Summit Lake

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The novel unfolds using a dual timeline, alternating between Kelsey’s investigation in the present and Becca’s life in the months leading to her murder. How did this structure affect your reading experience? Did it successfully build suspense for you, or did you find it distracting?

2. For those familiar with Charlie Donlea’s other works, like The Girl Who Was Taken, Twenty Years Later, and Those Empty Eyes, how does Summit Lake compare as his debut in the rural noir genre?

3. What was your initial reaction to the revelation of Jack’s death in the plane crash, and how did this twist change your theories about the case?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Much of the tragedy stems from Becca and Jack’s keeping their relationship a secret to protect their friend group. Have you ever felt the need to keep a secret to maintain peace in a friendship or family? Where do you draw the line between privacy and harmful concealment?

2. Kelsey throws herself into the investigation to cope with her trauma. Have you ever found that focusing intensely on a project or a goal helped you navigate a difficult period in your own life?

3. The pressure to maintain an image of perfection is a heavy burden for characters like Becca and Brad. In what ways do you see this kind of pressure, whether from family or social media, affecting people’s choices today?

4. The friendship between Becca, Jack, Brad, and Gail fractures under the intense pressure of secrets. Did their dynamic feel realistic to you? What do you think was the single biggest mistake that led to their group’s collapse? Have you ever experienced a similar dynamic, and if so, how did you navigate it?

5. What did you think of the friendship that developed between Kelsey and Rae, and why do you think Rae was so willing to help an outsider?

6. What does Commander Ferguson’s decision to defy his superiors and trust Kelsey reveal about the novel’s perspective on justice versus procedure?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The Eckersley family uses their wealth and influence to control the investigation, a theme that connects to real-world events. How does the novel critique the way that power and reputation can obstruct justice? Does this portrayal resonate with issues in today’s society?

2. How does the book portray the complexities of a small town like Summit Lake, where the community’s insular nature is both a protective shield and a breeding ground for secrets?

3. What does Kelsey’s role as an investigative reporter suggest about the power of journalism to challenge official narratives controlled by the police and the Eckersley family?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The novel’s title is Summit Lake, and the lake itself is a constant presence. Beyond being the setting, what symbolic meaning does the lake hold? How do its placid surface and hidden depths reflect the story’s central themes? What other ways does the lake contribute to the book’s messages?

2. Do you see Brad as a tragic figure or a straightforward villain, and how does the novel use flashbacks to trace the evolution of his obsession?

3. What does the discovery of Becca’s journal inside Millie’s recipe binder symbolize about the relationship between public traditions and private truths in the novel? Why does Millie keep the journal?

4. How does Summit Lake use the conventions of the rural noir genre, and what other books have you read that use this genre? How do they compare with this one?

5. How does the recurring motif of running help chart Kelsey’s psychological journey from a target of violence to a survivor?

6. Considering the theme of The Destructive Power of Secrets, which character’s secret do you think had the most devastating ripple effect?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine adding one final entry to Becca’s journal from her perspective. What last thought, fear, or hope would you have her record?

2. If you were to create a “character shrine” for someone other than Brad, who would you choose, and what objects would you include to represent their inner world?

3. Imagine that you’re in Commander Ferguson’s position. Would you have trusted an outsider like Kelsey with your case files, or would you have pursued a different path?