Island of Secrets: The perfect holiday read of love, loss and family

Description

'As I remember, the story started at about six o'clock in the morning on the fourteenth of September, 1943...' All her life 37-year-old London-born Angie has been intrigued by her mother's secret past. Now, planning her own wedding she feels she must visit the remote Cretan village her mother grew up in, despite her objections. Unbeknownst to Angie her elderly grandmother, Maria, is dying. She wants to unburden herself of the terrible story that she will otherwise take to the grave. It's the story of the time of the German 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 of how you learn to go on in the aftermath of tragedy. And it's the story of bitter secrets that broke the family apart, and of three enchanting women who come together to heal wounds that have damaged two generations. If you loved Victoria Hislop's The Island and the novels of Santa Montefiore and Rosanna Ley, you will fall completely in love with this novel.

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 September 1943 massacre, 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 is working on her second novel, set in Rhodes during World War Two, and spends much of her time in Greece.

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 * The author did an amazing job with her research and her attention to detail is second to none... I cannot praise this book enough and just hope that the author writes another book soon * Boon's Bookcase * It is a very dramatic novel, one you cannot put down and a hugely enjoyable read * South Wales Argus *