I really enjoyed this story, it was the first of this author’s that I have read. It was nicely pacy, interesting enough to keep you reading and the twists were good. The descriptions of the French seaside town were lovely and made me long to be on holiday there! The downside was that I found some of the characters a little unlikeable at times and wish all the loose endings were tied up. However it was enjoyable and I would recommend this.

Mila has moved from London to France to take care of her sister Sophia‘s daughter, Ani due to Sophia and her husband being lost at sea. Mila has also taken over Sophie’s job tracking down missing people. Following a suspicious death in the area, Mila and the new member of staff, Carter look to uncover the truth as the local police are choosing to look the other way.
This is a beautifully written, twisty thriller although, perhaps a bit slow at times, it’s still a great read!
Thanks to Netgalley the publisher for this beautiful ARC

I absolutely loved this book. A slow burner, but one where the detail is so good that you don’t mind its slow pace. Lots of lovely descriptions, and the characters were really nice. I feel like we need a follow up book though!

Thanks to Louise and NetGalley for allowing me to read The Lost Notebook prior to the publication date.
Rather than write a synopsis, I will focus on the aspects of Louise’s writing which appealed to me and which I felt added to the story line.

Set on the Britttany Coast, Louise has spun a tale of extended families, flaws and all.
The references to the chic French women, the delights on offer in the patisserie and the description of the
mouth-watering meals which are served, creates an atmosphere which invites the reader into the scenes.

Interspersing Mila’s narrative with those of her deceased stepsister, Sophie, is very effective.
I interpreted this as Mila knowing exactly what Sophie would have said in the circumstances had she been alive, although initially it was a bit spooky and I did wonder whether Mila was struggling to cope with the responsibilities of being a guardian to her grieving teenage niece.
There are several storylines woven into this book and a few red herrings.
The outcome was a complete surprise.
Having set the scene, I hope that there will be a follow on to this book.

I loved this book so much! From the opening lines, I was drawn in to a gripping story, beautifully written and so cleverly orchestrated. The location will stay with me for a long time. I rooted for the main character, I held my breath at the denouement and as for the climax of the book - just wow. Louise can tell a great story, that's for sure. Highly recommended.

I have never read Louise Douglas but I had heard that her books were good. This novel involves a woman who has returned to the Brittany Coast to take care of her niece whose parents have drowned in a recent boating accident. While trying to help her niece, she becomes involved with two murders seemingly unrelated. In her search for one of the victims relatives, she becomes entangled in secrets long hidden involving both murder cases. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will plan to go back and read others by this author.

Mila Shepherd has become a parent overnight.She’s moved to France to take care of her niece Ani, after Mila’s sister, Sophie and her husband, are lost at sea and presumed dead. Mila has moved into the family holiday home and even taken over Sophie’s job tracking down missing people. Something is clearly amiss in the little French town, but even after two mysterious deaths, the local police don’t seem interested in investigating what’s going on. Mila and the new hire at the missing person’s agency, Carter, are the only ones who seem interested in uncovering the truth. As usual, Douglas provides an entertaining and twisty thriller

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this ARC

This is another brilliant book by a brilliant author. Just wanted the book to keep going

Enjoyable tale, although slow at times, good character development and definitely one to take on holiday with you this year

A lovely story of family drama with a thrilling element.
Another Louise Douglas beautifully written tale.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an advanced copy.
Highly recommend this book.

OK, everybody hold on there’s a lot to unpack here. First of all Mila lives in London, but she’s in France to take care of her stepsister Sophia‘s daughter due to the fact Sophia and her husband were lost at sea and although they found Sophia‘s body her husband was never recovered oh yes and Sophia lives as a Boyce and Mila head. She also works at the families investigation business one night when Anja her niece it’s late getting home she goes out to look for her and find her sitting next to a horse trailer with the vagrant lady. This is where she notices the thick scrapbook her name is Gosia and Mila offers for her to stay in their extra bedroom but the house a home less Lady refuses so the next day Mila decides to go check on her and when she does she finds her dead in her bed in the scrapbook that caught her attention the night before seems to be gone. Her niece Anya and best friend Purvo say it’s due to The fact they archaeologists what that are digging up local ancient ground have released a curse but Mila blows this off as teammates superstition. When her stepmom Cici invite her to lunch to meet her replacement at the family business she is shocked to see it is Carter what Canadian who is recently moved back to the area this is not only Sophia‘s ex but her Frenemy but soon she will have to learn to get along with him because when one of the archaeologist is “wife“ comes to higher their services an infidelity case because she thinks her professor husband is cheating on her one thing leads to another in what they uncover will connect all the mysteries together and go with the mystery it is. This book was a lot but it was a lot of greatness OMG moments and oh my goodness! Let me just say I know I said Sophia is a voice in Mila‘s head I mention the curse but there isn’t anything supernatural about this book except that this is a super book and naturally if you love mysteries you want to read it. I loved it and can’t say enough about it. I received this book from NetGalleyShelf and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind to dictate my review but all opinions are definitely my own.

Setting enjoyable...characters likable...storyline unique...this book was sent to me by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher for the electronic copy. I enjoyed this book...although the story moves slowly at times, it comes to a resounding ending. Enjoy this one...

This is my sixth book by this author and they have all been four or five-star reads. My first book by Ms. Douglas, In Her Shadow , was read about eighteen months ago so it is saying something when I have read five other books by the same author in that timeframe. But I have to be honest, it was The Room in the Attic and The Secret by the Lake that made me a true fangirl. I have to say that this book is one of the best books I have read so far this summer. It is not a cliché book that is all happy-go-lucky, which makes it even more believable. The storyline is realistic in that I found myself wanting to go visit France and the Brittany coast myself, I wanted to meet and visit with Mila and Ani. This book has it all and the best part about it is that it is so close to real life you don't feel like you've been brought into a fairy tale with events that don't happen in real life, this can happen to anyone, which hits home even harder. The story itself is touching; a very beautiful story articulated by the main female characters. The plot is well developed and there really aren't dull moments in the book, it's a true page-turner. As with all of Ms. Douglas's books I am going to buy it in paperback as the covers are simply gorgeous. A fantastic little story, that keeps you hooked from the start. I just couldn't put it down. All. The. Stars.