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Black Lake Manor
'It gripped me for a week. Incredible!' JANICE HALLETT, author of THE TWYFORD CODEAn endlessly inventive murder mystery' ALEX PAVESI, author of EIGHT DETECTIVES'Mind-bendingly brilliant. Agatha Christie on steroids!' TIM GLISTER, author of RED CORONAA LOCKED ROOM. A BRUTAL MURDER.AND A KILLER WHO CAN UNWIND TIME...In the former mining town of Black Lake, there is an old story about a shipwreck with only one survivor. His descendants have a unique once in their lives - and only once - they can unwind the events of the previous six hours.More than two hundred years later, part-time police constable Ella Manning is attending a party at Black Lake Manor, the cliff-top mansion belonging to the local billionaire. When a raging storm sweeps in from the Pacific, she and several other guests find themselves trapped.And when their host is discovered brutally murdered in his study the next morning, the door locked from the inside, they turn to her to solve the crime.Pushing her detective skills to the limit, against the odds Ella is sure she has identified the killer... but then someone undoes time. With no memory of what she discovered before, her investigation begins again, with very different results. Which of her suspects is guilty? And is there something even more sinister she is yet to uncover?Can she solve the mystery before time runs out... again?A must-read for fans of The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, The Sanatorium and And Then There Were None, Black Lake Manor will keep you feverishly turning the pages all night long!
400 pages, Paperback
First published September 8, 2022
29 people are currently reading
897 people want to read
About the author
Guy Morpuss
5 books99 followersGuy is a London-based barrister whose cases have featured drug-taking cyclists, dead Formula 1 champions and aspiring cemetery owners.
His favourite books involve taking a twist on reality, and playing with the consequences. Which led to his debut novel, FIVE MINDS, about five people sharing one body - possibly with a murderer.
His second novel, BLACK LAKE, will be published in 2022.
He is currently working on his third novel, HIGHLIGHTS.
Guy lives near Farnham, England, with his wife and two sons. When not writing he can usually be found walking or running in the Surrey Hills.
His favourite books involve taking a twist on reality, and playing with the consequences. Which led to his debut novel, FIVE MINDS, about five people sharing one body - possibly with a murderer.
His second novel, BLACK LAKE, will be published in 2022.
He is currently working on his third novel, HIGHLIGHTS.
Guy lives near Farnham, England, with his wife and two sons. When not writing he can usually be found walking or running in the Surrey Hills.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
July 24, 2023
And the wolf ate time.
A superb mystery - a man whose heart has been ripped out and eaten; ghost dancers, human avatars who can do anything but kill; a chess game of a different sort; an isolated manor and a tribe which can turn back time. Black Lake Manor is a convoluted, complex, puzzle fun reminiscent of the high-level mysteries of Stuart Turton.
The blurb says “Agatha Christie on steroids”, but I respectfully disagree. This is Agatha on the floor of the den around the corner asking for her golden shot, if you must have a drug analogy.
A superb mystery - a man whose heart has been ripped out and eaten; ghost dancers, human avatars who can do anything but kill; a chess game of a different sort; an isolated manor and a tribe which can turn back time. Black Lake Manor is a convoluted, complex, puzzle fun reminiscent of the high-level mysteries of Stuart Turton.
The blurb says “Agatha Christie on steroids”, but I respectfully disagree. This is Agatha on the floor of the den around the corner asking for her golden shot, if you must have a drug analogy.
September 8, 2022
“Black Lake Manor” is written by Guy Morpuss, author of ‘FIVE MINDS’ (about five people sharing one body - possibly with a murderer) so with this previous premise in mind, it was a given that his new thriller would be just as crazily themed.
“A locked room. A brutal murder. And a killer who can turn back time...”
The essence to this story didn’t just involve bog standard time travel but the ability to rewind time to a certain point. However, not more than six hours previously and which can only be done once in your lifetime. Tie this in with a nice (well, gruesome) murder mystery and a locked room scenario, you have a very cleverly plotted and thought out thriller in the manner of ‘groundhog day’. It does mean you need to pay attention and it’s not a book to put down and pick up again days later as you will lose off with the continuity but I did have the time to read fully and found it easy to follow by doing this.
As Marine Biologist Ella, in her capacity of special constable with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, starts to investigate a murder that doesn’t make sense in either time or place, she realises that even she is a suspect among the six people remaining. Stranded in the Manor House due to a vicious storm and unprotected until the police from Victoria can reach them, Ella realises that ‘the wolf is eating time’ again and struggles to know who to trust.
Ella was quite difficult to get to know, I felt she was quite aloof most of the time but when I read the final chapter, my opinion instantly changed and I finally endeared to her. And I adored Scarlett! The first octopus I have read about in a story and fell in love with….
I love a good time travelling story and every time I read one they seem to keep getting better and better with their unique premises. Using futuristic sci-fi technology, a dual timeline between 2045 and 1806 and an ancient tribal legend, this is a fabulous example of this genre and well worth exploring.
There’s loads of the obligatory twists that you need to keep up with and together with an intelligent and well executed plot, this thriller is engaging, addictive and wholly original.
#BlackLakeManor - 4.5 stars
“A locked room. A brutal murder. And a killer who can turn back time...”
The essence to this story didn’t just involve bog standard time travel but the ability to rewind time to a certain point. However, not more than six hours previously and which can only be done once in your lifetime. Tie this in with a nice (well, gruesome) murder mystery and a locked room scenario, you have a very cleverly plotted and thought out thriller in the manner of ‘groundhog day’. It does mean you need to pay attention and it’s not a book to put down and pick up again days later as you will lose off with the continuity but I did have the time to read fully and found it easy to follow by doing this.
As Marine Biologist Ella, in her capacity of special constable with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, starts to investigate a murder that doesn’t make sense in either time or place, she realises that even she is a suspect among the six people remaining. Stranded in the Manor House due to a vicious storm and unprotected until the police from Victoria can reach them, Ella realises that ‘the wolf is eating time’ again and struggles to know who to trust.
Ella was quite difficult to get to know, I felt she was quite aloof most of the time but when I read the final chapter, my opinion instantly changed and I finally endeared to her. And I adored Scarlett! The first octopus I have read about in a story and fell in love with….
I love a good time travelling story and every time I read one they seem to keep getting better and better with their unique premises. Using futuristic sci-fi technology, a dual timeline between 2045 and 1806 and an ancient tribal legend, this is a fabulous example of this genre and well worth exploring.
There’s loads of the obligatory twists that you need to keep up with and together with an intelligent and well executed plot, this thriller is engaging, addictive and wholly original.
#BlackLakeManor - 4.5 stars
August 6, 2022
Another mind bending novel from the pen of Guy Morpuss- involving a locked room murder, a cast of suspiciously intriguing characters and time that just won't stand still.
Steeped in an imagined mythology and cleverly plotted, Black Lake Manor messes with your head in the best way.
I adore a twisty story especially one that you have to fully engage with in order to navigate it and very much like Five Minds this is a genius tale that is wildly entertaining.
Highly Recommended.
Steeped in an imagined mythology and cleverly plotted, Black Lake Manor messes with your head in the best way.
I adore a twisty story especially one that you have to fully engage with in order to navigate it and very much like Five Minds this is a genius tale that is wildly entertaining.
Highly Recommended.
October 31, 2024
This was exceptionally mad and I was down for it.
If you like your genre-blending mysteries, here we have a locked mansion mystery with a sci fi twist.
It doesn't quite reach the meta-heights of Evelyn Hardcastle, but still I had a blast.
Warning: there is a fair amount of cannibalism throughout and it's enough to put you off your dinner.
If you like your genre-blending mysteries, here we have a locked mansion mystery with a sci fi twist.
It doesn't quite reach the meta-heights of Evelyn Hardcastle, but still I had a blast.
Warning: there is a fair amount of cannibalism throughout and it's enough to put you off your dinner.
March 27, 2024
I wanted this book to be so much better than it was. I was automatically hooked after reading the blurb and thought this is a great concept for a mystery/murder if executed correctly. Sadly it was not executed well. The timelines were often confusing (which is important for a time jumping narrative), characters were ultimately infuriating and the conflict solution was underwhelming. Not my favourite read.
October 31, 2022
DNF @25%
Not a terrible book, just not my jam.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
Not a terrible book, just not my jam.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
September 8, 2022
If you’ve read this author’s debut ‘Five Minds‘, then you know he has the most refreshing and unique way of telling a crime story. Granted, that debut blew my mind so hard that I was a little hesitant about ‘Black Lake Manor‘. Anticipations were high, no matter how hard I tried to curtail them. I shouldn’t have worried. They were met and exceeded!
I’m going to keep this short and sweet because it’s just impossible to write a decent review about ‘Black Lake Manor‘, especially without giving anything away. Also, the less you know, the better. Really, all you need to know is this : it’s a locked room mystery and someone is able to turn back time. Le gasp! Obviously someone is going to die and also obviously someone (Ella) needs to investigate this death but when Ella gets too close to the truth … poof, she’s right back where she started with no recollection of what came before.
If you’re worried that things will become awfully repetitive, don’t. Some discoveries change, or don’t happen at all. Results vary and as the reader you end up way more confused than Ella herself, as you desperately try to figure out if there are any pointers that will help you reach the ultimate conclusion! I wasn’t at all able to even think of a character to point a finger at. They were acting immensely suspiciously. There’s a lot of history to wade through as some have been friends since childhood, some petty behaviour, some grudges. Not everyone is as as they seem. Or even real. Le gasp #two 😉.
Just like with ‘Five Minds‘ it’s best to just go with the flow, let Morpuss lead you wherever it is he’s leading you. Most of the time, I didn’t have a clue what was going on but I was loving every minute of this story! Really, just dive in and discover it all for yourself. It will mess with your head and make it hurt until smoke comes out of your ears. Apologies if this review is too vague for you but I really don’t want to ruin anything. I just hope you’ll enjoy this immensely well-plotted, ingenious, wildly entertaining, crazy mindfuck as much as I did. I’ve no idea where Guy Morpuss keeps getting this stuff but I can’t wait for more. Highly recommended!
I’m going to keep this short and sweet because it’s just impossible to write a decent review about ‘Black Lake Manor‘, especially without giving anything away. Also, the less you know, the better. Really, all you need to know is this : it’s a locked room mystery and someone is able to turn back time. Le gasp! Obviously someone is going to die and also obviously someone (Ella) needs to investigate this death but when Ella gets too close to the truth … poof, she’s right back where she started with no recollection of what came before.
If you’re worried that things will become awfully repetitive, don’t. Some discoveries change, or don’t happen at all. Results vary and as the reader you end up way more confused than Ella herself, as you desperately try to figure out if there are any pointers that will help you reach the ultimate conclusion! I wasn’t at all able to even think of a character to point a finger at. They were acting immensely suspiciously. There’s a lot of history to wade through as some have been friends since childhood, some petty behaviour, some grudges. Not everyone is as as they seem. Or even real. Le gasp #two 😉.
Just like with ‘Five Minds‘ it’s best to just go with the flow, let Morpuss lead you wherever it is he’s leading you. Most of the time, I didn’t have a clue what was going on but I was loving every minute of this story! Really, just dive in and discover it all for yourself. It will mess with your head and make it hurt until smoke comes out of your ears. Apologies if this review is too vague for you but I really don’t want to ruin anything. I just hope you’ll enjoy this immensely well-plotted, ingenious, wildly entertaining, crazy mindfuck as much as I did. I’ve no idea where Guy Morpuss keeps getting this stuff but I can’t wait for more. Highly recommended!
September 9, 2022
In 1804, the Pride of Whitby, is shipwrecked on the treacherous shores on the west coast of Canada. Only seven men originally survive, making it to shore in a lifeboat, with three making it into the labyrinthian caves, but ultimately only, Captain Ross, made it out alive. His descendants are said to have inherited the power to just once in their lives, wind time back six hours & relive it over again, even changing the outcome.
Over two hundred years later, Ella Manning, marine biologist and part-time police constable with the RCMP, is invited to a party at Black Lake Manor, the cliff-top mansion of Lincoln Shah. Shah, a billionaire, was one of Ella's closest childhood friends, alongside Noah Diaz, & is her ex-fiancé, although Lincoln wants to change that. Ella is invited there to witness the unveiling of new technology from Lincoln's company, involving hard light, a technology that allows people to remotely control facsimiles of themselves that are hard to distinguish from the real thing. The party goes off fairly smoothly, except for a powerful storm which brings down communication to the mainland for at least 24 hours, The next morning, Lincoln is dead, murdered, & one of few flesh-and-blood guests to attend is the guilty party. Ella has to navigate old friendships, rivalries, & new technology to try & find the killer, but just as she thinks she has identified the guilty party, time is rewound, & her investigation begins again with different conclusions.
This is a spin on the 'locked room' trope where six people are cut off from the rest of the world for a period of time with a killer amongst them. The difference here is the technology & the myths & legends that may or may not be true. Set in 2045 the technology is certainly intriguing. It takes a little getting into - for the first few chapters I wasn't sure what has happening - but when the story settles into the whodunit, it's so good. Ella is a main character whose personality type would probably be classed as INTJ (Myers-Briggs): emotionally unavailable, logic driven, & is said to have a great capacity for empathising with animals but not so much with humans. Girl, same! The other characters/suspects include Lincoln's current squeeze, Rebecca, his shady lawyer, two of Lincoln's employees, & former friend, Noah Diaz. The book was reminiscent to me of The 7 & 1/2 Lives of Evelyn Hardcastle, but here the case is examined from several different angles/timelines, rather than different characters. Readers who like 'locked room' mysteries with a slightly futuristic twist would probably enjoy this. I did & will probably re-read it at some point. 4.5 stars (rounded down).
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Serpent's Tail/Viper/Profile Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Over two hundred years later, Ella Manning, marine biologist and part-time police constable with the RCMP, is invited to a party at Black Lake Manor, the cliff-top mansion of Lincoln Shah. Shah, a billionaire, was one of Ella's closest childhood friends, alongside Noah Diaz, & is her ex-fiancé, although Lincoln wants to change that. Ella is invited there to witness the unveiling of new technology from Lincoln's company, involving hard light, a technology that allows people to remotely control facsimiles of themselves that are hard to distinguish from the real thing. The party goes off fairly smoothly, except for a powerful storm which brings down communication to the mainland for at least 24 hours, The next morning, Lincoln is dead, murdered, & one of few flesh-and-blood guests to attend is the guilty party. Ella has to navigate old friendships, rivalries, & new technology to try & find the killer, but just as she thinks she has identified the guilty party, time is rewound, & her investigation begins again with different conclusions.
This is a spin on the 'locked room' trope where six people are cut off from the rest of the world for a period of time with a killer amongst them. The difference here is the technology & the myths & legends that may or may not be true. Set in 2045 the technology is certainly intriguing. It takes a little getting into - for the first few chapters I wasn't sure what has happening - but when the story settles into the whodunit, it's so good. Ella is a main character whose personality type would probably be classed as INTJ (Myers-Briggs): emotionally unavailable, logic driven, & is said to have a great capacity for empathising with animals but not so much with humans. Girl, same! The other characters/suspects include Lincoln's current squeeze, Rebecca, his shady lawyer, two of Lincoln's employees, & former friend, Noah Diaz. The book was reminiscent to me of The 7 & 1/2 Lives of Evelyn Hardcastle, but here the case is examined from several different angles/timelines, rather than different characters. Readers who like 'locked room' mysteries with a slightly futuristic twist would probably enjoy this. I did & will probably re-read it at some point. 4.5 stars (rounded down).
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Serpent's Tail/Viper/Profile Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
May 27, 2023
I'll admit that time travel often leaves me a bit confused and this is a book you definitely need to pay attention to as it follows a "groundhog day" pattern, where the last six hours are repeated over several times with little clues peppered throughout as to what is happening with the locked door murder mystery. Combining sci-fi with a murder mystery, this was an interesting book and keeps your brain thinking.
I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.
Thank you to Netgalley, Serpent's Tail/Viper/Profile Books and the author.
I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.
Thank you to Netgalley, Serpent's Tail/Viper/Profile Books and the author.
November 26, 2023
Read Harder Challenge 2023: Read a book with under 500 Goodreads ratings.
September 3, 2022
When I first picked up this book I really didn’t know what to expect, but what I read blew my mind.
The story has 3 different timelines 1804, 2025 and 2045. Each timeline has a very significant part to play in the story.
There is tragedy and shipwreck, new life forms beginning, entrapment and more death along with an investigation that is difficult to conduct.
This is not my usual sort of read and at the beginning I did find it quite challenging but it all comes together further into the book. As the pace quickens, and the tension rises everything becomes more clearer.
This is one thrilling story that is packed full of mystery and fantasy.
The story has 3 different timelines 1804, 2025 and 2045. Each timeline has a very significant part to play in the story.
There is tragedy and shipwreck, new life forms beginning, entrapment and more death along with an investigation that is difficult to conduct.
This is not my usual sort of read and at the beginning I did find it quite challenging but it all comes together further into the book. As the pace quickens, and the tension rises everything becomes more clearer.
This is one thrilling story that is packed full of mystery and fantasy.
August 17, 2022
A wickedly clever murder mystery with a fantastical element reminiscent of The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. There has been a murder on Vancouver island, Canada, at the home of a wealthy tech billionaire in 2045. As well as cutting edge technology being unveiled at the party the night of the murder, the billionaire has links to a local tribe who are rumoured to have the power to turn back time - but only by 6 hours. Ella Manning is a special constable with the Canadian mounties, but as the only person on the scene with any authority as a storm bears down, she is put in charge - despite being the ex-fiancée of the murder victim. Everyone seems to have a motive, and Ella has to put aside personal relationships in order to view everyone as a suspect. But then time resets… and with it the murder investigation. This sounds rather fantastical as a plot, but it is very cleverly pulled off - from the tribal backgrounds and story strands in 1806, the multiple timelines, and likely-sounding technologies of the future which complicate the investigation, it makes for a really interesting murder mystery novel. I can see this making a great film one day too!
My thanks to #NetGalley and Viper for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
My thanks to #NetGalley and Viper for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2022
I can't remember the last time I encountered a book that wasted so much potential. There was not a single aspect of this story that did not sound amazing, and by the end I was actually a little impressed by how poorly they'd all played out. A once tight-knit trio re-united after years? No it was boring. A love triangle No it was boring. Spelunking? Boring. A locked room murder? Boring. Unique take on time-manipulation? SOMEHOW BORING??
Everything was just so flat. None of the characters seemed to like or care about one another, even though we were told they did, and it was just one petty motivation after another. Scenes set deep in abandoned mines or on a glass-roof penthouse both 'felt' the same somehow. Multiple scenes in a small room with a brutal murder and not once was the smell of blood mentioned.
It gets two-stars because the concept was just that good and kept me going to the end. In the hands of almost any other author this surely could have been a five-star read.
Everything was just so flat. None of the characters seemed to like or care about one another, even though we were told they did, and it was just one petty motivation after another. Scenes set deep in abandoned mines or on a glass-roof penthouse both 'felt' the same somehow. Multiple scenes in a small room with a brutal murder and not once was the smell of blood mentioned.
It gets two-stars because the concept was just that good and kept me going to the end. In the hands of almost any other author this surely could have been a five-star read.
August 29, 2022
This book both confused and intrigued me and I loved it! Will definitely re-read once it’s out as sometimes books like this make more sense when I read as a hardcopy.
The concept of this is fascinating, I love the authors writing style and the characters he creates (check out Five minds) and the different timelines.
A massive ‘hell yeah’ for the Chess Board?! This needs to be a film as I need to see that come to life!
The concept of this is fascinating, I love the authors writing style and the characters he creates (check out Five minds) and the different timelines.
A massive ‘hell yeah’ for the Chess Board?! This needs to be a film as I need to see that come to life!
March 9, 2024
Of course I was drawn to reading this because of the locked room component. It was quite an interesting concept but I was also a bit lost when reading about the logs of the door to Lincoln’s office being locked and unlocked because I wasn’t sure what that told me. There were repeated discussions about those specific times and a lot of attention drawn to it but I kept wondering if it wouldn’t be equally interesting to see who locked and unlocked their own bedroom door after 10 pm, it might rule out some people too who shouldn’t be wondering about?
Black Lake Manor has a fascinating mind-bending concept where some descendants of the Akath have the power to wind back time 6 hours. I enjoyed the story and I was even into the concept of hard light and ghost characters but there was just a bit too much of mythology and rituals involved for my taste and I didn’t feel Ella gained a lot with each unwinding of time. I was of course most of all interested in solving the murder mystery but so many other things were to be taken into account that it felt the story was focusing more on past legends than the present.
There was a lot I did like though, I really liked the three separate timelines, I loved that Ella had an octopus as a pet called Scarlett and how they interacted, I liked the lawyer character in the story most of all and Ella was a good character too, but the other characters weren’t all that interesting or developed.
The best surprise was at the end when I finally found out how and by whose hand Lincoln died. Big surprise there!
All in all an okay book but not one I think I’ll want to read again. It’s just a bit too much out of my box. I’m still debating whether Five Minds, his previous novel, would be more my style, the vote is still out.
Black Lake Manor has a fascinating mind-bending concept where some descendants of the Akath have the power to wind back time 6 hours. I enjoyed the story and I was even into the concept of hard light and ghost characters but there was just a bit too much of mythology and rituals involved for my taste and I didn’t feel Ella gained a lot with each unwinding of time. I was of course most of all interested in solving the murder mystery but so many other things were to be taken into account that it felt the story was focusing more on past legends than the present.
There was a lot I did like though, I really liked the three separate timelines, I loved that Ella had an octopus as a pet called Scarlett and how they interacted, I liked the lawyer character in the story most of all and Ella was a good character too, but the other characters weren’t all that interesting or developed.
The best surprise was at the end when I finally found out how and by whose hand Lincoln died. Big surprise there!
All in all an okay book but not one I think I’ll want to read again. It’s just a bit too much out of my box. I’m still debating whether Five Minds, his previous novel, would be more my style, the vote is still out.
August 4, 2022
I had no idea what to expect from such a book, but truly it did ending up touching all my "buttons" as it is a thriller / detective "who dun it" / with some fantasy thrown in, plus a touch of history too. All my favourites.
So the scifi tech that is at the core of the book is quite interesting, though something of it also did remind me to Rimmer in Red Swarf. But it spoke of a reasonable future that we could be heading towards, and the uses of the tech. Though the research for such is shown and does the writer credit.
The fantasy part of the book was intriguing, the time skipping, and placing it as a ritual of the indigenous peoples of the area. Plus against the back drop of the North Pacific, it was quite atmospheric.
The writing style was smooth, easy to get into and truly once I had let myself slip into it, I found I could not put it down. A fun book to get into.
So the scifi tech that is at the core of the book is quite interesting, though something of it also did remind me to Rimmer in Red Swarf. But it spoke of a reasonable future that we could be heading towards, and the uses of the tech. Though the research for such is shown and does the writer credit.
The fantasy part of the book was intriguing, the time skipping, and placing it as a ritual of the indigenous peoples of the area. Plus against the back drop of the North Pacific, it was quite atmospheric.
The writing style was smooth, easy to get into and truly once I had let myself slip into it, I found I could not put it down. A fun book to get into.
October 11, 2022
Now this is a clever concept: techno-thriller meets grisly ritual in a locked-room mystery that would make Agatha’s head spin… plus a side-order of supernatural tribal mysticism. Count me in! Black Lake Manor is rooted in a familiar crime-space – the isolated country house, cut off from civilisation by an extreme storm – but that's about as conventional as it gets, as a homicidal hologram apparently goes on a rampage.
It's like an old Star Trek episode where the baffled crew go back and redo key moments from slightly different perspectives. In this case the protagonists employ ancient tribal rituals (and a big black wolf) to turn back time. It’s both entertaining and more than a little bewildering, especially because the plot is further thickened by those high-tech holograms which can influence events – and then disappear in an eyeblink.
It’s all so convoluted that even the bemused investigator (who happens to be the dead man’s ex-fiancée and a marine biologist as well as a part-time Canadian police officer) starts to think she might’ve actually dunnit.
Best bits? The clever plotting, the octopus, the flashbacks to ancient times.
Weaker areas include the characters who are little more than chess pieces being shuffled around the board to fulfil the complex requirements of the tangled plot. And while the author is great at creating intriguing scenarios and answering weird ‘what if?’ questions, his writing rarely evokes the spinal tingles of a truly chilling tale. This is more an exercise in intellect than emotional impact.
However, anyone who’s watched the game of chess played between Chewbacca and 3PO will chuckle mightily at the one of the crucial elements of this story. The author also constructs plausible motives for each of his suspects, and craftily sneaks proper clues among many red herrings. I was genuinely wrapped up in solving the mystery, and thoroughly enjoyed the gratifying conclusion.
7/10 (rounded up to 4*)
It's like an old Star Trek episode where the baffled crew go back and redo key moments from slightly different perspectives. In this case the protagonists employ ancient tribal rituals (and a big black wolf) to turn back time. It’s both entertaining and more than a little bewildering, especially because the plot is further thickened by those high-tech holograms which can influence events – and then disappear in an eyeblink.
It’s all so convoluted that even the bemused investigator (who happens to be the dead man’s ex-fiancée and a marine biologist as well as a part-time Canadian police officer) starts to think she might’ve actually dunnit.
Best bits? The clever plotting, the octopus, the flashbacks to ancient times.
Weaker areas include the characters who are little more than chess pieces being shuffled around the board to fulfil the complex requirements of the tangled plot. And while the author is great at creating intriguing scenarios and answering weird ‘what if?’ questions, his writing rarely evokes the spinal tingles of a truly chilling tale. This is more an exercise in intellect than emotional impact.
However, anyone who’s watched the game of chess played between Chewbacca and 3PO will chuckle mightily at the one of the crucial elements of this story. The author also constructs plausible motives for each of his suspects, and craftily sneaks proper clues among many red herrings. I was genuinely wrapped up in solving the mystery, and thoroughly enjoyed the gratifying conclusion.
7/10 (rounded up to 4*)
August 12, 2022
3/5 Good.
Black Lake Manor is another High Concept Thriller from Guy Morpuss following the excellent debut that was Five Minds.
Set in the future, this is a locked room mystery set on Vancouver Island in the mansion of Lincoln Shan, A bit of the Steve Jobs of 2045.
The locked room mystery itself differs from the norm in that the high concept twist is that some of the 6 suspects have a power that allows them to turn back time 6 hours - only once- in the event of a death.
A story steeped in ancient myth, it’s very clever and Morpuss has a style of writing I very much like.
I did, however find it a tad repetitive at times and a little slow but overall it’s a good read, with some gore and a nicely twisty finale.
Black Lake Manor is another High Concept Thriller from Guy Morpuss following the excellent debut that was Five Minds.
Set in the future, this is a locked room mystery set on Vancouver Island in the mansion of Lincoln Shan, A bit of the Steve Jobs of 2045.
The locked room mystery itself differs from the norm in that the high concept twist is that some of the 6 suspects have a power that allows them to turn back time 6 hours - only once- in the event of a death.
A story steeped in ancient myth, it’s very clever and Morpuss has a style of writing I very much like.
I did, however find it a tad repetitive at times and a little slow but overall it’s a good read, with some gore and a nicely twisty finale.
November 1, 2022
For a book involving murder and time travel this was incredibly boring.
April 11, 2023
The story:
A locked-room murder mystery, but not as you know it…
On the same night tech entrepreneur and multi-millionaire Lincoln Shan launches a revolutionary new product, he is found brutally murdered, locked in his own study.
The last thing his ex-fiancée Dr Ella Manning wants is to become involved in the investigation. But as a Special Constable in the RCMP, and with Black Lake Manor, Lincoln’s remote mansion, cut off by storms, she has little choice.
But Ella is up against more than even she bargained for. Because some of the manor’s guests are determined to prevent her from finding out the truth. And they have the power to turn back time…
My thoughts:
Having enjoyed the brilliant sci-fi mystery “Five Minds” by Guy Morpuss, I was keen to read his latest novel “Black Lake Manor”. This time the story is slightly less fantastical, but still a leap into the future and the way technology might be harnessed, for good or evil.
Once again, time plays a big part in the story, with certain protagonists possessing the ability to re-wind the clock 6 hours — but may only do so once in their lifetime. This leads to all sorts of problems for marine scientist / special constable Ella Manning as she tries to track down the killer. Just as she’s on the brink of a solution, time is re-set and she must start again, with no memory of her previous inquiries.
In classic murder mystery style, we have a small number of guests in an isolated location, one of whom must be the killer. Is it childhood friend-turned-eco warrior Maquina, jilted girlfriend Rebecca, or could it be the slimy lawyer Kleber (painted in a very unflattering light, and presumably inspired by the author’s previous profession!)?
The time-rewinding scenario allows us, and Ella, to consider different suspects in turn — although sadly for Ella, she doesn’t get to remember it! This was a really great way to get to know the different characters, all with plausible motives for the killing.
The author does an excellent job of keeping all the timelines straight, and also throws in some extras — in 1804, exploring the founding of the Akaht (a First Nations band of Vancouver Island), and in 2023 showing Ella, Lincoln and Maquina’s childhood friendship. The conclusion, as with the author’s debut novel, is extremely clever and manages to neatly wrap up all the various strands of the story, which is no mean feat!
Once again, a great read for all mystery fans looking for a really original plot and a hugely satisfying solution!
A locked-room murder mystery, but not as you know it…
On the same night tech entrepreneur and multi-millionaire Lincoln Shan launches a revolutionary new product, he is found brutally murdered, locked in his own study.
The last thing his ex-fiancée Dr Ella Manning wants is to become involved in the investigation. But as a Special Constable in the RCMP, and with Black Lake Manor, Lincoln’s remote mansion, cut off by storms, she has little choice.
But Ella is up against more than even she bargained for. Because some of the manor’s guests are determined to prevent her from finding out the truth. And they have the power to turn back time…
My thoughts:
Having enjoyed the brilliant sci-fi mystery “Five Minds” by Guy Morpuss, I was keen to read his latest novel “Black Lake Manor”. This time the story is slightly less fantastical, but still a leap into the future and the way technology might be harnessed, for good or evil.
Once again, time plays a big part in the story, with certain protagonists possessing the ability to re-wind the clock 6 hours — but may only do so once in their lifetime. This leads to all sorts of problems for marine scientist / special constable Ella Manning as she tries to track down the killer. Just as she’s on the brink of a solution, time is re-set and she must start again, with no memory of her previous inquiries.
In classic murder mystery style, we have a small number of guests in an isolated location, one of whom must be the killer. Is it childhood friend-turned-eco warrior Maquina, jilted girlfriend Rebecca, or could it be the slimy lawyer Kleber (painted in a very unflattering light, and presumably inspired by the author’s previous profession!)?
The time-rewinding scenario allows us, and Ella, to consider different suspects in turn — although sadly for Ella, she doesn’t get to remember it! This was a really great way to get to know the different characters, all with plausible motives for the killing.
The author does an excellent job of keeping all the timelines straight, and also throws in some extras — in 1804, exploring the founding of the Akaht (a First Nations band of Vancouver Island), and in 2023 showing Ella, Lincoln and Maquina’s childhood friendship. The conclusion, as with the author’s debut novel, is extremely clever and manages to neatly wrap up all the various strands of the story, which is no mean feat!
Once again, a great read for all mystery fans looking for a really original plot and a hugely satisfying solution!
September 16, 2022
Oh my goodness this mind-blowing book has everything!
We begin with a shipwreck, then there is an underground cave system, a 200 year old lifeboat discovery, a gruesome locked room murder, artificial intelligence, cannibalism, tribal secrets and time travel. And an octopus called Scarlet. I love a story involving an octopus.
If someone had told me a story could involve all of the above and make sense I would have been doubtful but this really works very, very well.
Told along three main timelines, the first set over 200 years ago, the next two set in the future; 2025 and then 2045, where the most amazingly impressive technological ideas you could only imagine are really happening at Black Lake Manor.
The morning after a huge party at her rich ex-fiancé’s home, Black Lake Manor, Ella is summoned and taken to his study to find he has been murdered in a rather gruesome manner. She is a constable but has not had any experience of investigating murders so she tries to gather as much evidence as she can, and interview the other five people in the house, to hand over to the murder detectives when they arrive.
Problem is there was a storm and they are cut off from the outside world without any form of contact.
A bigger problem is as soon as we think we know what is going on, time is wound back and we are back at square one, along with Ella.
I can’t go into more detail as I don’t want to give away any spoilers.
I highly recommend you read this book, and read it over the course of a few days. You won’t want to put it down as it is incredibly addictive! Yes it is mind boggling but I didn’t lose track of what was happening as it is just so well written.
I am looking forward to what the author comes up with next as he is on my auto read list after having read just this one book.
We begin with a shipwreck, then there is an underground cave system, a 200 year old lifeboat discovery, a gruesome locked room murder, artificial intelligence, cannibalism, tribal secrets and time travel. And an octopus called Scarlet. I love a story involving an octopus.
If someone had told me a story could involve all of the above and make sense I would have been doubtful but this really works very, very well.
Told along three main timelines, the first set over 200 years ago, the next two set in the future; 2025 and then 2045, where the most amazingly impressive technological ideas you could only imagine are really happening at Black Lake Manor.
The morning after a huge party at her rich ex-fiancé’s home, Black Lake Manor, Ella is summoned and taken to his study to find he has been murdered in a rather gruesome manner. She is a constable but has not had any experience of investigating murders so she tries to gather as much evidence as she can, and interview the other five people in the house, to hand over to the murder detectives when they arrive.
Problem is there was a storm and they are cut off from the outside world without any form of contact.
A bigger problem is as soon as we think we know what is going on, time is wound back and we are back at square one, along with Ella.
I can’t go into more detail as I don’t want to give away any spoilers.
I highly recommend you read this book, and read it over the course of a few days. You won’t want to put it down as it is incredibly addictive! Yes it is mind boggling but I didn’t lose track of what was happening as it is just so well written.
I am looking forward to what the author comes up with next as he is on my auto read list after having read just this one book.
June 25, 2025
Black Lake Manor by Guy Morpuss - Good
The third of the books that I bought at Bay Tales 25 on the strength of hearing the author talk and something a little bit different.
Written along the lines of a country house/closed room murder. This is set in the future at a tech product launch in a remote area of Canada where the guests are cut off by a storm just as a murder takes place. But this isn't your typical story. There's sci-fi in there as some of the guests prove to be 'ghosts' - hard light simulated people - and only a handful are real people....and some of those have the ability to rewind time.
One of the 'real people' just happens to be a part-time Constable in the RCMP and now she has to step up to protect the crime scene and investigate what has happened...but each time she gets close to a breakthrough, time slips back and she has no memory of the intervening period.
Clever mystery that kept me guessing almost until the end. Will definitely search out his other books.
#review
The third of the books that I bought at Bay Tales 25 on the strength of hearing the author talk and something a little bit different.
Written along the lines of a country house/closed room murder. This is set in the future at a tech product launch in a remote area of Canada where the guests are cut off by a storm just as a murder takes place. But this isn't your typical story. There's sci-fi in there as some of the guests prove to be 'ghosts' - hard light simulated people - and only a handful are real people....and some of those have the ability to rewind time.
One of the 'real people' just happens to be a part-time Constable in the RCMP and now she has to step up to protect the crime scene and investigate what has happened...but each time she gets close to a breakthrough, time slips back and she has no memory of the intervening period.
Clever mystery that kept me guessing almost until the end. Will definitely search out his other books.
#review
August 26, 2022
Hi and welcome to my review of Black Lake Manor!
Oh my giddy aunt, what a book! After Five Minds I expected nothing less than a highly original, twisty mindfuck of a book, and that was exactly what I found in Black Lake Manor.
Black Lake Manor’s main storylines alternate between events in 1804 and 2045, with a few sidelines to learn more about the characters and their history. It is always clear where and when we are, and I had no issues jumping from one timeline to another, it never felt confusing.
In 1804, a ship is wrecked at Black Lake and some of its crew have to resort to rather unsavoury measures to survive. This sets in motion the creation of a new tribe, its members able to turn back time, but only six hours, and only once in their lifetime.
In 2045, local billionaire Lincoln Shan is found dead in his study after an exclusive party. He’s been murdered in a rather gruesome manner and the storm raging around the manor means that no one was able to get in or out, so the killer must be either a guest or a member of personnel. With all external means of communication down due to the storm, the victim’s ex-fiancée, Ella Manning, is the closest thing they have to law enforcement, even if she is just a part-time constable, and she’s determined to get to the bottom of things. But then the wolf eats time and Ella has to start over, without even knowing it.
I do love me a locked room murder mystery! And a sci-fi angle! And a mindblowing reading experience! And Black Lake Manor delivers it all, wrapped with a neat little bow.
As soon as I’d read the first chapter, I knew I was in for a treat. It grabbed me and didn’t let me go. I tried not to overthink things and just let the story flow and take me wherever I needed to go, I knew I’d fry my brain if I tried to figure it out, but I couldn’t stop myself. I loved seeing the story come together, all the different elements, all the chess pieces, and then suddenly see the light, when all is revealed and starts to make sense.
I had a brilliant time with Black Lake Manor. I’m very happy that I had the foresight to save it for a lazy Sunday, since it did lure me in the just-one-more-chapter trap, as expected, and I finished it in a day.
Black Lake Manor is a cleverly plotted, luscious thriller with its own innovative tech, its own mythology and the loveliest octopus you’ll ever have the pleasure of meeting. If you enjoy locked-room murder mysteries of the stormy, sci-fi and mind-bending variety, I highly recommend you pick up Black Lake Manor.
Black Lake Manor is out on 8 September in hardcover and digital formats, with the paperback to follow next year.
Massive thanks to Viper Books and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Oh my giddy aunt, what a book! After Five Minds I expected nothing less than a highly original, twisty mindfuck of a book, and that was exactly what I found in Black Lake Manor.
Black Lake Manor’s main storylines alternate between events in 1804 and 2045, with a few sidelines to learn more about the characters and their history. It is always clear where and when we are, and I had no issues jumping from one timeline to another, it never felt confusing.
In 1804, a ship is wrecked at Black Lake and some of its crew have to resort to rather unsavoury measures to survive. This sets in motion the creation of a new tribe, its members able to turn back time, but only six hours, and only once in their lifetime.
In 2045, local billionaire Lincoln Shan is found dead in his study after an exclusive party. He’s been murdered in a rather gruesome manner and the storm raging around the manor means that no one was able to get in or out, so the killer must be either a guest or a member of personnel. With all external means of communication down due to the storm, the victim’s ex-fiancée, Ella Manning, is the closest thing they have to law enforcement, even if she is just a part-time constable, and she’s determined to get to the bottom of things. But then the wolf eats time and Ella has to start over, without even knowing it.
I do love me a locked room murder mystery! And a sci-fi angle! And a mindblowing reading experience! And Black Lake Manor delivers it all, wrapped with a neat little bow.
As soon as I’d read the first chapter, I knew I was in for a treat. It grabbed me and didn’t let me go. I tried not to overthink things and just let the story flow and take me wherever I needed to go, I knew I’d fry my brain if I tried to figure it out, but I couldn’t stop myself. I loved seeing the story come together, all the different elements, all the chess pieces, and then suddenly see the light, when all is revealed and starts to make sense.
I had a brilliant time with Black Lake Manor. I’m very happy that I had the foresight to save it for a lazy Sunday, since it did lure me in the just-one-more-chapter trap, as expected, and I finished it in a day.
Black Lake Manor is a cleverly plotted, luscious thriller with its own innovative tech, its own mythology and the loveliest octopus you’ll ever have the pleasure of meeting. If you enjoy locked-room murder mysteries of the stormy, sci-fi and mind-bending variety, I highly recommend you pick up Black Lake Manor.
Black Lake Manor is out on 8 September in hardcover and digital formats, with the paperback to follow next year.
Massive thanks to Viper Books and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
September 7, 2022
Not sure I can do rhis fabulous book justice, but I'll give it a shot!
It is a book that keep us readers on our toes.
The story is set in the future but the past influences events at Black Lake Manor.
The tension between ancient traditions and modern technological advances is evident throughout the story.
I don't want to give the game away, but here are some things you can expect -
A houseful of invited guests, yet hardly anyone is present. Someone is murdered, yet they were alone in a locked room. An old shipwreck. A wolf. An octopus.
Just some of the elements that combine to make a fabulous book.
Great plot, lots of tension - I can't recommend it highly enough. My wee brain was in overdrive (in a good way!)
Thanks to the author Guy Morpuss, Angana Narula for getting me on to the Blog Tour, publishers Serpents Tail, Viper Books and Profile Books, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book.
It is a book that keep us readers on our toes.
The story is set in the future but the past influences events at Black Lake Manor.
The tension between ancient traditions and modern technological advances is evident throughout the story.
I don't want to give the game away, but here are some things you can expect -
A houseful of invited guests, yet hardly anyone is present. Someone is murdered, yet they were alone in a locked room. An old shipwreck. A wolf. An octopus.
Just some of the elements that combine to make a fabulous book.
Great plot, lots of tension - I can't recommend it highly enough. My wee brain was in overdrive (in a good way!)
Thanks to the author Guy Morpuss, Angana Narula for getting me on to the Blog Tour, publishers Serpents Tail, Viper Books and Profile Books, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book.
August 29, 2025
Very clever. Haven't read anything like it. You have to really pay attention though. It can be a bit confusing at times but it all pays off.
I liked the multiple timelines and how they interweaved. It has an interesting cast of characters and I enjoyed the setting - really added to the atmosphere. I could really picture it all.
The technology involved is also very interesting. I liked how it was integral to the plot not just a gimic.
An interesting experience!
I liked the multiple timelines and how they interweaved. It has an interesting cast of characters and I enjoyed the setting - really added to the atmosphere. I could really picture it all.
The technology involved is also very interesting. I liked how it was integral to the plot not just a gimic.
An interesting experience!
July 24, 2025
A fun time warpping mystery. I didn't particularly love any of the characters but enjoyed the read. Except for Scarlett, the octopus and she wasn't featured nearly as much as I would have liked haha.
A bit strange as futuristic, indigenous history, time travelling mystery but I was there for the ride.
A bit strange as futuristic, indigenous history, time travelling mystery but I was there for the ride.
January 1, 2023
I really enjoyed this and, as with 5 minds, found it very hard to put down. I did find some of the characters frustrating but I think that was the point. Guy Morpuss has become one of my favorite authors every and I cannot wait for another book of his to devour.
April 9, 2025
Just wow, Went into the novel with very little knowledge about it and was blown away.
An exceptional mind and genre bending locked room murder mystery.
Interesting premise and enjoyable characters.
Had me hooked from chapter one.
Happily recommend this to a mystery fan.
An exceptional mind and genre bending locked room murder mystery.
Interesting premise and enjoyable characters.
Had me hooked from chapter one.
Happily recommend this to a mystery fan.
November 3, 2022
Rounded up to 4 stars. There's a lot going on with this one: time travel AI locked room murder-mystery groundhog day cannibalism? It reminded me of The 7 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle in general vibes.
November 23, 2022
So brilliant
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