15 year old Michael drowned six years ago. Although the inquest recorded an open verdict, his mother believes that he died in suspicious circumstances and won’t rest until she has found out what happened.

There is an element of mystery to this story but the links between characters are tenuous, evidence is slight and she jumps to a lot of conclusions, without any definite proof. Witnesses seem to pop up miraculously just when they’re needed.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book and was quickly engaged in the story and wanting to know what happened. I thought it was written well and drew you into Kate and Michael’s story, I thought the subtleties of Kate’s husband’s controlling behaviour were well described especially as it was all under the guise of being caring, abusive relationships are not always physical. There were times that I wondered why Kate didn’t go to the police with her new information but I suppose when you’ve had the door shut one too many times you feel you can only rely on yourself. Either way I give this four stars and would recommend reading it.

Really enjoyed this one! Finished the whole book in 24 hours. It was gripping, exciting and I needed to read more - a real page turner.

Excellent heart pounding read. A few red herrings along the way, but my interest was kept all the way through. Read it in a single weekend. Highly recommended.

'All I have is an uncertain marriage, a dead child, and a ridiculous obsession with finding out what happened to him.'


Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books and Louise Sharland for the chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review - publication date 18th March 2021.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. It sounded interesting, albeit a premise I felt I had read many times before. The story begins six years after the death of the MC's 15 year old son, leaving her with many questions and no answers - something she is determined to solve.

Despite the all too familiar storyline, I really enjoyed it! Louise's writing style made for very easy reading and it had enough twists and turns to keep me hooked. In fact, I devoured it in just over 24 hours, my Kindle glued almost permanently to me in the hopes of five minutes spare reading time.

The storyline was predictable, but when you've read as many thrillers as many of us avid readers have, it is difficult to find a 'who dunnit' that isn't. It was still enough to keep me interested. While it was not a groundbreaking novel in terms of uniqueness, it is perfect if you fancy an easy to read thriller/mystery. As someone from the South West of England, I particularly enjoyed the varied settings in and around the areas I grew up and live now! I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

Overall a competent story with a good premise. It did take me a while to get into this book as it was slow paced and the storyline didn't really hold my complete attention at times. Ok characters but not a page turner for me .Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

A mother grieving for the loss of her teenage son 6 years ago. She can't accept that his death was an accident even after all these years. When her mother is admitted to hospital she goes to mind the cat and discovers the diary of her son hidden in the back of the cupboard. Why didn't her mum share it with her? Not everything is as it seemed at the time. She sees a different side those around her including her son. Was his death really an accident? Finding his diary sends her on a mission to uncover the truth no matter the cost. A gripping thriller but an easy read-I finished in 2 days! Can't wait to read more from this author!

Date reviewed: February 8, 2021
Publication date: March 18, 2021

This story is mother’s quest to find the truth behind her son’s death.
I was engaged in the story right from the beginning however about 65% in I started losing interest. The ending was predicable and overall I would not call this book a suspense thriller. It was an easy and fast read but forgettable.

Thank you NetGalley, Avon Books UK & the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I didn’t realise this novel a debut novel and I am looking forward to reading more from her.


This pulls the heartstrings. Kate is grief stricken recovering from the sudden death of her son three years ago. Kate is sure that it wasn’t suicide and clings to the belief that someone else was involved in his death. When she uncovers his diary, it would appear to confirm this theory and Kate sets about uncovering the truth.
I read this book in two sittings and really enjoyed it. Its well-paced albeit a bit harrowing in places. Her husband is awful as are some of the other characters in the novel.

This is a classic page turner and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

3/5:
Firstly thank you Avon, Netgalley and Louise Sharland for the ARC.
I did quite enjoy this story. I read it in one day. The main reasons I took away two stars in this review are:
1. Some of the storylines seemed a bit disjointed and a bit forced at times. The central story about Kate searching for answers and investigating her son's death was gripping, interesting and had me intrigued and excited to see the conclusion. However I thought the romantic story arcs a bit unnecessary, her freeing herself of her controlling husband hellbent on gaslighting her, and the convenient introduction of the handsome Caleb who seemed to be introduced to satisfy the "knight in shining armour" criteria.
2. I just...didn't believe the ending? We spend the whole story getting to know Kate and her caring, maternal and altruistic personality. Look I know we're talking about essentially her son's killer but I just don't believe she would walk away and watch them die. I was really expecting her to intervene and let justice take its course etc etc

Overall it was an enjoyable read, it just felt sometimes like it was trying to tick some predetermined boxes.

A suspenseful psychological thriller. This had me hooked from the start and I could not put it down. Great characters and a gripping storyline.

Brilliant storyline that kept me racing to find out what was going to happen.

Believable characters and author shows great insight into the tragic death of the young boy in the book.

Emotional and very well written .. throughly enjoyed it

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for ARC

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC. I found it suspenseful and could not put it down. I just wanted to know what was going to happen. Definitely recommend for anyone who enjoys a thriller!

Pub date 3/2021

Kate's son Michael drowned in a lake over six years ago, and she still struggles to adjust to life following the loss of her 15 year old boy. Despite the help of her husband (Michael's stepfather), her mum and her sister, Kate is convinced it wasn’t just a tragic accident, but no one will listen to her. She finds Michael's diary which opens up a whole new line of questioning, and a new sense of danger as she comes closer to the truth of what really happened that night, and whether Michael was alone when he died; especially since he was a swimmer.

One thing Louise Sharland does well is the execution of Kate's anguish of the loss of her son which is believable and emotive. She delicately portrays her insecurities as an emotional abuse victim brilliantly, and it does add a little dimension and motive to her actions. There is always a clear theme of evoking justice and getting revenge after the loss of her son.

As someone who loves a good thriller, I was drawn in by the premise of the story and the eerie-looking cover and whilst it does deliver some twists and turns I felt as though it could've been better and more sinister. Some of the characters felt a little lacking or underdeveloped, and the big twist was underwhelming. It was absorbing at times and I was intrigued to find out what happened, but it wasn't as addictive or fast-paced as some other reviews claim it to be. There were parts that had me a little like 'really?' when Kate uncovered clues with unconvincing means so there could be elements that need a little more work or finesse to be executed efficiently.


*Thanks to Netgalley and Avon for the review ARC

Six years after the death of her son, Kate is still convinced it wasn’t an accident. This book follows her on her journey to try and discover the truth but would it be better for some secrets to remain unknown. I read The Lake over a couple of days and found it impossible to put down. It’s got a fantastic amount of intrigue and suspense that kept me turning the page. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books and the author for the chance to review.

I found this to be a good well written book overall and it kept me interested in the story line. I did find towards the middle of the book it began to drag slightly but then picked up and I was satisfied with the ending.

I can recommend this book and thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book

A slow burn thriller, with its fair share of twists & turns, this was Louise Sharlands debut novel which didn't disappoint.

'Kate's world falls apart when her teenage son drowns in the waters by his school. She’s convinced it wasn’t just a tragic accident, but no one will listen'

Many thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in return for my honest review.

𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 4 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴

This is a really well written and gripping psychological thriller.
Original, great characters and a solid storyline, saw me finishing this in one long lazy day!
Recommended!

Michael drowned in a lake and his mother Kate is out to prove that he did not commit suicide.
Michael was just 15 years old when the tragedy happened. Years later while Kate is cleaning out her mother's house, she comes across her son's diary and discovers that she really did not know her son. This leads Kate on a path to find out exactly who he knew and hopefully learn the reason that Michael ended up in the lake.

Heart wrenching from start to finish. Couldn't put down this novel of a mothers loss and her need for answers and dare I say justice. A rollercoaster of emotion as Kate navigates life without her son and her husbands need to move on. Can you really ever move on from that? Can she find the answers she is looking for? I was fully invested in her journey and revolted at what she began to discover. I look forward to reading more from Louise Sharland.

Thank you Netgalley for this impressive arc