3.75 Stars

The Deepest Lake is a slow-burn psychological thriller that follows Rose on her journey to Guatemala, where she attends a memoir writer's retreat led by the famous author Eva. Rose aims to uncover the mystery of her missing daughter, Jules, who was last seen working for Eva. The story alternates between the present, as Rose tries to gather information at the retreat, and the past, where we see Jules's experiences working for Eva and her affair with Eva's adopted Guatemalan son.

The book's pacing is a little slow in the first half, as Rose attends writing workshops and subtly attempts to pry information from other attendees and staff, though she has little success. Meanwhile, we learn about Jules's life before she disappeared. As the story unfolds in the second half, the suspense builds with surprising twists that shed light on what happened to Jules.

While there are quite a few characters to keep track of—which led to some initial confusion—the suspenseful storyline kept me engaged. However, the ending was somewhat predictable.

Susan Bennett and Rebecca Quinn Robertson's audiobook narration added depth to the story. Their pacing and tone captured the mood perfectly, making it easier to immerse myself in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media | Recorded Books for providing me an audio-ARC of The Deepest Lake in exchange for my honest review.

"The Deepest Lake" by Andromeda Romano-Lax is a beautifully crafted novel that intertwines history, mystery, and personal discovery against the backdrop of a remote Alaskan setting. The story revolves around a young woman named Inara, who travels to a small town to confront her past and uncover the secrets surrounding her family’s history.

Romano-Lax’s writing is lyrical and evocative, bringing the stark beauty of the Alaskan landscape to life while also creating a rich emotional atmosphere. The narrative unfolds with a sense of urgency, as Inara’s journey leads her to confront not only the physical challenges of the wilderness but also the emotional complexities of her relationships and identity.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, each adding depth to the story. Inara’s quest for understanding is both personal and universal, touching on themes of loss, belonging, and the search for truth. The interwoven histories of the town and its inhabitants create a compelling backdrop that enhances the central mystery and keeps readers engaged.

Overall, "The Deepest Lake" is a poignant and immersive read that will resonate with anyone who has ever sought to understand their roots. Andromeda Romano-Lax has created a compelling narrative that combines rich storytelling with profound insights into the human experience. This novel is a must-read for fans of literary fiction and those who appreciate beautifully written, character-driven stories.

The Deepest Lake is a slow-burn psychological thriller for sure, as we follow Rose traveling to Guatemala to take part in a memoir writer's retreat in the hopes of finding out what happened to her missing daughter, Jules, who was last seen working for the famous author (Eva) running the retreat. Alternating chapters show Jules from the time she meets the author leading up to the present. For the first half of the book, though, aside from the dangling carrot of knowledge that Jules will go missing, not a lot happens. Rose attends writing workshops and tries (unsuccessfully) to get information from attendees and staff, while Jules starts an affair with Eva's adoptive Guatemalan son and works for Eva. About midway things start to pick up as we learn what happened to Jules, and then it becomes a spin off Stephen King's Misery with some interesting twists. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, though, some of whom are more distracting than entertaining and add to the ambience but not the plot. The ending was a bit disappointing for me--not bad, just a little flat. The setting is lush and vibrant and makes you feel like you're really on Lake Atitlán.

Susan Bennett and Rebecca Quinn Robertson (who sounds an awful lot like Kate Mara) do an excellent job narrating this book. Thank you to the author, Soho Crime, and Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first book by Andromeda Romano-Lax. I really enjoyed it. I love how Rose took charge to find out what happened to her daughter. I loved the plot twists. I hope this author continues to write more books like this! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of the book.

4.5 stars
Thank you to Net Galley and RB Media for the ALC of this fantastic audiobook. I listen to a lot of audio and the narrators embodiedthe mother and daughter characters for this story. They did such a great job!
I absolutely loved the premise of this novel. I’ve read quite a few “missing girl” novels in the past few months but this one was different because we hear from Jules the missing girl and her mother Rose who is going out on a limb to find out what happened to her daughter. Rose travels to Guatemala where Jules was last seen and joins a writing workshop given by a famous memoir author that Jules worked for and idolized.
This isn’t necessarily a thriller but there are some tense moments and I feel like this would make an amazing tv series!
I loved the emotions explored by both Jules and Rose and the mother daughter dynamic that isn’t always easy, even when you are an adult daughter.
After I read this I realized I read The Spanish Bow by the same author many years ago. I hope she finds success in this book and I look forward to reading it more from her.

This high quality audio is a pov story ss rose goes undercover to try and find out what sctually happened to her daughter Jules who disappeared from a writers retreat abroad. There was no body .
This is a pov story today from jules and roses pov. I would describe this as a mystery written with good dedcription
It felt too long but i eas compelled to listen on to find out the ending. The plot was predictable but the characters were well written . The side characters and the retreat made a good sidestory. The narrator was good. I would recommended this to anyone who like a good mystery but be awate of the length. A solid 4 star. Thanks netgallery and publisher and author and narrator

This was such a sad story on the surface but a darker one much deeper. I LOVE that Rose decided to go momma-bear and find out what happened to her daughter! There were some twists that I did not see coming, too bad that Eva never really got what she deserved!

This was my 1st book by Andromeda Romano-Lax but not be my last!

#TheDeepestLake
#NetGalley

Rose, Jules mother is devastated when she learns her daughter has drowned in Guatemala’s Lake Aititlán. In an effort to find out the truth about Jules' drowning, Rose travels to Guatemala and joins the writing retreat.

The story is told from two main points of view; Jules’ and Rose’s., but Eva's character is well developed also. I loved this because we get to hear from Jules and see how both stories come together and the hold that Eva has on her writing followers. I listened to this on audio so I cannot comment if it would be the same read, but with the audio version, I felt like I was there and could picture the land and the lake. The author's writing is clearly to credit for this but the narration was well done!

I would have given it 5 stars but the ending felt unfinished or maybe I needed more. Overall, I would highly recommend it!

Many thanks to Andromeda Romano-Lax and Recorded Books for the ALC via NetGalley!!!

This book is a haunting and evocative novel that plunges readers into the depths of history and human emotion. Set against the backdrop of Stalinist Russia, this gripping story follows the journey of a young woman named Lidia who finds herself caught in the turbulent currents of love, betrayal, and survival. At its heart, "The Deepest Lake" is a tale of resilience and redemption. As Lidia navigates the treacherous waters of Soviet politics and personal tragedy, her strength and courage shine through, inspiring readers to persevere in the face of adversity.

What truly sets this novel apart is its exploration of the complexities of human relationships. Romano-Lax deftly weaves together themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice, crafting a narrative that is as emotionally resonant as it is intellectually stimulating.

In "The Deepest Lake," Romano-Lax has created a masterful work of historical fiction that will captivate readers from beginning to end. With its compelling characters, lush prose, and gripping plot, this is a book that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

"The Deepest Lake" by Andromeda Romano-Lax is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that delves into the depths of grief and the search for truth. Set against the backdrop of a luxury memoir-writing workshop on the shores of Lake Atitlán, Guatemala, the novel follows Rose, a grieving mother determined to uncover the truth behind her daughter's mysterious death.

Romano-Lax masterfully weaves together elements of suspense, mystery, and emotional depth, creating a compelling narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. From the moment Rose arrives at the workshop, she is drawn into a world filled with secrets, intrigue, and unexpected revelations. As she navigates the complexities of grief and grapples with the unanswered questions surrounding her daughter's death, Rose becomes increasingly determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its exploration of the toxic and exclusionary nature of high-class writing workshops. Through vividly drawn characters and evocative prose, Romano-Lax shines a light on the power dynamics at play within these privileged circles, where charisma and manipulation often mask darker intentions.

At its core, "The Deepest Lake" is a poignant examination of maternal love, loss, and the lengths to which a mother will go to seek justice for her child. Rose's journey is both heart-wrenching and empowering, as she confronts her own grief and finds the strength to uncover the truth, even in the face of danger.

Overall, "The Deepest Lake" is a riveting read that captivates from beginning to end. With its richly drawn characters, atmospheric setting, and thought-provoking themes, it's a must-read for fans of suspenseful thrillers and emotional dramas alike. I give it a solid 5/5 stars for its compelling storytelling and powerful emotional resonance.

This is an atmospheric thriller set in Guatemala. The setting of Lake Atitlán luxury memoir-writing workshop is both creepy and mysterious. A mother is trying to get to the bottom of her daughter’s mother mystery. Jules was an aspiring writer and Rose wasn’t satisfied with the investigation so she go on the shores of Lake Atitlán herself and investigates the case. There were so many questions, doubts, suspicions and secrets. The truth is twisted and so many things happens in the book.

I felt like a lot of things are happenings and each character is mysterious and secrets is what connects them. The setting worked so well here. I could feel the emotions of a mother. I liked the description of Memoir writing workshop. The book is gripping from beginning to end. I liked the narration.

Thanks to the Publisher

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

Interesting read, not as much of a thriller as I expected but still good. The middle dragged a bit, and didn't always keep my attention but I still enjoyed it. The narrators did a good job.

I really enjoyed listening to this one and it pulled me in right away! I did not see the twist coming, and it was done really well.
The narration was also done really well. This is my first time reading from this author, and it definitely will not be my last. I gave this book 4.75 star's.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrators were good. I was expecting more of a thriller and this wasn’t that. It was a good storyline and I enjoyed the author’s writing style, I just went into it with different expectations based on the blurb. Recommend this one to those that enjoy books with a lot of drama and mystery.

In the book The Deepest Lake, author Andromeda Romano-Lax follows Rose who is desperately trying to find what happened to her daughter while she was in Guatemala working at a luxury writing workshop. Rose’s daughter Jules is presumed dead but Rose is finding that things don’t add up and decides to pay to go to the workshop undercover and discover the truth. But she quickly finds that everything is not as it seems and she has no idea who to trust. This was a good story idea, but it was way too predictable. I would recommend this book. The audio-book narration was very good. I received a copy of this audio-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rose has travelled to Guatemala in a desperate bid to gain answers to her daughter’s apparent death while she was working for the writer Eva Marshall. Why was Jules there, why did she stop contacting family and what lead to her death?

This is a very enjoyable novel, well written and well narrated (I listened to the audiobook). Complex characters whose lives could be at risk as they discover more about Eva and her workshops. Good twists in the plot and enjoyed all the interesting characters. Well worth a listen/read, enjoy.

I found it to be less of a thriller, and more along the lines of a mystery or suspense novel. This was a beautiful story about the strength of a mother's love. Rose was determined to fins out what happened to her daughter. While I found it to be a little too long, I devoured this audiobook quickly. It was written in a way that I had to know what happened to Rose's daughter, Jules. The story is told from dual POVs - Rose in the present tense, and Jules leading up to her drowning. There was great character development of the main characters and the supporting characters. The plot was well written and was great at building the suspense that had me racing to the end. The story was narrated by Susan Bennett and Rebecca Quinn Robertson, and they did a great job bringing the story to life. Overall, a great read!

Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

I don’t know if I love this book or hate it. It is probably too early to review the book since I just finished it a few minutes ago. There is a good part and a bad part to the ending that is keeping me torn.
The setting of Casa Eva and the character of Eva feel real as I listened to this book. That also contributed to my strong feelings about the ending.
The lake could have been used more, but I appreciate that the author didn’t tip over into exoticising the lake, the country, or the people. Eva and several of the others feel like the outsiders and I liked that as well.
So if you want a couple good twists and an ending that makes you want to throw things and smile, pick this one up.

I found it to be less of a thriller, and more along the lines of a mystery or suspense novel. This was a beautiful story about the strength of a mother's love. Rose was determined to fins out what happened to her daughter. While I found it to be a little too long, I devoured this audiobook quickly. It was written in a way that I had to know what happened to Rose's daughter, Jules. The story is told from dual POVs - Rose in the present tense, and Jules leading up to her drowning. There was great character development of the main characters and the supporting characters. The plot was well written and was great at building the suspense that had me racing to the end. The story was narrated by Susan Bennett and Rebecca Quinn Robertson, and they did a great job bringing the story to life. Overall, a great read!

Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

This was an interesting story. The narration was good and enjoyed them.
Rose is determined to find her daughter Jules who has disappeared while working for her favorite author in Guatemala. The story goes back and forth between their two perspectives of what has led up to her disappearance and her moms pursuit of her.