Summit Lake

By: Charlie Donlea

Narrated by: Shannon McManus

Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

“A gem of a mystery, fast-paced and suspenseful.” --Catherine Coulter, # 1 New York Times bestselling author

No suspects. No persons of interest. Just a girl who was alive one day and dead the next.

Some places seem too beautiful to be touched by horror. Summit Lake, nestled in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, is that kind of place. But two weeks ago, Becca Eckersley, a first-year law student and daughter of a powerful attorney, was brutally murdered there. Now the town is reeling with grief, and the police are baffled.

“An exciting debut, with all the right touches, captivating from the first page to the last.” --Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author

At first, investigative reporter Kelsey Castle thinks of the assignment as a fluff piece. But the savagery of the crime, and the efforts to keep it quiet, hint at something far more sinister than a random attack by a stranger. As Kelsey digs deeper, despite danger and warnings, she feels a growing connection to the dead girl. And the more she learns about Becca’s friendships, her love life - and her secrets - the more convinced she becomes that walking in Becca’s footsteps could lead her out of her own dark past....

“A swift, outstanding debut.” --Robert Dugoni, New York Times bestselling author

“Fans of contemporary suspense will enjoy this brisk read.” --Booklist

©2016 Charlie Donlea (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. Lyrics to “She Don’t Like Roses” used by permission of Christine Kane.

Very sad ending to a promising young life...

What was one of the most memorable moments of Summit Lake?

When Becca's murderer sits down with the letter she wrote to her unborn daughter. The one thing I regret about this book is that it brings up the letter quite a few times but never says what the letter says but I guess anyone who has or ever thought about having children can kind of fill in the blanks.

What does Shannon McManus bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I thought she did a very good job narrating. I have listened to her narration of other books and I think this may be her best performance.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Maybe not in one sitting but I did listen to it in one day.

Any additional comments?

I thought this was a very good book. I've looked at some of the other reviews that say it's a novel or unique idea but I really didn't see it that way. To me this book is the classic love triangle. The book makes the murdered girl kind of a flirt so the third party to the triangle although kind of predictable could possibly be another. There is a lot of secrecy surrounding this girl and the relationship she has with her baby's father. There are a few things that happened that made no sense to me whatsoever (i.e.: the victim left her diary/journal at a local cafe and instead of turning it over to the police the shop owner hid in in one of her cookbooks...HUH?). Anyway I did like the writing style, the book moves along at a pretty good pace. I liked the way the author go back and forth between past and present and did not find it at all confusing. With each new chapter he says the number of months or week or day before the murder. Or in the case of the investigative reporter he stated how long since the murder. He also gives the reporter a similar but not the same kind of story of her own which makes her look at this case a little more personal and I think with more empathy.
I purchased this book on sale for $4.95 and it is certainly worth that.
I would RECOMMEND this book especially if you read this review while it is still on sale.
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The Author Has No Respect for The Readers

There is a difference between outsmarting the audience and tricking the audience. I devoured this mystery. I was fully invested early on. Took multiple trips around the block to hear more and thought about the book when I left the car. Ultimately, the author had no respect for the readers. The ending wasn't a got ya, it was a deliberate attempt to mislead. And I'm not sure why, I could rewrite the book with one character at the end of the whodunit with similar characteristics as the character was ultimately responsible and it would have been plauisble. The details at the end were sloppy thrown together. Some plots never were resolved. And the main characters ending made no sense based on what she experienced earlier in the book. None of the ending was plausible to me. Well written, yes, but not plausible. I left this book with a bad taste in my mouth. It was a great book but the ending almost destroyed everything

Good but not Great.

An entertaining listen. Just not as creative as I like my fictions. It's good... just not great.

Fantastic Book

This book moves along in such an interesting way—no boring moments at all. It unfolds beautifully.
The ending is amazing. A great read-don’t miss it!

Move Over Sandra Brown

Per Shelly’s review, this narrator did do a good job on this story. I would buy Ms McManus reads only if I loved the author and the storyline.
This story was on sale .99 which I thought was a mistake, but it was not!!! This type of storyline is not my favorite as young love kinda gets on my nerves. For me the old adage “age and treachery beats youth and inexperience just shouts at me.”
I started this author with Those Empty Eyes on a recent daily deal, and wow what a great adventure and entertainment. I really like the way the author has the right type of red herring clues. His twist endings are most like that of author Sandra Brown. The author’s best work so far for me is Those Empty Eyes, and I want to capture that same OMG moment. I could not believe it and had to re- listened to that chapter, AND went back to the chapters that were related!!! I just could not get over it and still had an Oh my goodness moment. So I now have 3 books from this author. As the author matures, his work has definitely improved so I looke forward to his new release when it is due.
Were my comments of help?

The plot kept me going...

If not for wanting to know who the killer was, I would have abandoned this book. Plot hook and 'keep you guessing' value: 4 (a true whodunit). Appropriate use of the English language: 2 ("transcended upon her" when they clearly meant "descended on her" along with many grammatical errors, awkward constructions and strange word choices). Plus, bonus, the squeaky-voiced narrator placed peculiar emphasis occasionally, and seemed to be trying to race through this thing as quickly as she could.

Good. But, "manipulator of men" comment says much about the author

Good story. Great narration. However, Becca & Jacks passive ignorance of their own lives was laughable. Because had 2 men that she was a friend to, possibly mutually flirty with them over text, but hardly a 'manipulator of men'. Also, 2 men isn't 'many'. No acknowledgement that Tom was a creepy stalker married scumbag or that Brad was mentally ill. Becca's fault? Ugh. On the last hour now of the book. Kind of dumb that these educated adults aren't empowered in their own lives.

Predictable

Predictable, but worth a read. Narrator appeared to be "reading" the book. if that makes any sense. That kinda was a turnoff. This took me longer than usual to finish due to the narrator not being able to keep my attention. It could have been better, but on the flipside, I have seen worse. 4 stars because I finished it.

Modern Nancy Drew

Not sure if being a modern day Nancy Drew is a good thing or bad thing. This book has its entertainment value, was interesting, well written, and well performed. But a little trite.

Great listen

I love the narrator’s voice, Shannon McMannus, in every book I read she does. Book was interesting through the whole way. Story line had plenty highs and lows. Would recommend