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Toussaints Detective Agency #2
The Summer of Lies
The summer is the hottest yet in the Brittany coastal town of Morranez, but when a new case lands on the desk of the Toussaints detective agency, there can be no time to relax. As wild fires bear down on the town, the alert goes out for a missing girl.Nineteen-year-old Briony Moorcroft has seemingly been taken from her sleepy Welsh village and brought to France. Her parents are baffled and scared – Briony needs her life-saving medicine or this case will become even more sinister, and with the police dragging their heels, the Moorcrofts are relying on Mila Shephard and Carter Jackson’s sleuthing skills.Meanwhile there are mysteries troubling Mila’s life too. Two years after the accident that swept her sister Sophie and brother-in-law Charlie away and left their daughter Ani in Mila’s care, new evidence resurfaces that makes Mila doubt everything.Can Carter and Mila find Briony before it’s too late? And is the truth about Sophie and Charlie finally about to be revealed…
490 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2024
1445 people are currently reading
418 people want to read
About the author
Louise Douglas
24 books826 followersHello and thank you for visiting my profile page. I write contemporary Gothic novels which are usually inspired by places close to where I live in the Mendips, close to Bristol in the UK, or by places I've visited, especially Italy and Sicily. The House by the Sea won the Jackie Collins Romantic Suspense Award in 2021. The Love of My Life, my first book, was longlisted for the Romantic Novel of the Year Award. My second book, Missing You, won the RNA Readers' Choice Award, and my third, The Secrets Between Us was a 2012 Richard and Judy Summer Read.
The next book, The Room in the Attic is due to be published in October 2021 and is a ghost story set in a Victorian asylum-turned-boarding school on Dartmoor.
If you'd like to connect, you'll find me on Facebook Louise Amy Douglas or Twitter: @LouiseDouglas3.
The next book, The Room in the Attic is due to be published in October 2021 and is a ghost story set in a Victorian asylum-turned-boarding school on Dartmoor.
If you'd like to connect, you'll find me on Facebook Louise Amy Douglas or Twitter: @LouiseDouglas3.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
December 27, 2023
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.
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.
February 5, 2024
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.
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.
February 4, 2024
Another captivating book from Louise. I didn't realise that it was a follow on from her previous book The Lost Notebook which made it more Interesting. A lovely story which had me gripped. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
July 14, 2025
When I read 'The Lost Notebook' I didn't realise it was actually book one in a trilogy. Having made that discovery recently - thanks Rosh! - I've embarked on reading the other two.
Volume two returns to the complicated life of Mila, who splits her time between England, where her long-term boyfriend Luke, her mother, and her grandmother (who has dementia and is a long-term resident in a nursing home) all live, and Brittany where her heart now belongs. As the story starts, a scorching summer and the spectre of climate change leads to wildfires in the area, and these remain a menacing backdrop to the story.
The detective agency run by the mother of her late half-sister Sophie takes on a new case: the abduction of Briony, a frail nineteen-year-old Welsh girl with complex health conditions. Credit cards stolen at the time she was taken have been used in Brittany, and Briony's parents hire the agency to find her and if possible rescue her, or at least bring in the French police who have their hands full with the wildfires. Mila is in England when the story starts, visiting Luke and her family, so does the initial interview with Briony's parents. She is estranged from her former home in Bristol and can't wait to get back to France. There she works the case with Carter, who joined the agency in book one after returning from Canada to be near his ex-wife and their son. Mila is troubled by her unrequited teenage love for Carter, who seems interested in any other woman than her. She has in effect 'settled' for Luke and even toys with the idea of marrying him just to seem 'normal', though the strained nature of their relationship is evident.
During the story, Mila dwells constantly on the loss of Sophie, lost at sea with husband Charlie before book one. She also frequently revisits their shared past with Carter. Adding to her stresses are the possibility that a boat recently sighted in a difficult-to-reach cove is probably the one Sophie and Charlie were sailing. Sophie's body was washed up, but Charlie's has never been found. The boat's discovery might provide some closure, but the situation is a delicate one to manage with Ani, the sixteen-year-old daughter of Sophie and Charlie, for whom Mila is now caregiver. The mystery of why Sophie and Charlie went to sea in a storm isn't resolved, but that didn't bother me as, hopefully, it will be clarified in the final volume of the trilogy.
I didn't find this story quite as good as the first volume. To me it was obvious what was probably going on with Briony's situation, although I didn't get the perpetrator right. There was also too much time spent in Mila's head, as she dwelt on the past and came over as more like an adolescent in her level of insecurity, always comparing herself to other women to her own detriment, which became a bit irritating. Overall I would rate this at 4 stars.
Volume two returns to the complicated life of Mila, who splits her time between England, where her long-term boyfriend Luke, her mother, and her grandmother (who has dementia and is a long-term resident in a nursing home) all live, and Brittany where her heart now belongs. As the story starts, a scorching summer and the spectre of climate change leads to wildfires in the area, and these remain a menacing backdrop to the story.
The detective agency run by the mother of her late half-sister Sophie takes on a new case: the abduction of Briony, a frail nineteen-year-old Welsh girl with complex health conditions. Credit cards stolen at the time she was taken have been used in Brittany, and Briony's parents hire the agency to find her and if possible rescue her, or at least bring in the French police who have their hands full with the wildfires. Mila is in England when the story starts, visiting Luke and her family, so does the initial interview with Briony's parents. She is estranged from her former home in Bristol and can't wait to get back to France. There she works the case with Carter, who joined the agency in book one after returning from Canada to be near his ex-wife and their son. Mila is troubled by her unrequited teenage love for Carter, who seems interested in any other woman than her. She has in effect 'settled' for Luke and even toys with the idea of marrying him just to seem 'normal', though the strained nature of their relationship is evident.
During the story, Mila dwells constantly on the loss of Sophie, lost at sea with husband Charlie before book one. She also frequently revisits their shared past with Carter. Adding to her stresses are the possibility that a boat recently sighted in a difficult-to-reach cove is probably the one Sophie and Charlie were sailing. Sophie's body was washed up, but Charlie's has never been found. The boat's discovery might provide some closure, but the situation is a delicate one to manage with Ani, the sixteen-year-old daughter of Sophie and Charlie, for whom Mila is now caregiver. The mystery of why Sophie and Charlie went to sea in a storm isn't resolved, but that didn't bother me as, hopefully, it will be clarified in the final volume of the trilogy.
I didn't find this story quite as good as the first volume. To me it was obvious what was probably going on with Briony's situation, although I didn't get the perpetrator right. There was also too much time spent in Mila's head, as she dwelt on the past and came over as more like an adolescent in her level of insecurity, always comparing herself to other women to her own detriment, which became a bit irritating. Overall I would rate this at 4 stars.
February 5, 2025
Set on and around the coast of Brittany, this book from Douglas takes us to the height of summer, and with it, wild fires. It felt a bit uncanny reading about these dangers after the devastation in America and I think this made the heat more palpable, more claustrophobic and just a little bit extra sweaty too. As for the mystery being solved, I think this book was far stronger than the first one of the series and I found I was able to settle into this narrative a lot more.
Mila is juggling a lot in this story: not only does she has family and boyfriend strains in the UK, but over in France, she and Carter are trying to track Briony. She is a very poorly young lady and her parents suspect she has been kidnapped by an employee and family friend. Trying to track them proves even more difficult thanks to the wild fires blocking the French countryside, juxtaposed with the relaxing scenes that are on the beach. I really liked this contrast established, especially as the beach comes to signify Mila’s place of recuperation and processing.
Mila is still very much connected to her deceased step-sister and this book explores more about what happened to Sophie. This is a sub-plot to the novel and with Mila looking after her niece, she is even more invested in discovering the events behind Sophie’s death. I found I was less interested in this aspect of the story because it didn’t come across as pacy or intense as the kidnapping plot. In my opinion, it made the ending more prolonged and whilst Mila does get closure by the end, I think Douglas could have wrapped this up a bit differently in the story.
I enjoyed the mystery surrounding Briony’s kidnapping. I did guess some of the circumstances behind it but enjoyed the final revelations near the end of the book. It definitely made for a more intense read, especially as there is a bit of a chase taking place in the climax. Again, when Mila returns to her sea house, it offers the tranquillity she needs to process the case. However, it is clear that there is more to the story as the novel does not finish completely happy – there are still issues with Mila’s boyfriend that need addressing.
This series has improved and I enjoyed this book far more. I am now looking forward to the next one in the series and I think it helps that I have gelled more with the main characters. I liked how the beach setting juxtaposed the nature of the kidnapping case and the wild fires, making this a beach story with a bit of “bite”.
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Mila is juggling a lot in this story: not only does she has family and boyfriend strains in the UK, but over in France, she and Carter are trying to track Briony. She is a very poorly young lady and her parents suspect she has been kidnapped by an employee and family friend. Trying to track them proves even more difficult thanks to the wild fires blocking the French countryside, juxtaposed with the relaxing scenes that are on the beach. I really liked this contrast established, especially as the beach comes to signify Mila’s place of recuperation and processing.
Mila is still very much connected to her deceased step-sister and this book explores more about what happened to Sophie. This is a sub-plot to the novel and with Mila looking after her niece, she is even more invested in discovering the events behind Sophie’s death. I found I was less interested in this aspect of the story because it didn’t come across as pacy or intense as the kidnapping plot. In my opinion, it made the ending more prolonged and whilst Mila does get closure by the end, I think Douglas could have wrapped this up a bit differently in the story.
I enjoyed the mystery surrounding Briony’s kidnapping. I did guess some of the circumstances behind it but enjoyed the final revelations near the end of the book. It definitely made for a more intense read, especially as there is a bit of a chase taking place in the climax. Again, when Mila returns to her sea house, it offers the tranquillity she needs to process the case. However, it is clear that there is more to the story as the novel does not finish completely happy – there are still issues with Mila’s boyfriend that need addressing.
This series has improved and I enjoyed this book far more. I am now looking forward to the next one in the series and I think it helps that I have gelled more with the main characters. I liked how the beach setting juxtaposed the nature of the kidnapping case and the wild fires, making this a beach story with a bit of “bite”.
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2024
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.
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.
March 31, 2024
I love her writing and every book she has written. Do try one and all the books, you will love it.
May 27, 2024
I cannot believe all of the great reviews for this book. I found it boring & predictable from the beginning. I skipped a lot of pages which I never normally do. Shame I bought 3 of her books.
September 13, 2024
I borrowed this book for free from Amazon. It was a good read. I enjoyed it.
July 6, 2024
A good read set in lovely Brittany
An interesting story with a twist.I enjoyed reading more about Mila's past and the the other characters that she interacts with. An interesting story line about the missing girl she is investigating.We Looking forward to the next book & continuation of the story.
An interesting story with a twist.I enjoyed reading more about Mila's past and the the other characters that she interacts with. An interesting story line about the missing girl she is investigating.We Looking forward to the next book & continuation of the story.
October 12, 2024
I was quite disappointed in this book. It had all the elements to make it a great story but failed to deliver in so many aspects.
The mystery of what happened to Sophie was dangled in front of my nose sooo many times but wasn’t actually explored, why? I was made to feel like there was something dodgy going on with sophie and Charlie’s deaths and yet I was never given an answer or even a glimmer of an answer?
Mila’s character really wasn’t anything special and I’ve read countless books with the generic qualities and backstory she had. It would’ve been nice to have something that made her stand out from your basic, mistreated, misunderstood protagonist because I didn’t form any sort of attachment to her. I think this was also partially down to the writing style. I think if the writing was a bit more interesting (not just flowing casually from one scene to the next with no change in pace) her character would’ve come across better.
There was definitely a lack of suspense, and the twist with Briony was so anticlimactic and predictable it was almost painful. Mila not being able to understand what was happening with Briony until the very end contributed to my dislike of her that much more because, to me, it was obvious within the first conversation with the parents. The extra plot twist was a nice addition and unexpected but still didn’t redeem the boring predictable plot line for me.
It’s not a bad book if you want something easy to get through when you’re in a bit of a reading slump but nothing groundbreaking about it.
The mystery of what happened to Sophie was dangled in front of my nose sooo many times but wasn’t actually explored, why? I was made to feel like there was something dodgy going on with sophie and Charlie’s deaths and yet I was never given an answer or even a glimmer of an answer?
Mila’s character really wasn’t anything special and I’ve read countless books with the generic qualities and backstory she had. It would’ve been nice to have something that made her stand out from your basic, mistreated, misunderstood protagonist because I didn’t form any sort of attachment to her. I think this was also partially down to the writing style. I think if the writing was a bit more interesting (not just flowing casually from one scene to the next with no change in pace) her character would’ve come across better.
There was definitely a lack of suspense, and the twist with Briony was so anticlimactic and predictable it was almost painful. Mila not being able to understand what was happening with Briony until the very end contributed to my dislike of her that much more because, to me, it was obvious within the first conversation with the parents. The extra plot twist was a nice addition and unexpected but still didn’t redeem the boring predictable plot line for me.
It’s not a bad book if you want something easy to get through when you’re in a bit of a reading slump but nothing groundbreaking about it.
January 4, 2025
I did something I rarely ever do with books I’ve bought and that I skimmed through it. The plot was a predictable one. The mother was such a caricature that it was obvious the dad was going to be made a “plot twist”.
The running thread from the first book is dragged on way too slowly. Not a lot was added on to the mystery of Sophie and Charlie from the first book so I feel a bit cheated. And even with that story it already feels predictable so I won’t be getting the third book.
Also Mila arouses nothing, she comes across very two dimensional, placid, no passion, and a bit dumb actually as she didn’t have the intuition to figure out what was going on with the case very early on. I know being obtuse had to keep the book going but it could’ve been better played than her just going “no it can’t be true” every so often.
And does she really need to spend two days out of the three days a month she sees her fiancé with her mum?? I think seeing her mum once every three months for just a day would be fine given how toxic it is! It again shows Mila as this unassertive dull character lacking in personality. It’s also implausible that her fiancé never visits France and they just see each other 1,5 days a month where she acts like a bit of a knob to him.
And where’s the chemistry with Carter? Isn’t the point of bringing him back to have a smoldering passion bubbling away? There’s zero chemistry between them and we know nothing about his thoughts and feelings either.
The running thread from the first book is dragged on way too slowly. Not a lot was added on to the mystery of Sophie and Charlie from the first book so I feel a bit cheated. And even with that story it already feels predictable so I won’t be getting the third book.
Also Mila arouses nothing, she comes across very two dimensional, placid, no passion, and a bit dumb actually as she didn’t have the intuition to figure out what was going on with the case very early on. I know being obtuse had to keep the book going but it could’ve been better played than her just going “no it can’t be true” every so often.
And does she really need to spend two days out of the three days a month she sees her fiancé with her mum?? I think seeing her mum once every three months for just a day would be fine given how toxic it is! It again shows Mila as this unassertive dull character lacking in personality. It’s also implausible that her fiancé never visits France and they just see each other 1,5 days a month where she acts like a bit of a knob to him.
And where’s the chemistry with Carter? Isn’t the point of bringing him back to have a smoldering passion bubbling away? There’s zero chemistry between them and we know nothing about his thoughts and feelings either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2024
When I read The Lost Notebook, not all of the ends were tied up and at that time I didn’t know Louise Douglas had more to share about Mila … so I was excited to find out if what I thought might happen did and where this story would take me. Don’t worry if you haven’t read The Lost Notebook, key events are weaved through The Summer of Lies and it will still make sense!
It’s clear that Mila’s split life … in Morranez and Bristol/Maidenhead isn’t working out too well. Everyone wants a piece of her and she has conflicting emotions. Important, I think, is that we get to know more about her family dynamics which gives us a better understanding of who she is and why she makes the decisions that she does. Her mum really fatigued me …
Life in Morranez felt less complicated in this story in as much as Mila has adapted to being the main care-giver for Sophie’s daughter (I think she’s a fab role model for her). Something new comes to light about Sophie and Charlie but gave me more questions … so intriguing!
Luke and Mila’s detective partnership is brilliant – they work so well together. The new case at Toussaints of Briony’s abduction leads us through twists and turns. Plenty of tense moments and not just because there is a time-limit on Briony needing critical care. One scene in particular affected me emotionally. I can still see it so clearly in my mind, and even though I had a different perception later on, it stayed with me. I’ll add here that another scene had me fist-bumping the air, very heroic actions from the duo! Alongside the tenseness is the anxiety of doing what you think is right but might actually be wrong. I had my suspicions (having come across this from my time working in education) although I wasn’t entirely right! Louise Douglas doesn’t shy away from the impact but is sensitive in how she writes about it.
The Summer of Lies follows through and met my expectations. If you enjoy family drama, crime and all the secrets and lies that go hand-in-hand, you’ll love this one.
https://www.jerasjamboree.co.uk/the-s...
It’s clear that Mila’s split life … in Morranez and Bristol/Maidenhead isn’t working out too well. Everyone wants a piece of her and she has conflicting emotions. Important, I think, is that we get to know more about her family dynamics which gives us a better understanding of who she is and why she makes the decisions that she does. Her mum really fatigued me …
Life in Morranez felt less complicated in this story in as much as Mila has adapted to being the main care-giver for Sophie’s daughter (I think she’s a fab role model for her). Something new comes to light about Sophie and Charlie but gave me more questions … so intriguing!
Luke and Mila’s detective partnership is brilliant – they work so well together. The new case at Toussaints of Briony’s abduction leads us through twists and turns. Plenty of tense moments and not just because there is a time-limit on Briony needing critical care. One scene in particular affected me emotionally. I can still see it so clearly in my mind, and even though I had a different perception later on, it stayed with me. I’ll add here that another scene had me fist-bumping the air, very heroic actions from the duo! Alongside the tenseness is the anxiety of doing what you think is right but might actually be wrong. I had my suspicions (having come across this from my time working in education) although I wasn’t entirely right! Louise Douglas doesn’t shy away from the impact but is sensitive in how she writes about it.
The Summer of Lies follows through and met my expectations. If you enjoy family drama, crime and all the secrets and lies that go hand-in-hand, you’ll love this one.
https://www.jerasjamboree.co.uk/the-s...
February 7, 2024
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.
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.
July 20, 2025
Mila is all set to return home to Brittany after a visit to her family when her detective agency gets a new case. A vulnerable young woman has been manipulated into running away and her poor health means she is in extreme danger. Can Mila find her in time...?
The Summer of Lies is a mystery drama novel set in the UK and France. It is the second book in a series but I have not read the first (it therefore works perfectly well as a stand alone book as I was not aware of any spoilers).
Mila is a young woman with a complex family situation. Her parents split up and she lives in France, caring for her orphaned niece but also trying to negotiate the complicated emotions of her own grief. She has gone to visit her mother in England - which is quite an uncomfortable experience - and is ready to return home to normality when she is entrusted with finding a missing woman.
I felt desperately sorry for Briony who has been blighted by illness her entire life. Her new friendship has offered her the chance to be free of her over-protective parents and I didn't blame her at all for seeking freedom and friendship wherever she could find it. However, her saviour is a woman with an unsavoury past and running away puts Briony in danger. I was keen for Mila to ensure Briony was safe but also worried that returning home was also dangerous.
There is plenty of mystery and the author adds different dimensions to the plot with the inclusion of the Mila's sister's death. However, I found that this made the pace of the book quite slow. Mila's family situation is explored at the start and took me a while to get it straight in my head (I wonder if this is explored in the first book?) The settings bring the plot to life and are depicted vividly. I liked Mila's character and wanted her to succeed in her personal and professional endeavours.
The Summer of Lies is an entertaining mystery novel.
The Summer of Lies is a mystery drama novel set in the UK and France. It is the second book in a series but I have not read the first (it therefore works perfectly well as a stand alone book as I was not aware of any spoilers).
Mila is a young woman with a complex family situation. Her parents split up and she lives in France, caring for her orphaned niece but also trying to negotiate the complicated emotions of her own grief. She has gone to visit her mother in England - which is quite an uncomfortable experience - and is ready to return home to normality when she is entrusted with finding a missing woman.
I felt desperately sorry for Briony who has been blighted by illness her entire life. Her new friendship has offered her the chance to be free of her over-protective parents and I didn't blame her at all for seeking freedom and friendship wherever she could find it. However, her saviour is a woman with an unsavoury past and running away puts Briony in danger. I was keen for Mila to ensure Briony was safe but also worried that returning home was also dangerous.
There is plenty of mystery and the author adds different dimensions to the plot with the inclusion of the Mila's sister's death. However, I found that this made the pace of the book quite slow. Mila's family situation is explored at the start and took me a while to get it straight in my head (I wonder if this is explored in the first book?) The settings bring the plot to life and are depicted vividly. I liked Mila's character and wanted her to succeed in her personal and professional endeavours.
The Summer of Lies is an entertaining mystery novel.
February 3, 2024
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.
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.
November 9, 2024
Award-winning author Louise Douglas dazzles with her latest captivating tale, The Summer of Lies.
The Moorcroft family are beside themselves. Nineteen year old Briony has been taken from her sleepy Welsh village and brought to France and to the village of Morranez. Without her medicine, Briony could die and with the police refusing to even lift a finger to try and find her, her family are putting all of their hopes on Mila Shephard and Carter Jackson’s Toussaint detective agency.
The two sleuths have got their hands full with this case, but they have even more pressing problems in their personal lives. Mila’s sister and brother in law had been in a tragic accident two years ago that had left her solely responsible for her niece’s well-being. However, new evidence has resurfaced that makes Mila wonder whether that cataclysmic event was not an accident, but something much more sinister and chilling.
Will Mila and Carter manage to find Briony before it’s too late? And will the truth about Mila’s sister and brother in law finally come to light?
Louise Douglas is such a gifted storyteller who writes lyrical, haunting and atmospheric novels that never fail to get under your skin. The Summer of Lies is a complex, layered, unpredictable and intelligently written tale of secrets, deception and danger that is an absolute struggle to put down. A hypnotic and compulsively readable page-turner, The Summer of Lies is another outstanding novel from Louise Douglas.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Moorcroft family are beside themselves. Nineteen year old Briony has been taken from her sleepy Welsh village and brought to France and to the village of Morranez. Without her medicine, Briony could die and with the police refusing to even lift a finger to try and find her, her family are putting all of their hopes on Mila Shephard and Carter Jackson’s Toussaint detective agency.
The two sleuths have got their hands full with this case, but they have even more pressing problems in their personal lives. Mila’s sister and brother in law had been in a tragic accident two years ago that had left her solely responsible for her niece’s well-being. However, new evidence has resurfaced that makes Mila wonder whether that cataclysmic event was not an accident, but something much more sinister and chilling.
Will Mila and Carter manage to find Briony before it’s too late? And will the truth about Mila’s sister and brother in law finally come to light?
Louise Douglas is such a gifted storyteller who writes lyrical, haunting and atmospheric novels that never fail to get under your skin. The Summer of Lies is a complex, layered, unpredictable and intelligently written tale of secrets, deception and danger that is an absolute struggle to put down. A hypnotic and compulsively readable page-turner, The Summer of Lies is another outstanding novel from Louise Douglas.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 8, 2024
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.
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.
July 23, 2024
I did not realise the day this was the second in a series, and that I had read the first! I picked it up only because the author was one I have enjoyed several previous works of and usually err towards choosing one of her books.
I may not have enjoyed the previous book as much as I hoped to, this built a pretty solid foundation on top of the first story and I enjoyed watching all the characters play out their issues. Maybe not all their features are ones I’d champion, but it made sense in the context.
One can follow the events in this book without the background, although some of the background is trickled into this installment as well. Our protagonist is someone who is stuck in life in a very unwinnable situation. She is engaged to her long time partner, but needs to live in a whole other country to be a parent to her (step) niece. This situation is further exacerbated by the fact that the death of her stepsister is starting to look more complex than a simple accident.
I was fully invested by the time the end rolled around and am eager to see where the story will go next. I think I know what the plot twists would be, but there is no harm in confirming my suspicions.
I personally like the author’s writing style and would recommend this book/series to people who enjoy character based mysteries.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
I may not have enjoyed the previous book as much as I hoped to, this built a pretty solid foundation on top of the first story and I enjoyed watching all the characters play out their issues. Maybe not all their features are ones I’d champion, but it made sense in the context.
One can follow the events in this book without the background, although some of the background is trickled into this installment as well. Our protagonist is someone who is stuck in life in a very unwinnable situation. She is engaged to her long time partner, but needs to live in a whole other country to be a parent to her (step) niece. This situation is further exacerbated by the fact that the death of her stepsister is starting to look more complex than a simple accident.
I was fully invested by the time the end rolled around and am eager to see where the story will go next. I think I know what the plot twists would be, but there is no harm in confirming my suspicions.
I personally like the author’s writing style and would recommend this book/series to people who enjoy character based mysteries.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
February 11, 2024
Summer Of Lies is a story about Mila, a woman who works for a missing persons agency. The weather is scorching. We find out all about her and the case that they take on to find a very vulnerable and ill girl who’s been kidnapped by an employee of the cleaning business her parents own. She’s been taken to France from Wales, and time is of the essence as this girl , Briony, will die without her medication. Mila and her work colleague Carter must work together to find her. We find out about Carter and his history.
Mila’s sister Sophie, was drowned along with her husband Charlie when they went sailing, so she’s been bringing her niece Ani, up herself, along with her mother and step mother.
So we have two cases really as more information becomes clear with Charlie and Sophie’s accident .
I found the writing excellent as usual from Louise Douglas. The characters are not complex and we get to know them well throughout the story. I’m hoping to hear more from this story as it felt like a bit of a cliffhanger at the end!! Fingers crossed!!.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books for the chance to read this arc copy for review consideration via Netgalley. My opinions are my own.
#Netgalley,#bookandttonic,#louisedouglas3.
Mila’s sister Sophie, was drowned along with her husband Charlie when they went sailing, so she’s been bringing her niece Ani, up herself, along with her mother and step mother.
So we have two cases really as more information becomes clear with Charlie and Sophie’s accident .
I found the writing excellent as usual from Louise Douglas. The characters are not complex and we get to know them well throughout the story. I’m hoping to hear more from this story as it felt like a bit of a cliffhanger at the end!! Fingers crossed!!.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books for the chance to read this arc copy for review consideration via Netgalley. My opinions are my own.
#Netgalley,#bookandttonic,#louisedouglas3.
January 15, 2024
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.
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.
September 12, 2024
I borrowed this book from the Amazon Library. I'd read the first in the series and enjoyed that. I also enjoyed this book, which follows on with the issues Mila has splitting herself between her niece in France and her mother in the UK, whilst trying to maintain a relationship with her Fiancé in the UK, still grieving from the loss of her sister sister (her niece's mother), working with the family business (detective agency) in France and dealing with the complex relationship with her father and other relatives. I did find the book dragged a bit at times, but it got more interesting and fast in the last half. Having the story of the abducted child case, along with the discovery of her dead step sister's boat, and the intricacies of them was good, but this book came over far more strongly as answers will have to wait to the next one. The first book you could read and be satisfied with leaving it there.
February 27, 2025
I love Lousie Douglas, this book was clever, unique and a great summer read I imagine, Laying on a beach somewhere. I have already acquired the next in the series. What I loved was the story also had another story running from the previous, to the next, that was a key factor in wanting the next installment, I had a stroke in January so this has been perfect for recouperation, keeping me still and creating neuropathways. It's distracted me and given me something to enjoy in a day. Not peppered with bad language and the history Mila has with Carter has prospects for future I believe. I do recommend reading the first in the series thought. Whilst this wasn't my favorite if Louise's that 9s only because she has such a high standard . The room in the Attic, and The Red Dress would be hard to beat but she still ranks high in my reading lists Recommended, buy the first and carry on. I am sure you don't be disappointed,
February 7, 2024
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.
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.
July 28, 2025
A slow moving continuation for Mila Shephard and Carter Jackson as they investigate the whereabouts of a missing young woman, who is battling several chronic illnesses and disappeared without her medications. The story also veers into subtle background information on Mila's parents; her emotionally damaged mother, Lydia, and her playboy actor father, Patrick. There is equally an overarching focus on climate change, as the province of Brittany is experiencing its hottest season on record, with wildfires exploding all over the landscape.
Sophie's voice that Mila heard too often in her head in the first book is downplayed in the second, which to me, was a true relief. Her snarky witless comments became too much and too often. I noticed that there is a third book available, and I will give it a try in order to finish up the series.
Sophie's voice that Mila heard too often in her head in the first book is downplayed in the second, which to me, was a true relief. Her snarky witless comments became too much and too often. I noticed that there is a third book available, and I will give it a try in order to finish up the series.
January 29, 2024
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 and @theboldbookclubfor the ARC.
P.S. thanks to #netgalley and @boldwoodbooks and @theboldbookclubfor the ARC.
January 30, 2024
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.
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.
March 9, 2024
Another fantastic book from Louise.
Once again we follow Mila as she continues to work in her step mother’s investigation service and looks after her neice Ani, following the tragic death of Ani’s mother and her father Charlie still being missing following the boat accident that claimed Sophie’s life.
Mila has been asked to locate a missing teenager Briony. Briony is extremely sick and has disappeared/been taken by ex convict Billie. They have fled to France and are known to be in the area around where the Toussants agency is based, hence Mila’s involvement.
We follow not only this investigation but Mila’s struggles as she continues to cope with stepping into Sophie’s shoes.
I love these characters and cannot wait to read the next instalment
Once again we follow Mila as she continues to work in her step mother’s investigation service and looks after her neice Ani, following the tragic death of Ani’s mother and her father Charlie still being missing following the boat accident that claimed Sophie’s life.
Mila has been asked to locate a missing teenager Briony. Briony is extremely sick and has disappeared/been taken by ex convict Billie. They have fled to France and are known to be in the area around where the Toussants agency is based, hence Mila’s involvement.
We follow not only this investigation but Mila’s struggles as she continues to cope with stepping into Sophie’s shoes.
I love these characters and cannot wait to read the next instalment
May 25, 2025
I was a disappointed in this book - I felt like the story was obvious from the start - whilst I didn’t guess it was the father rather than the mother who had Munchausen by proxy, you just knew where it was going.
There wasn’t any flow between the main story and the deceased sister/husband story - it felt like it was a bit pointless and just a way to pad out the book (or to make way for book number 3 with these characters?)
I thought there could have been more development with the story about the mother - it was just thrown in at the end why she was a bit mean to her daughter / ex-husband.
I just felt there were other stories to develop but they weren’t and I wasn’t impressed with this.
There wasn’t any flow between the main story and the deceased sister/husband story - it felt like it was a bit pointless and just a way to pad out the book (or to make way for book number 3 with these characters?)
I thought there could have been more development with the story about the mother - it was just thrown in at the end why she was a bit mean to her daughter / ex-husband.
I just felt there were other stories to develop but they weren’t and I wasn’t impressed with this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2024
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.
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