The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright, a Dual Timeline Thriller
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author as part of her book launch team. All thoughts below are my own and I was not required to post a positive review. Also, this blog post includes affiliate links. You may view my affiliate disclaimer here.
A Dual timeline THRILLER
Spooky, Thrilling and Intriguing! Jaime Jo Wright is a master storyteller… I absolutely loved The Souls of Lost Lake!
Jaime Jo Wright did not merely tell a story with her words… She created an atmosphere that surrounded me, captivated me and completely immersed me in the mysterious legend of campfire-story-favorite, Ava Coons. In addition, her fantastic characters and their stories evicted a deep and raw emotion that made this story one to be highly recommended.
Scroll down for my full review…
To save the innocent, they must face an insidious evil.
Wren Blythe has long enjoyed living in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, helping her father with ministry at a youth camp. But when a little girl in the area goes missing, an all-out search ensues, reviving the decades-old campfire story of Ava Coons, the murderess who is believed to still roam the forest. Joining the search, Wren stumbles upon the Coonses' cabin ruins and a sinister mystery she is determined to unearth.
In 1930, Ava Coons has spent the last several years carrying the mantle of mystery since the day she emerged from the woods as a thirteen-year-old girl, spattered with blood, dragging a logger's ax. She has accepted she will never remember what happened to her family, whose bodies were never found, and that the people of Tempter's Creek will always blame her for their violent deaths. And after a member of the town is murdered, and another goes missing, rumors spread that Ava's secret is perhaps more malicious than previously imagined.
Two women, separated by time, must confront a wickedness that not only challenges who they are but also threatens their lives, and the lives of those they love.
My Review: ★★★★★
Jaime Jo Wright is a master storyteller… I absolutely loved The Souls of Lost Lake! I’ve read every book this author has penned and this is perhaps my favorite so far. For certain, the characters in this novel are my favorite!
I found The Souls of Lost Lake to be spooky, thrilling and intriguing! Jaime Jo Wright did not merely tell a story with her words… She created an atmosphere that surrounded me, captivated me and completely immersed me in the mysterious legend of campfire-story-favorite, Ava Coons. In addition, her characters and their stories evicted a deep and raw emotion that made this story one to be highly recommended.
What I Loved:
The dual story line! Because this novel features two stories that coincide with each other and intersect, it was easy for me to find myself entertained by this novel. The transitions between past and present day were flawless and the suspenseful pace of this story kept me highly invested. I was devouring the pages late into the night!
The characters were also fantastic. I really loved Ava’s character and witnessing her inner struggles as she experienced memory loss and being hunted by the townspeople. She and Noah were wonderful together. Their sparking, tension-filled romance was exactly what I was hoping for. As for Wren, her story was unique as well and very surprising! From the moment she mentioned Eddie, I was routing for them and their own romance. Both Noah and Eddie were seemingly normal, strong, capable men and I found them each very likable. Secondary characters, such as Gary and Patty, were also endearing and lovable. Because of the very real and raw nature of Patty’s part in this story, Wright had me in tears halfway through this novel.
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The book’s setting in the town of Tempter’s Creek and the northern woods was another highlight. Wright created a fictional place that served as the connecting factor for both past and present. This element further intensified the eerie, mystifying nature of the novel. With her vivid descriptions, I had no trouble at all envisioning the dark, hidden woods surrounding Lost Lake.
Lastly, and most importantly, I loved Wright’s writing style. In addition to creating a story that was phenomenal, she used her words to evoke the ambiance of a thriller with a spooky, dark overture. Then, masterfully through her characters’s inner struggles and the unique horror stories she intertwined, Wright offered an element of deep faith and a beautiful ray of light and hope. The dramatic conclusion to The Souls of Lost Lake was a superb ending that left me surprised, satisfied and already craving another story from this talented author. Good thing I’ve heard there’s one in the works!
Summary:
The Souls of Lost Lake definitely makes it into a top 2022 read and is one I highly recommend. If you are a reader who enjoys dual time lines and mysterious thrillers, this is one for you! Do not miss it and if you haven’t read them already, I recommend all the books by this author.
Content and Trigger Notes: This is Christian fiction and is a clean read. The book does contain mention of violent death, traumatic situations for children, mild gore, child abduction, the mention of alcohol consumption and the mention of swearing with no curse words written out. This is not a sweet romance or boundary-constrained romantic suspense Christian fiction.
About the Author:
Author Jaime Jo Wright, image courtesy of Baker Publishing Group
Jaime Jo Wright (www.jaimewrightbooks.com) is the author of six novels, including Christy Award winner The House on Foster Hill and Carol Award winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. She's also the Publishers Weekly and ECPA bestselling author of two novellas. Jaime lives in Wisconsin with her cat named Foo; her husband, Cap'n Hook; and their littles, Peter Pan and CoCo. To learn more, visit www.jaimewrightbooks.com.
