True crime podcast book? Yes please! Katherine Greene's "The Lake of Lost Girls" is a suspense-packed thriller and enables the reader to feel like part of the puzzle while the mystery unfolds. Told from the dual perspective of two sisters, this cold-case mystery is captivating from the very first chapter.

Author Katherine Greene takes her readers back in time to 1998, following the disappearance of four female Southern State University students. Lindsay Fadley, the younger sibling whose older sister Jessica disappeared without a trace the same year as the other female students, is still consumed with uncovering what happened all those years ago.

There was a botched police investigation paired with multiple suspects, including a professor, a boyfriend and someone in the sister’s own family.

The unique storyline includes snippets of podcast episodes, social media posts and newspaper clippings from the time of the murder and present day. (I would’ve loved more of the podcast as well). This thriller had me invested in solving the cold case and uncovering the truth behind the mystery of the missing students. I was on the edge of my seat until the very end. I can’t wait to recommend this book to all my fellow readers. It’s one of the best thriller books I’ve read this year!

Thank you @netgalley and @crookedlanebooks for the audiobook arc.

The Lake of Lost Girls
Katherine Greene
Narrator: Helen Laser, Frankie Corzo, Sara Young, Haley Taylor, David Bendena

Ten Seconds to Vanish is a podcast hosted by two women. The podcast focuses on true crime, specifically cold crimes. Their latest investigation is focused on four missing girls from the Southern State University in North Carolina. Tammy was the first to disappear. Next came Phoebe, then Megan. The last one and the one the podcast focuses on is Jessica Fadley. The body of one of the girls is found near a secluded lake.
The year was 1998. Jessica Fadley was a freshman at college. Jessica was always a daddy’s girl, she was bubbly, made good grades; she was a high achiever. Then she wasn’t. She became a party girl and a heavy drinker. Her grades were slipping; she was on the verge of failing. Her life was out of control.
Moving forward twenty-four years. Ten Seconds to Vanish is a true crime podcast. The two women that host the podcast have focused on Jessica. The podcast has stirred people up; the police have reopened the case. Lindsey still lives in her sister’s shadow; she will always be the girl whose sister disappeared.
A journalist approaches Lindsey wanting to share information with her concerning her sister. But can she trust him? Does he have a hidden agenda?
WOW! I listened closely to this twisted tale. It is told from more than one perspective. The voices of Jessica and Lindsey were similar and at times made it confusing, as to who was talking. Among the suspects is a boyfriend, a middle age college professor, and possibly a boogey man. The professor was creepy. The boyfriend was a bit disturbing also. Jessica and Lindsey’s mother wanted a strong relationship with her daughters but didn’t seem to know how to accomplish that. The sister’s father was strange; his relationship with Jessica wasn’t natural. The police in 1998 were incompetent. While at times the podcast seemed intrusive it was what got the ball rolling on reopening the case. There is so much more I want to say about the plot but that would mean spoilers and that’s a no-no so let me just say this is a must-read tale.

This book has excellent twists! But…there was a weird element of what felt like incest? It was so strange. I did not love the execution of the podcast element? It clung too tightly to like.. every single true crime podcast trope.

The plot of this story was incredibly engaging, keeping me guessing right up until the end! The narrators did an excellent job, with distinct character voices that made it easy to follow the dual timelines. I also loved the 'true crime podcast' format woven into the narrative—it added an extra layer of intrigue!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I recently had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook of The Lake of Lost Girls, and I finished it in record time! Huge thanks to Dreamscape Media, Katherine Greene, and NetGalley for granting me early access in exchange for my honest review.

Katherine Greene has orchestrated an addictive plot that grips you from the very first moment. The brilliance of this story lies in its ability to keep readers guessing "whodunit" until the very end—I was completely obsessed!

The narrative weaves between past and present, centering on two sisters: Lindsay, in the present, and Jess, who disappeared over a decade ago without a trace. Alongside Jess, three other girls vanished, their cases left cold due to a lack of support from the local law enforcement and school board. In modern times, with the surge in podcast popularity, Jess's cold case is reopened, reigniting interest and tension.

As the podcast delves deeper, we learn that Jess had been acting distracted and withdrawn in the days leading up to her disappearance. With secrets resurfacing, the story becomes a thrilling whirlwind where no one is safe.

What impressed me most about this book was the depth of the plot. Greene took her time to develop each thread in the narrative, resulting in a masterful execution that kept me captivated throughout. While the conclusion felt a bit far-fetched, it did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the story.

I wholeheartedly recommend The Lake of Lost Girls to anyone looking for their next favorite thriller in 2024! It’s an engaging, thought-provoking read that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you to Dreamscape media for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this audiobook. I found it to be little too predictable for me. I knew who the killer was fault yearly on. I enjoyed the narration and the podcast feature presented well. The content of the podcast could have been better. I got creepy vibes from the dad throughout the book. I liked Jess’ chapters but was not a fan of Lindsey’s. I think the writing wasn’t as great as it could have been. I’m glad I listened to this one as opposed to reading it. I think this is one of those books that’s better as an audiobook.

Great audiobook! A fast paced, thoughtful, well written fun read! Great job about building up the suspense, and wondering “who done it”. Amazing twist! I will definitely be reading more books by this author!


Thank you to author, publisher, NetGalley for advanced copy. This is an honest voluntary review.

A solid mystery until the big payoff. I loved where it was going with the dad, but didn’t care for the way it all wrapped up.

*4.5 Stars*

In 1998, female students are disappearing from Southern State University in North Carolina. The girl's disappearances were treated as runaways until one of their own went missing. Jessica Fadley was at home for her sister's birthday when she suddenly disappeared with no clue in sight. 24 years later, a new true crime podcast, Ten Seconds to Vanish, brings a new light to these cold cases. When a body is found at a local lake, Jessica's sister Lindsey desperately looks for answer to Jessica's disappearance. Is the body in the lake Jessica's?

This audiobook was amazing. I highly suggest the audiobook for anyone interested in adding The Lake of Lost Girls to their TBR. Not only are there several narrators for the characters, but the podcast and other media adds another level to this already riveting book. I was hooked from the first episode of Ten Seconds to Vanish, and this case had so many suspects, I couldn't keep up. I thought I had the ending figured out but was taken by complete surprise. This mystery/thriller will be one of my favorites for 2024.

The Lake of Lost Girls is out November 5th.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to review The Lake of Lost Girls. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thrillers featuring true crime podcasts seem to be all the rage right now, and inserting true crime commentary / social media into a story can actually be great storytelling (it has been done very well in the past. However, this is one podcast I would not subscribe to.

Twenty-four years after four female students went missing from Southern State University in North Carolina, a podcast investigating one of the disappearances (but, weirdly, not all of them) results in the (so far incompetent) local police re-opening the case(s). Though the police doesn't really do much investigating the second time around, either; most of the snooping is done by Lindsey, the younger sister of one of the victims, and Ryan, a supposed journalist.

From there on out, the story goes much like you thought it would: amateur sleuths getting into cars with people they shouldn't, gruesome discoveries, and lots of hidden agendas and lies.

I found the writing to be very uneven (which may be due to the fact that "Katherine Greene" is actually two authors writing together under one pen name, which would also account for the plot holes / discrepancies) and the mystery very obvious, even though the authors tried (too) hard to have an unexpected twist at the end, which just made it more obvious. The characters are one-dimensional and frustrating: every single male is creepy, predatory, abusive, and doesn't take no for an answer; and while the women (Lindsey in particular) certainly make their share of stupid choices, there's also lots of very unbecoming and frankly irritating victim-blaming going around in this narrative, all leading to a very unsatisfying ending. As for the much-hyped podcast angle, it actually adds absolutely nothing to the story (the podcast snippets are short, and the hosts really have no new information on the case, they mainly just giggle about it, so calling those clips "suspenseful" is quite a reach).

Overall, though I was very intrigued by the story and the concept of the book, I sadly found the execution lacking (I did, however, enjoy the audiobook production and the narration).

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"The Lake of Lost Girls" is slated to be released on November 5, 2024.

Wow ! This was so great on audiobook. I thought all the narrators did a great job bringing the characters to life. This book had so many twists and turns and I did not see the ending coming. I would highly recommend giving this a read if you enjoy thrillers/suspense novels.

Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

This was SO good. I'm always a sucker for a good sister story but this one had me captivated from the beginning. The writing was great, the narrators were great, and I'll definitely be checking out other books by Katherine Greene. This is my 164th book of the year, and it's definitely in the top 25 at least.

I've read some other reviews where people didn't like the True Crime Podcast aspect about it, but in all honesty I feel like the author was kind of taking a jab at podcast hosts who find humor in and profit off of the trauma of their subjects. Towards the end, the hosts were all apologetic saying they've learned their lesson, etc. Then immediately went to start a brand new podcast about another missing woman ("poor girl"), but that's at least how I interpreted it!

I didn't see the twist coming at all. Loved the alternating timelines and different POVs. Such an easy 5-star rating.

Talk about a plot twist!! The Lake of Lost Girls was a twisty, atmospheric thriller that kept me guessing until the end.

Jess is the Apple of her father’s eye, with an overbearing mother. She’s back from college to celebrate her little sisters’ 6th birthday when she suddenly vanishes and is never seen again. This is in the wake of 3 other mysterious disappearances of girls from the college. All cases go cold.

20 years later, Jess’ little sister Lindsey begrudgingly teams up with a journalist named Ryan when a body is found and the internet sleuths and podcasters swoop in as the investigation is reopened.

The dueling time line added to the drama, and we bounced back and forth between Jess in her freshman year, leading up to her disappearance, and Lindsey in present day.

This book will have you pointing fingers at everyone, and the ending gets a chef’s kiss from me! (And also, a major EWWWW🧟‍♀️🫢)

If you're looking for a fast-paced and engaging story, then I can highly recommend THE LAKE OF LOST GIRLS. When new evidence arises twenty-four years after Lindsay's sister, Jessica, has disappeared Lindsay decides to do some investigating herself. The narration was fantastic for this audiobook, it really added to my enjoyment. I liked the past and present timelines and getting both of the girls’ POV. I had all kinds of ideas about how this story would end but the author did a great job surprising me!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for my gifted audiobook.

This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to publication date.

The narrative revolves around a girl who went missing from a local college, and years later, her sister is pulled back into the unresolved mystery as more bodies are discovered.

This book was captivating, presenting a plot that cleverly misleads the reader into thinking it’s heading in one direction, only to veer off into another. I particularly appreciated how the inclusion of podcast hosts added a dynamic layer to the storytelling, effectively breaking up the narrative and enhancing the overall pacing. It was a great read that explored the mystery from various angles, keeping me engaged throughout.

The Lake of Lost Girls by Katherine Greene is a gripping mystery that spans two timelines. In 1998, Jessica Fadley, a promising freshman at Southern State University, disappears amid a string of missing female students. Fast forward 24 years, and her sister Lindsey is still seeking answers. With the help of a popular true crime podcast, Ten Seconds to Vanish, which reignites interest in the cold case, Lindsey dives into an investigation that leads her to some disturbing revelations as bodies start turning up at a local lake. The narrative alternates between the sisters' perspectives, one in the past spiraling into darkness, and the other in the present unraveling a tangled web of lies.

I loved this book! The dual timelines and multiple POVs drew me in right away. The true crime podcast woven into the story added an extra layer of intrigue, making me feel like I was part of the investigation. Katherine Greene keeps you guessing throughout, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, the ending completely shocked me. The twists and turns were masterfully done, and the writing was phenomenal. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Thank you to the author, the publisher: Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for an arc of this in exchange for an honest review!

The Lake of Lost Girls
by Katherine Greene
4/5 ⭐

The Lake of Lost Girls is a suspenseful cold-case thriller that captivates the reader from start to finish. In 1998, four young women disappeared from Southern State University in North Carolina. Twenty-four years later, the body of one of the missing girls is discovered at a nearby lake, reigniting the investigation. Lindsey, the sister of one of the victims, relentlessly searches for answers. With the release of a new true-crime podcast, Lindsey finally uncovers the whereabouts of her sister and the other missing women.

The author skillfully weaves dual timelines and multiple POVs, creating a page-turning narrative. I also really enjoyed the inclusion of the podcast interviews and notes. The full-cast narration in the audiobook brings the characters to life, making them more relatable. While you need red herrings and sketchy characters in a thriller, I did not like the teacher or the other older man preying on young girls. So many twists and suspicious characters make this book a fast and entertaining read.

Thank you to @Dreamscape_Media and @netgalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. All my opinions are my own.
Publication Date: November 5, 2024

This was my first book by Katherine Greene, and it definitely won’t be the last! Just when I thought I had the plot all figured out, the twists kept coming. I was convinced I knew what was happening a few times, but I was completely off base. I really enjoyed this audiobook and found it hard to pause. The writing style was so easy to connect with, and the narrators had such pleasant voices. The alternating timelines added to the tension, making me suspect every character in the story of being a potential murderer. The ending caught me completely off guard; I was listening to the last 10% with my jaw dropped in disbelief!

Thank You NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for allowing me to listen to this audiobook.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for allowing me access to this ALC in exchange for my honest review!
The Lake of Lost Girls by Katherine Greene will be released on November 5th. In 1998, freshman Jessica Fadley disappears amid a string of missing female students at Southern State University. Twenty-four years later, her sister Lindsey is determined to find out what happened and is inspired by a popular true crime podcast. As bodies of the missing women are discovered in a nearby lake, Lindsey's investigation uncovers disturbing truths. The story alternates between Lindsey's search for answers and Jessica's dark descent before her disappearance. I honestly did a little happy dance when I got this approval, I love true crime and audiobooks with a full cast of voices! I absolutely loved all the voices, I listened to this in three settings and I could not even do anything else at the same time, I was just too focused on the story! I recommend it to anyone who love podcasts true crime and a good thriller!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Wow this was a psychological thriller for sure. Multiple timelines and POV but still easy enough to follow. Really enjoyed the narrators and the book itself was well written and hard to stop listening.