Hannah never dreamed she'd have a best friend like Ellen Brecht. Ellen is everything Hannah wants to be - beautiful, daring, glamorous and poweful. Growing up together in windswept Cornwall, life seems perfect. But their idyllic childhood is shattered by obsession, betrayal and, ultimately, a terrible tragedy.

Hannah has tried for twenty years to forget what happened during that life-changing summer. Then, one unremarkable morning at work, she glimpses a woman who looks just like Ellen. Can it really be her? And if so, has Ellen returned to forgive her - or to punish her?

Bestselling author Louise Douglas tells a heart-pounding and unforgettable tale of secrets and lies. Perfect for fans of Barbara O’Neal, Lucinda Riley and Rachel Hore.

Praise for Louise Douglas:

'Louise Douglas achieves the impossible and gets better with every book.' Milly Johnson

'A brilliantly written, gripping, clever, compelling story, that I struggled to put down. The vivid descriptions, the evocative plot and the intrigue that Louise created, which had me constantly asking questions, made it a highly enjoyable, absolute treasure of a read.' Kim Nash

'Another stunning read from the exceptionally talented Louise Douglas! I love the way in which Louise creates such an atmospheric mystery, building the intrigue and suspense brick by brick. Her writing is always beautiful and multi-layered, her characters warm and relatable and the intriguing nature of the mystery makes this unputdownable.’ Nicola Cornick

'A tender, heart-breaking, page-turning read' Rachel Hore

‘Kept me guessing until the last few pages and the explosive ending took my breath away.' C.L. Taylor

‘Beautifully written, chillingly atmospheric and utterly compelling, The Secret by the Lake is Louise Douglas at her brilliant best’ Tammy Cohen

‘A master of her craft, Louise Douglas ratchets up the tension in this haunting and exquisitely written tale of buried secrets and past tragedy.’ Amanda Jennings

‘A clammy, atmospheric and suspenseful novel, it builds in tension all the way through to the startling final pages.’Sunday Express, S Magazine