Bitter Falls (Stillhouse Lake #4) by Rachel Caine

Bitter Falls

(Stillhouse Lake #4)

by Rachel Caine

Kindle Edition, 336 pages

Expected publication: January 21st 2020 by Thomas & Mercer

Goodreads synopsis:

She’s investigating a cold case no one else could—by going places no else would dare.

In spite of a harrowing past still haunting her, Gwen Proctor is trying to move forward. Until a new assignment gives her purpose: the cold-case disappearance of a young man in Tennessee. Three years missing, no clues. Just Ruth Landry, a tortured mother in limbo. Gwen understands what it’s like to worry about your children.

Gwen’s investigation unearths new suspects…and victims. As she follows each sinister lead, the implications of the mystery grow more disturbing. Because the closer Gwen gets, the closer she is to a threat that looms back home.

In a town that’s closed its ranks against Gwen; her partner, Sam; and her kids, there’s no bolder enemy than the Belldene family—paramilitary, criminal, powerful, and vengeful. As personal vendettas collide with Gwen’s investigation, she’s prepared to fight both battles. But is she prepared for the toll it could take on everyone she loves?

***

5 Stars

This is the fourth book in the Stillhouse Lake series by Rachel Caine.

Wow! Rachel Caine does it again. I was slack-jawed through the entire book. I am not sure how she manages to ramp up the tension and thrust her characters into these bizarre situations. I would have thought that whole cult thing was wrapped up in the last book and they would have a semi-normal life with her transitioning into a private investigator. Nope. Not the Proctor family. Everything is still just as screwed up as it had been.

Atlanta and Conner are trying to make friends and fit in at school but ever since Atlanta and her girlfriend broke up, things couldn’t be worse for the teen. Then Vee shows up. Yep, that poor screwed up girl from book three. Thought she was gone, didn’t ya? Nope. She’s back and with a vengeance! She is Atlanta’s new girl-toy (is that a thing?) and she and her penchant for getting into trouble thrusts its ugly head as she drags the Proctor girl into a party situation. In the cliffs overlooking the party Atlanta comes across a girl from school. She’s dead. When she calls 911, things go from bad to worse. She has garnered the attention of the local bad guy group/drug runners and such and now the whole family is yet again screwed. Told you! Screwed is the key word here.

Gwen’s new job as a PI factors into this whole mess as well. She is looking into the disappearance of a young man. And as you read and discover all the satrtling connections between this case and the cult in book three, you will be slack-jawed yourself, I am sure.

This book hit a home run with me. Unputdownable! You might want to read all the previous books in the series before venturing into this one so you have the entire rich backstory. Since this book isn’t directly related to Gwen’s serial killer husband, you can definitely read this as a standalone if you want. The whole series is so good I am not sure I would suggest that. 

This is totally a five star series! Thank you, Rachel Caine for keeping me so entertained.

If you love a good suspense/thriller mystery, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.