Quirky Cat
Written on Nov 1, 2017
Review to follow.
A tight-knit community is shocked by revelations from decades past in this "enthralling" (Associated Press) literary mystery that "will keep you racing toward the end" (Lisa Gardner).The lead homicide investigator in a rural town, Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock is deeply unnerved when a high school classmate is found strangled, her body floating in a lake. And not just any classmate, but Rosalind Ryan, whose beauty and inscrutability exerted a magnetic pull on Smithson High School, first during Rosalind's student years and then again when she returned to teach drama.
As much as Rosalind's life was a mystery to Gemma when they were students together, her death presents even more of a puzzle. What made Rosalind quit her teaching job in Sydney and return to her hometown? Why did she live in a small, run-down apartment when her father was one of the town's richest men? And despite her many admirers, did anyone in the town truly know her?
Rosalind's enigmas frustrate and obsess Gemma, who has her own dangerous secrets--an affair with her colleague and past tragedies that may not stay in the past. Brilliantly rendered, The Dark Lake has characters as compelling and mysteries as layered as the best thrillers from Gillian Flynn and Sophie Hannah.
- ISBN10 153875990X
- ISBN13 9781538759905
- Publish Date 3 October 2017 (first published 30 May 2017)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Grand Central Publishing
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 400
- Language English
Reviews
Review to follow.
annieb123
Written on Oct 6, 2017
This is a standalone mystery thriller by Sarah Bailey on Hatchette's Grand Central imprint. It's set around the Christmas holidays in Australia. Detective Gemma Woods, who grew up in the small town where she still lives, has to investigate the sensational murder of the local drama and English teacher, who had recently moved back to the area. The case is complicated by the fact that Gemma had a lot of unhappy past history with the beautiful victim, as well as trying to work through the massive train-wreck of her personal life. That the train-wreck is largely of her own making doesn't help matters and she tries to work through her past trauma and not let her current situation negatively impact her work. Gemma is imperfect and it really works for the narrative that the author doesn't shy away from that.
Really beautifully written with palpable tension. The interplay between the spectacularly imperfect Gemma and the people around her is so deftly handled. The dialogue is perfectly written and never forced or wooden. I can't remember the last time I read a debut novel which was so polished and finished and enjoyably readable. I am a mystery thriller fanatic and really enjoyed the denouement and wrap-up. The clues and info are all there, and the payoff is well written and exciting.
The setting (a small rural town in Australia called Smithson) is well written and integral to the plotting. The fact that it's in the southern hemisphere means that they're heading into the hottest weather of the year, so there's also a danger of wildfires. The descriptions are so well written, it's easy to set yourself into the scenery.
The book is a hefty 440 pages (Kindle edition) but moves along at a good pace and didn't drag for me. I never lost my engagement with the book and finished it over the course of a few evenings. It's very unusual for me to read one book exclusively during my reading time (commute, during breaks during the day, pre-bedtime reading etc), and this one definitely captivated my attention during my spare time.
Definitely an author and series to watch.
Five stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.