The story revolves around Pheonix, a talented gardener working for Marguerite who is a successful novelist and gardening influencer, and her husband Geoffrey. Marguerite suspects something is going on between Pheonix and Geoffrey, but before anything can come to light, she falls to her death. Pheonix flees the scene, fearing blame.

I was initially hooked by this book's premise, but I started to lose interest after the main character's death. Within months of Marguerite's death. Pheonix moves in with Geoffrey despite an ongoing police investigation. The fact they thought this was okay was not okay with me lol

Pheonix's character was unlikeable, odd, and inconsistent. There was zero chemistry between her and Geoffrey and her attempts to assert herself as the lady of the house felt forced and awkward. Things like never having read any of Marguerite's books before because "they are too expensive" is just odd. Surely there is a library, the internet or other apps she could have explored. I would imagine most people who work for an author would look up the author they work for.

Subplots involving Pheonix's family and Geoffrey's daughter lacked depth and substance. The ending had some thrilling moments but left questions unanswered and didn't provide enough closure.

The narration was good , with the narrator effectively differentiating characters. Overall, the book had potential, but execution fell short.

Reading Marguerite by the Lake in tandem with its audiobook, narrated by Helen Laser, provided an immersive experience. Laser's narration enhanced character differentiation through distinct voices, aiding in tracking the complex narrative.
The novel centers on Phoenix, a gardener at the Rosecliff estate, who becomes entangled in an affair with Geoffrey, the husband of the estate's owner, Marguerite Gray. Following a tragic incident, Marguerite falls from the cliff, leading to a suspenseful unraveling of events. Carter's prose is both hypnotic and lyrical, painting vivid scenes that linger in the reader's mind.
Phoenix's character is particularly compelling; her descent into uncertainty blurs the lines between reality and delusion, prompting readers to question her reliability as a narrator. From the outset, there was an unsettling aura about her, suggesting a concealed past and casting doubt on the authenticity of her account. As the plot progressed, Phoenix's descent into potential madness made it increasingly challenging to discern reality from her perceptions. While the narrative builds tension effectively, some aspects of Phoenix's backstory remain underexplored, leaving a desire for deeper insight.
I found myself harboring a profound dislike for Phoenix—a testament to the author's skill in character development. Creating a protagonist who evokes such strong negative emotions is no small feat, and it speaks to the depth and complexity infused into her characterization.
Overall, Marguerite by the Lake is a quick and engaging read, offering a solid addition to the mystery/thriller genre. Carter's storytelling prowess ensures that readers remain captivated until the final page.
Thank You to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio ALC. This is my honest review.

I tried reading the book and I found it to be a little slow for me, so I thought I would give the audiobook a try. It was the right decision! I appreciated the story so much more with this fantastic narrator! The parts that I found slow were now intriguing and suspenseful. I was pulled into the story and actually glued to it. The right narrator can make or break a book, and this book 100% has the right narrator!

Thanks so much for letting me listen!

I started this on kindle and then switched to the audio version about 40%. I thought the audio version was so well done and gripped me more than reading it on kindle. the book is like a modern Rebecca..she had Manderly and Marguerite has Roseville. Both dedicated staff, both have delicate and haunted main characters along with dismissive men. more modern though is our character Pheonix, she for one has a name:)
If you can grab the audio version, do so!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Phoenix was a character I was not sure I wanted to root for. She saved Geoffrey from the tree but then a bunch of stuff happened after. She seemed very entitled. I will say the main character does not always need to be likable for the book to be good though. This book had some hidden secrets and some delusions which I did not see coming. Overall the story was interesting and the narrator did a great job.

Phoenix is the gardener for the uber wealthy Gray family, and she will do almost anything to protect the family, particularly matriarch Marguerite, and their lifestyle brand. When she saves Marguerite’s husband from a potentially deadly accident, he is grateful, perhaps a little too grateful. And Phoenix’s position with a family becomes precarious. And that’s before you take into account the secrets that she’s keeping. I liked this book, butI would’ve liked it more If the characters have been flushed out a little better

3 stars

The protagonist is named Phoenix, which may suggest she'll be rising from some ashes, but she's more the type to burn it all down, if her early decisions in the novel are any indication.

Phoenix is a gardener to the wealthy, and this allows her an entry point into a society that is extremely dissimilar to her beginnings. She becomes fascinated with the titular Marguerite and Marguerite's husband, Geoffrey. In fact, right at the start of the novel, it's clear that there is more to her relationship with Geoffrey when she performs a life saving feat. This is strange, but Phoenix's experience - and really Phoenix - only get stranger from here.

This is a speedy read, and it is relatively engaging, but there are a few extreme conveniences, along with some abrupt shifts, that left me wanting more suspense, more intrigue, and less predictability in some ways. I enjoyed the concept more than the execution, but I would absolutely give this writer another shot.