The setting is a small town called Morannez in Brittany, where summer holidays see warm weather and lots of tourists. What could possibly go wrong!

This is a tale of mysterious happenings, deaths and secrets. A slow start I must say but persevere as it is worth it in the end. The story builds, the descriptions are both marvelous and sometimes scary. It will intrigue you and keep you guessing.

Mila is a great and well thought out character who gives Sophie a voice and brings her to life which I really enjoyed. The story keeps spinning you through all the suspicions, secrets and mysteries so that you don't get bored. It is easy to follow and flows well.

With twists and turns it is a good read although at times it did drag a little but once you got past those parts in built quite nicely and kept me interested.

An enjoyable and entertaining read.

Loved it!!! From the moment I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. Why was Gosia in Morannaz and what was her story? I was convinced it had something to do with the dig and that there was something illegal going on. When everything was finally revealed, I never expected it.
The book definitely kept me guessing. The sea house sounded like a beautiful place to live, with all the flowers and the hidden beach nearby. Mila never allowed herself to enjoy living in Morannaz and it was clear she didn't think she was capable of taking care of Ani. Ani definitely picked up on her aunt's feelings. Mila was the perfect person for Ani. Loved Mila's interactions with Berthaud the cat. She was able to show love to the kitty but found it hard to give Ani comfort or affection. I also love the relationship Mila has with Ceci. Mila has a better relationship with her than her own father. I loved everything about the book, but my favorite part was the mystery/puzzle storyline. There were twists and turns that I never saw coming. Loved the ending, but I still have so many questions. What was the secret that Sophie was going to tell Mila? There's something about Carter and I know he's hiding something. He definitely knew what happened to Sophie. What reason did he have for taking the job? Is he really Ani's father? Who is the mystery man Mila keeps seeing? Is Charlie going to suddenly show up out of the blue? There needs to be a sequel!!!!

Definitely recommend the book. Loved the characters, writing style and story. This was the first book I read by the author and I look forward to reading more. Loved the cover of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Boldwood Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I’d like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Lost Notebook’ written by Louise Douglas in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Mila is looking after her late sister Sophie’s daughter Ani at their family home in Brittany’s seaside resort of Morannaz and helping her stepmother Ceci run Toussaint’s Agency that tracks down missing people. When Ani comes off her bicycle she’s helped by Gosia, an elderly traveller who’s living in a converted horsebox, but when Mila returns the following morning to see Gosia she finds her dead in her bed. The police say it’s natural causes but Mila isn’t sure as the old woman’s book is missing. Carter Jackson is the new recruit at the Agency who’s taking over from Sophie and he and Mila work together to uncover the truth.

‘The Lost Notebook’ is a well-written novel with an interesting plot situated in a town that’s described in such a way that it makes me want to visit. Mila has conversations with Sophie in her head giving another dimension to the story. I’ve read the author’s previous novels and was keen to read her latest, but compared to these the story comes over as slow and laborious and I found it hard to work up any enthusiasm for the characters. By the time I was halfway through I’d lost interest in the story and was pleased when I reached the end. I’m sorry I didn’t enjoy it but this is purely my opinion and from readers’ reviews I’m in the minority, but it won’t stop me from looking out for the next book by this author.

The Lost Notebook will draw you slowly but surely into the story of Mila and her resolve to find out who killed the Traveller Woman Gosia.

Mila is also in charge of her niece as her parents were tragically killed.

I loved how Sophie her deceased sister talked to her in that sisterly tone.

There are mysteries with mysteries and another murder to solve.

I was cheering on Mila and just knew she was on the right path to solving the puzzle.

Hoping there will be a sequel as I hated the book to end

Louise Douglas can tell a story that will have you wanting more and racing to the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a compelling read.

This is another great read from Louise Douglas. I loved the way she describes Britanny. It sounds amazing! Morannez is not real but the idea that there is or could be a French version of Tutankhamun sounds very interesting.

A slow burning read that increases in pace as tension increases. Really well written with a cast of well developed characters and a story that gripped me from the start.

"She smelled, as always, divine, of sandalwood and jasmine." I adored "The Lost Notebook" - which I stumbled upon quite unexpectedly, on Netgalley. The sights, the sounds, the smells Ms. Douglas evokes are so real. Mila has come to her family's summer home, the sea house, in Brittany, to help with her teenage niece, Anais. Sophie, Mila's stepsister and Anais' mom, had died within the last year, drowned and washed upon the beach. Anais' father is still missing, presumed drowned at sea. Mila doesn't want to parent, least of all an angsty, moody teenage. Mila wants this year to be over, so she can return to her life in Bristol. However, a mystery falls into her lap, Mila is unwittingly drawn into it, and this is where things get super interesting! A bit of a slow start but at some point, I couldn't put it down. Highly recommend!!

P.S. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. #TheLostNotebook #NetGalley

Great read. Slow burn as you go through gathering information with Mika and Carter, but once you have enough background and pieced it together this book takes off! The characters are well written and the story line captivating and that aha moment when it clicks is phenomenal!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you NetGalley, Louise Douglas and Boldwood Books for hearing my honest review. Looking forward to reading more with you
#partner

I’m definitely in the minority with my 2 star rating but this story fell flat for me and I could not connect with the many characters. DNF at 30%. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my review.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC.
Louise Douglas is one of my favorite authors and this book is another 5-star read for me. I did find the ending a bit ambiguous, it didn't answer a few questions I had, so I'm hoping there's a follow-up on the horizon, because I would love to Brittany and meet all the characters again.
Louise's description of the area was fantastic and as usual, I was totally wrapped up in the main character's (Mila) life. She's in France looking after Ani, her niece, after Ani's parents were lost at sea, but hoping to go back to her life in England when Ani goes to boarding school. However, as usual, life throws a few curve balls and makes for an exciting read; I loved it!

I usually give a few sentences for the synopsis, just as a refresher for myself but in this instance there are so many layers to this book, that I couldn’t do it justice.
I loved it and sped through it in roughly a day.
The characters are well rounded and believable, I liked the ‘voice’ of Sophie, who was Mila’s much treasured stepsister who had died in an accident and was in Mila’s head, she was the voice of reason on Mila’s shoulder.
My only question is of Charlie (Sophie’s husband who also died in the accident), there was not much said of him at all, considering he was part of the ‘group’. That said the story is not about him at all, so for entertainment I highly recommend this for a great escapism read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.

Nice gripping story once it got going. This was my first time reading a book by Louise Douglas and I look forward to reading more of her books.

Mila Shepherd has moved from Bristol to the beautiful seaside tourist town of Morranez in Brittany. She came to look after her niece Ani after the death of her parents Sophie and Charlie. Whilst she is there, she has joined the family detective agency. She leads a busy existence but still curious to find out the killer of a Traveller women Gosia that was found death. The Local police thinks it was suicide, so they are not interested in finding out anymore what happened to her and that she notebook that seems to have gone missing. Also, when a leading archaeologist has gone missing after a hate campaign started against him. Things are not going well in the town and further investigating they might be some link between the two incidents.
Mila is always trying to look after Ani and helping her get on with her life after the death of her parents. After the summer Ani is supposed to be heading off the boarding school but wants to make everything right before she goes back to Bristol.
Thank you, Boldwood Books, for a copy The Lost notebook by Louise Douglas. This is the first book from this author that I have read, and this book was not what I was expecting. I thought this book was a mystery/thriller and more a family orientated story about Mila looking after Ani. I did like the premise of this story, but I found it to be a really slow burn and yes, there was a small amount of a mystery in this story. But I found this had a lot of unnecessary back story and I wanted more of that happened to the death of the woman. 3.5 stars from me.

3.5 Stars
One Liner: Slow Burn Drama

Morranez is a perfect seaside town in Brittany. It’s a great place for locals, visitors, and tourists. But the death of a gypsy camper woman and the subsequent hate campaign against the leading archeologist stir trouble.
Mila has put her life on hold to care for her niece, Ani after Sophia died. Mila lives with Ani in The Sea Side home (Sophia’s home) and takes over her job at the family agency. Though Mila is weighed down by too many responsibilities, she cannot help but dig deeper about the dead woman.
But things are more complicated than they appear. With police disinterested in the case and danger mounting from all sides, Mila has no choice but to uncover the truth, even if it means risking her life and Ani’s. Can Mila find the truth someone is desperate to hide?
The story comes from the limited person POV for Mila.

What I Like:
The story is set in a small French town, which suits the plot perfectly and adds to the atmosphere.
Mila’s character is well-etched. I love that she is not too happy to handle the responsibility of her sister’s child but also loves the kid. I may not connect with her, but I could empathize with her.
Sophia, despite being dead, is a constant part of the book. Sometimes in a good way, and sometimes in a not-so-good way. Still, she does create an impact on the reader.
I got to know about something from history I didn’t know before. Not revealing to avoid spoilers. I also like how the author didn’t use the event to preach but wove it naturally with the plot.
The plot is multilayered and never confusing. This is one of those few books I don’t mind for the slow pacing. I felt invested in the plot almost throughout.

What Didn’t Work for Me:
I have a thing for endings, and this book gave me mixed feelings. As much as I don’t need HEA, I still like to have things tied up (unless there will be a sequel).
The main mystery part is solved, but the rest is left to the reader’s interpretation. Furthermore, the ending sentence has string vibes of a sequel (and I still don’t know if there will be one). When I read a 350-page book, I like to close with a sense of satisfaction or sadness (but not disappointed about the lack of resolution). This is a personal pet peeve (so you might like the ending more than I did).
The build-up to the climax was stronger than the climax itself. This dampened things a bit. Things happened a little too fast and were over before I could feel the impact/ tension.
The writing is beautiful, but the overall story feels like it has a lot more potential. I wanted more about the past (Sophia, Mila, & Carter). That ‘drama’ isn’t enough if you know what I mean.
Not sure if Mila has alcohol issues. She doesn’t drink constantly, but when she does, it seems like she goes overboard. I’m a teetotaler, but I don’t think someone who wants to research something crucial on the internet (and read dozens of pages) will continue to top her wine glass and drink to the point where she doesn’t remember her conservations with another person.
Ani acts pretty much like a teenager (she is fourteen). I don’t mind it, but I sure wished for more depth in her character arc, especially since she showed the signs of being a complex personality.

To summarize, The Lost Notebook is a slow-burn mystery set in an atmospheric location and great premise. Pick it up if you want to read beautiful writing with a decent mystery.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#TheLostNotebook #NetGalley

Fans of Louise Douglas’ heartwarming stories infused with mystery and sprinkled with a touch of history will not be disappointed. Patience is needed in giving the author space to give multiple backstories and build the mysteries in this intricately plotted story. You’ll be glad you kept reading because the mysteries and multiple subplots eventually unite into a feverish type of page-turner you won’t be able to set down.

I don’t know how she does it but Douglas ties together things that one wouldn’t expect, and readers just accept it and keep reading; an archeological dig, teenage angst, French traditions, an orphaned child, a gypsy woman with a secret, a professor with questionable actions, a private investigator and a well-dressed woman with a mistaken identity.

My favourite character was Malgorzata ‘Gosia’ Kowalczyk, the eccentric old traveller woman living in the back of a converted horsebox. Douglas’ descriptions of her left nothing to the imagination ~ spectacular. It’s not often I finish a book thinking I’d like to meet a character and I did wish I could sit and chat with Gosia.

I suspect we’ll hear that there’s a sequel in the works. Regardless, you’ll love this mystery set in the south of France and the unique cast of characters.

I was gifted this advanced copy by Boldwood Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I’ve read Louise Douglas before, I enjoyed her book, The Room in the Attic, it was a hauntingly eerie book. Parts of this book are very similar. Mila Shepherd, is the aunt of Ani, and Mila is looking after Ani after her parents died in a boating accident. Leaving her life in Bristol, England to come to the seaside town of Morranez in France is a big change but she loved her step-sister Sophie and wants what is best for Ani. Mila is also working with her mother, Ceci at her agency. An old friend, Carter Jackson, has been hired to replace Sophie’s position at the agency. When a traveler gets killed and her notebook goes missing, Mila suspects more than the local police. The local archeology dig is bringing in lots of interest into the small community but is it also bringing in a dangerous killer? Secrets are being told and when the body of a second person is found, what does it mean for Mila and her family? What do the two murders have in common? Who will be next and what secret will be revealed?

This book is definitely gripping, the characters are solid and the writing impeccable. I found the mystery to be engaging and it captured me from the beginning. The story was definitely multi-layered and complex without being overly complicated. I enjoyed the angst between Ani and Mila, a teenager rebelling but still a young child in need of guidance and an Aunt desperate to shield her niece from any more hurt. It was refreshing to see the relationships twists and turns build and blossom. I would definitely recommend this book, well-written, well-developed and very enjoyable.

Another wonderful book by Louise Douglas. It is another heart breaking, tear jerking story. Which will really tug at your heart strings. Make sure you have those tissues handy.

Hmm hmm.... this was better than I was expecting hahaa I'll say it I mean I thought it was going to be a regular women's fiction and ended up being a book about mystery and family drama! It was incredibly entertaining !!! I loved the way the author described it all. The setting is perfect! I might have wanted to know more about Carter because I felt there was a lot missing. And aww more of Gosia in the story I bet she was an amazing lady full of stories to tell.

I wasn't able to discover who the bad one was and it kept me in suspense until the end but I guess other people will be able to do it. I truly enjoyed all the discoveries and how they were finding it all.

I truly enjoyed the book and I'd definitely read more books by this author!!!! I definitely recommend it to all the readers who enjoy a good mystery nixed with a bit of drama, I bet you'll enjoy this one.

Thank you boldwood books and Louise Douglas for the arc. And of course to netgalley for providing it.

Review will be posted on instagram @pink.bibliophile

I was really glad that I got to read this - Louise Douglas is a new author to me but I'd definitely read more of her books. I enjoyed the setting and the various characters. I do think the women were more fully rounded that the male characters and some of stories surrounding the men weren't ever really resolved. But the female characters were all really well done and all so different and yet believable. The mystery itself is very engrossing, with revelations that will certainly surprise the reader, but it's also a study in family relationships, in dealing with loss and in learning to accept each other. I very much enjoyed and would be happy to recommend it.

A favourite author of mine so this book didn’t disappoint! It was fast paced, full of interesting characters and the storyline kept me hooked! A book I would recommend