If you read The Lost Notebook, you’ll love this sequel! If you haven’t, the author fills in enough backstory for you to hop right in. Win - win.

Douglas sweeps readers away to the fictional seaside town of Morannez, Brittany and wows them with her vivid descriptions of this idyllic Brittany coastline.

Mila Shepherd and the Toussaints Agency are hired to find a missing 19-year-old Welsh girl. It seems Briony Moorcroft has been taken from Wales and is believed to be in France. Unfortunately, the French police are offering little help, making this case a difficult one for Mila and her colleague, Carter Jackson. The tension ramps up due to the client's disclosure of a factitious disorder, the imposing wildfires, evidence coming to light about Mila’s stepsister’s husband, the uneasiness felt with the Moorcrofts, and the heatwave in France.

For those who enjoyed book one, Ani, Mila’s niece, continues to be a handful to raise and the backdrop of sizzling France continues to be perfect for Douglas’s mysterious and dramatic events.

This great mystery, focusing on lies, good mothers and with references to Daphne du Maurier’s work, is one you’ll need to reach for if you’re looking for something different in the mystery genre.

I can’t wait for the next installment, The Sea Cave!

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

Mila works for the family-owned detective agency and is working a case involving a missing girl. Her search will end differently than anyone would believe! This is a book that starts out slowly, but builds to a good ending. I enjoyed the characters and the plot! Once again, the reader will find out that all is not what it seems….

3.5 stars

Mila Shepherd lives in Morannez in Brittany and works for Toussaints detective agency which is owned by her stepmother Ceci. Mila cares for her fifteen year old niece Anais (Ani), the daughter of her dead stepsister Sophie and Sophie’s missing husband Charles. It’s a very hot summer and Brittany like the rest of France bakes in the heat with the threat of wildfires spreading around Morranez. Toussaints latest case is a missing persons inquiry as it seems that nineteen year old Briony Moorcroft has been taken from her Welsh home and brought to France. Can Mila and her colleague Carter Jackson find Briony as it appears the French police are dragging their heels? There’s also the possibility of new evidence emerging about Charles. Will the truth finally come to light?

I really enjoy The Lost Notebook where we first meet Mila, Ani, Ceci and Carter and although I think this next instalment is good it’s not quite as exciting as the first book. It’s a bit slow to get going and there is some repetition from book one which is useful if you haven’t read it. I like the characters very much especially Mila and Ani with Mila being a fantastic mother substitute for Ani and I admire her for this. However, at times Mila lives a bit too much in her head which is perhaps understandable in the circumstances.

I love the setting in and around this gorgeous part of France and the author utilises the area very effectively in the storytelling and you sure feel the heat! The Briony inquiry has intensity to it partly because the teenager has health issues and it’s a puzzle why she has been brought to France. This mystery is good, I like the way this unfolds and though I do guess part of it fairly early one it doesn’t spoil the enjoyment and there’s a good twist I don’t foresee. The wildfires add tension and chaos towards the end and a real feel of urgency.

It’s obvious there’s going to be another book as there are things left unresolved and I look forward to reading that and being back in France with this likeable group of characters.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Boldwood Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

I've enjoyed previous books by Louise Douglas so I was excited to read this one and to see the drama unfold between Wales and France was exciting and tense!