This was one of the most atmospheric books I've read in a while. What impressed me was the fact that we witness the murder mystery being unfolded through the eyes of two very interesting characters, the Detective Sergeant Frank Ryan and Peggy Casey, a young woman whose strength and persistence stayed with me long after I read the novel. The descriptions of the Lake -which becomes a character in itself-are eerie and haunting, and the characters are realistic, the kind you meet in every small town in every country. Without spoiling anything, the end caught me completely by surprise.

If you want an extremely well-written mystery with a memorable,strong heroine, embelished with aspects of the Irish daily life and culture, then I recommend The Lake unreservedly, it will not let you down. And I hope we read more stories with Peggy, she deserves it. ( )