This was my first book by this author. I really enjoyed the mixed media aspect, especially the podcast part. Loved the different narrators for each role. I also liked the alternating POVs and dual timelines. I wish we had spent a little more time in Jess’ POV, especially as she interacted with the other missing girls. At different times I suspected everyone and liked the twist.

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

This story is told through alternate timelines and by sprinkling in podcast clips and was just so well done. Admittedly, Im already a sucker for a story with a podcast premise but I particularly enjoyed how this one does it as a way of showing us how these stories can be mishandled while moving the story along and keeping us guessing. Another thing this one does well is explore what it looks like when there’s a m*rder in the family and how it affects each family member then and now. This was a perfect read for October (or honestly whenever you’re in the mood for a mystery thriller) and had me hooked the whole way through. I also consumed it as an audiobook and highly recommend doing so as well, the narrators and production were fantastic and did a great job bringing the story to life. Biiiig thank you to Katherine Greene, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for this advanced copy, it truly was a terrific read and has me excited to read more from Katherine! :)

This book was a 3 star read for me but almost got rounded up to 3.5 because I just didn't think the author was going to go there. And I'm glad she did. It was a strong first half and the book sort of tapered off from there for me. I was losing interest about mid way through but I stuck with it because I was still eager to find out who was responsible for the lost girls. I was pretty convinced that it was going to be one of two characters, but I was happy to report the one I didn't think would ultimately be responsible was and I thought that was a good little twist on the author's part. I would definitely read something else by this author.

Wow, this was quite the messed up “true crime” story.

The Lake of Lost Girls recounts the story of college girls who go missing and the podcast that details their story 24 years later. We follow the sister of one of the missing girls as well, on her hunt for the truth.

It has the feel of a small town mystery with multiple, very sketchy persons of interest. There’s a lot of us vs them mentality with the college and town, which also adds a fun layer of intrigue.

Katherine Greene really knows how to string along a reader without you feeling like she’s doing it to extend the plot. Truly a fun mystery to follow.

Stick around for the ending - I was kept guessing the whole time!

Even though I was able to put together the big twist at the end, I still enjoyed the ride that was this story. Creepy atmosphere, fear of the unknown, and good connections to the past vs. present.

I read this as an Ebook and I liked it enough. The ending is really intense and I was glad it was a little different from what I was suspecting. It is twisty and sad. However, while I was reading it I was thinking "this reads like it should be an audiobook". The podcast portions are just fun that way.
So I was overjoyed to give this a listen. I loved it! This is a great story and the narration really adds some magic.

I have a hard time rating this book, and I think in general The Lake of Lost Girls is going to be polarizing. I love mysteries and thrillers, and this one definitely kept me guessing until the end. I usually love when a book has twists that I can’t predict. But this one honestly just depressed me. The content was heavy and so very sad. This is a book that will stay with me for awhile, but not necessarily in a positive way. On the flip side, I do think the storytelling is good and the author sparked some strong feelings in me. I know some people will really enjoy The Lake of Lost Girls; it just wasn’t for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this free ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to the authors, narrators, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free e-audio version of this title in exchange for my review.

This was a hard miss for me. I kept listening, hoping for a switch at the end, hoping the whole plot line of the podcast and the 'need' for far too many narrators would result in a big pay off ... but it didn't. This book felt like it was trying to be a lot, lot, LOT more than it actually is. And felt like the authors were deciding 'whodunnit' as they were writing it. The flash backs got to be so confusing, the large cast of characters got to be confusing, the constant "Jess is so perfect" was annoying. I don't know, it didn't work for me. I just really don't get it.

1 star for 'didn't like it'

I may come back and take a star away once this book really sinks in but…

I’m pissed off. That ending PISSED me off. I had high hopes and I was enjoying the ride until about 70% of the way through, hence the 3 stars.

It was an uncomfortable ride more often than not (I don’t think I liked a single character, except my girl Daisy) but I still hoped a well thought out, socially responsible conclusion was coming. There were so many opportunities to do right by the countless Tammy’s and Megan’s and Phoebe’s of the world. But maaaan was I disappointed. I’m sure the author thought it was going to be a satisfying plot twist reveal but it just made me angry instead. Some people will be into it I’m sure but… I disagree with those people.

Would I recommend this book? Maybe. In the way you want your friend to watch the same shitty movie you can’t believe you just spent 2 hours watching, because you need someone else to also go “Wtf was that???” So that you can go, “Riiiiiight?!”

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

WOW!! Talk about whiplash?! I thought I had the culprit picked out about 5 times… and although I was kind of/ maybe partially correct…. Holy Cow!!
I did NOT see that coming!!!! 👀👀👀

Meet Jessica. She’s a college aged girl in the year 1998 who has a remarkably close relationship with her parents. But, more so with her Dad…but…Daddy’s little girl and all. I can totally understand that! (With both myself, and my daughter…)
While away in her first year of college, several girls go missing. AND, Jess starts to see things that don’t quite add up…. Oh…and she’s friends (or at least friendly) with these girls…

Her life starts to change as she discovers drinking…boys…and freedom.

BUT, she still returns home frequently to spend time with her parents, and her sweet little sister, Lindsey.

When Jess herself goes missing, her family is torn apart…

Years later, Lindsey is all grown up and running a hotel in her hometown in North Carolina. When a reporter comes in and (kind of) corners her to get the story on her big sister, she wants no part of it. BUT, at the same time, there’s a new podcast that’s generating all sorts of attention on her sister’s cold case…and just maybe, they’ll be able to shed some light on it, and find out who’s responsible??!!

That’s it. Not giving anymore, as I don’t want to give anything away!

BUT, this one will keep you glued to the pages…and wanting to get to the next chapter!

First I’ve read from this author (authors), but looking forward for what’s to come!

#TheLakeOfLostGirls by #KatherineGreene and narrated beautifully by a full cast, including: #HelenLaser, #FrankieCorzo, #SaraYoung, #HaleyTaylor and #DavidBendena.

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for an ARC of the audiobook which is ******* due to be released in about TWO WEEKS ******* on 11/5/24! So, LOOK 👀 for it then!!

5+ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨✨ for me!

⭐️ Suspense…that just kept..on..going…
⭐️ Kept me guessing AND engaged throughout
⭐️ Podcast format
⭐️ Dual timelines (1998 and now)
⭐️ Terrific main characters
✨ Ancillary characters that you love, but also hate!
✨ Holes in the original story that keep you guessing!

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When a popular podcast shines a spotlight on the 1998 disappearances of a number of Southern State University students, Lindsey Fadley is forced back into the mysterious disappearance of her sister, Jessica, who was one of the girls who went missing nearly a quarter of a century earlier. Lindsey was just a kid when her sister vanished, but now as an adult she's determined to get answers.

I really enjoyed this one. I absolutely loved it jumping back and forth between the perspectives of the two sisters and I thought it had enough substance and moved well enough that the entire podcast segment was unnecessary. I did enjoy the stylized production of those bits, it did break up the audiobook, but the hosts were mostly just recapping what we'd seen firsthand through the girls. I liked that there were a number of men in this book who are borderline creepy depending on the perspective and you're not 100% sure until the end who the bad guy is.

I blew through this one until about 95% and then the last 5% got kind of gross; there were definitely incest vibes that I don't think were intentional because (I think anyway) that when you get the whole explanation it wasn't actually like that, but it was pretty icky. It's also very hard to explain without spoilers but while the end was surprising there was an element of it that was both absolutely turn-your-stomach-disgusting, highly, highly, HIGHLY implausible, and totally unnecessary. Again, difficult without spoilers, but literally any other final detail would have made more sense and yet the authors chose the one that in no way could gone undiscovered for 25 years.

Since the last detail really didn't have any effect on the plot or the resolution, I was able to look past it easily so overall I really enjoyed this one. it's a quick read, good writing, good characters, dual timelines, 95% excellent!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. I absolutely loved this book. I could not listen fast enough. I highly recommend the audiobook. I love podcasts and even though it is a small part of the book it really felt as if I was listening to Crime Junkie or My Favorite Murder while also trying to figure out the mystery as well. Throughout the book I was all over the place on who did it. How did it happen. When I would think someone then all of a sudden I would think someone else. Yes, I will say one of the person I thought at one point did end up being involved BUT there was also a twist that I didn't see coming. Well I guess now looking back I can see the little nuggets that lead to the answer but during the book it didn't all quite click. I can't wait to read more from this author and am actually sad the book is over as I really loved it.

The Lake of Lost Girls
Katherine Greene
11/05/2024
Crooked Lane Books

This book checks all the boxes for me. Alternating timelines, unsolved cold cases, dark secrets, multiple unreliable characters and a sister who wants to know the truth are perfectly woven together to make this a haunting novel that you do not want to miss. (Let’s not forget the podcast clips that are thrown in – AHHH its perfect!)

Jessica Fadley left for college in the fall of 1998. On her sister Lindsay’s 6th birthday, she goes missing from her home. Jessica isn’t the only girl from college that went missing that year. There were three others, and no bodies or clues have ever been found. The investigation went cold, and no answers were given. There are clues and similarities that tie the girls together, but apparently some secrets are best left hidden. Twenty four years later when a podcast picks up this cold case and a journalist, Ryan, comes to town, the heated story picks right back up as secrets, lies and bodies are found in the lake.

This is a fast paced bingeable read. It is also one that you want/need to read with someone because when the ending hits – you are going to need to talk about it out loud. You can’t hold it in. I am really looking forward to seeing what else Katherine Greene writes. I will be following her closely!

4.5 stars.

Dreamscape Media killed it with this production, seriously. I loved the podcast format thrown in and the narrators were great. The story itself was perfection, I was sucked in immediately to the mystery of the girls in the lake. I had an inkling about 50% through who was guilty and I was still happily shocked when all was revealed. I think I might have gasped at one point in the story but I don't want to spoil anything. The dual timelines were done well and kept my interest the whole time and the characters had me invested, particularly Jess as we watched her downward spiral...a truly great book!

Thank you Dreamscape for the audio review copy! Four star audio, 3 star book. My rating here reflects the quality of the audiobook as that matters for feedback to the production team.

This was great on audio, I love the podcast drop ins and the voice acting/stylish production. At times I felt the voices/change from the past to present was a bit hard to follow but that is possibly more the book than the voice acting!

So this was great in terms of audiobook production and the plot held me for a good part of the story, I am always interested in stories about missing college students and the complexity of the life as a college student. But as a mystery.... the ending did not make a lot of sense. To say more is to give spoilers and I liked some of the ending but it was way to rushed and one part was highly implausible, it just did not make sense.

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.