Release Date: March 16th 2023
Publisher: Avon Books
Pages: 400
Find it on: Goodreads. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 3.25/5 stars

Synopsis

Everyone in this town has a secret. But who holds the key to the loch…?

Twenty years ago, three young women disappeared, never to be found. The rumour to this day is that their bodies are still hidden deep within the murky Loch Aven.

When Eleanor, Clio and Michaela find themselves rained out of a camping trip in the Scottish countryside, they have no option but to book the mysterious house nestled on the banks of the lake. But little do they know that history has a way of repeating itself.

As secrets in the tightknit community begin to surface, and Michaela suddenly disappears, it becomes clear that something sinister is at play. And now it’s a race against time to unravel the mystery before the dark waters claim their next victim…

A claustrophobic, eerie and atmospheric thriller perfect for fans of Lucy Foley and Sarah Pearse.

Review

The Loch is a dark and eerie thriller that follows three friends who go on holiday to a remote Scottish village. Whilst visiting they learn of the mysterious disappearance of three young women and the effect this had on the community. When one of the friends suddenly disappear, Eleanor and Clio race to uncover what has happened to their friend – but is history repeating itself and who could possibly be behind the disappearances?

This is my first read from Fran Dorricott and it was an enjoyable read. The story is well plotted and is told predominantly from Eleanor’s point of view, with a couple of chapters also from Rebecca and Matthew’s point of view. This is quite a quick paced thriller but Dorricott does a terrific job of creating a really atmospheric setting and I loved the descriptions of the isolated village and silent loch.

While there was one reveal I didn’t see coming, the story did feel a bit predictable. I guessed a lot of what was to come in the latter half of the book. I also wasn’t a huge fan of how the story ended. I did really like the characters Dorricott had created in this story – I really liked Eleanor and her friends, Eleanor in particular is well developed – she is still dealing with being in a bad relationship as well as trying to learn the truth of her birth. While I did still enjoy the chapters from Rebecca’s point of view, I much preferred Eleanor.

Overall The Loch is an entertaining read and if you’re looking for a quick paced thriller with plenty of atmosphere, this one could be right up your street.