The Stranger at Black Lake by Christina McDonald @Christinamac79

the setup…
Jess Lambert is a former paramedic who has just moved to Black Lake from New York with her husband Mac, an attorney. They’re looking for a more serene existence after a traumatic event she experienced and it is shaping up that way. That is until Jess meets Annie Parker one morning, another recent newbie from Paraguay. Just as she’s thinking Annie might be the start of a new friendship, Jess later comes upon her naked by the lake, completely unaware of her surroundings. As they return to Annie’s home, Jess walks into a gruesome scene, only to have Annie mysteriously disappear before law enforcement arrives.

the heart of the story…
I delayed starting the first book when I learned of this prequel and I’m so glad I did. From the onset, everything turned down creepy lane. See, Annie claimed to live in the “gingerbread” house that residents believe is haunted and has a tragic past. When Jess entered that house, I thought we’d entered the twilight zone. Hers isn’t the only point of view as another unnamed character provides the chills and ratcheted up the tension into the stratosphere. I couldn’t put the book down.

the bottom line…
I love intros like this because you get keen insights into the main characters delivered in a deliciously wrapped package of thrills, suspense and the “woo woo,” or so I thought. The mystery was gnarly and there was quite the twist at the end. I can’t wait to begin this series!

Book Info

• Release Date: March 19, 2024
• Series: Jess Lambert #.5
• Page Numbers: 125
• Publisher: Intrigue Ink Publishing

Amazon | Amazon UK

(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)