Delia, Cara and Zelda are teenage friends until Zee disappears one day after a trip to the lake. Her body is never recovered. Delia and Cara lose contact over the years but on the tenth anniversary of Zee's death, Delia receives an email from Cara and goes back to her hometown to meet her, but Cara has now disappeared too. The story tells how Delia follows in Cara's footsteps, including joining the Artemis cult, to try and find out what has happened to Cara. There are lots of red herrings in unraveling the mystery. I liked Delia, her Mum and friend Ren. Salthouse place and the Artemis people made be feel very uncomfortable and worried for Delia.

The story started off strong with a disappearance of a girl at a lake while with her friends. I became invested when we find out our main character is still struggling with that day all these years later as an adult. And then a second girl (now woman) has disappeared.

SALTHOUSE PLACE is a unique thriller in that the mystery of what happened on the lake that day becomes wrapped inside the mysterious tentacles of a cult. I love a good cult story.

About 70 percent through the book the plot started dragging - in the end I think the story was a bit too long with maybe too many tentacles that became hard to keep track of. Also, many of the characters were unlikeable and not easy to root for.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an e-copy of SALTHOUSE PLACE to review.

I rate SALTHOUSE PLACE three out of five stars.

This is a riveting read that kept on giving the whole way with its many twists and turns. Friendship dynamics, power, grief and a cult at its heart make this a book that would appeal to those who loved Liane Moriarty's Nine Perfect Strangers and Charity Norman's See You in September. Can't wait to read more from this author.

Thrilling, plot driven and completely captivating. I enjoyed this one so much and can’t wait to read more by the author.

I loved the premise and couldn't wait to get stuck in! It was a bit of a slow burn but it did improve as the book went on a bit. The twists were decent and the characters were well written and worth investing in but I did struggle with the writing style and plot holes. A few things didn't really make sense but if you don't think too hard and just take it for whst it is then it's a decent enough read

Salthouse Place
Thriller
Jamie Lee Sogn
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

There were parts of this book I enjoyed and parts that I didn’t, too.

I liked the writing style and the pacing was a little slow to start with but once it picked up, it was fine.

I was a little confused by how suddenly multiple people knew about Delia's pager and how to get hold of her when they didn't before and had never even tried to.

There were quite a few inconsistencies and continuity errors/plot holes which made me go back a few pages each time to reread and double check that I hadn't missed something.

The plot twists were good, although some were predictable. I didn't like Tom from the start.

I liked flashbacks as they slowly revealed what happened to Zee and what life was like afterwards, however, I feel like the plot really started to focus on Cara and her experience with Artemis Wellness. Finding out what happened to Zee became an afterthought.

I found the ending a little weak and I didn't understand how Cara could forgive certain people.

This book seems like it's based on the NXIVM cult and with some editing, it could be a great book.

*Thank you to @Netgalley, the author and the publishers for providing this ARC. This is my own opinion and an honest review, which I am leaving voluntarily

If you like mystery/thrillers about cults, this book is for you! I’ve read really mixed reviews on this one, but I liked it! It kept me entertained, and I had to know what was happening the whole time! Thanks to Netgalley for providing this ARC for my review.

Salthouse Place is Jamie Lee Sogn's gripping debut novel, and a must-read for thriller enthusiasts and cult mystery lovers alike. The story takes readers on an intense journey following Delia, who, plagued by grief over her best friend Zee's decade-old disappearance, receives a cryptic email from another missing friend, Cara. Sogn skillfully weaves a tale of suspense as Delia embarks on a quest for answers, navigating a dangerous cult that guards its secrets zealously.

Sogn's narrative expertise shines through as she immerses readers in Delia's world, unraveling unexpected twists at every turn. The plot's shocking revelations kept me turning the pages. Unexpectedly, Salthouse Place delves deep into the complexities of friendship, exploring both the bonds that connect us and the toxic dynamics that can tear us apart.

The novel is a masterclass in portraying the nuances of relationships, blending heart-wrenching realizations about love with the adrenaline of a suspenseful plot. Sogn deftly captures the essence of lost friendships, toxic alliances, and the profound self-discoveries that adulthood brings.

Salthouse Place is a sensational debut, leaving me eagerly anticipating Jamie Lee Sogn's next literary endeavor. Strap in, because this novel is a roller-coaster ride of emotions, mysteries, and unexpected revelations that will keep you hooked until the very end. 4.5 stars

Really enj0yed this one, well written and the characters and plot seemed to come to life. I thought the writing was easy to read and also atmospheric, and overall a good read!

I loved the description of this book (a psychological thriller with a missing person and a cult), however it didn't live up to its potential.
It started well and kept me gripped for the first 30% until the story became tedious, repetitive and lacking in characterisation. There could have been so much tension within the cult scenes but everything fell flat. The twist right at the end didn't make up for the the wasted opportunity of what could have been a gripping and punchy thriller.
Wouldn't really recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5⭐️ I think for an author's debut it was just fine. The storytelling was well done but I didn't care for the characters.

The book opens with 3 teen friends hanging out by a lake and as the day progresses, one of them goes missing. Now 10 years later, Delia one of the survivors who hasn't been in contact with the other remaining friend, Cara receives a puzzling email saying she has some important information to share.

Only for Delia to come back to their small town for a visit to find Cara missing too. Cue in the amateur detective investigation mission and putting her whole life on hold so she can save another missing friend. This investigation leads her to a cult and with that danger and more unanswered questions.

Thanks to netgalley, the author and publisher for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review 🎉

I enjoyed this, yes it was more or less an exact description of NXIVM but for me that worked. I have taken off a star as I didn't really understand the bartender (yes integral to the plot but didn't do it for me). The other plot twists make sense and I loved the ending.

For a debut author this was great, wish I could write like this and have this imagination.

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

A twisty thriller which starts out with three teenage girls swimming in the late but only 2 return home. The fast forward several years and Cara goes missing and then Delia decides to go back to her hometown to find out what is going on. Delia sets out to search Cara's home from childhood and she discovery that Cara might be involved in some cult like activity. The setting of the book is in the Pacific Northwest and the setting has an eerie feeling to it. Delia takes the responsibility on herself to find out what is going on!

First novel I've read by Jamie Lee Sogn and I would definitely like to read more of hers. But I don't think Salthouse Place was my best start.

I liked the whole theme of the plot, the story, the characters and the intricate nature of certain situations, characters and the plot twists, I think that was incredible. But I also felt that the way of writing was not up to par, like it ended up becoming tedious, there were chapters that I simply wanted to finish and things that came out of nowhere at times.

But that is something that I felt, and it is something quite personal, that is why I think this book is a three star and that I want to continue reading it. I liked how he presented the story and everything that was discovered little by little.

Thank you Lake Union Publishing for the ARC I read on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

My first book about a cult. I thought is was an okay book. The twists and turns throughout the book kept me engaged. When i thought i had it figured out the author would throw in a new twist. I enjoyed the writing style, am a fan of past/present timeline.

In the far reaches of the Pacific Northwest, three best friends spend a day at the lake…but only two come home.

This felt like something I've read before, but not in a good way.

Fantastic writing and a very neat plot concept. I really enjoyed the characters and the premise of the plot.
Where it fell a little short for me was in the pace. I felt it slipped over some parts, while dragging in others. I found some of the plot white unbelievable as well, as in how quickly and thoroughly Jenny was brainwashed, and the wishy washiness of Sage.
Overall, I thought the writing shows great potential, though and I look forward to watching the author grow.

I love love love books like this. Our girl lost her best friend to a potential drowning at her family's lake house when she was 14 (or 15). It has been ten years and she recieves an email from her other best friend, which basically drags her back to that house.
I love her! She doesn't want to do the polar plunge and she is so snarky about it. I wouldn't do it either. No freaking way. Also I think Teddy's behavior gave her a good reason to dump him, What an asshole.


I related so much to her memories of being a teenager with her friends.

I absolutely love books of women returning to their hometown to solve a mystery or work through trauma.
This is likely because I am still in my hometown. I am here waiting to run into the main character who is forced to come home.
I especially love "going home" books when there is a potential cult connection.
This got better and better and OMG I love it.

I loved the part where she goes to the seminar because it is so exactly how those are!

An ok read for me where I felt with a bit more could have been a good one
Parts were long and drawn out but then other parts dynamically told and moved the story on quickly
A n interesting premise that just didn’t hit the mark for me but the writing was good and would read more from this author