Our Mother in the Lake: A Novel

by Abe Moss

A mysterious invitation. A haunting lakeside ritual. A family reunion to die for.

Thirteen years after their mother's disappearance upended their lives, Drew and her brother Isaac receive a disturbing letter – an invitation to a reunion long overdue, signed by the missing woman herself. The directions are dangerously vague. But Drew and Isaac are desperate for answers. Only one thing is for neither of them are prepared for the nightmare ahead.

Deep in the mountain wilderness lies a secluded commune. A place of secrecy and solitude, the residents are highly superstitious. Each night they gather at the lake, hoping to glimpse what they believe lurks in its haunted depths. Where Drew and Isaac will soon learn that you can't always escape the monsters of your past... sometimes you must fight to survive them.

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Fiction

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 13, 2023

About the author

Abe Moss has been writing horror stories for as long as he can remember, and hopes to never stop. He loves creature-features, psychological horror, supernatural horror, cosmic horror, you name it. With each book he writes, he hopes to try something a little different. The possibilities are endless and that's what he really loves about storytelling. He hopes you'll enjoy his stories, too!

Reviews

[John Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark and creepy!

This was an excellent story, a dark thriller with sci-fi undertones. Two emotionally scarred siblings receive, out of the blue, a letter supposedly written by their long missing (presumed dead) mother. The letter pleads for understanding, a family reunion, an explanation and a final farewell. Instructions are given and the siblings set off in search of their estranged mother. They are taken on a journey deep into the wilderness and into the arms of a strange and sinister religious cult. From there on the tension intensifies as the full horror of what awaits them materialises. A real page turner that had me on the edge of my seat as the ending approached. Highly recommended!

[Regan Wilbanks · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 ⭐️ This one was well written, but personally just not for me. Up until the reveal of what was actually going on, it was very good and I was eager to figure out what was happening at the lake… However the summary was very misleading. I was expecting a horror novel with ghosts and supernatural, however it turned out to be something very different and unrealistic, which just turned me off. I think if I was more into sci-fi I would’ve enjoyed more. Probably wouldn’t recommend, as I had to force myself to finish.

[Robin Opedal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ what a pleasant surprise!! Very creepy and atmospheric. Starting with an unsettling cult, and then even worse…creatures. So good!

[Debbie DiFiore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here there be monsters

I knew from the minute they ended up at the cult that nothing good was going to happen to them but did they listen? Nope and look what did happen. Crazy ugly stuff and one really angry Mother. It was quite chilling. Definitely a horror novel and it was good for sure. I couldn't go to sleep until I read it and now I will probably have nightmares but it was definitely worth the read.

[Richard Haynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very dark book with lots of supernatural activity and not your ghost variety. Drew the main character is awesome.

[Sydney Fornnarino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was so creepy & the dark atmosphere was intriguing. From the cult like setting to the paranormal pieces this book was very unique and thrilling! Different from my usual reads but I couldn’t put it down once things picked up!!

[Sheri Corriero · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a number of Abe Moss’s previous books and have loved them all. I enjoyed reading Our Mother in the Lake as well. When Drew and Isaac received a letter from their mother requesting to see them, they were shocked because she had disappeared 13 years earlier when they were children. Isaac, who was really young when she left, wants to see her. Drew, who was older and had more memories of her, did not want to go. It seemed suspicious. They were to drive to a location hours away where they would be picked up and brought to her location. They arrive at a commune of sorts, and see their mother. As they learn about this commune, Drew feels it is a cult and she doesn’t want anything to do with it. Isaac is drawn in. The center of the community is a sacred lake that no one is allowed to touch. It is warm and there is a mysterious mist. Drew and Isaac learn a terrible secret. I received an ARC copy from the author and this is my honest review.

[Jacquetta Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Abe Moss's books and enjoy reading them. It seems he out does himself with each new book. I was caught up in the story immediately.
To think of your mother as gone, possibly dead for the last 13 years is hard for a child. The two recieved a letter from their mother, inviting them to a mountain wilderness to see their mother. Little did Drew and her brother Issac had to go to see their mother and get answers. They had no idea they were in a commune when they arrive and they would never be able to leave. There is something strange and ominous about the lake. And there may be danger in the commune.
I loved the book, I think you will enjoy it and others Abe Moss has written.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book had me enthralled until the end. Family drama, trauma, and broken relationships mixed with a "suicide cult" and let's not forget "Mother". This story had horror, suspense, action, humor, murders, ghosts, strange creatures and so much more. The story starts off calm but changes quickly when Drew and Isaac receive a letter from their mother who left over a decade ago. They decide to take a road trip to talk with her. Isaac was too young to have many memories of his mom and Drew is too angry over her leaving them. Strange things start happening once they meet their mom at the commune. Drew stays angry and Isaac falls into the spell of the commune and wanting to spend more time getting to know their mom. From there, everything changes and quickly. It ends with a flurry of action and even more deaths. It has good characters, plot and horror factor all wrapped up into the story. Another great book by Abe Moss!

I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

[Carson Carlisle · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really enjoyed this, the way the monster was described really gave me the creeps, and the whole premise was quite interesting. there were a ton of well done, tense moments that made me not want to put the book down, especially when drew was down in the tunnels. the relationship between drew and isaac, and then drew, isaac, and their mother, was portrayed in a way that i really could relate to, and i appreciated the complexities and differences between how they both felt. i was rooting for drew and isaac the entire way through. the ending was quite satisfying as well, sort of gave off The Ritual vibes. i’ll definitely be looking into more from this author.

[Cait · Rating 2 out of 5]

I decided to try a book with a different type of thriller genre than I normally read, because it was only 1.99 in the kindle bookstore. This book was more of a supernatural thriller than a crime/psychological theiller (which is what I tend to gravitate towards) and idk how I felt about it. I enjoyed the beginning but then once it started to get into the more “supernatural” and “spiritual” stuff it kind of lost me. I don’t really prefer books that are pretty much impossible to play off in real life. If I was more into this type of concepts I would have probably given it a higher rating because it genuinely was pretty fast paced and interesting.

[Emily Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drew and her brother Issac have had a difficult life after their mother left twelve years ago. Now Issac has a letter from her. Their mother wants to see them. They go to a secluded community with no one near by. The community has some strange rules. Like absolutely no one goes in the Lake. The people seem angry that they are there. What is that strange glow in the Lake.? Who is Mother? Drew and Issac are about to find out. Can they escape The Mother in the Lake? Suspense filled readwith great characters,. I received a complimentary copy and left a voluntary review.

[Cattie Whaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge of your seat read!

In his first book after the Dread Void series, Abe Moss has hit a home run. This book is amazing! Drew and her brother Isaac are off to see their mother, who disappeared many years ago. She wants to see them before she heads off on her next journey. She lives in a commune that worships a lake. But what the two find is out of a nightmare. Hold on for a crazy ride! Abe Moss just keeps getting better with every novel he writes. Can't wait for the next one! Highly recommend!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was a great Summer time read!!

Abe Moss only writes good books LOL. This was extremely unnerving- to KNOW what you're walking into IS NOT a good idea, but you gotta go for it & hope for the best. The story kinda takes place in my neck of the woods- so I'm feeling like yeah, I can totally see it- eerie beauty with something dark underneath. Next time I'm at the lake....probably won't swim LoL

[Tee Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good and interesting read

I wish we knew more about the mother in the lake. This was a verty interesting read. I enjoyed every minute of it.These siblings think their going to reunite with their mother..they get more than what they bargain for. It does read kinda like a cult book. There's not much glore but the book gives you a feeling things are wrong. I loved the ending. Will differently read more of the authors work😍😊

[Julie R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has all the creep factors! Excellent reading

A mother that left her family so long ago they thought she was dead. The add a mysterious letter from her inviting her children to come visit her..... Then throw in a really weird creepy cult that has a "mother" in this mysterious lake and people willingly sacrifice themselves to. What happens in that lake isn't really what it seems
excellent story with strong believable characters and a page turning plot

[Loreanne Cowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love your descriptions...

I feel like you spark my imagination with your style and ability to describe the characters and scenes, however, I felt like the plot was a bit difficult to stay with. Just my opinion and I can't be certain that I didn't have a gummy or two before reading in bed and falling asleep with it each night. So, really and truly, not the storylines fault. I really enjoy your writing and read as you release. 😄

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a compelling read, that I found I did not want to put down! Great, multi-faceted characters. Very interesting plot. Vivid descriptions. Suspenseful and thrilling. Kept me intrigued from the first page to the last. Simply a GREAT read!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

[Terry M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. 5 star plus. I love the way reality entwines with the unreal. It reels you in, revealing tantalising snatches of what's to come, keeping you enthralled throughout. An emotional ride of hate, doubt, compassion, love and fear. Read in one sitting, I couldn't put it down.  I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dana Dreiblate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first half of the book - family drama, eerie vibes, mystery, shadows in the wood whispering… but the other half was very repetitive, and the main character was running for the last 100 pages. This was advertised as supernatural thriller and I expected some paranormal activity, ghosts, haunted lake, but this is not what I found in this book.

[Tammy davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating glimpse into a cult

A fascinating g into a cult indeed. A real one, where the thing being worshipped is real, however, not what believers are being bamboozled into thinking it is. So, A word to all believers out there, be careful who you listen to for they might not be working to your best advantage. It

[J. Lane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know if it's because this is not the usual kind of genre l gravitate too, or if it was just kind of cheesy and boring but I had a hard time reading this. There seemed to be many plot points that weren't followed up on. The ending was a little too abrupt for my liking. The only thing about this book that reached my emotions was the relationship between the main character and her mother.

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good story with well-developed characters. I loved the ending, I quite like not having everything explained to death. Read it if you like an interesting main character, weird monster-things in a lake, and cults.

[Pat Christiansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another book by Abe Moss that I couldn’t put it down. The story has many twists and turns that all lead in the wrong direction. The letter from a mother who went missing 13 years ago. Now, she wants her children to come and meet with her. Great book!

[Aurie Preece · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a lot of fun and it gets right to it without making you trudge through filler. The characters were well written and the story was pretty good. The ending chapters were great and I’m glad that I read this book. A good read for horror fans

[Mary Ingram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

This was a very unusual storyline and I loved the relationship with sister and brother. Coming from a broken family I could relate to their love\hate feeling s for mom. Emotions mixed with scary story kept me turning pages.

[Rebecca Morel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not AT ALL what I expected. Two grown children that went to see their mother at the cult camp shed been living in. People sacrificing themselves, a lake that's alive......Too far fetched for me, but we'll written.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

intriguing

I went into this blind from a new author I had not read before. The story moved along quickly and was filled with twists and turns. A bit predictable at times while at other times catching me completely by surprise. A good read!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like Abe's books but this one was just ok. I kept getting hung up on his repeated descriptions like there were several variations of feet drug across the ground is this story. Also some of his repeated word choices really made me cringe.

[Angela Kolling · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can’t believe I even finished the book. This is not my kind of reading at all. There were a few parts that held my interest but for the most part I just kept reading to finish it. It did not hold my attention at all and is not a book I would recommend.