SOLVED. Book within a book, mysterious woman and disappearance of a friend, contemporary english setting, supernatural overtones... HELP! [s]

[Kirsty]

This has been bugging me for YEARS.

The book within the book is called 'The Alchemist's apprentice' or something along those lines.

There's a missing friend who drives the plot, male protagonist and a love interest in the form of a mysterious woman who lives in a mysterious house that can only be accessed from the river.

There's a supernatural/sci-fi flavour to it all but it's written in a first person form from what I can remember.

English author, pretty sure it was a male author, aimed at adult readers.

It was a hardback when I encountered it.

[Isabel (kittiwake)]

The Alchemist's Apprentice by Jeremy Dronfield has the right title, a disappearing childhood friend, and a house that can only be accessed from the river.

[Kirsty]

Thank you!!! That's the one. I guess my memory for titles is better than that for remembering Authors! :)