The Lost Notebook (by Louise Douglas)
I’ve been wanting to read another book by Louise Douglas ever since I thoroughly enjoyed The House by the Sea a couple of years ago. To catch up with this talented writer and immerse myself in the beautiful French landscape, I decided to start the Toussaints Detective Agency series with the first book, The Lost Notebook. Hopefully, it won’t be too long before I return to Louise Douglas’s captivating writing.
Mila, residing on the Brittany Coast, has temporarily relocated to her family’s summer vacation home in Morannez to care for her teenage niece, Ani. This decision came almost a year ago, when Mila’s stepsister, Sophie, and her husband tragically lost their lives in a boating accident. Sophie was also a missing persons detective agency owner with her mother, and Mila has been filling in for Sophie until the arrival of their new hire, Carter Jackson.
There are numerous threads that contribute to the narrative of this story. Mila is navigating the role of being a single parent to a teenage girl who has lost both of her parents. Meanwhile, her life and boyfriend, Luke, are eagerly awaiting her return home. Mila plans to return after sending Sophie off to boarding school in Switzerland. Additionally, she is grappling with the profound loss of her sister.
While working at the detective agency, Mila is thrust into helping Carter become accustomed to the job, though she’s not particularly fond of him. Near her home, an old traveler woman is found dead, and a scandal involving what appears to be a suicide follows. However, the local police seem uninterested in investigating these events beyond their surface-level appearance. Undeterred, Mila and Carter immerse themselves in the cases, determined to uncover the truth.
I was captivated by the picturesque setting of Morannez, a charming village nestled on the sea. The story kept me enthralled by its cast of characters and the intriguing mysteries that unfolded. The ending provided a satisfying conclusion while leaving room for suspense in the upcoming installment, The Summer of Lies. I particularly enjoyed listening to the audiobook narrated by Antonia Beamish, whose French accent added to the experience. I borrowed the audiobook of The Lost Notebook from my local library using the Hoopla app.
You’re welcome to read my review for another book by Louise Douglas, which is linked below.
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