Needle Lake
- Judith D Collins
- Oct 9
- 6 min read
By: Justine Champine
Narrator: TBA
Random Audio
ISBN: 9780593447239
Publisher: Random House
Publication Date:12/02/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 stars (ARC)
Two cousins on very different sides of teen girlhood spend one winter together that changes both of their lives forever.
And once, after Elna came to stay, I watched a man drown there on Christmas Eve, his body trapped beneath the ice.
Fourteen-year-old Ida was born with a hole in her heart. Forbidden from most physical activities and considered strange by her teachers and peers, she prefers spending time alone, memorizing countries and capitals on her globe and imagining the world outside the tiny logging town of Mineral, Washington.
One afternoon, in walks her cousin Elna, here to stay for a few weeks. Ida hasn't seen Elna since they were young, and she's immediately drawn to her older cousin, who's everything Ida is not: confident, glamorous, charismatic, and daring. Elna lives in San Francisco, a city Ida's only seen as a dot on her globe. She doesn’t treat Ida like she’s a fragile kid whose heart might give out at any moment. She isn’t scared off by Ida’s quirks and fixations. Ida is enraptured.
Then, on Christmas Eve, a man dies out in the woods near Mineral, and the two cousins suddenly share a secret beyond the scope of anything Ida has dealt with before. Fear begins to mix in with the reverence Ida feels towards her cousin, especially when she discovers Elna is hiding more than she ever suspected. Brimming with lush prose and careful observation, Needle Lake is an arresting portrait of girlhood and the overwhelming, sometimes dangerous intensity of adolescence.
About the Author
Justine Champine’s short fiction has appeared in The Kenyon Review, Epoch, and The Los Angeles Review of Books. She holds an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College. Needle Lake is her second novel, after her debut Knife River. WEBSITE
Praise
“Haunts and dazzles . . . Immersive, atmospheric, and wise, this is a spellbinding exploration of identity, belonging, and the treacherous journey through adolescence. Needle Lake cements Justine Champine as a brilliant and original voice.”
—Chelsea Bieker, author of Madwoman
“Filled with stomach-twisting turns and spot-on evocations of autistic adolescence, Needle Lake impressively blends thriller and own-voices narrative. Justine Champine truly understands the wonder, beauty, and horror of neurodivergent girlhood.”
—Devon Price, PhD, author of Unmasking Autism
“Suspenseful, immersive, and intoxicating . . . I couldn’t turn the pages of Needle Lake fast enough. Champine has created a truly unforgettable character in Ida and captured the quiet terror of otherness. With a compelling voice and an incredible eye for detail, Champine finds language for an experience that often transcends language itself. I’ll be thinking about Ida and this book for a long time.”
—Marisa Crane, author of A Sharp Endless Need
“Haunting and gorgeously wrought, with characters so alive and real they leap off the page and prose so exacting it took my breath away . . . Justine Champine has once again proven herself to be a master of small-town American psychological drama.”
—Gabrielle Korn, author of Yours for the Taking
“Needle Lake is girlhood at its most chillingly relatable. Adolescent cousins become young adults with a secret that reveals more than they bargained for about humanity—especially, and including, their own. Beautiful and deliberate prose pulses like an invigorating nightmare. . . . For fans of Brutes, Nightbitch, and Boy Parts.”
—Marissa Higgins, author of A Good Happy Girl
“The heart of this coming-of-age novel beats in Champine’s careful and thorough depiction of a girl on the spectrum who also has great, yet misunderstood, academic gifts. . . . Ida finds her way forward, sharing a happy, stable future that doesn’t always occur for people on the spectrum. A standout; authentic voice and gritty detail give this novel power.” —Kirkus Reviews
My Review
Justine Champine makes a triumphant return with her latest novel, NEEDLE LAKE, following the success of her debut, Knife River (which I also enjoyed).
This captivating and emotionally charged coming-of-age psychological drama revolves around two teenage cousins navigating a transformative winter holiday in the enchanting Pacific Northwest.
Setting...
Nestled in Mineral, Washington (three hours north of Seattle), a quaint and remote logging town, the story unfolds during the 1990s. The town's somber and atmospheric backdrop plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative's tone, immersing readers in a world steeped in mystery and introspection.
Characters...
Ida: A 14-year-old girl with a neurodivergent perspective, Ida was born with a congenital heart defect. On the spectrum, sensitive and somewhat sheltered, she often faces bullying from her peers. Her refuge lies in the pages of her beloved books, the intricacies of maps, the allure of flags, and the comfort of statistics, all while daydreaming of adventures beyond her small town's borders.
Elna: At 16, Ida's cousin Elna arrives from the vibrant streets of San Francisco, bringing with her a confident and charismatic spirit. After her mother (Anne's sister), Candace, enters rehab, Elna moves in with Ida's family. Her rebellious nature and magnetic personality turn Ida's world upside down, introducing her to a whirlwind of excitement and danger.
Anne: Ida's mother, who manages the family’s convenience store, also provides temporary lodging for loggers to make ends meet. Anne’s connection with Jen, a former tenant, adds another layer to the family dynamic, and her sister, Candace.
As the winter unfolds, Elna's presence ignites a spark in Ida, who finds herself drawn to her older cousin's adventurous lifestyle. However, beneath Elna's charm lies a more sinister and manipulative side. Their youthful escapades, which begin with minor misdeeds like shoplifting and dabbling in drugs, quickly spiral into perilous and deceitful territory.
The tension escalates when Elna's actions provoke a confrontation with a logger. What begins as a minor theft turns violent, ensnaring the cousins in a web of a terrible secret.
On a fateful Christmas Eve, tragedy strikes as a man drowns in Needle Lake, trapped beneath the unforgiving ice. The cousins witness this harrowing event, and as Ida begins to uncover the depths of Elna's hidden truths, her fear of her cousin intensifies.
What dark family secrets lie beneath the surface, waiting to be revealed?
Reflections on Needle Lake...
Psychologically rich and beautifully crafted, NEEDLE LAKE is an absorbing character-driven narrative that immerses readers in a haunting, dark, moody, and atmospheric world. With its vivid metaphors and profound symbolism, this novel captures the essence of emotional storytelling.
Spellbinding and compelling, the lyrical prose draws you into the lives of two contrasting teenage girls. The plot unfolds with suspense, culminating in a shocking revelation that exposes deep-rooted family secrets. Ida's journey is one of confronting painful truths and forging her own path following her tumultuous experiences with Elna.
The lake itself, Needle Lake, holds immense personal significance for Ida. It serves as both a sanctuary from her isolating existence and the backdrop of a traumatic event that disrupts her fragile reality.
Before Elna's arrival, this secluded spot was Ida's personal refuge, a place for quiet rebellion. Due to her congenital heart defect, she is restricted from engaging in most strenuous activities, leading to feelings of isolation and misunderstanding among her peers. In this natural haven, the lake and the forest become her cherished secret, a place where she can swim freely and reflect on her thoughts.
As a neurodivergent teenager, Ida yearns for a life beyond her small logging town in Mineral, Washington. While exploring maps and dreaming of distant places, the lake transforms into a canvas for her imagination, a space where she can envision a future without judgment. The author masterfully develops both Ida's neurodivergent character and the enigmatic presence of Elna.
The interplay of darkness and light, along with shifting perceptions, is a central theme. After Elna's arrival, Needle Lake takes on a more sinister meaning, especially following the harrowing experience of witnessing a man's drowning on Christmas Eve. This traumatic event solidifies their shared secret, intertwining their fates in fear.
Once a symbol of escape for Ida, the lake's significance shifts dramatically as she uncovers the manipulative undercurrents beneath Elna's charming exterior. The lake, along with the secrets it harbors, becomes emblematic of Elna's corrupting influence and the erosion of Ida's innocence.
The troubling events compel Ida to confront unsettling family secrets and face truths about her life that she had long avoided. The climax at the lake marks the beginning of her painful yet essential journey toward personal transformation.
From the serene landscapes of Mineral, Washington, to the vibrant streets of San Francisco, Needle Lake is a captivating exploration of identity and psychological suspense, seamlessly blending elements of literary fiction, mystery, and coming-of-age storytelling.
Recommendations...
If you’re a fan of thoughtful literature that explores sensitive topics with depth and emotional authenticity, then NEEDLE LAKE is a must-read. This book is perfect for those who cherish human connections and experiences, featuring compelling characters, personal growth, and storylines that seamlessly blend humor with poignant emotional depth.
It delves into family dynamics and the complexities of everyday life, echoing the styles of renowned authors like Lisa Genova, Jodi Picoult, Elizabeth Berg, Fredrik Backman, Wally Lamb, Anne Tyler, Heather Gudenkauf, Nicole Baart, Catherine Ryan Hyde, and Sally Hepworth (all favorites). If you resonate with literary fiction that challenges the heart and mind, this book is tailored for you. Ideal for book clubs and further discussions.
Many thanks to Random House, The Dial Press, and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Dec 2, 2025
