It’s a double mystery-thriller quickie.
One yay & one nay.
Stillhouse LakeAuthor: Rachel Caine
Series: Stillhouse Lake #1
Published by: Thomas & Mercer
Publication Date: July 1, 2017
Format: eARC
Pages: 302
Source: Publisher
Gina Royal is the definition of average—a shy Midwestern housewife with a happy marriage and two adorable children. But when a car accident reveals her husband’s secret life as a serial killer, she must remake herself as Gwen Proctor—the ultimate warrior mom.
With her ex now in prison, Gwen has finally found refuge in a new home on remote Stillhouse Lake. Though still the target of stalkers and Internet trolls who think she had something to do with her husband’s crimes, Gwen dares to think her kids can finally grow up in peace.
But just when she’s starting to feel at ease in her new identity, a body turns up in the lake—and threatening letters start arriving from an all-too-familiar address. Gwen Proctor must keep friends close and enemies at bay to avoid being exposed—or watch her kids fall victim to a killer who takes pleasure in tormenting her. One thing is certain: she’s learned how to fight evil. And she’ll never stop.
Can you believe Stillhouse Lake is the first Rachel Caine book I’ve read? She’s been on my radar for several years, but you know how it goes. I know this is different than what she usually writes, but I couldn’t resist jumping in now. I’m not sorry I did, because I liked it and want to read more of her books.
Gwen has gone through hell thanks to her husband, who turned out to be a serial killer. She may be paranoid now, but she has a damn good reason. I love how she has taken things into her own hands when it comes to protecting herself and the kids. Don’t mess with mama bear.
I wouldn’t say this was an exceptional mystery-thriller, but it is nicely done and has that extra “something” that makes it unable to put it down. A lot of what’s going on is obvious, but what I really like is I wasn’t always sure which path it would take to get where it’s going. Does that make sense? *shrugs*
Bottom line: Read it. Also, it appears this will be a series, so I’m looking forward to the next book.
Final GirlsAuthor: Riley Sager
Published by: Dutton
Publication Date: July 11, 2017
Format: eARC
Pages: 352
Source: Publisher
Ten years ago, college student Quincy Carpenter went on vacation with five friends and came back alone, the only survivor of a horror movie–scale massacre. In an instant, she became a member of a club no one wants to belong to—a group of similar survivors known in the press as the Final Girls. Lisa, who lost nine sorority sisters to a college dropout's knife; Sam, who went up against the Sack Man during her shift at the Nightlight Inn; and now Quincy, who ran bleeding through the woods to escape Pine Cottage and the man she refers to only as Him. The three girls are all attempting to put their nightmares behind them, and, with that, one another. Despite the media's attempts, they never meet.
Now, Quincy is doing well—maybe even great, thanks to her Xanax prescription. She has a caring almost-fiancé, Jeff; a popular baking blog; a beautiful apartment; and a therapeutic presence in Coop, the police officer who saved her life all those years ago. Her memory won’t even allow her to recall the events of that night; the past is in the past.
That is, until Lisa, the first Final Girl, is found dead in her bathtub, wrists slit, and Sam, the second, appears on Quincy's doorstep. Blowing through Quincy's life like a whirlwind, Sam seems intent on making Quincy relive the past, with increasingly dire consequences, all of which makes Quincy question why Sam is really seeking her out. And when new details about Lisa's death come to light, Quincy's life becomes a race against time as she tries to unravel Sam's truths from her lies, evade the police and hungry reporters, and, most crucially, remember what really happened at Pine Cottage, before what was started ten years ago is finished.
I had high hopes for Final Girls, but those hopes were extinguished early on. It was so predictable, and I immediately knew who the “bad guy” was and what was going on. Now, that isn’t always a bad thing, because some authors have the ability to still turn it into something amazing. That wasn’t the case here. One major reason I caught on quick is because it’s so horror movie cliche.
Not only that, but it was soooo slow. I got to 46% and had to set it aside. I eventually finished only because I couldn’t not leave it unfinished. So yeah, this book just did not do it for me.
I’ve heard good things about the Stillhouse Lake book. I’ve yet to read Rachel Caine, but I want to.
Bummer about Final Girls just being too predictable to be enjoyed.
I haven’t heard of the second one but I actually liked Stillhouse Lake, I didn’t love it but I liked it enough that I want to read book two. I think it could be a really good series.
Hope you are doing well. 😉
I listened to Stillhouse Lake and really enjoyed it. I am going to pass on Final Girls. I was hoping it would be good 🙁
I just read Stillhouse Lake the other week and could not put it down. I really liked it 🙂 Great review!
I would be curious about the Caine one but sorry to hear the second wasn’t for you.
I loved Stillhouse so much — I’ll be posting my review for SL soon too. I had some issues with it, but it was miles more interesting than Final Girls.
I have to check out Stillhouse Lake. I haven’t read that author before either. I agree Final Girls felt slow. I totally didn’t guess the bad guy or whatever though. I never do!! Great reviews!
I need to pick up a Rachel Caine book one of these days. This one sounds good and I’ve heard good things from others too. Glad you enjoyed it though it wasn’t exceptional!
Ugh I’m so disappointed to hear about how predictable Final Girls is. It got a lot of buzz when it released and I was curious, but I think I’ll skip for now. Sorry it wasn’t for you! :/
Aw, very disappointing about Final Girls, I had that on to read radar. Not so much now, I detest slow reads.
I’ve been trying to decide on Stillhouse Lake, so I guess I’ll be picking that one up soon. 🙂 But I not so sure about the Final Girls.
Hmm, am I missing out on the Rachel Caine books? Thanks for the heads-up on both books and sorry Final Girl was a letdown.
I haven’t read either book or either author.
I hate DNFs too but I try to push through it too. LOL
Oh the new Caine book looks very good. I do think you put it on my wishlist.
Stillhouse Lake has been on my TBR for sometime now, I need to bump it up. Sorry Final Girls did not go well for you.
I didn’t care for Final Girls either. A lot of people seem to love it though. I have Stillhouse Lake on my kindle but haven’t read it yet. Sounds like I need to try to get to that one soon.
I have enjoyed Rachel Caine before, but haven’t read Stillhouse Lake. It sounds intense! I sorry Final Girls didn’t work for you. I think I will skip that one.
Yikes, how awful would that be if your significant other turned out to be a serial killer?! I’m glad you enjoyed the book though! Some books do just have a special something. And I think I get what you mean about how the path was kinda unpredictable. Sorry the other book wasn’t so good though :-/
Ooh honestly I’m glad Stillhouse was the yay because I’ve been wanting to read that one. Yes because of the cover but it sounds tripped out too. Final Girls I’ll just skip. 🙂
Sorry to hear you didn’t really enjoy Final Girls. I’ve heard mixed things. I think it would be a library choice for me if I did get around to it.
Thanks for your honest reviews. I’ve read RC’s Glass Houses, a vampire novel, but didn’t care for it. Glad to hear that you enjoyed Stillhouse Lake, even if the other book didn’t work for you.
Interesting to see Caine branching out. I will have to add this one to my list. I totally know what you mean about Final Girls. It had the potential to be good, but it dragged and dragged and Sam needed to just go away. I was hoping for so much better.
The stillhouse lake sound exactly like a perfect book for me. Sorry the second book didn’t worked out for you 🙁
I haven’t read Rachel Caine either! What is wrong with me??? wow they look good! especially Final Girls, recommended by THE KING ! That should be enough right! 🙂
I haven’t read any of these books but you make me curious about The Stillhouse. Sounds SO good. 😁❤️
I loved Stillhouse Lake, it was such a great read. Never read anything by her before and it will not be my last book. So sad about Final Girls, was really excited
I have Stillhouse Lake on my TBR too…and it’ll be my 1st Caine book too. Glad to hear it was a good read.
Both of them sounds like winners to me. I especially like the cover for Stillhouse Lake.
I’m sad to hear about Final Girls! I have it on my TBR list and was looking forward to it. Now I’m debating on skipping it… But Stillhouse Lake looks like it’s perfect for me!