The Summer of Secrets Patricia Wilson blog tour

The Summer of Secrets by Patricia Wilson

Paperback published by Bonnier Books 26th May 2022

Historical Fiction/ Literary Fiction

ISBN 9781838779016

Pages 464

In this emotional novel based on Greece’s real history we follow three generations of one family, broken apart by secrets and war.

On the Greek island of Castellorizo young Sofia must put her big dreams on hold to support her older sister Maria with her large family. But World War 2 is looming and while the idyllic island may seem far from harm at first, there are unspeakable dangers on the horizon perils that will change the sisters lives forever…

Devastated by divorce and the sudden death of her dear mum, Olivia seeks solace on Gastellorizo. Her Granny Sofia fled the beautiful Greek island during the war, but Olivia knows little else about her family history. Her only remaining link to the island is her elderly great uncle George. As his memory begins to fail, Olivia feels her one chance at uncovering the truth about her family start to slip away.

As one woman’s sacrifice echoes throughout the generations, will Olivia discover some things are best left in the past?

MY REVIEW

The paperback The Summer of Secrets is the best post-war story I have ever read!

This is the perfect book to sit and relax with in the garden in the sunshine! Or pack in your handbag to read on the plane to your holiday destination.

Patricia Wilson has written a splendid story with a great cast of fictional characters with true history, about post-war, blended into the story that has now educated me.

On the island of Castellorizo of Greece, young women of seventeen were married with at least one child.

Everyone called Maria’s mother Mama although her real name was Mamarita.

I had tears in my eyes, with the sorrowfulness that is set sweeping into this post-war storyline.

As Mama was bearing down ready to give birth with the midwife by her side, terror and fear was unfolding for everyone in Castellorizo on Saturday 26th June, with a shocking earthquake that caused panic. Building, dogs and older people were taken away by the turbulence in the earth, which were sadly never seen again.

Olivia is now divorced, and in Brighton her mummy died in hospital after a short illness. Her Daddy has died too. She is remembering her Granny Sofia who passed away in 2016. The last time she saw her great uncle George was seven years ago.

As the story weaves through, Olivia has questions about her family history and the only one who can help her is her great uncle George.

Patricia Wilson has done an incredible job of doing her research, and educates us into what fear feels like.

The earthquake scene was one scene that really shocked me, bringing it home to me that Britain is a lucky place to live without the big earthquakes.

The Summer of Secret is packed full with a cast of beautiful characters that you really care about. I loved reading the incredible history notes at the back of the book, it just goes to show how the author cares about its readers in giving us facts about history in Castellorizo in Greece, about the post-war years.

About the Author

Patricia Wilson was born in Liverpool, has lived on Crete and is now settled on Rhodes. She was first inspired to write when she unearthed a rusted machine gun in her garden – one used in the events that unfolded during World War Il on the island of Crete. The now elderly women involved in those events told Patricia their story, and her celebrated debut Island of Secrets
(150k copies sold) was the result.