For three decades, Olivia Farnley used alcohol and drugs to try to block out the memory of the horrific murder of her mother which put her father in prison. Now, she’s ready to face her past, and her hypnotherapist is sure he can help her to fill in the gaps.
During therapy, a key detail comes back to her, one that is so momentous that Liv is forced to share this new-found information with the police. When they dismiss her claims, Liv is left frustrated and furious. Then a chance encounter leads Liv to private investigator Hannah Sandlin, who, accompanied by her best friend Lottie, embarks on an investigation in the Spanish resort of Marbella.
Amid the magnificent villas and infinity pools of Porto Banus, and the stunning beaches of Playa de la Fontanilla, dark secrets lurk. Once Hannah deploys her sharp investigative mind and shameless tenacity, she discovers what really happened to Liv’s mother, Susan, all those years ago. In the process, she uncovers some shocking secrets that the rest of the Farnley family have been trying their hardest to keep.
Can Hannah separate the lies from the truth and bring Liv the resolution she so desperately needs?
S.E. Shepherd’s brilliant third novel in her darkly funny crime series is a story of how untrustworthy memory can be and how love can blind you to the darkness of those close to you. Everyone has a dark side, do they not? Even the ones you love. New Memories is a gripping new thriller that you won’t want to put down.
What did I think?
New Memories is the third book in the Sandlin PI series but you can definitely read it as a standalone as PI Hannah Sandlin and her team are tasked with a brand new investigation.
This is a very intriguing case and the client, Olivia Farnley, wants to find out who killed her mother. Olivia's father was convicted of the crime when a neighbour saw him fleeing the scene, however, nobody seemed to consider that he had an identical twin brother. Olivia's memories of that awful night are accessed through a series of hypnosis sessions but as far as the police are concerned the case is closed, so Olivia turns to Hannah to prove that these new memories are a true recollection of what really happened.
I absolutely loved the exploration of memories and how traumatic events can be locked away inside your brain until you are ready to look for the key to open them up. I've always been fascinated by hypnosis, although I would never consider having it done to me, and think it's amazing that the brain can be put into such a state that it is receptive to suggestions, outside the brain owner's control.
The fabulous plot in New Memories is so compelling that it races along at a fast and furious pace. I couldn't read fast enough to uncover all of the secrets buried deep within the book and the big reveal at the end has a wonderful Agatha Christie feel about it. I certainly didn't see any of it coming!
Intriguing, gripping and impossible to put down, New Memories is a thrilling mystery that had me on the edge of my seat throughout. Very highly recommended.
I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
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