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April finds a challenging situation. She pursues various leads and fights to save a man who’d been kind to her when she was so much younger and Maddie’s best friend.
The chapter placement is done very well. As April explores the Villa and learns about the Borgata family members, we see Irene’s life progressing in parallel. Though it causes some repetition, it works in the plot’s favor to help readers connect the past and present. From the letter his daughter Maddalena writes to former friend April in 2003, we discover that she was never found – and while her husband was initially under suspicion of being involved, the case was abandoned. But there’s now fresh interest – the case is to be featured on Milo Conti’s TV programme “Cold Case”, with possible fresh evidence that Enzo was responsible for Irene’s death. April is an ex-detective inspector, reluctant to become involved – she’s struggling with the recent loss of her husband, and her friendship with Maddalena fell apart rather dramatically some years before. But she has fond memories of Enzo, and decides to travels to Sicily, staying with the family at the Villa Alba, undertaking her own investigation – with a little help from the local police inspector – hoping to clear his name before the planned revelations. You get a sense of so many things not being said. I struggled to pinpoint what exactly happened and who was responsible. Of course, I made guesses based on what I knew but in all honesty? I had no idea what happened to Irene in that bleak landscape at the side of the road.Beautifully written, chillingly atmospheric and utterly compelling, The Secret by the Lake is Louise Douglas at her brilliant best' Tammy Cohen, author of The Broken As time counts down to Milo Conti’s exposé, he whips up the locals by dropping hints of his evidence on TV. This has a huge impact as they take action. Such a tense and alienating time for the family! The Secret Of Villa Alba was an intriguing, gripping dual timeline mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed. There is a slow and steady progression into the facts that can be found in 2003 while we get sneak peeks of possible twists in the older timeline. All the characters in the plot have shades to them, all acting in different ways when the situations change. In the present time, Milo Conti is digging into the family dynamics and promises a full revelation in a few days. Maddalena Borgata writes to April Cobain, who she was acquainted with during her stay in England. April has been an investigator, but is still trying to get over the sorrow of her husband’s demise. Also, the last meeting between Maddalena and April in Bangkok ended badly and they have not been on speaking terms since. After some initial hesitation, April agrees and travel to Italy to investigate what happened to Irene, with help from local law enforcement.
I thoroughly enjoyed this dual timelined story and was there in Sicily with them all!. I loved playing detective to try and decide if Enzo had murdered Irene or whether it was someone else in the family. There were lots of clues, but also lots of red herrings designed to throw you off the scent!!. The story would flow between 1968 with Irene telling her experiences, and the present time of 2003, with April telling us about the present. I loved The Lost Notebookso 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, I held my breath at the denouement and as for the climax of the book – just wow. Highly recommended.’ Judy LeighI couldn't help but feel sad for all the parties involved in this mystery, from Irene to Enzo to Maddie to Donatella and her family. Whatever happened - it wasn't anybody's fault, per se. Just two sad people who thought they could lead a happy life but didn't expect the surprises that life had in store for them.
Set in Sicily over dual timelines, this is a mystery that simply oozes atmosphere. Told by dual narratives also. We meet Irene from the 1960s and April in 2003. Maddalena Borgato’s stepmother Irene vanishes in May of 1968. Maddalena's father Enzo is suspected of killing her, but due to the fact of finding no body, ever. The case is left to go cold. There is a lot of tension within the family, and you can tell how important April is to them. They answer all the questions that she asks knowing they must be as much help.as they can possibly be, but is someone lying to April?. Will she find out who and why?. The ending is class!!!.I enjoyed the story though very few of the characters were likable. The ending to me was quite sad, when you realize all the hatred and ostracism the family endured over the years, it was really quite heartrending. Whilst I can honestly say I really do enjoy this, it’s a four star rating after all, I do have some reservations about the ending which feels a bit convenient but it’s not by any means left field. Overall, though, it’s a really immersive novel. Overall if you enjoy easy to read but well written fiction, then this book could be right up your street! I absolutely loved every bit of this story. Louise Douglas is a master storyteller. Excellent character portrayal and development. Mind-blowing and totally unexpected ending - I LOVED IT!
I can honestly say as someone who reads a lot of Louise Douglas's books, you won't be disappointed with this one!. It's a fantastic read!.
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Will the mystery of Villa Alba ever be solved? Will the world ever find out what really happened to Irene Borgata? Or should some things have stayed dead and buried?
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