Review: Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine

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.

Stacey's review 4 of 5 stars

*Recommended for those who like psychological thrillers*

Gina Royal believed she was living a normal life: happy (enough) marriage, two kids, husband that spends lots of time on his 'hobby' in the garage......

Gina discovers she has been living a lie when a drunk driver crashes into her husband's garage, which is actually the lair where he tortures and kills women. Yep, Melvin Royal is a serial killer. As Gina's life crumbles beneath her she finds herself also implicated in the murders- how could a wife, living in the same house, not know her husband was a murderer? Being acquitted of all accessory charges does not stop the onslaught of hate and threats from the public. Threats to herself and her children. Gina does what any mother would do- she runs. She changes their names, moves frequently, learns to defend herself and always, ALWAYS has a safety plan in place for her family.
This all changes when she buys a house in Stillhouse Lake, TN. A small, quiet community where she thinks they may all finally find some peace.

She was wrong.
After settling in and making a couple of friends, a body of a girl surfaces in the lake. The girl was murdered exactly the same way her husband killed his victims. Gina, now Gwen, knows their safety has been breached and is about to run again when suspicion from the police land on her and her connection to these new victims. But who is really behind these gruesome murders and what do they want from Gwen?

I really enjoyed this psychological thriller. It sucked me in from the start and kept me wanting to read to the end in one day! I felt for Gwen, who only wants to protect her children and give them some semblance of a normal life. Those poor kids! Always ready to grab and go on a moment's notice. Never making true friendships. None of them able to trust anyone, worrying about their past resurfacing to harm them again and again. The one constant contact Gwen has is an online hacker who helps her manage her secret life and frequent moves. As her worst fears begin to unfold, Gwen finds out how strong she really is and who, if anyone, she can trust to help her save her family.

Looking forward to the sequel in December!