Gwen desperately wanted them to be able to settle down. They had lived in four places and had four different identities in as many years. She and her children went into hiding trying to avoid the people who wanted to hurt them. For this reason, Gina changed her name to Gwen Proctor.

She was acquitted, but Internet vigilantes who believed that she had gotten away with her crimes made violent threats against her and her children.

Even though Gina had known nothing about what Melvin was doing, she was still put on trial in connection with his crimes. Then, a freak accident revealed that her husband had been torturing and killing women in their garage. Gina had believed that she had a normal marriage and family life with her husband (Melvin) and their two children (Lanny and Connor). Although Melvin is willing to do whatever it takes to ruin Gwen’s life, he does not count on how independent and self-sufficient his ex-wife has become.īefore taking on an assumed identity for safety, Gwen was known as Gina Royal. However, when a second mutilated body is found, Gwen knows Melvin is sending her a message. Gwen realizes this one body might be a coincidence. Then, a body (killed in the style of her ex-husband) is found in the lake. In Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine, Gwen Proctor, ex-wife of serial killer Melvin Royal, believes she has found a place where she can safely live with her children. And sure as the night, one of them will die.The following version of the novel was used to create this study guide: Caine, Rachel. As trust beyond her small circle of friends begins to vanish, Gwen has only fury and vengeance to believe in as she closes in on her prey. But what she's up against is beyond anything she feared-a sophisticated and savage mind game calculated to destroy her. She's learned how from one of the sickest killers alive. Now, with the help of Sam Cade, brother of one of Melvin's victims, Gwen is going hunting. Gwen leaves her children in the protective custody of a fortified, well-armed neighbor. Her refuge at Stillhouse Lake has become a trap. Gwen Proctor won the battle to save her kids from her ex-husband, serial killer Melvin Royal, and his league of psychotic accomplices.

Now her eyes are open, and he's not going away. Every time Gwen closed her eyes, she saw him in her nightmares.

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