One Puzzling Afternoon (A heartbreaking, captivating mystery for fans of The List of Suspicious Things) - Emily Critchley

A captivating mystery perfect for fans of The List of Suspicious Things and Elizabeth is Missing.On a suburban street filled with secrets, 82 year old Edie Green must look back into the past to discover what happened to her friend Lucy, who went missing years before . . .*Selected as an Indie Book of the Month*It is 1951, and at number six Sycamore Street fifteen-year-old Edie Green is lonely. Living alone with her eccentric mother - who conducts seances for the local Ludthorpe community - she is desperate for something to shake her from her dull, isolated life.When the popular, pretty Lucy Theddle befriends Edie, she thinks all her troubles are over. But Lucy has a secret, one Edie is not certain she should keep . . .Then Lucy goes missing.2018. Edie is eighty-two and still living in Ludthorpe. When one day she glimpses Lucy Theddle, still looking the same as she did at fifteen, her family write it off as one of her many mix ups. Theres a lot Edie gets confused about these days. A lot she finds difficult to remember. But what she does know is this: she must find out what happened to Lucy, all those years ago . . .A captivating and poignant book, I was completely hooked. You cant help but fall for Edie Marianne Cronin, author of 100 Years of Lenni and MargotThis is such a delicate web of a book, a mystery deftly woven with tension and compassion. Edie is a heartbreaking figure, struggling to catch her last memories before theyre blown away forever - her quest/plight is absorbing and extremely poignant Beth Morrey, author of Saving MissyCompletely captivating. A real page-turner Louise HareMarvellous . . . a special gem of a book, a perfectly executed double timeline mystery with a twist you dont see coming Inga Vesper, author of The Long, Long AfternoonBeautifully written . . . the perfect book for lovers of Elizabeth Is Missing, but has its own distinct voice and charm Jo Leevers, author of Tell Me How This EndsAn uplifting, bittersweet story with a page-turning mystery at its heart . . . I was drawn in to Edies world from the very first page. Beautifully atmospheric and endearing Freya SampsonAn intriguing, unsettling mystery told over a dual timeframe by one of the most endearing lead characters youll come across this year. Utterly compelling, darkly unnerving and a joyful masterclass in storytelling, Emily Critchleys debut adult novel hits the mark on so many levels LoveReading Debut of the MonthThis truly unique story blends past and present in a way that feels real. Great atmosphere and even better characters Lucy Gilmore, author of The Lonely Hearts Book ClubReaders LOVE One Puzzling Afternoon:I loved it. I loved it. I loved itWow . . . one of my books of the yearA beautiful and touching novel that will completely grab youEdie Green is one special character I think Ill remember her for a long time yetWhat a beautiful, emotional, intriguing, touching novelI loved this and finished it in one sitting. It truly is glorious