Midnight in Soap Lake

A Novel

By: Matthew Sullivan

Narrated by: Kristen Sieh

A lake with mysterious properties. A town haunted by urban legend. Two women whose lives intersect in terrifying ways. Welcome to Soap Lake.

When Abigail agreed to move to Soap Lake, Washington, for her husband’s research, she expected old-growth forests and craft beer, folksy neighbors and the world’s largest lava lamp. Instead, after her husband jets off to Poland for a research trip, she finds herself alone, in a town haunted by its own urban legends.

When a young boy runs through the desert into Abigail’s arms, her life becomes entwined with his and the questions surrounding the death of his mother, Esme. In Abigail’s search for answers, she enlists the help of a quirky cast of friends to unearth Esme’s tragic past, the town’s violent history and the secret magic locked in the lake her husband was sent there to study. But as she gets closer to the truth, her own life may be in danger, too.

A sweeping, decade-spanning mystery brimming with quirky characters and puzzle-hunt scenarios, Midnight in Soap Lake is a rich, expansive universe that readers will enter and never forget.

Satisfying connections

I picked this book because of the setting in my state, and a recommendation from a colleague. But I really fell for the two primary narratives winding their way around and towards one another. Even though I knew there will be intersections and collisions between the two women's narratives, I relished every deliberate step the writer led us in to get there.

I love the concepts that intertwined and kept me guessing

Love the story and the characters. It’s intriguing to take a real place of significance and weave a story around it.

Good mystery, but too much identity characters

The story line and character details are rich enough to stand on their own without modern pandering.
Women good, men bad except if they are gay.
Black female professor is the great scientist.
Church pastor is the villan.
Tired of wokeness...

Unusual murder mystery

A bit hard to follow at times. I think there were at least two storylines going on. At times it was enjoyable but at times I am afraid I zoned out.

A truly gripping story

The neverending twists and turns kept me enthusiastically enthralled the whole way through. I've been on audible for over a year and this is easily my favorite listen yet!