Mickie makes memory banks, devices that store memories and then display them as holograms.The user simply asks for the memory, and it plays in three-dimensional glory. An enormous amount of work is needed to produce these banks; recordings of objects, photos, locations. Mickie is a digital archaeologist.

Nadia is Mickie’s latest client. Nadia owns Beautiful Things, a shop filled with curios, mementos, and keepsakes of varying value.

Nadia has Alzheimer’s and has made a list of 12 objects that she wants to be stored in her memory bank, always able to retrieve the memories as the disease inexorably erodes her own memory. Mickie meets her to start recordings that will eventually become Naida’s memory bank. These objects are seemingly random but their importance is to be revealed.

Shockingly, before Mickie can even make a start, Nadia takes her own life. Mickie is more than baffled. Nadia was so excited about her memory bank. Was there foul play? A property tycoon wants to level Nadia’s shop and redevelop on the land and, Dexter, Nadia’s son, has money problems. Both men have motive.

As Mickie continues to work on Nadia’s memory bank, she starts to receive threatening messages that escalate as time goes on, warning Mickie to cease the project.

Hall does a good job of maintaining a feeling of suspense throughout the novel. She also throws in twists and turns keeping the reader guessing right to the end, an end that I guarantee you will not see coming.

A skilfully crafted narrative and an enjoyable read.

Reviewed Neale Lucas