After 2021’s ANNIE AND THE WOLVES, Andromeda Romano-Lax weaves an intriguing tapestry that paints from the exotic travel palette of her nine nonfiction books.

In THE DEEPEST LAKE, Rose won’t accept the result of ex-spouse Matt’s military-precision investigation into the presumed drowning of their daughter, Jules, after final text messages on her 23rd birthday. Using her maiden name three months later, Rose enrolls in famed memoirist Eva Marshall’s exorbitant writing workshop at Guatemala’s volcanic Lake Atitlán, the deepest in Central America. “Complete healing is a lie, in a sense. She will never fill the hole left by Jules.”

"Grab your passport and experience rich descriptions of Guatemala’s mountainous region rivaled only by the intense characterization of those involved in the Casa Eva intrigue."

The narrative volleys between Jules and Rose. At first, Jules (Juliet) is beguiled by the renowned writer, as she assists the author at the cultish Casa Eva retreat. Idol worship morphs into suspicion when she learns that “everyone I’ve met at Casa Eva has an odd relationship with the truth.” Rose finds that “Eva’s biggest worry was her massive memoir deception.”

Mother and daughter have their own issues. Not wanting to appear controlling, Rose gives free rein to Jules, which is interpreted as apathy. Jules had traversed Central America seeking to narrate her own tale that doesn’t include her mother. Names are key clues in this captivating thriller. Jules was to be born in July, thus the name Juliet. Debuting two months early, she acquired the moniker Juliet May. Even Eva Marshall is a pseudonym, which is perhaps a name change to one that is more suitable for publishing, or to conceal an unsavory past.

Grab your passport and experience rich descriptions of Guatemala’s mountainous region rivaled only by the intense characterization of those involved in the Casa Eva intrigue.