Ok, I’m the odd person out but I just didn’t care for this book at all. It’s too slow moving for me and just couldn’t get into it. It was boring.

This was a entralling read that kept me turning pages to conclusion. I loved the atmospheric setting, the mysterious plot and the well crafted characters. A absolute page turner that I highly recommend. The story has multi layers for every reader to discover and enjoy. The writing is intriquing as a good mystery should be as the author builds the suspense. A very enjoyable read.

Thank you to the publisher, to Net Galley and to the author for the opportunity.

I really like this series. It was lovely to be dropped back into Mila's world and reconnect with the characters. The setting as always is very vivid and each of the characters are distinct and believable. The backstory of Sophie and Charlie never really moves on much but we do get a bit more information with each book and a deep sense of how it affects each character, particularly Ana but also Mila, Carter and Ceci. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery of Astrid Oake and it kept me reading. As the pieces dropped slowly into place, it was very satisfying for the reader. A great read.

Having read stand alone novels by this author previously i was intrigued to read this one which is book 3 of a detective series. I was initially concerned that I would not be able to get into the book as I would not know the charisma their background but I was soon into the plot and enjoying every moment.

This is the search for Astrid Oake, who has been left a bequest by her late friend Elizabeth and has not been seen for many years. The agency have taken in the case to locate her and the search quickly becomes unsuccessful until a clue emerges and a trip to England is made.

Very well written and quite dark in places. Without giving the plot away the end was unexpected and in some places difficult to read, but seemed so real
it could have been on a news story.

Thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend. I’m going to look out for the other books now on the series.

Another gripping book by Louise. Well written, orignal, I was hooked from the first page. I loved trying to work out the storyline and what was going on. Fab

Mila and Carter have a detective agency and were tasked to find Astrid Oake and deliver a small package after the death of Elisabeth Quemener.

The book is part of a series, but can be read separately. While investigating the mystery of Astrid Oake, Mila also tries to find what happened with her sister and brother in law that tragically disappeared 2 years ago.

The first part has a slower pace, but there are many twists and mysteries uncovered that keep you engaged and the pace picks up towards the end. The action is set in France and England. I liked the atmosphere created that increased the suspans in some parts.

The ending was surprising but also left writers with questions that will maybe be answered in a new book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Boldwood Books and Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I was hooked from the beginning of this book.

After Elizabeth has passed away, she’s left a package, it’s to be delivered to someone called Astrid, and is only to be opened by her and no one else. But, no one knows has seen Astrid, or knows what she looks like after she disappeared.

Her family ask for help from an agency and so, Mila and Carter are the two who are given the job of finding Astrid.

When they start to look into where Astrid is or her disappearance, there’s lots of twists along the way and some unexpected findings.

I highly recommend this book.

I was pretty engaged in this book until the ending where everything happened so quickly . The farm house events were somewhat far fetched . Lots of unanswered questions to be addressed but the author was able to connect people, places and events to make for a decent read .

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.

The review will be published on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

This was absolutely amazing! I was totally enthralled with this story from beginning to end, I could barely put it down, and when I finally read the last page, the house was dark, I was hungry, thirsty, needed to pee and my neck was stiff. But damn, it was worth it!

What a wonderful book this is. Such a great atmospheric read with an intriguing storyline and great characters. I was absolutely hooked from start to finish.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my copy of TheSea House by Louise Douglas
When Mila Shepard receives a request to find a missing person, Astrid Oake to deliver an inheritance little does she know how hard it will be.
Dealing with the death of her stepsister and brother in law, and taken up the guardianship of her niece Ani Mila has a lot on her mind.
But the more she discovers the more she is determined to find Astrid, whatever it takes.
A very good story told well.

When Edie's mother-in-law, Anna DeLuca, dies, she is relieved. Edie blames Anna for the accident that destroyed her family. So when her will leaves Edie to Sicily and the long-abandoned Villa della Madonna del Mare, she sees through Anna's games. Suspecting Anna is meddling from beyond the grave to try and reunite her and her ex-husband Joe, Edie is determined to leave Italy as soon as possible. But before she can, the villa starts to shed its mysterious secrets. Who are the girls beside Anna in her childhood photos, and why has one of them been scratched out? Why does someone, or something, want them to leave the past untouched? The villa is a place where old ghosts feel at home, but does their legacy need to be laid to rest before Edie and Joe can move on?

This is quite a complex mystery. Edie and Joe had lost their son Daniel ten years ago. Although I felt sorry for Edie, I did not care for her. Edie blamed the tragedy on her ex-mother-in-law. When Anna passed away, she left the villa to Edie and Joe. Edie has to travel to Italy hoping to get the paperwork sorted and the villa sold. But the villa holds lots of secrets.We get drama, secrets, and some tender moments in this story. The pace is on the slow side. It's also quite eerie with a beautiful setting.

Published 5th November 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #LouiseDouglas for my ARC of #TheSeaHouse in exchange for an honest review.

I was immediately drawn to The Sea House by Louise Douglas—its beautiful cover and intriguing blurb set high expectations. Set on the stunning Brittany coast, the atmosphere really brought the story to life. Although it’s the third in the Toussaints Detective Agency series, it can be read as a standalone. However, I do wish I’d known about the first two books beforehand, as I think it would have enriched my experience.

This novel is a gripping, character-driven story filled with complex relationships, secrets, and mystery. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing, although at times, I felt the plot drifted. As someone new to Douglas’s work, I did find it a bit challenging to get into, but I’m still keen to explore more.

While the plot didn’t grip me as much as I’d hoped, the gorgeous setting and strong character development were enjoyable. If you love a good detective story with a focus on character dynamics, this one is worth a read.

Feeling quite uneasy after reading this eerie novel, The Sea House!! Louise Douglas certainly has a way of building intense suspense through atmospheric settings and internal dialogue. Not to mention creating a creepy villain! Little by little the plot is eked out to the point I felt as if I was holding my breath too long under water! She provided lots of twists and turns that kept my mind spinning and flipping back and forth as to what might happen next.

When I picked up The Sea House to review, I did not realise it was part of a series. Having not read any of Louise Douglas’s books before, but being aware of her work, this was a new reading experience with this author for me. Now after completing The Sea House, I can verify she definitely knows how to create atmospheric mystery thrillers! It was the cover that caught my attention first and the title. The blurb was intriguing, too. Now that I have read one, I would like to delve into the rest of the Toussaints Detective Agency series and learn more about it. But even though I had not read the previous instalments-- I was still able to follow the recurring characters of Mila and Carter.

The ending left me with a question (as everyone else will see) and certainly made it seem like another book will follow. At least the crime case at the centre of this story was settled by the end with a complete and satisfactory conclusion to the mystery of the missing person of Astrid Oake and the unusual gift that was left to her by friend Elisabeth Quemener. The journey was quite interesting learning about both of these women and the lives they led. Again, the Oake family’s tragic past is not quite as it seems. Mila is determined to unravel this mystery connected to them and a child. This parcel left in a bequest must only be opened by the person it is intended for and we learn why that is so! As the secrets begin to unfold and Mila grasps more of the pieces of the puzzle, her determination to carry out the request is heightened and puts her in danger. But she will stop at nothing to deliver this package. At times it takes precedence over the troubles in her personal life that have been amassing. Distance has brought to light issues between her and her long time fiancé. On top of this, she has become a surrogate mother to her teenage niece since her stepsister and husband have strangely disappeared. But through her relentless detective work, her heart becomes fine-tuned and certain things come into focus: both with the missing person case at work and that of her extended family. With the help of Carter, her associate, shocking realisations are made.

Tragedy runs like a bitter thread through this novel. Severe victim control by a menacing villain is widely covered and left me reeling with disbelief. There are many twists and turns, surprises and alarming events that made me feel edgy. Reading this at night stoked my imagination a bit too much! But the author has delivered her stories well and I do want to know what will come next. 4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for a review copy.

I just love the cover of this book and was immediately drawn in and felt the deep blue set the scene perfectly for a story on the beautiful Brittany coast. The Sea House is book three in the Toussaints Detective Agency series and while I am sure it would be better to have read the earlier books it certainly didn't spoil things for me that I hadn't.

Working at the agency, central character Mila is tasked with giving a parcel to someone - IF she can find them - and if she can't then the parcel must be buried... Such an intriguing premise!

In the midst of the challenge posed by this bequest, other investigations crop up too and Mila finds herself faced with an investigation that is close to her heart and leaves her trying to take care of her niece which isn't always as simple as you might think.

This richly woven story has a lot to offer and takes the reader on a journey that navigates the complexity of relationships, secrets, love and lies all to a backdrop of mystery and detective work, before setting the path for book 4 in this fabulous series.

The Sea House by Louise Douglas is a richly atmospheric story set in France and England. Loaded with unsettling suspense and family dynamics, it is refreshingly different and interesting to follow. But what kept me spellbound is the lovely writing.

Who is Astrid Oake? That was the question on the minds of those who were involved in a missing person case, the specialty of Touissant Detective Agency comprised of Ceci, Mila and Carter. When Madame Quemener died, her bequeath and request were very strange and involved a package. But that's not the only mysterious element. Mila's step sister and husband tragically disappeared and Mila became a mother of sorts to their understandably troubled teen daughter Ani. Layers of nightmares and sorrows followed as investigations and personal lives enmeshed. There are slivers of romance and herbalism, too.

The setting, atmosphere and characterization are colourful and vivid. I enjoyed the ending which caught me off guard.

My sincere thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this captivating novel.

Thank you to Bold Wood Books, Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Sea House is an atmospheric, suspenseful mystery/ thriller that certainly kept me guessing! The characters were well written and I loved the sweeping settings in Brittany and the UK. With dual storylines involving Mila of the Touissant Detective Agency, I did occasionally find the family mystery involving her step sister and husband a bit lagging behind though. The twists and surprise reveal was great!

Beautifully written this is the third in a series by Louise Douglas.Emotionally moving great characters I was completely drawn in to the story.

I loved this book, such a wonderful story, so thrilling and interesting. I raced through this as I wanted to find out the outcome. I loved Louise's books very much. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.