Island of Secrets
The perfect holiday read of love, loss and family
Published on 18. May 2017
Book
Paperback/Softback
496 pages
978-1-78576-278-9 (ISBN)
Description
If you love Karen Swan and Elizabeth Edmondson, you will love this perfect holiday read.
'The story started at dawn on the fourteenth of September, 1943 . . .'
All her life, London-born Angelika has been intrigued by her mother's secret past. Now planning her wedding, she feels she must visit the remote Crete village her mother grew up in.
Angie's estranged elderly grandmother, Maria, is dying. She welcomes Angie with open arms - it's time to unburden herself, and tell the story she'll otherwise take to her grave.
It's the story of the Nazi occupation of Crete during the Second World War, of horror, of courage and of the lengths to which a mother will go to protect her children. And it's the story of bitter secrets that broke a family apart, and of three enchanting women who come together to heal wounds that have damaged two generations.
What readers are saying about Island of Secrets:
'Island of Secrets is a book full of raw emotions, family vendettas, hidden secrets and three very strong women. It's a book I enjoyed very much and one which fans of Victoria Hislop and Debbie Rix are sure to enjoy' (NetGalley Reviewer)
'So well written and utterly heartbreaking . . . a story that needs to be told' (NetGalley Reviewer)
'Page-turning, enthralling and heartbreaking by turns'
'Made me laugh and cry, just couldn't put this book down'
Ready for your next incredible read from Patricia Wilson? Villa of Secrets is available now. Search 9781785764387.
'The story started at dawn on the fourteenth of September, 1943 . . .'
All her life, London-born Angelika has been intrigued by her mother's secret past. Now planning her wedding, she feels she must visit the remote Crete village her mother grew up in.
Angie's estranged elderly grandmother, Maria, is dying. She welcomes Angie with open arms - it's time to unburden herself, and tell the story she'll otherwise take to her grave.
It's the story of the Nazi occupation of Crete during the Second World War, of horror, of courage and of the lengths to which a mother will go to protect her children. And it's the story of bitter secrets that broke a family apart, and of three enchanting women who come together to heal wounds that have damaged two generations.
What readers are saying about Island of Secrets:
'Island of Secrets is a book full of raw emotions, family vendettas, hidden secrets and three very strong women. It's a book I enjoyed very much and one which fans of Victoria Hislop and Debbie Rix are sure to enjoy' (NetGalley Reviewer)
'So well written and utterly heartbreaking . . . a story that needs to be told' (NetGalley Reviewer)
'Page-turning, enthralling and heartbreaking by turns'
'Made me laugh and cry, just couldn't put this book down'
Ready for your next incredible read from Patricia Wilson? Villa of Secrets is available now. Search 9781785764387.
Reviews / Votes
Day by day the story unfolds, and as it intertwines with Angelika's wedding preparations, the secrets are revealed, feuds revisited and three generations of women reunited. * People's Friend * We race to the end with our hearts thumping. Full of local colour and tradition this is a little slow to start but certainly builds to unexpected conclusions. Terrific stuff. * Love Reading * This is a beautiful, heartbreaking story of sacrifice and love in the face of evil * For The Love of Books * Island of Secrets is a book full of raw emotions, family vendettas, hidden secrets and three very strong women. It's a book I enjoyed very much and one which fans of Victoria Hislop and Debbie Rix are sure to enjoy. * That Thing She Reads * The real highlight for me was the events of WWII and the Greek culture in a small village . . . an eye opening story about the events that occurred during the war. It is yet one more piece of the puzzle for me as the reader to have the opportunity to learn about how it impacted others. I still feel haunted regarding this fact long after reading the last sentence. * Twin Spin *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 195 mm
Width: 128 mm
Thickness: 35 mm
Weight
398 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78576-278-9 (9781785762789)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
03/2017
Zaffre
€7.49
Available for download
Person
Patricia lived in the village of Amiras in Crete where the book is set. She was inspired to write when she unearthed a machine gun in her garden - one used in the events that unfolded in September 1943, and much of the novel is based on real stories told to her by the oldest women of Amiras. Women who've never spoken of their experiences before. Patricia still spends much of her time in Greece. This is her debut novel.