3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. I love a good unhinged female protagonist, and Marguerite by the Lake delivers on that front. The main character’s obsessive, off-kilter perspective kept me engaged, and Mary Dixie Carter’s writing style made for a quick, compelling read. However, the story was very predictable, and I kept waiting for a shocking twist that never came. On top of that, the book left me with so many unanswered questions—especially about the minor characters. The maid, the brother, the neighbor… what did they really know and/or see? What evidence did they have? Exactly how deep was the relationship between Taylor and Phoenix’s brother (I can’t even remember his name now)? What did the brother need to talk to Phoenix about so badly? It felt like so much was left unexplored. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators, this is still worth a read, but be prepared for some frustrating loose ends. Thank you to Minotaur and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

Marguerite Gray’s home, Rosecliff, includes a garden as renowned as her garden parties. Marguerite, the muse behind Serge Kuhnert’s famous painting, “Marguerite by the Lake,” has become a lifestyle icon; Rosecliff's landscaping turned into a successful television gardening series.

At her garden party, a launch party for her newest book, Marguerite fails to recognize the danger from an approaching storm. But the gardener, Phoenix Sullivan, sees the danger and warns Marguerite’s husband, Geoffrey. Phoenix secretly covets the life Marguerite lives, so much so that she begins an affair with Geoffrey.

And then Marguerite falls to her death from a cliff at Rosecliff.

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Anchored by a strong sense of place, this unfolding story keeps readers guessing as wealth and privilege play out in this tale of mystery, obsession, power, and belonging. The characters, especially Phoenix, are truly unlikeable; throughout the intriguing tale power plays an integral part in the telling of a tale filled with secrets.

Phoenix seems to habitually make bad choices; readers will find it difficult to sympathize with her. The story, told from her point of view, keeps readers involved in the telling of the tale as sinister events keep moving toward an unexpected denouement.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley
#MargueriteByTheLake #NetGalley

This is a tense and emotional story with rich prose and the hint of suspense throughout. Marguerite portrays both unique and base feelings, leading to emotional reactions. The ending will stay with you for a while!

I didn’t really enjoy this book. It felt rather uneasy.

Coveting someone else’s life never works out. Phoenix hasn’t learned that lesson yet. But she will.

NetGalley/ May 20, 2025 St. Martin’s Press

This was a very quick read, but I feel it was a little too quick and the readers are left with a lot of holes to fill. The premise was very good, but the execution was off.

The way the author introduced characters was confusing at times, and the FMC was the most deplorable thing I've ever had to tolerate (which I know was intentional, but this was over the top). Everything was very surface level - we really didn't get any meaningful dialogue or back stories.

I liked Taylor, and I think the author really had an opportunity to do something outstanding with her character.

The end was ridiculously underwhelming and silly. This one just wasn't for me.

Marguerite by the Lake is an emotional read of toxic love, wealth and privilege, and wanting someone else's life.
This is the first book of Mary Dixie Carter's that I have read and I enjoyed her writing style. The story started off with a bang. I enjoyed the story and the characters and the message in the book. I will be looking for more books by this author.
Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur books for the ARC of this wonderful book.

Enjoyable thriller. A bit long and windy for me, but I did like the premise of the story. Crazy love triangle, a mysterious death, and lots of wealth. Perfect ingredients for a story!

Very well written, suspenseful story! I truly enjoyed it. The details in the story were so good that I felt and saw everything. When I close my eyes all I can see is that picture!!
It's an interesting story with a love triangle, mystery, and vivid descriptions of a beautiful landscape. If you enjoy intriguing mysteries with a celebrity like cast of characters you will love this book.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the gifted ARC copy provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

The beginning grasped my attention however the story kind of fell flat. I ended up not loving it as much as I wanted to.

I thought the storyline moved a bit too fast—from Phoenix sleeping with Geoffrey to Marguerite's passing. Phoenix is a bit of a psycho. She’s so attached to Geoffrey and already is very jealous, inserting herself into his life and claiming the house as hers. That felt a bit narcissistic. Geoffrey, on the other hand, is a manipulator.

One thing that bothered me was why was Phoenix ignoring her brother? The lead-up to the text messages from him was so bad. Out of nowhere, he suddenly doesn’t know where she is, as if he had been searching for her and she was hiding from him. It didn’t feel natural. Like there were no indicators. She just was avoiding him. There were a few grammar errors throughout the book, nothing too drastic. Ok, the scene when she goes back to her grandma’s house (after giving Geoffrey the ultimatum), and her brother just randomly shows up. They chat as if he hadn't been trying to get a hold of her for who knows how long. That had me so confused, like, what?

She says her brother doesn’t know where she’s living, but then he tells her she’s in a castle—so clearly, he does know. There’s no explanation for how her brother knows Taylor, either. Also her brothers situation was so unnecessary, like nothing even happened. You would think he'll use it to his advantage but then it just disappeared into thin air.

At this point, it really seems like Phoenix is just insane and delusional. Is the book hinting that she killed her grandma also? Because if so, it did a bad job of it. Then Taylor dies, and no one is investigating it—even though Phoenix was at the crime scene? This book had so many holes to fill. Maybe I'm missing the point in this story or I misinterpreted what I read.

First, I would like to thank Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

It was my first time reading anything from this author. I must say the book was just okay. It took me a while to connect with the storyline and the characters. It was a struggle but I've managed to push through.

The twist was something I've figured out midway, and the ending just fell flat to me.

I give the book 3.5 stars.

Marguerite by the Lake definitely has some similarities to the concept of du Maurier’s Rebecca. Phoenix is moving into a famous house where the larger than life woman of the house is gone and she’s trying to replace her. And there’s people that don’t want her there, namely Marguerite’s daughter Taylor. And Phoenix starts going more than a little bit crazy. Part of it is due to a painting of Marguerite in the home that she’s convinced is inhabited by Marguerite trying to get her to leave… and part of it is because of an altercation the two had moments before Marguerite died that makes things look very bad for Phoenix. I couldn’t stand any of the characters in this book, which is kinda bad, but the intensity with which I disliked them means that Mary Dixie Carter did a great job in making them characters the reader feels strongly about. Marguerite and her daughter Taylor are entitled rich people that look down on anyone they regard as less than them. Geoffrey is a weak willed husband to Marguerite, who cheats on her and won’t stand up for someone. But Phoenix is not really a good person either. She willingly jumps into an affair with Geoffrey before Marguerite dies, then doesn’t seem to see anything wrong with moving into Marguerite’s house and continuing a relationship with Geoffrey. Her biggest concern is that it looks bad to her high school classmate investigating Marguerite’s death (well, duh) and bickering with Taylor who doesn’t want her there and thinks it’s suspicious (also duh). And yet Phoenix doesn’t seem to recognize the validity of both these arguments, digging her heels in that she’s being treated unfairly. The book does a great job of building Phoenix’s increasing paranoia, although I was so fed up with her that I was almost rooting against her-except there’s no one I actually want to root for. And the ending feels kind of unresolved or not explained well enough. Once again, this could be deliberate because of Phoenix’s state of mind, but it left me feeling kind of confused about what happened in the last chapter of the book. I could see some people loving this, but it wasn’t quite the right fit for me. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of Marguerite by the Lake by Mary Dixie Carter.

I was not really a fan of this book. I honestly do not even know what to say about it. It was confusing and didn’t feel like complete thoughts.

Marguerite Gray is a Martha Stewart-like lifestyle guru who owns a beautiful home named Rosecliff. Phoenix is a landscape designer with a small local company that works with Marguerite. During the launch party for Marguerite's latest book, an aging tree falls and Phoenix manages to save Geoffrey, Marguerite's husband, from being killed. Phoenix and Geoffrey then start an affair and Marguerite becomes jealous. When Marguerite falls from a cliff and dies, suspicion swirls around Phoenix and events from her past come back to haunt her. This was an incredibly predictable book and the conclusion feels forced.

Marguerite by the Lake is about obsession and wanting someone else’s life. Phoenix is a gardener for the very wealthy family of Marguerite, Geoffrey and their adult daughter Taylor, Gray. Marguerite has used Phoenix’s knowledge over the years to promote her highly successful book and online landscaping career. There is a famous painting of Marguerite in the living room of their mansion on a cliff. Phoenix saves Geoffrey’s life from a falling tree at an elaborate house party, and his response is to lavish much attention on her. Phoenix is drawn to an affair with him and is very jealous of his wife. Soon, Marguerite falls to her death. The book centers on Phoenix’s deepening irrational need to be the replacement for Marguerite, the impact of the painting, the ongoing presence of flowers, the investigation, and the need for power and belonging. This book is very atmospheric and the tension increases to the final point. With thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

Mary Dixie Carter has written an intriguing murder mystery novel with Marguerite By The Lake.
The story has two strong females working together to make Rosecliff the most beautiful house by the lake.
The handsome love interest feels unseen and unappreciated.
The twists and turns and the psychotic breakdowns are fascinating.
It went on a tad long in the drama toward the middle for me, but it was worth it. The ending made me hope there is a second book to make this a series.

This is a fascinating look at wealth and privilege when landscape architect Phoenix saves Geoffrey from a falling tree on his property and of course he is immediately smitten. But then tragedy strikes as his wife Marguerite is permanently removed from the picture. What follows is not predictable but vicariously enjoyable as we watch the cat-and-mouse dance unfold!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Marguerite Gray is a celebrity in the world of unique business ventures. Her life is captured in a Serge Kuhnert painting, Marguerite by the Lake, which hangs in her Rosecliff home, which she shares with her husband, Geoffrey.
The grounds surrounding her home are landscaped by Phoenix, a young woman who works diligently to ensure that the area surrounding the home is in keeping with Marguerite’s well-known style.
When a fierce storm erupts during the launch party for Marguerite's latest book, Phoenix, saves Geoffrey from a falling tree. The overly grateful Geoffrey’s sudden attention to Phoenix sends warning signals to Marguerite. Phoenix feels herself being pulled towards a close relationship with him, which she welcomes even though she could lose her job.
Then tragedy occurs. Marguerite falls to her death at the edge of the lake where she once posed for her painting. Phoenix holds the secret behind Marguerite’s fall, but despite her guilt, she moves into the manor with Geoffrey, and their affair begins. When Detective Hanna and Marguerite’s look-alike daughter arrive on the scene, they become suspicious of Phoenix and begin to suspect the truth behind her involvement in Marguerite’s death. Phoenix is then forced to take action, and she does something that any gardener would do to cover up the truth.

Mary Dixie Carter’s “Marguerite by the Lake” didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The initial description piqued my interest, but the book felt a bit disjointed and confusing. The characters felt underdeveloped, and the plot was a bit hazy.

Mary Dixie Carter’s *Marguerite by the Lake* is an exciting psychological thriller that pulls you into a world filled with wealth, obsession, and deep secrets. Set at the stunning estate of Rosecliff, the story dives into themes of power, desire, and what it really costs to chase your dreams, all wrapped up in a suspenseful vibe.

The main character, Phoenix, is a gardener who pours her heart into making Marguerite Gray’s brand look amazing. Marguerite, who’s a lifestyle superstar, seems to have it all together. But things take a dark turn when Phoenix gets involved with Marguerite and her husband, Geoffrey. After Marguerite mysteriously falls to her death from a spot made famous in a painting, everyone is left wondering if it was just an accident, a crime of passion, or something even worse.

Carter does a fantastic job creating tension, examining the gap between the rich and those who work for them. Phoenix’s struggle for acceptance makes her feel real and relatable. As secrets pile up, the story keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat. You’ve got Marguerite’s daughter adding a creepy twist, and Detective Hanna is on the case, making sure Phoenix can’t just waltz back into Marguerite’s world without facing the music.

With sharp writing and a close look at the lure of wealth, *Marguerite by the Lake* is a stylish yet chilling read that fans of *The Talented Mr. Ripley* and *The Paris Library* will definitely enjoy.

Marguerite by the Lake
By Mary Dixie Carter

What the point of this book is baffles me. It could have started out as a thriller…or maybe it's supposed to be a horror novel. Unfortunately, it never seems to come together as anything definable. There are too many ambiguous plot lines. Is Phoenix some kind of serial killer? Or is she only being used by everyone in one way or another? Is Curtis, her brother, in her camp or playing both ends against the middle? Is Geoffrey truly in love with Phoenix – or simply a monster? And what about Marguerite/Taylor – mother and daughter – or two women controlled by some kind of supernatural force?

There was not one character which provoked my sympathy. There were too many sidebars left unresolved. In short I did not like this book.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.