The Secret of Villa Alba: Brand new from Number 1 bestseller Louise Douglas

In the book "The Secret by the Lake," Enzo and Irene Borgata are returning to their family home, Villa Alba, in Sicily after a terrible earthquake. When Enzo leaves his wife to get help, she disappears. Milo Conti, a TV showman, investigates the case and discovers a murky tale of mafia meetings, infidelity, mistaken identity, and unshakable love. April Cobain, a retired detective, helps Maddi prove her father's innocence, but the house begins to reveal its secrets.

Format: Hardback
Publication date: 03 July 2023
Publisher: Boldwood Books Ltd

From the number one bestselling author Louise Douglas comes a tale of betrayal, love, jealousy, and the secrets buried deep within every family history. Set in 1968, Sicily, just months after a devastating earthquake destroyed the mountain town of Gibellina, Enzo and his wife Irene Borgata are making their way back to their family home, Villa Alba, on roads overlooked by the eerie backdrop of the flattened ghost town. However, their journey takes a turn when their car breaks down, leaving Enzo alone to seek help. When he returns, he finds his wife gone, with no trace of a struggle or any evidence of her presence.

Fast forward to 2003, and TV showman and true crime aficionado Milo Conti is Italy's darling, uncovering and solving historic crimes for his legion of fans. When he turns his attention to the story of the missing Irene Borgata, accusing her husband of her murder, Enzo's daughter Maddi asks her childhood friend, retired detective April Cobain, for help to prove her father's innocence. But what April discovers is a murky tale of mafia meetings, infidelity, mistaken identity, grief, and unshakable love. As the world closes in on the claustrophobic Villa Alba, and the house begins to reveal its secrets, the Borgata family finds themselves questioning whether they ever should have asked April to investigate.

What happened to Enzo's missing wife Irene? As the story unfolds, April uncovers a web of lies and secrets that spans generations, and she must navigate through a maze of treachery and deception to uncover the truth. The Lost Notebook is a captivating tale of betrayal, love, and the lengths people will go to protect their own. It is a testament to Louise Douglas's talent as a storyteller, as she weaves a complex and intricate plot that keeps readers hooked until the very end.

Praise for Louise Douglas's work has been pouring in from critics and readers alike. One reviewer exclaimed, "I loved The Lost Notebook so much! From the opening lines, I was drawn in to a gripping story, beautifully written and so cleverly orchestrated. I rooted for the main character, held my breath at the denouement, and as for the climax of the book - just wow. Highly recommended." Another reviewer stated, "Louise Douglas achieves the impossible and gets better with every book. Milly Johnson praised Douglas's writing, stating, "A brilliantly written, gripping tale of love, loss, and redemption. I couldn't put it down."

In conclusion, The Lost Notebook is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery, a compelling story, and characters that will stay with you long after the last page. Louise Douglas's talent as a storyteller is on full display in this captivating tale, and it is sure to leave readers eagerly anticipating her next masterpiece.

Weight: 536g
Dimension: 236 x 159 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781785133602