DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

Villa of Secrets

Escape to Greece with this romantic holiday read

Patricia Wilson author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Zaffre

Published:3rd May '18

Should be back in stock very soon

Villa of Secrets cover

A thrilling, dramatic and completely engaging tale of love, hope, intrigue and revenge on the island of Rhodes during the Nazi occupation. From the 130k copy-selling author of debut Island of Secrets

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 .

If you love The Island and Cartes Postales from Greece by Victoria Hislop, you will love this perfect summer read from the author of Island of Secrets.

Rebecca Neumanner's marriage is on the brink of collapse, as her desire to be a mother becomes an obsession. Then she receives news from her estranged family in Rhodes.

Called back to the beautiful Greek island of her birth, she realises how little she knows of the grandmother she has eluded for over a decade. Bubba has never spoken of the Nazi occupation during her youth, but there have always been whispers. What desperate measures did she take that terrible day in 1944 when her family was ripped apart? Can the rumour she had blood on her own hands really be true? But Bubba intends to take her secrets to the grave.

However, as Rebecca arrives on Rhodes, bringing the promise of new life, this broken family must come together. The time has come to tell the truth about the darkest of days . . .

What readers said 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? Island of Secrets is available now. Search 9781785762789.

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 *
Patricia Wilson deserves great praise for weaving such a fascinating, gripping story that left me gasping in horror at times with tears in my eyes but also a deep respect for the characters and their story. I'm sorry I read it so quickly because I know now I will never experience that feeling of reading such a wonderful book as this was for the first time again. Island of Secrets is a moving, emotional, engrossing story that was written with such intensity and honesty and I loved every minute of it. It's already one of my books of 2017 and I am so glad to have discovered the writing of Patricia Wilson and hope there is many more books to come in the future if they are anything of this calibre I really can't wait. * Shaz's Book Blog *
I couldn't believe that this was a debut novel, the writing is very descriptive and it almost feels like you are there in the thick of it, I loved it. Maria's story is heart-breaking and I was in tears it was sad but then it is uplifting too. * Echoes in an Empty Room *
I was engrossed and hanging on each and every word. This book will leave a lasting impression on me and will be one that I will find myself recommending to everyone I meet. * Rea's Book Reviews *
The author uses such powerful descriptions and language that I felt as though I was actually living the story and I was a silent observer. The descriptions of Crete made the place sound so beautiful that I really do want to visit there. If you haven't already guessed, I absolutely LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book and I really would strongly recommend that you read this book. I can't wait to read more from this hugely talented author. * Ginger Book Geek *
The plot is unpredictable from start to finish so I was engrossed and hanging on each and every word. This book will leave a lasting impression on me and will be one that I will find myself recommending to everyone I meet. SO YES fans of Victoria Hislop you will love this book! This will easily be in my top 5 reads at the end of the year. * Rea Book Reviews *
'Our July choice Island of Secrets by Patricia Wilson was a good summer read, with it's sunny Cretan location, and book club members loved the WWII historical detail and the evocative description of the Greek island.' * Henpicked, Book of the Month *
A great novel which has been thoroughly researched and very well written. Patricia Wilson has written about this sensitive time in history with great empathy and has developed a strong and courageous heroine in Pandora Cohen. This novel is about family loyalty, love, religion and fighting for what you a believe in. It's a novel full of emotions which will make your heartache in places but its also a novel which shows there's nothing stronger than love * That Thing She Reads *
The author writes in such an evocative and emotional style that the reader cannot help but get totally lost in the book. The descriptions paint such a picture that you can almost feel like you are there in Rhodes, smelling the food and taking in the atmosphere * Kim The Bookworm *
beautiful and evocative * It Takes A Woman *
Full of raw emotion * Sunday Post *
So many questions, so many twists and turns and things you would never have thought possible. All these combine to make for another excellent read from Patricia Wilson, she has proven what writing talent she has... The perfect blend of fiction with historical fact * Shaz's Book Blog *
Another heart-warming book exploring love, loss and the importance of family, enhanced by the trail of intrigue left by the actions of the past- it's a book that is hard to put down * SCAN *

ISBN: 9781785764394

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 28mm

Weight: 330g

480 pages