The White Lake by Kerri Merriam-Buckton

A most enjoyable, well-written book! The title and cover caught my attention, as did the author, who shares my love of Lake Huron. The White Lake grabbed my curiosity from the first line and kept me reading with an intriguing scene of a young woman named El finding a man asleep under a park bench. When she wakes him, he has no recollection of how he got there. It made me question what on earth was happening. This mystery leads to revelations about a recent tragedy in the lives of the man, Erik, and his son, Micah.

As the novel progresses, a connection is formed between Erik and El. Told through three different points of view–El’s, Erik’s, and Micah’s–the story unravels with secrets and twists mixed with emotion. Grief, loss, regret, and mistakes made in the past come to the surface while at the same time the characters form a bond and search for a way forward. Well-portrayed and likeable, these are people with struggles to which the reader can relate. The family dynamics drive the plot as they embark on a magical quest for a resolution to their sorrows.

Anyone suffering from nightmares following a loss will find solace and in, and understand the characters’ need to make sense of, the dreams that direct them to find the white lake. Although the story is a fantasy, the plight of Erik and Micah along with El’s draw to them is very real as they join forces to fight evil and destroy the despondency that has claimed them since Erik’s wife was killed in a car crash and El’s mother succumbed to her addictions. Real-life issues X fantastical elements X the human spirit.

This book reminded me of a fantasy novel I read as a child, and it brought back good memories. Although as an adult, I don’t usually read fantasy, I found this story delightful with its fairytale-like quality and mix of fantasy, mystery, family drama, and a touch of romance. The ending left me in tears. But in a good way. I highly recommend this great Canadian author!