Jessica Fletcher I am not…
But I sure tried to be while reading Lake of Secrets, the upcoming murder mystery release from Frances Lucas.
The story alternates in a dual timeline: the past, where the murder goes down, and the present, eight years later, where the aftermath still clings to the wrongly accused main character like a leech. The case is reopened when new evidence bubbles to the surface… kind of. More on that in a minute.
The story itself? Solid. The characters were well-developed, layered, and real. I especially connected with Mack, our main character, who obsesses a little too much over past mistakes and old crushes. That lost love ache? Yeah, that one hit me like a rogue baseball to the chest. Thanks for that, Frances.
There’s a lot to love here—so much that I almost want to forget the flaws. Almost. But I’m not that forgiving. So let’s talk about the bumps. First, the so-called new evidence that prompts the case to be reopened is a little weak. A personal item found in the lake wasn’t some shocking twist, especially when everyone already knew the victim had this item. If this were a missing person case, I’d buy it.
Second—and this is petty, but I stand by it—the cover. It didn’t scream “mystery” or “murder.” More like “gentle lakeside memoir with a side of emotional growth.” But if I didn’t already know what the book was about, I would’ve scrolled right past it in favor of something bolder to wet my Sapphic thirst.
Now for where the author absolutely nailed it: about halfway through, I shouted out the name of the killer with the confidence of the crime-solving queen. Then I second-guessed myself. Then I switched suspects. Multiple times. Like a whiplashed pendulum. That kind of storytelling is a chef’s kiss. And for that, I’d gladly read another book by Frances Lucas.
Despite the little quibbles, I’m giving Lake of Secrets a solid 5 stars. It held me hostage (in the best way), and I probably could’ve devoured it in one sitting if life hadn’t gotten in the way.
Great review!