Working for the Touissaints Detective Agency in Brittany, Mila Shepard and Carter Jackson are charged with searching for Briony Moorcroft who is missing from her home in England and is presumed to be in France with a woman who may do her harm. With nothing much to go on, and with time ticking away, Mila and Carter must do all they can to find the missing girl as soon as possible.

The story moves along at a cracking pace and I enjoyed following not just Mila and Carter’s quest to find Briony but also the snippets of information about a recent tragedy in Mila’s life which has resulted in her being based in France and caring for her niece Ani. I liked very much the emotional aspect of the story especially the details of Mila’s life and her struggle to come to terms with the sadness which surrounds her. I also followed the missing person investigation with trepidation, enjoying how the author controlled the tension whilst allowing all the complicated strands of the story to come together.

What I love about this author’s skilful writing is her ability to capture the reader’s imagination right from the start and her strength in bringing a multilayered and complex story to life is done with huge insight into what makes people tick. I was really sorry when the story came to end but was delighted to discover that the ending lends itself to a further continuation, which will definitely be something to look forward to in the future.

Mila returns regularly to England from her new home in Brittany, where she cares for teenage niece Ani after the death of her step sister Sophie in a boating accident, working for the Toussaints detective agency run by stepmother Ceci. She visits her fiancé in Bristol, their long distance relationship becoming increasingly difficult to sustain – and spends time with her mother, who’s still wallowing in bitterness long after the end of her marriage, and struggling to cope with the former family home that’s disintegrating around her.

On her latest visit, Ceci asks her to visit a family in Wales whose vulnerable 19 year old daughter, Briony, dependent on regular medication for a complex health condition, has apparently been groomed and then kidnapped – they have reason to believe her life is in danger, and it seems both she and her abductor might be in hiding in the area around Morranez. It’s the height of summer, and forest fires are raging – it becomes a race against time to track them down, apprehend her captor, and reunite her with her family.

While the search for Briony drives the narrative, with disturbing and unexpected developments along the way, there’s also the continuing story of Mila’s new life in Brittany – her close relationship with Ani, her working relationship with Carter complicated by memories of their shared past, her grief at the loss of Sophie whose voice is always with her. And the repercussions from that boating accident continue – the body of Sophie’s partner is still missing, and it seems some of the remaining questions might be resolved when a boat, believed to be theirs, is found grounded on rocks in a remote cove nearby.

The whole story is beautifully balanced, both storylines developing in tandem – with a wholly unexpected turn in the search for Briony, and complexity to the storyline that I really wasn’t expecting. And the discovery of the boat adds a real edge of danger and drama – an emotional depth too, so perfectly handled. While one of the threads reaches conclusion – and particularly satisfyingly – the other continues to run, leaving me eager to find out more in the next book which will undoubtedly follow.

This book is so much more than an intriguing mystery – the characterisation is excellent, every individual so well developed, and the emotional content so perfectly captured with those memories of shared childhood regularly rising to the surface, along with recollections of first love and disturbing visions of Sophie’s tragic death. The setting is perfectly drawn too – Mila’s isolated beachfront cottage and her uncomfortable feeling of being watched, the laid-back Breton lifestyle in Morranez itself, and the threat of the spreading fires drawing ever closer. The author’s storytelling is as powerful as ever, and the whole pacing of the story works so well – the tension and emotion steadily rising as the pieces of the story slowly fall into place. And although it’s a sequel, there’s more than enough detail included about what has gone before to make it entirely readable as a standalone – although I think you’ll be as keen as me to read more.

A gripping story, so well told and filled with the unexpected, but with real depth and emotion – I really loved it, and would highly recommend it to others.

The start of the book sets the scene of hot and humid conditions which was not hard for me to imagine as that is how it is here in Australia at the moment so I could literally feel the scenes in the story. The further I read the more intrigued I became by the mystery of trying to find Briony but there was also some other things happening as well particularly with Mila which made the story complex but the layers of the book are extremely engaging. I loved trying to solve the mystery with Mila and Carter and I am ashamed to say that I had it so wrong. The characters are likeable realistic and the plot is well designed with mystery and intrigue.

Having devoured The Lost Notebook by Louise Douglas, I was delighted to find myself reading the resume for a sequel and couldn’t wait to get back to Brittany with Mila, Carter and Ani.

This book has a tricky multi-storyline plot which gave lots of fuel to feed my inquisitive mind. Starting in the UK, we discover a bit more about Mila and the life she left when she moved to France to look after her orphaned niece Ani. Much as she has fallen under the spell of Brittany, her confusion around her split life between France and the UK, as well as the shadow of what happened the day her stepsister Sophie and brother-in-law Charlie set out to sea in a storm three years ago, weighs her down. Mila’s sensitive way with Ani touched my heart as did her emotional, silent conversations in her mind with Sophie, who often seems to be the only person Mila opens up to.

Alongside this, Mila and Carter are involved in the agency’s search for a vulnerable nineteen-year-old, who is believed to be in the Brittany area. Time is critical in this search that is hampered by the wildfires that are ravaging inland from the coast. The more they discover, the more questions are raised, and although I had an inkling about the circumstances around her disappearance, I was still surprised when the truth was revealed.

From the beginning I was hooked, from the middle I was gripped, and even if I only had a few snatched minutes, waiting for the kettle to boil, my nose was back in this book. I’d have been sad to get to the end if it wasn’t for the fact it included a huge hint that there would be a third book – yippee!

As well as the mysteries to solve and the emotional situations the characters find themselves dealing with, the authors love for Brittany is evident and an integral part to this book. I can recommend The Summer of Lies if you are looking to get drawn into a good mystery, and if you haven’t read The Lost Notebook, grab yourself both books and have a real Breton adventure.

Ano5her great read from Louise and I really did t realise that it was a follow up from The Lost Notebook which made it even more interesting. I couldn't put it down and was captivated by the story. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

It was only after I finished reading this that I found out that it was a follow-up to an earlier book. Clearly this reads well as a standalone! Following the death of her stepsister Sophie and husband Charles in a boating accident Mila Shepherd moved to Morannez, Brittany, France to raise their daughter and her now 15 year old niece Anais ‘Ani’. Mila also works for Toussaints detective agency, owned by her stepmother Ceci. Worryingly there are massive forest fires raging in their area of France. Mila returns to England monthly to visit her mother in London and her fiancé in Bristol but both visits are seeming more like chores than choice.

Briefly, on her latest visit to England she is asked to visit a couple in Wales whose 19 year old daughter has been reported missing, possibly kidnapped. Briony Moorcroft is very sick and hasn’t taken all her medication with her and her parents are distraught. Returning to France Mila and colleague Carter Jackson start searching urgently for Briony…before it’s too late…. Meanwhile, the boat that Sophie and Charles were sailing has been found and she’s hoping to find Charles’ missing body.

I like the characters in this book, particularly Mila and Ani, they have a great relationship. The setting is perfect and you can almost feel the hear of the forest fires. Full disclosure, I had kind of guessed the outcome of the main storyline from very early on in the book, there was a big clue, but oh goodness there was then a massive twist I hadn’t foreseen. A very enjoyable and entertaining read and I’m going to go back and read the first book now.

An enjoyable read and I really enjoyed the dynamic between Mila and Sophie’s spirit voice, in her head.

The main storyline was good, if predictable and I loved the setting of the story in Brittany. I felt that the storylines involving Mila’s mother and her fiancé were surplus to requirements as they didn’t add anything to the main plot… unless… this is set up for a sunny sequel?

3 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Louise Douglas and Boldwood, for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I read "The Summer of Lies" expecting it to be a stand-alone novel. Whilst it didn't seem to matter that I haven't read "The Lost Notebook", it was disappointing not to reach a conclusion about all the mysteries - so reader beware!

That being said, the writing is wonderful, really evoking a sweltering summer in Brittany, where life is lived mostly outdoors, albeit in the shade. This contrasts with the gloom and despair of Lydia's (Mila's mother) house in the UK. I loved the characters and the twists and turns of the plot. Luckily a lot of the back story is filled in for those (like me) who hadn't read the first book in the series.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I was really looking forward to this book, especially as it follows on from The Lost Notebook.

In this story, we meet Mila and Carter who are solving a case, that of Briony, who is aged nineteen and currently missing. She’s been taken to France in the middle of a heatwave there.

The story follows why Briony went missing and what secrets have been kept regarding this. New evidence comes to light about Charles, who is the brother in law of Mila and Ani’s dad.

I highly recommend this book.

The Summer of Lies has Mila searching for a missing ailing 19 year old Briony who needs her meds to stay alive.

To make matters worse she is with Billie a convicted criminal in the stolen work van.

France is the hottest it has ever been and you can feel the heat as Mila and Carter desperately search for the girl.

Mila is still mourning her sister Sophie and Charlie and some astonishing evidence comes to light.

What is happening and what should Mila think now.

Twists and turns and atmosphere all make for an intriguing read and once again Louise Douglas leaves us wanting more answers .

Highly recommend you start with The Lost Notebook and you will quickly pick up the Summer of Lies.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a compelliing and satisfying read.

Mila Shepherd, living in Morannez in Britany, for her once a month visit to her fiance Luke in Bristol and her mother in London. Her mother is very needy, and the visits with Luke are not as wonderful as she might have hoped. On her way back to Morannez she gets a call from her step mother who runs Toussaints Agency which specializes in tracking down missing people. Mila is asked to go to Wales to meet with Mrs. Moorcroft whose daughter Briony, a sickly 19 year old who has gone away with convicted criminal Billie in a van stolen by her from the Moorcroft company. The mother convinces Mila that her daughter will die if she is cut off from her multiple medicines.

Mila returns to Brittany, and she and her colleague Carter go all over the place looking for Briony. They find that the van has been sighted, and someone appearing to look like Billie has been in the stores. Meanwhile, it has been very hot and there have been many fires in the area. Will Mila and Carter be able to find Briony before she dies? In another complication, Mila's stepsister, Sophie, was found after washing up onshore, but what happened to her husband and their boat? This is a very exciting book.

I thank Netgalley and Poisone Pen for the ARC for me to read before publication.

a sequel of sorts to "The Lost Notebook", #thesummeroflies reunites us with mila, carter, ceci and ani. the women in the book are still greatly mourning the loss of sophie and charlie, as they take on the case of missing briony. in addition, the boat that sophie and charlie were on when they vanished has been found, and mila is both hopeful and scared about what that discovery means. one twist i saw coming, but a few others i did not. and while i didn't enjoy as much as "The Lost Notebook", Summer is still a very good read. if available in your version, be sure to read the excerpt from "The Sea Cave' - looks like Ms. Douglas has more surprises in store for mila!

P.S. thanks to #netgalley and @boldwoodbooks for the ARC.

I read this really quickly and I think it'll be a great summer read for people this year. I enjoyed being back with people and places that we feel we know. It did seem unfinished to me. I know we have a cliffhanger but apart from that, the parts with Lydia and with Patrick felt like they didn't have a purpose. Perhaps they will in the next book, which I am already looking forward to reading. The plot was excellent. Really interesting. Sometimes I wanted to shout at MIla for not seeing what the reader can see, which shows how engrossed I got! The stifling heat and the threat of fires all add to the claustrophobic atmosphere. And Sophie's presence remains both touching and really intriguing. I can't wait to find out the real story behind Sophie and Charles, and to learn what Carter knows - because he is definitely a man with secrets!

I loved the Lost Notebook and this was a great follow on. This book is full of intrigue and mystery which kept me turning the pages from start to finish. A great storyline with a cast of wonderful characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I've enjoyed other books by Louise Douglas and the summer of lies is really well imagined. I was born prematurely and have severe complex disabilities myself. I was incredibly concerned for Briony. Louise Douglas dealt with her condition sensitively.

The contrast between England and France was very well done and I enjoyed Mila's story too.

The Summer of Lies is a great combination of mystery, realistic backstory and intrigue.

Thanks to Louise Douglas, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

5 stars

This is a fantastic story! The Summer of Lies by Louise Douglas is a smash hit in my opinion.
It has all the thrills in a phycological thriller I’m looking for to give me the chills.
. Louise Douglas knows how to write to an intriguing story that kept me invested and left me wanting more.
Now I have to read the next one!
#TheSummerofLies
#LouiseDoughlas
#Boldwood
#NetGalley

Louise Douglas is one of my authors I will always automatically read and because of this I didn't realise it was a sequel to The Lost Notebook! I love they style of her writing and the images she creates. The characters, the story; a fab follow on.

Enjoyed it, but not as much as The Lost Notebook. The beginning was slow to me and I found it hard to get into the story. Even Mila didn't seem to enjoy herself while she was visiting her mom, grandma and Luke in England. Growing up with Lydia Shepherd sounded dreadful, no wonder Mila wants to live in France. Thank goodness Mila has Ceci for a stepmom. I love the relationship they have together. Lydia is always negative. Why are Mila and Luke still together? Carter definitely has some secrets. I think he knows what really happened to Charlie and Sophie during the storm. He's hiding something. Is he really Ani's dad? Carter and Mila have such a strange relationship. He either forgot or pretends Mila never confessed her love for him. From what Mila has revealed about Sophie, she doesn't seem like she was always such a nice sister to Mila. Did Mila always idolize Sophie? She put Sophie on such a high pedestal, one she really doesn't deserve. Their relationship seemed one sided. Mila needs to get Sophie's voice out of her head. From the start, Briony's story immediately made me think of Gypsy Blanchard. Appearances aren't always like they appear. I immediately thought her mom was a smother and following in DeeDee Blanchard's footsteps, but there was a twist. When everything was finally revealed, I never expected it.

Definitely recommend the book. Enjoyed the characters, writing style and story. I hope there's another book because I still have so many questions. Will Mila and Luke actually get married, live in the same country or finally breakup? Neither seem truly happy with their situation. Were Sophie and Charlie doing something illegal? Will Mila and Carter eventually end up together? I look forward to reading more books by the author.

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

This author is one of my automatic go to authors, so I was really pleased when I saw that she had a new book on the horizon, and even more so when I saw that it was a follow up to The Lost Notebook - one of my favourite reads last year! In this instalment Mila and Carter take on the case of the missing nineteen-year-old Briony, who seems to have been taken from Wales and brought to France, as it battles a heatwave.
The plot is centered on the mystery of Briony's vanishing, and the secrets and lies surrounding her disappearance; as well as new evidence emerging about Charles, Mila’s brother in law and Ani’s dad.
Another compelling and unputdownable read and I now eagerly await the next instalment of the Toussaints detective agency.

This was a very enjoyable summery read. We flit between France and England as the plot unfolds and it was nice to get this contrast and follow the characters during a sweltering Summer.
Maya, our lead character is fantastic and I liked getting to know her, learning about her life and following her throughout this plot. The other characters are strong too and I thought they all brought something to the plot. There is an investigation at the centre of this book and my only thought is that was really the main plot and some of the side plots around the characters were not that relevant. They were all interesting and I did not find the book too long, I just thought the direction of what this was trying to be got lost.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read with mystery at the heart of it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy.