3.5 stars rounded up on this debut! It was a very entertaining plot but it could have been told a little faster with a little more intensity. I felt awful for the mother, Kate, who just wanted the truth of what happened to her son. She wanted closure and it was slightly far fetched on how things fell into her lap at times but I was intrigued nonetheless. Her support system was crap at best and I struggled with understanding her relationship with her own sister. And her husband, he is the definition of divorce he was ruthless and bothered me but that was good writing for me to have that much emotion towards him.

Overall it was a good book I just wish it wasn’t so spread out and a little more thrill to be added.

Great book! Engaging from the beginning to the end. Looking forward to reading more by this author! Highly recommended!

This novel focuses on a desperate quest by a mother to find out the truth about what happened to her son that drowned in a lake next to his school. Excellently written!

When Kate’s teenage son drowns in the pond near his school, authorities deem it a tragic accident, but Kate doesn’t believe it. Six years later, when Kate finds Michael’s diary, she finally has the chance to prove her theory. It’s only when she delves into the diary that Kate realizes she didn’t really know her son at all, and it may have been better to have let the past, and her son’s secrets, stay buried

Michael drowned in a lake and his mother Kate is out to prove that he did not commit suicide.
Michael was just 15 years old when the tragedy happened. Years later while Kate is cleaning out her mother's house, she comes across her son's diary and discovers that she really did not know her son. This leads Kate on a path to find out exactly who he knew and hopefully learn the reason that Michael ended up in the lake.

Heart wrenching from start to finish. Couldn't put down this novel of a mothers loss and her need for answers and dare I say justice. A rollercoaster of emotion as Kate navigates life without her son and her husbands need to move on. Can you really ever move on from that? Can she find the answers she is looking for? I was fully invested in her journey and revolted at what she began to discover. I look forward to reading more from Louise Sharland.

Thank you Netgalley for this impressive arc

I really liked this. Kate is grieving the loss of her son Michael, he died 6 years ago but she can't help but feel that something wasn't right with the "accidental" verdict given for his death. She is determined to find out what really happened that night at the lake.

I liked Katie's character, who couldn't like a woman who finally stands up for herself and her son. I read this quickly, I was desperate for the answers for Kate and Michael. Wasn't disappointed. A great read.

"The Lake" was a fast paced thriller which was at times predictable. The book started off really promising and I could personally feel the sadness and pain of the character. But as the story progressed, I found it quite repetitive and one dimensional. After a point, the ending and the culprit became quite obvious and it was just a waiting game. I had hoped for a different twist in the end to make it more interesting.

The narration was in first person and was singular. The writing style was articulate. The language was lucid. The tone of the book was of revenge and anguish. The theme of the book was to get a justice. I think if there were multiple POV's, it would have given more structure to the book. It could have been shorter as well instead of meandering in the middle phase of the book.

The story was about a mother, Kate who lost her 15 year old son Michael, 6 years ago to a drowning accident. She has been convinced that there is more to it. But no one wa s interested in her thoughts. Her husband, Adam never liked her son and was more interested in forgetting about him. Her mom suddenly fell ill and she was forced to go back to get childhood home. There she found Michael's old diary and phone. It showed that Michael was in a secret relationship with a person called " Diving Fish". She was supposed to meet him at the Lake on the day he died. Who was this girl? Was she involved in his death? Read to find out.

If you like slow burn thrillers, read this one.

-Afreen

This was an interesting read that kept me glued to my Kindle. It centers on Kate, whose 15 year old son drowned 6 years ago- it was ruled an accident but Kate can't get past the fact that Michael was a star swimmer and believes there has to be more to the story, despite the fact that her family and friends are pushing her to move on with her life.

I felt sorry for Kate and thought it was terrible that she didn't have much support from those around her. The story was unique in that a big chunk of the 2nd half of the book is spent on the retreat she attends to do her investigation and it almost reads like a different story; this was done in a good way, though- Kate took all the things she had learned in the first part of the book and used them to figure out what happened in the 2nd part, and enough time was spent to build out the characters around her at the retreat and to finally give her a support system.

There were a few things that caused me to have to suspend my disbelief, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. I did feel like the storyline around Kate's mother's stroke didn't add much to the story and probably didn't need to be there at all, but I suppose it could help the reader better understand her family dynamics.

The ending of the book was somewhat abrupt, but it did tie everything that happened up to that point together, and provided a little surprise twist beyond the main event that I didn't see coming.

Overall, I liked the book and raced through it to find out what happened. I'd give it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4, and would recommend it to those who enjoy mysteries. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kate's world falls apart when her teenage son drowns in the waters by his school. She’s convinced it wasn’t just a tragic accident, but no one will listen.
This was such a tense suspenseful book! It had me hooked from get go. The characters were raw.... Felt what Kate was feeling and I just love that in a book!
Thanks NetGalley Publisher and Author for this erc

A thoroughly enjoyable and poignant read covering some very moving, controversial and sad themes. The main character is seeking to find answers about how her only son died six years previously whilst also coming to terms with the mortality of her parents, a deeply religious upbringing, teenage pregnancy, an underage relationship with a teacher and an unhappy abusive marriage. Sounds like a lifetime’s caseload for a counsellor! All of the above, however, are explored sensitively and I felt a real connection and empathy with the lead character. The plot develops beautifully, unfolding piece by piece and you really feel you’re on the voyage of discovering, taking the highs and lows with her. Stunning and a book that will stay with me for a long time.

Kate's son died after drowning at a local lake. Unconvinced it was just an accident Kate tries to discover the truth after finding his diary.

I loved this book. I enjoyed how it played out. Like most thrillers there is a slow burn element but it kept me interested in finding out. I enjoyed the twists in the storyline and how she worked it out. I loved how it all unfolded. Brilliant read.

I found this gritty, tense and couldn't put it down. I craved it when I wasn't reading it. Kate's son is involved in a tragic accident, Kate doesn't think all is as it seems so goes on a hunt to find out what really happened that night. What she finds out is truly shocking and the story takes you on a path that brings out secrets and she realises that she did not know her son at all. I will be looking out for more of Louise's books as this one was a brilliant psychological thriller.

Six years after the death of her son, Kate is still convinced it wasn’t an accident. This book follows her on her journey to try and discover the truth but would it be better for some secrets to remain unknown. I read The Lake over a couple of days and found it impossible to put down. It’s got a fantastic amount of intrigue and suspense that kept me turning the page. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books and the author for the chance to review.

A slow burn thriller, with its fair share of twists & turns, this was Louise Sharlands debut novel which didn't disappoint.

'Kate's world falls apart when her teenage son drowns in the waters by his school. She’s convinced it wasn’t just a tragic accident, but no one will listen'

Many thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in return for my honest review.

𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 4 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴

Excellent heart pounding read. A few red herrings along the way, but my interest was kept all the way through. Read it in a single weekend. Highly recommended.

'All I have is an uncertain marriage, a dead child, and a ridiculous obsession with finding out what happened to him.'


Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books and Louise Sharland for the chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review - publication date 18th March 2021.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. It sounded interesting, albeit a premise I felt I had read many times before. The story begins six years after the death of the MC's 15 year old son, leaving her with many questions and no answers - something she is determined to solve.

Despite the all too familiar storyline, I really enjoyed it! Louise's writing style made for very easy reading and it had enough twists and turns to keep me hooked. In fact, I devoured it in just over 24 hours, my Kindle glued almost permanently to me in the hopes of five minutes spare reading time.

The storyline was predictable, but when you've read as many thrillers as many of us avid readers have, it is difficult to find a 'who dunnit' that isn't. It was still enough to keep me interested. While it was not a groundbreaking novel in terms of uniqueness, it is perfect if you fancy an easy to read thriller/mystery. As someone from the South West of England, I particularly enjoyed the varied settings in and around the areas I grew up and live now! I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

A mother grieving for the loss of her teenage son 6 years ago. She can't accept that his death was an accident even after all these years. When her mother is admitted to hospital she goes to mind the cat and discovers the diary of her son hidden in the back of the cupboard. Why didn't her mum share it with her? Not everything is as it seemed at the time. She sees a different side those around her including her son. Was his death really an accident? Finding his diary sends her on a mission to uncover the truth no matter the cost. A gripping thriller but an easy read-I finished in 2 days! Can't wait to read more from this author!

I didn’t realise this novel a debut novel and I am looking forward to reading more from her.


This pulls the heartstrings. Kate is grief stricken recovering from the sudden death of her son three years ago. Kate is sure that it wasn’t suicide and clings to the belief that someone else was involved in his death. When she uncovers his diary, it would appear to confirm this theory and Kate sets about uncovering the truth.
I read this book in two sittings and really enjoyed it. Its well-paced albeit a bit harrowing in places. Her husband is awful as are some of the other characters in the novel.

This is a classic page turner and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

A suspenseful psychological thriller. This had me hooked from the start and I could not put it down. Great characters and a gripping storyline.

Brilliant storyline that kept me racing to find out what was going to happen.

Believable characters and author shows great insight into the tragic death of the young boy in the book.

Emotional and very well written .. throughly enjoyed it

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for ARC

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC. I found it suspenseful and could not put it down. I just wanted to know what was going to happen. Definitely recommend for anyone who enjoys a thriller!

Pub date 3/2021

I am a little disappointed. Should of researched this book better. I thought it was a real true crime read, Its a thriller read. With that being said.

“A mother knows when something is not right. And will do anything to prove it.”

Once I started this book. I had to read it all through.. Kate’s son drowns at 15. When her mom is hospitalized. Kate finds something of her sons. That her mother instincts kick in and she investigates it. Even when no one else believes her.

I enjoyed this debut novel by Louise Sharland. “The Lake” is a well paced engaging story and I finished it in one day. As a mom I cannot imagine the depths of the pain that Kate feels over the loss of her son Michael, not to mention being told repeatedly to move on and forget it. Driven for answers Kate must journey into an uphill battle where she finds more than she bargains for. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

This is the second book I have read about a mother losing a child. It makes for an emotional read, a topic that crawls under my skin and makes it impossible to put the book down. This riveting tale had me turning the pages faster than I have ever managed before.
The Lake deals with the loss of a child, dominate relationships and abuse. This truly engrossing story left me with a need to wrap my arms around my children, never wanting to let them go again. (Not that it would be welcomed by my independent teenage girls.)
This debut novel from Louise Sharland is beautifully written. Her writing is wonderfully descriptive and emotionally intoxicating. She shares the emotions of the characters so clearly that you are left sharing the experience with them. Louise Sharland turned me into a fan with this book and I eagerly await her next novel.
When Kate’s son Michael drowns, the police investigation is inconclusive. Kate cannot accept Michael’s death as an accident or a possible suicide. Pressured by her husband to put it behind her and move on, it takes six years before Kate finds new evidence that sends her on a hunt for the truth about what happening to Michael. A truth she did not expect, but enough to give her the closure she so desperately needs to move on.
This book kept me up at night. At times things were so clear and I wanted to scream at Kate for not seeing what was right in front of her. I lost myself in this story completely and I was as eager for the truth as Kate herself. I had my suspicions, but this proved wrong which made the story even more entertaining.
The characters in this book were realistic people, they were flawed and interesting and deeply moving. Kate was wonderfully portrayed, a mother who lost her child, suffered a breakdown and was living with a dominant husband. Her insecurities and uncertainty were clear, making her an easy character to bond with. As for Adam, Kate’s husband, all I can say is: What an idiot! The man annoyed me from the moment he was introduced. My favourite had to be Doris, the neutral next-door neighbour who helped Kate see things in a new light and gave her the confidence she needed to fight for what she believed in. Doris was a genuinely loving mother-figure, while she played a small part in the book, she stood out as a strong, loving woman. I adored her!
The Lake easily made it onto my Loved list for 2021 – this book looked at dominance and abuse showing how a vulnerable woman can regain her inner strength and find peace and happiness. This book looks at several real-life issues faced by women every day in a manner that left me appreciating the life I have.
Mystery fans will love this book, but it will also appeal to fans of women’s fiction.
I enjoyed reading this book and cannot possibly recommend it highly enough. Make a note, publication day is 18 March – make sure to get yourself a copy, this is a brilliantly entertaining read.

I enjoyed this book and was quickly engaged in the story and wanting to know what happened. I thought it was written well and drew you into Kate and Michael’s story, I thought the subtleties of Kate’s husband’s controlling behaviour were well described especially as it was all under the guise of being caring, abusive relationships are not always physical. There were times that I wondered why Kate didn’t go to the police with her new information but I suppose when you’ve had the door shut one too many times you feel you can only rely on yourself. Either way I give this four stars and would recommend reading it.

Really enjoyed this one! Finished the whole book in 24 hours. It was gripping, exciting and I needed to read more - a real page turner.

Could the truth lie beneath the lake's surface? Read The Lake by Louise Sharland for a fast paced thriller to find out. Kate is devastated when her teenage son, Michael drowns in the lake near his school. She is convinced it was not an accident, but no one will listen. Six years later while staying at her mother's house, while her mother is hospitalized with a stroke, she finds Michael's diary. She begins to read it and finds out things about her son that she knew nothing about. Kate takes this information and goes on a hunt for the truth so she can get the closure she desperately needs. I found myself sometimes frustrated with Kate as she could not see what was right in front of her. I was just as anxious to find out about Michael's death so this book was hard to put down.I I found myself saying, one more chapter ,then I'll go to bed. If you enjoy a great mystery this book is for you. Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book and give an honest review.

For a debut author, this was impressive and held my attention straight away. Slight lull in settling in at the summer school but builds up the tension again. Really enjoyable as you want to find out with Katie what the unknown life of her son was at boarding school through the found diary.

I read this in a couple of days as really wanted to keep going and find out the ending.

This was a great book to read, it had all the twists and turns in it which kept me guessing right until the end. I was convinced it was one character then, I change my mind and decided it was someone else but, I didn’t guess who it was until the end. This is the type of book I love. I nearly read it in one sitting but just manage it. I loved the tension in this it added to the theme of the story. Great!!! My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Louise Sharland for the advance copy of this emotional thriller. Kate is still struggling to cope with the death of her son in a drowning accident six years on. When her mother has a stroke and Kate stays at her house she discovers Michael's diary and laptop. She begins to investigate his death again as she is certain it wasn't a accident. A compelling emotional journey of a mother determined to get the truth. Absolutely amazing read, highly recommended.

Brilliantly written, suspenseful and utterly compulsive. A mother's quest to find justice for her son, whose death was returned as an open verdict, leads her on a suspenseful journey. Red herrings aplenty , dual storylines of her disintegrating marriage to a domineering husband keep the pace up throughout. Despite everyone around her telling her she's crazy, she persevered in her quest. When her mother has a stroke ,forcing her to return to the family home, she finds her son's laptop and diary ,which leave her even more convinced someone else was involved in his death, the mysterious Diving Fish of his poetry. The ultimate denouement is a breathtaking climax to an original and compelling read.

Kate’s life has been an unending journey of misery since her 15 year old son, Michael, drowned. While she is convinced his death wasn’t an accident, everyone around her, including her husband, wants her to just move on. When Kates mother is hospitalized from a stroke, she heads to her house to look after her cat and be closer to her mum. She didn’t expect to find Michael’s diary in her mother’s house. And she didn’t expect it to reveal even more questions about not only his death, but a life Kate knew nothing about. Determined to solve the mystery of the night Michael died, she’ll stop at nothing to get to the truth.

The Lake was a gripping read, with several characters I wanted to reach through the pages and strangle. Being a mother myself, stories about harm befalling children are always an emotional read and this one was no exception. A fast paced thriller, covering many intense subjects, such as abusive relationships, grief, family issues and more, The Lake provided enough drama and twists to keep me entertained the whole way through. While some of the plot points were a little predictable, on the whole, I found the story an engaging and easy read.

I’d recommend this one to anyone who enjoys domestic thrillers!

Six years ago, protagonist Kate Hardy’s 15 year old son drowned from a tragic ‘accident’. Kate has always suspected that the police’s judgement that her swimmer son’s death was a accident could not be the truth. Surrounded by people questioning her judgement and mental state, Kate has not pursued this inkling she has. That is until she finds her dead son’s diary. A sinister diary filled with hidden poems and a suspicious ‘Diving Fish’.

This mystery takes you all over the UK from Cornwall to an Upper-Class Private school in the north of Scotland. This book covers such intense and varied issues: <b>addiction, religious fundamentalism, child grooming, domestic abuse, teenage pregnancy, and mental health</b>. Including a same- sex couple was great as well. They are not key characters but important to the book and offered humour and female friendship. Brilliant LGBTQ representation in a casual way. However, the addition of a love interest towards the end of the book (I will not add spoilers), seemed to be just thrown in, as is the regular theme for female protagonists. Women do not always need to have a happily ever after with a man. This story line didn’t really add anything to the book.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I couldn’t wait to pick it up on an evening and fly through the pages. Gripping and it felt like there was constant twist and turns (maybe sometimes to a fault). There is so much going on, and I would have loved the author to delve into the topics with more detail as I just loved the characters and the story lines.

<b>Rating: 4.5/5 Stars</b>

Thank you to NetGallery and Avon Books for giving me access to a digital copy of <i>The Lake</i> in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. 6 years ago, Kate's 15 year old son drowned, despite being a strong swimmer. Now Kate has found his diary and realises that she didn't know as much about her son as she thought. She doesn't believe his death was an accident, and is determined to find out what really happened. Her journey takes her finally to a poetry summer school in Scotland, where she finally finds what she's looking for. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

This is a story of a mother who loses her 15year old son six year ago. New details emerge and she thinks his death was not an accident. However her new husband wants her to move in with her life. Can she uncover what happened that night at the lake?

I was quickly drawn into the story. As a mother I can’t imagine the pain of losing a child. Kate is still mourning her son and she finds some of her son’s things when she visits her mother’s house when her mother is ill. This opens Pandora’s box of her son’s death. I admire her strength and would do the same investigation if I was in her shoes.

The book is almost split into two sections, one with Kate investigating at her mother’s house and her somewhat controlling husband. The second is a poetry writing retreat later in the book. I loved the poetry retreat section the best because it was focused on Kate’s investigation and also where she finds the answers. I think I liked it because her husband was not there. I didn’t like him and his lack of empathy towards Kate.

I really enjoyed this boo love and read it in one day! I would highly recommend this book.

Let me first start by saying this book was worth 10 stars not just 5. It follows a woman Kate whose son drowned 6 years prior. Kate as a mother believes there was some sort of foul play. Not only was there so much suspense packed into the story but the emotional journey with her fighting to find out the truth behind his death immediately has you hooked. Loved this read!

The Lake draws you in slowly to the story of Kate and her son Michael who drown 6 years ago

Something over the years does not sit right with Kate, Michael was an avid swimmer and he would not have drown

His diary shows up at her mum's and Kate is on a mission to get to the bottom of Michael's secret

Secrets can haunt you.

You cheer for Kate, you cry with Kate as her journey follows lots of twists and turns and red herrings.

Who can Kate trust?

The pages turn quickly as Kate is determined to prove her son did not drown and someone else was with him.

A good debut and I look forward to reading more books by Louise Sharland.

Thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books UK, Avon for a page turning read

The Lake was at its heart about a mother trying to do right by her son. I figured out who was responsible for her sons drowning fairly quickly but the story of Kates journey kept me invested in the book .

Kate has struggled with the death of her Michael in a tragic accident years before. Her mother having had a stroke she returns to stay in her old family home. Here she finds her son's diary hidden by her mother. Kate then goes on a journey to discover what happened to her child. This causes her to look at her life and what she know. She even evaluates her marriage.
Will she find out what happened to Michael before he died. Is anyone else to blame for his death?
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This book has plenty of emotions, and some scenes where you just need to continue quickly as it's an edge of the seat thing.
I did feel for Kate very much and the author conveyed this well.
All in all a good emotional drama which I would recommend.

I don’t think I’ve ever read a full book in one sitting until I started reading The Lake! I couldn’t put it down and I was absolutely hooked from page one!

Once Kate finds Michael’s diary that’s when everything starts to unravel. We follow Kate on this hunt to find out the truth which she faces alone as everyone closest to her continues to doubt her and worry for her mental health. I really connected to Kate, she was such a strong character with this overwhelming love for her son and I adored that.

I did feel like the story had two parts. The first half is Kate trying to find answers which lead her to numerous different people who were involved in Michael’s life. We also learn more about Kate’s childhood and the psychological abuse she suffers from her husband who I disliked immensely! The second half (which I will try to avoid any spoilers) sees no more mention of her family or husband and feels like a story within itself as she finally starts to learn the truth about what happened to Michael and begins her ‘mission’ to get justice for him.

You will have your suspicions as soon as Michael’s diary entries are detailed but I didn’t think it was obvious and there were many times I changed my mind over what I thought might have happened to him. Throughout the second half of the book it will become clear as to what happened to him yet this didn’t take away any suspense, in fact it created more as you desperately wanted Kate to prove what she had found.

Overall this was a gripping thriller that was a complete page turner and a book you won’t be able to put down!

The Lake is the captivating yet heartbreaking tale of a mother who loses her son to a tragedy but believes that foul play was somehow involved and will go to the ends of the earth to prove it. But is she right? A&E nurse Kate Hardy is a grieving mother who is still struggling to come to terms with the death of her teenage son, Michael David Penrose, six years ago. He was only fifteen when was found drowned, despite being a strong and competitive swimmer, at Argal Lake in 2015. Despite her husband, and Michael's stepfather, Adam, a doctor and a controlling manipulator, her mum and her sister having tried their best to be there for her it's problematic as none of them will listen to her pleas about his death and the possibility that someone else was involved and has, up until, now gotten off scot free. The police ruled it to be a tragic accident, but Kate believes it was something much more sinister than that and is hellbent on finding out the truth. Kate had been visiting the lake to lay flowers and sit on Michael's memorial bench and was seated by the lake watching a young boy paddle board yet when he falls and starts struggling to keep his head above the water her feet are planted like two concrete blocks and she's unable to move to help him; I guess in some ways this is about her regret that she was not there to help her son when he needed, her but she is already struggling to hold it together given it's the anniversary of his death. She also has a phobia of water that she didn't have before the drowning. Luckily, the boy’s mother is close by and jumps into action. Kate tends to the boy when he's out of the water by doing CPR and forcing air into his waterlogged lungs. She has been used to the looks of judgement she had received from people after questioning the police's version of events leading up to Michael’s death; it was normal to her now.

Those who surround her much to her chagrin often treat her as though she's crazy and question everything from her judgement to her mental state. So far Kate hasn't pursued her own investigation into her son, those around him and the circumstances surrounding the incident, but she feels like she's at the stage where this is essential for her health and wellbeing. Even if no one will have her back, she will carry this out alone if she has to. It's the least her son deserves and she can't quite believe that her family and friends are all okay with just accepting the police’s haphazard determination even if they also have qualms about the tragedy themselves; was it laziness or did they simply not care? When Kate finds Michael’s diary at her mother’s house it gives her the break she was looking for. There seems to be a lot about her son’s life she didn't know and figures it was a secret he had that may have gotten him killed. There are also countless references to ’Diving Fish’, whoever that may be. With a renewed sense of perspective, she vows not to stop until she uncovers the truth. This is a captivating and compulsive mystery packed with heart, emotion and the unbreakable bond between mother and son. Kate is a character who is likeable and relatable and her dogged determination even in the face of her family not showing her any support made her a hero and a strong woman in my eyes. The villain of the story is revealed about halfway through the book and then the rest is dedicated to the search for enough evidence to prove wrongdoing in a court of law. Full of emotion, compassion and a quiet resilience, Kate is a formidable protagonist in a gritty, palpably tense and thoroughly compelling tale. Highly recommended.

A story of loss and determination to get to the truth. This one had be totally absorbed in the life of Kate.

Kate is devastated after the loss of her son, Michael, who drowned in a lake near his school. Despite an investigation the death is recorded as a tragic accident but Kate doesn’t believe this and is sure there is more to her son’s death.

Six years after Michael’s death, Kate discovers his diary and suddenly she realises with the help of her sons words she may be able to discover the truth behind his death. But how far will Kate go to find the truth ?

This is a great emotional thriller that will have you turning the pages to discover the truth along with Kate. I really warmed to Kates character, which is always a must for me to get hooked by a book.

Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

I made a terrible mistake starting this book at 10 PM, thinking I would read a chapter or two and then go to sleep.

Instead I stayed up all night finishing! I could not put this away!

Highly recommended

This is a heartbreaking story about a women who loses a child and how she deals with it. 6 years later, after her mother’s death; Kate starts finding clues pointing to the fact that there be more to her son’s death than she thought. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book hooked me from the very first page and I didn't want to put it down. I loved the author's voice and Kate's character was so real I almost felt as if I was watching a movie. Everything was brought to life in vivid detail and I followed Kate through every scene with bated breath as she searched for the answers to what really happened to her son Michael on the night he died. Impressive storytelling, emotionally rich, characters that felt so real, and a plot that never faltered. The story is told from a single point of view, Kate's, and I think this really helped to pull me further into the story. The supporting characters were well written too although the emotional connection to Kate was brilliantly done and I felt her pain, struggles, and sheer determination to get the answers she so desperately needed. This book was truly amazing and I finished it in record time. I look forward to reading a lot more from Louise Sharland.

Kate is still trying to get on with her son's death, Michael, who died six years ago in a drowning accident. When Kate's mother gets sick, Kate moves to her mother's house and discovers a diary written by Michael. Then she discovers a deep dark secret in her own son's diary that Kate suspects that her son's death is more than just an accident.

This was actually a good book with a good plot. The emotions Kate is going through as a mother is real and raw. The characters are good, as the story is told from the perspective of Kate. I was actually glued to the story, wanting to know, who this Diving Fish really is and I couldn't wait to read the ending. The author did a good job getting the reader hooked into the story! This was also quite unputdownable. There were no surprising twists or turns but nonetheless, it was actually a good thriller book. I also like how Kate would do anything, to find the real identity of who the Diving Fish, who supposedly had a relationship with Michael, even bribing a girl. It was intense, particularly the ending. I was holding my breath as I read the story. The only problem was, the story was a bit predictable and there were some unnecessary side story that was irrelevant to the story. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Avon publishers for granting me this ARC. This review is based on my honest opinion. Worth four stars!

Kate has spent the last six yeas mourning the death of her son Michael, who she firmly believes did not drown by accident or suicide. No one agrees with her, especially her husband Adam. Now though, she's found his diary and uncovered a big secret (no spoilers) which supports her theory. She's got a lot on her plate- her mother has had a stroke, among other things- but this demands her attention. The search for answers turns up disturbing information both about Michael and about others. Sharland does a good job with Kate, her grief, and her determination. There's a romance thing that didn't ring true to me given the circumstances but that didn't stop me from turning the pages. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

Kate's world fell apart when her teenage son drowns in the waters by his school. She's convinced it wasn't just a tragic accident, but no one will listen. Six years later, Kate unearths Michael's last diary and realises she might finally be able to unciver what really happened that night. But as she delves deeper, she soon begins to realise that she didn't really know her son at all.

This is a slow burn thriller and i don't think it would work as well at any other pace. Kate's world fell apart the day her son drownwd. Kate tries to uncover the truth after finding her sons diary. The book takes us on an emotional journey as a mother tries to find out the truth behind why her son drowned that day. It's quite heartbreaking to read at times. With not a lot of evidence, witnesses seem to appear out of nowhere. I did feel the story dragged out in places. But the truth is revealed by the end.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #AvonBooksUK and the author #LouiseSharland for my ARC #TheLake in exchange for an honest review.