Carol Goodman's First Four Books

One of my favorite authors is Carol Goodman. She has written a total of seven books, and she also recently released a book with her husband under the name Lee Carroll. Carol Goodman's books typically revolve around a past with dark secrets, and the difficulty in being a success in the future without facing the past. Her novels are haunting and mysterious. Each book keeps you guessing until the end. I highly recommend her books to anyone that enjoys a well written mystery.  I would like to present a brief summary her first four books, which are also my favorite books by Carol Goodman.

The Lake of Dead Languages was the first full-length novel by Carol Goodman; it was published in 2002.

The protagonist in the story, Jane Hudson, returns to teach at the private school she once attended as a teenager. Jane's long-buried dark secrets from the past begin to haunt her. When she attended Heart Lake School for Girls a series of mysterious suicides surrounded her. Now that she has returned, her own students begin to commit suicide. Jane must now face the past in order to save the lives of the girls she now teaches.

The Lake of Dead Languages is an amazing story about friendship, trust, and betrayal.  It is also a reminder to everyone that sometimes you much deal with the past to begin a real future.

The Seduction of Water, written by Carol Goodman, was released in 2003, after The Lake of Dead Languages.

Iris Greenfeder decides to return to the hotel where she grew up to complete her mother's unfinished book. Iris's mother died under mysterious circumstances, and by Iris finishing her mother's book, she may just discover the truth about her mother's death.

This book has similarities to The Lake of Dead Languages because it revolves around a woman trying to resolve her past issues. What sets this book apart from other Carol Goodman books is the fairy-tale theme that reoccurs throughout the story.

Carol Goodman's third full-length novel is The Drowning Tree.

This novel focuses on relationships and betrayal.  Juno McKay's best friend is found dead and she searches for the truth behind her death. At the same time, Juno learns of new developments in her ex-husband's health, who has been institutionalized for 14 years.  Juno is forced to learn more about both her best friend's secrets and her ex-husband's new life.  Along the way, she learns that her own life may be in danger. 

The Drowning Tree is another novel full of betrayal and haunted pasts.  This book is different from Carol Goodman's other books because it explores the difficult subject of loving someone who is mentally ill.

The fourth book written by Carol Goodman is The Ghost Orchid. It was released in 2006.

This story revolves around the past and the present. The main character in the present tale is Ellis Brooks, who comes to Bosco Estate to write her first novel. The past story focuses on Corinth Blackwell, who goes to Bosco to help the owner communicate with her deceased children. Both stories involve mysteries and deaths at the estate.

The Ghost Orchid's first chapter begins in the present, and the next chapter begins in the past. At first, this is confusing, but eventually the reader understands how the two stories coincide with each other. Each chapter simply alternates between past and present stories.

The Ghost Orchid is unusual for Carol Goodman because the book features supernatural happenings. Since the chapters alternate between past and present, it is a change from other books that take place in the present and flashback to the past whenever necessary.