories. I love strong female characters, and I really liked the friendship between Kez and Gwen.
The story was intriguing. Everything happened for a reason and it all came together in the end. I have read many serial killer books and this one really stands out.
The writing was good, kept the story moving right along., and kept me reading. I will say some horrific things happened, so if you are squeamish just be warned. Without reading the previous books in this series I would recommend it,based on this book.

This was such a good read and a great addition to the overall series. I finished it quickly, just needing to know what was happening next with Gwen. Highly recommend this entire series!

This book was so good! It hurts my heart to know that Rachel wanted Gwen's story to go on. However, it does feel as if it was left at a good part of her life. I enjoyed the book from beginning to end. The suspense and the twists were wonderful. This is a fabulous series and all thriller lovers should read them!

Favorite SERIES.
S T I L L H O U S E L A K E
by @rachelcainewriter

Stillhouse Lake. Killman Creek. Wolf hunter River. Bitter Falls. Heartbreak Bay. All tell their own stories surrounded by Gwen Proctor (Gina Royal) From the beginning, Gwens husband was suspected of killing young girls right under Ginas nose. All this time through the whole series, Gwen has had to make choices that not only affect her but her family. Choices that are so detrimental to her well being that the wrong choice will cause consequences that will implicate everyone close to her. Having such burden weighs heavy on her heart but always seems to make the right choices until #Heartbreakbay comes along.

As a mom, I always overthink and over analyze everything and I resonate with Gwen in all of the decisions she has to make except my choices aren’t as critical as hers.

Thank you #netgalley for letting me read the fifth book of the Stillhouse Lake series.

I’ve been a huge fan of the Stillhouse Lake series since the first book (the aptly named Stillhouse Lake), following Gwen Proctor (a.k.a. Gina Royal) as she tries to escape her past. It’s a past where her husband was a serial killer, determined to make Gwen his last victim. And where her and her children found themselves on the run not just from him but from the internet trolls convinced she had something to do with his killing spree.

Heartbreak Bay, however, starts in a good place for Gwen and her family. They are settled, safe. Or so they think. Then a letter from her now dead ex turns up and the trolls that had grown quiet start their relentless attacks again. All at the same time as Gwen gets asked to help her friend and police officer, Kezia, look into the death of two young children (not something that was easy to read). It could be a coincidence. Most likely, though, it’s not and Gwen is about to be dragged into the dark again.

The path that leads her there builds slowly, as does the tension in the book. As it does, Gwen slowly unravels. She wants to protect her family. And knows the only way she can do that is to put herself in the line of fire – literally. By the time I reached this point in the book, I was as anxious as Gwen was (o.k., maybe not as much as I wasn’t in mortal danger but you get the picture).

I was also fully engrossed in the book, staying up late at night to finish it. It really was a cracking read and one I’d highly recommend (starting at the beginning of the series so you understand just how Gwen got here). Unfortunately, it will also be the last in the series, as Rachel Caine died late last year. I was really sad to read this. She was a great writer, and sounds like a wonderful person.

I m obsessed with this series and have been reading from the beginning and this series did not disappoint. A page turner from the beginning to the end. The story continues to evolve for the Royal family and their lives are once again in turmoil. I couldn’t put this book down until the end. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.