Short and sweet with blood! 4 solid stars!
This is the perfect little prequel novella to Detective Jess’ story and the Lake-life setting is awesome! Although I was hoping to get a bit more into her haunted past introduced in book 1, I still can’t wait to dive into the 2nd official book in the series!! Great work, Christina!

Thanks to NG and the publisher to read and review

I enjoyed this novel and discovering what was going to happen next. I would recommend this one and it can be read as a standalone novel.

Well, I never liked short stories, because mostly it feels just not enough to dive into. So usually I pick short stories only when it’s highly recommended by people whose tastes are similar to mine, or when I already read and loved books by the author.

This one was neither. I didn’t pay attention to the book’s length though, so it was my first mistake. And the second, I didn’t notice that the book is part of the series. Luckily it was the prequel, so I read it thinking I could read the series after.

And here comes my other “no” about short stories — I rarely read it when it’s part of the series. Tried many times when I loved the characters but never liked it in the end.

So I didn’t like this one either. Can’t say it’s because of the plot, or the writing style or it’s just not for me.

The beginning was great, but then I got bored. Even was gonna DNF, but considering the size, decided to finish with hopes it would get better. Nope. So in the future, I will just be stuck to avoiding short series.

But at the same time, I think if you love this author or enjoyed the series, you gonna like the book as well.

Thank you NetGalley and Intrigue Book Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t realize this was a prequel to McDonald’s book, “These Still Waters” I was just very intrigued by the synopsis. This novella packs so much in a short time! Filled with mystery, horror, secrets and never ending twists and turns. I definitely recommend adding this quick read to your fall/spooky TBR.

This was my first time reading the author! I wasn’t sure what to expect and, even though at the beginning it took me some time to engage with the story, from page 49 onwards I couldn’t stop reading!
Loved the fact the story presents us two different POVs, that make you wonder how those two characters stories are gonna cross.
Highly recommend this one to anybody on the hunt for a short but good story!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Intrigue Ink Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of this prequel to the Jess Lambert series by Christina McDonald. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Jess and her husband have just moved to Black Lake looking for a more peaceful life. One morning, she meets what she hopes will be her first friend in town - Annie Parker. But only hours later, Jess finds Annie wandering naked along the lake. Taking her back to Annie's home, she comes upon a murder scene. Then Annie disappears.

I was so anxious to read this series because I always like Christina McDonald's writing. In fact, I waited to read this one so that I could read all three in a row. This was a short introduction to Jess' backstory, but was definitely a good stand-alone mystery. I loved the haunting feel to this book and the twists and turns made for a quick read. Onto the next books!

I loved These Still Black Waters and I loved this prequel too! So gripping and fast-paced. I couldn’t put it down. I got to know Jess so much better I’m this Novella and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series now too. I highly recommend anything by Christina McDonald, so good!!!

Once you start you won't want to put it down. I enjoyed this book. Jess moved to Black Lake for quiet and definitely did not achieve that. She meets Annie and can't help but want to help her but there is so much more behind it. So many twists that you won't believe. Christina Mcdonald definitely knows how to draw you in! Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the advance ecopy.

Honestly this was a little bit farfetched in places but overall it was still an enjoyable and gripping read for something so short and it's definitely made me interested in reading more books in the series.

Quick paced novella that will grip you from the first word. This is my first read from Christina and I’m excited to read her other books.

Although this is a novella, it is filled with interesting characters that take you on a creepy journey. Jess is a lot braver than I would ever be.

Thank you Victory Editing and NetGalley for the arc.

Christina McDonald continues to write riveting thrillers with a touch of the paranormal. THE STRANGER AT BLACK LAKE is a novella and prequel to her first novel THESE STILL BLACK WATERS and presents Jess lambert, a complex detective who has her own struggles. Black Lake operates as a gothic setting, giving the reader the right atmosphere for the paranormal elements. The setting also includes a house called the Gingerbread House that is said to be haunted.

I read THESE STILL BLACK WATERS and welcomed this prequel as I now know Jess's background and why she does what she does and sees what she sees. I felt heartbroken after reading this novella because now I understand Jess so much better and can sympathize with her even more. Also, the plot intensifies as Jess finds that moving to this new town that is supposed to be so peaceful is full of secrets that are deadly. When Jess meets Annie, she feels she has bet a friend but finds that not all is as it seems. She also finds herself delving into the past. Told in three POVs--a mysterious man, Jess, and Annie--THE STRANGER AT BLACK LAKE will nail you to the page and sets the reader up beautifully for the next in the Jess lambert series. Can't wait!

Thank you Netgalley, Christina McDonald and Intrigue Ink Publishing for the eArc of The Stranger At Black Lake.

This will be the first book of Christina McDonald's and even though it was fairly short, it packs a punch! I haven't read any of the Jess Lambert series so I felt lucky to read this prequel of her story. Jess and her husband, Mac has moved to Black Lake, looking for a quiet life. After a few weeks, Jess meets Annie at the local coffee shop and struck up a friendship. Later in the afternoon, Jess finds Annie stumbling about, naked and after leading her friend home, her man murdered.

Jess, being a paramedic, does her best, calls the police and then the main suspect, Annie, disappears. Between Jess being a paramedic and her intrigued/investigating mind delves deeper into a previous murder that happened at the same house and an urban myth of a women who drowned at Black Lake.

This is a fast paced novella, which is told from the POV of Jess and an unknown male called Him, both in first person. Jess's backstory intertwines into the main narrative very well as thought/feelings of similar experiences as they unfold at Black Lake. which leads to a possible career change, The narrative of this mysterious Him, also tells a tale and both come together very neatly. The payoff comes quickly, engaging and makes perfect sense. The pace of the narrative itself flows and you will definitely find yourself turning page after page as picks up. Im very intrigued and will make it a must to now pick up the first 2 books in the Jessica Lambert series in the near future!

4.25 stars, rounded to 4 stars for the review sites that don't do decimal ratings

The Stranger at Black Lake
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Christina McDonald

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Intrigue Ink Publishing and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Jess Lambert and her husband, Mac, have just moved to Black Lake, looking for a quieter, more peaceful life. Until one morning Jess befriends a stranger—beautiful and glamorous Annie Parker—who’s also just moved to town.

Only a few hours later, Jess finds Annie wandering naked and in shock along the lake. And at Annie’s house she encounters a gruesome scene that shows a violent attack. But then Annie disappears.

As Jess is pulled deeper into the mystery of what happened to Annie, she learns about the house’s chilling past. And she begins to who was Annie really? Is she a witness, murderer, victim?

But it’s dangerous hunting down old ghosts. And Jess becomes increasingly unsure if she’s the hunter, or the prey. Who is the stranger at Black Lake?

My Thoughts: This is the first book in the Jess Lambert series, more of a novella, an opening exposure of what is to come. The first book published was These Still Black Waters last year, then this novella was just published that is a prequel to These Still Black Waters. Next is What Lies in Darkness comes out in the summer. This goes back to a younger Jess Lambert, when she first moved to Black Lake. Jess Lambert and her husband just bought a house. Jess is not working yet and is lonely while her husband is working all day. Jess was a paramedic when they lived in NY and is used to constant go-go-go. Jess goes into town to get her coffee and befriends Annie. That same day, she sees Annie walking by the lake in only her shoes, no shirt or pants. Jess then discovers a horrendous crime scene at Annie’s house, clear violence. Then Annie disappears. Jess is pulled deeper into the mystery of what happened to Annie and in her house, then she learns the house’s history and is unsure if Annie is a victim, or if she is the one murdering someone else.

We really get to explore Jess’s character in this novella. Since there is only 156 pages, it really packs a rollercoaster punch!! Usually I would say you could read this as a standalone since it is a novella, however, it would be more enriching if you read These Still Black Waters first, then this novella. You need to know how Jess is now before getting into her backstory. The characters were well developed with depth, so much depth, they were mysterious, secretive, and captivating. The author’s writing style was complex, creepy, twisty, unpredictable, thought-provoking, and just freaking brilliant. The first book was a debut novel for McDonald and she is really making her mark in the thriller genre as a masterful artist that can craft these amazing twisty plot lines that will keep you wanting more. Jess’s character was backstopped and you really got to see who she was, the plot is delivered into these intricate twisty layers with an explosive ending that is mind blowing.

This was a short but powerful twisty psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting more. It was compelling, captivating, gripping, and takes you on a rollercoaster ride. This series is turning out to be very creepy, dark, and disturbing, which I love in a thriller. I highly recommend picking up this series and you will not be disappointed on the amazing rollercoaster ride your reading journey will take you.

This was a prequel to these still black waters which I haven’t read yet but definitely want to after getting a glimpse of Christina McDonalds writing in this book.

At only 90 pages long it was a very quick and enjoyable read. However despite the length the author managed to still make it an intricate well thought out plot with lots of interesting and developed characters.

I won’t share any spoilers but will say the different points of view and the pace in which things unfolded made for an enjoyable read. I’d definitely recommend the stranger at black lake and look forward to reading more of this authors work.

The Stranger At Black Lake, is the prequel to These Still Black Waters, in the Jess Lambert Series. I enjoyed book 1 in this series, however, this nolleva made me love this series even more!!! Christina McDonald packed so much into this short story and did not disappoint. As it is a prequel, it is about a younger Jess Lambert and added so much character development. I recommend this series and the prequel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Intrigue Ink Publishing for the arc of The Stranger at Black Lake!

This felt like a super quick read to me and it was enjoyable. The main character and her husband left Ny for a simpler life. She’s new and wants to make friends in her new town. She meets Annie and as the story progresses she notices something is off with her and the mysteries of the gingerbread house.

I loved this so much. Everything Christina writes is a winner in my opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

I don’t read a lot of novellas, but since I enjoyed the first and second Jess Lambert books so much, I gave it a try. It was fantastic. This is a prequel to These Silent Black Waters and What Lies in Darkness.

This book is set in Jess’ past, it is when her and Mac first got married and how she transitioned from a paramedic to a police officer. I enjoyed reading a little more about her past and what lead up to the two current reads. The book starts when her and Mac move to Black Lake where Mac grew up. Jess has no friends and no career. She meets a young woman, Annie, in a coffee shop, they become fast friends and things are looking up. A few hours later, she finds Annie naked in the streets, helps her home and finds a gruesome scene. Annie disappears and Jess is thrown into trying to solve this mystery. Who is the stranger at Black Lake?

I really enjoyed this novella and it was a fast read. It definitely puts the character of Jess into perspective. I love the depth and maturity changes in Jess in the three books! I cannot wait to see what’s next for her?

Thank you to Intrigue Ink Publishing for the digital copy to review!

I am a huge fan of Christina McDonald, and I loved her prior book These Still Black Waters. This little novella is a prequel to that book and it was just excellent. We got a little more insight into Jess Lambert with this one, and I loved it so much. In addition, there was a creepy case to dig into and solve as well. This did not feel like a novella and true to form, I did not want it to end. Good thing we don’t have to wait long, as the second book in this fabulous series is out soon.

Loved this pre-novella to the Black Lake series. It was nice to see Jess before the tragedy that comes later and how she got her start in detective work. Just the right amount of creep and thrill factor, just wish it was a full length book!