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Dept of Unexplained Phenomenon #1
The Girl in the Lake
Not yet published
Expected 1 Jun 26A young girl who claims to remember a past life draws a psychologist into a decades-old mystery in a haunting novel of suspense by New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver.
Kate Willis, consultant for the Division of Perceptual Studies at the University of Virginia, is tasked with interviewing six-year-old Henley Haskell about the girl’s alleged past-life recollections. The evaluation also marks a return for Kate to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and to troubling recollections of her own.
Here, twenty-four years ago, Kate’s friend Becca McGuire vanished from her bunk at a now-shuttered summer camp and was never seen again—presumably drowned in Lake Sauquamet. But the mystery of her disappearance is only deepening. Because Henley’s memories of her “other life” are ones that could only belong to Becca.
For Kate, Henley’s recurring, suffocating nightmares, and her disturbing illustrations of places she has never been, seem to spell out the unbelievable. Somewhere, somehow, the truth about what really happened to Becca is locked inside this little girl. As Henley’s uncanny memories surface, so do old secrets—each one drawing Kate inexorably back to that terrible long-ago summer by the lake.
Kate Willis, consultant for the Division of Perceptual Studies at the University of Virginia, is tasked with interviewing six-year-old Henley Haskell about the girl’s alleged past-life recollections. The evaluation also marks a return for Kate to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and to troubling recollections of her own.
Here, twenty-four years ago, Kate’s friend Becca McGuire vanished from her bunk at a now-shuttered summer camp and was never seen again—presumably drowned in Lake Sauquamet. But the mystery of her disappearance is only deepening. Because Henley’s memories of her “other life” are ones that could only belong to Becca.
For Kate, Henley’s recurring, suffocating nightmares, and her disturbing illustrations of places she has never been, seem to spell out the unbelievable. Somewhere, somehow, the truth about what really happened to Becca is locked inside this little girl. As Henley’s uncanny memories surface, so do old secrets—each one drawing Kate inexorably back to that terrible long-ago summer by the lake.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 5, 2026
3 people are currently reading
744 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Oliver
62 books118k followersLauren Oliver is an author, screenwriter, and media entrepreneur. She is the author of the upcoming novels THE GIRL IN THE LAKE (May 5, 2026) and its sequel, THE SLEEPWALKER (May 5, 2027). Her previous works include multiple New York Times bestselling novels for teens, including Before I Fall (which spent seventeen weeks on the list and was adapted into a feature film released by Open Road), the Delirium trilogy (a two-million-copy-selling dystopian series translated into thirty-five languages), and Panic, which she later adapted into the streaming TV show on Amazon Prime of the same name, for which she wrote every episode and served as Executive Producer. Along the way, Lauren founded the IP company StoryGiants and helped to package and edit nearly one hundred other novels. She is also the co-founder of Incantor AI, a self-scaling digital media engine built on a new and proprietary foundational model of artificial intelligence that respects copyright by providing both IP attribution and royalty shares to contributing sources. Raised in Westchester, New York, Lauren attended the University of Chicago and got her MFA from NYU. She now divides her time between Maryland and Los Angeles. Subscribe to my Substack! laurenoliverbooks.substack.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
November 24, 2025
Reincarnation stories are catnip for me, and this one had me from the first ripple: a haunted New England lake, a local legend of a gray lady, a vanished teenage girl, and a six-year-old who might be carrying someone else’s memories. I’ve read Lauren Oliver before (and even sought out the screen adaptations), so I came in excited—and this premise sealed it.
The novel follows Kate Willis, a consultant with UVA’s Division of Perceptual Studies, sent to evaluate Henley Haskell, a child describing a “past life” that lines up—unsettlingly—with the disappearance of Kate’s own camp friend, Becca, twenty-four years ago at Lake Sauquamet. As Kate toggles between clinical skepticism and the ache of old grief, Oliver layers present-day investigation with summer-camp flashbacks, and the effect is deliciously eerie: damp docks at twilight, a legend that won’t die, and children who see what adults refuse to name. Henley’s nightmares and drawings carry an uncanny charge, and Kate’s return to Stockbridge unspools a tangle of secrets that feel both intimate and inevitable.
What worked best for me is the atmosphere—Oliver nails that specific New England ghostliness where fog feels like a memory pressing back. The structure hums: short, propulsive chapters; a steady drip of clues; and a moral tension I love in paranormal mysteries—how do you separate belief from wish, and which one is more dangerous? Thematically, it’s rich: grief as an unfinished conversation, the ethics of testing a child’s story, and the question of whether a “past life” can be a map out of the present.
Why not higher than 3.5? A few craft choices held me back. The middle stretch circles some beats (interviews, intel drops) that blunt the momentum, and the final explanations click into place a bit too neatly for a story that otherwise thrives on ambiguity. I also wanted deeper shading for some adults orbiting Kate and Henley; when the core premise is this strong, the supporting cast needs to meet it halfway. Still, the pages turned themselves—and I kept the lights on.
Bottom line: a moody, compulsively readable blend of psychological and paranormal suspense with a premise I couldn’t resist. If the idea of a haunted lake, a gray-lady legend, and a child who might be the echo of a girl long gone makes your spine tingle, you’ll swim through this in a night.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing this intriguing paranormal thriller’s digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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The novel follows Kate Willis, a consultant with UVA’s Division of Perceptual Studies, sent to evaluate Henley Haskell, a child describing a “past life” that lines up—unsettlingly—with the disappearance of Kate’s own camp friend, Becca, twenty-four years ago at Lake Sauquamet. As Kate toggles between clinical skepticism and the ache of old grief, Oliver layers present-day investigation with summer-camp flashbacks, and the effect is deliciously eerie: damp docks at twilight, a legend that won’t die, and children who see what adults refuse to name. Henley’s nightmares and drawings carry an uncanny charge, and Kate’s return to Stockbridge unspools a tangle of secrets that feel both intimate and inevitable.
What worked best for me is the atmosphere—Oliver nails that specific New England ghostliness where fog feels like a memory pressing back. The structure hums: short, propulsive chapters; a steady drip of clues; and a moral tension I love in paranormal mysteries—how do you separate belief from wish, and which one is more dangerous? Thematically, it’s rich: grief as an unfinished conversation, the ethics of testing a child’s story, and the question of whether a “past life” can be a map out of the present.
Why not higher than 3.5? A few craft choices held me back. The middle stretch circles some beats (interviews, intel drops) that blunt the momentum, and the final explanations click into place a bit too neatly for a story that otherwise thrives on ambiguity. I also wanted deeper shading for some adults orbiting Kate and Henley; when the core premise is this strong, the supporting cast needs to meet it halfway. Still, the pages turned themselves—and I kept the lights on.
Bottom line: a moody, compulsively readable blend of psychological and paranormal suspense with a premise I couldn’t resist. If the idea of a haunted lake, a gray-lady legend, and a child who might be the echo of a girl long gone makes your spine tingle, you’ll swim through this in a night.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing this intriguing paranormal thriller’s digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
medium blog
October 13, 2025
This was such a haunting, eerie read that totally pulled me in. I loved the mix of psychological suspense and the whole past-life angle—it made the mystery feel so unique. The setting by the lake added to the creepy vibe, and I was hooked trying to figure out what really happened to Becca.
Kate was such an interesting main character, and Henley’s parts honestly gave me chills. It slowed down a bit in the middle, but the ending definitely made up for it. Overall, it was a chilling, emotional story that kept me on edge the whole time.
Thank you to Netgalley & Thomas & Mercer for this arc!
Kate was such an interesting main character, and Henley’s parts honestly gave me chills. It slowed down a bit in the middle, but the ending definitely made up for it. Overall, it was a chilling, emotional story that kept me on edge the whole time.
Thank you to Netgalley & Thomas & Mercer for this arc!
January 2, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this novel.
You need to read this, trust me. Such a fast paced, engaging, atmospheric thriller with an interesting twist. I loved the investigation aspect and the way the story played out in dual timelines. If you love being on the edge of your seat as you read a thriller, this is for you.
You need to read this, trust me. Such a fast paced, engaging, atmospheric thriller with an interesting twist. I loved the investigation aspect and the way the story played out in dual timelines. If you love being on the edge of your seat as you read a thriller, this is for you.
October 25, 2025
The perfect read for a stormy night like this one.
What a story! It was “I Know What You Did Last Summer” meets “Pretty Little Liars” meets the paranormal. And it did not disappoint!
The story follows Kate, a psychologist, studying a little girl who claims to have memories of someone else’s life…someone who is no longer alive and hasn’t been for decades. Someone who Kate is connected to in a big way. Kate gets thrown into her past that she has long run from for the sake of facing and discovering the truth.
I didn’t start figuring out the mystery until the latter part of the book, which meant this was a wild ride and such a good book for me! I’m stoked to read more in this series and this author because she knew how to write the eerie vibes and draw you into a haunting story.
Highly recommend if you enjoy mystery with a touch of the unexplainable.
Thank you to the author and publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
What a story! It was “I Know What You Did Last Summer” meets “Pretty Little Liars” meets the paranormal. And it did not disappoint!
The story follows Kate, a psychologist, studying a little girl who claims to have memories of someone else’s life…someone who is no longer alive and hasn’t been for decades. Someone who Kate is connected to in a big way. Kate gets thrown into her past that she has long run from for the sake of facing and discovering the truth.
I didn’t start figuring out the mystery until the latter part of the book, which meant this was a wild ride and such a good book for me! I’m stoked to read more in this series and this author because she knew how to write the eerie vibes and draw you into a haunting story.
Highly recommend if you enjoy mystery with a touch of the unexplainable.
Thank you to the author and publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
Want to read
September 14, 2025The synopsis gave me chills & if Lauren Oliver is pouring, I am bringing my biggest mug
October 19, 2025
Kate is back in Maine.
26 years ago she spent her summer in a camp there - for the last time - at 14 years old. Becca - one of her best camp friends disappeared that year.
Kate became a psychiatrist and she's now being called in for a case close to the old camp.
A little girl seems to remember a life she lived before. And the more Kate talks to six year old Henley and the more research she does about the old camp case... could Henley be talking about Becca? Kate doesn't believe in 'those kinds of things'. What is happening? READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!
I really enjoyed reading this. I'm just like Kate - I do not believe in anything supernatural.
This was a really great suspensy mystery with a great mood. Kind of sad and heartbreaking.
What should be amazing memories of childhood summers spent at that camp are forever bad memories now for Kate. And now she's back and it all connects back to that last summer. But how?
I loved reading it.
And I can already see the TV show! Gimme!
Can't wait to see what will happen in book #2 - Kate already got a phone call from a lawyer for a new case!
If you can't click the buy-links
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November 1, 2025
⭐️3.0 🌶️0.0
✨Thank you to NetGalley and Lauren’s team for this ARC✨
Ok so this book was definitely out of my comfort zone. I’m not a big fan of the narrative style but I was HOOKED. There were so many twists and turns - I couldn’t figure out how the story would end. Some parts didn’t feel right to me, like I’m still kind of confused on Mari’s whole deal.
All in all, I’m glad I was approved for this ARC. It was a great read for a cold raining week. I would recommend this to anyone who is wanting to get into the mystery genre.
✨Thank you to NetGalley and Lauren’s team for this ARC✨
Ok so this book was definitely out of my comfort zone. I’m not a big fan of the narrative style but I was HOOKED. There were so many twists and turns - I couldn’t figure out how the story would end. Some parts didn’t feel right to me, like I’m still kind of confused on Mari’s whole deal.
All in all, I’m glad I was approved for this ARC. It was a great read for a cold raining week. I would recommend this to anyone who is wanting to get into the mystery genre.
October 8, 2025
4.25
setting: Massachusetts
Rep: n/a
This was a really solid mystery and a great start to a new series. I love this kind of setup, where the protagonist isn't in law enforcement but part of a relevant field that helps them solve a mystery - in this case, Kate works for a university's department of unexplained phenomena, dealing with children who claim to be reincarnated. the story kept me engaged and I enjoyed the multiple mysteries aspect, and I will certainly continue this series!
setting: Massachusetts
Rep: n/a
This was a really solid mystery and a great start to a new series. I love this kind of setup, where the protagonist isn't in law enforcement but part of a relevant field that helps them solve a mystery - in this case, Kate works for a university's department of unexplained phenomena, dealing with children who claim to be reincarnated. the story kept me engaged and I enjoyed the multiple mysteries aspect, and I will certainly continue this series!
October 20, 2025
A tense thriller with an explosive ending. One of the fastest page turners as you are desperate to find out what will happen next. I love books with quirky characters and this has plenty. Add to that long buried secrets and you have the perfect mix. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2025
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My Vibe Check
* My emotional state while reading: 🥱🤔🍿🙄
* If this book were a snack, it'd be... a tofu burger posing as a hamburger.
The Good Stuff
1. Vivid descriptions. You can easily imagine the setting.
2. Mental disorders and resurrections are two of my favorite subjects. This book has both. It feels like a treat. 🍬
3. Ghost and mysterious deaths add more to the intrigue.
4. Camp nostalgia.
5. Struggling between the truth and self-preservation. 🩶 morally grey.
Things That Made Me Go Meh
1. This is just a personal preference, but I don’t like lush writing. I don’t like metaphors in prose. The first chapter irked me so much with its attention to the trees that I almost DNFed. It was so hard to settle into.
2. I feel like the delivery didn’t do the story enough justice. The story is very interesting, but the writing not so.
3. The walls of text are putting me off. I feel like only old books should be like this, since readers then had longer attention spans. I like my paragraphs digestible. And I can’t even adjust this on my Kindle to put spaces after paragraphs to give my eyes rest.
4. The camp girls remind me of Pretty Little Liars girls for some reason.
5. The Gray Lady aesthetic was giving Viola Lloyd (The Haunting of Bly Manor). Also, her tale/legend is somewhat lame.
6. A typo in Chapter 14. “Becca looked at her sideways”. Should’ve been Emily.
7. In the end, it’s just 40 chapters of whodunnit. And I’m pretty underwhelmed because the breadcrumbs weren’t breadcrumbing.
My Overall Thoughts
* Would I recommend this book? Well, I wouldn’t stop anyone from reading it. But I’m personally not obsessed, which is sad because I wanted to be.
* Who should read this? Whodunnit fans.
* My super-scientific rating: 3.5. Solid read, but I’m not obsessed.
—MAJOR SPOILERS START HERE.—
The Gist (or else I’ll forget)
The story opens with a flashback: fourteen-year-old Becca and thirteen-year-old Kate promise to be best friends forever.
Twenty-six years later, Kate—now a divorced psychologist and professor at the University of Virginia’s Division of Perceptual Studies—drives back to Massachusetts to interview a child named Henley, who claims to remember a past life.
On her way, Kate stops for coffee and notices an ad from an old camp friend, Mari. The ad stirs memories of the summer they spent together nearby as kids.
At the Haskells’ home, Henley’s mother, Emily, shows Kate her daughter’s drawings before Kate meets the child herself. Henley recoils at the sight of her, refusing to engage.
Seeking closure, Kate visits the site of their old camp but can’t make herself go in. Instead, she reconnects with Mari. Their reunion quickly turns tense as talk of Becca’s death resurfaces. Through Kate’s recollections, we see that Becca, once her best friend, was manipulative and cruel. Kate storms out, furious that Mari seems to have forgotten their shared guilt in Becca’s death.
Back at her Airbnb, Kate studies Henley’s drawings. One depicts a yellow house resembling Becca’s grandparents’ home; another shows an underwater graveyard, reminiscent of Fair Isle—the legendary island at the center of the “Gray Lady” ghost stories. The final drawing unsettles Kate so deeply that she decides to visit the lake again. There, she meets a kind stranger named Matt.
That night, Kate dreams of Becca, recalling how she, Becca, Mari, and Lennie once planned to visit Fair Isle to find the Gray Lady.
When Kate meets Henley again, the girl suddenly claims that her name used to be Becca.
A flashback shows the night young Kate and Becca saw the eerie, grinning face of the Gray Lady.
Disturbed, Kate visits Becca’s old house, then confronts Emily, who insists she never knew Becca. Emily adds that Henley has said she’s met Kate before—and that Kate was there the night she went to the graveyard and never came back.
Haunted, Kate researches Becca’s case online and contacts Becca’s mother, who confirms that many of Henley’s “memories” are frighteningly accurate.
Back at her Airbnb, Kate reads Emily’s notes and recalls the night she, Mari, and Lennie left Becca trapped and screaming.
The next day, Kate borrows an old camp yearbook from Mari and shows it to Henley. The girl recognizes herself as Becca and reveals she didn’t drown—Kate locked her in a dark place, and the Gray Lady took her.
In flashback, we see how Becca’s cruelty drove her friends to the breaking point.
Still skeptical, Kate suspects Mari has somehow planted the idea in Henley’s mind. She convinces Mari to meet at the old camp, where we find out what happened. Becca had bullied Mari into entering the mausoleum. Mari snapped and pushed Becca inside; Kate and Lennie locked the door. When they returned, Becca was dead. They put her body in a canoe and sank it in the lake. But her body was never found.
Later, Kate learns from Jenny Lin—another former camp counselor—that three canoes were missing from the boathouse that night, though the girls only used two. Meanwhile, she discovers Matt is actually a lieutenant who has reopened Becca’s case.
Kate visits Henley, who identifies who were there that night—Mari, Lennie, and Natalie, Becca’s enemy. Kate tracks down Natalie, who confesses she tried to scare the girls by posing as the Gray Lady. But Becca already knew and wanted to use Natalie to frighten her friends. Natalie never killed Becca; she only felt guilty, realizing she had been mistaken for the Gray Lady that night.
Kate consults Martin, a local historian, who connects the Gray Lady legend to past mysterious deaths on Fair Isle—including that of a boy whose body resembled Becca’s in death.
Soon after, Henley attacks a playmate, disturbing Emily, who cuts ties with Kate and the DOPS.
Kate’s memories resurface: the frantic search for Becca, the guilt, and Cameron—the camp boy who once comforted her. Investigating further, she discovers a link between Cameron and someone we’ll call “Fireball whiskey boy”.
When Kate confesses her involvement to Matt, he advises her not to leave the country. Back in Virginia, she consults a toxicologist friend, learning about sodium nitrate poisoning—a possible cause of Becca’s death.
Emily calls again: Henley has received a note reading, “Remember we had an agreement.” Meanwhile, the “Fireball whiskey boy” is identified as the real Cameron, proving the camp’s Cameron was an impostor.
Kate realizes Mari keeps a Becca shrine containing the same lighter described in the case. Visiting Mari’s house, she meets Mari’s son, who reveals he had babysat Henley and told her the Fair Isle story—explaining part of Henley’s knowledge.
Mari and Kate piece together the truth: the fake Cameron—actually Gregory Owens’ stepbrother Richie—killed the real Cameron, assumed his identity, and murdered Becca because she knew him and used it for leverage.
When Richie kidnaps Henley, Kate tracks them down. The confrontation ends in supernatural chaos: the Gray Lady appears, saving Kate and Henley—perhaps with Becca’s help.
My Vibe Check
* My emotional state while reading: 🥱🤔🍿🙄
* If this book were a snack, it'd be... a tofu burger posing as a hamburger.
The Good Stuff
1. Vivid descriptions. You can easily imagine the setting.
2. Mental disorders and resurrections are two of my favorite subjects. This book has both. It feels like a treat. 🍬
3. Ghost and mysterious deaths add more to the intrigue.
4. Camp nostalgia.
5. Struggling between the truth and self-preservation. 🩶 morally grey.
Things That Made Me Go Meh
1. This is just a personal preference, but I don’t like lush writing. I don’t like metaphors in prose. The first chapter irked me so much with its attention to the trees that I almost DNFed. It was so hard to settle into.
2. I feel like the delivery didn’t do the story enough justice. The story is very interesting, but the writing not so.
3. The walls of text are putting me off. I feel like only old books should be like this, since readers then had longer attention spans. I like my paragraphs digestible. And I can’t even adjust this on my Kindle to put spaces after paragraphs to give my eyes rest.
4. The camp girls remind me of Pretty Little Liars girls for some reason.
5. The Gray Lady aesthetic was giving Viola Lloyd (The Haunting of Bly Manor). Also, her tale/legend is somewhat lame.
6. A typo in Chapter 14. “Becca looked at her sideways”. Should’ve been Emily.
7. In the end, it’s just 40 chapters of whodunnit. And I’m pretty underwhelmed because the breadcrumbs weren’t breadcrumbing.
My Overall Thoughts
* Would I recommend this book? Well, I wouldn’t stop anyone from reading it. But I’m personally not obsessed, which is sad because I wanted to be.
* Who should read this? Whodunnit fans.
* My super-scientific rating: 3.5. Solid read, but I’m not obsessed.
—MAJOR SPOILERS START HERE.—
The Gist (or else I’ll forget)
The story opens with a flashback: fourteen-year-old Becca and thirteen-year-old Kate promise to be best friends forever.
Twenty-six years later, Kate—now a divorced psychologist and professor at the University of Virginia’s Division of Perceptual Studies—drives back to Massachusetts to interview a child named Henley, who claims to remember a past life.
On her way, Kate stops for coffee and notices an ad from an old camp friend, Mari. The ad stirs memories of the summer they spent together nearby as kids.
At the Haskells’ home, Henley’s mother, Emily, shows Kate her daughter’s drawings before Kate meets the child herself. Henley recoils at the sight of her, refusing to engage.
Seeking closure, Kate visits the site of their old camp but can’t make herself go in. Instead, she reconnects with Mari. Their reunion quickly turns tense as talk of Becca’s death resurfaces. Through Kate’s recollections, we see that Becca, once her best friend, was manipulative and cruel. Kate storms out, furious that Mari seems to have forgotten their shared guilt in Becca’s death.
Back at her Airbnb, Kate studies Henley’s drawings. One depicts a yellow house resembling Becca’s grandparents’ home; another shows an underwater graveyard, reminiscent of Fair Isle—the legendary island at the center of the “Gray Lady” ghost stories. The final drawing unsettles Kate so deeply that she decides to visit the lake again. There, she meets a kind stranger named Matt.
That night, Kate dreams of Becca, recalling how she, Becca, Mari, and Lennie once planned to visit Fair Isle to find the Gray Lady.
When Kate meets Henley again, the girl suddenly claims that her name used to be Becca.
A flashback shows the night young Kate and Becca saw the eerie, grinning face of the Gray Lady.
Disturbed, Kate visits Becca’s old house, then confronts Emily, who insists she never knew Becca. Emily adds that Henley has said she’s met Kate before—and that Kate was there the night she went to the graveyard and never came back.
Haunted, Kate researches Becca’s case online and contacts Becca’s mother, who confirms that many of Henley’s “memories” are frighteningly accurate.
Back at her Airbnb, Kate reads Emily’s notes and recalls the night she, Mari, and Lennie left Becca trapped and screaming.
The next day, Kate borrows an old camp yearbook from Mari and shows it to Henley. The girl recognizes herself as Becca and reveals she didn’t drown—Kate locked her in a dark place, and the Gray Lady took her.
In flashback, we see how Becca’s cruelty drove her friends to the breaking point.
Still skeptical, Kate suspects Mari has somehow planted the idea in Henley’s mind. She convinces Mari to meet at the old camp, where we find out what happened. Becca had bullied Mari into entering the mausoleum. Mari snapped and pushed Becca inside; Kate and Lennie locked the door. When they returned, Becca was dead. They put her body in a canoe and sank it in the lake. But her body was never found.
Later, Kate learns from Jenny Lin—another former camp counselor—that three canoes were missing from the boathouse that night, though the girls only used two. Meanwhile, she discovers Matt is actually a lieutenant who has reopened Becca’s case.
Kate visits Henley, who identifies who were there that night—Mari, Lennie, and Natalie, Becca’s enemy. Kate tracks down Natalie, who confesses she tried to scare the girls by posing as the Gray Lady. But Becca already knew and wanted to use Natalie to frighten her friends. Natalie never killed Becca; she only felt guilty, realizing she had been mistaken for the Gray Lady that night.
Kate consults Martin, a local historian, who connects the Gray Lady legend to past mysterious deaths on Fair Isle—including that of a boy whose body resembled Becca’s in death.
Soon after, Henley attacks a playmate, disturbing Emily, who cuts ties with Kate and the DOPS.
Kate’s memories resurface: the frantic search for Becca, the guilt, and Cameron—the camp boy who once comforted her. Investigating further, she discovers a link between Cameron and someone we’ll call “Fireball whiskey boy”.
When Kate confesses her involvement to Matt, he advises her not to leave the country. Back in Virginia, she consults a toxicologist friend, learning about sodium nitrate poisoning—a possible cause of Becca’s death.
Emily calls again: Henley has received a note reading, “Remember we had an agreement.” Meanwhile, the “Fireball whiskey boy” is identified as the real Cameron, proving the camp’s Cameron was an impostor.
Kate realizes Mari keeps a Becca shrine containing the same lighter described in the case. Visiting Mari’s house, she meets Mari’s son, who reveals he had babysat Henley and told her the Fair Isle story—explaining part of Henley’s knowledge.
Mari and Kate piece together the truth: the fake Cameron—actually Gregory Owens’ stepbrother Richie—killed the real Cameron, assumed his identity, and murdered Becca because she knew him and used it for leverage.
When Richie kidnaps Henley, Kate tracks them down. The confrontation ends in supernatural chaos: the Gray Lady appears, saving Kate and Henley—perhaps with Becca’s help.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Lauren Oliver dives into the murky waters of memory, guilt, and the unexplained in “The Girl in the Lake,” the first installment in her new Department of Unexplained Phenomena series. Combining psychological suspense with a touch of the supernatural, this story is an eerie, thought-provoking exploration of what happens when science and the paranormal collide. There isn’t a cliffhanger at the end, though Oliver leaves the book open for the next unexplained phenomena case.
The story follows Dr. Kate Willis, a clinical psychologist known for investigating supposed cases of reincarnation and other “paranormal” claims only to expose them as hoaxes or misunderstandings. But her newest case hits too close to home. Six-year-old Henley, a bright and strangely mature little girl, insists she remembers a past life — one belonging to Becca, Kate’s best friend who vanished and was presumed dead when they were both fourteen.
At first, Kate is certain there’s a rational explanation, perhaps manipulation, false memories, or attention-seeking behavior. But as the investigation unfolds, the details Henley knows are impossible to dismiss. How could a child know secrets about a camp that closed decades ago? Or recall the final night Kate last saw Becca alive?
Oliver structures the story in dual timelines, alternating between Kate’s present-day investigation and flashbacks to that fateful summer at camp. Through these glimpses into the past, Becca’s true nature and the circumstances of her death slowly surface, revealing that her disappearance was far more complicated, and much darker than Kate ever imagined.
Kate’s character is compelling, if at times frustrating. A brilliant but emotionally closed-off scientist, she struggles with alcoholism, guilt, and a growing obsession with the case. Her skepticism begins to unravel as she confronts her own buried trauma and the possibility that not every mystery can be explained away. Though she did feel a cold and distant at times, her flaws make her feel real as she is a woman shaped by regret, fear, and the need for redemption.
The pacing is tight and the mystery absorbing, filled with subtle clues, psychological tension, and a few unexpected twists that keep you guessing. The mystery is well-developed and has several layers that are unpredictable but incredibly engaging as the plot becomes more complex. Oliver strikes a good balance between science and the supernatural: while the story’s premise leans into reincarnation and ghostly echoes, the tone remains grounded, always tethered to the psychological and emotional reality of her characters.
The ending is satisfying and action-filled, and it resolves a bit neatly given the complexity of the setup. The final revelations about Becca’s fate and Kate’s role in it are both haunting and cathartic, setting up future cases for the series.
Overall, “The Girl in the Lake” is a smart, atmospheric examination of science and the supernatural; it’s a mystery that’s as much about guilt and memory as it is about ghosts. Fans of psychological thrillers with a speculative edge will find themselves hooked. Lauren Oliver’s transition into adult mystery fiction feels seamless, and Kate Willis is a protagonist worth following into whatever strange case comes next.
Lauren Oliver dives into the murky waters of memory, guilt, and the unexplained in “The Girl in the Lake,” the first installment in her new Department of Unexplained Phenomena series. Combining psychological suspense with a touch of the supernatural, this story is an eerie, thought-provoking exploration of what happens when science and the paranormal collide. There isn’t a cliffhanger at the end, though Oliver leaves the book open for the next unexplained phenomena case.
The story follows Dr. Kate Willis, a clinical psychologist known for investigating supposed cases of reincarnation and other “paranormal” claims only to expose them as hoaxes or misunderstandings. But her newest case hits too close to home. Six-year-old Henley, a bright and strangely mature little girl, insists she remembers a past life — one belonging to Becca, Kate’s best friend who vanished and was presumed dead when they were both fourteen.
At first, Kate is certain there’s a rational explanation, perhaps manipulation, false memories, or attention-seeking behavior. But as the investigation unfolds, the details Henley knows are impossible to dismiss. How could a child know secrets about a camp that closed decades ago? Or recall the final night Kate last saw Becca alive?
Oliver structures the story in dual timelines, alternating between Kate’s present-day investigation and flashbacks to that fateful summer at camp. Through these glimpses into the past, Becca’s true nature and the circumstances of her death slowly surface, revealing that her disappearance was far more complicated, and much darker than Kate ever imagined.
Kate’s character is compelling, if at times frustrating. A brilliant but emotionally closed-off scientist, she struggles with alcoholism, guilt, and a growing obsession with the case. Her skepticism begins to unravel as she confronts her own buried trauma and the possibility that not every mystery can be explained away. Though she did feel a cold and distant at times, her flaws make her feel real as she is a woman shaped by regret, fear, and the need for redemption.
The pacing is tight and the mystery absorbing, filled with subtle clues, psychological tension, and a few unexpected twists that keep you guessing. The mystery is well-developed and has several layers that are unpredictable but incredibly engaging as the plot becomes more complex. Oliver strikes a good balance between science and the supernatural: while the story’s premise leans into reincarnation and ghostly echoes, the tone remains grounded, always tethered to the psychological and emotional reality of her characters.
The ending is satisfying and action-filled, and it resolves a bit neatly given the complexity of the setup. The final revelations about Becca’s fate and Kate’s role in it are both haunting and cathartic, setting up future cases for the series.
Overall, “The Girl in the Lake” is a smart, atmospheric examination of science and the supernatural; it’s a mystery that’s as much about guilt and memory as it is about ghosts. Fans of psychological thrillers with a speculative edge will find themselves hooked. Lauren Oliver’s transition into adult mystery fiction feels seamless, and Kate Willis is a protagonist worth following into whatever strange case comes next.
October 10, 2025
I wanted to love this book and, on paper, it had everything that I do enjoy: an author whose work I appreciated (Oliver's "Delirium" young adult series is one of my favorites and I was so curious about her venture into thriller), a solid intrigue and a writing style that makes it a page-turner, and a competent 40=year old female protagonist with a Ph.D. in psychology.
Kate investigates unexplained psychological phenomena from a standpoint of a rationalist and usually refutes the explanations that her patients or society consider "paranormal": for example, in her past she had discovered that some parents manipulated their own children to recall their "past lives." At the beginning of the book, Kate takes a case of a 6-year old girl Henley who claims to have memories of her "past life." However, Henley's mother seems loving, there seems that nobody had a reasonable opportunity or cause to feed the girl false information/memories, and... Henley claims to be Becca, Kate's friend who mysteriously vanished when they were both fourteen and at the summer camp. The plot is interwoven with flashbacks from the camp which add a nice mystery vibe, include interesting lore pieces/ghost story, and are entertaning to read since Oliver's YA background shines here and she captures teenage personalities wonderfully. Unfortunately, adult characters and Henley herself fall flat in comparison: Kate seemed more like a series of tropes (a formerly alcoholic investigator...?) than a realy character, the supporting cast lacked chemistry, and reading about a six-year old with supposed memories of a fourteen-year old was somehow both creepy and not creepy enough (like, it could be taken to a next level to truly shine and right now it was just uncomfortable). Moreover, I found it hard to care about both Kate and Becca's disappeareance: Becca is an unsympethetic character (which I appreciated and could get over, teenage girls can be mean and her causes for rebellion and cruelty against her friends were explained) but so is Kate (with her obsession to solve the past case and lack of empathy towards Henley and her family). I also grew annoyed by the portrayal of Kate's supposed competence: she has a PhD and other degrees and had written numerous books, but somehow psychological phenomena are explained to her by her own grad student and she's sent on missions by her supervisor? I feel like she deserves more agency in her field! What's worse, while the action was engaging at the beginning, it started to drag in the middle and the ending felt a bit rushed.
This seems to be a start of the series and while psychological phenomena that are described in the book (and will presumably be further explored in the series) are informative and interesting, the way they're explained to the reader is a little bit heavy-handed.
Thank you NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Kate investigates unexplained psychological phenomena from a standpoint of a rationalist and usually refutes the explanations that her patients or society consider "paranormal": for example, in her past she had discovered that some parents manipulated their own children to recall their "past lives." At the beginning of the book, Kate takes a case of a 6-year old girl Henley who claims to have memories of her "past life." However, Henley's mother seems loving, there seems that nobody had a reasonable opportunity or cause to feed the girl false information/memories, and... Henley claims to be Becca, Kate's friend who mysteriously vanished when they were both fourteen and at the summer camp. The plot is interwoven with flashbacks from the camp which add a nice mystery vibe, include interesting lore pieces/ghost story, and are entertaning to read since Oliver's YA background shines here and she captures teenage personalities wonderfully. Unfortunately, adult characters and Henley herself fall flat in comparison: Kate seemed more like a series of tropes (a formerly alcoholic investigator...?) than a realy character, the supporting cast lacked chemistry, and reading about a six-year old with supposed memories of a fourteen-year old was somehow both creepy and not creepy enough (like, it could be taken to a next level to truly shine and right now it was just uncomfortable). Moreover, I found it hard to care about both Kate and Becca's disappeareance: Becca is an unsympethetic character (which I appreciated and could get over, teenage girls can be mean and her causes for rebellion and cruelty against her friends were explained) but so is Kate (with her obsession to solve the past case and lack of empathy towards Henley and her family). I also grew annoyed by the portrayal of Kate's supposed competence: she has a PhD and other degrees and had written numerous books, but somehow psychological phenomena are explained to her by her own grad student and she's sent on missions by her supervisor? I feel like she deserves more agency in her field! What's worse, while the action was engaging at the beginning, it started to drag in the middle and the ending felt a bit rushed.
This seems to be a start of the series and while psychological phenomena that are described in the book (and will presumably be further explored in the series) are informative and interesting, the way they're explained to the reader is a little bit heavy-handed.
Thank you NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2025
3.5 stars!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
It took a bit after I finished this to actually put my thoughts into writing, not because I didn’t like the book (I did), but because I had that feeling of something making me feel a bit…inadequate I think is the word? Not with reading this nor was it anything to do with the story, I just felt like I should’ve loved it more than I actually did.
Don’t get me wrong, I really did enjoy The Girl in the Lake. And for Lauren Oliver’s first foray into adult fiction, I think she did an amazing job with it. The narrative was a bit dry, for lack of a better word, though not uninteresting. It seemed to me though that the protagonist was not fully realized within the story. She felt a bit distant even if she had plenty of things to make her grounded into the story, and unfortunately for me, those things didn’t serve their purpose in the long run as I exceedingly found myself more interested into the side characters than I ever was into the protagonist.
I think the pacing contributed to this in a way, because the voice of the protagonist coupled with the speed at which the action took place made this feel more like a literary introspection into the protagonist’s mind, rather than a conventional thriller. There were a lot of moments I thought that everything was moving too slow and that we won’t ever find out anything, but she tied it up neatly in the end and not without making my heart beat with adrenaline every now and then at those last chapters.
There is something to be said about Lauren Oliver’s writing, she is incredibly good at her craft and whenever she publishes another book I’ll make sure to be one of her faithful readers. She just has a way of pulling in the reader into the story without them realizing it until they discover they’re addicted to her sentences and can’t get enough, and that’s precisely why I’m hoping with all my being that this series will get another book soon, because I can’t get enough!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
It took a bit after I finished this to actually put my thoughts into writing, not because I didn’t like the book (I did), but because I had that feeling of something making me feel a bit…inadequate I think is the word? Not with reading this nor was it anything to do with the story, I just felt like I should’ve loved it more than I actually did.
Don’t get me wrong, I really did enjoy The Girl in the Lake. And for Lauren Oliver’s first foray into adult fiction, I think she did an amazing job with it. The narrative was a bit dry, for lack of a better word, though not uninteresting. It seemed to me though that the protagonist was not fully realized within the story. She felt a bit distant even if she had plenty of things to make her grounded into the story, and unfortunately for me, those things didn’t serve their purpose in the long run as I exceedingly found myself more interested into the side characters than I ever was into the protagonist.
I think the pacing contributed to this in a way, because the voice of the protagonist coupled with the speed at which the action took place made this feel more like a literary introspection into the protagonist’s mind, rather than a conventional thriller. There were a lot of moments I thought that everything was moving too slow and that we won’t ever find out anything, but she tied it up neatly in the end and not without making my heart beat with adrenaline every now and then at those last chapters.
There is something to be said about Lauren Oliver’s writing, she is incredibly good at her craft and whenever she publishes another book I’ll make sure to be one of her faithful readers. She just has a way of pulling in the reader into the story without them realizing it until they discover they’re addicted to her sentences and can’t get enough, and that’s precisely why I’m hoping with all my being that this series will get another book soon, because I can’t get enough!
November 19, 2025
The Girl in the Lake follows the story of Kate Willis, college professor who performs research on perceptional studies. Kate returns to a place of her childhood to investigate the claims of a young girl, Henley remembering a past life. She is shocked to find out that Henley's past self is none other than Kate's childhood best friend, Becca, who mysteriously vanished/drowned during their last summer at camp. As Kate's past and present collide, she must investigate not only Henley's claim of reincarnation, but also Kate's role in Becca's disappearance and presumed death. Trying to unravel an almost 30 year old mystery, Kate finds herself questioning everything, including her long-held belief systems.
This book was...fine. There were some good elements. I love when the story shifts between past and present and this is done seamlessly by the author. It can sometimes be choppy, but that wasn't the case here. I also liked Kate's job and the idea that maybe Henley was a reincarnated Becca. The author added some nice details and easter eggs that had the skeptical Kate and even the reader guessing if Henley was truly Becca.
There were some things that I was not a fan of. A lot of this felt done before. The whole girls at summer camp and one of them mysteriously vanishes? A bit played out, recently, in my opinion. Additionally, there were really no high stakes in this story. Yeah it's mysterious, but there's not a whole lot at stake for Kate here for the majority of the book. The police weren't even mentioned until about halfway through. It was just...slow. I will say the plot picks up around 75%, but then it all feels a little rushed to tie up loose ends. I just wasn't invested by that point, seeing as how it took me over 2 weeks to finish it. I also felt nothing for any of the characters and did not particularly like any of them.
Now the epilogue? I'd rather read that story!
This book was...fine. There were some good elements. I love when the story shifts between past and present and this is done seamlessly by the author. It can sometimes be choppy, but that wasn't the case here. I also liked Kate's job and the idea that maybe Henley was a reincarnated Becca. The author added some nice details and easter eggs that had the skeptical Kate and even the reader guessing if Henley was truly Becca.
There were some things that I was not a fan of. A lot of this felt done before. The whole girls at summer camp and one of them mysteriously vanishes? A bit played out, recently, in my opinion. Additionally, there were really no high stakes in this story. Yeah it's mysterious, but there's not a whole lot at stake for Kate here for the majority of the book. The police weren't even mentioned until about halfway through. It was just...slow. I will say the plot picks up around 75%, but then it all feels a little rushed to tie up loose ends. I just wasn't invested by that point, seeing as how it took me over 2 weeks to finish it. I also felt nothing for any of the characters and did not particularly like any of them.
Now the epilogue? I'd rather read that story!
November 30, 2025
ARC Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
“You should not laugh, you know. Forever is a long time.”
Book Name: The Girl in the Lake
Author: @lauren_oliver_books
Pub Date: May 05, 2026
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers | General Fiction (Adult)
Description:
Kate Willis, a consultant for the Division of Perceptual Studies at UVA, is sent to evaluate six-year-old Henley Haskell, a child who remembers a past life. But this is not just any caseHenley’s memories match those of Becca McGuire, Kate’s childhood friend who disappeared twenty-four years ago from a summer camp in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. As Henley draws haunting scenes she’s never seen and relives suffocating nightmares, Kate is forced to confront the dark secrets buried beneath Lake Sauquamet. The deeper she digs, the more the past refuses to stay hidden.
My Thoughts:
I’ve always loved past-life memory and reincarnation stories, so I picked this up with high expectations, and it delivered so well.
Lauren Oliver creates a haunting atmosphere where psychological tension blends with eerie supernatural possibilities. Henley completely spooked me. Her nightmares, her drawings, and the way she spoke about her other life made the whole story feel unsettling in the best way. The Gray Lady terrified me, and Richie gave me chills.
The now-and-then narrative slowly reveals the truth about the past while building suspense in the present, and this structure makes the mystery even more gripping. I loved how the story unfolds piece by piece, with sharp twists and an ending that was intense and genuinely scary.
Kate and Henley were my favourites. Their emotional connection and the weight they carry in this story made it even more powerful.
A chilling, atmospheric, twist-filled read that kept me hooked from start to finish. I would absolutely recommend this book.
Thank you @netgalley and @thomasmerceruk
#TheGirlintheLake #NetGalley
“You should not laugh, you know. Forever is a long time.”
Book Name: The Girl in the Lake
Author: @lauren_oliver_books
Pub Date: May 05, 2026
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers | General Fiction (Adult)
Description:
Kate Willis, a consultant for the Division of Perceptual Studies at UVA, is sent to evaluate six-year-old Henley Haskell, a child who remembers a past life. But this is not just any caseHenley’s memories match those of Becca McGuire, Kate’s childhood friend who disappeared twenty-four years ago from a summer camp in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. As Henley draws haunting scenes she’s never seen and relives suffocating nightmares, Kate is forced to confront the dark secrets buried beneath Lake Sauquamet. The deeper she digs, the more the past refuses to stay hidden.
My Thoughts:
I’ve always loved past-life memory and reincarnation stories, so I picked this up with high expectations, and it delivered so well.
Lauren Oliver creates a haunting atmosphere where psychological tension blends with eerie supernatural possibilities. Henley completely spooked me. Her nightmares, her drawings, and the way she spoke about her other life made the whole story feel unsettling in the best way. The Gray Lady terrified me, and Richie gave me chills.
The now-and-then narrative slowly reveals the truth about the past while building suspense in the present, and this structure makes the mystery even more gripping. I loved how the story unfolds piece by piece, with sharp twists and an ending that was intense and genuinely scary.
Kate and Henley were my favourites. Their emotional connection and the weight they carry in this story made it even more powerful.
A chilling, atmospheric, twist-filled read that kept me hooked from start to finish. I would absolutely recommend this book.
Thank you @netgalley and @thomasmerceruk
#TheGirlintheLake #NetGalley
October 26, 2025
Psychologist Kate's scientitic expertise is called upon in the curious case of a six-year-old girl who appears to have lived a previous life.
She heads to a place she knows well - for many years, she used to go to summer camp here, on the shores of a lake where an island in the middle houses the ruins of a mansion, a graveyard and the ghost of the Grey Lady.
As Kate gets to know the little girl, Henley, she realises that the child appears to be the reincarnation of Becca, a troubled teenager with whom Kate was best friends back in the day. Chillingly, Becca met a violent end on the island and Henley reveals things only someone very close to the story - maybe Becca herself - could possibly know.
Professionally, Kate should distance herself from this assignment - she is much to close to the action - but she is drawn into uncovering the truth about what really happened to Becca all those years ago.
This was a pageturner of a novel, told partly in flashback, and was a compelling read. There were parts of the plot that seemed a little contrived and I found it difficult to suspend my disbelief. However, it was written in a very easy, flowing style that made me want to read on to find out what happened. If you like twisty, chilling thrillers, this is a good one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance review copy of this novel.
She heads to a place she knows well - for many years, she used to go to summer camp here, on the shores of a lake where an island in the middle houses the ruins of a mansion, a graveyard and the ghost of the Grey Lady.
As Kate gets to know the little girl, Henley, she realises that the child appears to be the reincarnation of Becca, a troubled teenager with whom Kate was best friends back in the day. Chillingly, Becca met a violent end on the island and Henley reveals things only someone very close to the story - maybe Becca herself - could possibly know.
Professionally, Kate should distance herself from this assignment - she is much to close to the action - but she is drawn into uncovering the truth about what really happened to Becca all those years ago.
This was a pageturner of a novel, told partly in flashback, and was a compelling read. There were parts of the plot that seemed a little contrived and I found it difficult to suspend my disbelief. However, it was written in a very easy, flowing style that made me want to read on to find out what happened. If you like twisty, chilling thrillers, this is a good one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance review copy of this novel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I downloaded this book to see how many pages it was going to be to plan out my reading over the holidays. I made the mistake of reading one page and everything else was put on hold. Including the current book I was reading.
This is the first work I have read by this author and definitely will not be the last one that I read. What a dark and eerie book!
Imagine being a psychologist sent to talk to a young girl that claims she has lived a past life. And, oh, by the way, the life she lived was your best friend at summer camp that disappeared one night at camp. As skeptical as you may be, this child knows things she shouldn’t know about your friend. Oh, and panic a little bit when the child tells you, “I don’t like you. You were there.”
And why is it that as cute as kids can be they are also the creepiest things in scary movies?
This will have you on the edge of your seat the whole time. If this doesn’t become a movie or a limited series on some streaming service, there is no justice.
But this book. Turn on the lights (ALL OF THEM) and read this book. Only put the book down to inspect the bumps and creaks you hear in the house. Then pick it back up until you have consumed this entire book. It’s that good.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
This is the first work I have read by this author and definitely will not be the last one that I read. What a dark and eerie book!
Imagine being a psychologist sent to talk to a young girl that claims she has lived a past life. And, oh, by the way, the life she lived was your best friend at summer camp that disappeared one night at camp. As skeptical as you may be, this child knows things she shouldn’t know about your friend. Oh, and panic a little bit when the child tells you, “I don’t like you. You were there.”
And why is it that as cute as kids can be they are also the creepiest things in scary movies?
This will have you on the edge of your seat the whole time. If this doesn’t become a movie or a limited series on some streaming service, there is no justice.
But this book. Turn on the lights (ALL OF THEM) and read this book. Only put the book down to inspect the bumps and creaks you hear in the house. Then pick it back up until you have consumed this entire book. It’s that good.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
October 20, 2025
Kate Willis is a psychologist living in Virginia. Kate works as a consultant with the Division of Perceptual Studies at the University of Virginia. She is asked to evaluate Henley Haskell who believes she has memories of another life. Kate comes back to Massachusetts where she used to attend summer camp. Twenty four years ago Kate’s best friend, Becca, supposedly disappeared from her bunk and drowned in the lake. The memories Henley are recalling could only be Becca’s. Henley talks of places she’s never been and is having nightmares. As Kate digs into Henley’s claims, more secrets are revealed and it becomes dangerous for little Henley. But Kate refuses to stop until she knows the truth.
At first I couldn’t get into this story. It’s told in Kate’s point of view only. It goes back and forth between present and past. But over half way through I could not put it down! You think you’ve got it figured out and then there’s another twist. Plenty of suspense. Secrets. I hope there will be more books.
* VOLUNTARILY READ AND REVIEWED FOR NETGALLEY AND THOMAS AND MERCER*
At first I couldn’t get into this story. It’s told in Kate’s point of view only. It goes back and forth between present and past. But over half way through I could not put it down! You think you’ve got it figured out and then there’s another twist. Plenty of suspense. Secrets. I hope there will be more books.
* VOLUNTARILY READ AND REVIEWED FOR NETGALLEY AND THOMAS AND MERCER*
October 24, 2025
The Girl in the Lake is a psychological thriller that takes you on a roller coaster ride—and you find yourself leaning into every turn. It's a story that haunts you when you put it down, beckoning you to pick it back up again. Lauren Oliver has crafted a protagonist who you don't just align with—you inhabit. As she begins to question her sanity, so do you.
The narrative brilliantly jumps between two different time periods, seamlessly weaving a full, cinematic, technicolor story that gives you a deep well of backstory to swim in. I couldn't put this book down. Honestly, I don't know if I've ever read a book this quickly before. I found myself flipping pages at lightning speed while simultaneously mourning the shrinking page numbers that signaled the end was near. It was a thriller that I didn't want to stop thrilling.
And the ending… Oh boy, well, I won't say much more. You'll have to jump into the lake of this mystery yourself. Just watch out for her—the Gray Lady. She'll haunt you long after you've closed the book.
The narrative brilliantly jumps between two different time periods, seamlessly weaving a full, cinematic, technicolor story that gives you a deep well of backstory to swim in. I couldn't put this book down. Honestly, I don't know if I've ever read a book this quickly before. I found myself flipping pages at lightning speed while simultaneously mourning the shrinking page numbers that signaled the end was near. It was a thriller that I didn't want to stop thrilling.
And the ending… Oh boy, well, I won't say much more. You'll have to jump into the lake of this mystery yourself. Just watch out for her—the Gray Lady. She'll haunt you long after you've closed the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC!
Kate, a psychologist, is called to a town close to where she used to go to summer camp to investigate the case of a young girl who claims to remember a past life. I won't say more but it's a thriller/mystery, so you know it's not a coincidence.
I hesitated between 3 and 4 stars. I landed on 3 due to the fact that I was not especially excited about picking up the (digital version of the) book at the end of the day. However, the end of the book hints at a second one in the series and I will definitely be on the lookout for it.
Here's what worked (and not) for me:
++
The story is entertaining, different from anything I've read.
The child's creep factor is through the roof.
Psychological and medical concepts are explained in a sound and understandable way.
The plot was tight.
--
I was not drawn to any of the characters.
The atmosphere did not draw me in either.
There were some forced descriptions and a weird preaching moment of the A.A.'s twelve steps.
Kate, a psychologist, is called to a town close to where she used to go to summer camp to investigate the case of a young girl who claims to remember a past life. I won't say more but it's a thriller/mystery, so you know it's not a coincidence.
I hesitated between 3 and 4 stars. I landed on 3 due to the fact that I was not especially excited about picking up the (digital version of the) book at the end of the day. However, the end of the book hints at a second one in the series and I will definitely be on the lookout for it.
Here's what worked (and not) for me:
++
The story is entertaining, different from anything I've read.
The child's creep factor is through the roof.
Psychological and medical concepts are explained in a sound and understandable way.
The plot was tight.
--
I was not drawn to any of the characters.
The atmosphere did not draw me in either.
There were some forced descriptions and a weird preaching moment of the A.A.'s twelve steps.
October 8, 2025
* Thank you NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. *
The Girl in the Lake surprised me. It follows Kate, a consultant, during an interview with a child who believes she has memories of a past life. Kate immediately thinks there's an obvious explanation - someone feeding the girl information, someone looking for fame - until she actually meets her and realizes that the truth may be even stranger than she could've imagined, because Henley's "past life" is related to Kate's past.
I won't say too much more, but I will say that I was not expecting to be so engaged in the story. I found the premise, and the characters, interesting. I did have some small qualms about the slightly-too-perfect way it was wrapped up, but overall really enjoyed it, and blew through it. I will definitely be reading more of the Dept of Unexplained Phenomenon series. If you're into child psychologists solving weird mysteries, you'll like this too.
The Girl in the Lake surprised me. It follows Kate, a consultant, during an interview with a child who believes she has memories of a past life. Kate immediately thinks there's an obvious explanation - someone feeding the girl information, someone looking for fame - until she actually meets her and realizes that the truth may be even stranger than she could've imagined, because Henley's "past life" is related to Kate's past.
I won't say too much more, but I will say that I was not expecting to be so engaged in the story. I found the premise, and the characters, interesting. I did have some small qualms about the slightly-too-perfect way it was wrapped up, but overall really enjoyed it, and blew through it. I will definitely be reading more of the Dept of Unexplained Phenomenon series. If you're into child psychologists solving weird mysteries, you'll like this too.
October 8, 2025
The Girl in the Lake follows psychotherapist Kate Willis as she interviews six-year-old Henley who is claiming to have memories from a previous life. It’s the first book in the Department of Unsolved Phenomenon.
This was a really engaging book. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but I once I started this book I couldn’t wait to find out what happened. Kate is a divorced recovering alcoholic, pulled back into her past trauma while interviewing Henley, and as the mystery deepens, Kate’s faith in her own convictions fades.
There were plenty of twists and turns and I enjoyed the flashbacks throughout the first half, so that we learn the past events alongside the current ones. The action is fast-paced but not overwhelming, and I thought the amount of scientific information was enough to help make the actions of the characters understandable without being off-putting.
All-in-all, this was a great read. I’m looking forward to the next in the series!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
This was a really engaging book. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but I once I started this book I couldn’t wait to find out what happened. Kate is a divorced recovering alcoholic, pulled back into her past trauma while interviewing Henley, and as the mystery deepens, Kate’s faith in her own convictions fades.
There were plenty of twists and turns and I enjoyed the flashbacks throughout the first half, so that we learn the past events alongside the current ones. The action is fast-paced but not overwhelming, and I thought the amount of scientific information was enough to help make the actions of the characters understandable without being off-putting.
All-in-all, this was a great read. I’m looking forward to the next in the series!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
October 13, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. So much so, I finished it in 1 day! From the first few chapters, it pulled me in with that quiet, eerie feeling Lauren Oliver does so well. The Girl on the Lake isn’t just a mystery — it’s a story about friendship, grief, and the kind of secrets that sit heavy for years.
The setting felt so vivid I could almost hear the water and feel the tension between the characters. It’s slow in places, but I actually liked that — it gave me time to connect with everyone and really feel the unease building. There were moments I didn’t fully trust anyone, which kept me turning the pages.
What stood out most to me was how real the emotions felt. You can tell Oliver understands the messiness of loss and guilt, and she writes it in a way that hits you quietly. The ending left me thinking about it long after I finished.
If you like stories that are emotional, a bit haunting, and beautifully written, this one’s definitely worth reading.
The setting felt so vivid I could almost hear the water and feel the tension between the characters. It’s slow in places, but I actually liked that — it gave me time to connect with everyone and really feel the unease building. There were moments I didn’t fully trust anyone, which kept me turning the pages.
What stood out most to me was how real the emotions felt. You can tell Oliver understands the messiness of loss and guilt, and she writes it in a way that hits you quietly. The ending left me thinking about it long after I finished.
If you like stories that are emotional, a bit haunting, and beautifully written, this one’s definitely worth reading.
November 26, 2025
The setting of the lake and camp was very chilling. The ghost of the lake was also scary and I like how well it mixed in with Becca’s situation. I really enjoyed the constant POV switch between past and present.
Even though the past life story line was what drew me in I was skeptical of Henley’s portrayal of her supposed past life. I had predicted the outcome of the situation with Henley early on in the story but it was still so interesting to see Kate trying to fix a mistake she deeply regrets. It gets emotional during the moments of Kate’s grief. The lack of police help made me believe that this story was heading in a different direction. The culprit of who was killed Becca was also predictable.
I disliked how some things were over explained. Especially the things that didn’t need an explanation for. Still liked the story though!
I loved this authors other book Before I Fall.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Even though the past life story line was what drew me in I was skeptical of Henley’s portrayal of her supposed past life. I had predicted the outcome of the situation with Henley early on in the story but it was still so interesting to see Kate trying to fix a mistake she deeply regrets. It gets emotional during the moments of Kate’s grief. The lack of police help made me believe that this story was heading in a different direction. The culprit of who was killed Becca was also predictable.
I disliked how some things were over explained. Especially the things that didn’t need an explanation for. Still liked the story though!
I loved this authors other book Before I Fall.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2026
The Girl in the Lake is set to be published on May 5th, 2026! Huge thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC. 📖✨
Lauren Oliver’s latest is a haunting psychological thriller that mixes a cold-case mystery with a supernatural twist—specifically past-life memories. We follow Kate Willis, who returns to her hometown to interview a six-year-old girl named Henley. The scary part? Henley’s "memories" perfectly match the life of Kate’s best friend who disappeared 24 years ago.
While it’s labeled as a thriller, I personally didn't find it to be much of a thrilling whodunnit. It was a very easy read with a smooth plot, though the middle felt a bit drawn out for me. I didn’t quite connect with the characters and saw the ending coming, so it didn't fully hit that psychological thriller sweet spot for me. Still, a very easy, flowing enjoyable read!
Remember the opinion of this book are my own 📖 📚. Let me know if you plan on adding this to your to read list📋 💬
Lauren Oliver’s latest is a haunting psychological thriller that mixes a cold-case mystery with a supernatural twist—specifically past-life memories. We follow Kate Willis, who returns to her hometown to interview a six-year-old girl named Henley. The scary part? Henley’s "memories" perfectly match the life of Kate’s best friend who disappeared 24 years ago.
While it’s labeled as a thriller, I personally didn't find it to be much of a thrilling whodunnit. It was a very easy read with a smooth plot, though the middle felt a bit drawn out for me. I didn’t quite connect with the characters and saw the ending coming, so it didn't fully hit that psychological thriller sweet spot for me. Still, a very easy, flowing enjoyable read!
Remember the opinion of this book are my own 📖 📚. Let me know if you plan on adding this to your to read list📋 💬
November 1, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! It kept me guessing from start to finish. I thought I knew where the story was going but then it took an unexpected turn- which I really liked. This was a fast paced thriller with a fascinating blend of paranormal elements and unexplained phenomena like reincarnation (which I absolutely love in a story).
I also really liked the use of flashbacks. I felt like they added depth and helped build tension throughout. They also helped you get to know the side characters more. There were moments when the main character frustrated me, but overall she felt well rounded and made rational choices most of the time.
There was one part of the story that left me scratching my head (the math didn’t quite add up), but aside from that, everything else was fantastic. I’m super intrigued by the concept of this series and can’t wait to continue when the next book comes out!
I also really liked the use of flashbacks. I felt like they added depth and helped build tension throughout. They also helped you get to know the side characters more. There were moments when the main character frustrated me, but overall she felt well rounded and made rational choices most of the time.
There was one part of the story that left me scratching my head (the math didn’t quite add up), but aside from that, everything else was fantastic. I’m super intrigued by the concept of this series and can’t wait to continue when the next book comes out!
October 18, 2025
This was my first experience reading a novel by Lauren Oliver, and I must say, I was genuinely surprised and impressed. The core theme of individuals remembering past lives is a fascinating concept that I deeply enjoy, and Oliver handles it with skill.
This story successfully kept me intrigued from the beginning, but it also made me pensive and reflective throughout. Without a doubt, the author knows how to craft a narrative that captivates you from page one until the very end.
There were moments while reading on my Kobo Clara BW where I felt a powerful sense of nostalgia and chills, which is the ultimate proof that this story had me completely hooked.
A huge thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this beautiful story. These are five stars that are truly well-deserved.
This story successfully kept me intrigued from the beginning, but it also made me pensive and reflective throughout. Without a doubt, the author knows how to craft a narrative that captivates you from page one until the very end.
There were moments while reading on my Kobo Clara BW where I felt a powerful sense of nostalgia and chills, which is the ultimate proof that this story had me completely hooked.
A huge thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this beautiful story. These are five stars that are truly well-deserved.
October 19, 2025
I literally just finished this gem of a story and I just can't get it out of my head. The Girl in the Lake by new to me author Lauren Oliver is the first book in the Dept of Unexplained Phenomenon Series.
Dr. Kate Willis is a divorced University Professor and published author, specialist in all things DOPS leaning to being a non-believer.
When her latest case leads her to her past and their secrets she's about to find danger and trouble.
And maybe, just maybe a little girl who's the real deal, aka a reincarnation remebering a former life.
This book gripped me after only one chapter, hold on and didn't let go anymore.
I read the book cover to cover in one single sitting unable to put it down.
I recommend the book and the series and can't wait for the next book, can't wait.
Dr. Kate Willis is a divorced University Professor and published author, specialist in all things DOPS leaning to being a non-believer.
When her latest case leads her to her past and their secrets she's about to find danger and trouble.
And maybe, just maybe a little girl who's the real deal, aka a reincarnation remebering a former life.
This book gripped me after only one chapter, hold on and didn't let go anymore.
I read the book cover to cover in one single sitting unable to put it down.
I recommend the book and the series and can't wait for the next book, can't wait.
October 10, 2025
5/5 stars! I absolutely devoured this book. It took a couple chapters to get into in but once I did I was hooked. I could not out this book down and finished it in 24hrs. This book kept me up at night and had me wondering if reincarnation or past-life recollections are real. The Girl in the Lake is the first book in a new series (Dept. of Unexplained Phenomenon) by Lauren Oliver and I can’t wait to read book two and continue the series. The Girl in the Lake is releasing May 5, 2026. Thank you to Lauren Oliver, Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
October 13, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for my review.
This was a highly entertaining read, characterized by a haunting and eerie atmosphere. Psychologist Kate Willis confronts her own past while investigating the case of a young girl who claims to have memories of a previous life. The plot is well-crafted, alternating between Kate’s memories and the present-day investigation. Although some elements border on fringe topics, the author successfully develops some relatable characters. This appears to be the first book in a series, and I’m curious to see what comes next.
This was a highly entertaining read, characterized by a haunting and eerie atmosphere. Psychologist Kate Willis confronts her own past while investigating the case of a young girl who claims to have memories of a previous life. The plot is well-crafted, alternating between Kate’s memories and the present-day investigation. Although some elements border on fringe topics, the author successfully develops some relatable characters. This appears to be the first book in a series, and I’m curious to see what comes next.
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