Place of Exile

Tom Stafford's journey to a Greek island reveals family secrets and a connection to a wartime novel in Place of Exile, blending mystery and history.

In Place of Exile, Tom Stafford unexpectedly inherits a villa on the picturesque Greek island of Mytos. With no knowledge of who his benefactor might be, he learns that the stipulations of the will require him to travel to the island in person to claim his inheritance. Upon arrival, Tom encounters the enchanting Ophelia, and together they embark on a quest to uncover the mystery surrounding his benefactor's identity and the reasons behind his prolonged absence from England after World War II.

As Tom and Ophelia delve deeper into their investigation, they discover the answers woven within the pages of Place of Exile, a novel penned shortly after the war by the very man whose legacy Tom seeks to understand. The story reveals the author's harrowing experiences as he was drawn into the covert operations of the Special Operations Executive (SOE). His fluency in Greek positioned him perfectly for Operation Aristo, a mission that ultimately ended in disaster, leading to his disgrace and labeling as a traitor.

The narrative of Place of Exile transports readers from the tumult of wartime London to the streets of Athens on the brink of German occupation. Through the intertwined lives of a SOE agent, an American broadcaster, and a New Zealand army sergeant, the book explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the complexities of war, painting a vivid picture of a tumultuous era.