The House Across the Lake

One of the central themes of the novel is Casey’s experience with alcoholism, and how drinking to forget can lead to dangerous consequences. Casey confesses, “I drink to forget. Which is why I tilt the bottle and bring it to my parched, parted lips. When the bourbon hits my tongue and the back of my throat, all the tension in my mind and muscles suddenly eases. I unclench, like a flower bud spreading open into full bloom” (201). This quote illustrates the allure of drinking to forget, implying that Casey believes a sober self is one hiding their true beauty from the world. This allure proves short-lived, however, as the dangers of alcohol misuse become apparent. Throughout the novel, Casey’s alcohol addiction leads her to repress painful memories, but these same memories are crucial to solving her neighbor Katherine Royce’s crisis. The novel highlights the importance of confronting one’s past to move on from it rather than avoiding it through substance misuse. While Casey is caught in cycles of drinking, she can’t accurately face the past or solve the mystery in front of her.

Casey’s journey to recovery is essential to fully understanding Katherine’s situation and finding a way to stop her husband from attempting to kill her for her wealth.