In Ava's dreams, her son, Noah, looks just the way she remembers him: a sweet two-year-old in rolled-up jeans and a red sweatshirt. When Ava wakes, the agonizing truth hits her all over again. Noah went missing two years ago, and his body has never been found. Almost everyone, including Ava's semi-estranged husband, Wyatt, assumes the boy drowned after falling off the dock near their Church Island home.
Ava has spent most of the past two years in and out of Seattle mental institutions, shattered by grief and unable to recall the details of Noah's disappearance. Now she's back at Neptune's Gate, the family estate she once intended to restore to its former grandeur. Slowly, her strength is returning. But as Ava's mind comes back into focus, her suspicions grow. Despite their apparent concern, Ava can't shake the feeling that her family, and her psychologist, know more than they're saying. But are they really worried for her well-being—or anxious about what she might discover?
Unwilling to trust those around her, Ava secretly visits a hypnotist to try and restore her memories. But the strange visions and night terrors keep getting worse. Ava is sure she's heard Noah crying in the nursery, and glimpsed him walking near the dock. Is she losing her mind, or is Noah still alive? Ava won't stop until she gets answers, but the truth is more dangerous than she can imagine. And the price may be more than she ever thought to pay…
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"I'm not a big fiction fan but I won this through First reads and I really enjoyed it. It was a little slow at first but realize now that that added to the illusion of the supposed craziness of the main character Ava. However, it moved quickly after that. I'm not familiar with Lisa Jackson but I could see a great follow up to this book and even a prequel."
— Dara (4 out of 5 stars)
" I'm only giving this book a 3 star rating instead of a 4 because I found it very slow going for the first 100 pages or so!! I have to say that once the book picked up speed I had a hard time putting it down! The heroine of the story was surrounded by really despicable and greedy people. There weren't very many likable or sympathetic characters! A good read for the classic dark suspense lover! "
— Kelly, 2/14/2014" A "romantic" thriller but well written with an ending that I never anticipated. "
— marsha, 2/3/2014" WAY, way too long! Read the first 50 pages then skipped to the middle, and then had to read the end. Too much stuff about what was going on in her head. "
— Jennifer, 2/3/2014" Just too far fetched "
— Catherine, 1/28/2014" This reminded me of a gothic mystery, although it is set in modern times. Some elements were exaggerated to add to the suspense- the old fashioned key, the isolated island, relatives with something to gain, a creepy old house, a deserted mental asylum. Stale plot, stereotypical characters. "
— libraryladygina, 1/22/2014" Absolutely amazing book! I could not put it down till my eyes couldn't read anymore. Lisa Jackson does it again! It will keep you guessing until the end! An absolute must read! Its plot twists and turns will leave you wanting to get to the end to see who is the evil one or are there more. Please read this book, you will not regret it! Guaranteed! "
— Deborah, 1/15/2014" A little slow at times, but a good mystery. "
— Leah, 1/9/2014" I would give it a 3.5 if I could. It was a good story but she repeated herself quite often. How many times did Ava have to tell us she's not crazy? Or describe the boat rides to/from the island over and over? We get it, it was wet and foggy. If you can get past that then I recommend the book. "
— Susan, 12/29/2013" One of the best books I've read this year! I didn't want to put this book down!! "
— Joann, 12/12/2013" Absolutely LOVED this book !! Very suspensful and creepy. It does start off a little slow but once it starts just hang on for the ride!! You'll be glad you did. "
— Tammy, 12/2/2013" Really hard to put down! "
— Christina, 11/29/2013" Too much of a womens book for me. "
— Richard, 11/18/2013" Good but took too long to get to the going. Ending was worth the read. "
— Susie, 11/5/2013" Crazy mind screwing story. Too much drama and scarey. Trust no one is what this book is all about. "
— Kathy, 9/1/2013" Nice page-turner, a good mystery to get engrossed in. "
— Crystal, 8/18/2013" What an amazing, suspenseful book. Kept me guessing! "
— Stacy, 4/23/2013" Crazy would be the best way to sum up this story, all the characters everything. But it was a good read. Kept me intrigued. "
— Coral, 3/31/2013" the entire time i was reading this book i felt like i'd already read it. i had most of the key players figured out early in the book. other than having felt like i already read it, i thought it was a decent book "
— Kim, 2/18/2013" This was an outrageously gripping story! I read it in one day, it kept me so hooked turning page after page! Thanks to Kensington it was one of my review Advance Reader copies for May!! "
— Kathy, 2/16/2013" Could have been written and read in 1/2 the time, but it wasn't bad. "
— Lesley, 11/22/2012" Ms. Jackson has done it again! From the first page you are glued to this story! You will continue to figure out who is doing what but because of all the twists and turns your guess always seems off. If you are looking for a page turner then you have found it! "
— Teresa, 11/2/2012" Such good twist and turns - leaves you guessing all the way through. She does wrap up her books a little too pretty with a bow but still good. "
— Pandora, 10/25/2012" Really slow starting, got better add out went. Not one of her better books "
— Rick, 10/9/2012" I really recommend this book , It is a nail biting thriller "
— Nmkazzazyahoo.com, 9/19/2012" Although far-fetched, this was definitely a real page-turner! "
— Melissa, 9/15/2012" I love Lisa Jackson's books. This book was confusing. "
— Diane, 8/14/2012Lisa Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of mysteries, romance, historical romance, and romantic suspense novels in sixteen series, as well as more than forty stand-alone novels. Her books have been translated into a twenty foreign languages.
Christina Traister, Earphones Award–winning narrator, has worked nationally as a professional actor for over fifteen years with a career focusing on classical theater. She teaches acting, voice, and stage combat in the Department of Theatre at Michigan State University.