The Lake House

By Kate Morton

Rating: 3/5 Stairs

Here’s the deal with The Lake House. I really enjoyed the first half to two-thirds of the book. But the ending? Not so much.

Detective Constable Sadie Sparrow has taken leave from her job after some missteps on her latest case, and is visiting her grandfather, who has recently moved to Cornwall. She discovers a seventy-year-old cold case surrounding the disappearance of a local toddler boy. The boy was never found, and no one was ever charged.

What worked for me.

I really enjoyed Sadie discovering this old, abandoned house that peaked her curiosity. I liked how Ms. Morton told the story alternating between Sadie’s discoveries in the present, and events from seventy (or more) years ago. The characters had interesting stories, especially as the layers and memories were peeled back.

What didn’t work.

Like I said at the beginning of this review – the ending of the book just didn’t sit well with me. Not only are they able to solve a seventy-year-old mystery (with the majority of the main players being deceased), but I think every single loose end was neatly tied up. It all felt just way too convenient.

Great premise and execution. I just wasn’t crazy about the ending.