In the frosty depths of Vermont winter, A.M. Strong and Sonya Sargent craft a psychological thriller that explores the terrifying question: what happens when you can’t trust your own memories or the people around you? “Gravewater Lake” is an aptly named novel that plunges readers into murky waters of suspense, amnesia, and deadly deception.
A Memory Lost, A Mystery Found
The premise is immediately gripping: a woman wakes up on the shores of a frozen lake with no memory of who she is or how she got there. Finding refuge in a nearby house with a handsome stranger named Gregg, she assumes the temporary identity of “Anna” based on the initial “A” engraved on her bracelet. As a winter storm isolates them, what begins as a simple tale of rescue quickly spirals into something far more sinister.
Strong and Sargent excel at building atmospheric tension. The remote lakeside setting becomes a character in itself—a snow-blanketed prison that traps our protagonist not just physically but mentally as she struggles to reclaim her identity while navigating increasingly disturbing events:
- Unexplained voices in the night
- Footprints that shouldn’t exist
- Doors that close on their own
- A mysterious note warning “You can’t hide forever”
The authors masterfully play with perception, leaving readers constantly questioning: Is Gregg her protector or her captor? Is “Anna” experiencing paranoia from her head injury, or are her fears justified? This psychological tug-of-war forms the novel’s backbone and keeps pages turning well into the night.
Layers of Deception
What elevates “Gravewater Lake” above standard amnesia thrillers is its complex web of competing threats. Just when readers think they understand the danger, the narrative shifts to reveal new dimensions. The introduction of neighbors Helene and Eddie adds crucial complications, turning what initially seems like a two-person psychological drama into something more intricate.
The novel’s structure—alternating between “Anna’s” present confusion and flashback chapters labeled “A” (later revealed as Adria)—creates an effective storytelling mechanism. These interludes offer tantalizing glimpses into another narrative without immediately revealing how it connects to our amnesiac protagonist. This technique builds suspense while gradually assembling puzzle pieces for an eventual revelation that’s both surprising and satisfying.
Strong and Sargent demonstrate considerable skill in pacing these revelations. Each discovery feels earned rather than arbitrary, with clues carefully scattered throughout the text:
- The missing slipper found in an abandoned boat
- A broken pearl necklace with pieces on opposite shores
- Hidden photographs in a panic room
- The mysterious manuscript that triggers flashes of memory
Character Complexity
The characterization in “Gravewater Lake” deserves particular praise. Our protagonist evolves from helpless amnesia victim to resourceful survivor as she pieces together not only her identity but her moral compass. Her relationship with Gregg develops naturally despite the bizarre circumstances, creating genuine emotional stakes that transcend the thriller framework.
Gregg (later revealed as Michael) defies easy categorization as hero or villain. His motives remain murky throughout much of the narrative, and his lies are balanced against moments of genuine protection. This moral ambiguity creates a compelling character whose final actions feel consistent with the complex person established throughout.
Secondary characters receive similar attention. Helene’s seemingly friendly overtures mask a disturbed psyche rooted in professional jealousy, while Eddie and Ricky bring criminal elements that expand the novel’s scope beyond psychological suspense into more traditional thriller territory.
Structural Ingenuity
The novel’s structure reveals its greatest strength: what initially appears to be a straightforward amnesia thriller becomes a metafictional exploration of identity. The revelation that our protagonist is bestselling author Alex Moore, whose memory fragments are actually scenes from her own manuscript, adds a brilliant layer of complexity. This twist transforms “Gravewater Lake” from a good thriller into a more thought-provoking narrative about how we construct reality through stories.
The dual-mystery format works extraordinarily well. Readers must unravel:
- Who is “Anna” and what happened to her memory?
- What crime are Gregg/Michael and his cousin Ricky hiding?
These questions intertwine without directly connecting until the climactic sequence, creating sustained tension throughout the 400+ pages without feeling padded or repetitive.
Critical Assessment: Where the Waters Run Deep
Despite its strengths, “Gravewater Lake” isn’t without flaws. The coincidence factor runs high—our amnesiac protagonist happens to stumble upon not one but two separate deadly scenarios (Helene’s murder plot and Ricky’s criminal hideout). While the authors eventually connect these threads narratively, the initial setup requires considerable suspension of disbelief.
The novel occasionally relies too heavily on genre conventions. The hidden panic room, while effectively creepy, feels like a device we’ve seen before. Similarly, the revelation of surveillance cameras throughout the house offers a convenient explanation for various mysterious occurrences but treads familiar ground for thriller readers.
Some readers might find the multiple threats dilute rather than enhance tension. Just as we’re invested in the danger posed by Gregg/Michael’s deception, attention shifts to Helene’s murderous jealousy, then to Ricky’s criminal violence. While this creates unpredictability, it sometimes sacrifices depth for breadth.
The final act moves into more conventional thriller territory with hostage situations and last-minute rescues that, while satisfying, feel less distinctive than the psychological cat-and-mouse game of the novel’s first half. However, the epilogue brings welcome complexity back, suggesting redemption possibilities without tying everything into an overly neat bow.
Thematic Resonance
“Gravewater Lake” transcends pure entertainment by exploring intriguing themes:
- Identity construction: Without memory, who are we? The novel suggests identity is as much about present choices as past experiences.
- The power of stories: Alex’s fictional narrative becomes indistinguishable from memory fragments, highlighting how stories shape our understanding of reality.
- Family loyalty: Michael’s misguided protection of his cousin raises questions about the limits of family obligation.
- Professional jealousy: Helene’s murderous envy of Alex’s success offers commentary on toxic ambition in creative fields.
These thematic elements give the thriller emotional and intellectual weight beyond its plot mechanics.
Verdict: A Memorable Journey Through Forgetting
“Gravewater Lake” marks another strong entry in A.M. Strong and Sonya Sargent’s psychological thriller catalog, following their previous collaboration on “The Last Girl Left.” Readers who enjoyed that work or similar memory-centric thrillers like S.J. Watson’s “Before I Go to Sleep” or Ruth Ware’s “The Woman in Cabin 10” will find much to appreciate here.
The novel is an intriguing read for its intricate plot construction, atmospheric setting, and surprising twists. While it occasionally relies on genre conventions and coincidences, these minor flaws are easily overlooked amid the compelling narrative momentum and psychological depth. Its greatest achievement lies in creating a protagonist whose journey toward self-discovery feels simultaneously personal and universal—reminding us that identity itself can be as mysterious as any crime.
Like the lake that gives the novel its name, the story contains depths beyond its placid surface. And like the submerged gravestones that dot those waters, remnants of forgotten lives linger beneath contemporary concerns, waiting to be discovered by those brave enough to dive beneath the surface. “Gravewater Lake” invites readers to take that plunge, rewarding them with a thriller that’s as thought-provoking as it is spine-tingling.
