Publication
New York, NY : Kensington Books, 2016.
Collection
Call number
Fiction D
Physical description
325 p.; 21 cm
Status
Available
Call number
Description
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�… (more)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member JudithDCollins
A special thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
T O P - N O T C H ! 5 Stars +
Debut? If this is a debut, can only imagine what is to come.
OK, I have a pretty good track record, predicting Top Books and those inspired for film. Reading 400-500 books a
SUMMIT LAKE by talented new author, Charlie Donlea, is destined to be in line for "The Best Debut of 2016." "Charlie, I hope you have given up your day job, and busy writing your next installment of Kelsey Castle." Many more stories here, waiting to be uncovered, (hoping for a series); sure your fingers are tapping away.
Set in the Western North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains in a small upscale weekenders’ lake hideaway idyllic area, we learn of a brutal murder of law student, Becca Eckersley in 2012. Her wealthy parents reside in Greensboro, NC Piedmont Triad area, well-connected and father a prominent attorney—one of their many weekend second homes.
As the novel opens we learn of the brutal murder which shakes the small tourist town. We flash back and forth from fourteen months earlier with Becca, and her college life at George Washington University.
We meet a series of Becca's college friends. Guy friends, a secret lover, a former relationship with a professor, and an old high school fling. They await college acceptance letters from the top Ivy League schools. From college stresses of grades, cheating to pass, obsessions, their future careers, aspirations, secrets, loves, and pressure of hi-profile parents….readers relive the months leading up to the tragic event.
We also meet Kelsey Castle, a crime investigative reporter and author, from Miami, FL at Events Magazine, recuperating from her own tragic event. Her boss sends her to the small tourist town for some R&R, for a fluff story. Little does he know, what is in store and what Kelsey will find, as she begins her investigation.
She is obsessed with finding answers for Becca, a young woman with a bright future, cut short. More secrets unfold. She feels a connection and will use all her resources to find out the identity of the killer. For justice. The murder has to be someone the girl knew--no signs of intrusion. Limited clues. The authorities are of little help. Someone is hiding information.
Donlea, slowly peels back the layers, giving nothing away; flashing between the present with Kelsey, and Becca’s past, as we get closer to the day of the murder. Everyone has a secret. The investigation is mysterious and due to the parent’s wanting to keep things private, there is not a lot of information.
Kelsey has to use all her creative reporting skills putting her in harm’s way. With the help of some new found local special friends, she tries desperately to piece together the mystery. Who killed Becca Eckersley? A girl with so many hidden secrets. Who would want to kill her and why?
An intense haunting mystery. There are so many suspects. What compounds the intriguing crime mystery is the dark lurking psychological aspect. The secrets thoughts and obsessions of a killer. With twists and turns and many surprises, the identity of the killer will not be revealed until the end.
In addition to the well-written and crafted debut, vivid settings, and descriptions--the human dynamics, with the powerful parallel story line of Kelsey. My favorite characters: Jack, Peter, Rae, and Kelsey. An irresistible page-turner—you will not be able to put it down, grabbing you from page one, to the "hold your breath" last page.
Dying to do a Q&A with the author, for more about this fresh unique, intriguing mystery. The inspiration, the setting, characters, the parallel stories, etc. My favorite genre; for me, three huge familiar connections, true to my heart (S. Florida, Blue Ridge Mountains, and Piedmont-Triad NC areas). You just know when a book will blow you away, from the well-designed book trailer, the description, and the cover. It lives up in every way; as why I pick the "best" for my Featured Weekend Reads.
Think: A cross between Mark Edwards, Michael Robotham, and Linwood Barclay authors, always landing on my top book list.
I never left my hi-rise South Florida apartment once, this weekend-- gazing over the waterfront view, nerve-racked with intense suspense, glued to this page-turner. Thanks for delivering a fantastic crime mystery thriller, and an added bonus--the setting!
Add Summit Lake to your TBR list. Pre-Order Now! Jan, 2016 release. If you have not seen the trailer, a little more temptation: Summit Lake Trailer
A gem, not to be missed.
T O P - N O T C H ! 5 Stars +
Debut? If this is a debut, can only imagine what is to come.
OK, I have a pretty good track record, predicting Top Books and those inspired for film. Reading 400-500 books a
Show More
year, certain show-stopper's stand out. Remember: You read it here: This well-written psychological crime suspense mystery thriller has "bestseller/the big screen" written all over it. SUMMIT LAKE by talented new author, Charlie Donlea, is destined to be in line for "The Best Debut of 2016." "Charlie, I hope you have given up your day job, and busy writing your next installment of Kelsey Castle." Many more stories here, waiting to be uncovered, (hoping for a series); sure your fingers are tapping away.
Set in the Western North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains in a small upscale weekenders’ lake hideaway idyllic area, we learn of a brutal murder of law student, Becca Eckersley in 2012. Her wealthy parents reside in Greensboro, NC Piedmont Triad area, well-connected and father a prominent attorney—one of their many weekend second homes.
As the novel opens we learn of the brutal murder which shakes the small tourist town. We flash back and forth from fourteen months earlier with Becca, and her college life at George Washington University.
We meet a series of Becca's college friends. Guy friends, a secret lover, a former relationship with a professor, and an old high school fling. They await college acceptance letters from the top Ivy League schools. From college stresses of grades, cheating to pass, obsessions, their future careers, aspirations, secrets, loves, and pressure of hi-profile parents….readers relive the months leading up to the tragic event.
We also meet Kelsey Castle, a crime investigative reporter and author, from Miami, FL at Events Magazine, recuperating from her own tragic event. Her boss sends her to the small tourist town for some R&R, for a fluff story. Little does he know, what is in store and what Kelsey will find, as she begins her investigation.
She is obsessed with finding answers for Becca, a young woman with a bright future, cut short. More secrets unfold. She feels a connection and will use all her resources to find out the identity of the killer. For justice. The murder has to be someone the girl knew--no signs of intrusion. Limited clues. The authorities are of little help. Someone is hiding information.
Donlea, slowly peels back the layers, giving nothing away; flashing between the present with Kelsey, and Becca’s past, as we get closer to the day of the murder. Everyone has a secret. The investigation is mysterious and due to the parent’s wanting to keep things private, there is not a lot of information.
Kelsey has to use all her creative reporting skills putting her in harm’s way. With the help of some new found local special friends, she tries desperately to piece together the mystery. Who killed Becca Eckersley? A girl with so many hidden secrets. Who would want to kill her and why?
An intense haunting mystery. There are so many suspects. What compounds the intriguing crime mystery is the dark lurking psychological aspect. The secrets thoughts and obsessions of a killer. With twists and turns and many surprises, the identity of the killer will not be revealed until the end.
In addition to the well-written and crafted debut, vivid settings, and descriptions--the human dynamics, with the powerful parallel story line of Kelsey. My favorite characters: Jack, Peter, Rae, and Kelsey. An irresistible page-turner—you will not be able to put it down, grabbing you from page one, to the "hold your breath" last page.
Dying to do a Q&A with the author, for more about this fresh unique, intriguing mystery. The inspiration, the setting, characters, the parallel stories, etc. My favorite genre; for me, three huge familiar connections, true to my heart (S. Florida, Blue Ridge Mountains, and Piedmont-Triad NC areas). You just know when a book will blow you away, from the well-designed book trailer, the description, and the cover. It lives up in every way; as why I pick the "best" for my Featured Weekend Reads.
Think: A cross between Mark Edwards, Michael Robotham, and Linwood Barclay authors, always landing on my top book list.
I never left my hi-rise South Florida apartment once, this weekend-- gazing over the waterfront view, nerve-racked with intense suspense, glued to this page-turner. Thanks for delivering a fantastic crime mystery thriller, and an added bonus--the setting!
Add Summit Lake to your TBR list. Pre-Order Now! Jan, 2016 release. If you have not seen the trailer, a little more temptation: Summit Lake Trailer
A gem, not to be missed.
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LibraryThing member Beamis12
Thought is apropos that I start the new year by finishing a book by a début author. Good start to what should be a promising series. Kelsey Castle, an investigative reporter attempting to overcome a horrible event in her own life, is sent to Summit lake to gather facts on the murder of a first
On the whole this was an interesting read, a good case, and some interesting characters. But there were a few things that just didn't gel for demand some situations like the relationship between Kelsey and Matt just seemed awkward at times. Still a good first effort, the last part of the book very suspenseful so will definitely be looking out for this author's next offering.
ARC from Netgalley.
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year law student. On the whole this was an interesting read, a good case, and some interesting characters. But there were a few things that just didn't gel for demand some situations like the relationship between Kelsey and Matt just seemed awkward at times. Still a good first effort, the last part of the book very suspenseful so will definitely be looking out for this author's next offering.
ARC from Netgalley.
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LibraryThing member Pet12
Summit Lake is an extremely well written debut. A clever mix of past and present with several points of view. It was hard to put this down because the mystery surrounding Becca's murder drew you in and reading about the months leading up to her death was fascinating. The way the author created a
The only thing I found difficult to believe was the ease with which the reporter managed to get her information and persuade professionals to aid her in her investigation.
Still, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and would definitely read more books by Charlie Donlea. Highly recommended for fans of suspenseful mysteries or crime fiction in general.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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connection between the victim and the reporter investigating the victim's death was also cleverly done. I was surprised when the killer was revealed and have to admit my first reaction was that I felt a bit cheated, but it all made sense and was completely believable so I could then quite happily go with it.The only thing I found difficult to believe was the ease with which the reporter managed to get her information and persuade professionals to aid her in her investigation.
Still, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and would definitely read more books by Charlie Donlea. Highly recommended for fans of suspenseful mysteries or crime fiction in general.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member Dianekeenoy
I felt bad that I had to read this book even faster than I normally would since I had return it back to the library along with quite a few others. Still, I enjoyed this book and was glad I had a chance to read it. Becca is brutally attacked in the beginning of the story. The story then starts about
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a year back and gradually brings us along with her as she begins her journey with her destiny. Kelsey is a reporter who has been out on leave after an attack while running. Her boss sends her to Summit Lake to write the story about Becca. He thinks it will be an easy piece to write in a beautiful lake area so that she can continue her recovery. Well, we know that's not going to happen, don't we? The case is being handled by the state investigators and the evidence that is usually public has been hidden and no one is talking. Very good debut novel. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookofsecrets
Excellent debut from Charlie Donlea! I can't believe this book slipped past my "new releases" radar until now. I flew through this story, was totally absorbed in it, loved it.
Kelsey Castle is a crime reporter who's sent on assignment to a North Carolina mountain town called Summit Lake. This
The story alternates between Becca's POV in the months leading up to her murder, and Kelsey's POV a couple of weeks after the crime. The plot was suspenseful and well-constructed. I enjoyed trying to piece together the puzzle, and the twist at the end was awesome. My only complaint was that I thought Kelsey came by the official evidence (police/medical reports) too easily.
I'd highly recommend SUMMIT LAKE to fans of mystery and crime novels. Dark and haunting.
Kelsey Castle is a crime reporter who's sent on assignment to a North Carolina mountain town called Summit Lake. This
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usually idyllic place has had its first murder. The victim, Becca Eckersley, is a promising law student and daughter of a powerful attorney. Kelsey believes the police are going in the wrong direction, possibly trying to cover up what really happened, and she's determined to find the truth.The story alternates between Becca's POV in the months leading up to her murder, and Kelsey's POV a couple of weeks after the crime. The plot was suspenseful and well-constructed. I enjoyed trying to piece together the puzzle, and the twist at the end was awesome. My only complaint was that I thought Kelsey came by the official evidence (police/medical reports) too easily.
I'd highly recommend SUMMIT LAKE to fans of mystery and crime novels. Dark and haunting.
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LibraryThing member rosalita
A journalist recovering from her own personal trauma is assigned to look into the murder of a young law student in a mountain resort town. Despite being a complete stranger in an insular small town, being unable to interview any family or friends of the victim, and evidence of a clear cover-up and
It's not that this is a bad book, it's just aggressively average. There are a couple of places where the author goes for a "shocking twist!" but they are telegraphed so far in advance that even I, who never figures out whodunit, figured out whodunit. On the other hand, it's a quick read and there's nothing overtly offensive or cloying about the writing. Approached with the appropriate level of expectation, a reader will probably enjoy it.
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whitewashing of the event by the state and federal law enforcement, this journalist is somehow able to obtain a copy of the entire police file, access to the complete autopsy report, and the victim's private diary. Said journalist solves the case and in doing so brings closure to herself.It's not that this is a bad book, it's just aggressively average. There are a couple of places where the author goes for a "shocking twist!" but they are telegraphed so far in advance that even I, who never figures out whodunit, figured out whodunit. On the other hand, it's a quick read and there's nothing overtly offensive or cloying about the writing. Approached with the appropriate level of expectation, a reader will probably enjoy it.
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LibraryThing member JenniferLynn
I don't even know where to start - it was AWESOME!!! One of my favorite books that I read this year. So glad I decided to read it, I couldn't put it down.
The book opens with Becca's death, which was horrible and brutal. You get all the details except who killed her. Then the book alternates
Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books and the author, Charlie Donlea, for a free electronic ARC of this novel. It was a wonderful read and can't wait for the author's next book!!.
The book opens with Becca's death, which was horrible and brutal. You get all the details except who killed her. Then the book alternates
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between the time leading up to Becca's death and Kelsey investigating Becca's murder for an article she is writing. Not until the very end do you find out the identity of the killer and I was SHOCKED!!! I had no idea. Honestly, I had two people in mind for the killer and I was not even close. The book had me hooked from the first page and until the very end. I was right their with Kelsey wanting to discover why Becca's murder was being covered up.Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books and the author, Charlie Donlea, for a free electronic ARC of this novel. It was a wonderful read and can't wait for the author's next book!!.
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LibraryThing member Ameise1
This is a sensitive, impressive reading. It is the story of two women who have had similar experiences. While the young student is dead, the journalist survived the rape and explores the reasons why the student had to die.
The chapters alternate. One is told from the perspective of Becca, the
This book is very excitingly written. Whenever I felt I knew the killer, that assumption vanished.
The chapters alternate. One is told from the perspective of Becca, the
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student. This story starts in the last college year. The reader gets to know Becca and her friends. The other chapters are from the perspective of journalist Kelsey Castle, who is slowly trying to solve the murder. However, this is rather difficult because the family of the dead has obtained a closure of the files.This book is very excitingly written. Whenever I felt I knew the killer, that assumption vanished.
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LibraryThing member CarrieWuj
Luckily, this was a quick read so I didn't have to spend much time with it. As far as crime/mystery thrillers go, it was preposterous. Kelsey Castle is a true-crime writer with a fancy magazine who hears about law student Becca Eckersley's murder in Summit Lake in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her
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boss, Penn Courtney (really?) sends her there for some R&R after a traumatic personal event, and to cover the story, which it appears is really a big cover up. After only 13 days, (because they are enumerated at the start of each chapter) Kelsey is able to solve this crime, that the local and state police couldn't even crack. There are ridiculous misses all over the place -- not the least of which is another dead and decomposing body that show not just the investigators' incompetence, but also the writer's. Oh, and Kelsey is recovering from rape, which this case just happens to include and yet she's over it. Meanwhile, Becca was 5 months pregnant, but not showing at all -- "even from the side" so know one knew about it at the time of her death. The police are spending more time looking for Kelsey than for the killer, but with the help of her new trusty coffee house pal, Rae and her new handsome love interest, Dr. Peter Ambrose (who steals medical records for this woman he just met), Kelsey cracks the case wide open. In attempting to explain Kelsey's super swift healing process the author states: "...intrigued by the story she was chasing and captivated by the girl who was killed, Kelsey found an oasis from her own trouble." but she is still plagued by her memories (from just a month ago) "It was as if her mind wore an electric collar and could only go so far without hurting itself." Ugh! Where's the editor? Skip this. Show Less
LibraryThing member Septima
SPOILERS:
The 'twist' at the end wasn't very surprising. GRRM has shown me that unless it's explicitly shown/stated that someone's dead (and even sometimes despite that) - they're not necessarily dead!
The 'twist' at the end wasn't very surprising. GRRM has shown me that unless it's explicitly shown/stated that someone's dead (and even sometimes despite that) - they're not necessarily dead!
LibraryThing member rmarcin
Kelsey Castle is an investigative reporter who was the victim of a crime. Her editor assigns her to investigate a mysterious death in Summit Lake. Kelsey reluctantly travels there to find out details of the murder, and details of the young woman's life. Becca Eckersley, a first-year law student at
The book had a few surprises for me, but I was still unclear as to who covered up the murder details. I believe I know who and why, but I don't believe it was ever explained.
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GW was found brutally murdered, but the police investigation looks like it was hindered from going anywhere. As Kelsey digs into the murder, and Becca's life, she finds a friendship between 4 college friends - Becca, Gail, Jack, and Brad, plus secrets that Becca was hiding. The book had a few surprises for me, but I was still unclear as to who covered up the murder details. I believe I know who and why, but I don't believe it was ever explained.
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LibraryThing member kmartin802
This engaging thriller was an enjoyable listen/read. It alternates the story of murdered first-year law student Becca Eckersley with that of journalist Kelsey Castle.
Kelsey has been sent to Summit Lake by her editor more for a vacation and time get over her rape than to find out who murdered Becca.
The story begins from Becca's point-of-view on the night of her death. Then the chapters alternate between Kelsey and Becca with Becca's having ominous titles like "Fourteen months before her death." As we hear Becca's story, we meet a young college student and her three best friends. Gail, Brad and Jack and see that changing relationships among them.
Becca comes across as a nice young woman who somehow lacks awareness of her effect on some of the men around her. She's still being harassed by her high school boyfriend who doesn't want to believe their relationship is over. She has a sort-of inappropriate friendship with one of her professors. Brad is falling in love with her whereas she sees him only as a friend. She actually falls in love with Jack, but they keep their relationship quiet so as not to disturb the dynamics of the group.
Kelsey and her new friend, coffee shop manager Rae, along with the covert assistance of the Chief of Police and Dr. Peter Ambrose, try to discover what happened to Becca despite the fact that someone - likely Becca's powerful father - is trying to cover things up.
I really enjoyed this story which I partially read and partially listened to. The narrator did a good job building the suspense.
Kelsey has been sent to Summit Lake by her editor more for a vacation and time get over her rape than to find out who murdered Becca.
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She arrives to find the case taken out of the local police's hands and given to State investigators. She also finds that things that should be public, like the autopsy, are being carefully kept from the public. Her curiosity is aroused and aroused even more when she learns that Becca too was raped before being murdered. The story begins from Becca's point-of-view on the night of her death. Then the chapters alternate between Kelsey and Becca with Becca's having ominous titles like "Fourteen months before her death." As we hear Becca's story, we meet a young college student and her three best friends. Gail, Brad and Jack and see that changing relationships among them.
Becca comes across as a nice young woman who somehow lacks awareness of her effect on some of the men around her. She's still being harassed by her high school boyfriend who doesn't want to believe their relationship is over. She has a sort-of inappropriate friendship with one of her professors. Brad is falling in love with her whereas she sees him only as a friend. She actually falls in love with Jack, but they keep their relationship quiet so as not to disturb the dynamics of the group.
Kelsey and her new friend, coffee shop manager Rae, along with the covert assistance of the Chief of Police and Dr. Peter Ambrose, try to discover what happened to Becca despite the fact that someone - likely Becca's powerful father - is trying to cover things up.
I really enjoyed this story which I partially read and partially listened to. The narrator did a good job building the suspense.
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Language
ISBN
9781496736994