Enjoyed the slow build and wintry setting of this thriller! Likeable central character I was rooting for. Narration was fantastic.

I heard about this book and these authors through being a member of Thriller Book Lovers, The Pulse. I have to say, I have found some of my most favorite recent reads through this group.

I went into this book completely blind because I loved another book that these authors wrote (The Last Girl Left). I started reading Gravewater Lake the second I got my hands on it, and I was not let down! This book was super twisty and held my attention the whole time. I was definitely surprised multiple times throughout the story- just when I thought I had everything figured out, there was a new twist that kept me turning the pages!

The audio production quality was great and I loved the narrator. I think that they really did a great job at bringing all of the characters to life.

I am very grateful to receive a digital copy as well as an audio for this book. I will say I liked the audio a lot better. The length of the book was longer than it needed to be, and I have a lot of thoughts about the ending... I think it's because I wasn't a fan of the MC's decision making. She isn't smart. However, the twist was unique and I didn't see it coming.

Waking up on the icy shore of a remote lake with no memory and nowhere to turn, she’s taken in by a brooding stranger in a house full of secrets. But as the storm rages outside and whispers echo in the halls, she realizes the real danger might be inside—with him.

From the very first chapter, Gravewater Lake had me hooked. The dual timelines and alternating narrators kept the tension high and the pages turning. I’m usually hit or miss with the amnesia trope, but it totally worked here—it added a chilling layer of mystery, and not knowing who Anna really was made every revelation more intense. That said, I definitely caught myself yelling at her a few times—some of her choices had me shaking my head in disbelief!

I was so sure I had the plot figured out… and then the authors pulled the rug out from under me with a series of twists I did not see coming. Honestly, I kind of wish it had gone the direction I imagined, but I can’t say why without spoiling anything—so I’ll stay quiet for now.

The isolated, snowed-in Vermont setting added the perfect eerie backdrop and increased the suspense. And those short chapters had me flying through this book. This was a fast-paced, twisty, and atmospheric read, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this dynamic writing duo!

Amanda Dolan was a spot-on choice for the narration—she captured Anna’s growing fear and confusion with such nuance that it felt like I was right there with her, unraveling each mystery in real time. Her voice carried a quiet tension that built steadily, layering in suspense and dread with every chapter. Dolan didn’t just read the story—she performed it, making it nearly impossible to hit pause.

Thank you Thomas & Mercer, Brilliance Audio, and NetGalley for gifted copies in exchange for my honest review. 3.5 stars rounded up.

This was a crazy story that kept me listening to the end. She wakes up with no memory on the shore of a lake in the middle of a blizzard. The only clue is a bracelet with A on it. She finds her way to a house with man that doesn’t recognize and takes refuge there. Strange things happen in the house and bits of memories surface. But what is a real memory? Just when I think I have it figured out the truth begins to be revealed and it is not what I expected. I have to admit that I was screaming at the FMC and the choices she was making alone in an isolated house with a stranger. The ending took me by surprise, I did not see it coming.I listened to the audio and the Narrators did a good job giving the characters a voice and life to the story.I recommend this to readers that enjoy stories with unexpected twists.

Another winner from this writing duo. Gravewater Lake is definitely binge worthy and one I’d recommend.

Gravewater Lake is an eerie, atmospheric psychological thriller that’s very binge-worthy, thanks to its short chapters, each ending with a subtle cliffhanger. While I’m not always a fan of amnesia trope, I thought it worked well here. Anna’s amnesia creates a haze of confusion and fear that kept me questioning what’s real and what’s imagined. As she unravels the truth, not all is what it seems.

Read this if you love:
✨Thriller tropes: amnesia and isolation
✨Unreliable narrators
✨Romance subplot
✨Twisty Endings

Amanda Dolan’s narration is outstanding. She brings Anna’s psychological unraveling to life with a perfect balance of fear, anxiety, and confusion. Dolan captures the nuances of Anna’s struggle with her memory, making it easy to empathize with her.

I really thought I knew where this one was heading. With a locked area type mystery, there are so many answers, but this one got me.

There are two timelines, a crippling snow storm and a woman with no memory.

What seemed like a straightforward domestic suspense was ultimately more layered than it originally appeared. You’ll never guess that twist.

Amanda Dolan is a great fit as narrator. She pulled me in and kept me wanting more. She made the book spring to life.

If you’re looking for an atmospheric, edge of your seat thriller than look no further!

From beginning until end I had no idea who or what to trust and I loved it. I was kept pleasantly confused and trying to guess the twist before the big reveal. While I definitely had some theories, I was dead wrong. It was quite the twist!

Side note: I did listen to this as an audiobook and thought the narrator did a good job.

Read if you love:
🔀 Dual timeline
❓Amnesia
🏠 Locked room / remote setting
❤️ Thriller with a side of romance

Thank you Thomas & Mercer and @netgalley for my review copy! 💙

Good thriller!! I thought I had a pretty good idea of what was happening, but the twist I didn't see coming. And of course, the ending had some sort of cliffhanger. The audiobook was very nicely done with a great narrator. Definitely recommend it if you are looking for a new thriller!!

*Thank you partners @thrillerbookloversthepulse @sonyasargentstrong and @brillancepublishing for the awesome swag box, copy of the book, and audiobook.*

Gravewater Lake is set at a remote lake among vacation homes abandoned for the winter, our main character appears to have been through a traumatic experience - the only problem is she has no memory of who she is or how she got there. This twisty thriller that combines two narratives into a story that will keep the readers guessing.

This book was so spooky and attention grabbing. I love books where the main character has an unreliable memory or can’t remember anything. Seeing everything get pieced together was entertaining and kept me wanting more. Plus the narration was great

Thank you @strongsargentauthors & @brilliancepublishing and @netgalley for my swag and complimentary copy, as well as the audiobook. All opinions expressed are my own.

In a gripping tale of mystery and identity, a woman suffering from amnesia wakes up on the shore of a freezing lake, caught in the midst of a snowstorm. With only a bracelet inscribed with the initial "A" as the sole clue to her identity, she seeks refuge in the home of a stranger. However, as the storm rages on, she begins to hear unsettling sounds that raise questions about the trustworthiness of those around her.

Set in a remote location, the locked-room winter atmosphere heightens the suspense, forcing the protagonist to confront not only her fragmented memories but also the chilling uncertainty of who can truly be trusted. The narrative unfolds primarily through Anna's perspective, interwoven with flashbacks that reveal the story of Adria, deepening the mystery of their connection.

As I journeyed alongside Anna in her quest to regain her memory, the twists and turns kept me guessing until the end. Although I found the conclusion slightly unrealistic, the intricate web of suspense and the dual perspectives made for an engaging read. Based on the intriguing premise, the suspenseful setting, and the exploration of identity and trust, I am rating this book with 4 out of 5 stars.

Another upcoming thriller that everyone over at @thrillerbookloversthepulse cannot stop raving about. A chilling exploration of identity and trust wrapped up in relentless suspense.

The story hooks readers immediately when a woman wakes up on the shore of a remote lake with no memory, only to be taken in by a mysterious stranger, Gregg. The setting, a secluded house on Gravewater Lake during a biting winter storm, just intensifies the creep factor.

Told with dual timelines, allowing the reader to experience both the present, filled with eerie occurrences and mounting paranoia, and fragments of a murky past that gradually emerge. This deepens the mystery but also mirrors Anna's internal struggle to piece together her identity.

The authors up the suspense with whispers in the night, phantom footsteps, and a host of unanswered questions, leaving Anna and the reader certain that nothing is as it seems. While the twists promise jaw-dropping revelations, they also invite readers to question every motive and every shadow, crafting a narrative that is as much about inner demons as it is about external threats.

The narration was so well done and you could just feel the creepiness.

These authors are a fan favorite at The Pulse, and this book is no exception!

As a huge fan of The Last Girl Left—which made my top 10 favorite books of 2024—I was ecstatic to get my hands on Gravewater Lake after receiving the swag box and book. And I’m happy to say that this new release didn’t disappoint in the least. Set in a hauntingly remote part of Gravewater Lake during a snowstorm, this psychological thriller pulls you in from the very first page and doesn’t let go.

The premise of the book is gripping: a woman wakes up on the shores of an isolated lake with no memory of who she is or how she ended up there. All she knows is that her survival depends on uncovering the truth about her past while navigating the fog of amnesia. But as she tries to piece together the puzzle of her life, she’s confronted by secrets, lies, and a growing sense that the people around her might not be who they seem.

The combination of twists, dual timelines, and the gradual revelation of secrets kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. There’s a delicate balance of suspense and tension as the story unfolds. I loved how the dual-timeline narrative worked—there was just enough contrast between the past and present to keep the story fresh, while also revealing crucial details about the woman’s identity and what led to her mysterious situation. The cliffhangers at the end of the short chapters were incredibly effective, pushing me to keep listening just one more chapter, then one more, until hours had gone by.

Amanda Dolan’s narration was excellent. She expertly handled the shifts between male and female voices, capturing the emotional depth of each character. Her pacing was spot on—slow enough to build tension, but not too slow that it lost its momentum. While I typically listen at 1.5 to 1.75 speed to match my personal listening pace, I found that the slightly slower pace really enhanced the tense, atmospheric vibe of the story. It was clear that Dolan understood the importance of timing in a thriller, and her voice work added to the sense of unease and urgency that pervades the entire book.

Gravewater Lake is an excellent and fast-paced read, packed with twists that will keep you guessing until the very end. 4 stars!

Big shout out to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for giving me approval to read this audiobook. I have to say, I really struggled with this one. I loved the idea of it upon reading the synopsis, but it just wasn’t executed very well. The pacing was very slow, the two different timelines/characters throughout the book just didn’t flow together as well as they could have, and the “twist” at the end was very underwhelming and disappointing. I also felt like the FMC was very repetitive with certain things that she said throughout the book, to the point where I caught my eyes rolling several times through out. I would personally say to skip this one, but before I started writing my review I can see that a lot of people really loved this book. So maybe it’s a you love it or you hate it situation & if that’s the case, definitely form your own opinion on it!

the cover is what made me grab the book. looked spooky. but the book wasn't, nor was it twisty. i just about figured it out 51% in. It was just too long. we get it. shes scared.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the ALC of this twisty title!**

When “A” wakes up with no memory of her past, soaked in the water from Gravewater Lake - what ensues is a crazyyyy journey to remember.

I really enjoyed this one on audio as it had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Sooo many questions with so few answers really kept me guessing until the very end.

This book is a bit over the top in some spots but if you can suspend a little disbelief - this one is great for fans of thrillers and suspense!!

What. A. Ride. I started this and really liked it, midway through ai was starting to get a little bored and thought this was going to be predictable — I was SO WRONG! Buckle up! This was so much fun and I really enjoyed it. The narrator did a great job

The dual timelines in this audiobook were skillfully done. Each timeline brought something unique to the story, and the way they interwove kept me intrigued. The transitions between them were smooth and natural, making it easy to follow along without any confusion.

The twist was well-executed and caught me completely off guard. When it all came together, it was satisfying and tied everything up in a way I hadn’t expected.

The pacing was just right, and the structure of the story kept me hooked from start to finish. It was an enjoyable experience, with a good balance of suspense and depth.