A House at the Bottom of a Lake by Josh Malerman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A House at the Bottom of a Lake is another atmospheric page-turner by Josh Malerman, writer of the terrifying Bird Box. While the tag line is great – “Just because a house is empty, doesn’t mean nobody’s home.” – it doesn’t convey the whole story. If you’re looking for a quick read for a gloomy weekend, this novella is a good choice.
We meet teenagers James and Amelia as they are embarking on a potential new relationship. On their first date, they grab a cooler and some sandwiches and head out in a canoe, exploring a series of connected lakes. It’s an idyllic scene until they discover one last small lake, with the only access being through a culvert. Once they make their way through, it was like being in a different world. As they paddle to the middle of the lake, they make the shocking discovery of a house, completely submerged yet intact. Intrigued, they begin to explore, making the lake their own private getaway. As the house begins to reveal its secrets, James and Amelia also discover things about themselves, changing themselves and their relationship forever.
While I don’t consider this to be a straight-up horror story, I have to admit that there were times while reading the story that I wanted to cover my eyes, for fear of seeing what was waiting around a corner. That’s how effective the imagery is in this story. I also enjoyed the nostalgia of being a teenager, footloose, free, and looking for a summer adventure. My only disappointment is the ending, which leaves me with more questions than answers. This might frustrate some readers but it made me want to go back and read the book again. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
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