The Dark Lake (Gemma Woodstock #1) (2024)

3.5 STARS

"Rose was lit by the sun, her beautiful face giving nothing away. Even back then, she was a mystery that I wanted to solve."

I know my rating doesn't fully convey it, but I really did think this was a solid debut. As an avid reader of mysteries and crime fiction, it's getting insanely difficult to blow me away in this genre, which makes it harder to find those 5 star poppers that are memorable long term.The Dark Lakewas a complex story, as there was a plot driven case pertaining to this particular installment of the new series, plus heavy characterization regarding our main character Gemma and her personal life, past and present. The structure of the book was on point; I really enjoyed the way this was told and how varied the information was that we received. I only had a few specific issues with the novel, but I felt they were large enough to warrant rounding my rating down rather than up.

"These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume."
- William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act II: Scene VI

I feel like there are so many aspects of this story I can't discuss here for fear of minor spoilers more than the major ones. One of the best parts of this book were all the tiny AHA moments that came about rather than the whodunnit at the end. As I read I felt I was rating it as two separate books; the police procedural and the atmospheric character development. When it comes to the procedural, I felt it was just ok. It wasn't bad by any means, but it felt a bit standard and underwhelming. I will say I was somewhat taken aback by the who in one of the final scenes; it had crossed my mind at one point but the author managed to help me forget about my suspicions until it was revealed in the end, which was a nice experience. I did feel the stronger part of the story was the personal side, our introduction and courting of Gemma and finding out about many of her issues and faults. It's no secret that I'm attracted to damaged, flawed female leads, especially those in law enforcement, and she clearly fits the bill and wears it well. Gemma is definitely not a likable character, but she is by far intriguing to read about and made me want to continue along even though I wasn't crazy about the plot based drama.

I'll be honest, there's a whole lot going on here; between the present day case, Gemma's personal life in the past and also in the present, some readers may feel it's a bit too much to follow and cost them from wholly investing. Personally, I found it was fine to connect with all of this happening and felt it necessary to give us backstory and set the stage for future Gemma Woodstock novels. While I did have my issues, the author managed to completely hook me in a way that makes me desperate to find out where Gemma's personal life will take us. Off the top of my head, I can't really think of a series to compare this to, but it definitely had that wonderful vibe of UK crime fiction (although I know this one was not set there). As a current Book Of The Month choice for October, I can see why many folks are raving about it as a debut and why it was chosen for the subscription. The quality of writing was on par with many bestselling thrillers of late and I'm giddy to see where Bailey's potential takes her, and us.

*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my copy via NetGalley.

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Psychological thriller about a cop investigating the murder of her high school rival.

When 28 year old English teacher Rosalind (Rose) is found dead, the people of the small Australian town of Smithson are in shock. Why would someone kill beautiful Rose? She is the girl who seemed to have it all: beauty, money, and success. Rose had the type of charisma where she was able to compel the women around her to want to be like her, and the men to fall in love with her. While some fell hard for Rose, others believed that she was a manipulative bitch, including the cop who is investigating her murder, Gemma Woodstock. Gemma’s personal connection to Rose takes the story to another level, and it becomes more about Gemma’s character and less about who killed beautiful Rose.

While Gemma and Rose went to highschool together, they were never friends; it was more like Gemma was obsessed with Rose, which turns dangerous when Rose starts dating the love of Gemma’s life, Jacob. What makes things even more complex is that Jacob committed suicide. Gemma never fully recovered from his death, and the reader slowly learns how his connection to Rose drove Gemma over the edge.

The mystery takes a backseat to Gemma’s personal life. A good chunk of the book focuses on Gemma’s affair with her partner, Felix, as well as her relationship with Jacob. Her current boyfriend, Scott, hasn’t a clue about Gemma’s secret life, even though Gemma is quite distant and treats him like garbage.

I feel like too much was going on in The Dark Lake--it was almost as if the book was fighting itself. 98% of the book was told from Gemma’s POV, but then there were brief chapters thrown in from various people in Smithson that didn’t seem to serve much of purpose. Gemma’s character was irksome, and I felt no sympathy for her. I didn't care for her, but my feelings about her didn’t influence my feelings about the book. I also thought that the ending was a let down, and Gemma finally realizing everything that she had in life but was too blind to see it was a bit of a cliche. The Dark Lake is not a bad read, it’s just not an amazing one.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

4 Stars.

Rosalind Ryan is dead. Beautiful, popular, enigmatic, Rosalind Ryan: the High School English Teacher at Smithson, just outside of Sydney. Former Drama Queen and the most popular girl in her High School Class. Rosalind was found in a lake surrounded, by roses. The investigating officer? Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock. They knew each other once. They were class mates, at Smithson High School.

Gemma Woodstock has quite the time trying to figure out who was responsible for Rosalind Ryan’s death. The investigation is messy - as is Gemma’s personal life. Even though Gemma tries to keep both the investigation and her life separated, she cannot. For she knew Rose Ryan. Better than she lets on. And things go awry. Her partner Felix sees it. He knows all. He also knows Gemma better than anyone thinks. That becomes messy also. Gemma becomes obsessed. WIth the investigation, Rosalind Ryan and everything going on in her personal life. She must solve this case. Her husband Scott and her son Ben take a back seat. Like always.

Gemma’s past comes back into focus. How she knew Rose Ryan. Gemma Woodstock must come to terms with her past in order to deal with the present. Solving this mystery is difficult. Nothing is as it seems.

“The Dark Lake” is told in in alternating timelines: the present and the past and is told mainly from Gemma’s POV. She isn’t a very like-able character, nor is the character of Felix or Scott for that matter, but for some reason that didn’t stop me from liking the book. Somehow, the mystery itself kept me engrossed. Gemma’s past was intriguing. That got me. All I can say is that this was an entertaining mystery/suspense and it’s one I recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing and Sarah Bailey for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Published on NetGalley, Goodreads, Twitter and Instagram on 11.28.17.

This is a dark and atmospheric psychological crime debut from Australian Sarah Bailey, with DS Gemma Woodstock, set in the Aussie small town of Smithson, in New South Wales. It's a place where everyone knows everyone, yet is still full of secrets that come to be slowly revealed. The town is shocked when 28 year old Rosalind Ryan, a drama teacher, is discovered strangled in the lake, with roses surrounding her. Gemma is the main homicide detective, aided by her police partner, Felix. She is a mother, with a young son, Ben, and a partner who loves her, but whom she treats abominably. To be frank, her personal life is a car crash, she is having an affair with Felix, and obsesses over him interminably. In this character driven novel, the past comes back to haunt Gemma, and the past is where the answers to Rosalind's murder lie. This is a story of love, loss, grief, deception, secrets and tragedy, in a narrative that moves back and forth in time. The story is related primarily through Gemma's perspective.

This is a case that threatens the unravelling of Gemma, for she knew Rosalind from school. Rosalind was the charismatic, beautiful and popular girl, whom everyone adored and loved, although some, like Gemma, harboured darker thoughts of her. Gemma is a conflicted woman, she loved Jacob as a teenager, but he was seeing Rosalind. Jacob goes on to commit suicide, and Gemma has never gotten over that loss. Gemma's obsession with Rosalind in the past spills over to the present. In the meantime, Rosalind is an elusive character to get a hold of and there are a number of odd factors. Whilst being liked, she has no close friends. Her father is one of the richest people in town, yet Rosalind resides in a squalid home, but has expensive tastes, liked to drink and was taking medication for depression and anxiety. There are a host of suspects with motives, and Gemma investigates as secrets begin to tumble out.

This is a slow paced, multilayered read that is more about Gemma than Rosalind's murder. Admittedly, Gemma is a hard woman to like, irritating, deeply flawed and psychologically teetering all over the place with her haunted past. There are strong undertones of Romeo and Juliet to story, strengthened by the fact that Rosalind had been working on a reinterpretation of the play at school. It is a character driven tale, with elements of suspense and tension. I found it an entertaining read, with beautifully written prose. Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for an ARC.

this a a fine debut mystery novel, and a good one to read during these long heatwave days of summer, but claiming it is “a suspense thriller to rival tana french” is bananas. buh. nan. uhs.

this is a satisfying leisure read. it held my interest, i was curious about where it was heading and how the storylines would converge and and i never wanted to abandon it out of boredom, but i wouldn’t say i was deeply invested in it, either. the mystery itself is well-conceived, but the characters aren’t dynamic or compelling. it’s not that there’s no character development, because there’s just as much time spent investigating the mystery as there is uncovering past grievances or discussing the lead character’s past and present romantic relationships, there’s just nothing there that particularly hooked me. which may be because i’m a reader who never cares about the romantic/relationshippy subplots, but with tana french, her characters are just as strong as her procedural tracks, so you (i) get sad when they don’t come back. with The Dark Lake, knowing that there is going to be a follow-up book with this character doesn’t make me crackle with anticipation. i might read it, i might not - i don’t feel the need for it in every beat of my heart the way i do with authors i love like tana french.

the setup is inherently dramatic, if not unfamiliar: it takes place in rural new south wales, where rosalind ryan, a beautiful and mysterious local woman from a wealthy family, is found murdered. as so often happens in smalltown crime novels, the lead investigator, detective sergeant gemma woodstock, has her own history with the deceased dating back to their high school days.

the investigation and the backstory were good, i liked the inclusions of the few single-serving “i have one clue to contribute to the reader, if not the investigator” pov chapters, but neither gemma nor rosalind felt complete.

rosalind is barely fleshed out at all. and i understand that she’s meant to be inscrutable and tragic, but we’re told how manipulative she is, and i don’t think that comes across anywhere except in how other characters (with their own grievances) perceive her. she seems more sad and damaged than anything else, and if anyone comes across as manipulative, it’s gemma, with the infidelity and that thing she did when she was a teenager. and if that was a quiet little thorn bailey wanted to jab into the reader’s paw, it would have been fantastic, but considering gemma’s back in the next book, Into the Night, it doesn’t seem likely that this is the case.

it's a good, brisk read, and sometimes that's just what you need to get you through the brutal summer days when melting into a slop-puddle is a real concern. for me. some of you weirdos actually enjoy summer.

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hooray, i won a gr giveaway!

come to my blog!

One of those books where I go down the middle.

I liked:
* the mystery of Rose's death and the surrounding events.
* the actual police work and gathering of clues.
* the characterisation. Sarah Bailey writes characters and dialogue well.

I did not like:
* Gemma. At all.
* the endless examination of Gemma's feelings and emotions.
* the strange and incomplete ending.

Three stars because I did like the story but I probably don't like Gemma enough to want to read anymore about her.

These are the type of mysteries I enjoy reading!

An enigmatic, young high-school teacher is found dead in a lake in a small town in Australia. The case is assigned to Detective Gemma Woodstock who attended high school with the victim and who has an entangled past with her. This is where the story begins and slowly what happened is revealed.

This psychological thriller is narrated -mainly- from the point of view of Gemma but also in smaller degrees from other characters. Gemma is a flawed human with very good detective instincts and the timeline alternates between the present and flashbacks.

The setting is well constructed, it takes place around Christmas time in the sizzling, hot Aussie summers. For those of us who live well-above the equator, Christmas time is associated with cold winters and the author's descriptions kept reminding me of the different setting, I felt I was there and loved it.

The book has about 440 pages and at some points I felt it was longer than it should be, some paragraphs or chapters could have been left out, but this is my personal taste as I have a preference for shorter books.

Overall I enjoyed this thriller and recommend it to all those who love a good mystery. The author is working on the sequel to this book and I'm looking forward to it.

Thanks to NetGalley, Sarah Bailey, and the publisher Allen & Unwin for providing me with a copy of this publication in exchange for an honest review.

When Lisa Gardner is prepared to endorse a debut book then you know it's going to be a very good one. "The Dark Lake" by new author Sarah Bailey is an enjoyable, addictive and well written suspenseful thriller that contains all the required elements to be a successful bestseller.
When beautiful Smithson High School teacher Rosalind Ryan is found strangled in Sonny Lake surrounded by roses, Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock is allocated the investigation. However, Gemma remembers Rosalind from school. Can she stay objective when memories, good and bad, start resurfacing and her then relationship with Jacob becomes the forefront of her thoughts.
Told in alternating timelines I liked how we followed the investigation in the present and then Gemma's life when she was young at the high school with Rosalind.
I found this a compelling slow burner, very much character focused but with a truly interesting and intriguing storyline that I was desperate to find out who murdered Rosalind. I was pleasantly surprised at the ending which fit perfect and came together seamlessly.
I would recommend this book to crime and thriller readers of all ages and I'd happily read more by this author again, I like her writing style and found the whole book an enjoyable read.

4.5 stars

This was such a good, well written book for a debut. Set in a small country town, where everyone knows everyone and their past histories, there are still long kept secrets hidden away. When a beautiful young drama teacher, Rosalind Ryan is found dead in the lake behind the high school, DS Gemma Woodstock must face up to her own past and her history with the dead woman.

Gemma's personal life is a bit of a mess, she hasn't emotionally comitteed to her partner Scott, doesn't spend enough time with their young son and is having an affair with her police partner, Felix. She's a complex character and not particularly likeable, but she is a tenacious policewoman. She doesn't understand why Rosalind has returned to their small town after leaving school for University in the city. She seems to live very frugally and has no real friends, but is loved by her pupils and has just staged a successful modernised version of Romeo and Juliet. So who would want to kill her?

The story unravels slowly, with Gemma looking back to her time in high school with the talented and beautiful Rosalind and her unresolved feelings around the death of her boyfriend Jacob, as she tries to solve Rosalind's murder. The slow unravelling of the story allows the characters to develop nicely, so we get a good feel of who they are. The town is well depicted as a small, insular Aussie rural town in the midst of a hot summer with the dark lake brooding at the heart of it, both in the past and the present. The novel builds up gradually to a very satisfying cracker of an ending (although there are hints pointing towards the murderer before this but not the motive). It's so good to find another excellent new Australian crime/mystery writer.

3.75 stars, rounded up

This mystery novel, the first in a new Australian series featuring Gemma Woodstock, is a combination of mystery/police procedural and character study. The author has created a flawed and complex character in Gemma, the lead homicide detective. The tone of the book was dark and gritty and the hot Australian Christmas season added to the atmosphere.

The case is an interesting one. A childhood classmate of Gemma’s, Rosalind Ryan, a local high school teacher, is found dead in the lake behind the school. Gemma and the beautiful, perfect Rosalind (Rose) have a complicated history dating back to their high school years. The details of that history and why Gemma keeps it a secret are slowly revealed throughout the novel. It seems just about everyone has secrets in this small town and there are surprises and twists along the way that kept me flipping the pages.

Gemma’s home life is a bit of a mess, creating a very flawed, damaged character. Maybe a little too damaged. I admit I grew weary of all her angst and drama, along with some of her actions. Readers who prefer likable characters (I’m not one of those), will be disappointed. When the long held secret is finally revealed Gemma’s emotional state suddenly all made perfect sense, although some of her actions still made me want to shake some sense into her. Thankfully, the ending gives the reader a little hope that things will turn around for Gemma in the next book.

The mystery of who killed Rose is multi-layered and laid out perfectly for the reader. I would have preferred the author cleared up some inconsistencies regarding the victim’s character, but, overall, this is an excellent debut. I still have some questions and wonder if a key piece of information in Gemma's past will ever be revealed to Gemma. I suspect this will be a series that will need to be read in order and I look forward to book #2!

* thanks to Netgalley, the author and Grand Central Publishing for a copy of the e-book for review

4.5 stars

First-off, I can’t believe this is a debut novel. It fulfills all my criteria for a great book: exquisite writing, fully-developed characters, and a fleshed out, well-paced plot. Sarah Bailey’s The Dark Lake is simply fantastic. So good that I can say with confidence that we might be experiencing the beginning work of Australia’s equivalent to Tana French or Gillian Flynn. An author who will continue to produce increasingly masterful narratives for years to come.

“So much happened that summer. It lives on inside me somehow, writhing around like a living beast.”

A police investigator in a small Australian town, Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock is shocked when she’s called to investigate the murder of a high school classmate. But not just any classmate--it’s the charming, enigmatic Rosalind (Rose) Ryan. Found strangled, battered then dumped in a nearby lake, flowers adorning her body, Rose is as mysterious in death as she was in life. Ethereally beautiful and liked by all, no obvious suspects or motive exist. Gemma, haunted by past demons, is immediately drawn to the case. As prior and present converge, Rose and Gemma’s lives become increasingly entwined. Old tragedies re-emerge, ripping open barely healed wounds. It seems Rosalind’s death may just destroy Gemma’s life.

The Dark Lake’s twisty, grim plot benefits greatly from Sarah Bailey’s extraordinary writing skills. Ms. Bailey doesn’t just invent characters, she brings them to life. Every role, no matter the significance, is fully explored. From the jogger who discovers Rose’s body to the owner of Gemma’s favorite breakfast spot, Sarah Bailey spares no expense. All are brilliantly-wrought and developed. And by giving voice to what are essentially “extras,” more prominent characters are allowed to flourish. The reader is granted the ability to see the protagonists from all possible angles, creating a richer narrative.

“Rosalind’s death has formed a blanket over Smithson: mixing with the relentless heat, it’s a creeping, vapour-like cover that sticks to everything. Voices are low and theories are exchanged in clusters outside the newsagent.”

The writing itself--the prose--is a pleasure to consume. The Dark Lake’s imagery is vivid and setting so real that the reader is immediately enveloped into Gemma’s world. And Gemma’s world is….complicated.

A successful police detective in her late-20s, Gemma relishes the hunt. The puzzle-solving necessary to crack a case. Rosalind Ryan’s murder offers a particular challenge, but
Gemma’s history with the victim unsettles the generally unflappable investigator. Rose’s memory drives Gemma to re-live tragic events she’s worked years to forget. An affair with her married partner similarly complicates the situation. Gemma’s life rapidly unravels exposing ghosts better left buried. While her vibrant characterization pulls readers into a progressively deteriorating mind.

“These violent delights have violent ends”

Rosalind Ryan is shrouded in enigma. Even in high school, Rose “was a mystery [Gemma] wanted to solve.” Gifted with “Disney princess beauty,” Rose became a popular drama teacher at Gemma’s former alma mater. After her much-lauded Romeo & Juliet-based school play, it appears Rose was lured to Sonny Lake where she met her horrific fate. But why? In addition to being beautiful, Rose was universally admired. No ready motive exists, yet Gemma knows this was no random attack.

“The longer I am in this job, the more I realize that the lines between love and hate and life and death are blurry”

As the case intensifies, Gemma learns that Rose’s life was full of contradiction. The daughter of the richest man in town, Rose lives in a tiny, somewhat squalid cottage. Yet in the cottage, Gemma discovers thousands of dollars spent on pricey wine and beauty products. Rose is described as friendly and popular by all, but has no close friends. She’s exquisitely beautiful, though single. Rose had it all and still drank heavily and took antidepressants and anxiety medication. Nothing fits. And the more Gemma tries to pin down Rose--gain some insight into her life--the further she slips away.

The Dark Lake is the definition of a character-driven mystery. Gemma’s varied issues and history not only directly connect to the central mystery, they enhance the overall storyline. And Rose remains a haunting figure throughout. No passage seems pointless or wasted. Sarah Bailey has designed everything to perfection. The only reason The Dark Lake didn’t merit five stars is I was able to accurately predict the “whodunnit” about halfway through the book. Nevertheless, the story remained compelling and engaging. This book is not to be missed!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Sarah Bailey makes a dramatic entry into the Australian crime fiction genre, with her debut novel, The Dark Lake. I was impressed by the amount of positive endorsem*nt this book has received and encouraged my resolve to select The Dark Lake to read.

In the sleepy country town of Smithson not a great deal happens. When local teacher Rosalind Ryan is found dead floating in the waters of a local lake, surrounded by red roses, tensions in the small town run high. It is up to Smithson’s rising star and local, Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock to help solve this tragic murder case. Problem is, Gemma is trying her hardest to withhold a pertinent secret in connection to this case. Gemma and Rosalind have a dubious high school history together. The resulting investigation into this revered local teacher’s death opens up a pandora’s box of secrets not only related to the victim but the town itself and residents of Smithson. It is up to Detective Gemma Woodstock to reveal the truth behind the murder at the lake while keeping her personal life in check at the same time.

If you are looking for quality Australian crime fiction that will hypnotize you from the start to finish, then The Dark Lake would be an ideal choice. I was enthralled by the central murder mystery, captivated by the characters and taken aback by the rich Australian based setting. In addition, what Bailey excels in is her portrayal of the police work involved in murder case. The level of detail and descriptions related to the nitty gritty of a murder investigation was fine tuned and really made this crime novel stand out from the crowd.

For a debut writer, Bailey demonstrates accomplished character delivery. From the local teacher and victim Rosalind, to the detective in charge of the case, Gemma Woodstock, the characterisation is always full bodied. Gemma, our leading lady, is our focal narrator. With the majority of the novel told from Gemma’s point of view, it is easy to develop a strong level of empathy for this particular character. Gemma is a complex and layered character, her personal life is a mess but this makes her all the more interesting to the audience. There is a strong touch of realism to Gemma, she isn’t perfect and her mistakes both in her career and personal life makes her completely human. Supporting Gemma is a great set of local figures, from Gemma’s secret lover Felix, Gemma’s father, her investigative team at work and a medical examiner. Coupled with the local residents and potential suspects to Rosalind’s murder, Bailey has covered all bases character wise.

With a robust setting that drips with tension throughout, I was impressed by this first time author’s ability to convey her locale with precision. As the bulk of the action in The Dark Lake occurs during a long and particularly hot drawn out summer, I was easily able to envisage the heat, sweat and exhaustion of Smithson. I’m a fan of books based in rural Australian settings and Bailey does this specific setting justice. She is also able to project the intricacies of living in a small town, how people live in each other’s hip pockets but at the same time are able to keep big secrets from one another. When these secrets are revealed they have the power to shock and rattle the existence of a small community, as Bailey demonstrates in The Dark Lake.

The Dark Lake meanders along at a slow and steady beat, aided by the clear timeline of events headed in each new chapter. Plenty of time in the narrative is devoted to setting the scene, developing characters and their motivations. A bountiful supply of potential suspects and possible outcomes to Rosalind’s murder are explored. I know I had absolutely no inclination as to the circ*mstances of the murder until the final reveal. I think this is indicative of Bailey’s skill as a crime writer, to keep you guessing and keep you very much engaged in the unfolding mystery until the final hour.

In delivering my final word on this addictive new Australian crime thriller, I have nothing but praise to deliver and little to fault. The Dark Lake is a mystifying and pensive tale, choosing to reveal is deep seated secrets when it is good and ready. Layered and composite characters, an astute central mystery and a staunch Australian setting make this novel a noteworthy addition to the crime fiction field. I do hope we hear more from this impressive new writer, Sarah Bailey, very soon.

The Dark Lake is the debut novel of Australian author Sarah Bailey.

Gemma Woodstock is a Detective Sergeant in the small rural town of Smithson. One of the local teachers, who also happens to be an old classmate of Gemma’s, is murdered and the ensuing investigation causes Gemma’s past to come crashing back to haunt her.

I can’t say I liked Gemma and some may question her morals but I didn’t dislike her. I was certainly intrigued to find out what made her tick. She was complex, complicated, obsessive and slightly off kilter. It was very risky having such a flawed protagonist however Bailey has pulled it off with ease. Gemma is basically a good person but sometimes good people can do bad things and unintentionally hurt others.

Bailey weaves the themes of Romeo and Juliet, star-crossed lovers, deception, lies and tragedy throughout the story.

The story moved at a slow pace. There is a lot of moving back and forward in time with back-story filling in the gaps and building on the mystery.
I was captivated by the prose. Bailey has a way with words that had me mesmerized. It is easy to lose yourself in the writing alone.

I pretty much guessed the murderer but I couldn’t work out the motivation and it didn’t spoil the story or the tornado like ending.

Another Gemma Woodstock novel is in the works and I’m looking forward to seeing how Gemma moves on with her life and to immerse myself in some more captivating writing.

A murder of a High school teacher & a cop who had her own secrets to hide.
I was really looking forward to getting to The Dark Lake by Sarah bailey but it let me down miserably, the first half was about the murder of Rosalind (Rose) an English teacher in the small town of Smithson Australia.

She was found murdered strangled near the waters edge by a jogger & he call in DS Gemma Woodstock to investigate, when Gemma finds out its Rosalind she thinks she knew her at school, they were not friends & Rosalind kept to herself.

AS the prose goes further we find out more about Gemma's personal life which was interesting but the author lost the plot a bit as she went away from the murder which i found annoying, as i was interested in the investigation plus it dragged a bit that is not to say there wasn't some red herrings going on & WHAT SECRETS ARE THE TOWN HIDING!!
This was my first read by this author & i am not so sure if i want to continue with this series.

The writing of this mystery/detective story is excellent, but in some ways I think it’s a better women’s fiction novel than a mystery.

One of the lead detectives on the case is twenty-eight-year-old Gemma Woodstock. The victim went to her high school—the mysterious and beautiful Rosalind Ryan, who came back to the small town of Smithson to be a teacher. It’s not surprising that Gemma knew her—she knows most of the people in Smithson.

Author Sarah Bailey did an excellent job creating a complex character in Gem. Sometimes when I read a novel I get the idea that the author sat there and brainstormed, “How can I make my main character complex and flawed?” Gem’s layered history flows naturally over the course of the novel.

The reason I think it stumbled a bit as a mystery/detective story was that some of the clues and findings were left just dangling and I was slightly disappointed in the ending—although right up until that point, the writing and story and characters were excellent.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel.

For more of my reviews, please visit: http://www.theresaalan.net/blog

The Dark Lake marks an impressively atmospheric first foray into the crime fiction market for new Australian voice, Sarah Bailey. Part police procedural and part character study, the result is an absorbing exploration of the secrets hidden within the small New South Wales town of Smithson. Imbued with a sense of place that takes its readers to the heart of a rural community sweltering in the build up to Christmas that is forced to turn the spotlight on itself in a search for answers. Alongside some superlative storytelling this absorbing debut is a painstakingly slow battle for lead homicide investigator, DS Gemma Woodstock, to expose the truth behind the murder of a former classmate that comes dangerously to threatening to reawaken the ghosts of her own messy past.

When the body of beguiling Rosalind Ryan, the twenty-eight-year-old English teacher at Smithson High School is discovered face down at the edges of Sonny Lake surrounded by red roses the small town is united in shock. For lead detective, DS Gemma Woodstock, who alongside her police partner, DS Felix McKinnon is assigned to the case, her own personal memories of the enigmatic and inscrutably beautiful Rosalind, who was a former classmate, threaten to cloud her judgement as she investigates. As teenage contemporaries, Gemma was fascinated by the mysterious and aloof Rosalind, who seemed to hold a magnetic pull over all her peers. Having returned from Sydney to teach at her former high school four years previously it seems that very little has changed with her students and fellow teachers professing admiration and affection for her but with very few people having ever got any closer than arm’s length with little evidence of intimacy in her life. But just what has brought Rosalind back to her rural hometown, especially given her tepid relationship which her stiff father and three awkward older brothers? And why, given his father’s status as a millionaire local businessman, is Rosalind living so frugally in a barely furnished cottage with her only expenses seemingly devoted to fine wine with a stockpile of prescription medications for depression and anxiety?

Against the backdrop of a triumphant modern reimagining of Romeo and Juliet scripted and produced by Rosalind and enacted by year twelve students the character of Romeo is played by the younger brother of Gemma’s own first love in high school, Jacob, whose suicide still looms large in her own torrid past. Unwilling to be overtly forthright to her fellow detectives about the specifics of her shared history with Rosalind for fear of being taken off the investigation and colouring their own opinions of her, Gemma is forced to play her cards close to her chest. Already struggling to keep a lid on an intense romantic attachment to police partner, DS Felix McKinnon which threatens to devastate both of their stable families and increasingly unable to connect with live in partner and father to her young son, Gemma is driven to the point of exhaustion. As a fractious community and quick to criticise media presence exerts pressure on Gemma’s boss, the supportive and plain-spoken Chief Superintendent Ken (“Jonesy”) Jones, the desire for a resolution to the case ahead of Christmas mounts. As the detective partnership of Gemma and Felix slowly piece together Rosalind’s history and more recent past, the secrets begin to come to light and in turn threaten Gemma’s own personal skeletons...

DS Gemma Woodstock is a flawed and very relatable character caught in an unenviable predicament who I found easy to relate to and empathise with. She does not shirk from facing her own mistakes and accepting responsibility for her shoddy treatment of partner Scott, which is a by-product of her frustration at the dilemmas she is faced with. Narrated almost in entirety by Gemma with a timeline that offers tantalisingly occasional glimpses into her teenage years as it steadily progresses to revealing the truth, the pace is undeniably languid. Behind the tough facade, hearing Gemma’s perspective reveals her hidden vulnerabilities and adds depth to her character. The Dark Lake is undoubtedly a character driven mystery which is as much concerned with Gemma’s own history as the murder of Rosalind Ryan and this ensures the suspense is two-fold, driven firstly by the learning the exact nature of how Gemma and Rosalind’s past is connected and secondly, the identity of Rosalind’s murderer. As the flashback glimpses comes thick and fast and the investigation reaches a head, I identified the guilty party and their motivations well before the close, however it did little to detract from my enjoyment of an assured debut. Bailey evokes a sense of place of a town that has doubled in population size in just a decade and thereby changed the landscape and culture of the community. At just over four hundred pages I did feel that The Dark Lake could have been edited to come in at a more readable length and although I enjoyed learning about Gemma’s breakthrough case it did little to further my understanding of a character whose tenacity and willingness to “go rogue” is never in doubt.

Utterly absorbing, the slow pace as the authorities break down the wall of silence and the frustrations of a police team gives The Dark Lake the authentic feel of a team taking stock and factoring in their discoveries in order to edge progressively closer to the truth. As a more accurate picture of a manipulative and selfish Rosalind comes to light with rumours of the student teacher boundary being crossed, the murkier the investigation gradually becomes. Atmospheric and tense, seeing how the unfolding case would impact on Gemma and how her past has shaped her personality is undoubtedly well examined. Forced to accept some share of the burden of responsibility, it remains to be seen whether Smithson has a future for Gemma and her family after a case which takes its toll and makes abundantly clear that perhaps she and Rosalind have more in common than Gemma might like to admit. Whether a future case without the personal connection and with a settled domestic life can offer such fodder from Bailey and DS Gemma Woodstock remains to be seen, however I look forward to following the journey.

With thanks to Readers First who provided me with a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Rosalind Ryan, a popular yet mysterious teacher, is found dead by local the lake. She's been murdered, her body left floating with red roses surrounding her. Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock and her partner, Felix, are called in to investigate Rosalind's case. Nothing about Rosalind adds up--everyone seemed to like her, but no one really knew her. She lived in a cheap apartment, but clearly had expensive taste in wine and makeup. She was the youngest of four, with three brothers, one of with whom she'd quarreled recently. Her father, George, is ill and runs a large business conglomerate in Australia, yet seemed to adore his inscrutable daughter. As for Gemma, she has memories of Rosalind from their time together in high school, when the beautiful Rose seemed enigmatic even then. Gemma and Felix have their hands full, focusing on Rosalind's co-workers, students, family, and more. Who is responsible for the death of this lovely teacher?

This is an intriguing and compelling two part mystery, with the present-day case focusing on Rosalind, combined with flashes to Gemma's past, focusing on her history with her former boyfriend Jacob, who died as a teen. The majority of our story is told from Gemma's present-day point of view, but we get a few key snippets from the townspeople and occasionally Gemma's point of view flashes to the past.

I really liked Gemma as a narrator. The intersection of the case with her past was extremely well-done. I read some reviews where the readers didn't care for Gemma, but that wasn't the case for me, though I could understand, as the story wore on, how they came to that point of view. She doesn't always make the right decisions, and I'm intrigued to see what she'll be like in the next novel (Goodreads tell me this is the first book in the series). But for me, I identified with her in many ways and, because she was so well-written, really enjoyed the story from her point of view, even if I didn't always agree with her actions. It was also great to get to see a character dealing with the challenges of being female and a mother in a small police force--in a small town no less--in what seemed to be, overall, a fairly realistic fashion.

The story itself is great. There are several twists that really got me, so major kudos to Bailey. I read a lot of thrillers, and it's not always easy to surprise me! For a huge portion of this book, I had *no idea* where this was going to go, or who killed Rosalind. Several times I found myself genuinely shocked by the happenings and was completely enthralled by the story and Bailey's characters. (I also can't believe this is a debut novel - wow.) She does an excellent job at creating tension in the story and the characters, slowing unfurling plot points and details as we go along. This novel is truly a puzzle, the pieces fitting into place as we go along, and putting them together is a joy. It is so well-done and Bailey's weaving together the past and the present is excellent. I wound up really liking Gemma, and her boss Jonesy, and I'm quite excited this is a series. I can't wait to see where Bailey takes us (and Gemma) next. 4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!) in return for an unbiased review.

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Especially for English-speaking readers, we now have more national literatures than we have stories, so that with a few changes in local colour & weather, it doesn’t matter very much whether we’re reading Australian literature, Canadian literature, or (in translation) Scandinavian literature. Sarah Bailey’s The Dark Lake is set in NSW @ Christmastime, but except for the characters sweltering in holiday party Santa costumes whilst threatened by bush fires, the story could have as easily taken place near Winnipeg with blizzards instead. It’s set in a provincial town, apparently just far enough from Sydney to escape being a suburb. Rosalind Ryan, a popular high-school English & drama teacher has been drowned in a nearby lake, just as her production of an adaptation of Romeo & Juliet was being performed @ the school, with the lead actor a prime suspect. What makes this story special is that the principal detective & narrator, Gemma Woodstock, was Rosalind’s contemporary & rival when they were students @ the same school. Not very professional, but in a small town it’s believable that an investigator would have been involved with the victim (cf. The Dry.) But Gemma’s personal life is out of control. She is still attached to the memory of her high-school heartthrob Jacob, who committed suicide. She is living with the father of her son Ben - a pre-schooler - who is named Scott, whom she has not married. But Gemma is currently involved in a secret passionate affair with an Englishman named Felix, a married man with teenagers who is also her detective partner. (Even less professional, granted.) Tho’ I thoroughly disliked Gemma (& if the series continues I’ll not be around for her reappearances), I found Rosalind a fascinating and attractive character and was caught up in the quest for her killer. Gemma’s own life is, frankly, a mess, & she constantly overacts the role of star in her own domestic drama. This book is also too long. An excessive number of minor characters introduce themselves for no other reason than to be red herrings. With better editing @ about 3/4 the present length, The Dark Lake would be a enjoyable read-once-and-forget, tho’ strangely I found Rose haunting: I could imagine a school story like Mindy Mijia’s Everything You Want Me to Be with her as a main character. As I’ve just finished composing a novel featuring a school production of Shakespeare, it was quite fun to compare notes. But as a detective story, The Dark Lake is readable but Gemma is too high-maintenance to be worth the effort to keep as a friend. I am grateful to Hachette Group and Netgalley for an ARC.

This review was originally posted on Between My Lines

Heads up to all fans of police procedural thrillers, Sarah Bailey is the new author in town, and she is one to watch! I sawThe Dark Lake by Sarah Bailey by Instagram a few times, and it caught my eye with its intruguing tagline "A town of secrets waiting to explode". So I snapped it up when I saw it in my library audiobook app.

My Thoughts onThe Dark Lake by Sarah Bailey

You never know what to expect when you dive into a début novel. But if you love secrets, small town settings and lots of suspense, then I'd recommend you take a chance on this one.

The Dark Lake had so much going for it:

- murky pasts and tangled secrets
- a complicated lead character
- An Australian setting
- fab writing (I can see comparisons to Tana French being made)
- A damn good mystery to keep you guessing

I listened to the audiobook and I loved that the narrator was Australian, as it really immersed me into the setting. Kate Hosking was also great at various voices, and made the listening experience really enjoyable.

The bottom line on The Dark Lake by Sarah Bailey:

More please Ms Bailey!

Who should readThe Dark Lake by Sarah Bailey?

I'd recommend this to you if you enjoy authors such as Tana French, Samantha Hayes or Lucy Dawson. And also if you enjoy lots of suspense and untangling secrets from the past.

I was thrilled to discover that this new crime series is set in Australia. I read The Dry by Jane Harper and loved it and after that did I want to read more crime novels from Australia. The Dark Lake is the story about a woman that is found dead in the lake, and for Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock is this a case that will become very personal. Since she grew up in the town did she, of course, know Rosalind Ryan who was the same age as her and who came back to town a few years before. But, it's more than that. Gemma has a connection to Rosalind, but that is something she is desperate to hide.

This is the kind of crime novel I love to read, with an interesting case and a DS that gets obsessed with solving the murder and at the same time having a troublesome home life not to mention a connection to the victim. And, there are secrets in the rural town with everyone seeming to have something to hide. And, sometimes cases can get too close to home.

The Dark Lake is the first book in the Gemma Woodstock series, something that I was very glad to learn. I loved Gemma's messy home life and her affair with a colleague that threatens her life with Scott and their son Ben. Gemma is trying to balance her personal life and at the same time solving a murder. Not the easiest thing to do for her. I liked this book and I will definitely read the next book in the series!

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this novel through a Goodreads Giveaway.

This is an Australian crime novel set in a small town in New South Wales during a particularly trying summer. As with any small town, everyone knows everyone, though there are plenty of secrets. The murder of a local girl forces everyone's business under the microscope, and this novel is as much about those secrets as it is about solving the mystery of who killed Rosalind Ryan.

I have to be completely honest, I disliked the protagonist, Gemma, from the very start. The reality was addressed before her emotions were revealed and the cold facts of her situation had me instantly appalled. It was unclear what her relationship with the victim was, and this aspect created a darkness around the mystery that admittedly made it quite fascinating. However it also made it hard to get into the story, as I couldn't relate to Gemma in the slightest. I had no sympathy for her or her struggles so all that held my attention was the mystery itself.

Rosalind (Rose) Ryan is an enigma, with many characters professing to have known her but only superficially. As a teacher at the local high school she was loved by many, but it becomes increasingly clear that no one had any clue who she really was. There are subtle references to the past she and Gemma shared, but never enough for us to really sink our teeth into. Beyond being beautiful, we never really get a clear picture of the victim, which again creates a sense of detachment that makes the mystery a simple curiosity rather than something we can be invested in.

It's obvious the crime has something to do with the past, but we're given very little information in that regard. There are never really any clues for us to play with, and the detective work feels messy and unsatisfying. We discover a lot of the town's secrets but none seem relevant to the mystery at hand. We meet a lot of characters but get to know very few of them. There's nothing to create attachment to any of the main players, really, which is a shame because with an invested element this could have been a ripper of a read. Instead the reader is left impartial, and there's little to propel the narrative. Even the mystery of the past seems patchy and the slowly revealed glimpses of it are unsatisfying and anti-climatic.

The relationship between Gemma and Felix seems more of a focus than the mystery which was a little disappointing to me, particularly as I didn't approve of it. It made the story drag and detracted from the suspense. It made a rather long, tedious novel of what could have been an intriguing, fast read. This novel is all about Gemma and her tumultuous life, but there's little for the reader to relate to on an emotional level, making it a redundant angle. Even with her as a mother, we're given little to work with. Her relationships are ill-defined and we're given very little reasoning for the way she thinks and acts.

I was quite interested in the crime and its relation to the past, with lots of loose strings revealed throughout the novel. Unfortunately, when the conclusion came, I felt that a lot of things were left unanswered or nonsensical in their inclusion. I just couldn't understand a lot of what happened and the resolution left me feeling impartial and unaffected.

This is a rather ambitious story with beautiful prose in parts, but it's tied messily together and seems like it could have used a lot of tough love from an editor. It has a lot of potential and is still an entertaining read, but I feel like it missed the mark a little. Hopefully further work from the author will iron out the kinks in her storytelling.

I really loved The Dark Lake – One of those brilliantly layered human drama’s that are within the psychological thriller genre. Sarah Bailey has created some memorable and relatable characters who will stay with me – especially the victim Rosalind who even after resolution will linger in your head and make you wonder.

Gemma as a main protagonist is, to be fair, divisive. Haunted by memories of a past she can’t fix, living in a family situation she is not sure of and involved in a slightly obsessive affair, when the beautiful Rosalind is found dead it throws up some difficult challenges for her that may be beyond her ability to cope with. I felt sorry for her and at random times annoyed with her – she is certainly prone to human error both in her working and personal life. This really worked for me I was with her all the way even on the occasions I wanted to slap her.

The mystery element is clever, haunting and unpredictable – I loved the setting, descriptively speaking the author puts you right there and the surroundings added to the slightly melancholy feeling the narrative gave, that emotional core that I love to find in a book.

Overall The Dark Lake is one of the good ones – addictive and intelligent with a heavy dose of drama and a twisted mystery that may well have you guessing right up until the end. Nothing not to love here.

Yep. I’m a fan. Highly Recommended.

Let me come out and say it, I had no expectations for The Dark Lake, mostly because it sounded like so many mysteries I've read previously.

The death of a gorgeous, stunning, beautiful young woman named Rosalind triggers traumatic memories of the past from the investigating detective, Gemma Woodstock.

Spoilers and slight rant-y review ahead!

Gemma is a detective and a mother who lives with her baby daddy. She is also adultering with her married partner whose name I plumb forgot.

Don't worry. His character isn't anything interesting enough to be recalled.

When Rosalind is discovered floating in a lake, the beautiful (which is often repeated by all the characters) victim's life is dissected to find out who her murderer may be.

But, her life is an enigma wrapped in a puzzle wrapped in a riddle and frustration nearly buries Gemma, who has her own troubled history with Rosalind, who stole her childhood love from her at the age of 18 and his suicide has haunted Gemma ever since.

Gemma isn't dumb, at least, she appears competent but I'm not quite sure because she's too busy acting like a cornball, silly billy, lovesick teenager.

Every time she sees her partner or thinks about him, she has to mention how much she wants him inside her.

OKAY, we get it, you want his body! Sheesh.

Sexual chemistry is real (though I have yet to experience it myself), but when Gemma starts fantasizing about running away with him and leaving their children and spouse and boyfriend behind, its hard to take her seriously as a detective and not see her as the immature brat she really is.

Of course, the deceased is a hottie McHottie because people only care when pretty people die.

Okay, I'll give you that but that seems to be all Rosalind is. Pretty.

She doesn't seem smart or witty, but is later described as manipulative and catty by Gemma, which I don't really buy either but she's dead and can't speak on her behalf and Gemma just sounds like a hater.

When it is discovered that Rosalind was having a dalliance with the younger brother of her dead boyfriend (what are the odds but then this is a small town so I can suspend disbelief briefly), Gemma is forced to face up to the actions she took when she was 18 and how the loss of her boyfriend has haunted her ever since.

Its obvious I don’t like Gemma.

Yeah, her mother died and her father has isolated himself ever since so she never really had a father figure, Freudian blah blah blah.

I know we all have issues, nothing wrong with that, but, Gemma was just a whiny brat who refused to grow up and take accountability of her actions, her son, not being in love with her baby daddy.

She was too busy living in the past and using her puss* as her brain and making excuses.

She's also a sh*te detective.

All she and her adultering partner do is make the rounds and talk to witnesses, Rosalind's family, potential suspects, so much blah blah blah, and nothing else to show for it.

When the murderer is revealed, I realized "Oh, duh, I should have known" but by then it didn’t matter because I didn't care who did it. At that point, I just wanted to get to the end.

A rural community rocked by a dark murder mystery and a detective with an even darker secret threatens to turn Detective Gemma Woodstock's life upside down.

When local beauty, Rosalind Ryan is found face down surrounded by roses in a lake, Gemma, a former classmate of Rosalind's and now a member of the police force is called in to lead the investigation.

The Dark Lake is layered with complexity through protagonist Gemma as she steadily unravels the mystery surrounding the murder while simultaneously unraveling the ties that bind her personal life. Gemma is not an instantly likable character; she's flawed yet the kinks in her armor are what makes her read 'real'.

The narrative felt like it meandered at times with a lot of page time not progressing the story all that much, yet I was compelled to keep reading and was blown away by the ending.

My rating: 4/5 stars. Another good Aussie crime drama perfect for fans of Jane Harper and Candice Fox.

I think that I am pleased I read the third book in this series first, so had a bit more empathy for Gemma the main character, than if I had read this first.
Gemma is not a very likeable character/detective and I think that is because she is so full of self loathing. She seems hellbent on making those around her suffer and cannot seem to stop herself doing it.
The book is centred on the murder of young teacher in a regional country town. Gemma is one of the investigating officers and knows Rosalind the victim as they went to school together. As the story progresses it appears that the key to the murder may lie in a shared past.
A good Australian crime/drama.

To much babble for my liking.

When the story was focused on the murder and investigation, it was a four star read. But unfortunately, a lot of the book was taken up with the personal life of the lead character, and honestly, she annoyed the hell out of me. For a detective investigating a brutal murder in her small town, she worried more about the affair she was having than trying to find a killer. Even when something happened to her personally *spoilers* she was focused more on her lover. Drove me nuts with her " he loves his wife more than me" & "my partner loves me too much & my kids a burden" Maybe I'm being harsh, maybe it's because I was hoping for another The Dry by Jane Harper & it just didn't live up to the hype. Maybe I'm right and it's just a three star read.

It took me longer than expected to finish this novel, mostly because I was busy.

The Dark Lake is a good debut novel. A beautiful, young teacher is found dead close to the local highschool. The main police investigator is a former school mate of hers - Gemma Woods - who's a detective at only twenty- eight years old.

I liked that the main character was an imperfect police woman, with some dirty laundry in the closet. Unfortunately, despite her being the narrator, I never really warmed up to her. There was something off about the voice.

Around the 26% mark, I had an inkling on who the killer was. I'm annoyed that I was right, although I didn't try to figure it out.

So while I wasn't completely taken with this novel, it was still a decent read.

3.5 stars

I've received this novel via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the publishers, Allen & Unwin, for the ARC.

I've read this to go towards the Aussie Author Challenge hosted by Book Lover Book Reviews at http://bookloverbookreviews.com/readi...

A decently written blend of police procedural and psychological thriller set in rural Australia. Detective Gemma Woodstock’s personal life is a hot mess even before she is confronted with the murder of a beautiful, magnetic young woman who had been her high-school rival. At that point her complicated life and her always iffy mental health both become even more untethered.

Most of the book is told from Gemma’s POV, although there are periodic short chapters from other characters’ perspectives, some important to the story and others just there to move the plot along. This approach works reasonably well; it seems to keep the story fresh.

The identity of the killer became obvious to me about half-way through, but I had no issues with continuing to read until the end. Would Gemma figure things out before all her wheels fell off?

So why only 3 stars? The epilogue, wherein we learn about Gemma’s life after the murder is solved, that’s why. Things are wrapped up a bit too neatly for my tastes. I expected more ambivalence and a bit of cynicism. Oh well, at least 400 pages of it were good. :-). I didn’t feel I wasted my time, but I’m not tempted to read the next in the series.

I love Gemma Woodstock and her 262828372 issues.