Nadine (23dollars) - reviewed on 3/15/2016 + 432 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 3

THE LAKE HOUSE was the March 2016 pick in my online book club, The Reading Cove.

Considering her popularity, it's so sad to say it, but I've come to the realization that Kate Morton's writing simply isn't for me. :(

At nearly 500 pages, this mystery was one of the most plodding and monotonous stories I've ever read, with an ending so terribly contrived vs. clever that it's just...a shame. I just shook my head.

The dual narrative spans 70 years, with the present-day detective storyline feeling mostly like plot bloat. After previously reading THE SECRET KEEPER, I find that by and large her plotting is pretty elementary, although cloaked in rich, sweeping historical backdrops. I really think this will be my last Kate Morton book. Authors like Kimberley Freeman, Diane Chamberlain and even Emilie Richards are much more sophisticated with this style of storytelling.

So while the setting of THE LAKE HOUSE was quite gorgeously well established, the plot ultimately lacks intelligence and relies quite heavily on convenient coincidence to reach its resolution. C-

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