The Lake of Lost Girls, by Katherine Greene is a chilling story and the superb voice actors had me riveted from being to end.

Lake of the Lost Girls has everything you love in a thriller. Podcast...check, sisters with huge age gap...check, dual time lines...check, dual POV...check. Jessica disappeared from college 24 years ago along with three other girls. The cases had gone cold that is until a podcast had brought them back up. Jessica's younger sister was 6 when she disappeared and now Lindsey is ready to uncover the truth and figure out what happened to her sister 24 years ago.

I loved this book, from the moment I started it. I love when books add in podcasts and facebook posts. I had a lot of theories about what happened to the girls and enjoyed changing my theory throughout the book with all the new clues and discoveries. Lake of the Lost Girls had a lot of twist and turns and I enjoyed the ride from start to finish.

The narrators Helen Laser; Frankie Corzo; Sara Young; Haley Taylor; David Bendena did a fabulous job with this book. I loved the different voices and they kept me hooked and entertained throughout the story.

Thank you Katherine Greene, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

So much to love about this thriller, particularly the audio production!

Mixed media, which was excellent on audio but even more fun to read along with on the digital copy
Multiple POV + full cast narration
Dual timelines done in a way that wasn't confusing at all
College campus vibes which, for me, are always perfect for fall
Lots of suspects, red herrings, twists to keep you flying through the pages

I went back and forth between audio and physical for this one and both were great, but I HIGHLY recommend on audio. I mean, who doesn't live a nice full cast??

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Im not a “ True Crime” fan like some of my friends, but boy did this book hook me in and keep me hooked until the very end. The story is told through alternative voices- Lindsey who’s life was turned upside when she was six years old and her big sister, college freshman “ Jessica” went outside to get something from her car and never came back. To say that this destroyed Lindsey’s childhood ( and frankly adulthood too) was an understatement. Her dad becomes distant and her mother clingy- at 30 Lindsey is still living at home. The whole family is stuck.

We also get to hear from Jessica, as she moves from being daddy’s girl to a young woman, excited about attending college, even if it is in her small town. At first she is the good girl, but at her first taste freedom,she begin to party more and more putting her enrollment at risk. There is definitely a lot of shady things going on at the school and as girls start disappearing it’s written off as “run away”. When Jessica disappears the police bungled the investigation and didnt even connect that she was the 4th girl to disapper.

All the old wounds are reopened all when a body is found near a local lake. Lindsey and her parents are desperate to finally have closure. I wont spoil it here but the author did a good job of keeping me guessing. I did figure out part of the “who done it”, but still got a surprise.
I listed to an audio version, and it was excellent, except for the “Podcasters”, they really grated on me. But then again, I think that was the point. These two dim bulbs were not helping anyones, just emotional vampires feeding off the tragedy of other suffering.
Now I need a friend to read this so I have someone discuss it with- lots of things hinted at but never fully discussed.
Highly Recommend

Review as posted to my Instagram today 👇🏼

MUST READ MONDAY

Thank you #partners @dreamscape_media & @librofm for my #gifted copy.

The Lake of Lost Girls
Katherine Greene
Available now

The Lake of Lost Girls is a twisty cold case thriller that'll leave you reeling at the final reveal!!! 🤯

📖 The story follows two sisters across two different timelines, twenty-four years apart. Jessica Fadley, the eldest sister, has been missing since 1998. Lindsey Fadley was only six when Jessica disappeared, but her older sister's disappearance has haunted her ever since. When a popular podcast picks up the case, Lindsey is motivated to start digging for the truth herself. But what she discovers will shake her to her core!

💭 Y'all, this book threw me for a loop!! It's smart, suspenseful, and I had no idea where it was going... which I love! I won't say too much for fear of spoiling, but if you like thrillers, give The Lake of Lost Girls a go!

🎧 The audiobook is definitely the way to go with this one! It has a full cast, including the talents of Helen Laser and Frankie Corzo. And while the story is mainly from the two sisters' perspectives, we hear from a handful of side characters as well. Overall, a highly entertaining listening experience!

📌 Available now!

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Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the ALC!

When a podcast begins discussing the disappearance of Jessica Farley, a college student, her case is brought back into the spotlight. Decades later, her sister Lindsay, who was only six years old when Jessica disappears, attempts to piece together what happened to her sister all those years ago.

I am a big fan of books with podcasts at the center of them, so this one grabbed my attention right away! Told in dual timelines, Jessica’s life careened out of control when she was in college. Meanwhile, over twenty years later, Lindsay tries to figure out once and for all what happened. The different viewpoints - the podcast, Jessica and Lindsay - all added an extra layer to the story.

When I say I had no idea who was guilty, or how Jessica disappeared - I truly mean it. Usually with these types of stories, I have a hunch - I am not always correct, but this time I couldn’t even venture a guess. So many of the side characters seemed “a little sus” (as my kids would say). Each one of them seemed to have a reason that they could have been responsible for Jessica’ disappearance, and each of them would have made sense too.The final twist absolutely blew me away too - to the point where I couldn’t stop replaying it in my head after I finished the book! Easily one of my favorite books I read this year.

“The Lake of Lost Girls” is out NOT! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

A cold case (4 female students disappeared from a small college in NC 24 years ago), police ineptitude, a dual timeline, several prime suspects, and a true crime podcast are all central to this twisty thriller. I didn’t like the characters which is usually a turn off for me, but I was hooked into the story line early on and had to learn what happened to the 4 young women.

Katherine Greene (pen name) for bestselling authors A. Meredith Walters and Claire C. Riley. returns following their debut, The Woods are Waiting, with an enthralling haunting mystery, THE LAKE OF LOST GIRLS. A cold case is reopened that threatens to unearth long-buried secrets, told in alternating timelines infused brilliantly with podcast clips and more for a superb, twisty, thrilling whodunit!

About...

1998: Female students are going missing at Southern State University in North Carolina. Jessica Fadley suddenly disappears.

Twenty-four years later, Jessica's sister Lindsey is desperately seeking answers. She turns to Ten Seconds to Vanish, a new crime podcast that brings cold cases to life again.

Bodies begin turning up in the local lake, which spikes everyone's interest. What happens behind closed doors?

Told in alternating timelines, readers will be glued to the pages to see how this mystery will turn out. When no one is as they appear, this leads to a shocking conclusion.

My thoughts...

THE LAKE OF LOST GIRLS is psychologically rich and unsettling, with a twisty plot and chilling suspense, sure to keep you on the edge of your seat with its suspenseful plot!

Richly layered, dark, and intense, with a cleverly crafted narrative that will keep you engaged and turning the pages, thanks to its strong character development.

Spellbinding! Equal parts shocking, unnerving, and thrilling with strong emotional themes of family dynamics, sisterhood bonds, and a fascinating twisty cold case with a jaw-dropping twist.

Audiobook...

I enjoyed reading the book and listening to the outstanding audiobook! Absorbing and atmospheric, with a superb cast of stars taking the story to new heights narrated by Helen Laser, Frankie Corzo, Sara Young, Haley Taylor and David Bendena. I highly recommend the audio!

Recs...

This is for fans of the author and those who enjoy well-crafted thrillers. Also for fans of The Girl Who Was Taken (Charlie Donlea), We Are All the Same in the Dark (Julie Heaberlin), Dark Corners (Megan Goldin), All Good People Here (Ashley Flowers), and I Have Some Questions for You (Rebecca Makkai)—all favorites!

Thanks...

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books (ARC) and Dreamscape Media (ALC) for sending me gifted early copies via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Nov 5, 2024
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I really enjoyed this story told mostly from the perspective of Jess, a missing woman in the past, and her sister Lindsay in the present who was an only child when her big sister disappeared. The secondary cast also played a vital role in how everything played out in this disturbing tale of four missing women. The author did a fabulous job providing red herrings to keep the reader guessing at who was responsible. The audiobook narrated by a full cast was also very well done. I think fans of thrillers will love this one.

3.5* rounded up... I enjoyed the audio version of this book with a multi-cast. I wish all stories had this luxury! The dual timeline of the 1990s and today worked well. The present-day podcast was a great idea for additional voices, but didn't really offer that much to the overall plot. No one was especially likable in this story if that matters to you as a reader.
I did find it engaging, casting suspicion and doubt on several potential "persons of interest" in the case of missing college students from the 90s. I thought there could have been a little less repetitiveness in some areas as the storyline was building, but overall a fun listen for a suspenseful read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARL. All opinions are mine.

Thanks to Dreamscape & NetGalley for providing an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had not read this author before, but the premise sounded good: 4 girls went missing in the '90s, all from the same small college campus in NC, but somehow, no one has discovered the bodies or the perpetrator (or even linked the crimes -- whaa?). The opener is audio from a podcast that aims to solve the case a la "Serial." Unforunately, we get very little of the podcast. What we DO get is a LOT of POVs: present day little sister of Jess Fadley, the last victim; past Jess; past Jess's BF; past Jess's dad. Possibly a few too many (I have a pet peeve about getting a POV for a single chapter and then never again. Join me in my persnickity-ness!).

The authors spread red herrings around like they're trying to lure a cat colony. Is the perp Jess's old BF, <spoiler>now on the scene with Jess's little sister, Lindsay, making her heart go thumpety-thump</spoiler>? Is it her dad, with his icky predilection for girls his elder daughter's age? Is it the Lothario professor, with similar leanings to Jess's dad? I was a little bit expecting it to be Jess & Lindsay's mom, but alas! She was far too undeveloped a character to make the big time.

Ultimately, I didn't guess whodunnit (I rarely allow myself to speculate fully), but I have to admit that I was unsatisfied with the answer. There was only a perfunctory "Why," and I like my psychopaths to have some *actual* backstory, thank you very much. Hence, my 3 star review: good enough to while away the hours, but not great.

The voice acting is varied and capable. I enjoyed that several voice actors were used, and I think overall they did a good job. Helen Laser is a pro.

I gave The Lake of Lost Girls a solid 5 stars, mostly thanks to the fantastic production value. The story itself is closer to a 4, but the narrators truly brought it to life. There’s something special about a full cast of narrators, and Helen Laser, Frankie Corzo, Sara Young, and Haley Taylor each delivered in a way that elevated the entire experience. Having a full cast for a multi-perspective story like this was a brilliant choice. Each narrator brought their character to life in a unique, distinct, and immersive way, adding layers to the story that I don’t think would’ve been as powerful in print. The emotional depth each one conveyed really enhanced the experience – from subtle shifts in tone during tense moments to powerful portrayals of fear, regret, and resilience. Each character’s voice felt authentic, allowing me to connect with their individual journeys and see the story through their eyes. I love books told from multiple points of view, and this one nailed it, especially with the victim’s perspective woven in through an alternating timeline. It lets you see each choice leading up to that tragic moment, making the story both intense and deeply engaging.

The plot had me on edge, moving at a great pace with plenty of tense moments to keep things interesting. I found myself making predictions along the way – some were spot on, others completely off – which only made the journey more fun. While I didn’t agree with every twist and turn, there’s no denying that it kept me fully invested. The narrators were the real stars here, pulling me in and holding my attention from start to finish. For anyone craving a gripping, well-produced listening experience, this audiobook is a must. I’m already looking forward to reading more from Katherine Greene and listening to anything these narrators lend their voices to!

This was my first time reading a book by this author and it definitely it won't be the last.
I looved this book!
Sure, the audiobook production certainly helped me enjoy it even more, but I do like a 'missing women' thriller story, and this one did not disappoint me. I loved the setting, the writing, the characters as a whole, how the mystery is unsolved little by little - this is a slow-paced story, but to me it never felt slow.
I enjoyed the twists as well and even though the last one wasn't necessarily unpredictable, it worked really well for me.
The audiobook is a must! It is really well done and the whole cast of narrators make the story even more realistic and entertaining to follow.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who is into disappearing mysteries.
Thank you, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, for allowing me to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

This was an interesting tale that had my attention (though I loathed the "podcast" parts), but the ending felt very forced and disconnected.
The mysterious disappearance of 4 girls on a college campus get reevaluated after two girls decide to start a podcast about it. The case was barley investigated the first time around, so new interest means new eyes on evidence.
The unhealthy relationships, the discovery of bodies in doll's eye lake (creepy name, kudos on that), and secrets at every turn. Still, the revolution of the killer, the discovery of Jessica's body, and the conviction at the end were not believable.
I read Greene's first novel and loved it, so I would absolutely read another of her novels. However this one just didn't quite get there in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and the author for my advance copy of this audiobook

Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advance copy of " The Lake of Lost Girls". Four coeds murders have gone unsolved until a popular podcast picks up on the cold case of the Lake of Lost Girls. All four girls go missing from the same college with no reason resolve as to why they are missing. When Lindsay, the sister of one of the missing girls, gets involved, and starts asking questions about her sisters disappearance, the case opens up in ways no one suspected. Wow, I did not see the ending of this one coming! To say my jaw is still on the floor is an understatement.

An extremely well-executed thriller, riveting in parts, with a shocker of an ending this reader absolutely did not see coming.

The story is told in two timelines: the first occurring in 1998 when a trio of girls, students at Southern State University in North Carolina, go missing.

Our first voice is that of freshman Jessica Fadley, nineteen years old and experiencing life changes away from home, dizzylingly drawn into a new world of parties, alcohol and the giddy freedom available now that she is far away from her overly-involved parents.

In the second timeline, twenty-four years later (present day) Jessica’s younger sister, Lindsey, takes us deeper into an investigation of the mystery of the missing girls, — a mystery that we now know also included Jessica herself, the fourth and final of the disappearances.

In the present timeline, when a body is found at nearby rural Dolls’ Eyes Lake, a duo of true crime podcasters join the cast to tell the developing story through to a hopeful resolution. We will also continue to hear alternating voices of both Jessica (in the past) and Lindsey (in the present), together building insights into both the University backstory and the painful eventual unpacking of the crime decades later.

For the reader, it’s impossible not to be totally wrapped up in Jessica’s lavishly-layered depiction of college life, oozing with nostalgic atmosphere, misogynistic and testosterone-laden suspects, terrifying happenings and slow-as-treacle revelations.

Lindsey’s voice, on the other hand, is cooler and more rational — a voice aligned with that of the reader attempting to make sense of terrible events long in the past, but never resolved.

All in all, literary result is terrific, and highly recommended for lovers of twisty crime fiction. With the exception of one small patch of somewhat repetitive pacing, I found this book totally engrossing and very hard to put down. And the ending! Kudos to the author for an ending both clever and well worth the wait.

Note: I listened to the audio version of this book by #DreamscapeMedia and found it wonderfully entertaining — the podcasters adding great audio texture to the additional narrative voices.

A great big thank you to #Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.

I enjoyed this audiobook so much, the multiple perspectives helped keep me interested in what was happening in the story. I also feel like we got to know the characters on a more intimate level but you also have to decide who is trustworthy.

For me to give a 5* it's important that a book keeps me engaged without going off the rails with an unbelievable ending. I feel like this book went where I thought it would in the best way. This was truly one of my favorite books of October.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to the audiobook in exchange for this review.

This is an engrossing audiobook and the narrator's different voices keep it easy to listen to, like a podcast! Loving the story and find myself continually wanting to turn it on!

Missing women thrillers are always for me and this added in a podcast, dual timelines and so much more. This was an easy read, perfect for when you just want to escape for a bit. There is a good group of suspects, all with motives and flimsy alibis to keep things interesting. The ending was great - I love when a book really goes for it! I went between listening (audio has a full cast) and reading and would highly recommend either format.

Lindsey’s big sister Jessica disappeared 24 years ago in 1998 when she was just a girl and it forever changed her life. Now a body has been found in the local lake and a true crime podcast is re-visiting Jessica’s disappearance. As more bodies are discovered, Lindsey is determined to find the truth of what happened to her sister.

I was hooked right from the beginning with a slow burn that simmered even as the suspense never let up. I ADORE dual timelines and multiple POVs which were made even better by the 90s nostalgia of the past. Suspects were everywhere and though I could see reveals coming, I enjoyed the guessing game and the sinister atmosphere of BOTH timelines. Jessica and Lindsey are both compelling women and it was interesting to see how different Lindsey’s life became as a direct result of Jessica’s disappearance.

The audio has a cast of narrators who are all phenomenal! I’m not sure who voiced which character, but the podcasters were excellent and so were the voices for both Jessica and Lindsey as well as others I can’t mention. There’s also mixed media elements of blogs, news articles and social media posts which were fun to listen to WHILE looking at the PHOTOS in the book!

While this is a suspenseful mystery, it also has at the heart of it, family, relationships and how our actions can affect others. Not to mention the impact true crime culture can have on victims and survivors. It’s food for thought while being an utterly entertaining whodunnit. I highly recommend a combo of both the physical book AND audiobook for a truly immersive experience! THE LAKE OF LOST GIRLS is everything you could want in a cold case mystery that heats up again, where secrets are laid bare, even those that shouldn’t see the light of day...
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Thank you Crooked Lane Books & Katherine Greene for the gifted book & Dreamscape Media for the audiobook.
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Potential spoiler content warnings below.



















⚠️Content Warnings: Mention of grooming, infidelity, alcohol abuse & drunk driving