Inside that book are the clues as to who Gosia was and what she has written in the book may be enough to have had her murdered. Patience is needed in giving the author space to give multiple backstories and build the mysteries in this intricately plotted story. Mila Shepherd has moved into her family home to look after her niece, whose parents Sophie and husband Charles were lost at sea. What did she think when posters went up all over town of this photo, implying that the man was some sort of sexual deviant, having an affair with a student?

Someone is trying to ruin his reputation and Mila thinks that there is a connection between Gosia and the professor. Overall, this has a well developed, immersive and multilayered plot and I look forward to being back in France with Mila, fingers crossed! It ends on an odd note too, with no resolution over of a possible misunderstanding/relationship issue, some aspects of the story left open ended - this may be so that the reader can draw their own conclusions, or the author possibly may be writing a sequel to this. I usually give a few sentences for the synopsis, just as a refresher for myself but in this instance there are so many layers to this book, that I couldn’t do it justice. It’s clear that malevolent forces are at work in Morranez, but the local police are choosing to look the other way.I almost DNF'ed several times but what saved this book for me is that the characters and the writing itself were interesting and compelling enough to keep me going. The elderly lady is found dead in her wagon and her notebook with her life’s work is missing and hereby sets off a chain of events. First of all Mila lives in London, but she’s in France to take care of her stepsister Sophia‘s daughter due to the fact Sophia and her husband were lost at sea and although they found Sophia‘s body her husband was never recovered oh yes and Sophia lives as a voice in Milla’s head. I like the ending, it’s so plausible and comes together well and I’m really hoping there’s a follow on novel as the author has left me with my suspicion antennae twitching! There are several cleverly intertwined mysteries that become more and more intriguing the further into the book you get as it takes you in several unexpected directions.

I was gifted this advanced copy by Boldwood Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review. Instead, it felt like all the revelations came in the last ten or so chapters; this is when I felt the story was most interesting and picked up a pace that was largely lethargic and slow. Was it just luck that had the girlfriend of their estranged son show up at the dig to ask him for money, conveniently captured in a photo that implied they were having an affair? This is where she notices the thick scrapbook her name is Gosia and Mila offers for her to stay in their extra bedroom but the house a home less Lady refuses so the next day Mila decides to go check on her and when she does she finds her dead in her bed in the scrapbook that caught her attention the night before seems to be gone.

The Lost Notebook will draw you slowly but surely into the story of Mila and her resolve to find out who killed the Traveller Woman Gosia. An intriguing story set in France where the main character is taking care of her orphaned niece with the help of her step mum. The story is centred around the French seaside resort of Morranez, a small town with a big history that is dependent on the seasonal tourist trade. At almost no point did I as a reader feel like the plot was building towards something or get any sense of increasing tension or the stakes being raised. Readers will find themselves submerged and at times treading water with Mila and Ani as they unravel the mysteries.

The climax, as it was, was so brief and resolved so quickly that it sucked any suspense, drama, or sense of payoff for this reader. When events take a turn for the stranger, Mila starts to question everything she thought she knew about her family, the town, and even herself. Mila goes looking for Ani one day and finds her with an old woman traveler, Gosia, and when she finds the old woman dead, she is compelled to find the woman's son Tomaz. Meanwhile, Mila is also juggling her rather inept attempts at parenting the young Ani who has essentially lost both her parents and has only Mila and her grandmamie Ceci.

The last few chapters were real page turners and these are what bumped this up from a three star read to a four star read for me.

Her niece Anya and best friend Purvo say it’s due to The fact they archaeologists that are digging up local ancient ground have released a curse but Mila blows this off as teen-age superstition . Added to the mix are the stories going around town about the Professor which will surely discredit him and ruin his reputation. So to summarize: a rambling, meandering, slow plot with lots of red herrings and plot lines that didn't go anywhere resolves with a very lackluster climax and some pretty significant loose threads that imply a sequel. The setting is fantastic as Louise Douglas has me drooling at the Patisserie (mines a Religieuses s’il vous plaît, merci) and in the restaurants, she incorporates the areas traditions but also some history as part of the storytelling is set around an archaeological dig. In amongst the usual hordes of holidaymakers, several new faces stand out due to their semi-permanence in Morranez.

Let me just say I know I said Sophia is a voice in Mila‘s head I mention the curse but there isn’t anything supernatural about this book except that this is a super book and naturally if you love mysteries you want to read it. From the beginning I thought that something felt ‘off’ with the narrative and I think I could put this down to two reasons. For that matter, I didn't understand why the woman or the archaeologist didn't contact the police either. The ending is kind of up in the air but for me there is the promise of something that remains unfinished which, as the reader, you will know what I mean.