Summary
The House Across the Lake is a 2022 thriller novel by acclaimed author Riley Sager. This instant New York Times bestseller follows Casey Fletcher, a widowed actress who becomes entangled in the mysterious disappearance of her glamorous neighbor while staying at her family's lake house in Vermont. The book received widespread acclaim and was named a most-anticipated summer read by numerous publications.
Sager's signature blend of sharp characters, psychological suspense, and shocking plot twists is on full display in this novel. Critics have drawn comparisons to Alfred Hitchcock's classic film Rear Window, praising the author's ability to craft a gripping narrative that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The story explores themes of voyeurism, guilt, and obsession, delving into the dark secrets that can lurk beneath seemingly perfect surfaces.
Plot
Casey Fletcher, a recently widowed actress, retreats to her family's lake house in Vermont to escape negative publicity. Armed with binoculars and bourbon, she spends her days observing her neighbors across the lake, Tom and Katherine Royce. One day, Casey rescues Katherine from drowning, and the two women form a friendship.
As Casey gets to know Katherine better, she begins to suspect that the Royces' marriage is not as perfect as it appears. Katherine confides in Casey about her husband's struggling tech startup and her own financial support of their lifestyle. When Katherine suddenly vanishes, Casey immediately suspects Tom of foul play.
Determined to uncover the truth, Casey enlists the help of Boone Conrad, a local handyman and former police officer. They begin investigating Katherine's disappearance, as well as a possible connection to three missing girls in the area. Casey's suspicions shift between Tom and Boone as she uncovers more information, leading her to take matters into her own hands.
Casey's investigation takes an unexpected turn when she discovers Katherine alive but held captive in the Royce's basement. However, the situation becomes even more complicated when it's revealed that Katherine is possessed by the spirit of Casey's deceased husband, Len. The story culminates in a series of shocking twists involving supernatural elements, murder, and a confrontation that forces Casey to face her own past actions.
Themes
Voyeurism and obsession
Deception and appearances
Grief and alcoholism
Marriage and infidelity
Trust and suspicion
Supernatural elements in everyday life
Redemption through solving mysteries
Setting
Set in the present day, The House Across the Lake unfolds primarily in the picturesque setting of Lake Greene, Vermont. This serene location serves as both a refuge and a stage for the novel's suspenseful events, offering a stark contrast between its tranquil surface and the dark secrets lurking beneath.
The story centers around two key properties on the lake: Casey Fletcher's family cabin and the luxurious house of the Royce family directly across the water. These dwellings become integral to the plot, with Casey's cabin serving as her vantage point for observing the seemingly perfect lives of her neighbors.
Beyond the immediate lake setting, the narrative briefly touches on the surrounding Vermont area, hinting at unsolved mysteries in nearby towns. This broader context adds depth to the story, suggesting that the idyllic lake community is not as isolated or immune to danger as it might appear.
Characters
Casey Fletcher: Recently widowed actress and protagonist. She's an alcoholic trying to escape bad press by retreating to her family's lake house in Vermont. Casey becomes obsessed with watching her neighbors across the lake and gets entangled in a complex mystery involving disappearances and supernatural elements.
Katherine Royce: Former model living across the lake from Casey. She strikes up a friendship with Casey after being rescued from drowning. Katherine's mysterious disappearance becomes the central focus of Casey's investigation.
Tom Royce: Katherine's husband and a tech innovator. Initially seen as a potential suspect in Katherine's disappearance, Tom's true motives and involvement in the story become more complex as the plot unfolds.
Len Fletcher: Casey's deceased husband, a screenwriter who drowned in Lake Greene the previous year. His death and its circumstances play a crucial role in the story's supernatural twist.
Boone Conrad: Local handyman and former police officer. He assists Casey in her investigation and becomes a potential love interest, though his past raises suspicions.
Wilma Anson: Former police colleague of Boone. She becomes involved in the investigation of Katherine's disappearance and provides information about other missing persons cases in the area.
Quick facts
The book was an instant New York Times bestseller upon release in 2022.
It was narrated by Bernadette Dunne for the audiobook version.
Riley Sager is actually a pen name for author Todd Ritter.
The book features a major plot twist involving supernatural elements.
It's set at a lake house in Vermont, inspired by the author's own experiences.
The main character, Casey Fletcher, is an alcoholic actress hiding from bad press.
This is Sager's sixth thriller novel, following works like Final Girls and Survive the Night.
About the Author
Riley Sager, the pen name of Todd Ritter, is a New York Times bestselling author known for gripping thriller novels. With a background in journalism, editing, and graphic design, Sager transitioned to full-time writing, producing a series of critically acclaimed books that have captivated readers worldwide.
Sager's debut novel, Final Girls, published in 2017, won the ITW Thriller Award for Best Hardcover Novel and has been translated into over 30 languages. This success launched a prolific career, with Sager releasing one novel per year, including popular titles such as Lock Every Door, Home Before Dark, and The House Across the Lake.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Sager now resides in Princeton, New Jersey. When not writing, the author enjoys reading, cooking, and watching movies. In addition to the works published under the Riley Sager pseudonym, the author has released novels under his real name, Todd Ritter, and another pen name, Alan Finn. Sager's upcoming releases include The Only One Left in 2023, Middle of the Night in 2024, and With a Vengeance in 2025, further cementing his status as a prolific and beloved thriller writer.
