The Lost Notebook by Louise Douglas
Genre: Contemporary fiction, Mystery
Read: 9th September 2022
Published: 5th September 2022
★★★ 3.5 stars
DESCRIPTION:
A notebook full of secrets, two untimely deaths – something sinister is stirring in the perfect seaside town of Morranez…
It’s summer and holidaymakers are flocking to the idyllic Brittany coast. But when first an old traveller woman dies in suspicious circumstances, and then a campaign of hate seemingly drives another victim to take his own life, events take a very dark turn.
Mila Shepherd has come to France to look after her niece, Ani, following the accident in which both Ani’s parents were lost at sea. Mila has moved into their family holiday home, as well as taken her sister Sophie’s place in an agency which specialises in tracking down missing people, until new recruit Carter Jackson starts.
It’s clear that malevolent forces are at work in Morranez, but the local police are choosing to look the other way. Only Mila and Carter can uncover the truth about what’s really going on in this beautiful, but mysterious place before anyone else suffers. But someone is desperate to protect a terrible truth, at any cost…
MY THOUGHTS:
Having simply adored "The Room in the Attic" I was excited to read this latest offering by Louise Douglas but I have to say as intriguing as it was, it lacked the same compelling storytelling that the former ultimately had. It is something of a slow burn and despite this I was immediately drawn into the tale that had begun to unfold...but then the further it went, the more drawn out it became that it just kind of dwindled off. I did enjoy it though...to a point.
The story takes place in France on the idyllic Brittany coast. Mila has put her life in Bristol on hold after the sudden and tragic death of her sister Sophie and travels to France to take care of her fourteen year old niece Ani. It is only for the interim, until Ani is sent to boarding school the following year and then Mila can return to her life and to police boyfriend Luke.
But almost a year on and now Mila's plans to return to England in September is thwarted by the mysterious death a traveller woman Gosia and Mila is felt compelled to investigate. But the police do not believe there is anything suspicious with Gosia's death and according to the doctor, she was an old woman living on borrowed time. And her time had come. But Gosia had a huge notebook in which she was writing that she called "her life's work" and it was nowhere to be seen in her little horsebox van. Neither were there any photos or even Gosia's phone. Mila found these discrepancies suspicious. But again, the police did not.
When it is discovered that Gosia is linked to the Professor who is heading up the archaeological dig nearby, who also has suddenly gone missing, Mila is even more suspicious. Added to the mix are the stories going around town about the Professor which will surely discredit him and ruin his reputation.
Meanwhile, Mila is also juggling her rather inept attempts at parenting the young Ani who has essentially lost both her parents and has only Mila and her grandmamie Ceci. Then enter Mila's soon-to-be replacement at the agency in which she works with Ceci - Carter Jackson - who Mila knows from the past and who was swept away by a young and more beautiful Sophie. What brings him back to Brittany now? And can she trust him?
During her investigations, Mila notices some strange goings on and senses she is being followed. She sees the shadow of someone outside the gates of their isolated home in the dead of night and returns from day trips to find the door to the house ajar. Did she leave it open? Surely not!
There are many subplots going on in the background which are eventually entwined as each of their tendrils run into the other. The ending is kind of up in the air but for me there is the promise of something that remains unfinished which, as the reader, you will know what I mean.
I did enjoy THE LOST NOTEBOOK but not as much as "The Room in the Attic" which was phenomenal. The mystery is interesting but goes off tangent with Mila continually having conversations with her dead sister throughout. I must say, I didn't much like Sophie and she was dead!
Overall, an interesting read that only just held my interest. The book felt somewhat longer than it actually was. Not one of the author's best but still readable.
I would like to thank #LouiseDouglas, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheLostNotebook in exchange for an honest review.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
When not writing, she loves to spend time with her family, friends, kind & funny people and animals - especially dogs, birds and whales. She's passionate about nature, being outside, drawing wildlife, walking, beaches, fictional drama and books.
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