Phoenix Sullivan is an expert, if unestablished, landscape artist, working for the home influencer Marguerite Gray. Marguerite is the subject of a famous painting and has parlayed that fame into a Martha Stewart-esque home and garden design empire. An affair builds between Phoenix and Marguerite’s husband Geoffrey, who she saves in an accident at their home. She’s not sure if Marguerite knows, but one day they get into an argument and the wealthy Ms. Gray falls to her death from the same cliff where the painting is set.

This story hinges on uncertainty. Tension builds because we’re just not sure of a few things: if Phoenix is responsible for Marguerite’s death, if neighbors saw what happened, if Geoffrey plans to continue the relationship. Carter does a great job infusing the reader’s mind with all the maddening questions inside Phoenix’s head. The poor girl is straight up freaking out on page after page, and we can feel her hair falling out and pounds shed from the anxiety.

The initial incident is set up brilliantly. Action begins on page one with the tree accident, and the aftermath is fraught with all kinds of juicy subtext. From there, various bad situations unfold, ones which Phoenix can’t seem to avoid. The specter of danger and chaos looms throughout. Also, the ghost of Marguerite, haunting Phoenix through the house calls forth the brilliance of Daphne du Maurier’s classic Rebecca. It initiates and intensifies her descent into madness. And that madness was a driving force, a great way to engage the reader. There was even some magical realism going on: the ghost seems to thwart her with strange happenings. Phoenix then feels compelled to keep destroying things to rid herself of her. “Wow, she’s legit crazy,” I thought. And that’s always fun.

However, I thought there were missed opportunities to build excitement. Characters made odd decisions, and tense scenes felt unfinished. There’s clearly a rivalry between Phoenix and Taylor, Marguerite’s lookalike daughter. But Taylor let her off the hook once too often, which I thought was uncharacteristic. Also, I wished the detective was more proactive, as those interrogations also seemed stilted. Finally, I thought we’d learn more about Phoenix’s history. It seemed it would be a major plot point, but there was only a hint of it at the climax.

But all in all, this was a quick and interesting murder-mystery, a solid entry into the psychological thriller genre.

Marguerite is a force to be reckoned with. She is a famous “gardener” and her brand - built around her books - is also built on a lie. Phoenix, her talented landscape designer begins to resent how Marguerite continues to present Phoenix’s work as her own. Phoenix’s complicated childhood and damaged family cause her to be vulnerable when she is suddenly swept into Marguerite’s social circle and simultaneously becomes the object of Marguerite’s husband’s attention.
When Marguerite dies under suspicious circumstances Phoenix is the only witness. As the novel progresses, the reader becomes less confident in Phoenix’s description of the tragic event. Phoenix seems to be experiencing episodes of hallucinations and breaks with reality. Is she going mad or has she always been a bit crazy? What is real and what is not?

This one wasn’t for me. It was more literary than I was expecting, which might really work for some, but not me. Overall the story was good, but for me, with a literary book it just takes too long to get to the point.

The novel Marguerite by the Lake by Mary Dixie Carter had an intriguing premise that initially drew me in, but unfortunately, the execution just wasn’t there. The pacing was just bizarre…. While the central idea had potential, the characters were completely unlikable and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with or care about their journeys. Their motivations were unclear and they often made decisions that seemed absolutely ridiculous. On top of that, the storytelling was disjointed, with abrupt transitions and choppy pacing that made it hard to stay engaged. Instead of building tension or intrigue, the narrative felt like a collection of loosely connected scenes that never fully came together. By the end, what could have been a compelling story instead fell totally flat.

Book Review: Marguerite By The Lake
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Mary Dixie Carter @marydixiecarter
Publisher: Minotaur Books @minotaur_books
Thank you @netgalley for the ARC and the publisher for my gifted books.

Marguerite Gray is the epitome of high society—an influencer, lifestyle icon, and the face behind the famed Marguerite by the Lake painting. Her lavish Rosecliff estate and perfectly curated image define her legacy. Meanwhile, Phoenix, the estate’s gardener, has spent years shaping the land that underpins Marguerite’s empire. She knows her place—until a fateful storm changes everything.

After saving Marguerite’s husband, Geoffrey, from a falling tree, Phoenix suddenly finds herself entangled in their marriage. Geoffrey is too grateful, Marguerite is too jealous, and Phoenix—despite her better judgment—gets swept into an affair that threatens her entire future. But when Marguerite falls to her death from the same scenic spot where she once posed for her infamous portrait, Phoenix is left with more than just guilt. As Detective Hanna and Marguerite’s eerily identical daughter begin to investigate, Phoenix must navigate a web of secrets where nothing stays buried forever.

The novel’s premise is intoxicatingly dramatic, blending high society, betrayal, and suspense. However, the execution falters. The pacing drags, weighed down by excessive gardening details that add little to the plot. Phoenix, rather than being a compelling lead, spends most of the book scheming to secure her place at Rosecliff, making her difficult to sympathize with. The characters feel underdeveloped, their decisions often unrealistic, and the writing jumps between scenes without fully fleshing them out. While the setup promises a juicy, high-society thriller, the novel struggles to deliver on its potential.




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I received an advanced copy of this book from St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books via NetGalley.

Marguerite Gray is the epitome of high society, flawless garden parties, a luxurious lifestyle, and the face behind the famed Marguerite by the Lake painting. As the visionary behind the Rosecliff estate, her influence is undeniable. Meanwhile, Phoenix, the estate’s dedicated gardener, has spent years shaping the land that underpins Marguerite’s empire. She knows her place—until one fateful storm changes everything.

After saving Marguerite’s husband, Geoffrey, from a falling tree, Phoenix suddenly finds herself in the center of their dangerously tangled marriage. Geoffrey is too grateful, Marguerite is too jealous, and Phoenix—despite her better judgment—finds herself swept into an affair that could cost her everything. But when Marguerite plunges to her death from the same scenic spot where she once posed for her infamous portrait, Phoenix is left with more than just a guilty conscience. As Detective Hanna and Marguerite’s eerily identical daughter start circling, Phoenix must navigate a web of secrets where nothing stays buried forever.

The premise is deliciously dramatic, but the execution? Not so much. The story moves at a snail’s pace, bogged down by WAY too many gardening details that add little to the plot. Phoenix, rather than being a compelling lead, spends most of the book whining and scheming to secure her place at Rosecliff, making her extremely unlikable. The characters feel underdeveloped, their choices and interactions often unrealistic, and the writing itself is disjointed, jumping from scene to scene without fully fleshing them out. What could have been a juicy, high-society thriller instead feels like a tangled mess of underwhelming drama.

Phoenix’s anxiety and paranoia were so strong in this book. I felt like we would learn more about why Curtis kept saying he urgently needed to talk to her but I’m still left wanting. I feel like there were a couple loose ends to be tied that’s why it wasn’t 5stars but overall I really enjoyed this book and the characters became real to me, even if I didn’t like them all that much ha!

“Marguerite by the Lake” is by Mary Dixie Carter. I thought the summary of this book sounded really interesting. I found myself not really liking any of the characters, which always makes for a difficult read. However, on the positive side, Ms. Carter did a good enough job with her characters to make me feel something about them. I can see the comparison to the book “Rebecca,” as people don’t want the main character in the house - and it does feel like Marguerite’s spirit could still be around. The estate Rosecliff sounded like a place I’d like to spend some time exploring, but I’d try avoid any people I meet there.

I was so graciously given an ARC of this title.

This is my first book I've read from this author, and I really enjoyed it! I felt engaged and it kept my attention throughout the entire book.

Phoenix thinks the party before her at Rosecliff Manor looks magical as does the life of her employers Marguerite and Geoffrey. Until a storm and falling tree threaten not only the party but Geoffrey's life. From that moment, Phoenix is draw into a web of intrigue and deceit. What is real, what is she imagining.

Marguerite by the Lake is a twisty, complex novel full of characters who are not what they seem It's a tense, dramatic read but well worth every turn of the page.

Phoenix has found her place in the world as a gardener for estates. Her favorite is owned by Marguerite, a household name in aspirational living. Phoenix soaks in the attention Marguerite gives her as she shares gardening wisdom. Invited to a book party on the estate, a sudden storm fells a tree which almost hits Marguerite`s husband.

Slowly Phoenix tries to move into this world any way she can.

If you’re looking for a captivating and beautifully written story, Marguerite by the Lake by Mary Dixie Carter is a must-read! With its rich character development and a setting that feels like a character of its own, this book will pull you right in. The emotional depth and unexpected twists make it a perfect choice for anyone who loves a great mix of mystery, heart, and stunning prose. Don’t miss out – dive into this gem today!

I saw Kimberly Belle recommended this book and so I knew I had to read it. Definitely worth a read if you are into mystery or thriller books.

This was a DNF for me. The novel started well but then it just became strange and my attention wandered. The story has good bones but was lacking in some way.

This book had potential but fell a little flat for me. It centers primarily on Phoenix, who does gardening and landscaping for a wealthy client when she gets too involved in their lives. When one of them dies, Phoenix swoops in and tries to take over what she thinks she deserves. I felt like this book was more focused on mental health issues than an actual mystery.

It was very difficult to like Phoenix, as many of the things she did just didn’t make sense, and the reader wasn’t given enough of a backstory to understand her motivations. Though it was clear that she was struggling with her mental health, nothing she did endeared me to her. The overall story really wasn’t all that mysterious but still left unanswered questions at the end. I wish I could’ve gotten more background on all of these characters to help me better understand their actions. The ending was abrupt and didn’t answer some of the questions I still had. The setting was done really well and I did feel that I could immerse myself in the surroundings of the house and surrounding gardens.

Overall this one wasn’t really for me, lacking in both mystery and characterization. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have mixed feelings about this book, it starts well but by the end I thought it fell flat. In general it was written well but I just couldn’t connect with the characters. I believe the book was just not for me, however, it may be enjoyable for others.

Okay mystery/thriller readers. I just finished reading an advanced reader's copy of "Marguerite by the Lake" by Mary Dixie Carter. This one is getting a FOUR STAR review from me.

Phoenix Sullivan is a landscape architect for Rosecliff estate and works for the Gray family. Marguerite Gray is a lifestyle icon mostly known for her garden parties, gardening tips, and her role as the muse for the famous painting "Marguerite by the Lake" by artist (and friend) Serge Kuhnert. During a storm (that interrupts Marguerite's launch party), a tree almost falls on her husband, Geoffrey. With some quick thinking Phoenix jumps in the way and saves him. Geoffrey's gratitude towards Phoenix intensifies, leading to an affair between them. Marguerite becomes aware of their growing closeness and feels a pang of jealousy. Shortly after the affair begins, Marguerite tragically falls to her death from one of the cliffs on the estate. This incident leaves Phoenix burdened with a haunting secret. Despite the circumstances, Geoffrey invites Phoenix to move into the manor with him. However, Detective Hanna and Taylor (Marguerite and Geoffrey's daughter), grow increasingly suspicious of Phoenix's involvement in Marguerite's death.

I LOVED the entire plot of this story. I really enjoyed the suspense, subtle twists, and the bigger plot twists at the end, as well! However, the ending fell flat and I was truly hoping for something more. I also had SO many questions throughout the book, and I felt a few things were not fully explored: For one, I REALLY wanted to know more about the relationship between a certain character and Taylor. Also, we learn that Phoenix was in a serious car accident with her grandmother - that was not explored as much as I would have liked it to! In the end, I guess the readers are left to contemplate this: was it all in Phoenix's head? Or was there something paranormal going on here?

I definitely recommend the book to my fellow thriller and mystery readers.

This one just didn't do it for me... It was a lot more gardening and a lot less drama than I expected - and when the dramatic elements finally kicked on, they felt a bit flat and doesn't really hold my interest. The characters were a mix of fairly unlikeable personalities and just not that compelling. It was a slow-moving exercise in unlikeability and not enjoyable for me...

I became disillusioned early on in the story. The start has a great setup for a whodunit that could have gone in any number of directions. Instead, [the rest contains elements that are spoilers] the story becomes more of a confusion of misunderstanding, unnecessary deception and obsession. The story is more of a dive into mental health disorders than a whodunit. As the story proceeded, I didn't care much about the victim. And, although I liked Phoenix at the start, I liked her less with every turned page. All of the other people in Marguerite's and Phoenix's lives are suspect. As I read, I let my mind run through alternate paths - which I found entertaining despite not being the actual storyline. I did not dislike the tale; I just found myself wanting more. The story was interesting, but I don't feel that it lived up to its potential. Thanks go to Sara Beth Haring of St. Martin's Press (Minotaur Books), allowing me to read an ARC of this book. Overall, the narrative is well thought out, and the characters are multi-dimensional. The majority of the 'action' occurs in Phoenix's mind. This book will appeal to readers that enjoy intense psychological thrillers and family secrets coming to light.

The prose was beautiful, but the story fell a little flat for me. The ending was fine, but I wanted more from the minor players.

Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for this ARC.