I can read any Ann Stuart’s books over and over again and will still be on tender hooks from start to finish of her stories. Still Lake was first published in 2002 and I have read it a few times and my enjoyment is still the same as the first time.Sophie Davis is such a fabulous heroine…she’s so damm real…is not afraid to eat her own awesome muffins..who cares about the calories!!! I so so engaged with her persona. Leaving the rat race behind, she has purchased a farmhouse in the Vermont countryside, which she intends turning into a fabulous b/b. Only to discover that the property has some unsavory history. Thomas Griffin had been accused and convicted years ago for the murder of his girlfriend and after being released on a technically has come back to the place where the murder happened and to try to find out why he has such a vague memory of the crime and also to look for clues so he can finally get the truth about it. Unfortunately the lovely Sophie is now occupying the site of the crime so he rents a cottage next door.Naturally I know the whole plot by heart …but still I love the way the author builds up the relationship and the sexual tension between John (the name he’s using) and Sophie, which is pretty hot. Okay, Sophie is still a virgin but wow….when she and John touch each other…sparks fly!!! Their first sexual encounter is sexy, lustful and absolutely gorgeous. I loved seeing the two being unable to keep away from each other. John or Thomas has some incredible body and is an incredible kisser…according to Sophie, and I think I totally believe her!!!Sophie’s family – what a funny and so interesting characters. Grace, walking around seemingly in a total daze, Marty, the young sister with the hots for the young handyman, the eccentric locals and all those twists and turns just keep you turning the pages.The plot is fast-paced, lots of thrills and more chills, some really hot and erotic romance and the fabulous setting of the Vermont countryside is so vividly written that at times I felt I had been there myself.This is a beautiful and gorgeous love story and two people finding love and if you, like me, like romance filled with sensuality and a good story, then this book is for you.
I loved it, really, it’s one of my favorite so far. I started reading it afraid that I’d be disappointed. It’s been quite the contrary instead. But why all ms Stuart heroine have to be so stupid!!!!! Always to trust the wrong man. For the sake of the story, I imagine. It pissed me off just the same. Besides the story, I loved the characters… Grace, so deliciously out of her mind; Marty, nice bad girl turning good; Sophie, strong and loyal and naive, head-on-her-shoulder kind of woman, turning all upside own all of a sudden; and Griffin, that unlike all the other heroes I encountered so far in her book, is so charmingly ironic and has really made me laugh. Absolutely one of my favorite. True, the mystery plot is quite easy to find out, but apart from Agatha Christie, whose plots are absolutely perfect, I have hardly found others that can keep up with her. Still Lake is a good book, well written and Anne Stuart is magic to me. I highly recommend it.
What do You think about Still Lake (2002)?
Reading this you could tell it was an early Anne Stuart novel - Whilst it was very enjoyable it wasn't quite up to scratch with her later books.The mystery - as I can see many other people have mentioned - wasn't much of a mystery - you get introduced to very few characters in this book so your idea of "who dunnit" is very much drawn from the beginning.Having said that - the relationship between the Hero and Heroine and very good - a joy to read in places.Give the book a go - especially if you havent read any of Anne Stuart's previous work.
—Kelli
It was fine. Pleasant. A nice read.The writing was good.A few things key things bothered me1. I could not buy the relationship between Sophie and "Mr Smith" - she admits to finding him sexy but there does not seem to be any chemistry between them, they did not even seem to like each other. Hence the sex between them felt off2. The sharpest character was the old lady - the entire time neither Grace or Mr Smith especially him who came there to clear his name and investigate the murder did very lit
—Charis
Sophie Davis has bought her dream property and plans to convert it into a bed and breakfast. It's idyllic setting besides the lake is perfect and just what Sophie has always dreamed of. However, the same lake was also the sight a gruesome triple murder 20 years before. Thomas Griffin was arrested for the murders when he was a teenager and then later acquitted, if only he knew whether or not he actually committed them, the whole night is a blank in his memory, and he has returned to the lake to discover if he really did commit the murders, or if someone else framed him. This was a good read, it didn't rock my world, but it had enough suspense, sexy times and romance to make me enjoy it. But although I did enjoy Still Lake I am glad this wasn't the first book I read by Anne Stuart as it hasn't left me in a rush to read anything else by her. Which would be a mistake as I have read some fantastic books by Anne Stuart, especially her historicals.But, this did have her trademark bad boy hero who at first seems cold and ruthless, but you soon find yourself falling for anyways. Anne Stuart excels at writing about the kind of boys your mama warned you about. Her heroine Sophie seemed to be his polar opposite, soft and caring, but still stubborn and strong enough to garner his attention.Sophie and Thomas were by far the best thing about the book. Their chemistry was sizzling hot, even though their relationship especially at the beginning was fairly hostile, they had an undeniable attraction, that neither character wanted, but couldn't seem to help. Unfortunately, the suspense element of the book wasn't quite as good, although a few red herrings were thrown out, I had guessed the culprit pretty early in the book and wasn't wrong. A good read, even if it was predictable, but if you are looking for a steamy romance and aren't too concerned about guessing whodunit, it is worth picking up and giving it a try.
—Suzanne the Mighty (Under the Covers Book blog)
