The House Across the Lake

The House Across the Lake 

The House Across the Lake is the latest novel to be checked off my to be read list. I’ve recently become slightly obsessed with reading all the writing from author Riley Sager. He is rapidly becoming one of my favorites. I own all of his books, and he is one of my automatically-buy authors. 

It has become my goal to read everything that he has written, and The House Across the Lake makes book number four on the list. I was first introduced to his writing when I read The Last Time I Lied, and I loved it. 

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“I avoid all forms of social media, which are basically hazardous waste sites with varying levels of toxicity.”  

Riley Sager, The House Across the Lake

Riley Sager writes some great thrillers that have kept me on the edge of my seat, not knowing what was going to happen, or who did what. His stories are not predictable, and I love that. 

My husband came home from an appointment the other day and told me he saw a woman reading one of Sager’s books and recognized it as being one I owned, and it was The House Across the Lake. He then wanted to know if I had read it yet, and I had not. This was what prompted me to push this specific book higher up on my to be read list, and make it my next Riley Sager novel, after finishing With a Vengeance. 

Have you read The House Across the Lake? Come on in and let me tell you about it!

About The House Across the Lake 

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 read . . . no lake house required. 

Thoughts on The House Across the Lake 

“At night, you can’t see your reflection on the water. Centuries ago, before people knew any better, it was a common belief that reflective surfaces could trap the souls of the dead.”  

Riley Sager, The House Across the Lake

I had picked up The House Across the Lake a couple of times previously and couldn’t get into it. I chalked this up to my mood at the time, and simply chose a different book. What ended up working for me was to listen to this book via audiobook. 

It was so much better, and I found it easier to focus on and enjoy. If you’re ever struggling with reading a physical book, give audiobooks a try. Oftentimes it can be the thing that makes the difference. I usually crochet when I listen to audiobooks, but this time I was watching cameras in a friend’s auto shop, and it seemed fitting. To be “spying” via cameras while our main character in the book is spying on her neighbors with binoculars. It made me giggle, at least. 

I did struggle to connect with any of the characters. They were interesting, but nowhere near relatable. Which makes it harder to be truly invested in them and what happens. The one thing I did appreciate was Casey’s sarcastic humor. I know it was a defense mechanism, but it was still amusing at times. If you can’t make fun of yourself for your mistakes and missteps, then what is the point of life? 

But also, how credible was Casey as a witness to everything she was watching? She was a drunk, after all. Was she just intoxicated, crazy, or really did see everything she claims to have witnessed? That would be the million dollar question that needs to be answered in this book.

The House Across the Lake took me longer to get into than previous Riley Sager books, but it was still worth reading. I’m glad I did, as in typical Riley Sager form, I had no idea what was actually happening or who the villain was in the story until the end. I’ve always admired his ability to craft unpredictable stories that keep me wanting to read and find out the ending. 

At the seventy percent mark, I was invested and ready to binge the rest of it so I could find out the ending. It still irritates me when I have to do adult things like eat and sleep instead of being able to binge read books like I’m immortal. 

The end of the story seemed a little bit crazy, I won’t lie. It certainly isn’t believable in the real world, that’s for sure. But it still seemed to fit the story, and I enjoyed it. It all kind of came out of nowhere, but it certainly answered all of my questions, and took an extra couple of twists that I wasn’t expecting. I did get the happily ever after that I wanted to see happen, and I wasn’t expecting that either, but totally loved it at the very end. 

Final Thoughts on The House Across the Lake 

“Alcoholism is an occupational hazard of being an actor, of being a widow, and of being alone. And I’m all three.”  

Riley Sager, The House Across the Lake

I’m calling The House Across the Lake a four star read. It was still great, but it didn’t suck me in and keep me on the edge of my seat the same way that other Riley Sager novels have in the past. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a good book. I’m absolutely comparing this book to the others I’ve read before this and how I felt about them. Please keep that in mind when reading this review. 

I went to check out other reviews once I was finished, just to see if my thoughts were on par with others. I must say that I am shocked by the sheer volume of negative reviews. I had to wonder if I had read the same book as other reviewers, as I enjoyed it. But there are quite a number of other readers who absolutely hated the book. 

Reading is subjective, and that is kind of the fun part. I can’t quite understand why so many readers rated this book so low. I also can’t understand how so many readers can rave about Freida McFadden’s books like they are literary brilliance either. Which translates to, there is something out there for everyone, and you just have to find your favorites. In my case, Riley Sager is definitely a favorite.

One thing that I appreciate about Riley Sager’s writing is that it may seem odd, or implausible at times, especially in this book. But none of his writing so far has been predictable or his books too similar. Too many times it seems like an author follows one simple formula, and cranks out a ton of books, just changing character names and locations, but it is still the same basic formula. Riley Sager doesn’t do that. HIs writing is different in every single book, and I respect that so much.

I’m calling it four stars because I enjoyed it. I am here to tell you I did, but I also wouldn’t read it again. Reading it again is one part of my criteria for a five star read. It reminded me of Mexican Gothic, in that once you know the ending, it kind of spoils reading it again. 

I can’t rate it a three star either, because generally that means it was boring and forgettable, and this definitely wasn’t either of those. So I’ve settled happily on a four star review of this novel. 

Now the big question is, which Riley Sager novel do I read next? This was the fourth book of his that I’ve read, and that means I have five others to choose from before I reach my goal of reading everything that he has written. Do you have any authors that it is your goal to read everything they’ve written? I have several, and am slowly but surely working my way through all of their books. Some lists and authors are more of a daunting task than others. 

Discussion 

Have you read The House Across the Lake or any other writing from bestselling author Riley Sager? Are you a fan? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 

About the Author 

Riley Sager is the New York Times bestselling author of six novels, most recently Home Before Dark and Survive the Night. His first novel, Final Girls, has been published in 30 countries and won the ITW Thriller Award for Best Hardcover Novel. His latest book, The House Across the Lake, will be published in 2022 by Dutton Books.

A native of Pennsylvania, he now lives in Princeton, New Jersey. When he’s not writing, he enjoys reading, cooking and going to the movies as much as possible. His favorite film is “Rear Window.” Or maybe “Jaws.” But probably, if he’s being honest, “Mary Poppins.” 

Purchasing The House Across the Lake 

• If you are interested in buying the paperback version of The House Across the Lake, click here.
• For the hardcover version, click here. 
• Click here for the Kindle version.
• Click here for my favorite Kindle I currently own.

More from Riley Sager 

Did you enjoy my review of The House Across the Lake? Need another great Riley Sager novel? Here are my favorites! 

• Final Girls 
• The Last Time I Lied 
• Lock Every Door 
• Home Before Dark 
• Survive the Night 
• The House Across the Lake 
• The Only One Left 
• Middle of the Night 
• With a Vengeance 

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