Mistral

Title: Mistral

Author: Robert Cole

Genre: Psychological thriller mystery

Publisher: Blossom Spring Publishers

Published Date: 2025

Book Length: 329

Format Read: E book supplied by Zooloos book tours in return for an honest review

Star Rating: 4**** I liked it a lot and recommend

About Book: Adam’s wife, Maryanne, vanished without trace whilst on holiday in southern France, more than two years ago. Unexpectedly, he receives an enigmatic message. It prompts him to return to the scene of her disappearance. His efforts to piece together what happened force him to re-examine their relationship, coupled with his feelings of guilt. Retracing events that led to that fateful day, he soon learns that his return has not gone unnoticed, and his efforts to find Maryanne are far from welcome. Adam is joined in his search by Abigail, Maryanne’s daughter from a previous marriage. It is February. The mistral is battering the streets and dark corners of the ancient towns across this area of France. As more of Maryanne’s past is revealed, the search, enmeshed in a world of intrigue and deceit, with its past rooted in antiquity, becomes increasingly dangerous. They discover that some will do anything to stop them from uncovering the final, terrifying truth.

My Thoughts: I recently read Mistral by Robert Cole, and if you enjoy a slow-burning psychological mystery with emotional depth, this one might just be for you.

The pacing was steady throughout — not too fast, not too slow — but it definitely picked up towards the end, building tension just when I needed it. I found myself fully drawn into Adam’s world. He was such a grounded character, with this quiet resilience that really stayed with me. He couldn’t quite let go or move on, but instead, he brought calm to the chaos around him. He offered stability, carried himself with quiet dignity, and clung to hope, even when he had every reason not to. I really admired him for that — he felt like the emotional backbone of the story.

Abigail stood out too — independent, strong-willed, and sharp. You could sense the respect she had for Adam, and it was lovely to see how the sense of normality he brought to her mother’s life also made a difference to her own. Their dynamic added something special.

That said, I did find some of the sections around Maryanne — particularly her reluctance to open up about her past — a little repetitive at times. But I forgave that because the book had such rich historical detail woven through it, which I absolutely loved. It added depth and context, making the story feel rooted in something bigger than just the characters.

At its core, Mistral is about love, loss, and the search for answers — but it's also a story about the weight of things left unsaid and the ripple effects they can have. It was thoughtful, layered, and quietly powerful.

If you like character-driven mysteries with emotional threads and a touch of history, this one’s definitely worth a read.