Much of this novel had me on edge. The intensity of the prologue had me highly intrigued and curious. The characters were real, the atmosphere was vivid, the suspense was engrossing. The story kept me captivated and curious throughout, however, the gripping intensity did come and go. Toward the end, I found some of the story ventured into unrealistic territory, but I still really enjoyed it.

Rachel Caine | New York Times bestselling author

A fast-paced and intense psychological thriller. Pulls you right in and doesn't let go. Who can be trusted? Is there anywhere that is safe? I really liked how the book is told from Gina's point of view instead of some serial killer. She becomes strong and capable and leaves her shy/helpless self behind. Husband Mel is in prison, but he hasn't forgotten them... Unfortunately for Gwen and the kids the police don't believe her either. I can't say that I blame them but it gets really bad for them. Gwen goes to jail for a bit and her mom watches the kids and tries to keep them hidden. When Gwen gets out, she gets the kids and they are on the run. The reason they have to run is because all of the haters that believe she was in on it are threatening her and the kids. I mean these people are saying some horrific things they want to do to Gwen and the kids. I mean the kids too? It's just unreal and sadistic. Even if you think she had something to do with it you don't mess with the kids! Connor admits that the code to the safe room was on his phone, which the Graham kids stole towards the beginning of the book.

Recreation

Gina Proctor is a nice, quiet person, married with two kids, living a perfectly normal, perfectly mundane life- until a fluke car accident outs her husband as a serial killing monster. Now Gina has transformed herself into Gwen Proctor- a confident single mother who hangs out at the shooting range in her free time. The latest book in the Lincoln Lawyer series comes out this month. This will be the 7th book in that series, and the 41st book in the Bosch Universe. Harry Bosch also plays a big part in this book. I loved how strong and fierce Gwen was. She can definitely hold her own. Others are often destroyed by all that she has gone through. Had me thinking about what life is like for those left behind after a crime -- both the perpetrator's and the victim's families. The atmosphere, the setting and tension were A+. Though I did find it a little slow for the first 40%, once you get passed that there is no return to calm again. To paraphrase Smashmouth, the shit starts coming and it don't stop coming. Literal Darwinism behaviour. You're out here paying for fraudulent IDs with Bitcoin and teaching yourself SWAT breach patterns but yet you fess up to some solivagent who's allegedly writing a book???? FOR WHAT?????? But what did I expect from a lady who eats someone's homecooked meal and then randomly asks "who iz you?" and when he goes "well who iz YOU??" she replies "that's none of your business." ????? WHAT???

Stillhouse Lake Series by Rachel Caine - Goodreads

Add it: Goodreads Goodreads Summary: Gina Royal is the definition of average—a shy Midwestern housewife with a happy marriage and two adorable children. But when a car accident reveals her husband’s secret life as a serial killer, she must remake herself as Gwen Proctor—the ultimate warrior mom. Gwen leaves Sam to look after the kids at the lake house. She’s disgusted by Melvin when she sees him. She has had him beaten as a threat, and she warns him that if he comes after her or the kids again, she’ll have him killed. Melvin makes his own threats. There were some things that I didn't totally like in the book, but for the most part it was really good! Unfortunately, it's not long before a body is found floating on the lake, which has similarities to her husbands handiwork; making her the prime suspect.All she wants to do is survive and keep her kids safe. She runs crisis drills. They have an escape plan. They have an alarm set at all times, and Gwen is armed to the teeth! Gwen gets hold of a gun. Then Sam and Mike arrive and it’s all good. They reassure Gwen that Melvin is dead in the hallway, but Melvin actually jumps up and is about to kill Sam when Gwen shoots him again. Just like Scream!

What happened in Killman Creek by Rachel Caine - Recaptains

But I’ve kept them safe from the wolves, at least: the most basic and important job of a parent, to keep her offspring from being eaten by predators. Even the ones I can’t see. But it’s not the murders that are the focus of this story. Instead it’s a justified paranoia of Gwen that anxiously keeps you on the edge and reminds you constantly how absolutely insane her life has become because of taint by association and a bunch of people blinded by hatred and revenge, aided by easy internet anonymity. The hatred that does not spare anyone, even children. The hatred that blindly and obsessively demands blood.Gina Royal no longer exists…she’s now Gwen Proctor. And there are a LOT of differences between the two. Where Gina was weak and submissive, Gwen is strong and dominant. Gina Royal thinks she’s living a wonderful, suburban life with a loving husband and two great kids. Then she comes home one day to a street clogged with police cars and ambulances. A car accident has revealed that her husband’s hobby in the garage—one she never inquired about—was gruesome—he’s a serial killer.

Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine - Recaptains What happened in Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine - Recaptains

that being said, i can see how this is a popular book among readers. its very pop-mystery/thriller. it feels relevant and the writing is accessible. i just wish i had personally enjoyed the story more. What a fascinating premise! A story told from the perspective of a serial killer’s wife. Told after he is discovered, she and her family have had to go into hiding, changing their identities. Dealing with the trolls who want to punish them for her husband’s crimes. And she still struggles with how she never knew. Gina Royal, now Gwen Proctor, has spent four years hiding out from legions of dedicated haters after her husband Melvin's crimes were brought to life. She finally feels at home in Stillhouse Lake, but is it too good to be true? Gwen relocates her family to Stillhouse Lake, where she finally allows herself, and her children, to let their guard down in small ways. Yet, the internet trolls, convinced Gwen was complicit in her husband’s crimes, are still a constant threat. Gina’s comfortable suburban life gets turned upside down in a horrifying turn of events when she discovers one day that her husband Mel is a sadistic serial killer. Tried as an accomplice and then acquitted, she’s on the run from psychos that still believe she used to be the monster’s “little helper”, trying to protect her children from harm. Four years later, she’s living as Gwen Proctor, a tough woman without any illusions, always in the state of perpetual alert. But as she comes to Stillhouse Lake, she finds a place where she feels she may be able to at least temporarily settle down. That is, until a couple of dead women surface - literally - and everything points at Gwen.Easily one of the better mystery/thrillers I've read this year. After disappointments from old favourites with Since We Fell and newly-hyped thrillers like Final Girls, I managed to find a really creepy, suspenseful story from an author who has always been a bit hit and miss for me. At the shooting range, Javier starts to act weirdly. He’s not very nice towards Gwen because he’s not sure if she has been lying this whole time or not.