A good read. Would have liked a bit more suspense and I was frustrated with Charlotte’s character. I also thought that the plot was predictable in places.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

A story told in two timelines - Paul's life in 1999 and present day. A good read which I am happy to recommend

Charlotte (Charlie), has recently married Paul Keller, a former widow and feels extremely happy in her surroundings. Paul is wealthy and the couple live in a gorgeous home overlooking Lake Crosby, North Carolina. The minted owner of Keller Architecture, Paul is a highly respected magnate and entrepreneur whereas Charlotte, a twenty-something gas station attendant, grew up in a caravan home, and often took charge of her younger brother, Chet when her mother was absent. Charlotte ignored all the rumours when she was swept off her feet by Paul. After all, despite her being a strong swimmer, the death of Paul’s first wife, Katherine, by drowning was deemed to be an accident. But when a second woman also drowns, in exactly the same spot under Paul’s jetty, secrets begin to surface...

The story switches seamlessly between two timelines, the present and 1999, when Paul and friends Jax Edwards and Micah Hunt are spending their summer partying before leaving for college. The scenes from the present are mostly centred on the investigation that ensues. Stranger in the Lake has a thrilling premise and it is doubtlessly a spine-tingling story, while I regularly found myself pondering who to trust.

With its comfortable pacing, the icing on the cake for me in this exhilarating tale was the incredible atmospheric setting. The lake was truly a malevolent presence throughout the proceedings. Kimberly Belle did a sterling job of exploring the motivation behind human weakness and imperfection, and I liked those aspects of the story detailing Charlotte's bond with Sam Kincaid (Charlotte's policeman friend), though I think more could have been made of this.

If you've enjoyed Kimberly Belle's previous books, or if novels with oodles of secrets, lies, misdirection and surprises dripping from the pages give you a buzz, then look no further than Stranger in the Lake!

A special thank you to HQ Digital, the author, and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this novel at my request. This review is my unbiased opinion.

My thanks to HQ Digital for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Stranger in the Lake’ by Kimberly Belle in exchange for an honest review.

In Lake Crosby, North Carolina Charlotte grew up on the wrong side of town but then she met Paul Keller, a wealthy widower eleven years her senior. They recently married and she’s enjoying having financial security for the first time in her life.

Then one morning she finds a young woman’s body floating under their dock. Unfortunately this is the same spot where her husband’s first wife drowned four years previously. It’s quickly established the woman was murdered.

Making things even worse Paul tells the police that he has never met her though Charlotte saw Paul talking to her the day before. It’s not long before Charlotte realises that Paul is also lying to her and various secrets begin to come to light. No further plot details to avoid spoilers.

Most of this domestic noir is narrated by Charlotte aside from a few flashbacks to events in 1999, the significance of these become clear in due course.

This proved a quick, entertaining read that I was reluctant to put down, especially as tension ramped up in the closing chapters. I certainly will consider reading her other titles and be on the lookout for her future books.

Charlotte Keller finds a stranger in the lake, literally. The victim is floating under the dock at the rear of her home alongside Lake Crosby, North Carolina. How did the body get there and why?

I really enjoyed reading this mystery. Unlike other crime thrillers where the focus is generally from the Police point of view, this novel is mostly from the point of view of the person who found the body. I loved the characterisation of Charlotte, a young woman who came from a grubby trailer park on the ugly side of the lake. Charlotte fell in love and married a wealthy widower called Paul and moved into his luxury home alongside Lake Crosby. Only Paul and all the other characters in this mystery are very economical with the truth. Can Charlotte get to the bottom of the mystery of the stranger she found in the lake.

This story asks how much do you know and can trust your partner? Although the questions and doubts come from Charlotte’s point of view, this story will appeal to both genders and it does not matter whether you are in a hetrosexual or same sex relationship.

Finding a body and questioning people’s openness does not make this a grim read. There is some light humour in this tale, for example…

Micah managed one last glare in Jax’s direction before selecting one from the pile. “Please tell me you don’t really listen to this shit. Where’s the Zeppelin? The Skynyrd and Steve Miller? This is some girlie-ass music you got here, dude. Who the hell is Coldplay?”

...Yes, quite right Kimberly. I can’t stand their music either and my worst memory is the tremendous traffic jam they generated when they played at the Principality Stadium, here in Cardiff, UK. Kimberly writes her novel in American English and includes words I am unfamiliar with like hooptie, kook and schlep. British readers will engage and enjoy her book because Kimberly weaves such a depth of atmosphere into her story you can imagine you are there. For example…

We step onto the deck, and the gazes sweep over me and Paul with a disapproving thud. This is Wrangler jeans and baseball-cap kind of crowd, and Paul’s brand of designer casual might as well be a three-piece suit. I scan the row of faces pointed our way, and I recognize every single one. Nobody smiles. Nobody says hi. “Tough crowd,” Paul mutters.

I step to the window and Buddy doesn’t smile, but then again, Buddy never smiles. He lifts a chin in greeting, wiping a hand down his grubby apron. “What do you want?”
“Two heavyweights all the way with strings. Two Cokes.”
He doesn’t have a menu, and only a regular customer would know the lingo for their most popular sandwich, chopped brisket topped with everything but the kitchen sink. The strings are code for french fries.

… I liked how all the characters raised doubts with the reader, each and everyone had motive and opportunity. I think Stranger in the Lake would make a great television drama. I loved this book and think it has international appeal as you can so easily put yourself alongside Lake Crosby. There is a lot of suspense in this novel and as you progress through the chapters, you wonder if Charlotte is safe or if she will become another victim of Lake Crosby. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Stranger in the Lake and consider it to be an OUTSTANDING 5 star read.

Loved it! A clever plot, constantly pushing forward, and really interesting to boot. I liked the characterisation lots, and there were plenty of twists too. It was great as a reader to make links with the backstory as it gradually became exposed as a reader.

A book that I just could not put down from the very start the characters were really well described and the contrast between the rich side of town and those from the trailer park areas was so clearly written. The story was full of many twists that until the very end did not come totally clear. This is an author that I need to read more of and I am so glad that through Netgalley I have been introduced to her.

A well above average psychological thriller which starts with a dead woman's body floating in the lake near - our main character -Charlotte Keller's isolated house. Recently married and now pregnant, she is confronted by many lies especially from her husband, Paul..

There are many twists and turns especially the fact that Paul's first wife was found dead in similar circumstances a few years before.

The local police force seem to resemble the characters from 'Dukes of Hazzard', and Charlotte seems to have no friends. Maybe that is why she came from the "other side of the tracks!? Luckily, she is close to her brother Chet.

The story meanders to a surprising ending, with flashbacks to Paul's life with his best mates.

Possibly a 5 stars, but I am getting a little tired with parents of the main character being violent and/or drunk. Come on writers try harder!

Thanks to Net Galley and HQ Digital for the chance to read and review..

When Charlotte sees her husband chatting to a beautiful stranger in town she’s not concerned however when that stranger then washes up under their dock and Paul lies to the police she begins to wonder just what secrets he’s hiding.
Paul, a widow following his 1st wife’s death from drowning at the same point, and Charlotte haven’t been married long and not everyone thinks Paul is innocent.
This story is told from Charlotte’s view and jumps between events from the past told by Jax, Paul’s best friend.
While I enjoyed this book I felt some point dragged and I was becoming frustrated with Charlotte and her naivety, especially given her upbringing. I was also not surprised with the revelation of who murdered who
Wasn’t Kimberly Belle’s best work but still a fairly enjoyable read

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review

I found Stranger in the Lake impossible to put down and read it in a day. It’s a cracker of a thriller with secrets, lies and betrayal that will hook you from chapter one. Well written with a smooth flowing plot that gathers pace with each turn of the page. Thank you to NetGalley, HQ Digital and the author for the chance to review.

Dear Wife has been one of my favourite books I’ve read this year, so I was really excited to get an ARC of the authors new book. But, I was very disappointed, I feel like it was a slog to read it, unfortunately I didn’t finish it.

Thank you NetGalley and Kimberly Belle for the opportunity to read and review Stranger in the Lake. A fantastically eerie read.

Four years ago Katherine Keller, a former professional swimmer was found drowned in the lake next to her house, our story begins with the new Mrs Keller, Charlie, finding the body of a young woman in the same place that Katherine's had been found those years ago. Suspicions begins to arise that her new husband is connected to both deaths and Charlie is left wondering how well she knows her husband.

This is a fantastically written mystery novel, the cold, dark isolated setting lends a great deal of tension to the plot and the unreliability of the characters has the reader second guessing themselves many times along the way.

Old secrets are dredged up from the darkness and the ending has a real punch of surprise.

I'd love to read more from this author.

Charlotte is married to wealthy architect Paul and they live in a gorgeous home overlooking Lake Crosby. Charlotte has come from a more humble background, being bought up in a trailer. Paul has recently lost his first wife in a suspicious drowning incident, but the couple have moved on and are excited to find out that they are going to have a baby.

All is well until Charlotte goes to their boat to retrieve her phone and sees a dead woman in the lake. Who is she and is it a coincidence that this is the second drowning.

The story goes back to 1999. Teenager Paul is friends with Jax and Micah. Something happened that night which affected all their lives! The secret is revealed in tantalising bite sized pieces!!

This is such a gripping book that kept me guessing until the end, I really didn’t know who to trust!!

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

A solid four star read. Great premise. Well written. Good characters. Page turner. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing. Would definitely read her next offering. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it

Thank you to Netgallery and the publishers for the chance to read and review this book, this has not influenced my views of the book.

This is the first book I have read from this author and was certainly not disappointed.
It held my attention from the start and if life didn’t get in the way I would have loved to devour it in one sitting.
There are twists and turns throughout the whole story, just when you think you know who is responsible for what Belle throws in another twist and you are left guessing all over again.
I loved the way the author develops each character, not giving everything away all at once, adding to the mystery and suspense.
I would definitely recommend this author and read other books by her.
A must read for anyone who likes a fast paced read with lots of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end!

Disclaimer: Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of this book. I have been sent a copy of this book for review purposes. This has not influenced or affected my opinions in this review.

Stranger in the Lake had me instantly gripped. It was a fast-paced read and it lived up to any expectations I had prior to reading this. It is a thriller which holds your interest from the beginning. It is filled with twists and turns you won’t see coming and a final twist which will surprise you. Overall, it is a good read and I liked the style of writing. If you’re a fan of thrillers and crime, you will enjoy this book!

*3 stars*

Charlotte has turned her life around by marrying an older, wealthy widower, Paul.
Happy and with a baby on its way, little does she realize that her life will be turned upside down after she discovers a body of a young woman floating in the lake, in the same spot where her husband's previous wife had tragically drowned.
Is it a coincidence? And why would Paul, just after the gruesome discovery, suddenly leave, without telling her where's he's off to and asking her to cover for him?

The story follows Charlotte as she unveils the long-buried secrets her husband had been hiding for years.
This is a highly anticipated novel, and I was excited to be approved for this ARC. Having finished it, I can safely say that it lived up to my expectations.
The story had me gripped very quickly, the suspense was dosed steadily and kept me hooked throughout. It was an engaging read full of twists and turns and although I did guess the final one pretty early on, that didn't stop me from enjoying the story.
This was my first book by Kimberly Belle, but it won't be my last.
I urge you to read it as soon as it's out.

Charlotte is not the most loveable character, but she definitely tries hard and her heart is in the right place. After falling in love with Paul they marry quickly, and Charlotte leaves her old life as ‘Charlie’ behind. Paul is a very wealthy man and of course, there is a lot of small-town gossip around their relationship… of course, she loves him, he’s rich! Charlotte really does seem to love Paul however and is living the life of her dreams until one day it all turns on its head and she doesn’t know what to believe any more.

This was a great read that explores a number of relationships, with Paul’s late wife’s death hanging over them, it can be difficult to move on but they are making the most of it and Paul is overjoyed at their latest news but it all begins to unwind when another female is found in the same spot as his wife was.

The story flicks between Charlotte's life now and her old life, bringing up her brother (who she has the most beautiful relationship with) and the things she has seen, whether she quite remembers them all or not.

A great read which will hold your interest to the end with plenty of twists and turns, most of which you don’t expect, especially the ending!

3.5 - I really liked the authors style of writing, this is the first book of hers that I have read so far but would certainly read from her again. I enjoyed the scene setting in the book and the small town with the mysterious lake.

I liked that the book was from Charlotte’s point of view and we see both current day and also flashbacks to 20 years prior and her difficult upbringing. I also liked her relationship with her brother Chet. The pace of the book was good but I just felt like the ending was a little bit underwhelming.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An entertaining read overall. The main character Charlotte was a little frustrating at times with her constant soul searching and anguish over Paul but generally it was a good story.
I had my suspicions as to how it would end but did not expect the final twist.