Review: Blackwater Lake by Maggie James

Matthew Stanyer fears the worst when he reports his parents missing. His father, Joseph Stanyer, has been struggling to cope with his wife Evie, whose dementia is rapidly worsening. When their bodies are found close to Blackwater Lake, a local beauty spot, the inquest rules the deaths as a murder-suicide. A conclusion that's supported by the note Joseph leaves for his son.

Grief-stricken, Matthew begins to clear his parents' house of decades of compulsive hoarding, only to discover the dark enigmas hidden within its walls. Ones that lead Matthew to ask: why did his father choose Blackwater Lake to end his life? What other secrets do its waters conceal?

A short (25,000-words) novella, Blackwater Lake examines one man's determination to uncover his family's troubled past.

ebook, 93 pages

Published September 28th 2015 by Orelia Publishing 

Genre: Psychological Thriller/Mystery

Kristine's Thoughts:

I picked this novella up to read when I found myself short on time and behind on my blogging. It was the synopsis that really caught my attention and made me want to read it.

I always find it difficult to share my thoughts on novellas because the length is so short and I always fear I'm going to give something away. I'll keep my thoughts brief because of that.

This story focuses on Mathew as he begins the giant task of cleaning out the family home after their murder-suicide. Not an easy task when his mother was a hoarder all of his life. Mathew thought that his father did the unthinkable because of his mother's dementia but things buried in the hoard begin to make him question and long hidden secrets are discovered.

I read Blackwater Lake in a single sitting. The writing and plot had me engrossed and wanting to know what was going to happen. With it being a novella things moved fast and I didn't have to wait very long to find out how it would all play out. Was I able to figure it out? Yes, but that is just me. Was it obvious? I don't think so.

This novella delivered exactly what I was looking for. A good story without the time commitment. It provided me with the entertainment that I craved with the short amount of time that I had to enjoy it. I will definitely be checking out more work from this author.

About the Author

Maggie James is a British author who lives in Bristol. She writes psychological suspense novels.

Before turning her hand to writing, Maggie worked mainly as an accountant, with a diversion into practising as a nutritional therapist. Diet and health remain high on her list of interests, along with travel. Accountancy does not, but then it never did. The urge to pack a bag and go off travelling is always lurking in the background! When not writing, going to the gym, practising yoga or travelling, Maggie can be found seeking new four-legged friends to pet; animals are a lifelong love!

Connect with Maggie

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