Secrets!

The Secret of Villa Alba by Louise Douglas  

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April Cobain is recovering from the loss of her love and soulmate when a letter comes from a friend who’d pushed her away decades ago. She’d left to go her own way after a dreadful, jealous scene.

Maddalena Borgata pleads for April to come to Sicily to help prove her father Enzo’s innocence in his wife’s disappearance 35 years ago. The case has been reopened by a dogged, sensational seeking popular tv host who stops at nothing to take his targets down.

Enzo’s english wife Irene had been injured in an earthquake a few months previous to her disappearance. Enzo’s and Irene had driven to the hospital in Palermo. On their way home they’d had car trouble. Enzo had walked ten kilometres to the family compound, Villa Albo, seeking help. Irene was left alone in the car as it was impossible to push her wheelchair along the rugged road, little more than a rough track.

When Enzo returned with help, Irene had disappeared, never to be found. Now the paparazzi was baying for blood, accusing Enzo of murdering his wife, and demanding satisfaction, all in the name of ratings. Unfortunately, the townspeople were stirred to action—mob type nasty actions.

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.

An excellent read that challenges all preconceptions of guilt and innocence, with a startling conclusion.

A Boldwood Books ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.