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Monday 5 September 2022

Book Review: The Lost Notebook by Louise Douglas

The Lost Notebook by Louise Douglas book cover

AD* | 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 - The Sea House - 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...

Packed full of twists and turns, The Lost Notebook is an exciting and mysterious journey through an unforgettable summer season.

The story is centred around the French seaside resort of Morranez, a small town with a big history that is dependent on the seasonal tourist trade. In amongst the usual hordes of holidaymakers, several new faces stand out due to their semi-permanence in Morranez. They are all different, with varying circumstances bringing them to the town, yet their transience links them together and weaves subplots throughout the main story.

Mila is staying with Ani, her niece, following the tragic deaths of Ani's parents. She integrates into the community, taking up a job with Ani's grandmother and socialising with the other mums in the town. However, Mila is torn between her duty toward Ani and her life back home in England. When events take a turn for the stranger, Mila starts to question everything she thought she knew about her family, the town, and even herself.

The book is well written, perfectly encapsulating that classic summer holiday nostalgia of warm, lazy days. Juxtaposed against the darker mystery elements of the story, this works really well to create a textured story of many different layers. 

I enjoyed reading about Mila and thought she was a great character, but I do feel that this book was let down by the other characters. Many were quite flat and two-dimensional - it would have been great to delve deeper in order to really bring these supporting characters to life.

The Lost Notebook is an enjoyable read featuring a mystery bound to pique your interest!

Rating: 3 stars

The Lost Notebook is available to buy now.

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* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Will you be reading the book? Let me know in the comments below! 

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