Thursday, October 24, 2024

The Sea House

The Sea House by Louise Douglas
10/29/24; 448 pages
Boldwood Books

The Sea House by Louise Douglas is a recommended investigative mystery.

Mila Shepherd is working for the Toussaints Detective Agency when they receive a request from the family of Elizabeth Quemener. Elizabeth has passed away and left a small package to Astrid Oake. The instructions say that the package must be handed directly to Astrid and if she can't be found then it is to be buried in Elizabeth's grave. The problem is no one knows who Astrid is, let alone how to find her. Mila takes on the job finding the missing woman even as the quest appears to be becoming increasingly dangerous.

At the same time Mila is caring for her niece, Ani, after deaths of her Stepsister Sophie and her husband Charlie. Their deaths also involve a mystery that must be unraveled. All of this and problems in her personal life add additional stress.

This well-written, atmospheric mystery is even paced, at times down right slow, for over half of the novel, but does pick up toward the end. The setting is a French village, with Mila traveling to England for the investigation. Much of the plot is the investigation, looking into the past of Elizabeth in an attempt to find out who is Astrid Oake. Her associate Carter, is very helpful in the investigation while Mila does the leg work.

Apparently it is part of the Toussaints Detective Agency series, which I didn't know. While reading there were times where it felt as if I was missing parts of the story that might have increased my connection with the characters. This one also leaves unanswered questions. What saved the novel was the last final third when the action finally picked up the pace. Thanks to Boldwood Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

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