The House Across the Lake

A Novel

By: Riley Sager

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne

Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Named a most-anticipated summer book by USA Today, People, E! News, Cosmopolitan, PureWow, CNN.com, New York Post, CrimeReads, POPSUGAR, and more

The bestselling author of Final Girls and Survive the Night is back with his “best plot twist yet.” (People, "Best Summer Books")

Be careful what you watch for . . .

Casey Fletcher, a recently widowed actress trying to escape a streak of bad press, has retreated to the peace and quiet of her family’s lake house in Vermont. Armed with a pair of binoculars and several bottles of bourbon, she passes the time watching Tom and Katherine Royce, the glamorous couple living in the house across the lake. They make for good viewing—a tech innovator, Tom is powerful; and a former model, Katherine is gorgeous.

One day on the lake, Casey saves Katherine from drowning, and the two strike up a budding friendship. But the more they get to know each other—and the longer Casey watches—it becomes clear that Katherine and Tom’s marriage isn’t as perfect as it appears. When Katherine suddenly vanishes, Casey immediately suspects Tom of foul play. What she doesn’t realize is that there’s more to the story than meets the eye—and that shocking secrets can lurk beneath the most placid of surfaces.

Packed with sharp characters, psychological suspense, and gasp-worthy plot twists, Riley Sager’s The House Across the Lake is the ultimate escapist story . . . no lake house required.

©2022 Riley Sager (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Pure escape . . . A voyeuristic page-turner. After I read it, I dove for more Sager: luckily he has five others, bestsellers all.”—The Boston Globe, “Ten Thrillers to Read on Your Summer Vacation”

“The tale takes a series of weird turns, morphing into a cross between Silence of the Lambs and The Exorcist. . . . As with Sager’s first five thrillers, the characters are well drawn and the prose is first rate."—Associated Press

“It's a familiar psychological thriller structure--until everything changes. . . . A page-turning climax.”—USA Today

Awesome story. Narration terrible

Story is great. But the narration does not fit the story and 35 year old woman. I even deleted the audio book and redowladed it to try again. Story is intriguing but ugh the narrators voice!!!! I can’t stand it!!!!!!’

Great book!

I loved it. Kept me engaged and wondering what would happen the whole time. Love Riley Sanger’s books!

Good book, terrible narrator.

The book was had a good story but was completely ruined by the narrator. How can someone honestly listen to this women and say she should be reading this book. It was really bad. Imagine a 90 year old women who smoked her entire life.

Story line is good, but TERRIBLE narrator!

The narration of this book nearly blew it for me. I almost gave up, but I liked the story line. I don’t understand why the narrator used an 80 year olds voice style for a character whose 35. It makes no sense! However, I did enjoy the story, yes it is a little messy. The plot twists, we’re decent, albeit as I stated a bit messy. I won’t spoil anything, I read a few reviews prior to listening. Most were of the narration, which I was grateful for. The other, was the one odd twist, which I think was also a good warning. For myself anyway, I was surprised, but also new it was coming. The ending also really saved the entire story line for me. I really didn’t see it coming, though paying attention to something earlier in the book. I should of seen it coming. It definitely is not Sager’s best work, my favorite, is definitely “Lock Every Door”. This book’s plot while semi original, also felt unoriginal. However, if you like Sager I definitely give it a try. I do not feel as though his writing style is not for everyone, but I enjoy it. I gave it a rounded up 4 1/2.

Desperately needs a new narrator

The main character of this story is in her 30’s. The narrator’s voice sounds elderly and as if she has smoked for many years. It just wasn’t a good fit for the story at all. I never realized until this book just how important the narrator’s voice is. It really can make or break the enjoyment of the story being told.

Wish I read vs heard the audiobook

The book was good and had a couple twists at the end. My biggest complaint is on the narrator. Her voice was not what I’d expect the main character to be. The main character is a 37 year old woman but the narrator sounded like a 50 year old smoker. When the narrator used passive voice or other character voices it was closer to a younger woman so it was confusing and disappointing that the voice didn’t feel like it matched the character well. It made the audiobook not as enjoyable so I’d I read the book I may have enjoyed it more.

Narrator is a huge miss

The narrator sounds like a raspy grandma so when she first referenced her age was 36 I almost crashed my car. I could not get past the voice. Great book though

I did not see that coming…

As with each of his books, this too was a fun listen and one I enjoyed coming back to each day on my morning walk. Sager’s books do not disappoint and delightfully end with a “No way! I did not see that coming!” Or something similar.
Admittedly, this is not one of my favorites but whatevs- it’s still a fun read.
If you like Riley Sager’s books, then here’s another to add to that growing collection that I’m pretty sure you have on your bookshelves.

Great thriller/paranormal read

Riley Sager does it again! An awesome summer read! A psychological thriller with a paranormal twist that I did not see coming! Wow!

Passes time

It’s not bad, but not great. It starts off pretty good, but then the ending and “plot twist” is pretty yawn. Not to mention the person reading the story sounds like a monotone robot. It is a good book just for white noise to clean the house or to just pass the time.