The Lake House Children is a suspenseful, murder mystery, slightly paranormal story of a family dealing with a tragic accident and its aftermath. Three sisters have inherited their fathers lake house where one of the sisters (Bea) son Zach tragically drowned several years ago. Kates young son Jack has just begun to talk but his insistence that he was already born as someone else has Kate and her husband perplexed. When they discover that Jack thinks he is the reincarnation of Zach, their drowned nephew they don't know what to do but hide the knowledge from family members as long as possible. This was really an interesting premise and I enjoyed the guessing back and forth of is Jack telling the truth or being coached by someone. The author did a great job of making us question of whether reincarnation is a real thing and working it in to the mystery aspect of the story. I really enjoyed this novel. I listened to the audio version and the narrator was excellent 4.5 stars.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Dreamscape Select | Storm Publishing for a chance to listen/read to an ARC audio version of this book.

*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

"But that's just how it goes sometimes. Not everything in life makes sense."

What does make sense is that mystery author Gregg Dunnett knows how to write contemplative stories surrounding children, their innocence in believing what we as adults become too serious, and perhaps too scared, to acknowledge might be truths we can't explain away with science. In his latest mystery novel, The Lake House Children, we see his talent create a surprisingly highly entertaining page turner.

We meet Kate being interviewed by FBI Agent McGee and his partner Agent Robbins. McGee is feeling something is off with this case; his last before retirement. An intentional fire at a family lake house. Four family members died, quite a few suspects, including Kate. She seems almost calm when she starts telling her story. But he never expected it to start 3 years ago with the death of her father and end with the claims of her 4 year son Jack and the death of a cousin he never knew.

Fortunately, I got to read and listen to the audiobook performed by the astonishingly skillful voice actress Elise Roth. Each character was easily distinguishable, acted flawlessly and her ability to make young Jack so innocently believable is a testament to not only her acting ability but to this writer's accomplished creative storytelling.

I think going in mostly blind is the way to go. Just remember where it starts is so far from where it ends. The Lake House Children will grow on you. Some of them you will love, others not so much, but either way you will be left contemplating Jack and his truth.

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Kate’s young son Jack insists he is someone else. As Kate begins to investigate exactly what Jack means, she realizes that Jack thinks he is her deceased nephew. Her nephew, Zack, tragically drowned at their family lake house. And the more she listens to Jack the more she understands that something is wrong with how Zack died.

The story itself is pretty good but the way the author portrayed the young child just didn’t work for me. I have been a teacher of young children for most of my life. And there is no way that some of these questions were answered the way it was written. This just didn’t seem real to me.

I did enjoy the possibility of Jack being reincarnated. This added a dimension to this tale that I did not expect. (Y’all know I very seldom read the blurb!) When this started to unfold, I was expecting not to like it, but the mystery surrounding the death had me guessing.

The narrator, Elise Roth, did a very good job. I am a stickler about a child’s voice and she did pretty well with this aspect.

Need a family drama…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

This book had me hooked from minute one! I would've listened to it in a single sitting if I could. I've never read a book from this point of view and it was amazing!

This book was AMAZING! This was a unique storyline and the delivery couldn't have been any better. It was creepy, intense, and full of twists and turns that I did not predict. I was hooked from the very beginning. This story starts with Kate being interviewed about a fire at her family's lake house and we alternate between her current interview with the police and her retelling of what led up to the fire. The delivery of the plot told in these varying timelines was unique and made the story flow so well. The was great character development and the buildup to the ending was *chef's kiss*. The ending was completely unpredictable. This book was one I would definitely label as unputdownable.

Elise Roth was perfection at narrating this story. She added to the element of suspense.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

The Lake House Children is a suspenseful thriller/family drama with a unique, supernatural premise.

The thriller itself was slow burn with a few twists and turns. What really kept me gripped was the growing family tension, the simmering of secrets and the volatile relationships. The authors writing style was engaging and immersive, and I enjoyed the gentle cadence of the narrative. The author’s note at the end really added an extra layer to my reflection after the story, and it was wonderful to hear their passion for their premise.

I enjoyed this both as a audiobook and ebook. The audio narration elevated the personalities and emotions of the various characters, adding to the sense of tension and conflict. The narrator did an exceptional job of expressing each character, making it easy to follow the various complicated dynamics at play.

Thank you Dreamscape Select and NetGalley for this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

I want to start by saying I am surprised I liked this as much as I did. I am not usually a big fan of reincarnation type stuff and all that goes along with it. For some reason this book hooked me and I was taken! I absolutely loved it. I could not stop listening and wanted to know what was going on and what was going to happen. It wasn't fast paced at all but it went so smoothly that I didn't care. It had some twists and even one at the end that I did not see coming! Highly recommend this book and I am now going to dive into more from this author.

I loved this audiobook!

A couple of times, I actually got chills by what I was hearing. The story itself was fantastic and so was the narrator! This unique premise kept me engaged throughout the whole story. I couldn’t get enough. I needed to know, was Jack, Zack? Who set the fire? Who died in the fire? The ending was extremely satisfying and tied everything up nicely. I liked how there were time jumps but it was very easy to follow.

The only thing that made this a 4 star instead of a 5 star, was the odd random descriptions of the young girl and her “taught” body and her rubbing sunscreen on her thighs, just seemed random and not relevant to the story.

Finally, I enjoyed the ending explanation from the author. It was informational and made you think!

A great story!

Thank you, Netgalley & Dreamscape Select for the copy of The Lakehouse Children in exchange for an honest review

I listened to the audibook version of this book. The narrator did an excellent job.

I'm not usually someone who goes for the supernatural type of book, but this one was hard to pass up! The story was well written and executed.

The story follows Kate Marshall, whose son claims to have a had life before his own. The drama and the twists throughout the book kept you wanting more! My only issue is that I wish we got a little more at the end. But great read overall, definitely recommend

Gregg Dunnett’s The Lake House Children delivers an exhilarating ride through the complex dynamics of family relationships. The book centers around a seemingly idyllic family retreating to a lake house, only to have their pasts, secrets, and emotions come to the surface. The reader gets to be a fly on the wall, witnessing the family’s squabbles, misunderstandings, and the unraveling of hidden truths. The storyline unfolds like a roller coaster, with plenty of unexpected twists and turns that keep you wanting to know what will happen next.

What really stands out in this book is the character development. Dunnett’s portrayal of the family members and their intricate backgrounds feels authentic and multi-dimensional. It’s this rich detail that allows the reader to become emotionally invested in the characters’ struggles. The premise alone is gripping, but the way the narrative explores each person’s perspective adds an even deeper level of engagement.

One of my favorite aspects was the afterword, where Dunnett takes the time to explain the inspiration and intention behind the book. Hearing about the author’s thought process and the reasoning behind crafting the story added a thoughtful layer to the reading experience.

Elise Roth’s narration deserves high praise. She brings the characters to life with her enthralling voice, making it easier to connect with their personalities and the story’s emotional beats. Her performance elevated the audiobook, making it feel more immersive and engaging.

Overall, The Lake House Children is a compelling read, perfect for those who enjoy stories filled with family tension, personal discovery, and unpredictable outcomes. It’s a highly entertaining book that keeps you hooked until the very end.

Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Select | Storm Publishing, and Gregg Dunnett for opportunity to listen and review The Lake House Children. It gave me things to ponder.

I absolutely loved The Lake House Children! From the very first chapter, I was hooked. This book not only kept me guessing, but it also motivated me to deep clean my house—I just couldn’t stop listening!
The characters are well-developed and relatable, each adding depth to the story. I find myself hating certain characters and connecting to others. If you're looking for a thrilling read that keeps you on the edge of your seat, look no further. Highly recommend!

Woof.

This book takes family dysfunction and drama to a whole new level. The Lake House Children are full of secrets. So many terrible secrets.

Add in some speculative elements and you have a recipe for mystery and intrigue. As a thriller, it's a bit of a slow burn. As a story, it presents complex characters and a ton of monstrous humanity.

I had the audiobook ARC and enjoyed the narrator.

I guess I'm speechless... 😮😮

Not sure what I was expecting with this one, but wow! This was NOT it!

We open with Kate, Bea and Amber getting together at their Dad's home on the lake...the home where they grew up. They are concerned as their Dad has them getting together, and there's a woman involved. Is he getting engaged? Is this serious? They lost their Mom a few years ago.

They have all now arrived with their own families, spouses, kids, etc.

From here, we go on many adventures...kind of...

Some I expected...some I was totally blindsided by...

We learn about this family, their history, their quirks... and some secrets...secrets that should NEVER have gotten out...

And then we have beautiful little Jack. Jack who has so many little quirks of his own, and at such a young age... Jack who seems to have so many memories for a four year old...

And so the question arises: Do you believe in reincarnation? And if so, how do you know if it's real??
And that would be quite the question to ponder!

4 healthy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

#TheLakeHouseChildren by #GreggDunnett and narrated nicely by #EliseRoth.

Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #DreamscapePublishing and #StormPublishing for an ARC of the audiobook which was just released on 9/18/24.

⭐️ Suspense
⭐️ Family drama
⭐️ Secrets
⭐️ Family hideaway

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This book was definitely a good read! I enjoyed it all the way through.
The good: Dunnett is a very good writer. His descriptive writing is excellent and I really felt like I could get lost in this world. I liked the imperfect nature of all the characters. Didn't love the main character, but in a well developed way. She made mistakes, made stupid decisions, and did things I disagreed with, but it made her a more complex and well rounded character.
The less-than-good: I sometimes had a bit of a hard time making sense of the reality that existed within this book. I understand it all contributed towards a greater message of "the truth of the world is ever changing and we may never know what the real truth is", but some things (without giving anything away) could have used a bit more lead up or explaining. In addition, it was clear that the author does not have much knowledge on child development as kids in this book often acted a much different age than they were meant to be.

A solid read! Would recommend for fans of more ~possible supernatural mysteries~.
*ps-- thank you Netgalley/Storm Publishing for giving me this the ARC in exchange for my honest review :)*

The Lake House Children sucked me in from the beginning! I listened to the entire audio book in one day (1.75 speed due to slow narration). The story follows a family who all meet at their family lake house for an important dinner, but no one knows why. After the big news and return to normal life, MC Kate has concerns about her young son and is forced to face some unusual dilemmas.

Partly Sci-Fi, part suspense, this story does into some parallel reality topics, which I won’t elaborate on to avoid spoiling it. While not outside the realm of possibilities, it is a book of fiction. The overall story was well written, though I do have questions on things not wrapped up by the end of the story. I do appreciate the authors note at the end that showed just how much research was put into the idea of this book.

Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Dreamscape Select for the ALC.

*4.5 stars*

Kate has a wonderful family with a few flaws, just like everyone. Until her 4 year old son, Jack, starts to have memories of someone else’s life. He starts to insist that he used to be this person and this person is someone who died tragically. And something he saw could really tear their family apart.

Wow! This was a very interesting and unique plot I have not seen done before. Which is always so exciting from a thriller! There was an intriguing supernatural element involved in the plot line.

Kate tells the story mainly from two different timelines. She is in the present being interviewed by two detectives trying to figure out how a fire happened. As they are interviewing her she starts the story in the past and builds up to the current point. I honestly don’t want to say anymore because I don’t want to take away from the experience of reading it.

The story had me hooked from the beginning and I didn’t want to stop reading until I knew what happened. The ending was satisfying and had an element I wasn’t predicting. This is a first for me by this author, but definitely not the last! Also, the narrator did a very good job with the audiobook.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the advanced audio version of this book!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Elise Roth does a fantastic job narrating the audiobook! I highly recommend it!

Agent Jim McGee is weeks away from retirement when one last case come across his desk. The case is a house fire that killed half of a family. Agent McGee spends his last few weeks interviewing one of the survivors, Kate Marshall, and the story she tells is out of this world.

There was a lot of switching back and forth from past to present with seamless transitions that made it easy to follow. This is a well written and enthralling story.

I do not read many supernatural books but this one has just enough supernatural elements in it to make it believable. I didn’t find the story predictable like some mysteries and thrillers tend to be. Every time I thought I was figuring it out, something proved me wrong. I was hooked from the start and flew through the second half of the book as I couldn’t put it down! Highly recommend!

This was my first book by Gregg Dunnett and it won't be my last!

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

The beginning and when everyone was sitting at the dinner table was interesting and conveyed the unpleasant atmosphere really well.

For me, however, things then developed in a different direction. I don't like books with a lot of police/detective work. There was nothing in the blurb about police/detective investigation.

For those who like it, the book will be good. Unfortunately not for me.

"The Lake House Children" is a gripping and eerie thriller that kept me hooked with its mysterious premise of a young boy recalling a past life and a long-buried family secret. It’s an entertaining read and I just love the spooky vibes, perfect for late summer and early autumn. And the book keeps the tension high from start to finish.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advance copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

THE LAKE HOUSE CHILDREN by Gregg Dunnett

Narration by, Elise Roth, was very well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the ARC ebook

Set near the east coast in a beautiful old lake house - the childhood summer home of three sisters, Amber, Bea, and Kate. We meet them in adulthood with families of their own. We meet Jim McGee an FBI agent ready for retirement, who at the start of book is interviewing Kate about something that just occurred at the lake house. We meet four-year-old, Jack, Kate’s son, who has memories from before he was born. Jack reveals something that he saw at the lake house years before. What did Jack see? How did Jack see things before he was born? Why is Kate being questioned?

I’ve never read any of Gregg Dunnett’s books prior to this. I enjoyed the writing and the quirky story, and look forward to reading his other books. The audiobook of, The Lake House Children, was really good and thought Elise Roth did a fine job.