I've read both previous Jess Lambert books and was excited to read this one. Was great to read how Jess decided to become a detective. This author never disappoints!

I love the way McDonald weaves her sentences together:

A woman with long chestnut hair is grinning at me, seafoam eyes sparkling.

I haven't read the other books in this series, but in the first few pages of this prequel I know some key things about Jess Lambert. She's in a happy marriage. She's moved into a new house which, for a military brat like her, isn't a big deal. And she's lost career wise, still reeling from an altercation at her old job. Also, someone from her past is "out" and, while this alarms her, she chooses to avoid mentally dealing with it, falling instead into her new routine of pretending to go for a jog and hitting a coffee shop instead.

It's astounding how much story McDonald packs into less than a hundred pages. The plot is swift and the ending satisfying. Characters have depth, charm, and, for a couple, grit and spit. And, again, those melodic sentences that wind the story together:

Rain has started to splatter my jeans, my white tennis shoes, my battered leather jacket. A sickening sense of danger hangs in the air, rolling with the unsettled clouds.

This is a great short mystery to kill some time with.

Christina McDonald's "The Stranger At Black Lake" serves up a tantalizing prequel to her bestselling thriller series, delivering a compact yet riveting narrative.

Set in the tranquil town of Black Lake, the story revolves around Jess Lambert, whose peaceful life is disrupted when she befriends the mysterious Annie Parker. However, Annie's sudden disappearance plunges Jess into a web of secrets and danger.

McDonald skillfully crafts an atmospheric tale, blending suspense and mystery with rich character development. Each chapter propels the story forward, leading to a climactic finale that leaves readers hooked until the end.

In "The Stranger At Black Lake," McDonald proves herself a master of the genre, offering readers a thrilling ride filled with twists and turns. This novella is a must-read for fans of suspense and intrigue.

🖤🖤🖤
📖Book Review📖
4🌟
📖Book 8/100

💫Genre:
Thriller
✍️Author:
Christina McDonald

📝Synopsis 📝
Jess moves into a new small town with a past. She befriends Annie at the coffee shop one day, then decides to go for a run, and then walks into a gruesome scene. Things begin to happen, and she is dead set in making sense of it all.

My thoughts 💭
Wowzers!!! That was one great fast paced short read! Really enjoyed this page turner that I binged in one seating. Jess was so fearless and Leah had me there for a second. I didn’t expect the connection & twist which was great because I don’t like when books are too predictable. The book could have been a tad bit longer with more on Alan & Annie since we did get a ton on J.J. and everyone else. Can’t wait to read the sequel!!!

🖤Thank you so much @netgalley
& Intrigue Ink Publishing for approving this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

✨Publishing Date:
March 19, 2024

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The Stranger At Black Lake was absolutely fantastic. It is the prequel to These Still Black Waters which I read previously and which is equally as good. I loved reading Jess Lambert's backstory of how she came to live and work in Black Lake and loved the story of Annie with all its twists and turns. I also loved the little hint of what Jess thought she saw at the end of this book and what is to become in the following books in this series.
I really can't wait for the next book in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Intrigue Ink Publishing for my ARC.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book, and for Christina McDonald for an awesome thriller novella!!

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ [ 4 Stars ]

— “I felt like I’d failed my partner. Sometimes, no matter how much you want to, you make no difference at all.” (The Stranger At Black Lake, pg. 58)


— For what this was, a novella set before the main storyline of Detective Jess Lambert’s story, this was fantastic. A psychological thriller mixed detective story mixed small-town crime, A Stranger At Black Lake is told from the point of view of Jess, an ex-paramedic who just moved to Black Lake with her husband Mac, and Him, a mysterious POV whom we follow around post a jail sentence in search of “Her.”

Okay…spoilers ahead.

Let me say one thing: I KNOW this is Jess’s beginning, a novella prequel, but I honestly think this story should have been told either from JJ’s POV entirely, or from Leah. And I say this because the whole thing with Leah really doesn’t make sense come the end of the novella, because we barely see her. And even in JJ’s points of view chapters, he just calls her “her” which makes sense (I wish he called her Mother, but that’s a different story), but he calls her “my Leah” once he’s back inside the house and everyone else is there. Her reveal would have added up more if there was more telltale signs in JJ’s point of view (therefore excusing the Jess POV chapters for me) but overall I felt blindsided by it, and kind of not in a good way, as we barely know anything about Leah except for exposition from Jess.

Also…when Jess calls her about Colin being released, she’s kind of bitchy and dismissive to Jess…yet JJ also got released? Wouldn’t she be more understanding because of this? It just didn’t read like a linear character, and the reveal wasn’t believable for me.

My most important question though: what was on the note Jess left for Sammy??? It seemed so important yet it was tossed around three times without any inkling to what was on it! I’m nosey and want to know!

But honestly overall, this was a gripping thriller tale, and amazing set-up work for Jess being a detective in her main storyline books. Reading this has made me want to read McDonald’s other books with Jess!! Can’t wait to see more of Jess :) !!

This is prequel to “These Still Black Waters”. It caught my attention right away. It was full of suspense. Towards the end it was a little confusing but overall a great little novella!

This was a great prequel to These Still Black Waters, the new Jess Lambert series. It gives you some insight in who Jess is and really helps to develop her character. It was suspenseful and surprising - there were several good twists. I look forward to reading the next in the series, What Lies In Darkness. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

Perfect example of dramatic irony! Having multiple characters as the narrator really puts yourself in the world at Black Lake. You're connecting the dots of how each character is connected to each other, like those FBI shows with all the red yarn. You get to understand why JJ runs up to Annie and get mad when Jess throws herself on him to stop. You get to be in the shoes of the law and in the shoes of the victim. Absolutely a great read!

The Stranger at Black Lake is a intriguing prequal to the book “These still waters”. Though, I haven’t yet read the main story, I just couldn’t stop myself from requesting this book as the premise was so intriguing.

This book being a short novella is jam packed with mystery, thriller, horror, secrets, revenge, lot of twist & turns. The setting is bloody, eerie, scary, dark & the ending is a one I completely didn’t see coming.

And wait Stop! I completely forgot to praise the author for her beautiful writing skills. The writing had a very rhythmic tone to it, due to which I just couldn’t stop myself from turning the pages even more fast. I just can’t wait to get my hands on the main story. I just hope to see Jess Lambert work with Detective Rivero in the main story.

A great thriller and a well recommended one, for all mystery and thriller fans.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and the author for this Arc.

For those who’ve read Christina McDonald’s These Still Dark Waters featuring detective Jess Lambert, this is a prequel, going back to the time when Jess and her husband Mac first moved to to Black Lake. It describes the strange events that occurred back then which became the catalyst for Jess to become a detective.

Having just left her friends and her busy job as a paramedic and looking forward to a fresh start in a new place, Jess is feeling a little lost. She is therefore pleased when she meets the elegant, friendly Annie at the coffee shop. Discovering she has also recently moved to Black Lake they are soon chatting like old friends. Annie and her husband have bought an old dilapidated house at the edge of the lake, known as the Gingerbread House, believed by the locals to be haunted. Later that day when Jess is out for a run she finds Annie naked and in shock. Taking her back to the house, Jess finds signs of a vicious attack and calls the police.

This novella packs in a lot of suspense into a gripping atmospheric read filled with murders, ghosts, monsters and long hidden secrets. Excellently paced, this introduction to Jess Lambert will whet your appetite for the next two books in the series.

These Still Black Waters (Jess Lambert Book 1) was a 2023 five-star read for me so I was very excited to learn more about Jess in this prequel novella. This book has hauntingly eerie vibes that pulled me right in. There were many subtle twists that stumped me so my predictions didn’t play out in the way I thought they would! I enjoyed having some back story on Jess and reading this after the first book, only makes me want more from Jess.

Christina McDonald never disappoints! This Jess Lambert novella was amazing! The atmosphere throughout the whole story was tense. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. This was a great little story because there was so much packed into just a short amount of pages. If you are looking for a quick intense read, this one will hit the spot. Highly recommend anything written by her. She is now an auto-buy author for me!

Amazing short thriller. Gripping from the first chapter. I would definitely recommend I really enjoyed the book. Great twist. I did predict some of it however thoroughly enjoyed and would read others from the author. Definite 4 stars

Novellas, when it comes to thrillers are something that don't always work for me because it's hard to deliver so much in a short period of time. But after reading book one in the Jess Lambert series, These Still Black Waters, I knew I would read anything about one of my favorite characters. Christina McDonald took us back to Black Lake with a prequel to this series and we get to see Jess Lambert when she first moved to the area, before she was a detective.

After living in the city and Jess experiencing some trauma on her job, Lambert and her husband move to the small town where things are slower and more quiet. She is taking some time off to figure out what's next for her. When getting coffee one day, she runs into Annie, someone in a similar situation and they hit it off. Later, she sees this same woman near the lake in a rather unusual predicament that leads Jess down a rabbit hole searching for answers and history of the new area they live in.

Told in dual POV and filled with secrets and murder, this novella packs a punch for its length. It sets the tone for what's to come in this series and has you totally engrossed by Jess Lambert and this small town that has some darkness surrounding it. It is a quick read that still has twists and with great pacing from beginning to end. I loved the way it was set up similarly to the first book in POV style, but reads in a way that you can read either of these books in any order before continuing on to the second full length novel in the series. It's just enough taste of who Jess Lambert is to satisfy by appetite until we get the next book, which I cannot wait for.

This was definitely a creepy and thrilling novella and the perfect prequel into the Jess Lambert series.

I can't wait to read What Lies in Darkness next!

When I requested this book, I made the mistake of assuming this novella would be a perfect short story to read as a pallet cleanser in between the many books that are on my list to be read. It's a perfect book to binge read in less than a day. I am, however, mad at myself for not realizing that though this can be read as a standalone book, I've been hooked by the main character Jess. Therefore, have to add the other 2 books in this series to my ever growing and out of control TBR pile. I look forward to being able to read the next book in the series. The one after that, I will have to wait for its release this summer. Thank you, netgalley, for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fun novella. Creepy and entertaining. This is the only book I have read in the Jess Lambert series and am interested to read the other two currently out. Thank you to NetGalley and Intrigue Ink Publishing for this ARC

📚 PRE-PUBLICATION BOOK REVIEW 📚

The Stranger at Black Lake
By Christina McDonald
Publication Date: March 19, 2024

📚MY RATING:

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

📚THE 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 wonder: 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 REVIEW:

@christinamac79 has done it again!

This was my first novella and it did not disappoint! I rated McDonald's book, What Lies in Darkness, a FIVE STAR READ and named it one of my favorite books of 2024 last month -- so I was excited to read this prequel about the beginnings of heroine Jess Lambert's residency in Black Lake. The mystery and intrigue of the story quickly pulled me in and before I knew it, the book was over. 🥹 The only reason I rated this book 4.5 stars (instead of 5) was that I wanted more of it!

Since I enjoyed this novella so much, and absolutely loved What Lies in Darkness, it only made sense for me to purchase the first book in the series, These Still Black Waters! That book is now waiting for me on my Kindle and honestly, I can't wait to dive in.

If you're a fan of books with a strong female lead, fantastic writing, and riveting suspense - I'd encourage you to get your hands on this Detective Jess Lambert series from Christina McDonald ASAP!

Thanks to Netgalley and Intrigue Ink Publishing for this advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review!

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I couldn't put it down!

I read this novella in one sitting, which is unusual for me. Even not having 'These Still Black Waters,' this prequel was fabulous.

Jess Lambert, a former New York City paramedic, has recently moved with her husband to the countryside. Not knowing anyone, she befriends another woman new to town at the local coffee shop. Later the same day, she happens upon her new friend - stark naked and unable to speak, where she is then led to a gruesome scene at a local house, which is purported to be haunted.

Unable to let it be, she does some investigating on her own. The past that haunts this house is dark and terrifying, and what she uncovers proves to be invaluable to the local detective.

Thanks to NetGalley, Intrigue Ink Publishing and Christina McDonald for the ARC.