Objects in Lakes

A tense and atmospheric Midwestern domestic suspense perfect for readers of All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers and All The Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham.

On a warm Fourth of July night in Duck Lake, Michigan, the Wentworths' world shattered. As fireworks lit up the sky, Richie and Olive's four-year-old daughter was pulled from the dark waters of the lake, her death ruled an accidental drowning.

Seven years later, Olive still lives in the shadow of that night. Her grief is numbed by pills, while Richie, a celebrated oncologist, thrives in the spotlight of his career. But as another Fourth of July celebration approaches, the lake yields another body, and the chilling discovery suggests that the tragedy from years ago may not have been an accident after all.

Determined to uncover the truth, Olive digs beneath the polished surface of her picture-perfect neighborhood, where Midwestern smiles conceal dangerous secrets. Each revelation threatens to unravel not only Richie's hard-won reputation but also the very foundation of their tight-knit community.

In a town where appearances are everything, Olive must confront the terrifying question: who would take the life of a child, and how far will they go to keep their sins submerged?

Author: Rachael Ramas
Publisher: Rising Action
Published: 06/02/2026
Pages: 288
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.57lbs
Size: 8.36h x 5.36w x 0.56d
ISBN: 9781998672387


Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 04/01/2026 pg. 46

About the Author
Rachael Ramas is an American author, producer, and Michigan native who writes gripping thrillers rooted in emotional truth and moral complexity. A member of Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers, she co-owns a law firm with her husband in Boca Raton, Florida, where the legal world offers endless story inspiration. Living with a rare autoimmune disease and partial hearing loss, Ramas advocates for authentic disability representation in literature. Objects in Lakes is her debut novel.