The Lake House - Kate Morton

⭐ 9.0/10

(Originally written by Magdalene)

This was not my first Kate Morton, so I knew what to expect - a historical setting and a mystery that took its time getting to the conclusion. She writes these really tightly-plotted books that just make you feel like she's in total control at all times, and I am always in awe of her skills.

This one revolves around a young boy who disappears during a Midsummer's Day party, and a detective who picks up the case 70 years later. At its heart this book is a mystery, but it doesn't feel like a detective novel. It focuses more on the family and their relationships, and discovering the secrets everyone was hiding. Bit by bit the author reveals what happened that night, dropping hints from each of the players involved. The book is pretty long and takes a bit for the action to really get going, but the anticipation of the big reveal just ramps up more and more, and by those last 100 pages my eyes were glued. And the end just feels like a big reward (even though I felt like it wrapped up everything maybe a littttle bit too tightly and perfectly).

Highly recommended for people who like well-written plots, great settings (Cornwall, England), and a compelling mystery. I loved this.