It Happened on the Lake

It Happened on the Lake by Lisa Jackson
6/24/25; 592 pages
Kensington 

It Happened on the Lake by Lisa Jackson is a highly recommended atmospheric thriller with Gothic undertones.

It's 1988 and Harper Reed Prescott has just turned 37, the age her grandmother's will stipulated she would inherit her estate and the Victorian mansion located on a private island on Lake Twilight. Recently divorced with her daughter now in college, Harper, who never planned to return to the island, finds herself back living in the mansion while deciding what to do with it. 

The island is the site of tragedies for her. Her mother died here when Harper was nine. Her brother died there. Her grandmother died and boyfriend Chase disappeared on the same night twenty years ago in 1968.  Right after she entered the mansion, Harper sees Chase's mother on the lake, her boat on fire. She calls 911, swims out to save her, but fails and is injured in her attempt. And now that Harper is staying in the mansion, creepy things are happening.

As expected this is another well-written and twisty thriller from Jackson. The slow-burning narrative jumps back and forth between the past, in the 60's, mainly 1968 and the present year, 1988. It is easy to follow what time period the novel is following as dates are given at the opening of the chapters. Chapters are from multiple points of view, including Harper, Rand, a childhood friend and currently a police officer, and Levi, Chase's brother. 

There is a plethora of backstory for all of the characters, showcasing their personalities and past interactions. They are all portrayed as complex, fully realized individuals who all have secrets from the past and the present that they want to keep. The setting on the lake and in the mansion loom large in the plot, bringing up memories and creating a moody, Gothic atmosphere. The police, Rand and his partner, begin looking at some of the past deaths centered around the lake and the Reed Mansion, which is interesting and provides further insight into all the characters.

However, the pace slows down in the middle. At almost 600 pages some more editing would have helped to tighten this up and remove some of the repetitious and extraneous bits. The pace picks up along with the twists and surprise reveals toward the end and reaches a very satisfying conclusion.

It Happened on the Lake is a good choice for those who enjoy character driven Gothic thrillers and don't mind a big book. Thanks to Kensington for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.