Stillhouse Lake ~ Rachel Caine

Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, I was totally impressed by this book. I typically don't choose first person naratives so for me to enjoy this novel is saying alot.

Summary:
Gina Royal is the definition of average—a shy Midwestern housewife with a happy marriage and two adorable children. But when a car accident reveals her husband’s secret life as a serial killer, she must remake herself as Gwen Proctor—the ultimate warrior mom.

With her ex now in prison, Gwen has finally found refuge in a new home on remote Stillhouse Lake. Though still the target of stalkers and Internet trolls who think she had something to do with her husband’s crimes, Gwen dares to think her kids can finally grow up in peace.

But just when she’s starting to feel at ease in her new identity, a body turns up in the lake—and threatening letters start arriving from an all-too-familiar address. Gwen Proctor must keep friends close and enemies at bay to avoid being exposed—or watch her kids fall victim to a killer who takes pleasure in tormenting her. One thing is certain: she’s learned how to fight evil. And she’ll never stop. 

My Take:
I found this novel while looking through Amazon for a novel set at the water for the OWLs reading challenge. Since I've been in a crime serial reading soree I figured this was a good choice.  Maybe its because I am a mother so I can really feel the distress and determination of the mother. There is something truly primal about this mothers need to protect her children. This novel also explores the truly disturbing aspect of humanity, not just the serial killer fans but the vengful public who want to make his innocent family "pay".
The author does an excellent job keeping your adreneline running all the way till the end. Making this an excellent first book for a series I can't wait to finish! For those of you with Kindle Unlimited this novel is currently free to read.

Last Girl Standing ~ Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush

Last Girl Standing by Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was excited to read this ARC from Netgalley. The first Lisa Jackson book I ever read was one that she and Nancy Bush had done together. After that I managed to score a whole slew of Lisa Jackson novels and I've enjoyed everyone.

Summary:
First they were five. Then they were four. Who's turn will it be next?

New York Times bestselling Sisters of Suspense join forces for a gripping novel about a clique of popular girls whose high school friendship is marked by a tragedy that continues to haunt them decades later

My Take:
This one did not disappoint. Suspenseful till the last moment. The main characters are the mean girls from high school everyone loved to hate. Although this story is filled with small town secrecy and big time trouble. There was a level of intensity from each of the First Five, which can be hard to maintain with so many characters in play. I think the authors have done an excellent job building believable teenagers who are so wrapped up in their emotional lives that can't truly see whats going on around them. It also shows how sometimes tragedy shapes a community more than anyone might realize.
As the storyline heats up you realize things are even crazier than you thought.I promise you this one will keep you guessing till the very end.