I enjoyed getting to know the true nature of the various characters in the book, and how seedy families can be once you dig into them. The storyline about Zack’s death was gripping, and the story is still vivid in my mind despite reading it a week ago.

How we get our information about Zack’s death is unique, the telling of past events keeps the reader engaged and wanting to read on.

The blurb does not give anything away. The reader gets more immersed into the life of this secretive, dark family as they read on, making it difficult to put this book down!

Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and author Gregg Dunnett for the advanced reader copy of this book. What follows is my unbiased review of the book.

This is a challenging book to review. It has me of two minds. On one hand, the premise is terrific and author Greg Dunnett's use of a potential paranormal plot point works quite well despite the fact that some people wouldn't believe the story. I think it's a healthy skepticism that he actually works well into the story itself. On the other hand, there are two major problems I had with the book and definitely took away from what was otherwise a compelling story.

The story opens with Kate Marshall being interviewed by FBI Agent Jim McGee regarding a fire that took the lives of several members of her family. As one of the few survivors, she's also one of the suspects in a potential case of arson and murder. The story is told from her perspective, leading up to the events that landed them here.

Kate was the middle of three sisters with Amber being older and Bea being younger than her. When their father dies and leaves the family lake house to the three daughters, it becomes a mistake. The intention is to keep the family together, but this isn't what happens. Bea really doesn't care, since she lost her only son, Zack, in a drowning accident at the lake several years before. Kate and her husband are navigating the terrible twos with their son, Jack. Amber steps in and takes over, remodeling the house to go way beyond what it once was to the family.

Jack is two years old and pretty non-verbal as the story begins. As he adds words to his vocabulary, what Kate hears him saying is pretty remarkable. He talks about being bigger in the past and having memories from back then. One day, they are visiting Bea when he spots a train that used to be Zack's favorite toy and declares it "my train." Kate's husband Neil is a published scientist and rationalizes much of what Kate thinks is happening. As time goes on, however, Kate can't explain how Jack knows things he couldn't possibly have known otherwise. Eventually, Kate asks him about his death when he was Zack, leading to a situation that threatens to blow the family apart.

I was roped in very well by the story itself. I figured out most of where this was going to go early on, but getting there was intriguing. The characters all bounce off of each other well and act the way I've seen in many families. Amber is the oldest and an over-achiever, used to running everything. That her sisters step back and let her do so is on them, although Bea's indifference can be ascribed to her grief. Why would she care what is done with the beloved family lake house where her only son drowned? Going there can only be a harsh reminder of what happened. Kate is caught up in her own situation and doesn't seem that concerned about it, either.

However, despite Neil's downplay of the situation, Kate is troubled by what Jack has told her. Up until the weekend of the grand reopening of the house following Amber's renovations, she has hidden all this from Bea. This is despite the doctor she consulted with experience in this wanting to talk with Bea as well. All of this is told from Kate's perspective as she's being interviewed by Agent McGee. Both he and his partner are skeptical, feeling that Kate is the likely suspect in the arson as one of the few who survived. The question is if they will believe her about Jack. This part of the story worked very well.

The problems I had were twofold. One, it's very obvious the author has never been to Maine. That is the setting he chose for these events but they don't fit. I imagine he looked at a map and thought it would work well as there are a lot of lakes in the northern part of Maine, away from the coast. That area is remote, though. You won't find yuppie caterers there as is depicted twice in the book. You're lucky to find anything there that could cater a dinner, never mind set up and serve it in your home. That's more akin to Center Harbor, New Hampshire, or Meredith, New Hampshire on Lake Winnipesaukee where people with more money are catered to. At one point they order takeout as if it's a thing. I've been to the town on these lakes and if you find one decent Chinese restaurant, you'll have to go pick it up yourself. Also, the only airports in these areas are small airports for private planes. You can't just grab a flight from Portland to there.

The second problem was the entire way the book began. Kate begins by telling the story of her father's death. There's no point in these events as it has no bearing on the story or the fire. It feels like filler that has no purpose other than to make the story longer.

The central story of Jack and whether he was once Zack in a past life is intriguing and very well done. I wish Gregg Dunnett had stuck to that story and left the rest out. He also should have set it in a place he is familiar with. This likely could have been set in the Lakes District in England where the author is from and worked just as well. If you've ever been to Maine you'll be shaking your head at a lot of it. The story is solid and intriguing, but it does have some problems overall.

4⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of The Lake House Children.

Jim McGee an FBI agent is investigating a suspicious fire at a family lake house. He is interviewing Kate a survivor and one of the owners of the lake house about what happened the night of the fire. She goes on to explain the events that took place in her family that led up to the night of the fire. Some of the events being her mother being sick, the tragic death of her nephew, the different personalities of her and her two sisters, the death of her father, and her son claiming that he was someone else in a past life. Can Jim trust Kate?

I really enjoyed this book. It had me hooked from the very beginning. It was very fast paced and it kept me guessing until the very last page.

This was such a great thriller, so different to any I’ve read before. It starts with Kate being taken in for an interview with FBI Agent Jim McGee and his partner Robbins, Jim is on his final case before retirement.
At this point all we know is there has been a devastating fire at the families Lake House but we don’t know who died. It’s like a reverse thriller leading its way through Kate and her families story to get to the incident.
The events which lead up to this tragedy span several years, McGee begs Kate to “Just tell me what happened, what really happened”
Kate’s opens up and tells the story of her family and relationship with her sisters Amber and Bea. Kate is a tired struggling mum, her son Jack is troubled with nightmares but there is far more than just this, he has memories of a different life, a different Mommy 🫣
I don’t want to give any spoilers, there are shocks and surprises as the story unfolds.
I look forward to reading more of Gregg’s books.
Thank you NetGalley, Gregg Dunnett and Storm Publishing for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is not like the type of thrillers I typically read but I was hooked from the start. The only reason I didn’t read it faster is because I didn’t like reading it right before bed because I was creeped out. This isn’t in your face creepy but it has an underlying thread of creepiness throughout the whole story that kept me on my toes. For me, it was a good mix of paranormal and reality to where I could totally believe something similar actually happening. I found the family dynamic intriguing and the slow build of tension between Kate and Neil realistic. This also read very quickly! If you are looking for a thriller with paranormal aspects, I would definitely recommend.

It's a twisty, gripping mystery. The plot is interesting with enough suspenseful events and secrets and lies. Though I have to suspend disbelief sometimes in the story, it's written in an engaging way. I found the pace a little slow, and I couldn’t guess where the story was headed, but the climax was shocking and twisted. I enjoyed it. Recommended. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

Oooooohhhh this is a juicy one without a doubt! As I was reading I could envision it being played out as a movie, my brain was running wild and my imagination was in overdrive.

Sisters Kate, Amber and Bea are lucky that they have spent their summers growing up at their parents lake house, now they are women with families of their own and have to come to the decision to keep or sell the lake house. But it holds many memories though not all of them are good. When the book starts Kate is being interviewed about a fire where four of her family members perished (we don’t know who) and she takes us back to the beginning and tells us the sorry tale leading up to the night of the fire.

I was fully invested in this read, as Kate opens up to the FBI agents and reveals the mystery, it was a thrilling read with a unique storyline, one I definitely won’t forget.

Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Lake House Children by Gregg Dunnett is a highly recommended domestic mystery with some supernatural elements.

FBI Agent Jim McGee is close to retirement and is assigned one last case. There was been a lethal fire at a family's lake house resulting in four deaths. One of the survivors, Kate Marshall, is a prime suspect for setting the fire and she is being interviewed by McGee and his partner Billy Robbins. When he instructs Kate to tell him what really happened, she does. Her tale leading up to the fire starts a few years before the fire, the weekend when the three sisters and their families were invited to come spend the weekend at the lake house where their father lives. This was the weekend their father died.

The well-written narrative will immediately grab your attention as it focuses on Kate's story. It closely follows her family, her husband Nick and young son Jack, along with her relationship with her two older sisters. The plot unfolds through the interview, the bulk of which is Kate telling her story along with occasional breaks in her monologue which flips to McGee's point-of-view.

Part of Kate's tale includes her son Jack insisting he used to be someone else. At first, when he was a toddler, what Jack was trying to say was unintelligible, but became comprehensible as he got older. At age four what he was saying was clear. Nick, a scientist, is dismissive of their son's claims, but Kate is convinced Jack is telling the truth. This is a huge part of the plot and requires readers to believe that what Jack is saying is true.

There are many other compelling parts to this family drama, including enough bad behavior and questionable actions by many of the extended family members to hold your attention. There are a few surprising reveals the serve to propel the drama forward and keep the tension high. Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me read an ARC for this book.

I don’t think this book will be for everyone and unfortunately I don’t think it will stick me with me. I did guess one of the twists and the other one near the end didn’t shock me. Most of the characters are a little insufferable but I do believe that is intentional. I wish we got more of Agent McGee’s perspective. I didn’t find it overly suspenseful, but from about the 80% mark I was hooked, but then I felt myself becoming uninterested again during the epilogue.

It’s not badly written, it’s fast paced and has a unique plot. I understand why some people have rated this five stars.

I'd went into this book blind (as I'd forgotten what it was exactly about) and I'm glad I did because it was the best way to read it!

It was slow at first as it lays the groundwork for the main plot but a few chapters in, we get to it and it's a wild ride from there. I loved the unique themes explored and its pacing.

I kept wondering what I'd do if I was in a similar situation and while I didn't always relate or agree with the MC, I could never judge her. Overall a great and unique psychological thriller perfect for fall.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the e-copy! I look forward to more by Greg Dunnett.

This was a good supernatural physiological family drama. Not something I’d normally read, but it was a book that will leave you thinking about things. A family has died in a lake house fire, but something is not right. It’s gripping with some powerful characters. It is a well written book that explores some great topics.
A 4 star thriller.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

FBI Agent Jim McGee is weeks away from retirement when he’s handed one last case: a devastating fire at an isolated lake house that’s killed almost a whole family. One of the survivors, Kate Marshall, knows exactly what happened, but from the moment the young mother starts to speak, something feels wrong.
Under the harsh lights of the interview room, the weight of tragedy hangs in the air. With four victims and one suspect, this should be an open-and-shut case. But the things she’s saying happened are impossible – so why is she saying them? And if they’re not impossible, then it’s the whole of McGee’s career that makes no sense.
When the grieving woman falls silent, McGee's unease grows. "Just tell me what happened, what really happened," he almost begs.
The woman’s eyes, filled with an unreadable emotion, lock onto his. "You want the truth, Agent McGee?" she whispers. "I'll tell you, but you won’t believe me. Even my family thought I was imagining what my son said. And now... they’re all gone."

This was a well written storyline with a crime and mystery at its heart, but which also veers into the supernatural, Real page turner material. Imaginative and gripping. There was a lot of switching back and forth from past to present but it was done in a way that made the transitions seamless and easy to follow.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It kept my interest and made me want to know more. I enjoyed the family dynamics even if I didn't understand them, it all came together in the end and made for a great story!!

Sadly, this story just wasn’t for me. I’m starting to realize I’m not a huge fun of “crime” books where it’s focused around the detectives/police and trying to figure out what happened. And that’s what this story was. The description and detail parts were just too long and became boring, this story could have been wayyy shorter and actually would improve the story overall. I’m glad I gave it a shot but this one was a bit weird.

Also, what ended up happening and being resolved felt so meh. I’m glad I got through this because it just couldn’t hold my attention.

If you like crime stories, or a whodunnit then this is for you.

This was a really good book; the kind that you want to devour in one sitting. It is such a unique perspective and content- I haven't read anything quite like it. The novel is centred around 3 sisters and their perspective families. Tragedy is not new to this family, so when Kate finds herself in the police station following a devastating event, she has to tell her story from the beginning. The tale she weaves will send goosebumps up your spine and make you question everything. Full of betrayal (perceived and real), twists, and turns, The Lake House Children is sure to send you on a journey. I have yet to read a book published by #StormPublishing that I didn't enjoy, and this is no exception. Aptly named, Greg Dunnett has you questioning who Dunnit throughout the entire novel. Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of this book. Would highly recommend to any Psychological Thriller enthusiasts.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this eCopy to review

I just finished reading The Lake House Children by Gregg Dunnett, and I am thoroughly impressed! This book is a gripping thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The story revolves around FBI Agent Jim McGee, who is handed a perplexing case just weeks before his retirement. A devastating fire at an isolated lake house has killed almost an entire family, and the only survivor, Kate Marshall, has a story that seems impossible to believe.

The narrative is masterfully crafted, with a perfect balance of suspense and emotional depth. Kate’s recounting of events, intertwined with her young son Jack’s eerie recollections, adds a chilling layer to the mystery. The characters are well-developed, and I found myself deeply invested in their fates.

What I loved most about this book is its ability to blend supernatural elements with a compelling crime story. The writing is vivid and evocative, making it easy to visualize the scenes and feel the tension. The Lake House Children is a unique and unforgettable read that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good thriller with a twist.

This is an interesting read, if a little slow at the start, but the author needed time to bring the characters together. The idea that a young child believes he’s lived before isn’t new, as there’s a theory that we’ve all had previous lives, we just lose the memories of them the older we get. There are a couple of subjects in this book that could be upsetting for some readers, like the death of a child and a suicide, but they are handled fairly well. There were some twisty plot lines, a few I guessed easily, but the ending was a real surprise although a bit rushed. I’m not sure I can say I enjoyed it, but I did need to see how it all panned out. 3 1/2⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+⭐
The Lake House Children by Gregg Dunnett is a complete WOW psychological thriller that made my heart skip a beat, breathe fast and stop to breathe! Holy-Moly! This was intense!

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!
I literally loved everything about this book!

For me, this book was like a honey pot to the Winnie-the-Pooh! I love the topic that is discussed in this book! I used to be obsessed with it and read, and watched all I could find! I find it so fascinating! I never came across this topic in the book so when I realised where the story was heading my excitement was over the roof!

This book is presented from past and present as an interview so it's so easy to follow! Even though there were quite a few characters was easy to remember who was who. The story was intense starting from the beginning up to the very end!
It was interesting to follow family dynamics, interactions and dominance.

Something horrible happened and my childhood home - Lake House burned to ashes. Many died, and some survived. Kate is interviewed by FBI Agent Jim McGee who is happy to listen to the whole story to solve the case. And the story is not an easy one. He must keep his mind open if he wants to know what happened on that devastating night.

Oh my, some of the twists were so unexpected! Some parts of the story were extremely sad and heartbreaking!
I can't wait for an audiobook as I am ready to have this story one more time!

Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this copy!

Kate notices something is going on with her four year old son, he talks about when he was bigger and how he had another mother. Clearly upset at these disclosures, Kate talks to her husband who passes it off as the wild imaginings of a child, but soon the stories start to reveal things he shouldn't be able to know or remember. Kate goes along until the fateful day at the lake house is mentioned and things are reveal that destroy everything she thought she knew.
The story is slow going into but gets better as it goes along. It keep me reading with pages flying until the very end. A story with a spooky vibe that will hold your interest.

The story of Kate’s family is listened to by two FBI agents following the fatal fire at the Lake House.
Kate and Neil have a young son, Jack. Jack is slow so speak and also hates water with a vengeance, so much so that they can’t bathe him at all, but just have to wipe him clean.
As Jack starts to speak he refers to himself as ‘Ack, so Kate just assumes he is taking about himself. However, some of the things he says worry her,a s he refers to when he was bigger.
Kate has two sisters, Bea and Amber, before Jack was born their children were playing in the lake at Kate’s parents house and Zack, Bea’s son drowned. Is Jack actually referring to Zack a cousin he never even met?
Well written and a really good read.