I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

This is another suspenseful novel from Carolyn Arnold. In this adventure, Detective Madison Knight is about to marry her fiancé when the police arrest him for murder. This stems from a long ago case where one of four friends raped and murdered a classmate while they were celebrating their graduation. Troy’s friend goes to jail for many years. Is Troy a murderer or could he be the next victim. Could Madison be so wrong about the man she loves?

I always look forward to new Carolyn Arnold novels.

This was a compelling read, that I found I did not want to put down! Great, multi-faceted characters. Very interesting plot. Vivid descriptions. Suspenseful and thrilling. I felt every emotion. Kept me intrigued from the first page to the last. Simply a GREAT read!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

Murder at the Lake is the thirteenth book in the Detective Madison Knight Series. This book can be a stand-alone read, but the series in fantastic and worth starting at the beginning.

When the man accused of rape and murder of a young girl is released from prison, a chain of events changes the plans of Madison and Troy on their wedding day when he is arrested as Madison begins to walk towards him in her gown.

One of the men that stood up for the accused is found dead of a suicide, but the evidence is sloppy and looks like a frame up of Troy. The neighboring police do not investigate and take it all at face value to wrap it up quickly. While Troy is out on bail another murder places Troy back in jail with Madison in the crosshairs of a killer.

This book takes place over a very short time as Madison and Terry work off the books to find the true killer in order to save Troy who does not think it will ever get to trial. Madison is a strong character that digs to discover the truth. Her partner Terry goes along with her reluctantly by her side. The characters are wonderfully written and are worth rooting for as they face opposition around every move they make.

This is a roller-coaster of a ride as we follow Madison from one clue to the next. The story draws the reader in the first few pages and holds them tight until the very end.

Disclosure. This is a review of an e-book I was sent for free. All opinions are my own.

This is book 13 in the Detective Madison Knight series but works fine as a stand-alone read. I haven’t got round to catching up with the earlier titles yet, but I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed books 8-12.

The prologue sets the scene with a flashback to a rape and murder of Emily Kane 24 years ago.

The story then fast forwards to the present with Braybury Police Department investigating the death of Dylan Graham. Is this a suicide or murder? They discover Graham has a file of news articles reporting on the Kane case, including that her attacker Ritchie Klein was released from prison yesterday. They also find Dylan’s journal, which implies that Klein was innocent and that Troy Matthews raped and killed Emily Kane.

Troy Matthews is a name that I immediately recognised from earlier titles, as being the fiancé of Detective Madison Knight. So when the next chapter sets the scene for Madison and Troy’s wedding, from the blurb, I knew that the ceremony would be interrupted with an arrest.

Evidence is stacking up. Has Troy been framed? What can Madison do to prove his innocence? Her avenues of investigation are limited with the case being in the neighbouring Braybury jurisdiction.

More twists follow in this page turner including another death. And who is the mysterious stalker?

An excellent captivating thrilling read from best-selling author Carolyn Arnold.

Murder at the lake by Carolyn Arnold published on May 9th 2024 by Hibbert & Stiles Publishing INC. This is the 13th installment in the Madison Knight series!

The book opens with the rape and murder of a high school senior, Emily Kane. Although three of his friends, including Troy Matthews, testified that they did not think him capable of the crime, a fourth is arrested, found guilty, and imprisioned.
Skip ahead 24 years and the killer has been set free. It is the day of the wedding between Detective Madison Knight and fellow police officer Troy Matthews. Before the l dos can be said, the ceremony is crashed by a neighboring department's detectives and Troy is arrested for the murder of Dylan Graham, one of the friends who testified for the defense in the long ago trial. There is concrete evidence of Troy's guilt, as well as a journal entry by Dylan stating that Troy was Emily's true killer. Out on bail, a second murder occurs, again with evidence pointing at Troy. As Madison races to clear her fiancee's name, she uncovers a sinister plot and places her own life in danger. Will she be able to clear him before it’s to late?

I absolutely love all of the characters and the way story flowed . I cannot wait to read more from this author especially this series.

Murder at the Lake is book 13 in the Madison Knight series by Carolyn Arnold. This was the first book I've read in the series as I'm late to the party, but can say that you can read it as a standalone if you've never read any others in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the next in the series. The book opens 24 years in the past with graduating seniors celebrating by a lake. Everyone is in a great mood enjoying drinks and some drugs. A girl is murdered in the woods during the party as she went to find a place to urinate. A young man is arrested, goes to trial, and found guilty of the murder. He is sentenced to 24 years in prison for the rape/murder of Emily Kane.

As we fast forward to the present it's Madison and Troy's wedding day. They are thrilled to be getting married and have now moved into Madison's grandmother's house after it went up for sale. Madison is so happy as she has so many great memories there. Just as Madison and Troy are about to say their vows, police sirens can be heard approaching the church. The police rush in, put handcuffs on Troy, and arrest him for murder. Dylan Graham was murdered the night before. He was at the lake 24 years ago and is friends with Troy. The police from a neighboring city are the ones making the arrest as Troy is a member of the force here with Madison. They say that Troy killed Dylan to keep him from exposing a dark secret from that night 24 years ago.

This book grabs you from the start and doesn't let go. As you're trying to figure out who did it and why things keep happening. Will Troy be found innocent? Will he and Madison be able to get married and make their honeymoon? Who is the person in the silver car that Troy had noticed many times in the past 2 weeks? Why has that car now been seen behind Madison? When footprints are found in the snow outside Madison and Troy's new house it becomes clear someone was watching them. Who would want to hurt Troy and why? Ritchie is out of prison now, could he have done this? If you love a good mystery, get this book and devour it like I did. I rate Murder at the Lake 4 stars with a high recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Hibbert & Stiles Publishing for an advanced copy of Murder at the Lake in exchange for a fair review. #MurderAtTheLake

This was the first book,I,had read by Carolyn Arnold. I thought it was a great mystery/suspense story. I didn’t realize it was part of a series of books but in my opinion it can be read as a standalone book. Troy and his fiancée Detective Madison Knight are getting married and leaving for their honeymoon when a couple of police officers come in and arrest Troy. They take Troy in for questioning about a Classmate of his that was raped and murdered 24 years ago. Of course this makes Madison question rather Troy is guilty or if he is truly the man she knows or wants to be with for the rest of her life. Madison loves him and she trust him with all of her heart so she investigates some of Troy’s classmates/friends from his past in order to prove his innocence while risking her own career and life. Thank you to Netgalley and Hibbert & Stiles Publishing for giving me the opportunity to receive a ARC of this book to read and review.

Following Detective Madison Knight since book one, she’s been through A LOT. Yet, her strength and perseverance keep pushing her forward. But as I read through Troy getting arrested during their wedding, I wasn’t so sure this might be the thing that completely breaks her. Instead, I got a big surprise in her character growth since book one.

Even though the Braybury Police Department is the one officially handling the investigation, Madison can’t help but feel the urgency to help be the one to save Troy. I was impressed with her growth in how she did manage to *mostly* stick inside the guidelines that Troy’s sister, Andrea, set with her. Troy managed to make his situation worse a few times, proving that he’s human and makes mistakes.

I’m excited to see more of Cameron Snow and his involvement with Madison on a professional level going forward — I think it’s going to be quite an interesting dynamic to add to the series! His own hesitancy, along with the Braybury PD’s Chief enforcing his own requirements for how the case was handled were not taken well by Madison. I loved how she took her own initiative to ensure that things were checked and re-checked.

Arnold really threw me for a loop with this book because I was questioning myself on what I had missed that could have shown Troy as guilty. I was pulling out old enemies and wondering how it was all going to fit. And in her true fashion to giving us the best crime procedurals out there, Arnold pulled it together and had me gasping at what I’d overlooked. Excited to see where this series goes next!

A great fast paced romantic suspense. Great characters and story line. I am looking forward to the next in this series.

Murder At The Lake, a Detective Madison Knight Mystery, by Carolyn Arnold is a very satisfying mystery. Detective Madison Knight's wedding to fellow police officer Troy Matthews is rudely interrupted by police from a neighboring community. Troy is arrested for the murder of a former classmate, Dylan Graham. Normal police courtesy would be advance notice of such an event involving a fellow officer, especially considering that the Police Chief Andrea Fletcher is Troy's sister. The novel focuses on Madison's efforts to clear Troy and discover the actual killer/s; the murder and rape of Emily Kane, also a former classmate of Troy's, 24 years earlier is at the heart of the case. Murder At The Lake is a fast-paced and an easy read novel.
I didn't like all of the characters much, especially Troy Matthew's. From the onset of his arrest he was arrogant and disrespectful; I found it annoying. On the positive side it's an engaging and intriguing book. Thanks to NetGalley, Hibbert and Stiles Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book; my review reflects my honest assessment. 3.5 stars.

First time author for me! I was a little hasteatate on the book. But it was very good. Loved it

Very enjoyable book

Detective Madison Knight is back and on the largest case of her career. She’s racing the clock to solve a case her fiancé could go to jail for. With his past secrets and damning evidence she still has faith. The whole cast of characters are back and they always get their man. Another great read in the series. Thank you to netgally for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

Book Review: Murder at the Lake: An addictive heart-pounding crime thriller (Detective Madison Knight Series Book 13)

Detective Madison Knight is back in the fight of her life

It felt like the day would never come. After many trials and challenges Madison Knight and her fiancée Troy Matthews are finally ready to get married. With family and friends in attendance the scene is perfect until the wedding is crashed by officers from the Braybury PD. Unannounced and uninvited the officers from the neighboring town swiftly arrest Troy and unceremoniously haul him back to their precinct. Accused of the murder of a high school friend the day before the wedding, Troy is detained and questioned. With her special day in shambles and completely unaware of this part of Troy’s past, Madison attempts to get information. If she knows anything, it’s that her fiancé would not murder a person in cold blood, especially the day before the biggest even in their history. She attempts to grill Troy’s sister Andrea for intel, but when the prime suspect in a murder is not only a cop, but also the brother-in-law of the Stiles PD chief of police the Braybury detectives are not freely sharing information. Stemming back to a rape and murder 24 years prior, Troy and his buddies were character witnesses for the defendant. Now, decades later it appears that all involved in Emily Kane’s murder are being picked off one by one… except for Troy Matthews. And with evidence mounting against him at each new crime scene, Madison knows she must act quickly to get to the bottom of this and free Troy. But with the case outside of her jurisdiction and having explicitly being told not to interfere there is little she can do without facing discipline or worse. True to her bulldog moniker, Knight begins to investigate outside of the law (or maybe in the grey areas). Finding flaws in the other department’s hasty handling of the evidence she begins to close in on a suspect. But with the perp having revenge on his mind, Madison has also caught his eye as his next victim.

Murder at the Lake is lucky 13 in the long running Madison Knight series of novels by author Carolyn Arnold. At the beginning it seems as if Madison and Troy will finally get their happy ending, but that is not to be when Troy is arrested for murder. Things go swiftly downhill from there as more details emerge and even Troy’s attempts to clear his name backfire in the worst possible way. At times it seems as if the deck is stacked against Madison and Troy, but the evidence lines up too perfectly and in Madison’s experience that almost always means a frame up. Murder at the Lake had a bit of a different feel to it than the previous books in this series. Typically, Madison and her partner Terry are chasing killers, and the victims are unknown to them but in this installment the action is personal. From the opening scenes when their wedding is crashed, Madison and Troy had their privacy invaded and their sense of security shattered. At times while reading through this book I felt a sense of despair and urgency as Madison continued to defy her superiors and delve into the case in very much a lone wolf fashion. I can’t say that I blame her though, it’s a tough situation to watch someone you love suffer and even worse when you know they’re being set up.

While part of a series Arnold has structured these books, so they do not need to be read in order. If you are reading this book “out of sequence” there will be situations mentioned that are part of prior installments, but they are covered in a way that the reader does not feel as if they are missing any important information. If you are a fan of police procedurals, books with a strong female lead character or both, I highly recommend not only the Madison Knight series of novels but also the Detective Amanda Steele series also by this author. Carolyn Arnold excels at the genre, you will not be disappointed.


Full disclosure - I was provided an advanced reader’s copy of this book by the author or their representative but have voluntarily provided a review. All opinions are my own.

Murder at the Lake is the 13th book in the Madison Knight series by Carolyn Arnold. As the wedding between Madison and Troy is interupted before it begins, poor Troy is led off in handcuffs. If anyone knows Madison from previous books she is not one to step back and allow things to happen when they will. She goes all out, without thought to herself and asks the questions that the arresting officers should have been asking. I found this to be a very good read and I would recommend it to others.

I received and ARC from NetGalley and the publisher Hibbert & Stiles Publishing, I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Murder at the Lake by Carolyn Arnold is a police procedural that takes Madison into the thick of it when the police interrupt her wedding to Troy, another cop, on charges of murder. First, she is aghast, then terrified, then angry enough to start investigating. The lawyer gets him out on bail but before they even get a good night’s sleep he’s arrested again, for another murder. Well, it’s obvious to all, now, that he’s being framed. But it is still going to take a deep dive to figure out what is going on. It is his gun, which has gone missing from the lockbox it lives in. But when? Were they burglarized? Was it when they moved? It started in the past when a girl he and the victims all knew had been raped and murdered. Another boy they knew had been accused, tried, and had spent twenty years in prison. Now he was out. Had it been him?

Madison Knight is a good cop. So is Carson Snow, as man she didn’t even know but who had arrested Troy. Little did she know that he was seeing the anomalies as well and was working as hard as she was. She trudged through it, clue by clue until she figured it out. Meanwhile, her boss, Andrea, is Troy’s sister and wants his release as much as Madison does but knows procedure and knows Madison cannot be overt about investigating. It is kind of a confused mess until all of a sudden it wasn’t. It was a good read, one that kept the reader guessing as as much as the detective. Thanks, Carolyn Arnold, for another great read!

I was invited to read Murder at the Lake by Hibbert and Stiles Publishing, Inc. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #HibbertAndStilesInc #CarolynArnold #MurderAtTheLake

Murder at the Lake
(Madison Knight Mystery 13)
Carolyn Arnold


Carolyn Arnold is the author of over 40 books including Detective Madison Knight, Detective Amanda Steele, Brandon Fisher FBI, and the McKinley mystery cozy series to name a few.


Madison Knight is finally set to marry Troy Matthews. During the ceremony Detectives from the neighboring Braybury Police Dept interrupted the proceedings to arrest Troy for murder among other charges! Madison and Troy both work for the Stiles Police Dept. It’s a huge offense that no one including Andrea, his sister, and Chief knows about a pending arrest! While Troy is being removed from their wedding Madison’s best friend Cynthia, goes into contractions and is rushed to the hospital. Andrea instructs Madison to go with Cynthia while she goes with Troy. Sadly, this division of labor gets them nowhere as the Braybury PD stonewalls Andrea in every way they can…. at every level. Now it’s Madison’s turn and when she’s through Detectives Snow and Friedman won’t know what hit them!

24 years ago two teens accused a boy of rape; one died. Emily Kane, a high school senior is raped and murdered one night at a party. A fellow student Richie Klein is arrested and sentenced, to 24 years no parole; for her murder. Troy was at the party and friends with the accused.

It’s up to Detective Madison Knight to figure out if the murder 24 years ago has anything to do with Troy's troubles now or is it all a red herring for something much more twisted and diabolical….

As a new reader of the Madison Knight mysteries, I wish to commend the author for writing so well that I was able to jump into the series at book 13 without any issues! The author focuses fully on this tale rather than past thoughts or tales of the characters except for the rare inference. Ensuring I was fully immersed in Madison and Troy’s drama. This book seemed to speed by! Ms. Arnold has a new fan, I will be going back to read book one The Ties that Bind. 5*****

Murder at the Lake is a rollercoaster of emotions! A crime that clouded Troy's past has made a come back to his present life in the worst possible way and time. He is being framed for crimes he did not commit, he is angry and afraid for what might happen to his beloved Madison, and he has to fight against a whole Police Station unwilling to investigate his case. And investigate Madison will, she'll race against the clock so proof against the killer can be found in order to release Troy from jail. The story is well-written, engaging from the beginning, and full of action.
I thank Ms. Arnold, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Murder at the Lake (A Detective Madison Knight Mystery)
by Carolyn Arnold

Detective Madison Knight is back!

This time, the story started with a girl called Emily Kane who was raped and killed in college, while one of their friends got arrested for the crime. 24 years later in Detective Madison Knight's wedding, the police interrupted their wedding and arrested her fiance Troy. Trpy was arrested for the murder of one of their college friends...

The author Carolyn Arnold is always my favourite crime fiction writer. The characters she created are unique and with distinct personalities. Basically you can picture all the characters when reading her books. The police investigation in the book is always an enjoyment to read. The dark secrets and the relationship between the characters are fascinating. Especially I love how Detective Madison Knight work with her team. I cannot wait for the next crime fiction by Carolyn Arnold.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for my copy.

Pub date: May 9, 2024

Big day for Detective Madison Knight and SWAT leader Troy Matthews – today is the day they say “I do” … but then there is interruption from a neighbouring Police Department coming in and arresting Troy for murder of Dylan Graham.
Dylan Graham was a high school friend – but why would police suspect Troy.
Madison knows Troy would never have done this, and takes a dive into the past, trying not to get int way of the detectives investigating Dylan’s murder. Troy is released on bail when another high school friend gets killed, this time it is one that was just released after spending 20 years in jail for the rape and death of a class mate – who is setting Troy up to take the fall for all this.
Another great book in the series!

She just wanted to enjoy the evening, with friends, but now Emily Kane is dead. A young man is found guilty of her murder and will spend twenty-four years in prison, but what will happen when he is released? Years later, our favorite detective Madison Knight is finally getting married to the love of her life, Troy Matthews, an officer with the Stiles P.D. Special Weapons and Tactical Division. How did a case from over twenty years ago come back to call a halt to Troy and Madison’s wedding when he is arrested for murder? Troy and his friends, not believing their friend could have killed Emily, had given testimonials on his behalf in court. Now one of the friends is dead and Troy has been arrested for his murder. The murder occurred in another jurisdiction, so Madison can only quietly investigate on her own. A twisted story of revenge, but the murderer didn’t count on Madison, who is determined to find the killer and exonerate the man she loves. An amazing police procedural, written by one of the best, that will keep you turning the pages until the thrilling end! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)