This book was a bit of a slow burn and took me a while to get into.
The setting at Black Lake was both serene and eerie and was the perfect backdrop for the spooky mystery.
The characters were well written, I hadn’t read any other books by this author but found that it didn’t matter as Jess was described perfectly.
That said, I was never fully invested in this book, I’m not sure why, but it’s definitely worth a read.

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

I was really excited to dive into this one and looking forward to reading the rest of the series after finishing this gripping novella sequel.
I loved getting to know Jess and a glimpse into her past, tackling the reason why she decides to become a detective.
The other characters and dual POV had me on the edge of my seat the whole way.
Things got a little confusing trying to figure out who was who and I was nervous this would take a paranormal turn, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Can't wait to dive into the next!

First of all, I love this author and have read all of her books so far! This one is a short story prequel to These Still Black Waters. We learn how jess went from being a paramedic to a detective and how she ended up at Black Lake. Black Lake is almost a character in its own right. Very moody and atmospherically written. And yes, there is a dead body. I really enjoyed this one and it is just gearing me up for What Lies in Darkness which will be Number 2 in the Jess Lambert series! Coming soon!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Christina McDonald and Intrigue Ink Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Christina is back with a novella surrounding Jess Lambert. I absolutely loved Jess Lambert in These Still Black Waters but absolutely love that Christina wrote this novella and gave us a chance to meet Mac and meet Jess before all her trauma and heartaches. This novella focuses on Jess and Mac’s life. We finally get to see the man who is anxiously awaiting his wife to heal I can not recommend this series enough. I absolutely love everyone and everything about it.

Jess an ex paramedic and her husband move to black lake for a new start. There’s a man who’s just getting released from prison. He keeps referring to finding “her”. Jess hasn’t secured a new job yet. She somehow is always stumbling on sketchy situations. Yet she is always eager to help people. This was a short fun read. It is unclear what’s really going on. How Jess this mysterious man and the past all line up. It comes together very neatly at the end. Everything then makes perfect sense. This story could have been more intricate if the author wanted it to but I enjoyed it being a short easy read.

These Still Black Waters was one of my favorite and 5 star read last year so I was so excited to see the Jess Lambert world again. The Stranger At Black Lake is a prequel to the series. It is a short story gives us background on why Jess and Mac moved to Black Lake and her decision to become a detective. This story is very fast paced with plenty of twists to keep you engaged. Excited for the next installment this summer!

'The Stranger At Black Lake' by Christina McDonald is a fast paced, twist thriller that is the epitome of unputdownable!

Such a good book!!! Loved it from start to finish, could not put it down!!!!! 5 stars!!! This author was new to me, will be looking for more from her!!

Thank you NetGalley, Christina McDonald and Intrigue Ink Publishing for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book may be short but it packed the twists. I was glued from the first chapter. It had essence of paranormal with small town ghost stories intertwining with cold cases and present day. I know this a prequel to Jess's story and I am looking forward to reading more of this character and her pursuit as a detective and how much her history of being a paramedic will come into play.

I loved getting to know some of Jess's background in this prequel novella to "These Still Black Waters". It has mystery, suspense and a creepy atmosphere that kept me on the edge of my seat. I know it's a novella therefore short by definition but I couldn't help wanting more! I highly recommend this new series and I can't wait to read the next one.

Thank you for a copy of The Stranger At Black Lake.

Looking forward to reading the sequel What Lies in Darkness!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

In the shadowed depths of Black Lake, secrets old grudges fester like forgotten wounds. Christina McDonald's gripping prequel novella, "The Stranger At Black Lake" plunges readers into a chilling cat-and-mouse game where the stakes are life and death.

Jess Lambert and her husband, Mac, seek solace in the tranquil embrace of Black Lake—a place where the water's dark secrets whisper through the rustling pines. Their quest for peace takes an unexpected turn when Jess befriends the enigmatic Annie Parker, a woman with a past as murky as the lake itself. But within hours, Annie vanishes, leaving behind only a trail of shock and mystery.

Annie Parker is no ordinary stranger. Her beauty conceals a labyrinth of secrets, and her arrival in Black Lake sets off a chain of events that will haunt Jess forever. Was Annie a witness, a victim, or something far more sinister? As Jess delves deeper, she uncovers the chilling history of Annie's house—a place where violence once stained the walls and echoes of tragedy still resonate.

McDonald masterfully weaves the threads of past and present, revealing the house's dark legacy. Ghosts of old grudges emerge, their spectral fingers pointing toward Annie. Jess becomes both hunter and prey, chasing shadows through mist-shrouded woods. But in this deadly game, the line between vengeance and survival blurs, and Jess wonders if she's unraveling the truth or merely tangling herself in the web of Annie's secrets.

The mist-laden setting of Black Lake seeps into every page, enveloping readers in an eerie embrace. McDonald's prose drips with tension, and each chapter unfurls like a raven's wing across moonlit waters. The air crackles with anticipation, and the scent of pine needles mingles with the metallic tang of fear.

"The Stranger At Black Lake" is a tantalizing prelude to the bestselling thriller series, "These Still Black Waters". Christina McDonald's writing is a siren's call, luring readers into a world where darkness and secrets lie buried in the lake's murky depths.

Jess Lambert needed a quiet place to re-exam her career after a traumatic event as a paramedic. Her husband, Mac whisks them away to the tranquil town of Black Lake. Jess thinks she has made a friend in the mysterious Annie Parker who lives in the infamous haunted house by the lake. Things turn ominous quickly with Annie’s behavior and has Jess wondering what is real, imagination, or folklore. Her impulse to investigate the recent incident and the house’s past tragedy may put her family in jeopardy. Will the police believe her or does she become the suspect?
“The Stranger At Black Lake” by Christina McDonald, is the Prequel for the Detective Jess Lambert series. Ms. McDonald does an excellent job of filling in the blanks to Book #1 “These Still Black Waters”, especially the dynamics of Jess and Mac’s relationship. The struggles of her characters are portrayed in a compelling manner but they never overwhelm the reader by weighing down the flow of the story. The author is masterful in presenting the issues of mental health and abuse. I was privileged to read the ARC and highly recommend this 5-Star suspense novel. Will Jess be able to save anyone or will this be another tragedy to scar her life?

Huge thanks to net galley for this ARC. I thought book 1 of this series had me on the edge of my seat but this book had me on the floor. Such a good read. I loved the suspense of this book. It was exactly what I was looking for out of this book.

The Stranger at Black Lake by Christina McDonald is due to be published March 19th 2024.
This is the very first book I’ve read from the author and definitely won’t be my last one.

This novella is the prequel to These Still Black Waters. Jess, how she discovered her talent for investigation and went from a paramedic to being a detective. moving to a new home, making a new friend who she discovers naked and in shock and a murdered body upstairs in a house with a history of suicides and missing people. And a man, suffering with pain, disability and violent tendencies who is stalking someone, jess or ?


Definitely a must read and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series now that I have read this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and Intrigue Ink Publishing for this ARC of ‘The Stranger At Black Lake’ by Christina McDonald.

Such a fast paced and quick read. Didn’t see any of the twists coming at all! I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to read other books by this author.

Jess moved to her husbands hometown, black lake after living in New York. Jess was previously a paramedic in New York and one morning after moving back to the lake she finds herself in a situation after meeting a woman in the coffee shop. A woman who she believes could become her first friend in the area but when she finds her disoriented near her home she begins to wonder who she really is!

The Stranger At Black Lake was a fast paced, short thriller that definitely didn't disappoint! 4⭐️

100% worth picking up if your looking for a fast paced, spooky, twisty thriller that will keep you hooked from the beginning!

The first book has been added to my TBR!

Thank you to the author and Net Galley for providing me with an e-arc of this Jess Lambert novella.

When Jess and Mac move to Black Lake they're looking for a fresh start in a small, quiet, town; somewhere they can enjoy the simple life that a only a small town can offer. As Jess struggles to settle into her new routine, missing the fast-paced lifestyle she left behind, she receives a text from her friend Leah. "He's out." Shortly after receiving that text, she meets Annie at a local coffee shop. As it turns out, Annie is also new to Black Lake and, like Jess, is finding it hard to settle into her new routine. Feeling like Annie truly understands her, Jess agrees to meet Annie for drinks sometime. Later that same day, while Jess is out for an evening run, she runs into Annie again and this time, nothing is as it seems.

Novellas can be tricky; oftentimes not having enough pages to fit a story that doesn't feel rushed. However, the author, Christina McDonald, does an excellent job at setting the pace for this mystery/thriller novella. 'The Stranger at Black Lake' had me at the edge of my seat from the very beginning and I enjoyed every second of it! The mystery in this novella, surrounding "the gingerbread house", Annie, and "him", is multifaceted and sprinkled with twists you never see coming.

I'm very excited to read more of the Jess Lambert series, starting with 'These Still Black Waters' and continuing with 'What Lies in Darkness'. 'What Lies in Darkness' is scheduled to release on July 16, 2024.

Jess Lambert and her husband, Mac, seek a quiet life in Black Lake, only to be drawn into a sinister game of secrets, murder, and revenge. When Jess befriends the enigmatic Annie Parker, a shocking incident unfolds, leading Jess to unravel the chilling mysteries of Annie's past and the dark history of their new home. As Jess delves deeper into the dangerous unknown, she questions Annie's true identity and her own role in the unfolding tragedy. With suspenseful twists and a compelling narrative that keeps readers on edge, "The Stranger at Black Lake" delivers a thrilling tale of suspense and intrigue. This book earns four stars for its atmospheric storytelling, intricate plot, and captivating exploration of hidden truths and blurred identities that will keep readers engrossed until the final page.