NetGalley Review: Summit Lake by Charlie Donlea

Title: Summit Lake
Author: Charlie Donlea
Date to be published: Jan. 26, 2016
Publisher: Kensington Books
Pages: 320
Genre: Murder Mystery
Review: ebook provided by NetGalley and Publisher
Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk 

Set in a small, picturesque North Carolina town, Charlie Donlea’s suspenseful debut novel tells the haunting story of a murdered law school student, the reporter assigned to her story—and the intimate connection that comes when the living walk in the footsteps of the dead.
“No suspects. No persons of interest. Just a girl who was alive one day and dead the next.”
Some places seem too beautiful to be touched by horror. Summit Lake, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is that kind of place, with charming stilt houses dotted along the pristine water. But two weeks ago, Becca Eckersley, a first-year law student, was brutally murdered in one of those houses. The daughter of a powerful attorney, Becca was hard-working, accomplished, and ambitious. Now, while the town reels with grief and shocked residents gather to share their theories, the police are baffled.
At first, investigative reporter Kelsey Castle thinks of the assignment as a fluff piece. But the savagery of the crime, and the determined efforts to keep the case quiet, all hint at something far more than a random attack by a stranger. As Kelsey digs deeper, pushing on despite danger and warnings, she feels a growing connection to the dead girl. And the more she learns about Becca’s friendships, her love life—and the secrets she was keeping—the more convinced she becomes that learning the truth about Becca could be the key to overcoming her own dark past…

I received this book via NetGalley to give an honest review.

I actually stayed up super late to finish this book, once I was hooked I could not stop reading. I really liked how the author did the chapters, you would read what the reporter was uncovering to what happened 14 months ago to Becca, it was all between the present and the past. 

This all leading up to the day of her death. I liked the mystery building up to her death as I was thinking it was going to be this person but it took a total different turn. I also liked how the author did Summit Lake and the coffee shop where people would gather and gossip. It is just like a small town people have theories when something tragic happens.

Becca is a law student and seems to hide secrets pretty well. What secrets does she hold?

Kelsey the reporter takes on this story of finding the truth of what happened to Becca along with trying to deal with her own tragic event. What will she uncover?

One thing I didn't understand with the reporter Kelsey is that she didn't try to contact the parents. I understand they are big timers but wouldn't any reporter attempt to contact?

The characters to me were well developed and the plot was great, to me the story was fast paced and didn't slow down which I highly enjoyed. 

I liked this author's writing style and plan on reading more from him. 

Charlie Donlea was born in Chicago, where he lives with his wife and two young children. SUMMIT LAKE is his first novel. His second will be released in 2017.