#Review - Darkwater Lane by Rachel Caine, Carrie Ryan #Thriller #Suspense #Mystery

Series: Stillhouse Lake # 7
Format: Kindle, 378 pages
Release Date: July 1, 2025
Publisher: Rachel Caine, LLC
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Thriller, Suspense, Mystery

It’s time for Gwen Proctor to bury her past—before it buries her.

For years, the Lost Angels have hunted Gwen, blaming her for the murders committed by her ex-husband, Melvin Royal. Now, they’ve found a new a viral true-crime podcast that drags Gwen and her family back into the spotlight—and into the path of a deadly new danger.

Then the FBI arrives with a chilling someone is killing Gwen’s enemies, leaving behind a twisted signature that links the crimes to Melvin. The evidence points to the last person Gwen ever expected—Sam Cade, the man she’s come to trust with her heart.

With her family’s safety at stake, Gwen returns to Stillhouse Lake for a final confrontation. But as the bodies pile up and the doubts about Sam grow, Gwen must face the one question she’s been running She trusted the wrong man once before…

What if she’s about to do it again?

Darkwater Lane is the Seventh and final installment in a series created by Rachel Caine, and finished by Carrie Ryan after Rachel's death a few years ago. Published by Rachel Caine, LLC, this novel concludes the intense journey of Gwen Proctor, a woman relentlessly pursued by the shadows of her serial-killer ex-husband, Melvin Royal, and his rabid fans, known as the Sicko Squad. Darkwater Lane delivers a high-stakes, emotionally charged finale that blends psychological suspense, family drama, and relentless action. 

Darkwater Lane centers on Gwen Proctor, who has spent years hiding from the fallout of her ex-husband Melvin Royal’s horrific crimes. Living under constant threat from the Lost Angels, a group blaming her for Melvin’s murders, created by Sam after the loss of his own sister to Melvin, Gwen faces a new danger: a viral true-crime podcast that thrusts her family back into the public eye. The stakes escalate when the FBI delivers a chilling warning—someone is targeting Gwen’s enemies, leaving a signature that mimics Melvin’s methods. 

Suspicion falls on Sam Cade, Gwen’s trusted partner, forcing her to question whether she’s once again placed her faith in the wrong man. As the body count rises, Gwen returns to Stillhouse Lake for a final confrontation, battling both external threats and her own doubts to protect her children, Lanny and Connor. The narrative weaves a taut web of suspense, exploring whether Gwen can finally bury her past or if it will consume her. Gwen Proctor remains one of the most compelling protagonists in modern thrillers. Her transformation from Gina Royal, a naive housewife, to a fierce, weapon-savvy protector is complete in Darkwater Lane. 

Her paranoia, strength, and unwavering commitment to her children make her both relatable and admirable, a “fierce mama bear” who embodies maternal love under extreme pressure. Sam Cade’s arc introduces a heartbreaking layer of complexity, as Gwen grapples with doubts about his loyalty, adding depth to their relationship. Lanny and Connor, now older, are more active participants, their growth reflecting the series’ focus on family dynamics under duress.

The antagonists, including the Lost Angels and the shadowy killer, are chillingly effective, though the villain’s motivations could have been fleshed out further. Darkwater Lane explores themes of trust, redemption, and the inescapable weight of the past. Gwen’s struggle to trust Sam mirrors her broader battle to reclaim agency after Melvin’s betrayal, making the novel a meditation on the cost of survival. The true-crime podcast element feels timely, critiquing society’s obsession with sensationalizing trauma, a thread that resonates with modern media culture. 

In the end, readers should be happy that Carrie Ryan stepped in to finish the final two books of this series so that Gwen, her kids, Sam, and her friends can finally get the closure they deserved.

 

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#Review - Trapper Road by Rachel Caine, Carrie Ryan #Mystery #Suspense

Series: Stillhouse Lake # 6
Format: Ebook, 426 pages
Release Date: August 2, 2022
Publisher: Rachel Caine, LLC.
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Mystery / Suspense

Sometimes danger comes from the most unexpected places.

Gwen Proctor has always been willing to do anything it takes to protect her kids. But there are some things even she can’t protect them from. When a violent incident at Connor’s school brings the press to Gwen’s doorstep, she agrees to take a case out of town hoping to keep her family out of the crushing media spotlight.

The case is that of a missing girl, last seen getting into a truck with a stranger before disappearing. Gwen has a reputation for finding those who are lost, but this time something is wrong. Her instincts are off, and every clue she uncovers only raises more doubts, not just about the missing girl and the circumstances of her disappearance, but also about the fragile safety Gwen’s created for her family.

The closer she comes to uncovering the truth, the more she unwittingly puts those she loves at risk. Someone from Gwen’s past doesn’t appreciate the new life she’s built for herself and is willing to do anything it takes to tear it apart. Except this time it isn’t Gwen in the crosshairs, but her partner Sam. Without her instincts to rely on, how can Gwen protect those she loves against an enemy she never sees coming?

Trapper Road is the Sixth installment in the Stillhouse Lake series created by Rachel Caine, and now written by Carrie Ryan after Rachel's death in 2020. This book alternates between every member of Gwen's family as well as Detective Kez Claremont. As the story begins, Gwen is finishing up on her rehab after nearly dying in Heartbreak Bay thanks to yet another of Melvin Royal's sick followers. She's doing her private investigation job at her desk while she heals. When the family of Juliette Larson asks for Gwen's help through her employer, it would mean a road trip to Gardenia, North Carolina.

Gwen has a reputation for finding kids lost forever, but this case might be her undoing. When a violent incident at Connor and Lanny’s school brings the press to Gwen’s doorstep, she agrees to take Juliette's case hoping to keep her family out of the crushing media spotlight. Gwen takes Connor as well as Vera (Vee) Crockett who Gwen took in. While Gwen is digging into Juliette's disappearance, she finds out that her friends Mandy and Willa were the last to see her alive jumping into a stranger's truck. The details are vague & the local sheriff's department found no evidence of foul play but refused to call it a cold case because there's no body. 

Now with Gwen on the case, she's hoping she'll be able to shed some light on what happened to Juliette as well ensuring the family gets closer. Gwen's family has been continually targeted by a group known as Lost Angels. They now claim to have solid proof that Gwen knew that her ex-husband was a serial killer and did nothing to stop him. While Gwen was found innocent by a jury of her peers, stalkers still believed that she literally got away with murder and deserves to pay. Gwen's new stalker, a man named Leonard Varrus, is ready to release a story to the media called The Truth about Gina Royal. 

Sam Cade has learned the hard way what it means to open his heart to Gwen, Lenny, and Connor and be targeted by Royal's followers. One year ago, Connor and Sam were kidnapped by a cult leader who believed all the sick, vile nonsense that was posted online and in dark web chat rooms. In fact, Sam was once a member of the Lost Angels who now considers him to be a traitor and open game over his relationship with Gwen and her kids. While Sam believes he is safe taking Lanny to a university, he soon finds out that nowhere is safe as long as Leonard is loose.

I'm not a fan of Connor's after this book. For years, Gwen has repeatedly warned the family about allowing anyone to brainwash or groom them to become like their father. She warned them about the dark web, and the sicko patrol. Gwen’s need to control her children’s lives, and hyper-vigilance proves 100% accurate once again. Connor endangers his family by doing really stupid things behind his mother's back as well as not warning anyone about his friends destructive behavior which lead to a school shooting. He and Vera really have my scorn after this book.

I am glad that Rachel left behind a transcript for Trapper Road which was then picked up by Carrie Ryan who does a pretty good job of understanding who these characters are. While it is extremely sad that we lost Rachel, she's no longer suffering and is hopefully in a better place. After 6 books, I am kind of sick of the constant threat by outsiders to Gwen and her family. If Leonard and his sycophants wants war, well I say please set Sam and Gwen loose to do what they do best. Protect the family. 

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*Book Review* Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan (YA Thriler)

Series: Standalone
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Release Date: May 26, 2015
Source: Penguin First Reads
Format: E-book, 384 pages
Genre: YA / Thriller

I’m the daughter of murdered parents.
I’m the friend of a dead girl.
I’m the lover of my enemy.
And I will have my revenge.
 
In the wake of the devastating destruction of the luxury yacht Persephone, just three souls remain to tell its story—and two of them are lying. Only Frances Mace knows the terrifying truth, and she’ll stop at nothing to avenge the murders of everyone she held dear. Even if it means taking down the boy she loves and possibly losing herself in the process.
 
Sharp and incisive, Daughter of Deep Silence by bestselling author Carrie Ryan is a deliciously smart revenge thriller that examines perceptions of identity, love, and the lengths to which one girl is willing to go when she thinks she has nothing to lose.

"Revenge is the absence of emotion."

When Frances Mace was Fourteen, she watched in horror as her parents were gunned down along with hundreds of others on a cruise ship called the Persephone. She managed to survive thanks to her friend Elizabeth "Libby" O'Malley and a bit of quick thinking on her part. Libby and Frances spend Seven days in a raft hoping to survive long enough to be rescued. Hoping that it would rain so they could drink water necessary to keep the body from shutting down. Hoping that the truth about what really happened to them on the Persephone comes out. But, when Frances learns that two others have survived, Senator Wells and his son Greyson, while her friend was dying needlessly, plans are put into place that sets Frances on a dangerous course that will ultimately test her limits, her sanity, and her love for the boy she thought she knew.

Four years later, Frances travels to South Carolina having completely taken over Libby's identity and personality. Four years of formulating a plan, researching her intended targets, and collecting everything she needs to get her revenge. For "Libby," nothing matters but the truth about what really happened to the Persephone, her family, her friend, and paying back those who lied about what really happened for their own personal careers. But, how far does one go to ruin the life of the only boy who she truly loved and maybe still loves? How can she forget about the boy that her friend left behind? How far does one go to get revenge on those she believes are responsible? How many people does she have to turn away before she realizes that she doesn't have to do it all by herself?

Daughter of Deep Silence is such an imaginary tale with hints of the TV show Revenge integrated into the story. Haven't watched Revenge? Watch an episode before reading this book, if you like. I loved the description of being stranded in the ocean without any hope of being rescued. Such a vivid reminder of how frail the human body really is. Loved the struggles Frances had with reconciling who she really was. Is she still Frances, or has Libby taken control of her thoughts? Or, is she a hybrid of the two of them now? What does she do if and when her plan for revenge is actually finished? What happens if anyone finds out Frances true identity?

Daughter of Deep Silence is the first novel I have read by author Carrie Ryan and probably won't me my last. I think there are those who will latch onto Libby's plight. Her refusal to make friends. Her determination to see justice done for her family and friend. Her difficulty resolving her feelings for Grey, and her lack of understanding about Libby's loss would affect the boy she loved. What grabbed my attention, was the unusual attention paid to Frances identity struggles. How would her family feel about what she's doing now? Would they be proud or embarrassed. The idea of revenge has always intrigued me. I definitely recommended this story as something to add to your reading list, soon.

**I received this book for free from Dutton Books for Young Readers via First Reads in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

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