The House Across the Lake

“The House Across the Lake” by Riley Sager is an unfortunate disappointment that heavily relies on worn-out tropes and a lack of respect for its readers, falling short of expectations.

The protagonist, Casey Fletcher, a widowed actress hiding from a scandal, ensconces herself in her family's tranquil lakeside house in Vermont. From her isolated post, she voyeuristically observes the seemingly idyllic life of Tom and Katherine Royce, the glamorous couple living across the lake. The use of the trope of a single, alcoholic woman observing her neighbors unfolds predictably, diminishing any potential freshness in the narrative.

While the plot is initially intriguing when Casey saves Katherine from drowning and their friendship develops, it quickly becomes muddled in the commonplace. The tension Sager attempts to build around the flawed marriage of Katherine and Tom, and Katherine's subsequent disappearance, becomes diluted by the overused narrative framework and the excessive use of alcohol as a plot device.

Most jarring is the major twist introduced later in the book, which seems to show little regard for its readers. Rather than enhancing the story or providing a satisfying surprise, it comes across as a contrived shock value attempt that breaks the bond of trust between author and reader.

The House Across the Lake” relies too heavily on outdated narrative clichés, leaving little room for originality or respect for its readers. The underwhelming execution of what could have been an engrossing psychological suspense disappoints, leaving the reader dissatisfied.