Dark Lake by Louise Gaylord ~ review

• Paperback: 191 pages
• Publisher: Little Moose Press (October 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0983838607
• ISBN-13: 978-0983838609
• Want to purchase a copy of this book, click here.

About the book:

Allie Armington's Back. Trouble's Right Behind Her.

This time she's in the Adirondacks, and it's really personal.
A long time ago Allie was summarily ordered away from her extended family's summer enclave. Her return is nothing like what she expected. Instead of the tranquil retreat she remembers, the place is a murder site. From the very beginning she's confronted with everything from cover-ups and corrupted cops to covert meth labs and cousins in distress. Allie really has her hands full.

Visiting Hotanawa was always a dream to remember. This visit turns into a nightmare she'd rather forget.
Populated with neighbors you love to hate, childhood ex-crushes you'd hate to love, and family and friends who promote more problems than solutions, Dark Lake brings us an up close look at summer life in the Adirondacks and Allie at her best.

My take on this book:

I love reading a good mystery where I am left wondering "Who Dun It" right up until the end and with "Dark Lake" that's exactly what I got.

It's been fifteen years since Allie Armington has been back to Holden Cottage the vacation home her family keeps in Hotawana, but when she gets an invitation to come spend Memorial Day weekend with her aunt Sallie and her cousin Arlene she decides to go. When she arrives she has the gut feeling something is wrong, and soon discovers her aunt's dead body, and her cousin Arlene apparently drugged and tied up, talking about two men in ski masks. Being a P.I. as well as a lawyer Allie senses that there is foul play where the death of her aunt is concerned, but the tiny town wants to label it a suicide.Allie decides to take it upon herself to figure out what happened. Will she figure out who dun it without putting her own life in jeopardy?

When I first started reading this book I didn't realize there were other books in this series and honestly it didn't matter. The author weaves this story so well, giving plenty of background information that it easily is a stand alone book. I love the character of Allie. Its easy to imagine her as a no nonsense person who doesn't let anything stop her when she decides to find answers.She also seems very down to earth, which made me feel like she was an old friend. As the author reveals Allie's history we learn about the reason she stayed away from Hotawana for fifteen years. There was also a bit of a family saga going on for her as well.I thought the secondary characters added to the story and also kept me guessing as to who the perp actually was.

If your a fan of murder mysteries where the author provides plenty of twists and turns in the plot and keeps that keeps you guessing until the end your certainly going to enjoy this one. Recommended!

A complimentary copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.