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Venom Lake: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26“Venom Lake by Emma White is as intense as it is twisty. With secrets galore, toxic friendships and characters you’ll love to hate, this murderous chiller is perfect for fans of May Cobb and Liane Moriarty. Buckle up!” —Hannah Mary McKinnon, internationally bestselling author of Only One Survives
For fans of Lucy Foley and Ashley Audrain, this is a smart, biting, set-in-Canada debut thriller about a toxic upscale true-crime book club
On a weekend getaway for their true-crime book club, four women retreat to the sole cottage on isolated Snakebite Island. But what was supposed to be a fun weekend of getting trashed on rosé and talking serial killers takes a dark turn when a member of the group is found dead on the shore. Murdered. By one of her supposed friends.
Under the surface, there’s turbulence in the group. Blackmail, affairs and addiction. Financial misconduct. A missing husband. All of the women are hiding dangerous secrets, but how far are they willing to go to keep them?
The murder creates a dilemma for the three surviving book club report the death and have their own lives shredded by an investigation or use their true-crime knowledge to stage their friend’s disappearance on the lake.
The consequences of their decision will ripple outwards, creating new risks and threatening to unravel their entire net of lies.
For fans of Lucy Foley and Ashley Audrain, this is a smart, biting, set-in-Canada debut thriller about a toxic upscale true-crime book club
On a weekend getaway for their true-crime book club, four women retreat to the sole cottage on isolated Snakebite Island. But what was supposed to be a fun weekend of getting trashed on rosé and talking serial killers takes a dark turn when a member of the group is found dead on the shore. Murdered. By one of her supposed friends.
Under the surface, there’s turbulence in the group. Blackmail, affairs and addiction. Financial misconduct. A missing husband. All of the women are hiding dangerous secrets, but how far are they willing to go to keep them?
The murder creates a dilemma for the three surviving book club report the death and have their own lives shredded by an investigation or use their true-crime knowledge to stage their friend’s disappearance on the lake.
The consequences of their decision will ripple outwards, creating new risks and threatening to unravel their entire net of lies.
- GenresMystery Thriller
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 17, 2026
Venom Lake is a well-written and engaging mystery-thriller from debut author Emma White. The Murder Mamas—Bernie, Imogen, Celeste, and Marta—are a dynamic group of women. The story is told from multiple perspectives, allowing readers to look into the minds of each woman and learn what lies beneath the fake smiles. Don’t be fooled… you may be in their heads, but nothing is as it seems. Full of scandals and secrets, this twisty tale is perfect for readers who love a fast-paced thriller that will keep them guessing!
Thank you HarperCollins Canada and NetGalley for my advanced copy of Venom Lake.
Thank you HarperCollins Canada and NetGalley for my advanced copy of Venom Lake.
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March 2, 2026Venom Lake is a deliciously twisty read from debut author Emma White. Not only is it a excellently plotted murder mystery, it provides a keen and cutting portrait of the toxic friendship that has grown up between the four lead characters. Through her skillful use of multiple POVs, White is able to bring the reader into the minds of her characters without ever giving anything away. I couldn't put it down!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was completely hooked by the premise of this book, and the execution did not disappoint. It’s an incredibly addictive, fast-paced thriller that expertly balances a dark atmosphere with an easy-to-read style. Emma White does a fantastic job with character nuance; as the masks slip, you'll find your allegiance constantly shifting, leaving you unsure whether to pity these women or completely despise them.
The structural plotting is where this debut truly shines. The story begins with a localized tragedy, but quickly expands into a complex Venn diagram of overlapping motives and hidden histories. The way these individual character arcs collide and implode by the finale is genuinely shocking.
As a huge bonus, the Canadian setting adds a perfect layer of isolated grit, and knowing this is a debut from a Canadian author makes it all the more impressive. The tension is tight, the pacing is sharp, and I’m incredibly excited to see what White writes next.
*Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Canada for providing an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.*
The structural plotting is where this debut truly shines. The story begins with a localized tragedy, but quickly expands into a complex Venn diagram of overlapping motives and hidden histories. The way these individual character arcs collide and implode by the finale is genuinely shocking.
As a huge bonus, the Canadian setting adds a perfect layer of isolated grit, and knowing this is a debut from a Canadian author makes it all the more impressive. The tension is tight, the pacing is sharp, and I’m incredibly excited to see what White writes next.
*Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Canada for providing an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.*
Review of advance copy received from Autre
3,25⭐️
au premier abord, on pourrait avoir l’impression de lire un cozy mystery, ce qui n’est en fait pas vraiment le cas je trouve parce que l’atmosphère est tout de suite beaucoup plus sombre que celle des cozy mystery que j’ai pu lire avant😳
les personnages ne sont pas vraiment sympathiques et j’ai eu du mal à les apprécier. pour autant, elles cachent toutes quelque chose, et c’est ça qui m’a donné envie d’en savoir plus, de connaître la suite, et, surtout, de comprendre ce qui s’était réellement passé👀
la mort de l'une des amies du groupe n'advient qu'à la moitié du roman, donc je pense qu’il faudrait peut-être revoir le résumé puisque la disparition de Derrick occupe quand même une grande partie de l’histoire🤨
je n’ai pas vraiment été surprise par les rebondissements parce qu’en soi je m’attendais à ce qu’on découvre la vérité, je n’étais juste pas sûre de qui allait être la vraie coupable comme elles ont toutes une raison pour tuer, trahir, …
ce que j’ai trouvé étrange d’ailleurs, c’est qu’elles se suspectent toutes ouvertement, et pourtant elles continuent à rester ensemble et à dire qu’elles sont amies ; ça m’a un peu perturbée, parce que du coup j’arrivais encore moins à les comprendre😐🤨🤨
en conclusion, j’ai trouvé ça assez sympa à lire, les mystères sont au rendez-vous, mais j’avoue que, pour les dernières 100 pages, je lisais plus en diagonale pour rapidement connaître la fin🫣
au premier abord, on pourrait avoir l’impression de lire un cozy mystery, ce qui n’est en fait pas vraiment le cas je trouve parce que l’atmosphère est tout de suite beaucoup plus sombre que celle des cozy mystery que j’ai pu lire avant😳
les personnages ne sont pas vraiment sympathiques et j’ai eu du mal à les apprécier. pour autant, elles cachent toutes quelque chose, et c’est ça qui m’a donné envie d’en savoir plus, de connaître la suite, et, surtout, de comprendre ce qui s’était réellement passé👀
la mort de l'une des amies du groupe n'advient qu'à la moitié du roman, donc je pense qu’il faudrait peut-être revoir le résumé puisque la disparition de Derrick occupe quand même une grande partie de l’histoire🤨
je n’ai pas vraiment été surprise par les rebondissements parce qu’en soi je m’attendais à ce qu’on découvre la vérité, je n’étais juste pas sûre de qui allait être la vraie coupable comme elles ont toutes une raison pour tuer, trahir, …
ce que j’ai trouvé étrange d’ailleurs, c’est qu’elles se suspectent toutes ouvertement, et pourtant elles continuent à rester ensemble et à dire qu’elles sont amies ; ça m’a un peu perturbée, parce que du coup j’arrivais encore moins à les comprendre😐🤨🤨
en conclusion, j’ai trouvé ça assez sympa à lire, les mystères sont au rendez-vous, mais j’avoue que, pour les dernières 100 pages, je lisais plus en diagonale pour rapidement connaître la fin🫣
May 14, 2026
This was such a fun, twisty, drama-filled thriller.
The story follows three best friends who seem like your typical suburban women with a charming little true crime book club… until a girls weekend at a secluded lake cabin starts unraveling secrets, betrayal, and all kinds of messy tension.
This was definitely more character-driven, which I actually really enjoyed. The friendships, hidden resentments, lies, and dynamics between the women kept me invested the entire time. It had that addictive “everyone is hiding something” energy that I absolutely eat up in thrillers.
It did feel a little slow in parts, especially in the middle, but overall I still had a really good time with it and wanted to keep reading to see how everything unfolded.
And I absolutely loved that it was set in Canada and written by a Canadian author 🇨🇦✨
If you like domestic thrillers full of secrets, betrayal, friendship drama, and isolated cabin vibes, this is definitely worth picking up.
The story follows three best friends who seem like your typical suburban women with a charming little true crime book club… until a girls weekend at a secluded lake cabin starts unraveling secrets, betrayal, and all kinds of messy tension.
This was definitely more character-driven, which I actually really enjoyed. The friendships, hidden resentments, lies, and dynamics between the women kept me invested the entire time. It had that addictive “everyone is hiding something” energy that I absolutely eat up in thrillers.
It did feel a little slow in parts, especially in the middle, but overall I still had a really good time with it and wanted to keep reading to see how everything unfolded.
And I absolutely loved that it was set in Canada and written by a Canadian author 🇨🇦✨
If you like domestic thrillers full of secrets, betrayal, friendship drama, and isolated cabin vibes, this is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh my gosh, this book was so twisty and addictive! 🖤 A weekend getaway for a true-crime book club turns deadly when one of the women is found murdered on Snakebite Island, and suddenly, all the secrets come bubbling to the surface.
I loved the toxic friendship vibes—blackmail, affairs, addictions, missing husbands… everyone is hiding something, and you’re constantly guessing who’s dangerous and who’s just desperate. The multiple POVs made the suspense so intense—I could see into everyone’s head, but nothing was ever clear until the perfect moment.
If you love dark, twisty murder mysteries with messy, secret-keeping women, this is your next read. I couldn’t put it down!
I loved the toxic friendship vibes—blackmail, affairs, addictions, missing husbands… everyone is hiding something, and you’re constantly guessing who’s dangerous and who’s just desperate. The multiple POVs made the suspense so intense—I could see into everyone’s head, but nothing was ever clear until the perfect moment.
If you love dark, twisty murder mysteries with messy, secret-keeping women, this is your next read. I couldn’t put it down!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
You and your book club girlfriends decide to plan a cottage book club retreat.
The location? An isolated island in the Great Ontario outdoors.
It’s supposed to be a quiet, no network coverage, a chance to be one with nature and take a bite out of a good book.
However, not everything is as it seems... and with some liquid courage, they will get to know each other. Or at least, a version of each other.
The twists and turns keep coming!
This was a total page-turner to find out if your power of deduction was accurate.
A great representation of Canada and all things Canadian. Loved it!
The location? An isolated island in the Great Ontario outdoors.
It’s supposed to be a quiet, no network coverage, a chance to be one with nature and take a bite out of a good book.
However, not everything is as it seems... and with some liquid courage, they will get to know each other. Or at least, a version of each other.
The twists and turns keep coming!
This was a total page-turner to find out if your power of deduction was accurate.
A great representation of Canada and all things Canadian. Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews