Journal Entry 1 by Blithe10 from not specified, not specified not specified on Thursday, June 19, 2003

This is another spare copy of a book I've just bought. The story is about Jane Hudson, a Latin teacher who returns to her old school, where a terrible tragedy occured. It sounds like a cool mystery, which I usually enjoy, and so I thought someone else might get a kick out of it too.


Updated August 19th 2003

Given how popular this book-ray turned out to be I had to find out what all the fuss was about, and bumped this to the top of my 'to read' list. I am so glad I did! The plot was complex and the writing atmospheric, building tension and intrest from the first chapter. I was floored by how much I enjoyed this book, as I have a proclivity towards comedy and horror novels. Thank you Theresa-a for clueing me in to this book and for kick starting me into starting the ray. I hope eveyone else enjoys it as much as we have!
A more complete review of the book (with a few minor spoilers) can be read here: The Lake of Dead Languages
 

Journal Entry 2 by Blithe10 from not specified, not specified not specified on Tuesday, July 08, 2003

I'm going to be sending this book on its way today in my first book-ray. I'm pretty excited, and can't wait to see how far the book gets. So far the list of readers is as follows:

This is the final list, if I've missed anyone let me know. Or if anyone's not happy about their position.

Theresa-A (UK)
Robbiesmum (UK)
Imzali (UK)
Fofum (UK)
Talkland (UK)
mfa (Portugal)
Virgulina (Portugal) - Received
tho (Portugal)
silent-lady (Netherlands)
ldplibrarian (USA)
kalipriestess (USA)
stinalyn (USA)
lavatea (USA)
16stepper (USA)
euthuoneiros (Aus)
puppymummy (Aus)
minerswifebb (Canada) 

Journal Entry 3 by Theresa-A on Wednesday, July 09, 2003

Thanks Blithe10 - the book arrived today. I'm going to try to finish my other book, so that I can start this one in the next day or two. I'm looking forward to it. 

Journal Entry 4 by Theresa-A on Saturday, August 02, 2003

Journal Entry 5 by Theresa-A on Tuesday, August 26, 2003

Well, after a few problems contacting others on the list [I almost reached the point where I thought noone wanted the book anymore, :-) ], 'The Lake of Dead Languages' is on its way to Robbiesmum. I hope you enjoy it as much as Blithe10 and I did!! 

Journal Entry 6 by Robbiesmum from Thirsk, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, September 04, 2003

What a welcome find on my doormat as I returned from hospital (discharged!) this afternoon. I'm really looking forward to this book. I love novels with a mix of psychology, horror and a bit of kookiness. Top of my Reading List. Just got half a Sue Grafton to finish. 

Journal Entry 7 by Robbiesmum from Thirsk, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 10, 2003

Wow! What a brilliant suspense novel. I loved this book. The only reason why it's not a 10 was I guessed the end before I wanted to. This book is structured in a way that adds to the suspense so you're constantly asking questions. The characters often have Latin names as well which adds to their mystery and the Latin phrases and classic stories added to the magic and intrigue of the isolated boarding school. The author has dobe a lot of research on freezing and thawing ice and wrote in a way which makes it interesting. I loved the schoool traditions, pagan rites, and horror stories. It reminded me of Guide Camp! Great book. Thanks Blithe10 for sharing it. 

Journal Entry 8 by Fofum from Beverley, East Yorkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, September 20, 2003

Thanks, this book arrived earlier in the week. I'm in the middle of something else at the moment and will start it after that. It sounds like a really good read. 

Journal Entry 9 by Fofum from Beverley, East Yorkshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, December 30, 2003

I know I have held on to this for a long time and I apologise to everyone 'behind me' in the chain...but I'm glad I did hold on to it rather than pass it on unread! I really enjoyed it. It moved slowly and unremarkably and yet unfolded a story of real horror. I really enjoyed the understatement of the style given the hysteria of the story! I didn't spot the plot until it was too late - though I'd hovered around who the 'baddie' really was, I didn't spot him/her! The final twist was unbelievable and I think unnecessary, probably the only part of the book I didn't like. Otherwise a good read. Thanks for introducing me to it and being so patient with me! 

Journal Entry 10 by Fofum from Beverley, East Yorkshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, December 30, 2003

I know I have held on to this for a long time and I apologise to everyone 'behind me' in the chain...but I'm glad I did hold on to it rather than pass it on unread! I really enjoyed it. It moved slowly and unremarkably and yet unfolded a story of real horror. I really enjoyed the understatement of the style given the hysteria of the story! I didn't spot the plot until it was too late - though I'd hovered around who the 'baddie' really was, I didn't spot him/her! The final twist was unbelievable and I think unnecessary, probably the only part of the book I didn't like. Otherwise a good read. Thanks for introducing me to it and being so patient with me! 

Journal Entry 11 by Fofum at on Tuesday, December 30, 2003

Released on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 at Royal Mail in Beverley, England United Kingdom.

Moving again - at long last! I wish I could remember some notable Latin phrase to send it on its way...but I can't - 3rd Year Latin was a long time ago!
Enjoy this one, I did. 

Journal Entry 12 by talkland from Eastbourne, East Sussex United Kingdom on Saturday, January 03, 2004

This has arrived as my humble abode! 

Journal Entry 13 by talkland from Eastbourne, East Sussex United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 06, 2004

Jane Hudson is a single mother and a Latin teacher who has come back to her old boarding school which is set on the banks of a lake and has been forced to confront the tragic past which she has been running from all her adult life. It seems the deaths of her two best friends and a brother of one of the girls is being played out again in some bizarre parody of the past. The school is less prestigious than it was a direct result of the suicides in Jane's time and is now a dumping ground for troubled and difficult girls.

The lake is like a character in the story linking the past to the present. I loved the intertwining plot and the author's style, though I guessed most of the surprises long before it happened. The romance seemed a little lacklustre but the poetic words and language lifts this book to a higher level. 

Journal Entry 14 by talkland at on Wednesday, January 07, 2004

Released on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 at the post office in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, in Controlled Releases. 

Journal Entry 15 by mfa from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Wednesday, January 14, 2004

got this book today on the mail - thanks, talkland. will be read soon. 

Journal Entry 16 by mfa from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Thursday, February 05, 2004

Journal Entry 17 by usedtobe on Wednesday, February 18, 2004

I received this book today. I will get to it soon! :) 

Journal Entry 18 by usedtobe on Monday, March 15, 2004

Journal Entry 19 by tho on Saturday, March 20, 2004

Received from Virgulina yesterday ... Have a few rings ahead of this one, but I'll try to read it soon ;-) 

Journal Entry 20 by tho on Thursday, April 01, 2004

OK, so the plot IS a bit predictable, but I enjoyed this book all the same :-) It has enough suspense to keep you going, and the shift between past and present is well achieved... Latin is not exactly my thing, and I have to agree that the ending was a bit surreal, but it didn't spoil the book for me.

Will be mailed to silent-lady as soon as I get her address. 

Journal Entry 21 by AnonymousFinder on Monday, April 12, 2004

Hi,

Received the book just before Easter, thanks tho!! This will be my book to read when I'm commuting...I'm on a horrible slow train and this will definitely make things better.. or at least I hope it will ;).

Right, will put 'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman on the bedside table, really cool (don't really want to put it aside, so I'll be multitasking I guess).

Another message to be posted when I've had a couple of pages :)

Greetings!

CAUGHT IN HEERLEN LIMBURG NETHERLANDS 

Journal Entry 22 by Kisi from Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Monday, April 12, 2004

Grrr, I guess it is obvious, but the last message was from me... didn't realise I wasn't logged in... so no worries, the book reached its destination. 

Journal Entry 23 by Kisi from Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Saturday, May 01, 2004

Hi there,

Finished the book and collected my thoughts... I enjoyed it, although the book has a weird rhythm in developing the story line, which I think kept me from being really pulled into this story. It did not inspire any real, physical tension (you know, that moment when you take a break from the book and find your heart pounding) or genuine fear for the characters or the dangers they were in, but it pretty much kept my attention throughout. The Latin thing made me worry for a brief moment that the book would be stuffy and stale, but I was pleasantly surprised. The best comparison I can think of is a good x-files/millenium episode and I hope no one will think that's an insult to the book. It was good entertainment!

Now, I want to send on the book, but can't find a BC-member with screen name ldplibrarian on this website!!!! If you read this, send me a PM with your address.... 

Journal Entry 24 by stinalyn from Fort Collins, Colorado USA on Wednesday, August 04, 2004

Just received this today and am looking forward to reading it. Thanks! 

Journal Entry 25 by stinalyn from Fort Collins, Colorado USA on Tuesday, August 24, 2004

I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved the author's writing style and use of setting. But Jane was just far too dense to be believable. I think this story would make a gorgeous film if they could just edit it so that Jane isn't such a blooming idiot. I also agree with other readers here that the different pace of the book's ending just didn't sit right. Still, it was an enjoyable read. Thanks for bookringing this one!

Lavatea is taking a break from bookrings, so I am just waiting for 16stepper's mailing address. 

Journal Entry 26 by 16stepper from Gilbert, Arizona USA on Monday, October 04, 2004

The Lake has reached Gilbert and I'm adding it to my stack 'o rays. 

Journal Entry 27 by 16stepper from Gilbert, Arizona USA on Saturday, January 01, 2005

Sorry I've had this for so long. Am starting to read it today and should have it in the mail within a week. 

Journal Entry 28 by 16stepper from Gilbert, Arizona USA on Monday, January 10, 2005

This is a tautly written thriller. I figured out who the baddie was quite quickly and it just became more and more obvious, thus I'm docking one star for predictability. Jane really was a bit slow. Despite figuring out the baddie, there were more than enough plot twists to keep me interested. I really enjoyed this book and hope to have it moving again right away. 

Journal Entry 29 by 16stepper from Gilbert, Arizona USA on Monday, January 31, 2005

No responses to multiple PMs to euthuoneiros. Will PM puppymummy to verify her address. 

Journal Entry 30 by 16stepper at Bookray in Bookray, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Monday, February 14, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (2/14/2005 UTC) at Bookray in Bookray, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to puppymummy. I thought I'd already sent it, but found it in the back bedroom all alone. Poor thing! It's on it's way airmail now though. 

Journal Entry 31 by puppymummy from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Arrived safely in Australia. I have a couple of others ahead of it, but will get to it soon I hope. 

Journal Entry 32 by puppymummy from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Wednesday, June 08, 2005

I apologise for taking so long with this one, it moved house with me and the box containing the BookCrossing books was put somewhere safe. I finally found the box a few weeks ago and have been madly reading ever since.

I really loved this - I think part of the enjoyment was that I studied Latin in high school, and so a lot of the lessons were familiar. I managed to pick the final twist, but all of the others really took me for an exciting ride!
I have PMed minerswifebb for her address, waiting for her reply. 

Journal Entry 33 by puppymummy at on Sunday, July 10, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (7/10/2005 UTC) at

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Finally mailed home! Thanks again for sharing.