Review of 'The Cottage at Whisper Lake' by Phillipa Nefri Clark
Release date: September 25th, 2023
Publisher: Storm Publishing
⛵️
The Cottage at Whisper Lake is an incredibly fascinating mystery story that kept me up to the wee hours of the morning reading it. This novel is filled with intriguing clues, numerous secrets and lovely descriptions of a haunting and scenic Australian location. The alluring plot held my interest and with the two timelines I was able to get the backstory of Rebecca or at least a glimpse of her past life and the heartaches she experienced. Then we see in the current day how much those events affected her long term. And yes, Ms Clark really winds up the tension and it’s an emotional roller coaster ride through this woman’s life. Pacing is a thoughtful meander, not rushed or too slow. It unfolds like a flower—a rose with its thorns that can lift you up in excitement one minute, then prick you and leave you in a puddle of tears. This story resonates with authentic pain and, as a result, draws out the empathy from our hearts as we care about Rebecca and hope she is going to be okay. And Sadie, too.
Our major character, Sadie Forest, has a passion for helping the unfortunate and aged, she is drawn to Rebecca and the mystery that surrounds her. Maybe it is her journalist senses that keeps her interest on high alert but events begin to happen once she accidentally meets Rebecca through a strange way. They become friends: the older woman and the younger. When Rebecca briefly lets down her guard while lost in her memories and during a glimmer of grief, she asks Sadie to help her find someone. But before saying a name, she pulls back. Sadie wonders: who is she trying to locate? Over the days, bits of truth unveil, while Sadie’s curiosity increases. She needs to know the story behind the sad eyes, the wandering behaviour and even the cat named Percy.
As painful circumstances unfold in the past timeline, the answers are revealed in the present. But not without extensive research and numerous roadblocks, does Sadie discover the truth. And it is not just about Rebecca. Our reporter protagonist makes known her own family heartache and soiled memories. Her father has died but his presence lingers in the legacies he has left behind. Their relationship was a difficult one and it has left emotional scars. It caused her to leave home fifteen years earlier and never look back. But now she returns to help her grieving mother who is struggling with the family business. As unfortunate as circumstances are, Sadie feels her mother is free now from the man who dominated and controlled every aspect of her life. She tries to help her mother have some fun: do things she was not allowed to do before. There are some conflicting emotional responses during this time.
And in the midst of it all she meets a builder who is friends with both her mother and Rebecca. Sadie and Dan come together when Rebecca goes missing. He is nothing like she expects (nor his home) and she gets pleasantly surprised by his generous heart and her rising feelings towards him. Is there an unexpected romance on the horizon?
Perspective is a big part of this story. Some people speak of Sadie’s father ‘as if he was a different man from the one she remembered..’ As Rebecca noted: he was ‘a little possessive perhaps, but love was evident.’ This confuses Sadie as what she remembers is a very different picture. Was her father different at the end of his life than when she was at home? By staying away, did she miss some vital changes?
Sadie and Rebecca have an unusual kinship. They carry their heart-breaking memories close but have touched ‘deep seated pain in each other.’ As Rebecca states, everyone experiences some tragedy in their lives. But the differences are in how they handle it. Some people are able to put it behind them while others ‘with the gift and curse of empathy—are never the same.’ To the onlooker, people like Sadie and Rebecca may seem ‘strong and industrious’ and not show signs of struggle within. But it is this struggle that fuels their actions—the power behind the purpose of everything they do. This may seem like a bleak thought but it is profound and clearly observant. This is one of many deep truths in this novel—especially in the psychological aspects of the characters. And as we know from the historical thread, some terrible things happen to Rebecca by a family member that are so awful, the scars run deep.
I can say without giving anything away, there is a happy ending. Sadie finds her ‘home’ and where she belongs. It is quite different from what she expected. Going home can shake one’s foundation. But love can sweep in and smash those self-made walls to allow light and healing into the bruised and broken areas. Rebecca gets a surprise, too, that will alter her last years.
This is an amazing story I highly recommend. Yes, your heart will be knocked around a bit and tears may ease down your cheeks but it is worth it to get to the pages of hope and restoration. Like Sadie you may might run to the ‘hollowed tree of your childhood’ and give in to the grief but later you will look up at the sky and see ‘a shrine of a trillion stars.’
Dan recognises in Sadie her deep compassion and empathy. This is something that resounds through this novel over and over. Sadie definitely takes on ‘the pain of those who matter to her…And their joy.’ Rebecca shares this ability, too. And The Cottage at Whisper Lake holds many secrets that unlock the mystery. Sadie gets her answers and during her journey home she also finds her place. This novel carries a strong message that we should never waste time or opportunities. Mermaids and stars. Hope and expectations. Seize the day. And read this profound novel. 5 Stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy.
