The Brooding Lake (aka Lamb to Slaughter)

Dorothy Eden was born in Canterbury Plains, New Zealand on April 3rd, 1912. She worked as a legal secretary before moving to London, England in 1954 to become a full-time writer. She is best known for her writings in the historical, suspense, and gothic genres. Her first novel, The Singing Shadows, was published in 1940. During her lifetime, she wrote more than 40 novels including, Let Us Prey, The Vines of Yarrabee, Melbury Square, The Shadow Wife, An Afternoon Walk, The Salamanca Drum, and An Important Family. She also contributed to several magazines, including Redbook and Good Housekeeping. She died of cancer on March 4, 1982 at the age of 69. 

From what the internet produced, Eden's The Brooding Lake was originally published by Ace in January 1953 as a gothic paperback. The book was published the same year in Europe as Lamb to the Slaughter. In the late 1970s, both Ace and Coronet recycled those same titles for paperback editions of the novel. I attempted to make the novel relevant again by teaming up with Nick from The Book Graveyard to review it on a recent podcast episode and video discussion.

In the book, protagonist Alice arrives in a sleepy New Zealand town after receiving an invitation from her friend Camilla. However, Alice is shocked to learn that Camilla isn't home upon her arrival. Instead, there's a mysterious note that suggests Camilla has run off with a man. It is up to Alice to discover that all is not what it seems in the town. There are some vague notions that Camilla had at least three different relationships with men in town. When Alice delves into Camilla's disappearance, she "lives" Camilla's life by striking up a friendship with two of the men. As the book progresses, Alice's life is in jeopardy as she inches closer to the truth.

The Brooding Lake emphasizes relationships and boundaries, both of which entangle the characters and the plot in a crafty way. This is an actual gothic novel, complete with all of the expected genre tropes like a stranger in a strange land, a large house in which the main character can flee, and a unique isolation that envelops the characters and reader. I found myself enthralled with the central mystery, and the plot moved along in an investigative way that was enjoyable. Recommended. Get it HERE.