This is the first novel I've read by the author and it started off well. Casey, an actress has come to spend time at her family's lake house in Vermont after a bereavement. She becomes friendly with Katherine, an ex model , staying in another lake house with her husband Tom and after spying on them becomes concerned for Katherine's wellbeing.
This started off really promisingly. I liked the author's style of writing, the lakeside setting and I found the characters of Casey and Katherine intriguing. However, after the first half or so the novel became increasingly and wildly over plotted and far fetched and unfortunately lost all credibility for me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

I was hoping to get on well with this Sager but I think the "plot twist" really ruined it for me and the book could have been so much more impactful had it been more believable.

3.25 rounded down.

Thanks to the publisher for allowing me access to an eArc via NetGalley.

I really enjoy Riley Saver’s writing, I have many books by Riley and the enjoyment of this one was no exception.
It took me a little while to get into, hence the four and not the five but once I was in, I was in! I loved the story, found it so intriguing and really enjoyed the twist at the end! Very good thriller!

I want to start this review off by stating that I'm a huge Riley Sager fan. As a genre, it isn't my go to, but when it comes to books by Riley Sager, I'll pick them up straight away no questions asked. I've loved all his other books, and had such high, high hopes for this book!

And that was probably my first mistake: having such high expectations.

The House Across the Lake took a while to really get going, and for the first third of the book, I was rather bored, just waiting for something to happen.
The characters didn't overly grip me and I struggled to understand why it was I was meant to care about any of them. There was too much fake behaviour for my liking, and without spoiling anything, no character was really that likeable for various reasons.
The book begins with our main character staying at her family's lake house due to circumstances in her personal life that have led her to drink and in desperate need of a distraction.
That distraction comes in the form of her neighbours, who (believe it or not) live in the house across the lake -- something that is mentioned in the narrative multiple times.

In my opinion, the ending of the book didn't make up for the slow start. Sometimes, a book that isn't solely founded in reality misses the mark, and The House Across the Lake missed the mark for me.

I will continue to read Riley Sager's books, and hope that the next returns to the level of excitement I found in both Final Girls and Survive the Night.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my review copy. I am leaving a review of my own volition.

My first Riley Sager, and it won't be my last! I loved the 'Misery' vibes and any sort of secluded house is an auto-read for me.

Having read all of Riley Sagers books to date I am yet to find one I don't like.
I understand the mixed reviews on this one and I even heard the author himself saying on a podcast he knew it would be divisive but I had a great time with it, plot twist and all.

I have read a couple of books by this author before and really appreciate their writing style. It as such a nice suspense to the story which is a refreshing characteristic of their stories. Easy to read but with enough twists and turns, highly recommend!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
Cecily's character is well-drawn and credible, becoming an alcoholic after the death of her husband we are never quite sure if what she believes she sees is actually real. The narrative of what happened includes current conversations with a man she has tied to a bed which build the suspense, especially as they include photographs of the lake with mist obscuring a clear view which provokes a 'creepy' feeling. The unfolding story includes pointers about poisoning and deaths of young females in the area leading the reader down a path of murder suspects. The final twists came as a complete surprise, they were clever and well-written, this is a new favourite author for me now!

I was on the edge of my seat until the very last page what a great read and I highly recommend I loved every minute and read this in one sitting. Thank you Netgalley once again for letting me review such great books

Riley Sager always pulls through with a good thriller read. All Sager’s books would make for a great watch on the big screen. There was suspense, twists and mystery. Not as good as others I’ve enjoyed but not my least favourite by Sager either!

I love this author and have read most of his back catalogue. I was excited for this one and it did not disappoint. Drama, intrigue, a fast paced plot and twists made this a fantastic read

After not really enjoying Sager’s last offering I read this purely out of loyalty to the author. I’m so, so glad I did! This little thriller did go into a weird twist place which was a little surreal but do you know what, I was there for it! Absolutely loved it and kind of wish I was living in a house on the lake and watching all this go on myself. A real thriller.

I’ve enjoyed Riley Sager’s other books, but this one just wasn’t for me. I felt like the pacing was slower, making it harder for me to engage and really dive into the story. It also was quite repetitive. I think maybe because I’ve enjoyed his other books so much my expectations were too high. It wouldn’t put me off from reading other books in the future, just wish I loved this one too! Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher, for a chance to read and review this book.

I read this book at a time when I needed a really gripping read that would hold my attention and this was definitely that! Like all Riley Sager novels, it pulls from recognisable films and books but I didn't mind that as I was keen to see what he would do with those ideas. This is another one of those reads that requires suspension of disbelief but that doesn't stop it being a fast-paced read that is very hard to put down!

Gripping, intriguing and completely unique. I adore Sager and this is a truly amazing read. I have loved this book.. And it’s been one that I have been unable and unwilling to put down.

Ive just finished this book and it was amazing.

ive read nearly all riley sager books and ive found only 1 (survive the night) fell short. the rest have all been amazing.

I cant really say any more than the synopsis without feeling like im going to give it away, but if you want an atmospheric gripping read then this is it. Its definitely one ill recommend and cant wait for his next book.

Rear Window vibes? Yes please. In typical Riley Sager fashion this was a page turner with retro movie vibes. What Abby at Crimebythebook calls a popcorn read 🍿This book is absolutely bonkers and a darn fun time. I did find the twists far fetched for my taste and not that keen on the genre-switch, but Sager rams up the stakes and I admit - I was hooked through and through.

A dark and spooky mystery novel that feels perfect for this fall season! This unreliable armchair detective suffers from alcoholism following her husband’s passing and will not let anyone get in the way of her solving the mystery of the couple next door.

I can’t stop raving about how bloody good this book was! It absolutely had me gripped, and the twists where next level! So well written, and Was just perfectly paced. I couldn’t stop reading it!

Riley Sager is a hit or miss author, and I’m afraid this one is a miss. It’s another Rear Window type of story, with a female protagonist escaping her tragic past and drinks a lot. The second half of the story goes crazy to a-whole-of-crazy. Unfortunately the execution just didn’t work for me, and the supernatural aspect was disappointing.