The Lake House

Ava James FBI #5

by A.J. Rivers

When a group of friends arrive at their remote Lake House rental, all is seemingly serene.
But when one friend turns up missing and another is found dead.
The group’s getaway takes the most horrifying turn.
And by the time FBI Agent Ava James arrives on the case, a gruesome and traumatizing scene is the only remnants of the once perfectly planned getaway.
There are no such things as coincidences and with a potential serial killer in the midst there is nowhere to hide.

At the lake house we promise you’ll have a fun and peaceful stay.
But we'd like to remind you to keep an eye out for dangerous animals and be aware of your surroundings.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery

348 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 7, 2022

Reviews

[Sharon Bowen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read the Emma Griffin series and the Ava James series, and have liked all of them until now. This latest installment had several issues. First, In the beginning of the story the case they are dealing with seems so disconnected to the rest of the story that I kept reaching back in my memory trying to remember if this case was at the tale end of book four. It would have been nice to have a reminder of the case instead of just throwing it out there and listening to the griping of all of the agents who disliked being away from city life. Second, the fact that the characters are all partying their brains out and not caring about how that affects them is probably my own personal dislike and not an overall flaw in the book, but I did think the amount of time the author dealt with it was very excessive. Then, once people started disappearing and getting killed, the kids just hang around the lake house just waiting for answers. I would have been packing up and getting out of there, even if it was just into town at a hotel. Then, once the FBI was involved the case did not follow any resemblance of an actual FBI case. It is not normal to sequester people for two weeks once you have their statements, do not suspect them as your main target, and can reach them by phone and you know their whereabouts. Overall, I thought this was a poorly written book and not up to the quality of the first four in the series.

[Liz Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

I typically enjoy A.J. Rivers’ books, and I prefer to read about Emma over Ava. This book in particular was really slow to start – there was a lot of time spent on describing the college graduates’ daily experiences, when, in the end, not much of that really mattered. One of the characters exhibited a lot of suspicious behaviors and even talked about the college graduates’ use of paddleboats that they didn’t discover in the locked shed until after Desiree went missing. He was overly helpful in the investigation, but then the end of the story indicates he had nothing to do with any of it. I assumed he at least would have seen something but not told anyone because maybe he feared for his life, but that was never discussed. In the end, the killer was someone the book spent very little time on which always frustrates me. The conclusion of the book was also very speedy – I read this as an ebook and we didn’t find out what was going on until about 90% of the way through the book. Overall, I would say this wasn’t one of the best of the Ava James series.

[Janice daughtry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read all of Emma Griffin, all of Ava James and the new one about Dean. This one was a disappointment. First of all, I do not like it when authors use names for their characters that you are not sure how to pronounce, so throughout the book I didn't know the proper way to pronounce these names and it drove me crazy. When BB dies, it is just a mention. He was one of the main characters and all he gets is a "oh ya and when they found BB with a needle in his arm." Wait what?? I had to go back and see if I missed something. Then, the investigation took forever and ever. Who waits 2 weeks before you go searching for a missing person in the woods outside the cabin she had been staying at??
Anyway, I am sorry A.J., but this was not one of your better books. I will keep reading though because I am invested in the storyline of these characters. Ava and Dean are definitely not as exciting of characters as Emma.

[Karen Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agent Aviva James is back with another case. She seems to be finally settling in with the team. The story is gripping and I love that Ava is still learning, Sal is good at teaching her. It's nice to see the team pull together to catch the killer and so much more. This is well written and Interesting. The characters are described well and believable. This is an excellent series. I am looking forward to more cases with Agent James as well as the ongoing case that personally affects her.

[Kathleen Ebner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A vacation turns to murder.

A group of friends take a vacation before they start their lives after college.
However, the fun turns into tragedy when one friend goes missing. The law doesn’t take the missing girl seriously until after two more of the friends are murdered. The FBI agents believe it has to be someone in the group but can’t seem to get a lead as to who had a real motive. The plot was good but the investigation drags on a little too long for me.

[Patt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best Ava Book so far in the series! Ava is becoming a very good FBI agent if she can just curb her temper when things displease her. Two cases are in this book. The first is solved fairly quickly and they are off to a missing person case in Maine. There are many twists and turns and a very unexpected ending.
I received an ARC of this book from the author . This is my honest review.

[Janice Stansell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cliffhanger!

I love Ava’s cases, and the dogged way she goes about solving them. She has the tenacity of a bulldog even through all the twists and turns. Can’t wait to see how her mom’s case develops. Ms Rivers knows how to spin the tale very well, so don’t miss her writings!

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entertaining read from A.J. Rivers

I love how she spins stories with in story & guessing the outcome is rarely predictable. I binged through Duncan's storyline, working my way through Ms. James looking foward to Dean Martin's.
This book was a superfast read filled with thrills that will leave you hanging,
is Molly alive????

[Patricia A. Biba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprise

I really enjoyed reading this book as I was lost as to who was the guilty party until the end. With all that went on between the parties involved it kept one wondering if the situation would be solved but it was and a number of other murders that the sheriff was already involved in. Good reading.

[Kelly Smelcer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

When a group of friends rent a lake house for a final farewell vacation, strange things start happening. Then, one of the girls goes missing and two of the guys end up dead. Can FBI Agent Ava James and her team figure out what is going on before more things happen to the group?

[Stevan Thorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

What an excellent mystery !! Lots of suspects and lots is twists and turns in this awesome mystery. And.... Lots of action and heart pounding chases. Great mystery book. Keep them coming. 😎

[bonnie kirchner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lake House

OMG. This is a very exciting mystery. I could not put this book down. This is a great thriller that keeps you in suspense till the very end. Can't wait for the next book in this series. I highly recommend this book and series.

[Karen Heppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome,

I have been hooked on A. J. Rivers books since I read the first one. She is a great writer that keeps you hooked to finish the last page to find out the ending. Cannot wait for the next Ava, Emma, or Dean book.

[Paulette Reecer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lake House

Ava is back at it again. With her feelings and remembrances of the oddest of clues, she is hunting down her perpetrator. The person that somehow gets it in their mind that they can call the shots, that is until Ava is put on the case.

[Judy Ely · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lake house

A great story and very interesting characters.. Ava and the team and running in every direction to find a serial killer. The killer is closer than they think. Be Ava is determined to end this case and start looking for her mother and friend.

[Mary Tuohy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one day. The pacing made it hard to put down. This is my favorite in the series so far. I enjoyed Ava’s team coming together and each character is being fleshed out more than in previous books in the series.

[Darlene Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your Book

I have been reading your mystery books. They are thrilling stories. I like following the characters in each book. I am looking forward to the next one. Thank you for your writing!

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another absorbing read with a surprise ending.

[Barbara Kaake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome with lots of drama and suspense and who done what. The story line was superb and it was excellent story. Thank you for letting me read this story.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where is that bikini bottom and who took it??? Where is Desiree Smith??? And who killed Jonathan and Banks Becker and why??? Useless??? I enjoyed this story and recommend the book.

[Bonnie Oscars]

Another great story!

What a twisted man the killer turned out to be! Another great adventure for Ava and her co-workers! Great job!

[Phil Eggleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A. J. Rivers does it again with another top notch mystery. Enjoy the holidays thought patterns of Agent Ava as they try to solve another thriller. Great reading.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

In depth

Very in depth reading, struggling to find clues to the killer. It sometimes felt like there would be no solve. Great work

[Elaine Yeager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava James

I really really liked this book and how it made you wonder who the killer was until the end. I can't wait for book 6 to come out.

[michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another dividing story

A.J Rivers doesn't disappoint in this latest story. It kept me guessing at every turn and, as always, the conclusion is something that I never saw coming!

[Patricia L. Milheim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lake House Mastery

As always you have done a fantastic job. I never saw the other killings coming and was sure it was Des. Can't wait to fine mom and Molly.

[Henry Pergande · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

I really enjoyed this book. It really kept me guessing on who was the killer..I am quite fond of all the members of Ava's team. Please write more in this series.

[mary wittekind · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ava is drab

Ava is boring and impersonal, she needs some humanly traits , give her some personality. The others in your novels are so much more.

[Janet Bonife · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of awful events

The team worked well together to identify what was happening at the Lake. They solved the crime to put the bad guy away!

[Michael Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava strikes again!

Enjoying the Ava James series and the characters of her team. This was a well written tale with a few twists and turns but Ava gets the bad guy again.