Lakeshore Secrets

by Susan Draper

Three siblings mourn the loss of their happily married parents in the unsolved disappearance of the family sailboat. No trace of them or the boat has surfaced since the heartbreaking occurrence. What happened on that fateful sweltering day in July, 2010? They vow to uncover the truth, no matter how horrifying it may prove to be. Ogden Dunes, Indiana is a small, closeknit community, located close to the pristine beaches of beautiful Lake Michigan. Its incidence of serious crime is extremely low. That is, until a nightmare of obsession, complicity, and violence takes over the lives of a well-respected family. If you enjoy mysteries with lots of twists, you'll love diving into Lakeshore Secrets!

161 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2025

About the author

After blogging for seven years Susan decided to publish a poetry book, Random Reflections, in 2020. Step into the mind of a Hoosier indie writer!

Cataclysm in the Cosmos, a clean, middle grade series, came out in 2021. It is guaranteed to engage young readers, while also promoting science and space exploration.

Following the trilogy, she wrote a stand alone mature sci-fi book called Into the Sun. It presents a different take on alien invasion.

Her latest works, published in 2025, are a crime fiction thriller based in Northwest Indiana, Lakeshore Secrets and also a horror anthology, Night Passage.

Susan's favorite genres are science fiction, horror, true crime, poetry, mysteries, teen/YA, historical works, baseball bios, and fantasy.

Climb aboard the follow train and let's read!

Reviews

[Rachel Bolinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Spoilers Ahead!**

First of all, please note triggers for this book: suicide, kidnapping, sexual assault (no gruesome details)

I had the pleasure of meeting the author at a recent book sale/signing, and as soon as she mentioned “crime fiction,” I was immediately intrigued.

This novella is a quick read but delivers an engaging and suspenseful experience, with characters that are both relatable and well-developed. The pacing, however, is a bit slow initially. The story picks up just past the halfway point when a new, darker perspective is introduced, and from that moment on, I couldn’t put the book down. The mystery surrounding the disappearance of the Campbell couple becomes all-consuming, and I found myself racing to uncover the truth.

I particularly enjoyed how the narrative shifted between different time periods, which allowed for a deeper understanding of the characters' pasts and how those shaped their present actions. It was a clever way to reveal their motivations and developments.

That said, there are a few elements of the book that didn’t sit well with me. Personally, I’m not a fan of third-person narration, but I recognize that given the large cast of characters, switching to a first-person perspective (even with shifts) might have been tricky.

Additionally, I was left with several unanswered questions, particularly regarding the motivations of the kidnapper and his aunt. The explanation given felt a bit implausible and lacked the depth I had hoped for. I also felt the book missed an opportunity to explore the reintegration of the Campbell couple into society, particularly how they adjusted with their children and resumed their normal lives. This felt somewhat glossed over.

There were a few grammatical errors, such as “New Ear’s Eve” and other minor issues that disrupted the flow. A handful of sentences were also a bit clunky and required a second read to fully grasp.

Overall, despite these criticisms, this debut author has crafted an intriguing, suspense-filled story. It’s perfect for fans of crime fiction looking for a quick yet satisfying read. I highly recommend it, especially for those who enjoy stories of family and community coming together in the face of hardship and unexpected twists.