The book starts with a mother who loses her teenage son in a drowning accident or suicide six years earlier, still coming to terms with her loss an unexpected find triggers a search for the truth. Is this mother going crazy or so depressed she is imagining things? this book had me gripped from the start and held my attention right to the end. Loved it. Thank you @NetGalley for the advance copy.

Kate has lost her beloved son in what appears to be a tragic swimming accident at his private school. She’s never believed it was an accident, and six years later the discovery of Michael’s diary confirms her worst suspicions. To get to the bottom of what really happened and to finally know the son she lost, she travels to his boarding school to uncover the truth. Ladbury does a good, if somewhat inspired reading of the story

I was totally gripped by this complex and totally satisfying tale. The narration throughout is excellent and I spent some hours listening when I should have been sleeping; I wanted to know what happened next.

At one level, the story is a mystery thriller; a mother is unable to accept that her sons death was accidental. However, Louise Sharland explores numerous complexities including grief, exclusion by way of religion, live, loss, controlling relationships, sibling rivalry and much more. Kate, the mother at the centre of the story comes across as a well grounded individual who, despite the negative childhood influences imposed by the Plymouth Bretheren, manages to become her own person. However, she’s damaged by her personal relationship and the death of her son. It’s an emotional read at times; I felt quite involved with her plight and search for the truth. The story builds very cleverly in layers and there are final twists which took me by surprise. Accomplished writing and a rewarding listen. Certainly an author to watch out for and I really enjoyed the story.

My thanks to the publisher for a review copy via Netgalley.

I enjoyed this book, but I think I enjoyed it more because I listened to the audiobook and two voices were used throughout (although one was only used a few times, but it did add some dimension to the experience).

If you read a lot of thrillers then you'll probably guess what happens, however that doesn't take away from the enjoyment of the book. My only complaint is that the book could have been shorter if some of the main character's thoughts had been cut. It did get a bit repetitive at times, but I guess that's part of the anguish of a mother losing her son.

Overall I would recommend this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Louise Sharland for the advance audio 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 and beautifully read.

This had me gripped. So much I wanted to know, couldn’t work out and was desperate to find out. Great read adored the audiobook version.

The Lake is a thoroughly enjoyable audiobook, telling the story of Kate, a nurse and wife of Adam, a fairly unpleasant and seemingly selfish character. Six years previously Kate tragically lost her son, Michael, in a drowning accident.

Those around her (particularly Adam), encourage Kate to ‘move on’, but the notion that the drowning was an accident has never sat comfortably with Kate, particularly since Michael was on a swimming scholarship at an exclusive private school.

Her mother’s failing health leads Kate to her hometown, and the discovery of Michael’s secret diary, prompting Kate to embark on a journey of discovery regarding events leading up to his death.

A well written, expertly narrated novel that while but not being fast-paced, certainly kept me on my toes, and longing to listen to the next instalment at every opportunity!

My thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this audiobook in exchange for an advance copy.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my audio copy of The Lake, in my (humble) opinion this book was neither a mystery nor a thriller but it was a very good family drama. The narrator probably encouraged me to keep going as at times it did seem to drag on a little, and she did very well with the various accents. I don't really understand why the male narrator was utilised only for the recitation of the poems but not when Kate imagined him talking, he was superfluous really.

Overall it was a good plot with a lovely epilogue which made up for the disappointing ending prior to that, it all tied up a little too nicely I think. I won't explain that any further because of spoilers.