The Greek House by Dinah Jefferies

Dinah Jefferies is a master storyteller. She has taken me all around the world, and her latest creation takes you to Corfu in Greece. He characters are always beautifully crafted, and you can almost small the sea when she describes the scenery.

Thirza’s life is wonderful. She spends much of her time in Greece either at her family home in Corfu, or up the coast in her mother’s summer house ‘Merchant’s House’ which is on the coast. She lives with her parents Dulcie and Piers, her beloved younger brother Billy, and her mother’s cousin Columbine and Columbine’s daughter. When the Italian’s invade the island, and Billy is left in the care of Columbine, and Thirza, Billy disappears, and Dulcie and Thirza are heartbroken and return to the UK. Piers, who works in Corfu, spends time on the Island in their Corfu house. Meanwhile the Merchant House is empty and becomes extremely rundown. Now an adult, Thirza and her cousin return to Merchant House to renovate it, and bring it back to its former glory for Dulcie. Whilst Thirza feels closer to Billy through her memories, at times she finds it very difficult. Without giving any spoilers Thirza finally finds out what happened to Billy, there are secrets and lies from both Dulcie and Piers, and even from Columbine.

All the secrets, lies, and intrigue make for a very exciting book, full of twists and turns and many surprises. There is never a dull moment. There is plenty of romance without it being uncomfortably explicit, and much historical detail. Where Ms Jefferies really excels is with her clever characterisations, and her gorgeous descriptions of the scenery. This wasn’t my favourite of her books, but I really enjoyed it.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7469087277