The Secret by the Lake

A 4.5 star read for me. This is the first of Louise Douglas's books that I have read and I was originally drawn to it by its beautiful cover as well as the description. I'm not a huge romantic fiction fan but I was intrigued by the plot synopsis and the mystery element.
This is an atmospheric and haunting read, with some really eerie parts that make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. Although I guessed the story as I was reading, it was still a compelling and thoroughly enjoyable read. Set in the early 1960's but harking back to the 1930's it is well constructed and leads you through the intertwining stories of the lives of the characters both past and present in a way that flows beautifully. Intermixed with the eeriness, the bleakness of the circumstances in which Julia, Amy and Viviane find themselves, and the horrific events that unfold is the touching and gentle story of Amy's developing relationship with Daniel which gives a pleasant relief from the tension building in the rest of the story. I loved the end I am a true sucker for a happy ending,