Stillhouse Lake

Stillhouse Lake focuses on the way society deals with crime and serial killers, victims and law enforcement, making the justice system one of its key themes. The justice system is critiqued in the novel and is shown to have significant limitations that compromise its characters’ safety. The limits of the justice system is a common theme in thriller, crime, and mystery novels: These genres are very effective forms through which to explore the limitations of the justice system and the effects of crime in society. Stillhouse Lake illustrates the limitations of the justice system not just in solving crimes but also in dealing with the aftermath of crimes and in preventing crimes in the first place. The exploration of the justice system also provides moral tension, for instance in presenting Gwen with legal and illegal routes to protect herself and her children. The presentation of corruption in law enforcement in the novel is significant to Caine’s exploration of trust and truth and creates suspense as the reader follows Gwen as she navigates the dilemma of whether people are what they seem.

A major critique of the justice system can be seen in how Gwen and her children are not offered any sort of real protection by the government or law enforcement, and instead go out on their own, attempting to outrun their serial killer ex-husband/father and his conspirators.