Imogen returns to her small hometown of Lake Blair alongside her twin sister, Amelia, for their beloved mother’s funeral. Going back to your hometown is already hard enough—I know that feeling all too well. But returning because your mom died? That’s a different kind of heartbreak. Unfortunately, I know that feeling too. 0/10. Wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.
Not long after arriving, Imogen begins to suspect that maybe her mother’s death wasn’t as natural as everyone believes. Teaming up with her childhood crush, Rory, she starts digging into long-buried secrets that tie her family’s tragic past to the disappearance of a young woman the year before.
But Lake Blair is the kind of small town where everyone knows each other—and everyone is hiding something. Secrets, lies, old grudges, suspicious neighbors… if you love small-town mysteries where every character feels guilty, you’re going to have so much fun with The Season of Sinking.
The timing of this read couldn’t have been more perfect. Summer thunderstorms are my favorite, rain makes me feel alive, and this book carries that same eerie, stormy atmosphere—even though it’s actually set in early autumn.
From the very beginning, I realized Imogen and I had something in common: being raised by an anxious mother. They love you with every piece of themselves, but sometimes that love teaches you to fear the world just as much as they do. This quote hit me harder than I expected:
“Despite imagining her death innumerable times, I never truly thought about when it would happen. At least not until I was much older, when I had kids of my own. Until she was feeble and delicate, and we saw it coming distantly. Its instantaneous nature couldn’t have been further from anticipated.”
That single passage captured a feeling I’ve struggled to put into words ever since losing my own mom.
Now, can we talk about stalkers? Because nothing irritates me more. What do you mean you think I’m yours? Loving you when all you inspire in me is fear, disgust, and nausea? Absolutely not. This particular stalker becomes even more unhinged once Imogen starts reconnecting with Rory, her teenage crush.
As she should be.
The mystery itself was definitely twisty, and while I guessed a few reveals, I genuinely enjoyed the overall atmosphere more than anything else. I also think the romance between Rory and Imogen added exactly the emotional balance the story needed. Without it, I don’t think I would’ve connected with the book nearly as much. I wasn’t nearly as invested in Amelia and Wes, but Rory and Imogen completely won me over.
If you love stalker thrillers, layered family secrets, small-town mysteries, and lakeside settings that feel both beautiful and deeply unsettling, The Season of Sinking is one to add to your list.
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