Bitter Falls

Stillhouse Lake, Book 4

By: Rachel Caine

Narrated by: Emily Sutton-Smith, Michael Crouch, Dan John Miller, Lauren Ezzo, Will Ropp

Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

An Amazon Charts, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best-selling series.

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?

©2020 by Rachel Caine, LLC. (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Excellent 5 Star addition to this series...

This is the fourth book in the Stillhouse Lake series. This book can be listened to as a stand alone but I would suggest listening to the series in order. Throughout this book there are references to the previous books and there are also changes in relationships.

The publisher’s summary probably gives more information than it should. Gwen Proctor is the protagonist. She’s up against an offshoot of the cult she was embattled with in the previous book. Her family is in jeopardy and it’s a race against time for Gwen to rescue them.
Like the others in this series this book is very fast paced.
This book is FREE to borrow with the Kindle Unlimited edition.
The narration is excellent.
This book is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
If you found this review helpful please indicate so.
Thank You.

These are starting to sound the same.

I've listened to all of the books in this series and while I have enjoyed them, I find I am also glad when they are over. The narration for the main character is not my favorite, nor are the very repetitive thoughts of "I am super-woman. I protect my children. I protect my man. I am responsible for every little thing. I plan for every single thing, how could I have missed this?" I'm a mother, I get it. Please stop beating me over the head with it. I feel like this series could be great if the main character could relax just a little bit. And maybe all the bad things don't have to keep happening to her people. Maybe she could save some new people while her children and her man stay safe next time. All that aside, this book is still better than many books I have listened to. Since it is a free listen to Kindle Unlimited subscribers, it is definitely worth a listen!

Doesn't get better than this!

This series has been an awesome experience. I say experience because it was not than just listening to a book. Although the earlier books gave me more than a little pause and flashes of PTSD, I found joy in the strength of the main character 's evolution and growth. Her dogged persuit of freedom from the chains of past abuse are an inspiration for all of us who have suffered.
Her deep devotion to her children and now partner Sam, has also been touching. Although this is probably the last of this series, I hope that Rachel will follow with other stories of families like the Proctors. I'm sad to see them go, it's was as if they've become close personal friends of mine.

Savage LIfe

This was a great end to a raw and gritty series. I greatly enjoyed the entire series, but it's really not for the faint of heart. Not because of it's intensity, it's violence, or it's possible triggers. All of those are there in some measure...but it's the combination of those factors combined with the author's unwillingness to pull any punches. Nothing is softened for a reader who might be sensitive or unaware of the harsh nature of the world. That's the point, I think, of the series in a general way. Gwen Proctor: general nice lady and sweet mom, average suburban housewife trying to live an ordinary life, had no idea what sort of monstrous things were going on in her own house. She and her children will apparently pay for that the rest of their lives, even though they are innocent, and the evil man who committed those despicable acts is now dead. Anybody that ever said life was fair was lying to you.

Gwen Proctor is a great character, though. She's kind of like the Terminator's mom. She got dealt a really bad hand in life, but when she realized it, she figured out how to reinvent herself and keep her family safe. It's a bad idea to underestimate her. Her kids are pretty amazing considering what they've been through. They're tough at times, and whiney stupid kids at other times. Kind of how I would expect them to be. Then there's Sam, who joined the family along the way in the series through a remarkable path, having started as an enemy of Gwen's. He's since fallen completely in love with Gwen and the kids.

While this novel is the last in the series, it is possible to read it as a standalone. Be aware, if you do that, you'll definitely want to go back and get the full story on this remarkable family. So it will be best enjoyed in order, beginning with "Stillhouse Lake."

4th book of Series

I've gotta admit, Connor grew up pretty quick in book 4 and carried his weight. A good listen.

Concept is great, execution is VERY poor

I want to like this series. This is the third book in the series I listened to just to see how the characters grow with her writing style. But I have the following problems (that reoccur OVER and OVER).

1. Characters are super careful and then they aren't to make the story go in a direction that is unbelievable.
2. The emotions described are unbelievable.
3. I don't care (and they don't matter) when the kids start kissing others or feeling a certain way about a love interest.
4. People don't partner with people in high risk situations if they don't like each other AND they don't trust each other.

Over all, it takes so much away from the story -- that I can't listen anymore and I can't purchase anymore books by her.

Basically, it's not my style, at all.

No disappointment!

Rachel Caine is one of my newest favorite authors. I love her style and the riveting storyline. This is edge of your seat listening. My only disappointment is having to wait for the next book.

wow, wonderful, captivating.

loved. felt like I speed read it because it seemed to end too soon even thought it was as long as previous books.

Gwen’s At It Again

This (4th book in the series) is a little more unique than then previous books. I will probably read the next book, but I am hoping this series comes to an end. This particular book makes me very thankful that I do not have a teenage daughter.

Great series

All 4 are amazing. I can't wait for the last one. sad that will be the last book she has written. may she rest in peace.

gripping

enjoyed this book in the series and I look forward to the next one. love the consistency of the characters.

Excellent fast moving and intense

Excellent fast moving and intense. Great ending to the fourth novel in the series. I can highly recommend.

Really Enjoyed this! 4th book in a series

enjoyed this book. I have listened to the other 3 books and this is the 4th on in a series..Can be listened to as a stand alone book though as they recap parts so it all makes sense but I found that a little frustrating as I knew the storyline as I listened to the other books. but enjoyed it either way

Exciting, edge of seat stuff

I have loved the whole series of these books, just disappointed there are no more. Best books I've read for some time, loved the characters, the narrators were excellent, the story exciting, 👍

Great series

Listened to the whole series back to back. All very good and the narration is really well done

Great story

The story line was exciting and easy to follow the only let down were the accents.

fantastic

narrated brilliantly. story was captivating. couldn't stop listening to it. a must read. loved it .

STILLHOUSE LAKE

HAVE LOVED THE WHOLE SERIES EDGE OF SEAT THRILLING,WELL READ GREAT CHARACTERS .THE STORY IS DIFFERENT

Loved every minute

Loved every minute of this series of books hopefully not the last in this series

Entertaining!

Hopefully unrealistic what one family can endure but enjoyable. Largely pleasant characters but I think they need some serious beach time and then another book?!