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ariailheath's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
shelleyann01's review against another edition
3.0
At times it was exciting but most of the story was either predictable or confusing. The writing itself is okay and consists mostly of dialogue...internal and otherwise, which is what causes the confusion. This story is told in first-person by the two main characters. The chapters switch back and forth between the characters narrations, which I normally enjoy. However, with this book, when the point of view changes no time has passed so it is hard to suddenly be reading from a different perspective, but pick up with the same event in the story. It has some interesting plot twists toward the end, but most I had predicted before they occurred.
Bottom Line: It was interesting but became confusing at times remembering which character was speaking. The story itself had sufficient mystery to keep my interest. The story of each main character became so entangled I was eager to see how the author would unravel the mystery in the end. It was not entirely surprising.
Thank you NetGalley, Joe Clifford and Polis Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.
#TheLakehouse #NetGalley
Bottom Line: It was interesting but became confusing at times remembering which character was speaking. The story itself had sufficient mystery to keep my interest. The story of each main character became so entangled I was eager to see how the author would unravel the mystery in the end. It was not entirely surprising.
Thank you NetGalley, Joe Clifford and Polis Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.
#TheLakehouse #NetGalley
thesassybookworm's review against another edition
5.0
This book was probably one of my favorites from this year. The writing was fantastic. The mystery was masterly written and kept me guessing until the very end. Full of twists and turns. Interesting character's. An atmospheric setting. Honestly, I can't really think of one thing I didn't love about this book.
abookwormwithwine's review against another edition
4.0
[b:The Lakehouse|53062181|The Lakehouse|Joe Clifford|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1586374824l/53062181._SY75_.jpg|79625960] by [a:Joe Clifford|3461130|Joe Clifford|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1447444688p2/3461130.jpg] is a (super) slow burning mystery that left me feeling confused. Not the best way to start a 4-star review right? But even though there was confusion, and it was a bit slower than I maybe would have liked, I still REALLY enjoyed this book. My friend kindly lent me the physical copy to see if it matched what I had on NetGalley (it did), and I literally cannot get over how gorgeous and fitting the cover is. I do love a good slow burn but be advised the pacing is particularly slow here. I still found the book utterly captivating though so in this instance it didn't really bother me.
The part that confused me the most was all of the "A" names. The Sheriff's daughter's name is Amanda, and then there is also an April and an Amber, all of whom were friends at one point. Mix this in with all the other characters and for some reason I found myself a little lost. So if I had to do anything differently, I would have written everyone down. I also found the very end to be a bit ambiguous for my liking and it went over my head. After speaking to the same friend that loaned me the book, who actually got it, I understood though and that made me like the book even more.
I thought the mystery was good and there are quite a few moving parts. I apparently wasn't smart enough for this book, but I did really appreciate the ride. The Lakehouse is said to be a domestic psychological thriller and I have to say I agree although the thriller part felt more like a mystery to me. The book is told from Tracy and Sheriff Duane Sobczak’s viewpoints along with a couple of other characters and does jump around a little bit. Overall I was a fan, and I will definitely be reading more from Clifford!
Thank you to the publisher for my advance review copy via NetGalley. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
The part that confused me the most was all of the "A" names. The Sheriff's daughter's name is Amanda, and then there is also an April and an Amber, all of whom were friends at one point. Mix this in with all the other characters and for some reason I found myself a little lost. So if I had to do anything differently, I would have written everyone down. I also found the very end to be a bit ambiguous for my liking and it went over my head. After speaking to the same friend that loaned me the book, who actually got it, I understood though and that made me like the book even more.
I thought the mystery was good and there are quite a few moving parts. I apparently wasn't smart enough for this book, but I did really appreciate the ride. The Lakehouse is said to be a domestic psychological thriller and I have to say I agree although the thriller part felt more like a mystery to me. The book is told from Tracy and Sheriff Duane Sobczak’s viewpoints along with a couple of other characters and does jump around a little bit. Overall I was a fan, and I will definitely be reading more from Clifford!
Thank you to the publisher for my advance review copy via NetGalley. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
ashleyr's review against another edition
3.0
thank you NetGalley for this E-ARC!
this story was a bit slow and parts and I put it down often and would forget to come back.
some parts of it were predictable. I liked it but had potential to be much better. I think if this is your genre it could go either way.
this story was a bit slow and parts and I put it down often and would forget to come back.
some parts of it were predictable. I liked it but had potential to be much better. I think if this is your genre it could go either way.
mrsbookburnee's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first book that I have read by Joe Clifford and it won’t be the last.
The book started so strongly and maintained that throughout, I was hooked from the beginning.
All of the characters were interesting and I liked how they linked together. I did not see that ending coming!!
The only (minor) criticism I would make, is that I felt there was too many characters and it did get a bit confusing. This could be down to reading as an ebook, some times reading a physical book makes a difference.
Thank you to @netgalley Joe Clifford and @polisbooks for my advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #thelakehouse #joeclifford #ARC #netgalley #bookstagram #booksofinstagram
The book started so strongly and maintained that throughout, I was hooked from the beginning.
All of the characters were interesting and I liked how they linked together. I did not see that ending coming!!
The only (minor) criticism I would make, is that I felt there was too many characters and it did get a bit confusing. This could be down to reading as an ebook, some times reading a physical book makes a difference.
Thank you to @netgalley Joe Clifford and @polisbooks for my advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #thelakehouse #joeclifford #ARC #netgalley #bookstagram #booksofinstagram
whatstephisreading's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I liked the set up of the book—it was immediately interesting and suspenseful, trying to figure out if Greg Norman was as guilty as everyone made him out to be, and connecting the dots of the characters across this typically sleepy small town. While I was immediately suspicious of some of the characters, the back stories of motivations, secrets, and linkages unravel throughout the pages, leaving the Sheriff in the middle trying to piece it all together.
At times it was difficult to keep straight the many characters and their connection points. While I somewhat guessed the big reveal in the end, I am still left with so many questions after finishing the book. I haven't figured out yet if I just missed some details or it wasn't all tied up nicely. Check this one out for a quick and interesting thriller taking place over New England’s distinct four seasons.
At times it was difficult to keep straight the many characters and their connection points. While I somewhat guessed the big reveal in the end, I am still left with so many questions after finishing the book. I haven't figured out yet if I just missed some details or it wasn't all tied up nicely. Check this one out for a quick and interesting thriller taking place over New England’s distinct four seasons.
moiraines's review against another edition
3.0
Rating: 3 stars.
This was a really fast read. I read this in one sitting and the writing style and the pacing were quick and it was easy to understand the story. I really liked the atmosphere, the setting near the lake was intriguing and the cover definitely portrays the vibes this story had.
I enjoyed the switching POVs too, although I found the Psychiatrist's POV to be a little repetitive. I really liked Tracy and seeing her emotions and struggles as a mother and her relationship with Norman. However, I found that there wasn't enough dialogue and too much inner monologue, especially in the Psychiatrist's chapters.
The plot itself was solid but not very exciting, although I did enjoy seeing all the little clues and how they fell together in the end. I knew who the killer was about halfway through, but I still enjoyed the ending. The mystery was well-constructed and yet I didn't feel like there was ever any real suspense, it was more like just reading along while the plot happened.
I still kept waiting for one more plot twist which never came in the end, and the book somehow left a certain feeling that not all questions have been answered.
This was a really fast read. I read this in one sitting and the writing style and the pacing were quick and it was easy to understand the story. I really liked the atmosphere, the setting near the lake was intriguing and the cover definitely portrays the vibes this story had.
I enjoyed the switching POVs too, although I found the Psychiatrist's POV to be a little repetitive. I really liked Tracy and seeing her emotions and struggles as a mother and her relationship with Norman. However, I found that there wasn't enough dialogue and too much inner monologue, especially in the Psychiatrist's chapters.
The plot itself was solid but not very exciting, although I did enjoy seeing all the little clues and how they fell together in the end. I knew who the killer was about halfway through, but I still enjoyed the ending. The mystery was well-constructed and yet I didn't feel like there was ever any real suspense, it was more like just reading along while the plot happened.
I still kept waiting for one more plot twist which never came in the end, and the book somehow left a certain feeling that not all questions have been answered.
mikimac's review against another edition
2.0
Todd Norman, who was known as “The Banker Butcher” following his wife’s murder is acquitted of all charges and looks to complete the last promise he made to his wife and complete the lake house that they were building in his childhood home of Covenant, CT.
Tracy, a newly divorced mother to a toddler happens to cross paths with Todd and, not knowing his past, starts to fall for him.
When a body is found on the shore of the lake at the foot of the Norman property, Covenant Police Chief Sobczak and his deputy/son-in-law immediately suspect Todd of doing the unthinkable…again.
The Lakehouse explores the inter-connectedness of small town life, the secrets everybody knows and the history everyone takes for granted.
Set in a small CT town, the investigation relies quite a bit on what happened in the past as people’s lives overlapped in ways both public and private as well as the things that everyone knew or thought they knew.
I found the pacing of this book to be disjointed and the characters hard to connect with. It seemed unfinished or that pieces were removed in editing that would have made it more readable.
Being from CT, I did spend a bit of time trying to figure out the approximate setting of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and to the Publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Tracy, a newly divorced mother to a toddler happens to cross paths with Todd and, not knowing his past, starts to fall for him.
When a body is found on the shore of the lake at the foot of the Norman property, Covenant Police Chief Sobczak and his deputy/son-in-law immediately suspect Todd of doing the unthinkable…again.
The Lakehouse explores the inter-connectedness of small town life, the secrets everybody knows and the history everyone takes for granted.
Set in a small CT town, the investigation relies quite a bit on what happened in the past as people’s lives overlapped in ways both public and private as well as the things that everyone knew or thought they knew.
I found the pacing of this book to be disjointed and the characters hard to connect with. It seemed unfinished or that pieces were removed in editing that would have made it more readable.
Being from CT, I did spend a bit of time trying to figure out the approximate setting of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and to the Publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
amandacreads's review against another edition
2.0
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: Sept 15, 2020
The newest psychological thriller, “The Lakehouse” by new to me author Joe Clifford...
Mystery/ thriller about a woman found on the bank of the lake in front of the new construction of a lake house owned by a man coming back to town after getting off for the murder of his wife. Multiple perspectives, detective POV. Unfortunately, this was not for me..
At the beginning, I thought I was going to love this book!! Switching perspectives as you try to place everyone and their actions... but after 50 pages in, the flow started to get confusing and the writing was all show & no tell. I understood the author was trying to make the reader think one person did it, but it just didn’t make ANY sense with the ending... and I guessed one of the twists really early in the book & I personally hate books when men write about high school girls having sex with each other like some teenage boy’s dream..
Publication date: Sept 15, 2020
The newest psychological thriller, “The Lakehouse” by new to me author Joe Clifford...
Mystery/ thriller about a woman found on the bank of the lake in front of the new construction of a lake house owned by a man coming back to town after getting off for the murder of his wife. Multiple perspectives, detective POV. Unfortunately, this was not for me..
At the beginning, I thought I was going to love this book!! Switching perspectives as you try to place everyone and their actions... but after 50 pages in, the flow started to get confusing and the writing was all show & no tell. I understood the author was trying to make the reader think one person did it, but it just didn’t make ANY sense with the ending... and I guessed one of the twists really early in the book & I personally hate books when men write about high school girls having sex with each other like some teenage boy’s dream..