Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was a very tense and suspenseful read. The story was a bit predictable but still well done. The characters were good and kept me engaged with the story. Looking forward to more from this author.

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

Delia, Cara and Zee are best friends spending a day at the lake. But only two come out of the water. Zee is never found. Cara and Delia carry in with their lives with no contact with each other. When Cara reaches out to Delia, she disappears too. In Delia's quest to find Cara, Delia gets involved with the cult Cara was a member of.

As a debut novel, it was just fine but I wanted something more - maybe a little more of thrill. The plot was interesting but the twists were predictable. While I find anything related to a cult fascinating, this one fell a bit flat for me.

What a great first novel from this author - I am very excited to see more from her!

I really enjoyed this book. The author managed to create a real feeling of tension and an uncomfortable air as I read, making it a real page turner. Exploring cults and female friendships, the pacing was a little slow at first but soon picked up.

I knocked off a star as did feel the author may have tried to squeeze a few too many ideas in - she did manage to pull everything together at the end though. I felt that this meant some themes didn't get explored as fully as they could have been and there were a few inconsistencies. However, this did not ruin my reading experience at all and I still really enjoyed it.

Anybody who enjoys an eerie psychological thriller will enjoy it too - can't wait to see what this author comes out with next!

Intriguing and suspenseful, ‘The Lake’s Secrets’ takes readers on a gripping journey as Delia seeks answers to a decade-old mystery. The Pacific Northwest setting adds an atmospheric touch, and the exploration of friendship, secrets, and the allure of empowerment keeps you hooked. The unexpected twists and turns make this a page-turner, weaving a tale of suspense that lingers long after the final chapter. A must-read for those who love a blend of mystery and psychological tension.”

“Salthouse Place” by Jamie Lee Sogn is a heart-pounding thriller that will keep you up all night! The story follows Delia, who visits her friend Cara at a self-sufficient community, only to unravel a sinister plot.

The author masterfully crafts an eerie atmosphere, transporting you to the isolated world of Salthouse Place. The writing style is engaging, making it easy to visualize the characters and their surroundings. You’ll feel like you’re right there with Delia, uncovering the truth alongside her.

Delia’s relatable nature makes her easy to root for, and her determination to uncover the truth about Cara’s involvement with the community will have you cheering her on. The pacing is expertly balanced, with tension building steadily and unexpected twists that will leave you breathless.

The author’s ability to create an unsettling atmosphere is impressive, making this book a compelling page-turner. You’ll be on the edge of your seat, eager to find out what happens next.

“Salthouse Place” is a gripping thriller that exceeded my expectations. If you’re a fan of suspenseful stories with intriguing characters and a chilling atmosphere, this book is a must-read. Jamie Lee Sogn’s writing style is captivating, making it easy to become fully immersed in the world of Salthouse Place. Trust me, you won’t regret picking this one up!

Sorry but animal violence is a hard no for me. Love the idea but I’m out on that. Blah blah blah I have nothing else to say.

***A big thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC copy of this book.***

Once upon a time, in the distant past, three inseparable young girls named Delia, Zee, and Cara forged a deep bond of friendship. However, the idyllic connection shattered after a fateful lakeside day in the Pacific Northwest, leaving only two of the teenagers to return home unharmed.

The tragic incident took a heavy toll on Delia, exacerbating preexisting issues and causing her to withdraw into herself. Meanwhile, Cara seemingly moved forward effortlessly, leaving Delia behind. Years later, Cara reaches out unexpectedly, reigniting contact with Delia. Yet, soon after this reconnection, Cara goes missing.

Despite their previous estrangement, Delia, haunted by the unresolved mystery of Zee's disappearance, becomes determined to find her second lost friend. Identifying an Oregon-based women's organization as a potential lead due to Cara's involvement, Delia embarks on a journey that takes an unexpected turn.

The reality Delia uncovers diverges significantly from her expectations, revealing sinister aspects within the group. As her investigation deepens, it becomes evident that the organization has a cult-like nature. Delia finds herself in a perilous situation, becoming the target instead of the pursuer.

The book presents an intriguing premise and, despite a few inconsistencies, effectively delivers a compelling story. Twists abound, and the revelation of the cult-like nature of Cara's involvement adds an engrossing layer to the narrative. It is a recommended read for those curious about cults and their dynamics.

The reviewer expresses initial discomfort with the subject matter, admitting to an unexpected fascination with cults despite their unsettling nature. The author, Jamie Lee Sogn, successfully captures the reader's attention with "Salthouse Place," providing a wild and captivating ride. The inclusion of female friendship and a gripping mystery enhances the overall appeal, making it a binge-worthy and entertaining choice.

The reviewer suggests that the novel is suitable for readers who enjoy exploring themes such as cult culture, female friendship, complicated relationships, teen behavior, the Pacific Northwest setting, mystery and suspense, as well as secrets, lies, and manipulation. Despite a slightly prolonged and ambitious ending, the thriller is commended for its twisty and fast-paced narrative. The author's debut is deemed impressive, leaving the reviewer eager to explore more of Jamie Lee Sogn's work in the future.

🌊𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀 🌊

‘A Salthouse Place’ by Jamie Lee Sogn

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
———————————————————————
“It was an accident. It was a sacrifice. It was necessary.”

What a fantastic read! I absolutely devoured this novel - a classic psychological thriller which delighted me! I was lucky enough to have a dreary day to read this on, and in doing so, I think I’ve found the PERFECT rainy day novel. A completely achievable size with strong characters, and punchy dialogue, I would highly recommend this to any thriller lovers.

The switching timeframe and abundance of dialogue make me think that this would make the PERFECT full-cast audiobook. It would be perfect for a road trip too!

While being a ‘cult’ centred novel, or at least having a large chunk of the story centred around a cult, I was pleasantly surprised to find some humour and lightness throughout. I credit this mostly to the wonderfully written characters that were just perfectly formulated to furnish the story.

I found myself feeling similar emotions as elicited by the Netflix series ‘Painkiller’ and I’d describe this book like ‘Foul is Fair’ by Hannah Capin and ‘Bunny’ by Mona Awad grew up and had a (slightly less violence and gory) child. In summary - INCREDIBLE.

I really wanted to enjoy this book as the description really appealed but unfortunately the story line became so confused and convoluted that it lost it's way.
I couldn't decide if the focus was the death of a friend, a cult, manipulation of young girls or something else. I struggled to finish but hate to be defeated.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy but just not for me

Delia, Cara and Zelda are teenage friends until Zee disappears one day after a trip to the lake. Her body is never recovered. Delia and Cara lose contact over the years but on the tenth anniversary of Zee's death, Delia receives an email from Cara and goes back to her hometown to meet her, but Cara has now disappeared too. The story tells how Delia follows in Cara's footsteps, including joining the Artemis cult, to try and find out what has happened to Cara. There are lots of red herrings in unraveling the mystery. I liked Delia, her Mum and friend Ren. Salthouse place and the Artemis people made be feel very uncomfortable and worried for Delia.

This was such a enjoyable thriller, it had everything that I wanted and wanted to figure out what was going on. The characters were what I was hoping for and thought it was a great thriller. Jamie Lee Sogn has a great writing style and it did everything that I wanted.

The story started off strong with a disappearance of a girl at a lake while with her friends. I became invested when we find out our main character is still struggling with that day all these years later as an adult. And then a second girl (now woman) has disappeared.

SALTHOUSE PLACE is a unique thriller in that the mystery of what happened on the lake that day becomes wrapped inside the mysterious tentacles of a cult. I love a good cult story.

About 70 percent through the book the plot started dragging - in the end I think the story was a bit too long with maybe too many tentacles that became hard to keep track of. Also, many of the characters were unlikeable and not easy to root for.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an e-copy of SALTHOUSE PLACE to review.

I rate SALTHOUSE PLACE three out of five stars.

This is a riveting read that kept on giving the whole way with its many twists and turns. Friendship dynamics, power, grief and a cult at its heart make this a book that would appeal to those who loved Liane Moriarty's Nine Perfect Strangers and Charity Norman's See You in September. Can't wait to read more from this author.

Thrilling, plot driven and completely captivating. I enjoyed this one so much and can’t wait to read more by the author.

I loved the premise and couldn't wait to get stuck in! It was a bit of a slow burn but it did improve as the book went on a bit. The twists were decent and the characters were well written and worth investing in but I did struggle with the writing style and plot holes. A few things didn't really make sense but if you don't think too hard and just take it for whst it is then it's a decent enough read

Salthouse Place
Thriller
Jamie Lee Sogn
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

There were parts of this book I enjoyed and parts that I didn’t, too.

I liked the writing style and the pacing was a little slow to start with but once it picked up, it was fine.

I was a little confused by how suddenly multiple people knew about Delia's pager and how to get hold of her when they didn't before and had never even tried to.

There were quite a few inconsistencies and continuity errors/plot holes which made me go back a few pages each time to reread and double check that I hadn't missed something.

The plot twists were good, although some were predictable. I didn't like Tom from the start.

I liked flashbacks as they slowly revealed what happened to Zee and what life was like afterwards, however, I feel like the plot really started to focus on Cara and her experience with Artemis Wellness. Finding out what happened to Zee became an afterthought.

I found the ending a little weak and I didn't understand how Cara could forgive certain people.

This book seems like it's based on the NXIVM cult and with some editing, it could be a great book.

*Thank you to @Netgalley, the author and the publishers for providing this ARC. This is my own opinion and an honest review, which I am leaving voluntarily

If you like mystery/thrillers about cults, this book is for you! I’ve read really mixed reviews on this one, but I liked it! It kept me entertained, and I had to know what was happening the whole time! Thanks to Netgalley for providing this ARC for my review.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book ahead of time in exchange for a review. It didn't disappoint! Must read!!

Salthouse Place is Jamie Lee Sogn's gripping debut novel, and a must-read for thriller enthusiasts and cult mystery lovers alike. The story takes readers on an intense journey following Delia, who, plagued by grief over her best friend Zee's decade-old disappearance, receives a cryptic email from another missing friend, Cara. Sogn skillfully weaves a tale of suspense as Delia embarks on a quest for answers, navigating a dangerous cult that guards its secrets zealously.

Sogn's narrative expertise shines through as she immerses readers in Delia's world, unraveling unexpected twists at every turn. The plot's shocking revelations kept me turning the pages. Unexpectedly, Salthouse Place delves deep into the complexities of friendship, exploring both the bonds that connect us and the toxic dynamics that can tear us apart.

The novel is a masterclass in portraying the nuances of relationships, blending heart-wrenching realizations about love with the adrenaline of a suspenseful plot. Sogn deftly captures the essence of lost friendships, toxic alliances, and the profound self-discoveries that adulthood brings.

Salthouse Place is a sensational debut, leaving me eagerly anticipating Jamie Lee Sogn's next literary endeavor. Strap in, because this novel is a roller-coaster ride of emotions, mysteries, and unexpected revelations that will keep you hooked until the very end. 4.5 stars