Wow! 4.5/5!!
I did not expect to like this one a lot. The writing is excellent. I totally got lost with this one and finished it in a day. At first I thought it’ll be like thriller/romance but I was wrong. I enjoyed the creepiness and thrill of this book! And the ending!! Totally unexpected. I can’t believe I got the wrong culprit this time lol. Very good read! Can’t wait to read more from this author. Thank you for the ARC. :)

This was certainly a page turner! It’s a quick book, maybe a bit predictable. It was a twisted story when an ending I didn’t see coming. I do think it ended a bit abruptly and could have done with another chapter. If only to tie things up. I enjoyed the story.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

I’d like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Lakeview House’ written by Helen Phifer in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Madison Hart is a writer of crime fiction and is suffering from writer’s block. When her best friend Stella tells her about Lakeview House, an old Gothic mansion in the Lake District that needs a live-in house-sitter while being renovated, Maddy jumps at the chance to get away from London and her controlling ex-boyfriend Connor. She can understand a ghost or two wandering around at night but what happens to Maddy is more earthly than ghostly.

I’m a great fan of Ms Phifer’s two previous series with Dr Beth Adams and DC Morgan Brookes and have thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Lakeview House’, a gripping standalone thriller that was previously published as ‘What Lies Below’. The story is pure escapism and although it feels a little dated at times it’s still an enjoyable and addictive thriller with tension, drama and intrigue. The characters are nicely described and despite trying to guess the identity of the unknown person stalking the grounds of Lakeview House it wasn’t until the final chilling and totally surprising twist that I got my answer. I can definitely recommend this novel which kept me engrossed throughout.

Lakeview House drew me in immediately and I really enjoyed it. It was quite a chilling book with the tension rising with each page I read right the way to the very satisfying and unforeseen ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

Whoa . . . this was quite the mixed bag of mistakes. POV was an absolute mess but that was only the beginning to my issues with the characters in this story. They don't make sense, don't line up. Their decisions, thoughts, and actions are all over the place, not fitting any one personality which left them unbelievable and unrelatable. Without a single character to care about, the story fell flat. It was also bogged down with slow paced writing in all the wrong places.

This book was middle of the road for me, I struggled to keep interest and connect with the characters. It felt too slow for me. I did like the creepy setting. I gave this book 2.5 stars. Thanks for the advance review copy.

I'm a huge fan of Helen's Dr Beth Adams and DC Morgan Brookes series but this is the first standalone of hers I have encountered and I was excited for the opportunity to read and review it. So did it live up to my expectations?

I must say, WOW - I was impressed. LAKEVIEW HOUSE was thrilling, chilling and edge of your seat throughout. The tension builds almost from the very beginning and it does not let up at all throughout. The short snappy chapters keep that tension building and building until I thought I would burst! And the pace moves at a breakneck speed, giving you whiplash when the big reveal comes and leave you open-mouthed resembling a goldfish going "what the...?" No way! I did NOT see that coming in a million years. Hats off to Helen for hoodwinking me so completely I was bowled over and lost for words.

The story begins with a creepy prologue that we just know is going to lead somewhere equally thrilling and probably chill us to the bone. It is short and to the point, leaving no room for misinterpretation. And then we meet Maddy.

Having fled a controlling and abusive relationship, Maddy Hart needed somewhere to lay low for a while in the hope that her ex, Connor, would soon give up looking for her. Her best friend Stella sends her a link to the perfect escape - a lakeview house in the Lake District who are in need of a live-in caretaker while renovations are undertaken on the centuries old crumbling mansion on Lake Thirlmere. Site unseen, bar the photos on the internet (not always a good idea), Maddy packs her bags into her ancient VW Beetle and makes the journey from London to Lakeview House in Cumbria.

Almost at once, Maddy falls in love with the crumbling mansion knowing that it would have some stories to tell. But the electrics leave a little to be desired and there is next to no phone signal and internet? Forget it. It's perfect, Maddy thinks. The perfect place for her to get cracking on the sequel to her first successful book she needs to have written and submitted by the looming deadline. While the sprawling house must have about thirty rooms, Maddy finds herself a bedroom overlooking the beautiful Lake Thirlmere with French doors leading onto a balcony where she promises herself she will breakfast each morning. The setting could not be more perfect.

And then, strange things start happening. Things that go bump in the night; whispers and music emanating from downstairs; a sodden wedding dress left on her doorstep; vivid dreams that are all too real that tell her something sinister happened in this very house. And then she meets Alfie, a teenager with an innocent demeanour who is younger than his years, who alludes to something called "the lake people". But as the days turn into nights, Maddy begins to question her decision to cut herself off in the middle of nowhere with no phone reception or help nearby, should something happen to her. Especially when it becomes clear that someone is trying to frighten her. But who? She doesn't know anyone really. She has only met sexy Seth, kooky Glenys and her adorable son Alfie. And Stella is the only one who knows where she is. Even Connor doesn't know...or does he?

Meanwhile back in London, Stella has made some stupidly prized decisions which has left her black and blue and fearing for Maddy's safety. She knows she must alert her friend as to the possible danger that awaits her but Maddy isn't answering her phone. Alongside Joe, Stella decides to make her own journey to the Lake District and warn Maddy...hopefully before Connor gets to her. Because Connor will stop at nothing to catch up with Maddy and teach her a lesson she will never forget.

The story unfolds through short and snappy chapters which keeps things moving at a brisk pace. For 483 pages, it is an incredibly quick read that I devoured in almost one sitting. Everything about LAKEVIEW HOUSE had me enthralled - the setting, the haunted house, the unexplained occurrences, the sexy pub owner, the deranged killer, the controlling stalker ex - it was everything and more that I could want in an atmospheric fast paced and chilling thriller. But what secrets lay below the depths as well as within the crumbling walls of Lakeview House? The hint of the paranormal lingers within the pages of this tense read leaving the reader pondering is there something else at play here? Or is with a stalker ex on her tail and a killer silently watching her, is Maddy just a little too close for comfort?

LAKEVIEW HOUSE is a creepy tale that is atmospheric and mysterious centring around an isolated decrepit old house with something of a tragic past. What more could you want in a thriller? While Maddy has no idea of the house's past, her fear radiates on the pages as Helen Phifer's influences through Stephen King filter through...particularly with references to Derry, Maine and Pennywise the clown. While it is not a horror as such it certainly has elements akin to those found in the horror genre. It is most certainly creepy at any rate.

The story continues to move quickly as I read long into the night, unable to put it down. Everything about LAKEVIEW HOUSE is addictive and engaging...and I could predict nothing. I had no idea where it was going or how it would end up. And I certainly did not see the big reveal! That knocked me for a six sideways. Some parts may not be entirely believable but this is fiction. It is to engage, entertain and enjoy. It doesn't have to be real. But the hairs on my neck were definitely standing on end due to the chill factor...and I'm not talking about the temperature.

LAKEVIEW HOUSE is a slow burn initially that picks up pace almost at once moving at a breakneck speed throughout as the story becomes much much darker and incredibly chilling. There's certainly a lot going on despite only having a handful of characters. If you like a quick read with psychological thrills and chills in an atmospheric setting and a touch of ghost story, then you are sure to love LAKEVIEW HOUSE.

Easily rated 5 stars hands down. Highly recommended as a perfect escapism read.

Previously published as "What Lies Below" .

I would like to thank #HelenPhifer, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #LakeviewHouse in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

This is a brilliant book that had me hooked from the very beginning.
Maddy’s friend Stella knows she’s been struggling since breaking up with her controlling boyfriend, so sends her an advert for a live in caretaker at an old house in the Lake District.
Stella doesn’t think she’ll apply but Maddy realises it’s just what she needs and gets the position.
When she arrives, the house is in darkness with faulty electrics. Maddy is a bit apprehensive but is determined to give it a go.
Maddy hears a loud noise one night and is relieved when someone from the village offers to check all the rooms with her.
Seth is a great help to Maddy and she starts to feel at ease, until the next incident.
I won’t say anymore as you need to read this to see how it develops but it’s a great read that has a nail biting ending.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Excellent suspense novel! I am really impressed by the writing style of Helen Phifer. The characters had a certain edge to them which I love, especially for a thriller. I highly recommend this book if you are ready for a dramatic read!

Lakeview House is a fast paced atmospheric thriller.

Maddy escapes from a bad relationship to live at Lakeview House that has long been empty.

All houses have a history but if the walls could talk in Lakeview House I am sure Maddy would have run as fast as she could.

The lights stayed on as I raced to the end of the book all the while looking over my shoulder.

Characters to love and some to hiss at make for a great read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a suspenseful read.

This book is a wild ride! It was well written and had me on the edge of my seat. Maddy hart is an interesting character. The suspense builds throught the whole book and you feel as if you might jump out of your skin!

This was exactly the type of novel I was looking for – a multi-character novel, a touch of mystery and suspense, and an isolated, atmospheric, old house, complete with a tragic past. Glad I picked up this novel, because it ticked off all the boxes for me and was a fast, enjoyable read.

Although this is a multi-character tale, this story all centers around Maddy, a Londoner and emerging psychological thriller author. After the success of her first novel, Maddy is struggling to complete her second. Further complicating matters, she has just escaped a controlling and potentially violent boyfriend and is worried he may not accept their break-up. Maddy’s friend, Stella, finds her a house-sitting gig up in the northern Lake district, and Maddy jumps at the chance.

Once there, however, Maddy learns that the palatial but crumbling lake home from which she plans on meeting her writing deadline holds dark secrets. The locals steer clear of the property, and Maddy’s utter certainty that ghosts don’t exist crumbles with each passing night. But it isn’t only spectral challenges Maddy faces, real life evil is alive and well in this idyllic village with a serial killer on the loose. Chapters are told through alternating points of view of Maddy, Stella, Maddy’s ex and various villagers, including sexy pub owner, Seth.

The story moves along quickly and is deeply engaging. For me, with the exception of Maddy’s ex, the characters were also well developed and I enjoyed the various perspectives that kept things moving at a brisk pace. The ending may have been stretching credulity to its outer limits, but still an exciting, atmospheric and fast-paced read that made me want to visit the Lake district, sans serial killer.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this novel, in exchange for an honest review

Maddy has a problem. She has a fast-approaching deadline for her second book. And she's having problems writing it. She's also being stalked by her nutty, control-freak ex-boyfriend, Connor. Her close friend, Stella, suggests she apply for a job as a caretaker at an old house in the Lake District - Lakeview House. There, she could find peace for writing and not have to worry about her abusive BF finding her.

This book started off good but quickly ran off the rails. I just couldn't believe or understand any of the characters' motivations. Why on earth would Stella even dream of flirting with Connor after everything Maddy had told her about him? No sane woman would do it. And the instances of insta-love were hard to stomach. Many of the characters felt wooden, two-dimensional, and not well fleshed-out. While it was a quick read, the plot of the novel was also very predictable. There are only so many characters to pick from as being the murderer and the twist at the end was not surprising.

Really enjoyed this, author describes the setting brilliantly so you really feel like you can see the Lakeview house. Real page turner

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this nail-biting book

who in their right mind would go and be a house sitter in a very old abandoned neglected old house in need of refurb on the edge of the lake district with hardly anything working and no phone or wi-fi signal...

that is exactly what maddy did to escape her abusive ex-boyfriend and also so she could write her 2nd novel in peace and also for inspiration...

with strange noises abound its not long before maddy hears the gossip and history that surrounds lakeview house but still she doesnt move out and into the village....and someone is getting upset that she hasnt gone...

with red herrings galore and a spine tingling storyline this one will keep you awake at night wondering if that bump in the night was just the house settling down or was it something more sinister...

you cant go wrong with a helen phifer book and this one will keep you awake at night

A writer trying to escape her life as well as her ex-boyfriend leaves London to stay in a huge house in the countryside far away from everything. A quirky little boy who is nosy by nature, and many more intriguing people to get to know in this book. There are a lot of strange things and people in this book, and not everything and everyone are what they seem to be.

This is a romantic countryside mystery meets creepy countryside mystery with some out-of-towners to spice it up. My favourite thing is the remote location with the townspeople. The Londoners were more annoying and neurotic. The storyline itself is not the most original one, but Phifer, as the skilled writer she is, manages to spice up the story with the surroundings and the characters.

This was previously published as What Lies Below

Maddie takes a job as a caretaker for a house in the Lake District to escape an abusive ex boyfriend. Once here she finds she's stuck in a house with dodgy electrics, no phone signal and strange goings on.
From this description you think you know roughly where the book is going to go.

You're wrong.

There's a lot going on in this novel which is hard to review without giving away spoilers. What I will say is that I really liked Alfie and his mum, Glenys. Connor made a great bad guy. However, Stella was an awful character and I couldn't buy into her storyline, I didn't find it believable.

Running from a devastating relationship that almost cost her everything, Maddy Hart impulsively accepts a job as a live-in caretaker at imposing Lakeview House. She has no memories of having visited the crumbling mansion on the banks of Lake Thirlmere before, but when she arrives, something about the house feels familiar.... The more time Maddy spends in the house, the more unsettled she feels. Why does the local story about the last woman who lived here, who drowned on her wedding day, chill Maddy to the bone?

This is a new standalone from Helen Phifer and it's part psychological thriller, part serial killer. A writer takes solace in a creepy old house after running from her abusive ex. She had got the job as caretaker at the remote Lakeview House. when she hears noises at night she wonders if the house is haunted? Or could it be that her ex-boyfriend has found her? What a tense read this is. I like the authors style in writing this book, it's a bit different style to the other books that I've read. The pace is a bit slow to begin with but it's not long before the pace picks up. This is quite an enjoyable read that held my attention throughout.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #HelenPhifer for my ARC of #LakeviewHouse in exchange for an honest review,

This book has an interesting premise and setting. Fans of Helen Phifer will probably enjoy it. Sometimes there are books that for whatever reason, do not click with you. This was that kind of book for me. I wanted to like the book and was intrigued with its description so I may try other books by this author in the future. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Helen Phifer just wrote a fantastic, riveting and nail-biting psychological thriller.
Lakeview House sucked me in right away and I devoured it. I really enjoyed the unique plot interesting characters. It all comes to a head with some fascinating character changes as well as thought provoking.
The plot was fast-paced the entire way through.
This just hit a perfect balance of mystery and thrill for me.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Bookouture,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my platforms, blog, B&N and Waterstone closer to pub date.