The Cypress Maze

In The Cypress Maze, Beatrice's wartime secret intertwines with Tess's journey of healing at the Villa delle Colombe, revealing a complex past and a fight for hope.

In this haunting tale from the bestselling author of The Storyteller of Casablanca, Beatrice kept a wartime secret to protect the innocent. Now, could telling it set her free? Set in Tuscany during 1943, The Cypress Maze follows Beatrice, whose dream of teaching English is shattered as she finds herself stranded in war-torn Italy. Given shelter at the Villa delle Colombe, she seeks solace in the beautiful walled garden, which features an elaborate cypress maze at its heart. This sanctuary offers her a brief escape from the chaos outside, but it also harbors secrets of its own.

As Beatrice settles into her new life, she discovers that she is not alone in her quest for refuge. Francesca has brought children and other adults to the estate, all hoping to find safety within its walls. However, as the war closes in, they are forced to confront harrowing realities and make unimaginable choices. The garden becomes a symbol of both hope and despair as the characters grapple with their pasts and the weight of their decisions.

Fast forward to 2015, and Tess arrives at the villa, still reeling from the tragic loss of her husband. Beatrice, now the custodian of the estate, guides Tess through the gardens, helping her to heal. But the peace is disrupted by Marco, the estate's absent owner, who plans to develop the land. Beatrice realizes that in order to save the villa and its legacy, she must finally confront her painful history. As Tess becomes entwined in the unfolding story, she learns that the Villa delle Colombe is more than just a refuge; it is a beacon of hope in the darkest of times. Together, they must find a way to preserve the villa's future and their own happiness.