Memory Makers

by Debbie De Louise

Twenty-five years ago, Lauren Phelps and her sister Patty were kidnapped from their backyard on Long Island. Lauren escaped her captor, but Patty was killed.

Ever since, Lauren has suffered from nightmares of the “Shadow Man.” Trying to recall his face and avenge her sister’s murder, Lauren, now a kidnapping investigator, enrolls in a clinical trial for a new memory drug.

At the offices of Memory Makers in California, she receives the injections of the Memory Makers' serum, and begins to experience flashbacks of repressed memories. Along with the flashbacks, she receives threats from an anonymous source that point back to her childhood trauma.

Soon, Lauren becomes involved with a fellow trial participant who seeks to recall his own traumatic past. But can Lauren discover the identity of the “Shadow Man” before history repeats itself?

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2020

About the author

Debbie De Louise is an award-winning author and a reference librarian at a public library on Long Island. She is a member of International Thriller Writers, Sisters-in-Crime, and the Cat Writer’s Association. She has a BA in English and an MLS in Library Science from Long Island University. Her published novels include the 6 books of her Cobble Cove cozy mystery series: A Stone's Throw, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Written in Stone, Love on the Rocks, No Gravestone Unturned, and Sneaky's Supernatural Mystery and Other Cobble Cove Stories, her paranormal romance, Cloudy Rainbow, her mystery thriller Reason to Die, her psychological mystery, Sea Scope, and her time-travel novel, Time's Relative. She also published a romantic comedy novella featuring a jewel heist caper, When Jack Trumps Ace and a cat poetry book, Meows and Purrs. Debbie also has a new series, the Buttercup Bend Mysteries, the first one of which is The Case of the Cat Crazy Lady. Debbie has also written articles and short stories for several anthologies of various genres. She lives on Long Island with her husband, daughter, and two cats.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A suspenseful read with a fast-paced, twisty plot and an ending that blew me away!

[Laurie Pinnell]

This book is one I found very difficult to put down. It just kind of enveloped me and then sucked me into the world of Lauren, her family and friends and subsequently her enemies. I found myself totally mesmerized by the crime commited against her and her sister as a child and the way this horrible act had affected so many different peoples lives. I found myself piecing together what had occured through the flashbacks Lauren had and trying to make sense of it all. It seems everybody had a past and secrets to hide. Debbie De Louise is indeed a very talented writer and I have enjoyed many of her books. This is right up there at the top of the list along with her thriller, Sea Scope. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading her books yet you're missing out. If you like stand alone mysteries that aren't part of a series I suggest you read both of these books. If you like the series types of mysteries, I suggest you take a break in between publication of the series you are reading and treat yourself to Memory Makers and Sea Scope. These books will be on your list of favorites. They are on mine.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes the past haunts us. Lauren Phelps has a sort of memory block that hides the past. She needs answers, but sometimes what we find is not what we expect. This is a well-written, intriguing book that readers are going to enjoy. The story twists and turns to tell a tale that is unexpected and one to grab.

[Brian Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and intriguing read

This book cleverly combined a crime thriller with a hint of science fiction. Many years ago, Lauren Phelps and her sister were abducted and though Lauren survived, but Patty was murdered. Cut to the present and Lauren, now a police detective, signs up for a programme that offers to bring back forgotten memories. By doing so she hopes to recall what happened on the day her sister died. Can she identify the killer after all this time?
An intriguing tale unfolds as Lauren undertakes the programme and begins to have flashbacks, not yet to her childhood but she is confident she'll eventually get there. Problem is, somebody appears determined to prevent her finding out what happened and she correctly deduces that the person concerned must be her sister's killer and that she could be in grave danger. As the story gathers pace, she is joined by her Detective partner, Rick, and the pair find themselves in a race against time to identify the killer before the killer can eliminate Lauren.
I was enthralled with the way the story unfolded and the past was finally revealed along with the identity of the killer. But who will walk away from the final showdown? I'll leave you to read that for yourselves, all I'll say is that it's a great read from start to finish, and gets 5 stars from me.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Phelps who works as a kidnapping investigator is haunted by her past. Patty, her sister and she were kidnapped from the sandbox in front of their house. Her sister was killed-Lauren had escaped but had deeply repressed memories. She could not remember the man's face and thought of him as the Shadow man.

She saw an ad in the paper about a trial being run in California that might help people regain their repressed memories. She was accepted in to the trial and much to her Mother's distress decided to go.

Although she wasn't supposed to she makes friends with a couple of the other participants.

I really can't say much more or will give away the ending! I highly suggest that you read this one--the twists and turns will keep you reading!

[Derith Rolfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weak

This is disappointing. I felt no connection to the characters, on the contrary I felt more for the missing cat, than Lauren, trying to remember who'd killed her older sister Patty .When Lauren was 'fwee'. Really? Rick was gastly, obnoxious and pompous. Lastly no self respecting sailor , changes the name of his boat. In all honesty, I only continued to read it, as I always finish a book once I have started it. Everything deserves a chance, and Debbie De Louise took the trouble to write it.

[Marion Ryder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really really liked this book. I have read Debbie's cozy Cobble Cove series and decided to try this book. I am so glad that I did. It kept me guessing until the end. I loved following Laureen's journey to recover the memories she had that would solve her sister Patty's murder. when Laureen was 3 and Patty was 5 they were kidnapped from their sandbox. This story tells of the journey that Laureen embarked on 25 years later. I highly recommend this book.

[Gayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not worth reading

I thought this book was kind of juvenile and silly. Not once was it a thriller. I finally skimmed ahead to the ending. Most of it was just plain unbelievable.