The Summer House Murder

A summer trip to the Adirondacks is turned upside down when a woman’s body is discovered in the lake in this twisty thriller, perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty and Paula Hawkins.Sisters Esme, Piper, and Regina go on their annual visit to their remote summer house on Lake George expecting a tense vacation. Each has their own families to deal with plus their own secrets to hide. Esme, the oldest sister, is desperate to keep up appearances after discovering her husband’s infidelity with the one person who hurts her the most. Piper, the middle child, has a four-month-old baby boy and is too tired to keep playing peacekeeper to her siblings. Regina, the youngest, is a sarcastic rule breaker with a secret to hide that could cost her everything.After tension boils over into an ugly fight late one night, the sisters go off in separate directions. Like most of their blowouts, they think they’ll cool off and resume the trip like normal the next morning. Only this time when dawn comes, a young woman’s body is discovered in the lake. As a criminal investigation narrows in on their family home, it becomes clear that the sister’s web of lies and secrets is inextricably linked to the woman in the lake.A tense and fast-paced thriller, The Summer House Murder will leave readers breathlessly turning the page until they reach the thrilling conclusion to this twisted family drama.

“A whirlwind domestic thriller that’s also a pitiless anatomy of the costs of motherhood and sisterhood.”
—Kirkus Review

The Summer House Murder by Ava Roberts

Praise for The Summer House Murder“[A] riveting little house of horror . . . The perfect summer read.” —First Clue“A whirlwind domestic thriller that’s also a pitiless anatomy of the costs of motherhood and sisterhood.” —Kirkus Review“Dark and seriously creepy, The Summer House Murder is the perfect thriller. Expertly plotted and utterly gripping, the tension never, ever lets up. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.” —Natalie Barelli, bestselling author of Finders Keepers“Tensions simmer and secrets resurface with deadly results in Ava Roberts’ explosive The Summer House Murder. This artfully-plotted shocker offers a fresh take on the inheritance whodunit, exploring the aftermath of a bequest, the power of place, and the cost of turning your back on family. You’ve never met sisters like these ones! Fans of Sally Hepworth will swoon.” —Tessa Wegert, author of the Shana Merchant series and In the Bones“The Summer House Murder is a twisted family drama brimming with secrets, betrayals, and flawed characters you won’t be able to put down. Darkly addictive, this is one twisted family. You’ll never look at a lake house the same way again.” —Katie Garner, author of The Night It Ended and The Family Inside

The Perfect Boyfriend

In a world where love is just a click away, a mother's worst nightmare comes true.“Brilliantly creepy and seriously addictive.”-Valerie Keogh, bestselling author of The Nurse"Mae Byrne’s daughter Fiona creates the ideal AI-generated love interest, but when Fiona disappears, Mae must find her daughter before it is too late..."-Library Journal's Clues & Consequences PreviewThe first in the Thistler Thriller series, this psychological thriller is perfect for fans of Jeneva Rose and Freida McFadden.

Buy the Book

Praise for The Perfect Boyfriend“Twisted, unpredictable, and deliciously dark, Ava Roberts delivers another must-read thriller.” —Minka Kent, Washington Post bestselling author“You'll be breathless until the last page. You don't want to miss the Thistler Thrillers, they're worth the loss of a good night's sleep.” —Shannon Baker, award-winning author of the Kate Fox Series“A clever and chilling take on dating in the digital age that will have you flipping pages, all the way to the jaw-dropping ending. I loved it.” —Nicola Sanders, bestselling author of Don’t Let Her Stay“...with twists and turns that will keep readers up all night.” —Carolyn Ridder Aspenson, USA Today bestselling author

More books by Ava Roberts

Book release scheduleThe Perfect Boyfriend (Thistler Thrillers book 1) July 22, 2025The Perfect You (Thistler Thrillers book 2) October 28, 2025The Perfect Replacement (Thistler Thrillers book 3) January 6, 2026The Summer House Murder April 7, 2026Sign up for Ava's Newsletter to be notified of upcoming releases

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Ava Roberts in the News

Library Journal
Library Journal's Clues and Consequences Mystery Preview:

Booklist
Booklist reviews the first two books in the Thistler Thrillers series by Ava Roberts:

About The Author

Ava Roberts is a clinical psychologist turned author who knows that the most unsettling things often lurk just beneath the surface. She is the author of The Vanishing Neighbor, Juniper Isle, the Thistler Thrillers series, and The Summer House Murder (2026). Kirkus Reviews called The Summer House Murder “a whirlwind domestic thriller that’s also a pitiless anatomy of the costs of motherhood and sisterhood.”Her books are published by Severn River Publishing and Crooked Lane Books. Ava is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two kids, and an overactive imagination.

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