August 2024 Group Read: The House Across the Lake, by Riley Sager

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Welcome to the discussion of Riley Sager's The House Across the Lake. Please note: There is also a spoiler thread for this book for those who may be a bit further ahead in the book.

Have fun!

[Pam]

I finished reading The House Across The Lake on October 7th, 2022; I gave it 4*s ...

[*ੈ✩‧₊˚Sassy]

I read this book in 2023 and loved it. It was my first introduction to Riley Sager, and I’m officially a fan!

I love that I can never tell if his books are heading down a paranormal path, or a downright crazy but explainable path. He keeps me on my toes!! That’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s definitely mine.

This one sucked me in so much that it ruined me for the next 4 books I tried to read after that.

[LybGyde]

This is my first post. Please let me know if I need to alter the way I’m responding. Thx.

Started great. Ended weird.

Alcoholic actress is put under house arrest at the family vacation home at the lake, by her mother, for her public displays of poor judgment. She befriends, a supermodel across the lake after the supermodel nearly drowns. Supermodel’s husband appears to be trying to kill the supermodel, but then again, the actress is always drunk, so she might be imagining things.

Other neighbors include lumberjack-type guy with a great body, and wise old-timer, Eli, who, oddly is the only person in this book, whose name I remember.

Most of the book was really good, but the last third of it shifted, and I got lost in the details that seemed a little too far-fetched for my brain. The last third of the book also seemed messy and rushed. That’s why I’m giving the book a three-star instead of a four-star review.

[Randy]

I enjoy Sager. Here, he's at his best with literary prestidigitation: While I show you what's over here, you don't see what I'm setting up over there.

I have about 60 pages left, but he blindsided me with a couple of revelations. So far, nicely done.

[Jennifer]

Finished. My second Sager book. I would say fairly fast moving book. Liked the back stories of the other women who passed or were missing and how that came together. Did not guess who their killer was. The paranormal I knew was coming per the reviews and topics. If I didn’t know ahead I would have been blindsided and been - eh, not for me. But it made sense. When the lights went out and the chase — whoa I was nervous reading. Ending good and sweet and closure and hope for them all.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

Starting it today!