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Dept of Unexplained Phenomenon #1
The Girl in the Lake: A haunting and suspenseful new mystery from bestselling author Lauren Oliver
Win a free kindle copy of this book!
25 days and 09:50:28
100 copies available
U.S. only
Kate Willis, a psychiatrist and researcher for unexplained extraordinary human experiences, is called to investigate the case of a six-year-old Massachusetts girl who claims to remember details of a past life.
As usual, Kate expects to find a simple explanation. Instead, she is shocked to discover that the child seems to know eerie details about Kate's childhood friend, Becca, who vanished one summer fifteen years ago.
Forced to confront her own memories of that fatal summer evening, Kate must piece together two mysteries that threaten to overcome her...
As usual, Kate expects to find a simple explanation. Instead, she is shocked to discover that the child seems to know eerie details about Kate's childhood friend, Becca, who vanished one summer fifteen years ago.
Forced to confront her own memories of that fatal summer evening, Kate must piece together two mysteries that threaten to overcome her...
295 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2026
About the author
Lauren Oliver
68 books118k followersLauren Oliver is an author, screenwriter, and media entrepreneur. She is the author of the upcoming novels THE GIRL IN THE LAKE (June 1, 2026) and its sequel, THE SLEEPWALKER (May 5, 2027). Her previous works include multiple New York Times bestselling novels for teens, including Before I Fall (which spent seventeen weeks on the list and was adapted into a feature film released by Open Road), the Delirium trilogy (a two-million-copy-selling dystopian series translated into thirty-five languages), and Panic, which she later adapted into the streaming TV show on Amazon Prime of the same name, for which she wrote every episode and served as Executive Producer. Along the way, Lauren founded the IP company StoryGiants and helped to package and edit nearly one hundred other novels. She is also the co-founder of Incantor AI, a self-scaling digital media engine built on a new and proprietary foundational model of artificial intelligence that respects copyright by providing both IP attribution and royalty shares to contributing sources. Raised in Westchester, New York, Lauren attended the University of Chicago and got her MFA from NYU. She now divides her time between Maryland and Los Angeles. Subscribe to my Substack! laurenoliverbooks.substack.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
May 13, 2026
Reincarnation stories are catnip for me, and this one had me from the first ripple: a haunted New England lake, a local legend of a gray lady, a vanished teenage girl, and a six-year-old who might be carrying someone else’s memories. I’ve read Lauren Oliver before (and even sought out the screen adaptations), so I came in excited—and this premise sealed it.
The novel follows Kate Willis, a consultant with UVA’s Division of Perceptual Studies, sent to evaluate Henley Haskell, a child describing a “past life” that lines up—unsettlingly—with the disappearance of Kate’s own camp friend, Becca, twenty-four years ago at Lake Sauquamet. As Kate toggles between clinical skepticism and the ache of old grief, Oliver layers present-day investigation with summer-camp flashbacks, and the effect is deliciously eerie: damp docks at twilight, a legend that won’t die, and children who see what adults refuse to name. Henley’s nightmares and drawings carry an uncanny charge, and Kate’s return to Stockbridge unspools a tangle of secrets that feel both intimate and inevitable.
What worked best for me is the atmosphere—Oliver nails that specific New England ghostliness where fog feels like a memory pressing back. The structure hums: short, propulsive chapters; a steady drip of clues; and a moral tension I love in paranormal mysteries—how do you separate belief from wish, and which one is more dangerous? Thematically, it’s rich: grief as an unfinished conversation, the ethics of testing a child’s story, and the question of whether a “past life” can be a map out of the present.
Why not higher than 3.5? A few craft choices held me back. The middle stretch circles some beats (interviews, intel drops) that blunt the momentum, and the final explanations click into place a bit too neatly for a story that otherwise thrives on ambiguity. I also wanted deeper shading for some adults orbiting Kate and Henley; when the core premise is this strong, the supporting cast needs to meet it halfway. Still, the pages turned themselves—and I kept the lights on.
Bottom line: a moody, compulsively readable blend of psychological and paranormal suspense with a premise I couldn’t resist. If the idea of a haunted lake, a gray-lady legend, and a child who might be the echo of a girl long gone makes your spine tingle, you’ll swim through this in a night.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing this intriguing paranormal thriller’s digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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The novel follows Kate Willis, a consultant with UVA’s Division of Perceptual Studies, sent to evaluate Henley Haskell, a child describing a “past life” that lines up—unsettlingly—with the disappearance of Kate’s own camp friend, Becca, twenty-four years ago at Lake Sauquamet. As Kate toggles between clinical skepticism and the ache of old grief, Oliver layers present-day investigation with summer-camp flashbacks, and the effect is deliciously eerie: damp docks at twilight, a legend that won’t die, and children who see what adults refuse to name. Henley’s nightmares and drawings carry an uncanny charge, and Kate’s return to Stockbridge unspools a tangle of secrets that feel both intimate and inevitable.
What worked best for me is the atmosphere—Oliver nails that specific New England ghostliness where fog feels like a memory pressing back. The structure hums: short, propulsive chapters; a steady drip of clues; and a moral tension I love in paranormal mysteries—how do you separate belief from wish, and which one is more dangerous? Thematically, it’s rich: grief as an unfinished conversation, the ethics of testing a child’s story, and the question of whether a “past life” can be a map out of the present.
Why not higher than 3.5? A few craft choices held me back. The middle stretch circles some beats (interviews, intel drops) that blunt the momentum, and the final explanations click into place a bit too neatly for a story that otherwise thrives on ambiguity. I also wanted deeper shading for some adults orbiting Kate and Henley; when the core premise is this strong, the supporting cast needs to meet it halfway. Still, the pages turned themselves—and I kept the lights on.
Bottom line: a moody, compulsively readable blend of psychological and paranormal suspense with a premise I couldn’t resist. If the idea of a haunted lake, a gray-lady legend, and a child who might be the echo of a girl long gone makes your spine tingle, you’ll swim through this in a night.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing this intriguing paranormal thriller’s digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
medium blog
April 13, 2026
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an eARC to read and review before publishing.
Is The Girl in the Lake my new favorite paranormal/supernatural thriller? Why, yes. Yes, it is.
Lauren Oliver has written a banger of a book with the perfect balance of the exploration of psychology, logical reasoning, and supernatural suspense. Like our main character, Kate, I tend to look for what is rooted in the science of our known world when faced with the unknown. However, through her engaging storytelling Lauren was able to make me suspend my beliefs and wonder if maybe, just maybe, there are situations or encounters that don't have scientific/logical explanations. And to me, that is the power of The Girl in the Lake.
If you are a fan of Yellowjackets, True Detective, The Outsider, or any of Lauren Oliver's other books and television projects, then I HIGHLY recommend you read The Girl in the Lake.
4.5 stars
Is The Girl in the Lake my new favorite paranormal/supernatural thriller? Why, yes. Yes, it is.
Lauren Oliver has written a banger of a book with the perfect balance of the exploration of psychology, logical reasoning, and supernatural suspense. Like our main character, Kate, I tend to look for what is rooted in the science of our known world when faced with the unknown. However, through her engaging storytelling Lauren was able to make me suspend my beliefs and wonder if maybe, just maybe, there are situations or encounters that don't have scientific/logical explanations. And to me, that is the power of The Girl in the Lake.
If you are a fan of Yellowjackets, True Detective, The Outsider, or any of Lauren Oliver's other books and television projects, then I HIGHLY recommend you read The Girl in the Lake.
4.5 stars
January 2, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this novel.
You need to read this, trust me. Such a fast paced, engaging, atmospheric thriller with an interesting twist. I loved the investigation aspect and the way the story played out in dual timelines. If you love being on the edge of your seat as you read a thriller, this is for you.
You need to read this, trust me. Such a fast paced, engaging, atmospheric thriller with an interesting twist. I loved the investigation aspect and the way the story played out in dual timelines. If you love being on the edge of your seat as you read a thriller, this is for you.
May 6, 2026
This wasn’t even on my radar. My first book by this author, but I’ll definitely be looking for more. This was my Amazon First Reads pick this month - and y’all. If you haven’t picked one yet, pick this one!
Kate and Becca were best friends until one summer, Becca vanished from summer camp. Assumed drowned, everyone has moved on. Now, Kate is a psychologist interviewing a six year old girl who says she remembers a past life - Becca’s life.
The cases of children involving reincarnation have always fascinated me. So when I read the synopsis for this one, I got really excited and downloaded it right away. If you liked Riley Sager’s “The Last Time I Lied”, this book gives similar vibes. Dual timelines as we jump back and forth between friends at summer camp and present day. Paranormal tones. Lots of back and forth and whodunnit suspense.
The gore was kept to a minimum. No spice. Pacing was a little slow in the beginning, really ramping up towards the end. It read like a movie 🍿 It got a little repetitive in some places, but I think it just helped to build that suspense and questioning. The medical jargon was a bit… smarter-than-thou from time to time, but that was my only real complaint. For that I should probably rate this one 4.5-4.75, but I had such a good time reading it, I just don’t care.
So like I said, if you haven’t grabbed your Amazon First Reads book this month, you can get this one. Or buy it next month when it’s officially released.
Kate and Becca were best friends until one summer, Becca vanished from summer camp. Assumed drowned, everyone has moved on. Now, Kate is a psychologist interviewing a six year old girl who says she remembers a past life - Becca’s life.
The cases of children involving reincarnation have always fascinated me. So when I read the synopsis for this one, I got really excited and downloaded it right away. If you liked Riley Sager’s “The Last Time I Lied”, this book gives similar vibes. Dual timelines as we jump back and forth between friends at summer camp and present day. Paranormal tones. Lots of back and forth and whodunnit suspense.
The gore was kept to a minimum. No spice. Pacing was a little slow in the beginning, really ramping up towards the end. It read like a movie 🍿 It got a little repetitive in some places, but I think it just helped to build that suspense and questioning. The medical jargon was a bit… smarter-than-thou from time to time, but that was my only real complaint. For that I should probably rate this one 4.5-4.75, but I had such a good time reading it, I just don’t care.
So like I said, if you haven’t grabbed your Amazon First Reads book this month, you can get this one. Or buy it next month when it’s officially released.
October 13, 2025
This was such a haunting, eerie read that totally pulled me in. I loved the mix of psychological suspense and the whole past-life angle—it made the mystery feel so unique. The setting by the lake added to the creepy vibe, and I was hooked trying to figure out what really happened to Becca.
Kate was such an interesting main character, and Henley’s parts honestly gave me chills. It slowed down a bit in the middle, but the ending definitely made up for it. Overall, it was a chilling, emotional story that kept me on edge the whole time.
Thank you to Netgalley & Thomas & Mercer for this arc!
Kate was such an interesting main character, and Henley’s parts honestly gave me chills. It slowed down a bit in the middle, but the ending definitely made up for it. Overall, it was a chilling, emotional story that kept me on edge the whole time.
Thank you to Netgalley & Thomas & Mercer for this arc!
October 25, 2025
The perfect read for a stormy night like this one.
What a story! It was “I Know What You Did Last Summer” meets “Pretty Little Liars” meets the paranormal. And it did not disappoint!
The story follows Kate, a psychologist, studying a little girl who claims to have memories of someone else’s life…someone who is no longer alive and hasn’t been for decades. Someone who Kate is connected to in a big way. Kate gets thrown into her past that she has long run from for the sake of facing and discovering the truth.
I didn’t start figuring out the mystery until the latter part of the book, which meant this was a wild ride and such a good book for me! I’m stoked to read more in this series and this author because she knew how to write the eerie vibes and draw you into a haunting story.
Highly recommend if you enjoy mystery with a touch of the unexplainable.
Thank you to the author and publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
What a story! It was “I Know What You Did Last Summer” meets “Pretty Little Liars” meets the paranormal. And it did not disappoint!
The story follows Kate, a psychologist, studying a little girl who claims to have memories of someone else’s life…someone who is no longer alive and hasn’t been for decades. Someone who Kate is connected to in a big way. Kate gets thrown into her past that she has long run from for the sake of facing and discovering the truth.
I didn’t start figuring out the mystery until the latter part of the book, which meant this was a wild ride and such a good book for me! I’m stoked to read more in this series and this author because she knew how to write the eerie vibes and draw you into a haunting story.
Highly recommend if you enjoy mystery with a touch of the unexplainable.
Thank you to the author and publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
October 16, 2025
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My Vibe Check
* My emotional state while reading: 🥱🤔🍿🙄
* If this book were a snack, it'd be... a tofu burger posing as a hamburger.
The Good Stuff
1. Vivid descriptions. You can easily imagine the setting.
2. Mental disorders and resurrections are two of my favorite subjects. This book has both. It feels like a treat. 🍬
3. Ghost and mysterious deaths add more to the intrigue.
4. Camp nostalgia.
5. Struggling between the truth and self-preservation. 🩶 morally grey.
Things That Made Me Go Meh
1. This is just a personal preference, but I don’t like lush writing. I don’t like metaphors in prose. The first chapter irked me so much with its attention to the trees that I almost DNFed. It was so hard to settle into.
2. I feel like the delivery didn’t do the story enough justice. The story is very interesting, but the writing not so.
3. The walls of text are putting me off. I feel like only old books should be like this, since readers then had longer attention spans. I like my paragraphs digestible. And I can’t even adjust this on my Kindle to put spaces after paragraphs to give my eyes rest.
4. The camp girls remind me of Pretty Little Liars girls for some reason.
5. The Gray Lady aesthetic was giving Viola Lloyd (The Haunting of Bly Manor). Also, her tale/legend is somewhat lame.
6. A typo in Chapter 14. “Becca looked at her sideways”. Should’ve been Emily.
7. In the end, it’s just 40 chapters of whodunnit. And I’m pretty underwhelmed because the breadcrumbs weren’t breadcrumbing.
My Overall Thoughts
* Would I recommend this book? Well, I wouldn’t stop anyone from reading it. But I’m personally not obsessed, which is sad because I wanted to be.
* Who should read this? Whodunnit fans.
* My super-scientific rating: 3.5. Solid read, but I’m not obsessed.
—MAJOR SPOILERS START HERE.—
The Gist (or else I’ll forget)
The story opens with a flashback: fourteen-year-old Becca and thirteen-year-old Kate promise to be best friends forever.
Twenty-six years later, Kate—now a divorced psychologist and professor at the University of Virginia’s Division of Perceptual Studies—drives back to Massachusetts to interview a child named Henley, who claims to remember a past life.
On her way, Kate stops for coffee and notices an ad from an old camp friend, Mari. The ad stirs memories of the summer they spent together nearby as kids.
At the Haskells’ home, Henley’s mother, Emily, shows Kate her daughter’s drawings before Kate meets the child herself. Henley recoils at the sight of her, refusing to engage.
Seeking closure, Kate visits the site of their old camp but can’t make herself go in. Instead, she reconnects with Mari. Their reunion quickly turns tense as talk of Becca’s death resurfaces. Through Kate’s recollections, we see that Becca, once her best friend, was manipulative and cruel. Kate storms out, furious that Mari seems to have forgotten their shared guilt in Becca’s death.
Back at her Airbnb, Kate studies Henley’s drawings. One depicts a yellow house resembling Becca’s grandparents’ home; another shows an underwater graveyard, reminiscent of Fair Isle—the legendary island at the center of the “Gray Lady” ghost stories. The final drawing unsettles Kate so deeply that she decides to visit the lake again. There, she meets a kind stranger named Matt.
That night, Kate dreams of Becca, recalling how she, Becca, Mari, and Lennie once planned to visit Fair Isle to find the Gray Lady.
When Kate meets Henley again, the girl suddenly claims that her name used to be Becca.
A flashback shows the night young Kate and Becca saw the eerie, grinning face of the Gray Lady.
Disturbed, Kate visits Becca’s old house, then confronts Emily, who insists she never knew Becca. Emily adds that Henley has said she’s met Kate before—and that Kate was there the night she went to the graveyard and never came back.
Haunted, Kate researches Becca’s case online and contacts Becca’s mother, who confirms that many of Henley’s “memories” are frighteningly accurate.
Back at her Airbnb, Kate reads Emily’s notes and recalls the night she, Mari, and Lennie left Becca trapped and screaming.
The next day, Kate borrows an old camp yearbook from Mari and shows it to Henley. The girl recognizes herself as Becca and reveals she didn’t drown—Kate locked her in a dark place, and the Gray Lady took her.
In flashback, we see how Becca’s cruelty drove her friends to the breaking point.
Still skeptical, Kate suspects Mari has somehow planted the idea in Henley’s mind. She convinces Mari to meet at the old camp, where we find out what happened. Becca had bullied Mari into entering the mausoleum. Mari snapped and pushed Becca inside; Kate and Lennie locked the door. When they returned, Becca was dead. They put her body in a canoe and sank it in the lake. But her body was never found.
Later, Kate learns from Jenny Lin—another former camp counselor—that three canoes were missing from the boathouse that night, though the girls only used two. Meanwhile, she discovers Matt is actually a lieutenant who has reopened Becca’s case.
Kate visits Henley, who identifies who were there that night—Mari, Lennie, and Natalie, Becca’s enemy. Kate tracks down Natalie, who confesses she tried to scare the girls by posing as the Gray Lady. But Becca already knew and wanted to use Natalie to frighten her friends. Natalie never killed Becca; she only felt guilty, realizing she had been mistaken for the Gray Lady that night.
Kate consults Martin, a local historian, who connects the Gray Lady legend to past mysterious deaths on Fair Isle—including that of a boy whose body resembled Becca’s in death.
Soon after, Henley attacks a playmate, disturbing Emily, who cuts ties with Kate and the DOPS.
Kate’s memories resurface: the frantic search for Becca, the guilt, and Cameron—the camp boy who once comforted her. Investigating further, she discovers a link between Cameron and someone we’ll call “Fireball whiskey boy”.
When Kate confesses her involvement to Matt, he advises her not to leave the country. Back in Virginia, she consults a toxicologist friend, learning about sodium nitrate poisoning—a possible cause of Becca’s death.
Emily calls again: Henley has received a note reading, “Remember we had an agreement.” Meanwhile, the “Fireball whiskey boy” is identified as the real Cameron, proving the camp’s Cameron was an impostor.
Kate realizes Mari keeps a Becca shrine containing the same lighter described in the case. Visiting Mari’s house, she meets Mari’s son, who reveals he had babysat Henley and told her the Fair Isle story—explaining part of Henley’s knowledge.
Mari and Kate piece together the truth: the fake Cameron—actually Gregory Owens’ stepbrother Richie—killed the real Cameron, assumed his identity, and murdered Becca because she knew him and used it for leverage.
When Richie kidnaps Henley, Kate tracks them down. The confrontation ends in supernatural chaos: the Gray Lady appears, saving Kate and Henley—perhaps with Becca’s help.
My Vibe Check
* My emotional state while reading: 🥱🤔🍿🙄
* If this book were a snack, it'd be... a tofu burger posing as a hamburger.
The Good Stuff
1. Vivid descriptions. You can easily imagine the setting.
2. Mental disorders and resurrections are two of my favorite subjects. This book has both. It feels like a treat. 🍬
3. Ghost and mysterious deaths add more to the intrigue.
4. Camp nostalgia.
5. Struggling between the truth and self-preservation. 🩶 morally grey.
Things That Made Me Go Meh
1. This is just a personal preference, but I don’t like lush writing. I don’t like metaphors in prose. The first chapter irked me so much with its attention to the trees that I almost DNFed. It was so hard to settle into.
2. I feel like the delivery didn’t do the story enough justice. The story is very interesting, but the writing not so.
3. The walls of text are putting me off. I feel like only old books should be like this, since readers then had longer attention spans. I like my paragraphs digestible. And I can’t even adjust this on my Kindle to put spaces after paragraphs to give my eyes rest.
4. The camp girls remind me of Pretty Little Liars girls for some reason.
5. The Gray Lady aesthetic was giving Viola Lloyd (The Haunting of Bly Manor). Also, her tale/legend is somewhat lame.
6. A typo in Chapter 14. “Becca looked at her sideways”. Should’ve been Emily.
7. In the end, it’s just 40 chapters of whodunnit. And I’m pretty underwhelmed because the breadcrumbs weren’t breadcrumbing.
My Overall Thoughts
* Would I recommend this book? Well, I wouldn’t stop anyone from reading it. But I’m personally not obsessed, which is sad because I wanted to be.
* Who should read this? Whodunnit fans.
* My super-scientific rating: 3.5. Solid read, but I’m not obsessed.
—MAJOR SPOILERS START HERE.—
The Gist (or else I’ll forget)
The story opens with a flashback: fourteen-year-old Becca and thirteen-year-old Kate promise to be best friends forever.
Twenty-six years later, Kate—now a divorced psychologist and professor at the University of Virginia’s Division of Perceptual Studies—drives back to Massachusetts to interview a child named Henley, who claims to remember a past life.
On her way, Kate stops for coffee and notices an ad from an old camp friend, Mari. The ad stirs memories of the summer they spent together nearby as kids.
At the Haskells’ home, Henley’s mother, Emily, shows Kate her daughter’s drawings before Kate meets the child herself. Henley recoils at the sight of her, refusing to engage.
Seeking closure, Kate visits the site of their old camp but can’t make herself go in. Instead, she reconnects with Mari. Their reunion quickly turns tense as talk of Becca’s death resurfaces. Through Kate’s recollections, we see that Becca, once her best friend, was manipulative and cruel. Kate storms out, furious that Mari seems to have forgotten their shared guilt in Becca’s death.
Back at her Airbnb, Kate studies Henley’s drawings. One depicts a yellow house resembling Becca’s grandparents’ home; another shows an underwater graveyard, reminiscent of Fair Isle—the legendary island at the center of the “Gray Lady” ghost stories. The final drawing unsettles Kate so deeply that she decides to visit the lake again. There, she meets a kind stranger named Matt.
That night, Kate dreams of Becca, recalling how she, Becca, Mari, and Lennie once planned to visit Fair Isle to find the Gray Lady.
When Kate meets Henley again, the girl suddenly claims that her name used to be Becca.
A flashback shows the night young Kate and Becca saw the eerie, grinning face of the Gray Lady.
Disturbed, Kate visits Becca’s old house, then confronts Emily, who insists she never knew Becca. Emily adds that Henley has said she’s met Kate before—and that Kate was there the night she went to the graveyard and never came back.
Haunted, Kate researches Becca’s case online and contacts Becca’s mother, who confirms that many of Henley’s “memories” are frighteningly accurate.
Back at her Airbnb, Kate reads Emily’s notes and recalls the night she, Mari, and Lennie left Becca trapped and screaming.
The next day, Kate borrows an old camp yearbook from Mari and shows it to Henley. The girl recognizes herself as Becca and reveals she didn’t drown—Kate locked her in a dark place, and the Gray Lady took her.
In flashback, we see how Becca’s cruelty drove her friends to the breaking point.
Still skeptical, Kate suspects Mari has somehow planted the idea in Henley’s mind. She convinces Mari to meet at the old camp, where we find out what happened. Becca had bullied Mari into entering the mausoleum. Mari snapped and pushed Becca inside; Kate and Lennie locked the door. When they returned, Becca was dead. They put her body in a canoe and sank it in the lake. But her body was never found.
Later, Kate learns from Jenny Lin—another former camp counselor—that three canoes were missing from the boathouse that night, though the girls only used two. Meanwhile, she discovers Matt is actually a lieutenant who has reopened Becca’s case.
Kate visits Henley, who identifies who were there that night—Mari, Lennie, and Natalie, Becca’s enemy. Kate tracks down Natalie, who confesses she tried to scare the girls by posing as the Gray Lady. But Becca already knew and wanted to use Natalie to frighten her friends. Natalie never killed Becca; she only felt guilty, realizing she had been mistaken for the Gray Lady that night.
Kate consults Martin, a local historian, who connects the Gray Lady legend to past mysterious deaths on Fair Isle—including that of a boy whose body resembled Becca’s in death.
Soon after, Henley attacks a playmate, disturbing Emily, who cuts ties with Kate and the DOPS.
Kate’s memories resurface: the frantic search for Becca, the guilt, and Cameron—the camp boy who once comforted her. Investigating further, she discovers a link between Cameron and someone we’ll call “Fireball whiskey boy”.
When Kate confesses her involvement to Matt, he advises her not to leave the country. Back in Virginia, she consults a toxicologist friend, learning about sodium nitrate poisoning—a possible cause of Becca’s death.
Emily calls again: Henley has received a note reading, “Remember we had an agreement.” Meanwhile, the “Fireball whiskey boy” is identified as the real Cameron, proving the camp’s Cameron was an impostor.
Kate realizes Mari keeps a Becca shrine containing the same lighter described in the case. Visiting Mari’s house, she meets Mari’s son, who reveals he had babysat Henley and told her the Fair Isle story—explaining part of Henley’s knowledge.
Mari and Kate piece together the truth: the fake Cameron—actually Gregory Owens’ stepbrother Richie—killed the real Cameron, assumed his identity, and murdered Becca because she knew him and used it for leverage.
When Richie kidnaps Henley, Kate tracks them down. The confrontation ends in supernatural chaos: the Gray Lady appears, saving Kate and Henley—perhaps with Becca’s help.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2026
Ooo I loved this one! Easy book to read but also not a predictable mystery, had me wondering what happens next!
May 31, 2026
Kate is back in Maine.
26 years ago she spent her summer in a camp there - for the last time - at 14 years old. Becca - one of her best camp friends disappeared that year.
Kate became a psychiatrist and she's now being called in for a case close to the old camp.
A little girl seems to remember a life she lived before. And the more Kate talks to six year old Henley and the more research she does about the old camp case... could Henley be talking about Becca? Kate doesn't believe in 'those kinds of things'. What is happening? READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!
I really enjoyed reading this. I'm just like Kate - I do not believe in anything supernatural.
This was a really great suspensy mystery with a great mood. Kind of sad and heartbreaking.
What should be amazing memories of childhood summers spent at that camp are forever bad memories now for Kate. And now she's back and it all connects back to that last summer. But how?
I loved reading it.
And I can already see the TV show! Gimme!
Can't wait to see what will happen in book #2 - Kate already got a phone call from a lawyer for a new case!
If you can't click the buy-links
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November 26, 2025
The setting of the lake and camp was very chilling. The ghost of the lake was also scary and I like how well it mixed in with Becca’s situation. I really enjoyed the constant POV switch between past and present.
Even though the past life story line was what drew me in I was skeptical of Henley’s portrayal of her supposed past life. I had predicted the outcome of the situation with Henley early on in the story but it was still so interesting to see Kate trying to fix a mistake she deeply regrets. It gets emotional during the moments of Kate’s grief. The lack of police help made me believe that this story was heading in a different direction. The culprit of who was killed Becca was also predictable.
I disliked how some things were over explained. Especially the things that didn’t need an explanation for. Still liked the story though!
I loved this authors other book Before I Fall.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Even though the past life story line was what drew me in I was skeptical of Henley’s portrayal of her supposed past life. I had predicted the outcome of the situation with Henley early on in the story but it was still so interesting to see Kate trying to fix a mistake she deeply regrets. It gets emotional during the moments of Kate’s grief. The lack of police help made me believe that this story was heading in a different direction. The culprit of who was killed Becca was also predictable.
I disliked how some things were over explained. Especially the things that didn’t need an explanation for. Still liked the story though!
I loved this authors other book Before I Fall.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Want to Read
September 14, 2025The synopsis gave me chills & if Lauren Oliver is pouring, I am bringing my biggest mug
April 4, 2026
Unbelievable!!!!!!!!! I cannot sing enough praises for this book. Lauren Oliver’s young adult reads have stuck with me for over a DECADE in how strong their impact was, so I absolutely jumped at the opportunity to be an advanced reader for The Girl in the Lake. With how spectacular this read was, I can only guess that she’s going to become a favorite author of mine as I dive deeper into her back catalogue. Absolutely everything about this read soars from the chilling, atmospheric, and too real environment of the old summer camp by the lake, to the LIMITLESS cast of characters keeping readers absolutely engrossed and on the edge of their seats. Truly, this cast and community were so spectacularly woven and intricately painted that each new introduction opened a whole new world of possibilities. Never once did it become obvious what would happen next, repetitive, or less thrilling as you make your way through this tangled web of connections. This was truly such a joy to read, and I’ll be first on the next release in the series. This will be a HEAVY summer recommend for me, and I can’t wait to share Oliver’s work with my library community, both young and old.
November 1, 2025
⭐️3.0 🌶️0.0
✨Thank you to NetGalley and Lauren’s team for this ARC✨
Ok so this book was definitely out of my comfort zone. I’m not a big fan of the narrative style but I was HOOKED. There were so many twists and turns - I couldn’t figure out how the story would end. Some parts didn’t feel right to me, like I’m still kind of confused on Mari’s whole deal.
All in all, I’m glad I was approved for this ARC. It was a great read for a cold raining week. I would recommend this to anyone who is wanting to get into the mystery genre.
✨Thank you to NetGalley and Lauren’s team for this ARC✨
Ok so this book was definitely out of my comfort zone. I’m not a big fan of the narrative style but I was HOOKED. There were so many twists and turns - I couldn’t figure out how the story would end. Some parts didn’t feel right to me, like I’m still kind of confused on Mari’s whole deal.
All in all, I’m glad I was approved for this ARC. It was a great read for a cold raining week. I would recommend this to anyone who is wanting to get into the mystery genre.
October 8, 2025
4.25
setting: Massachusetts
Rep: n/a
This was a really solid mystery and a great start to a new series. I love this kind of setup, where the protagonist isn't in law enforcement but part of a relevant field that helps them solve a mystery - in this case, Kate works for a university's department of unexplained phenomena, dealing with children who claim to be reincarnated. the story kept me engaged and I enjoyed the multiple mysteries aspect, and I will certainly continue this series!
setting: Massachusetts
Rep: n/a
This was a really solid mystery and a great start to a new series. I love this kind of setup, where the protagonist isn't in law enforcement but part of a relevant field that helps them solve a mystery - in this case, Kate works for a university's department of unexplained phenomena, dealing with children who claim to be reincarnated. the story kept me engaged and I enjoyed the multiple mysteries aspect, and I will certainly continue this series!
March 4, 2026
I really loved this twisty, atmospheric mystery that constantly had me questioning whether the ghost was real, a ruse, or something in between. Really loved the back-and-forth perspectives between the present and the past, and although all the clues were cleverly laid out, the ending still managed to surprise me. Very much a "just one more chapter" book that keeps the pages turning until all of a sudden it's two in the morning and you've accidentally finished the whole thing.
October 20, 2025
A tense thriller with an explosive ending. One of the fastest page turners as you are desperate to find out what will happen next. I love books with quirky characters and this has plenty. Add to that long buried secrets and you have the perfect mix. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2026
This was really promising at first. Eerie legend, mysteries death, possibly reincarnation. But it quickly became so repetitive. We would be told what happened at camp and then have a chapter from the past rehashing what we were already told. It should have been one or the other. By 60% I just kept thinking "get on with it already!"
It was interesting how it all connected and would have been more exciting if it was tightened up and not so repetitive
It was interesting how it all connected and would have been more exciting if it was tightened up and not so repetitive
May 13, 2026
This book was intriguing, and I liked the constant struggle between what Kate believed professionally and what she was experiencing. The Henley character was wonderful. I generally enjoyed the long flashback chapters, though they did add to the somewhat ponderous quality of the book. It seemed even longer than it was, and it moved slowly. The ending was an interesting surprise, with a nice twist I didn’t see coming and the final action was exciting and well paced.
May 26, 2026
doesn't anybody proofread a book before publishing it?
Hard to believe this is from a best selling author. So many inconsistencies throughout the book that I almost didn't bother to finish it. A boathouse lock is a padlock in one chapter and then combination lock in another. Part of the book takes place on an island in the middle of a lake that contains a mausoleum, graveyard, and the remains of a building that was once a large home or sanitarium. There's also discussion of getting lost in the woods on the island. Kind of funny considering that in the beginning of the book it said that the island is only 2 acres.
The heroine ends up, going out to the island alone and in the rain without a weapon and doesn't even bother to let the POLICE know where she is going. Totally unbelievable. This whole book sounds like it was written using ChatGPT.
Hard to believe this is from a best selling author. So many inconsistencies throughout the book that I almost didn't bother to finish it. A boathouse lock is a padlock in one chapter and then combination lock in another. Part of the book takes place on an island in the middle of a lake that contains a mausoleum, graveyard, and the remains of a building that was once a large home or sanitarium. There's also discussion of getting lost in the woods on the island. Kind of funny considering that in the beginning of the book it said that the island is only 2 acres.
The heroine ends up, going out to the island alone and in the rain without a weapon and doesn't even bother to let the POLICE know where she is going. Totally unbelievable. This whole book sounds like it was written using ChatGPT.
April 27, 2026
Grateful to @netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the e-ARC of “The Girl in the Lake” by Lauren Oliver.
I don’t usually drift toward the otherworldly—I like my stories grounded, explainable—but this one pulled me under.
A now-abandoned summer camp. A long-buried mystery. The fragile, feral edges of girlhood. And a child who remembers a life they shouldn’t.
I devoured it.
Fast-paced and quietly haunting, with an ending that lingers in that delicious space between answers and questions—and somehow, it works. Even better, there’s a final tug on the line that reels you straight into the next book… and I’m already hooked.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Out June 1, 2026—add this one to your TBR!
I don’t usually drift toward the otherworldly—I like my stories grounded, explainable—but this one pulled me under.
A now-abandoned summer camp. A long-buried mystery. The fragile, feral edges of girlhood. And a child who remembers a life they shouldn’t.
I devoured it.
Fast-paced and quietly haunting, with an ending that lingers in that delicious space between answers and questions—and somehow, it works. Even better, there’s a final tug on the line that reels you straight into the next book… and I’m already hooked.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Out June 1, 2026—add this one to your TBR!
May 23, 2026
Wow! That was intense. You’re questioning if paranormal is real the whole time in this. So many twist and turns as Kate is delving into her past.
May 31, 2026
This is book one of a new series for this new to me author. This book had me hooked by the premise and the pages just kept turning. When I wasn’t reading the book I was actively thinking about reading the book. The ending was not what I expected but at the same time everything that I expected as it will be a series of books. So I’m excited for the next one to come out and see where we go from here. I love that this book represented so many mental illnesses and the causes and effects of what happens to people. Check your trigger warnings. But that being said I throughly enjoyed this book and would recommend to all my thriller friends.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The cover of this book immediately drew me in, and I didn’t realize it was part of a series until after I started reading. I’m genuinely excited for the sequel because I found this story captivating.
A young girl claiming past-life memories entangles psychologist Kate Willis in a decades-old mystery in Lauren Oliver's suspenseful novel. Kate, working with the University of Virginia's Division of Perceptual Studies, interviews six-year-old Henley Haskell about her recollections, which eerily mirror the disappearance of Kate's childhood friend, Becca McGuire, twenty-four years prior. As Henley's nightmares and drawings reveal unsettling truths, Kate confronts long-buried secrets from that tragic summer, leading her closer to uncovering what truly happened to Becca.
The book begins with intriguing facts about past life memories in children—a concept I’ve come across in a few other titles. It’s fascinating to delve into this phenomenon, which, while not fully explored, feels quite plausible. The narrative unfolds along two timelines: one set in the past and the other in the present, allowing us to fully grasp each character's motivations and the driving force behind the story. We follow Kate and Becca as children, and now Kate is uncovering new memories tied to a current case she’s investigating. Her task is to analyze Henley’s memories to determine whether the child might be being manipulated. As the plot thickens, Kate reconnects with her roots and old friends, raising the question: what could possibly go wrong?
Reincarnation stories and well-crafted paranormal mysteries are hard to resist. The atmosphere was so vividly described that I could picture days on the lake and the moments the girls spent at camp. It felt dark, secluded, and hauntingly real, sending chills down my spine! The legend of the Gray Lady is a tale that I can imagine was shared around a campfire but experiencing it firsthand through the story added a perfect touch. Everything came together seamlessly, showcasing the author’s fantastic writing style, and as a newcomer to her work, I was truly impressed.
This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys stories where the past resurfaces, filled with complex emotions between friends, the thrill of solving a mystery with a paranormal twist, and the exploration of unresolved child grief and trauma. It was all tastefully done, keeping me glued to the pages so much that I found myself looking up a few facts on the phenomena mentioned—because why not? I love reading books that spark an urge to learn more and inspire me to conduct a little research of my own. This dark, atmospheric, and suspenseful slow-burn mystery has left me eagerly anticipating the sequel. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to dive back into my research to keep up! Ha!
Thank you, Thomas & Mercer (Amazon Publishing) and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A young girl claiming past-life memories entangles psychologist Kate Willis in a decades-old mystery in Lauren Oliver's suspenseful novel. Kate, working with the University of Virginia's Division of Perceptual Studies, interviews six-year-old Henley Haskell about her recollections, which eerily mirror the disappearance of Kate's childhood friend, Becca McGuire, twenty-four years prior. As Henley's nightmares and drawings reveal unsettling truths, Kate confronts long-buried secrets from that tragic summer, leading her closer to uncovering what truly happened to Becca.
The book begins with intriguing facts about past life memories in children—a concept I’ve come across in a few other titles. It’s fascinating to delve into this phenomenon, which, while not fully explored, feels quite plausible. The narrative unfolds along two timelines: one set in the past and the other in the present, allowing us to fully grasp each character's motivations and the driving force behind the story. We follow Kate and Becca as children, and now Kate is uncovering new memories tied to a current case she’s investigating. Her task is to analyze Henley’s memories to determine whether the child might be being manipulated. As the plot thickens, Kate reconnects with her roots and old friends, raising the question: what could possibly go wrong?
Reincarnation stories and well-crafted paranormal mysteries are hard to resist. The atmosphere was so vividly described that I could picture days on the lake and the moments the girls spent at camp. It felt dark, secluded, and hauntingly real, sending chills down my spine! The legend of the Gray Lady is a tale that I can imagine was shared around a campfire but experiencing it firsthand through the story added a perfect touch. Everything came together seamlessly, showcasing the author’s fantastic writing style, and as a newcomer to her work, I was truly impressed.
This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys stories where the past resurfaces, filled with complex emotions between friends, the thrill of solving a mystery with a paranormal twist, and the exploration of unresolved child grief and trauma. It was all tastefully done, keeping me glued to the pages so much that I found myself looking up a few facts on the phenomena mentioned—because why not? I love reading books that spark an urge to learn more and inspire me to conduct a little research of my own. This dark, atmospheric, and suspenseful slow-burn mystery has left me eagerly anticipating the sequel. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to dive back into my research to keep up! Ha!
Thank you, Thomas & Mercer (Amazon Publishing) and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 24, 2026
Thank you to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. This opinions expressed here are my own.
Lauren Oliver has long been a favorite author of mine. Her Delirium trilogy was one that truly had me immersed in how well she could build out her world. I was anxious to see where she would take a more adult book with paranormal type themes and I was not disappointed at all.
Kate Willis a psychologist who helps investigate an interesting phenomenon: children who claim to have past life connections. Her job is to sus out if these children are being coaxed for nefarious reasons or if they truly are experiencing things through lives already lived. But she doesn't truly believe this phenomenon happens. When she takes a job in a town set right where she grew up going to camp, she is thrown back into a harrowing experience she had 26 years ago when her best camp friend, Becca, vanished. To Kate's surprise, Henley, the young girl who is currently experiencing this phenomena, is experiencing connections that are Becca's. Kate is determined to figure out if Henley's expriences are true, and if they are, can it help her solve the mystery of what happened to Becca?
Lauren Oliver has always easily pulled me in with her writing and this book was no exception. Right from the start I was invested in the story with the introduction by the author which talks about the psychological phenomenon experienced in the book and how it is something that scientists actually explore. I truly love the supernatural and occult so I couldn't wait to see how Oliver wove the story. I think what I liked most about this story was how well Oliver researched the topic. Throughout the book, Oliver inserts information about cases but also about psychology and how it's science is important in studying different human events.
Kate is a very well thought out character. I loved that she is flawed. She holds secrets from her past which definitely create a bias in how she studies her cases. She also has past experiences that may have clouded how she experienced life. And she's older, almost 40, which makes her life experiences so much more beliveable. She was easily relatable and felt truly real on the page.
The side characters lend well to the story. There are some odd interactions between Kate and a few of the characters. Ones that make you wonder what the true shared experience between them is. I would have liked to see more background from the relationship between Kate and her ex, Steve. I think it would have given her character a bit more depth to truly understand how their relationship ultimately ended and why. We never really get information on this. I also would have liked a bit more background on Kate's family. We get a bit of it but nothing that truly let's us know about her growing up and how that may have shaped who she is.
The book touches on alcoholism. I think Oliver did a pretty good job with this. Flashbacks may have given this topic a deeper meaning for the character, in my opinion.
The plot was fast paced. I found myself invested from the get go. I needed to know about the mystery, how things played out, who the characters were that were involved. Oliver did a good job of keeping the mystery under wraps until the end. I had an inkling at some points of what may have happened and who may have been involved, but not enough to cinch it for me until the end. Oliver did a good job of keeping you guessing throughout the story. I liked that Oliver chose to give us background on Becca's disappearance through flashbacks to camp days. Having attended sleep away camp myself, I can say Oliver truly captured the atmosphere of what it's like to bunk with a group of girls your own age and have those camp experiences. Plus, the flashbacks gave us a chance to get to know Becca, and Kate's other camp friends. while building the tension needed to create the mystery. The lake setting absolutely had a Friday The 13th vibe to it. Oliver easily made the lake and the island connected to the mystery something that is haunting. Just like that movie, the lake/camp are almost a character on their own.
I'm excited to see this will be a series. It's rare for me to find a mystery/thriller series that would keep my attention and I think Oliver will be able to pull this off. This one is very character driven and touches on a few triggers people might want to check into prior to reading it.
Lauren Oliver has long been a favorite author of mine. Her Delirium trilogy was one that truly had me immersed in how well she could build out her world. I was anxious to see where she would take a more adult book with paranormal type themes and I was not disappointed at all.
Kate Willis a psychologist who helps investigate an interesting phenomenon: children who claim to have past life connections. Her job is to sus out if these children are being coaxed for nefarious reasons or if they truly are experiencing things through lives already lived. But she doesn't truly believe this phenomenon happens. When she takes a job in a town set right where she grew up going to camp, she is thrown back into a harrowing experience she had 26 years ago when her best camp friend, Becca, vanished. To Kate's surprise, Henley, the young girl who is currently experiencing this phenomena, is experiencing connections that are Becca's. Kate is determined to figure out if Henley's expriences are true, and if they are, can it help her solve the mystery of what happened to Becca?
Lauren Oliver has always easily pulled me in with her writing and this book was no exception. Right from the start I was invested in the story with the introduction by the author which talks about the psychological phenomenon experienced in the book and how it is something that scientists actually explore. I truly love the supernatural and occult so I couldn't wait to see how Oliver wove the story. I think what I liked most about this story was how well Oliver researched the topic. Throughout the book, Oliver inserts information about cases but also about psychology and how it's science is important in studying different human events.
Kate is a very well thought out character. I loved that she is flawed. She holds secrets from her past which definitely create a bias in how she studies her cases. She also has past experiences that may have clouded how she experienced life. And she's older, almost 40, which makes her life experiences so much more beliveable. She was easily relatable and felt truly real on the page.
The side characters lend well to the story. There are some odd interactions between Kate and a few of the characters. Ones that make you wonder what the true shared experience between them is. I would have liked to see more background from the relationship between Kate and her ex, Steve. I think it would have given her character a bit more depth to truly understand how their relationship ultimately ended and why. We never really get information on this. I also would have liked a bit more background on Kate's family. We get a bit of it but nothing that truly let's us know about her growing up and how that may have shaped who she is.
The book touches on alcoholism. I think Oliver did a pretty good job with this. Flashbacks may have given this topic a deeper meaning for the character, in my opinion.
The plot was fast paced. I found myself invested from the get go. I needed to know about the mystery, how things played out, who the characters were that were involved. Oliver did a good job of keeping the mystery under wraps until the end. I had an inkling at some points of what may have happened and who may have been involved, but not enough to cinch it for me until the end. Oliver did a good job of keeping you guessing throughout the story. I liked that Oliver chose to give us background on Becca's disappearance through flashbacks to camp days. Having attended sleep away camp myself, I can say Oliver truly captured the atmosphere of what it's like to bunk with a group of girls your own age and have those camp experiences. Plus, the flashbacks gave us a chance to get to know Becca, and Kate's other camp friends. while building the tension needed to create the mystery. The lake setting absolutely had a Friday The 13th vibe to it. Oliver easily made the lake and the island connected to the mystery something that is haunting. Just like that movie, the lake/camp are almost a character on their own.
I'm excited to see this will be a series. It's rare for me to find a mystery/thriller series that would keep my attention and I think Oliver will be able to pull this off. This one is very character driven and touches on a few triggers people might want to check into prior to reading it.
October 12, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Lauren Oliver dives into the murky waters of memory, guilt, and the unexplained in “The Girl in the Lake,” the first installment in her new Department of Unexplained Phenomena series. Combining psychological suspense with a touch of the supernatural, this story is an eerie, thought-provoking exploration of what happens when science and the paranormal collide. There isn’t a cliffhanger at the end, though Oliver leaves the book open for the next unexplained phenomena case.
The story follows Dr. Kate Willis, a clinical psychologist known for investigating supposed cases of reincarnation and other “paranormal” claims only to expose them as hoaxes or misunderstandings. But her newest case hits too close to home. Six-year-old Henley, a bright and strangely mature little girl, insists she remembers a past life — one belonging to Becca, Kate’s best friend who vanished and was presumed dead when they were both fourteen.
At first, Kate is certain there’s a rational explanation, perhaps manipulation, false memories, or attention-seeking behavior. But as the investigation unfolds, the details Henley knows are impossible to dismiss. How could a child know secrets about a camp that closed decades ago? Or recall the final night Kate last saw Becca alive?
Oliver structures the story in dual timelines, alternating between Kate’s present-day investigation and flashbacks to that fateful summer at camp. Through these glimpses into the past, Becca’s true nature and the circumstances of her death slowly surface, revealing that her disappearance was far more complicated, and much darker than Kate ever imagined.
Kate’s character is compelling, if at times frustrating. A brilliant but emotionally closed-off scientist, she struggles with alcoholism, guilt, and a growing obsession with the case. Her skepticism begins to unravel as she confronts her own buried trauma and the possibility that not every mystery can be explained away. Though she did feel a cold and distant at times, her flaws make her feel real as she is a woman shaped by regret, fear, and the need for redemption.
The pacing is tight and the mystery absorbing, filled with subtle clues, psychological tension, and a few unexpected twists that keep you guessing. The mystery is well-developed and has several layers that are unpredictable but incredibly engaging as the plot becomes more complex. Oliver strikes a good balance between science and the supernatural: while the story’s premise leans into reincarnation and ghostly echoes, the tone remains grounded, always tethered to the psychological and emotional reality of her characters.
The ending is satisfying and action-filled, and it resolves a bit neatly given the complexity of the setup. The final revelations about Becca’s fate and Kate’s role in it are both haunting and cathartic, setting up future cases for the series.
Overall, “The Girl in the Lake” is a smart, atmospheric examination of science and the supernatural; it’s a mystery that’s as much about guilt and memory as it is about ghosts. Fans of psychological thrillers with a speculative edge will find themselves hooked. Lauren Oliver’s transition into adult mystery fiction feels seamless, and Kate Willis is a protagonist worth following into whatever strange case comes next.
Lauren Oliver dives into the murky waters of memory, guilt, and the unexplained in “The Girl in the Lake,” the first installment in her new Department of Unexplained Phenomena series. Combining psychological suspense with a touch of the supernatural, this story is an eerie, thought-provoking exploration of what happens when science and the paranormal collide. There isn’t a cliffhanger at the end, though Oliver leaves the book open for the next unexplained phenomena case.
The story follows Dr. Kate Willis, a clinical psychologist known for investigating supposed cases of reincarnation and other “paranormal” claims only to expose them as hoaxes or misunderstandings. But her newest case hits too close to home. Six-year-old Henley, a bright and strangely mature little girl, insists she remembers a past life — one belonging to Becca, Kate’s best friend who vanished and was presumed dead when they were both fourteen.
At first, Kate is certain there’s a rational explanation, perhaps manipulation, false memories, or attention-seeking behavior. But as the investigation unfolds, the details Henley knows are impossible to dismiss. How could a child know secrets about a camp that closed decades ago? Or recall the final night Kate last saw Becca alive?
Oliver structures the story in dual timelines, alternating between Kate’s present-day investigation and flashbacks to that fateful summer at camp. Through these glimpses into the past, Becca’s true nature and the circumstances of her death slowly surface, revealing that her disappearance was far more complicated, and much darker than Kate ever imagined.
Kate’s character is compelling, if at times frustrating. A brilliant but emotionally closed-off scientist, she struggles with alcoholism, guilt, and a growing obsession with the case. Her skepticism begins to unravel as she confronts her own buried trauma and the possibility that not every mystery can be explained away. Though she did feel a cold and distant at times, her flaws make her feel real as she is a woman shaped by regret, fear, and the need for redemption.
The pacing is tight and the mystery absorbing, filled with subtle clues, psychological tension, and a few unexpected twists that keep you guessing. The mystery is well-developed and has several layers that are unpredictable but incredibly engaging as the plot becomes more complex. Oliver strikes a good balance between science and the supernatural: while the story’s premise leans into reincarnation and ghostly echoes, the tone remains grounded, always tethered to the psychological and emotional reality of her characters.
The ending is satisfying and action-filled, and it resolves a bit neatly given the complexity of the setup. The final revelations about Becca’s fate and Kate’s role in it are both haunting and cathartic, setting up future cases for the series.
Overall, “The Girl in the Lake” is a smart, atmospheric examination of science and the supernatural; it’s a mystery that’s as much about guilt and memory as it is about ghosts. Fans of psychological thrillers with a speculative edge will find themselves hooked. Lauren Oliver’s transition into adult mystery fiction feels seamless, and Kate Willis is a protagonist worth following into whatever strange case comes next.
October 10, 2025
I wanted to love this book and, on paper, it had everything that I do enjoy: an author whose work I appreciated (Oliver's "Delirium" young adult series is one of my favorites and I was so curious about her venture into thriller), a solid intrigue and a writing style that makes it a page-turner, and a competent 40=year old female protagonist with a Ph.D. in psychology.
Kate investigates unexplained psychological phenomena from a standpoint of a rationalist and usually refutes the explanations that her patients or society consider "paranormal": for example, in her past she had discovered that some parents manipulated their own children to recall their "past lives." At the beginning of the book, Kate takes a case of a 6-year old girl Henley who claims to have memories of her "past life." However, Henley's mother seems loving, there seems that nobody had a reasonable opportunity or cause to feed the girl false information/memories, and... Henley claims to be Becca, Kate's friend who mysteriously vanished when they were both fourteen and at the summer camp. The plot is interwoven with flashbacks from the camp which add a nice mystery vibe, include interesting lore pieces/ghost story, and are entertaning to read since Oliver's YA background shines here and she captures teenage personalities wonderfully. Unfortunately, adult characters and Henley herself fall flat in comparison: Kate seemed more like a series of tropes (a formerly alcoholic investigator...?) than a realy character, the supporting cast lacked chemistry, and reading about a six-year old with supposed memories of a fourteen-year old was somehow both creepy and not creepy enough (like, it could be taken to a next level to truly shine and right now it was just uncomfortable). Moreover, I found it hard to care about both Kate and Becca's disappeareance: Becca is an unsympethetic character (which I appreciated and could get over, teenage girls can be mean and her causes for rebellion and cruelty against her friends were explained) but so is Kate (with her obsession to solve the past case and lack of empathy towards Henley and her family). I also grew annoyed by the portrayal of Kate's supposed competence: she has a PhD and other degrees and had written numerous books, but somehow psychological phenomena are explained to her by her own grad student and she's sent on missions by her supervisor? I feel like she deserves more agency in her field! What's worse, while the action was engaging at the beginning, it started to drag in the middle and the ending felt a bit rushed.
This seems to be a start of the series and while psychological phenomena that are described in the book (and will presumably be further explored in the series) are informative and interesting, the way they're explained to the reader is a little bit heavy-handed.
Thank you NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Kate investigates unexplained psychological phenomena from a standpoint of a rationalist and usually refutes the explanations that her patients or society consider "paranormal": for example, in her past she had discovered that some parents manipulated their own children to recall their "past lives." At the beginning of the book, Kate takes a case of a 6-year old girl Henley who claims to have memories of her "past life." However, Henley's mother seems loving, there seems that nobody had a reasonable opportunity or cause to feed the girl false information/memories, and... Henley claims to be Becca, Kate's friend who mysteriously vanished when they were both fourteen and at the summer camp. The plot is interwoven with flashbacks from the camp which add a nice mystery vibe, include interesting lore pieces/ghost story, and are entertaning to read since Oliver's YA background shines here and she captures teenage personalities wonderfully. Unfortunately, adult characters and Henley herself fall flat in comparison: Kate seemed more like a series of tropes (a formerly alcoholic investigator...?) than a realy character, the supporting cast lacked chemistry, and reading about a six-year old with supposed memories of a fourteen-year old was somehow both creepy and not creepy enough (like, it could be taken to a next level to truly shine and right now it was just uncomfortable). Moreover, I found it hard to care about both Kate and Becca's disappeareance: Becca is an unsympethetic character (which I appreciated and could get over, teenage girls can be mean and her causes for rebellion and cruelty against her friends were explained) but so is Kate (with her obsession to solve the past case and lack of empathy towards Henley and her family). I also grew annoyed by the portrayal of Kate's supposed competence: she has a PhD and other degrees and had written numerous books, but somehow psychological phenomena are explained to her by her own grad student and she's sent on missions by her supervisor? I feel like she deserves more agency in her field! What's worse, while the action was engaging at the beginning, it started to drag in the middle and the ending felt a bit rushed.
This seems to be a start of the series and while psychological phenomena that are described in the book (and will presumably be further explored in the series) are informative and interesting, the way they're explained to the reader is a little bit heavy-handed.
Thank you NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Read
May 17, 2026Lauren Oliver's The Girl in the Lake is an engrossing read. Oliver's latest book is a return to form after the problematic What Happened to Lucy Vale missed the mark. This reviewer tackled What Happened to Lucy Vale previously.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Girl in the Lake's strength is the character's richness, adding to a layered story. However, this adds the quirk of the supporting cast becoming more intriguing than Kate Willis, the protagonist. Despite the first appearances, Kate taking a sideline seat is why The Girl in the Lake avoids a snail's pace opening and middle acts.
Oliver brilliantly weaves together Kate's role in two mysteries without the story getting bogged down. Flashback scenes also serve to fill in the background details. The reader is plunged into the story from the outset. Kate isn't just a cold-hearted mental health specialist. Oliver brings her to life, having her go through a rough patch in her personal life.
Oliver masterfully blends ghosts/haunting memories with the possibility of the supernatural. Her divide between scary and deeply mental health issues and the unexplainable is well defined. The focus on Henley, the toddler, is built on exploring past lives and not assumed identities.
This reviewer makes that distinction for the reader who knows someone who has Dissociative Identity Disorder. If those readers are still emotionally raw from their experiences dealing with someone with that disorder, it might colour their view of The Girl in the Lake.
Otherwise, despite the past lives focus, this reviewer, was reminded of Anna Anderson, the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna imposter. Oliver's writing style is spot on when it evokes such a thought.
Is The Girl in the Lake a creepy read? The answer to that question will depend upon several factors. The first is: do the reader's real-life experiences with ghosts, mental health issues, and weird occurrences make them more in tune with the story? This reviewer found Mari's life overcome by a shared haunting past with Kate, a part that is disturbing and compelling.
Ultimately, the reader's verdict on The Girl in the Lake's neat-and-tidy ending also affects the answer to that question. A more ambiguous ending, with unanswered questions, would have left this reviewer with a deeply seated creepy vibe. However, this reviewer accepts that he is likely in a minority regarding The Girl in the Lake's ending.
The Girl in the Lake is a must- read mystery with creepy undertones. Who hasn't been haunted at some point in their lives? If the only line between past ghosts, lives and bizarre occurrences was so clean in real life...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Girl in the Lake's strength is the character's richness, adding to a layered story. However, this adds the quirk of the supporting cast becoming more intriguing than Kate Willis, the protagonist. Despite the first appearances, Kate taking a sideline seat is why The Girl in the Lake avoids a snail's pace opening and middle acts.
Oliver brilliantly weaves together Kate's role in two mysteries without the story getting bogged down. Flashback scenes also serve to fill in the background details. The reader is plunged into the story from the outset. Kate isn't just a cold-hearted mental health specialist. Oliver brings her to life, having her go through a rough patch in her personal life.
Oliver masterfully blends ghosts/haunting memories with the possibility of the supernatural. Her divide between scary and deeply mental health issues and the unexplainable is well defined. The focus on Henley, the toddler, is built on exploring past lives and not assumed identities.
This reviewer makes that distinction for the reader who knows someone who has Dissociative Identity Disorder. If those readers are still emotionally raw from their experiences dealing with someone with that disorder, it might colour their view of The Girl in the Lake.
Otherwise, despite the past lives focus, this reviewer, was reminded of Anna Anderson, the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna imposter. Oliver's writing style is spot on when it evokes such a thought.
Is The Girl in the Lake a creepy read? The answer to that question will depend upon several factors. The first is: do the reader's real-life experiences with ghosts, mental health issues, and weird occurrences make them more in tune with the story? This reviewer found Mari's life overcome by a shared haunting past with Kate, a part that is disturbing and compelling.
Ultimately, the reader's verdict on The Girl in the Lake's neat-and-tidy ending also affects the answer to that question. A more ambiguous ending, with unanswered questions, would have left this reviewer with a deeply seated creepy vibe. However, this reviewer accepts that he is likely in a minority regarding The Girl in the Lake's ending.
The Girl in the Lake is a must- read mystery with creepy undertones. Who hasn't been haunted at some point in their lives? If the only line between past ghosts, lives and bizarre occurrences was so clean in real life...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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May 11, 2026Review: THE GIRL IN THE LAKE. Release June 1 2026
After an initial hiatus, I found this novel quite enjoyable, and I am anticipating the next in the Series . I liked the unraveling of the Mysteries, both of the actual unexpressed events of 26 years ago at the summer camp, and the puzzling out of whether young Henley actually expressed Past-Life Recall, or whether as a very young toddler her mind had been programmed, intentionally or not, by those around her. I also appreciated how deeply into Character author Lauren Oliver is willing to go; although I think that in certain instances the story veered away before going quite deep enough (and without Spoilering, these instances all revolved around a certain individual, not the MC, but pivotal). I thought there were deeper, more culturally fundamental issues that should have been consequently rung on here. So my concern and rebuke here is sociological.
The one Character I had not been able to grapple with was unfortunately the MC. I don't like her, I'm not going to like her--even though she is the Series Lead. She is crippled by guilt from the events of 26 years earlier just as much in their own way as her compatriots from that era (I don't like them either) and although she devoted herself to Science and to Academia in order to surpass this guilt and grief, there is no mention of her having sought therapeutic intervention, or in anyway trying to work through the issues other than "stuffing down" her emotions. Consequently: failed relationships, lapsed friendships, and a skepticism which I found over-the-top, almost a closed-minded refusal to allow other viewpoints, an "I'm always right and anything else is wrong" conviction.
Addendum: This slots into the Weather category as Weather is practically a character of it's own here, and even has a Character Arc and Character Evolution! From the simple heat and humidity experienced at the Summer Camp in the earlier era, through the Summer heat in the Contemporary timeline, the comfort of walking into air conditioning, to the vividly illustrated and sensory narratives of both the dangerous weather in the Summer Camp fatal night trip to the Island [and I am including here the dangers of the Lake, extremely deep in places, and the event of an even earlier year of a fatality in the State Park in December] to the tremendous storm on the Island in the Contemporary timeline. I realize Water is an Element, not specifically Weather, but a deep lake in a storm or in Winter is an invitation to fatality and danger. So Weather in general is both a backdrop and an integral focus of this story.
After an initial hiatus, I found this novel quite enjoyable, and I am anticipating the next in the Series . I liked the unraveling of the Mysteries, both of the actual unexpressed events of 26 years ago at the summer camp, and the puzzling out of whether young Henley actually expressed Past-Life Recall, or whether as a very young toddler her mind had been programmed, intentionally or not, by those around her. I also appreciated how deeply into Character author Lauren Oliver is willing to go; although I think that in certain instances the story veered away before going quite deep enough (and without Spoilering, these instances all revolved around a certain individual, not the MC, but pivotal). I thought there were deeper, more culturally fundamental issues that should have been consequently rung on here. So my concern and rebuke here is sociological.
The one Character I had not been able to grapple with was unfortunately the MC. I don't like her, I'm not going to like her--even though she is the Series Lead. She is crippled by guilt from the events of 26 years earlier just as much in their own way as her compatriots from that era (I don't like them either) and although she devoted herself to Science and to Academia in order to surpass this guilt and grief, there is no mention of her having sought therapeutic intervention, or in anyway trying to work through the issues other than "stuffing down" her emotions. Consequently: failed relationships, lapsed friendships, and a skepticism which I found over-the-top, almost a closed-minded refusal to allow other viewpoints, an "I'm always right and anything else is wrong" conviction.
Addendum: This slots into the Weather category as Weather is practically a character of it's own here, and even has a Character Arc and Character Evolution! From the simple heat and humidity experienced at the Summer Camp in the earlier era, through the Summer heat in the Contemporary timeline, the comfort of walking into air conditioning, to the vividly illustrated and sensory narratives of both the dangerous weather in the Summer Camp fatal night trip to the Island [and I am including here the dangers of the Lake, extremely deep in places, and the event of an even earlier year of a fatality in the State Park in December] to the tremendous storm on the Island in the Contemporary timeline. I realize Water is an Element, not specifically Weather, but a deep lake in a storm or in Winter is an invitation to fatality and danger. So Weather in general is both a backdrop and an integral focus of this story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
★★★★
Meet Dr. Kate Willis, a psychologist tasked with interviewing a young girl, Henley, who claims to have memories of a past life and a violent death. Could this be reincarnation?
As Kate interviews six-year-old Henley Haskell, it quickly becomes clear that Becca, Henley’s previous body, is not a stranger to her. But what does Henley know about the night Becca died? Did Kate have anything to do with those tragic events? Is this a genuine case of reincarnation, or something far more explainable?
Reincarnation has always fascinated me, and if the many reported cases around the world are any indication, it seems widely spread. Yet there are clusters, perhaps suggesting it is closely tied to religious beliefs and culture. That tension runs through this book. A constant pull between wanting to believe and questioning everything, and it is reflected so well in our FMC.
Kate is highly logical and analytical. Her upbringing, along with the sudden illness and death of her mother, seems to have shaped her into someone more pragmatic than most. At the same time, her connection to Becca, especially their shared memories from summers at camp over the years, adds an emotional layer that is difficult to dismiss. Every doubt she has is countered by a deeply personal memory that only she and Becca should know. Admitting it could be real raises so many unintended consequences. Where does one personality end and the next begin? Is there even room for a separate new personality, a new life, a new person? What does that mean for one’s identity, and what about nature versus nurture? How much carries over from experiences that have already shaped a young life?
The mystery of Henley and Becca is perfectly set against the moody New England backdrop. The seemingly happy place summer camp embodies, the lake where so many bright memories were made, contrasts with the darkness that creeps in from Fair Isle, with its mysterious past, its ruins, and the long-told stories of The Gray Lady. Another unexplained phenomenon, blending history and folktales, retold year after year by the fire and reignited again and again.
Have I made up my mind about reincarnation? Nope. Do I want to know what qualifies as unexplained phenomenon? Yes, very much. Am I excited to continue the series and find out what this department is really about? Absolutely. I am nosey and I need to know!
Thank you to NetGalley, Lauren Oliver, and Thomas & Mercer for the gifted copy. I am already looking forward to the next installment. All opinions are my own.
Meet Dr. Kate Willis, a psychologist tasked with interviewing a young girl, Henley, who claims to have memories of a past life and a violent death. Could this be reincarnation?
As Kate interviews six-year-old Henley Haskell, it quickly becomes clear that Becca, Henley’s previous body, is not a stranger to her. But what does Henley know about the night Becca died? Did Kate have anything to do with those tragic events? Is this a genuine case of reincarnation, or something far more explainable?
Reincarnation has always fascinated me, and if the many reported cases around the world are any indication, it seems widely spread. Yet there are clusters, perhaps suggesting it is closely tied to religious beliefs and culture. That tension runs through this book. A constant pull between wanting to believe and questioning everything, and it is reflected so well in our FMC.
Kate is highly logical and analytical. Her upbringing, along with the sudden illness and death of her mother, seems to have shaped her into someone more pragmatic than most. At the same time, her connection to Becca, especially their shared memories from summers at camp over the years, adds an emotional layer that is difficult to dismiss. Every doubt she has is countered by a deeply personal memory that only she and Becca should know. Admitting it could be real raises so many unintended consequences. Where does one personality end and the next begin? Is there even room for a separate new personality, a new life, a new person? What does that mean for one’s identity, and what about nature versus nurture? How much carries over from experiences that have already shaped a young life?
The mystery of Henley and Becca is perfectly set against the moody New England backdrop. The seemingly happy place summer camp embodies, the lake where so many bright memories were made, contrasts with the darkness that creeps in from Fair Isle, with its mysterious past, its ruins, and the long-told stories of The Gray Lady. Another unexplained phenomenon, blending history and folktales, retold year after year by the fire and reignited again and again.
Have I made up my mind about reincarnation? Nope. Do I want to know what qualifies as unexplained phenomenon? Yes, very much. Am I excited to continue the series and find out what this department is really about? Absolutely. I am nosey and I need to know!
Thank you to NetGalley, Lauren Oliver, and Thomas & Mercer for the gifted copy. I am already looking forward to the next installment. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy
Received book through Amazon First Reads.
I was excited to read this - the plot sounded really interesting, and reflected an article I'd read in the New York Times about young children recalling details of past lives.
The plot features Kate, a divorced psychologist (? at some point she mentions having gotten an MD?) who interviews people with stories of memories of past lives. Kate is sent (though I'm not sure by whom, as she isn't on an official trip) to work with Henley, a 6-year-old with such memories. Upon meeting Henley, Henley immediately recoils, calls Kate "bad," and refuses to talk with her. During later visits, Henley warms up, and it turns out that Henley is perhaps recalling the violent, early death of an old friend of Kate's, and has also perhaps been reborn as this friend, Becca.
OK. The plot is interesting and plausible, and I was intrigued.
But I had several issues with it from early on. While several authors utilize a back and forth timeline, here it is sort of abrupt, and it cuts into the mystery a little. The reader *knows* basically what happens to Becca. They just don't know who did it - or how and why. So every time we went back in time, it annoyed me. It felt more about obvious things than things that were pushed to the very end. And then, some things that *were* pushed to the end left some things entirely out (i.e., there was a major character whose plotline was dropped).
And then there were issues with the writing of the main character. She was meant to be a professional, but she just didn't *seem* professional to me. OK, Henley is not a patient, so I guess HIPPA doesn't apply, but some other privacy laws do? And why didn't Kate recuse herself as soon as it became obvious that this related to a friend? Or at least talk it through with her superior? And the question of whether her alcoholism affected this or not was sort of implied but not really addressed. And both the toxicologist and the pulmonologist were misses - they should have been read by someone in those fields. Further, Kate's relationship with Henley's mother, Emily, was very weird. Emily was, in my opinion, a well-written character who played everything straight, but Kate just never seemed to pick up on Emily's hints that things weren't going well from Emily's / Henley's point of view.
All in all, this could have been a good book, but I think it needed a read by someone in a professional field who didn't know the author.
I was excited to read this - the plot sounded really interesting, and reflected an article I'd read in the New York Times about young children recalling details of past lives.
The plot features Kate, a divorced psychologist (? at some point she mentions having gotten an MD?) who interviews people with stories of memories of past lives. Kate is sent (though I'm not sure by whom, as she isn't on an official trip) to work with Henley, a 6-year-old with such memories. Upon meeting Henley, Henley immediately recoils, calls Kate "bad," and refuses to talk with her. During later visits, Henley warms up, and it turns out that Henley is perhaps recalling the violent, early death of an old friend of Kate's, and has also perhaps been reborn as this friend, Becca.
OK. The plot is interesting and plausible, and I was intrigued.
But I had several issues with it from early on. While several authors utilize a back and forth timeline, here it is sort of abrupt, and it cuts into the mystery a little. The reader *knows* basically what happens to Becca. They just don't know who did it - or how and why. So every time we went back in time, it annoyed me. It felt more about obvious things than things that were pushed to the very end. And then, some things that *were* pushed to the end left some things entirely out (i.e., there was a major character whose plotline was dropped).
And then there were issues with the writing of the main character. She was meant to be a professional, but she just didn't *seem* professional to me. OK, Henley is not a patient, so I guess HIPPA doesn't apply, but some other privacy laws do? And why didn't Kate recuse herself as soon as it became obvious that this related to a friend? Or at least talk it through with her superior? And the question of whether her alcoholism affected this or not was sort of implied but not really addressed. And both the toxicologist and the pulmonologist were misses - they should have been read by someone in those fields. Further, Kate's relationship with Henley's mother, Emily, was very weird. Emily was, in my opinion, a well-written character who played everything straight, but Kate just never seemed to pick up on Emily's hints that things weren't going well from Emily's / Henley's point of view.
All in all, this could have been a good book, but I think it needed a read by someone in a professional field who didn't know the author.
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