Welcome friend! I am excited to chat with Jamie Day on the blog today as we celebrate his latest novel, The Lake Escape. With eerie vibes should you be reading this by a lake, The Lake Escape offers a chilly summer read. Let’s welcome Jamie and understand her inspiration!
The Lake Escape
WILL THIS BE THE BEST WEEK OF THEIR LIVES… OR THE LAST?
JULIA, DAVID, AND ERIKA grew up together spending summers at their idyllic Vermont lake homes for as long as they can remember. Now adults—with their own sullen teens, endless mortgages, and low-voltage sex lives—the three friends have amassed secrets over the years.
This summer, David is eager to show off his newly renovated home—which now blocks his friends’ cherished lake views—and his much-younger girlfriend. He also, unwittingly, brings a nanny with a hidden agenda. What could possibly go wrong?
When David’s girlfriend mysteriously vanishes after a shouting match, Julia and Erika wonder just how well they know their lifelong friend. The lake harbors a harrowing two young women, with no known connection, vanished without a trace thirty years ago. Did the lake take another?
As a search is mounted, an intricate web of lies, deceits, and betrayals spanning generations starts to surface, and everyone finds themselves in danger of becoming the next victim. Of the lake, or something darker.
Get to know the author: Jamie Day
Hi Jamie! It is a pleasure to have you on Armed with A Book. To start us off, can you tell my readers a little about yourself?
Sure! It’s such a pleasure to connect with you and your readers.
During the covid pandemic when the world was dealing with a lot of challenges, I felt the desire to lighten up the darker domestic thrillers I had written in the past. I now blend some of my natural humor with the nail biting suspense of Harlan Coben, the family driven dramas of Liane Moriarty, and the light summer feel of Elin Hilderbrand. I live in a beautiful beach town that attracts summer tourists from all over the world, so I’m surrounded by inspiration for summer suspense.
The Lake Escape is your latest summer suspense novel—can you share what first sparked the idea for this story?
I gravitate toward the water for most of my own vacations, be it the beach or a lake, and as a kid my family took summer trips to the mountains. A lake nestled in the mountains of Vermont, idyllic yet somewhat isolated, felt like the perfect setting for a summer thriller. It reminded me of the camp I went to as a teen, and what camp is complete without ghost stories and lore? That’s how the Lake Lore was born. I added in characters with friendships spanning decades, as well as layers of secrets and misdeeds, and the Lake Escape evolved into a twisty mystery.
The Lake Escape deals with long-standing friendships and buried secrets. Did you draw on any personal experiences when developing these dynamics?
Absolutely. Although the story and characters are fictional, I do know a couple that divorced and the ex-wife built a house that blocked her ex-husband’s view of the harbor. I thought that would be a great instigator for inter-family conflict. I know I would be incensed!
Izzy is David’s young nanny and though she is not mentioned by name in the synopsis, her first person narrative is key to the story. What can you tell me about her?
I love writing domestic suspense from a multi-generational perspective, and Izzy’s character really spoke to me. She has a vulnerability that I find endearing as well as battle scars from her childhood that make you root for her and empathize with her struggles. I love her perseverance as well as her insecurities. It was fun writing from her youthful, spunky perspective.
Which character surprised you the most while writing?
Definitely Christian. Despite all of his flaws, I still wanted him to have a happy ending.
Do you have a favourite quote or scene in The Lake Escape that is especially meaningful to you?
I love the three verses from the lake’s point of view, which are interspersed throughout the book. And there are some touching scenes between Izzy and the twins that felt especially meaningful to me.
What kind of research did you do for The Lake Escape, especially around missing persons cases or lake town histories?
I had to learn about the police response to a missing person’s report, especially when it happens near a body of water, and a lot of alcohol is involved. I researched how they organize search efforts, how long they allow volunteers to help when it risks others getting lost, when they would call it off, and how canines are deployed. There were legal matters to look into, and a nefarious backstory that I won’t say much about because it’s part of the plot.
What do you hope readers reflect on after finishing the book?
Ultimately, I want readers to take away a message of hope. That’s what I believe all my stories are about—how, even in our darkest hours, there is always a ray of light to help guide our way. The struggles we face are meaningless if we can’t also find redemption through forgiveness and grace. Just like in life, none of the characters leave this story unscathed. But, like them, it’s what we do with our struggles that shapes our future and gives us hope for a brighter tomorrow.
If you had to spend a week at a remote lake house with one character from The Lake Escape—and had to trust them—who would you choose and why?
I’d have to pick Julia. I relate to her wry sense of humor and love of cocktails.
How would you say The Lake Escape differs from your previous novels, The Block Party and One Big Happy Family?
One Big Happy Family combines the bonkers craziness of Knives Out with the charm of a classic whodunnit. The Block Party centers more around a community where you only sort of know your neighbors, whereas The Lake Escape focuses on a close-knit group of friends who think they really know each other—but maybe don’t.
What do you enjoy most about writing summer thrillers?
I love creating a tense atmosphere within a light, cheerful summer setting. The contrast is fun to play with and offers the opportunity for a layered reading experience. I get to take your favorite memories and turn them upside down—what’s not to love about that?
Are there any contemporary thriller/mystery writers whose work you admire?
Lucy Foley is a go-to author for me. I love her style and the atmosphere she creates. Mary Kubica, Gillian McAllister, and Lisa Unger are also autobuys for me.
If readers enjoyed The Lake Escape, which authors or books would you recommend they pick up next?
Liane Moriarty’s novels are always a fun ride, and supremely well-written.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I just want to thank you so much for this opportunity and for reading my novels. My job is to create fun, suspenseful summer stories that are entertaining from beginning to end! And I hope your readers enjoy the ride as much as I enjoy writing my books.
Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me and share with my readers.
Thanks for joining us! Add this book on Goodreads. You may have spotted it on our new releases post.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press for connecting me with the author and giving me a chance to highlight this book on my blog in exchange for an honest review. 🙂
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