Bingo: Summer. This book takes place at a summer getaway by a lake.
I am terrified of flying. Having to fly to New York from my home in San Francisco, I brought along a stuffed pug (plush, not taxidermic) and The House Across the Lake to distract myself. The pug did its job as did the book, as ludicrous as it was.
Casey is an alcoholic actress whose drinking caused a scandal. She took to drink after her husband Len drowned in Lake Greene. Now living in a house by the lake, Casey spends her days downing bourbon and spying on the couple across the lake, Katherine and Tom. One day, she saves Katherine from drowning, but soon after Katherine disappears and Casey believes Tom has something to do with it. Before you know it, Casey is breaking into Tom’s house and playing amateur sleuth.
This is the type of thriller that shouldn’t be spoiled, but it includes a serial killer, a violent storm, and an absolutely absurd turn to the supernatural. The twists are there, but they are relatively unimpressive. The characters are rather thinly sketched, but I don’t really take points off for that in thrillers. The book was a fast read and served its purpose as a distraction from a fiery death.
