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The Villa in Italy
Marvellously atmospheric tale of four strangers summoned to a grand but neglected villa on the Italian coast. Each of them has been named in a will, but not one of them knows their benefactress! Four very different people are named in a will. Delia, an opera singer robbed of her voice by illness; George, an idealistic scientist who cannot face what his skills have created; Marjorie, desperately poor and unable to dislodge her writer's block; and Lucius, ostensibly in control but whose personal life is in chaos. All are summoned to the Villa Dante, home of the late Beatrice Malaspina. But who was she? While they wait to find out, the villa begins to work its seductive magic. With its faded frescoes, overgrown garden and magnificent mediaeval tower, it is unlike anywhere they have been before. Slowly, four characters who have gone to great lengths to hide their troubles find that change -- and even hope -- is possible after all. But the mysterious Beatrice has a devastating secret to reveal that will affect them all! A beautiful evocation of Italy in the aftermath of World War Two, the personal consequences of living through such a time, and a celebration of humankind's ability to heal and learn to love again, this most absorbing novel will win Elizabeth Edmondson a host of new fans.
426 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2006
708 people are currently reading
2680 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Edmondson
40 books351 followersBorn in Chile, and educated in Calcutta and London before going to Oxford University, Elizabeth Edmondson divided her time between the countryside north of Rome and the spires of Oxford. She was married to an art historian and had two children.
In Edmondson's words: "I write historical mysteries about love, marriage families and friendship, where the loyalties, feuds, secrets and betrayals of the past cast long shadows. I’m fascinated by characters who are quirky, mysterious, funny, unexpected and interesting and I want readers to share, as I do, in their joys and sorrows.
"My books are set in the Thirties, Forties and Fifties, at home and abroad. With dramatic and glamorous settings from icy lakes to Italian villas, from wintry Budapest to fashionable France, the landscapes are as powerful as the stories are complex. The tense realities of life mingle with supernatural elements : ghosts, prophetic dreams and voices from the past, but fun and humour also dance in and out of the light and darkness of the stories.
"My aim is to enthrall, delight and amuse readers as they are transported to a different era."
In Edmondson's words: "I write historical mysteries about love, marriage families and friendship, where the loyalties, feuds, secrets and betrayals of the past cast long shadows. I’m fascinated by characters who are quirky, mysterious, funny, unexpected and interesting and I want readers to share, as I do, in their joys and sorrows.
"My books are set in the Thirties, Forties and Fifties, at home and abroad. With dramatic and glamorous settings from icy lakes to Italian villas, from wintry Budapest to fashionable France, the landscapes are as powerful as the stories are complex. The tense realities of life mingle with supernatural elements : ghosts, prophetic dreams and voices from the past, but fun and humour also dance in and out of the light and darkness of the stories.
"My aim is to enthrall, delight and amuse readers as they are transported to a different era."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 468 reviews
September 25, 2019
A compelling tale, we have a young opera singer Delia, who is summoned to a villa in Italy for the reading of the will of the villa's late owner. Completely flummoxed, as she has no idea who the woman was, Delia duly heads off to Italy, with her best friend Jessica in tow. At the villa they encounter three others, an American banker, a Danish physicist, and an English author, all of whom have no idea why they've been summoned.
There's a catch, however, they have 33 days to find a codicil to the will, hidden somewhere around the villa, if they are to inherit. So these perfect strangers have to work together to solve the puzzle, all in the dark as to why the old lady has chosen them. As the days go by not only do the clues come to light, they also start to understand each other, and have greater insights as to their own motivations, and to the reasons that they are there. But of course, the past has a way of catching up with people, unwitting or not.
I found The Villa In Italy to be a remarkable read, not only for the underlying mystery of the old lady and her will, but also we get to know some unique characters. The cast of this novel are very real, you could be sitting on the beach or having a cocktail with them. As we learn more about them we a drawn further into the story, not wanting it to end, yet at the same time you find yourself racing through the pages until you find the real story behind their summons. This is a wonderful, realistic book, and I have no hesitation to recommend it to all lovers of mysteries.
There's a catch, however, they have 33 days to find a codicil to the will, hidden somewhere around the villa, if they are to inherit. So these perfect strangers have to work together to solve the puzzle, all in the dark as to why the old lady has chosen them. As the days go by not only do the clues come to light, they also start to understand each other, and have greater insights as to their own motivations, and to the reasons that they are there. But of course, the past has a way of catching up with people, unwitting or not.
I found The Villa In Italy to be a remarkable read, not only for the underlying mystery of the old lady and her will, but also we get to know some unique characters. The cast of this novel are very real, you could be sitting on the beach or having a cocktail with them. As we learn more about them we a drawn further into the story, not wanting it to end, yet at the same time you find yourself racing through the pages until you find the real story behind their summons. This is a wonderful, realistic book, and I have no hesitation to recommend it to all lovers of mysteries.
August 28, 2017
I have to admit, I came into possession of this book mostly because I saw a copy for $.99 and because the cover was pretty. To say my expectations were neutral would not be a lie. So it was a lovely surprise to find in this book far more than a surface level romance or chick-lit novel, but rather an elegantly woven story of a cast of well developed characters and a beguiling setting I wanted to jump into. While the plot was, at times, predictable, there were a number of unexpected revelations towards the end that added depth to the story, even if they possibly seemed a little too perfectly coincidental. Overall, a happy surprise! I look forward to exploring what else this author has written.
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
June 8, 2014
To be perfectly candid, I originally downloaded this book because it was raining and the cover led me to believe it would be a light-hearted rom com set in sunny Italy.
However, what I ended up with was better than that. This story started off confusingly, but soon the main characters were in place and a mystery began to be uncovered, relationships developed and histories revealed. I found the whole thing enormously intriguing and couldn't put it down. I even got to luxuriate in the promised Italian villa!
The characters were built up skilfully and the story helped each character to untangle their various issues and come to terms with themselves and what they wanted out of life in order to become happy. It was really interesting to gradually learn more about each person as their companions did. The imagery was beautiful and while not what I originally expected, I am more than glad that I found and read this book.
However, what I ended up with was better than that. This story started off confusingly, but soon the main characters were in place and a mystery began to be uncovered, relationships developed and histories revealed. I found the whole thing enormously intriguing and couldn't put it down. I even got to luxuriate in the promised Italian villa!
The characters were built up skilfully and the story helped each character to untangle their various issues and come to terms with themselves and what they wanted out of life in order to become happy. It was really interesting to gradually learn more about each person as their companions did. The imagery was beautiful and while not what I originally expected, I am more than glad that I found and read this book.
December 23, 2016
Elizabeth Edmondson’s A Villa in Italy owes a large debt to her namesake, Elizabeth von Arnim and her magical The Enchanted April. As in van Arnim’s book, four dissimilar people (ladies in van Arnim’s version) descend on a villa in Italy, each vaguely dissatisfied with their lives, and their time on the continent changes them and their entire lives.
Edmondson takes that premise and adds a mystery. In her novel, set after World War II, the foursome — an opera singer, a floundering mystery novelist, a New York banker with a guilty conscience, and a physicist distraught that his work at Los Alamos led to nuclear destruction — travel to the Villa Dante in Liguria to claim legacies. The foursome are strangers not only to each other, but none knew their benefactor, Beatrice Malaspina, either. Who was the mysterious Beatrice Malaspina? And why did she mention these strangers in her will? And are there other secrets yet to unfold?
I adored Edmondson’s fabulous series featuring intelligence officer Hugo Hawksworth (A Man of Some Repute and A Question of Inheritance, the novella A Youthful Indiscretion thrown in for good measure), and I can’t wait for the third novel, which can’t come too soon for me. (Best of all, these are available for free for those with a Kindle Unlimited subscription.) That said, I loved, loved, loved this stand-alone novel, which will leave you feeling as contented as if you, too, had spent a few sun-dapples summer weeks at the Villa Dante.
Edmondson takes that premise and adds a mystery. In her novel, set after World War II, the foursome — an opera singer, a floundering mystery novelist, a New York banker with a guilty conscience, and a physicist distraught that his work at Los Alamos led to nuclear destruction — travel to the Villa Dante in Liguria to claim legacies. The foursome are strangers not only to each other, but none knew their benefactor, Beatrice Malaspina, either. Who was the mysterious Beatrice Malaspina? And why did she mention these strangers in her will? And are there other secrets yet to unfold?
I adored Edmondson’s fabulous series featuring intelligence officer Hugo Hawksworth (A Man of Some Repute and A Question of Inheritance, the novella A Youthful Indiscretion thrown in for good measure), and I can’t wait for the third novel, which can’t come too soon for me. (Best of all, these are available for free for those with a Kindle Unlimited subscription.) That said, I loved, loved, loved this stand-alone novel, which will leave you feeling as contented as if you, too, had spent a few sun-dapples summer weeks at the Villa Dante.
February 17, 2020
Jessica Meldon…a typical product of the English upper classes, no doubt a crashing snob; a pity she was here; the Villa Dante didn’t seem the right kind of place for a flighty socialite who’d quarrelled with her husband.
Set in post-war 1959, four strangers – a struggling British crime writer Marjorie; opera singer Delia, daughter of an industrialist and recovering from illness (accompanied by long-time friend Jessica, escaping a bad marriage); Danish-born Cambridge scientist George (a contemporary of Niels Bohr), and American banker Lucius – are summoned by lawyers to the faded splendour of the Villa Dante in Italy, owned by the eccentric Beatrice Malaspina, as beneficiaries of her will. Unknown to each other, none had heard of the rich English lady who lived to a great age, and who had compiled a photo dossier on each of them.
The star of the show is the villa by the sea, parts dating back to the renaissance, with its private cove, the tromp oeil murals, statuary, neglected vines and olive groves, fountains and ponds in disrepair. And the tower looking out on the town below, the walls depicting the works of Dante – Inferno, Purgatory and Paradise. After a few false starts friendships are formed and souls bared as each discovers a link to the mysterious benefactor.
This was outside my usual reading fare (not a bad thing) – as I find the manners and mores among the restrained British a bit hard to take, and tangled/tortuous relationships and family secrets a yawn. Yet I was drawn in. The four (plus ring-in) are to find the codicil to the will, hidden in the villa, within 33 days or forfeit inheritance. What I liked was they set aside differences based on personality, and pulled together: the piano tuned, fountains repaired, olive groves pruned - all the while watched over and fed delicious meals by Benedetta, and, perhaps a guiding hand from beyond the grave. Weeks pass, and then, as shadows move in and the uninvited appear at the villa, they close ranks.
Author Elizabeth Edmondson (died 2016) draws the four characters well – the fifth – elephant in the room walking disaster Jessica – a perfect foil. She also captures a small town in post-war Italy – the nearest telephone – battling to survive with only the young and old – the others leaving to find work in Milan or overseas. Throw in nightmares of war, the Manhattan project and McCarthyism and you have an enthralling love story. Well recommended.
Set in post-war 1959, four strangers – a struggling British crime writer Marjorie; opera singer Delia, daughter of an industrialist and recovering from illness (accompanied by long-time friend Jessica, escaping a bad marriage); Danish-born Cambridge scientist George (a contemporary of Niels Bohr), and American banker Lucius – are summoned by lawyers to the faded splendour of the Villa Dante in Italy, owned by the eccentric Beatrice Malaspina, as beneficiaries of her will. Unknown to each other, none had heard of the rich English lady who lived to a great age, and who had compiled a photo dossier on each of them.
The star of the show is the villa by the sea, parts dating back to the renaissance, with its private cove, the tromp oeil murals, statuary, neglected vines and olive groves, fountains and ponds in disrepair. And the tower looking out on the town below, the walls depicting the works of Dante – Inferno, Purgatory and Paradise. After a few false starts friendships are formed and souls bared as each discovers a link to the mysterious benefactor.
This was outside my usual reading fare (not a bad thing) – as I find the manners and mores among the restrained British a bit hard to take, and tangled/tortuous relationships and family secrets a yawn. Yet I was drawn in. The four (plus ring-in) are to find the codicil to the will, hidden in the villa, within 33 days or forfeit inheritance. What I liked was they set aside differences based on personality, and pulled together: the piano tuned, fountains repaired, olive groves pruned - all the while watched over and fed delicious meals by Benedetta, and, perhaps a guiding hand from beyond the grave. Weeks pass, and then, as shadows move in and the uninvited appear at the villa, they close ranks.
Author Elizabeth Edmondson (died 2016) draws the four characters well – the fifth – elephant in the room walking disaster Jessica – a perfect foil. She also captures a small town in post-war Italy – the nearest telephone – battling to survive with only the young and old – the others leaving to find work in Milan or overseas. Throw in nightmares of war, the Manhattan project and McCarthyism and you have an enthralling love story. Well recommended.
June 14, 2014
I did enjoy this book, and it re-awakened my desire to visit Italy. The descriptions of the landscape, culture and people are very good and evoke the slow, lazy summer days one dreams of in Italy.
I found the writing quite old fashioned but it was set in the 50s and I think the author was trying to make that more authentic.
I didn't like the way the main character was always called by her full name 'Beatrice Malaspina', naturally one would call her Beatrice after using the name so many times, and it became a blip in the reading - one was thrown out of the flow so many times because of it.
There were some times when the book became very slow and I would be checking to see how much longer the book had to go. Then there seemed to be a flurry of activity at the end where everything was suddenly wrapped up and pulled together. I don't think the book needed to be so drawn out in the middle. I certainly couldn't see any relevance giving the fountains so much word-time. It appeared pointless mis-direction, or a clumsy effort to make one think the codicil was hidden there.
Not a bad book, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped I would. Astonished at the amount of 4 and 5 star reviews!
I found the writing quite old fashioned but it was set in the 50s and I think the author was trying to make that more authentic.
I didn't like the way the main character was always called by her full name 'Beatrice Malaspina', naturally one would call her Beatrice after using the name so many times, and it became a blip in the reading - one was thrown out of the flow so many times because of it.
There were some times when the book became very slow and I would be checking to see how much longer the book had to go. Then there seemed to be a flurry of activity at the end where everything was suddenly wrapped up and pulled together. I don't think the book needed to be so drawn out in the middle. I certainly couldn't see any relevance giving the fountains so much word-time. It appeared pointless mis-direction, or a clumsy effort to make one think the codicil was hidden there.
Not a bad book, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped I would. Astonished at the amount of 4 and 5 star reviews!
August 25, 2016
http://mrs-margot.blogspot.pt/
"The Villa in Italy" is a completely irresistible story, the perfect combination of romance, a trip and a mystery to unravel.
Beatrice Malaspina was an extraordinary woman, with an impeccable sense of humor, sometimes a little sadistic, created a Villa full of art, culture, mystery, puzzles and various links and metaphors with the world of Dante writer.
We caught the first page to last, it was hard to put the book down because we are hungry for more information and very curious to know what comes next, what Beatrice prepared for them.
Gradually will unraveled the lives of each of the heirs and the puzzle will be built until the mystery is resolved in the end, an end that makes us smile and with the feeling of accomplishment.
"The Villa in Italy" is a completely irresistible story, the perfect combination of romance, a trip and a mystery to unravel.
Beatrice Malaspina was an extraordinary woman, with an impeccable sense of humor, sometimes a little sadistic, created a Villa full of art, culture, mystery, puzzles and various links and metaphors with the world of Dante writer.
We caught the first page to last, it was hard to put the book down because we are hungry for more information and very curious to know what comes next, what Beatrice prepared for them.
Gradually will unraveled the lives of each of the heirs and the puzzle will be built until the mystery is resolved in the end, an end that makes us smile and with the feeling of accomplishment.
April 28, 2011
Prior to picking up this book in an Oxfam Bookshop in the UK I had not even heard of this author. I was attracted to the title because of the Italy in Books - Reading Challenge 2011 that I had heard about early in December for which it seemed a perfect candidate.
It certainly was and I thoroughly enjoyed this easy to read and very atmospheric novel set in a grand but neglected villa on the northern Italian coastline of Liguria in the nineteen fifties.
The protagonists are four complete strangers all named in the will of the now deceased Beatrice Malaspina, owner of the Villa Dante where they are summoned to accept their unknown inheritance in a mysterious fashion. The interaction between them as they slowly learn why they are at the villa makes for I thought an interesting read, not your normal mystery story, but certainly still very mysterious.
George an atomic scientist at Cambridge University, who hates the monster his skills have created. Delia an opera singer who is having problems with her voice. Marjorie a poor and struggling detective novelist with writer’s block and finally Lucius an American banker whose life appears perfect but is in fact in chaos make for an odd group of benefactors. While they wait to learn why they have all been named in their unknown benefactresses will the villa with its overgrown garden, mediaeval tower and faded frescoes starts to have a calming affect on them all. All four of them have family secrets and sadness's to hide but somehow they start to slowly heal and learn to love again as they unravel the mysteries they find themselves presented with.
If you enjoy novels with family secrets, family history and lots of evocative description you will I think enjoy this, even more so if you love Italy.
More info can be found at LindyLouMacs Book Reviews.
http://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogspo...
It certainly was and I thoroughly enjoyed this easy to read and very atmospheric novel set in a grand but neglected villa on the northern Italian coastline of Liguria in the nineteen fifties.
The protagonists are four complete strangers all named in the will of the now deceased Beatrice Malaspina, owner of the Villa Dante where they are summoned to accept their unknown inheritance in a mysterious fashion. The interaction between them as they slowly learn why they are at the villa makes for I thought an interesting read, not your normal mystery story, but certainly still very mysterious.
George an atomic scientist at Cambridge University, who hates the monster his skills have created. Delia an opera singer who is having problems with her voice. Marjorie a poor and struggling detective novelist with writer’s block and finally Lucius an American banker whose life appears perfect but is in fact in chaos make for an odd group of benefactors. While they wait to learn why they have all been named in their unknown benefactresses will the villa with its overgrown garden, mediaeval tower and faded frescoes starts to have a calming affect on them all. All four of them have family secrets and sadness's to hide but somehow they start to slowly heal and learn to love again as they unravel the mysteries they find themselves presented with.
If you enjoy novels with family secrets, family history and lots of evocative description you will I think enjoy this, even more so if you love Italy.
More info can be found at LindyLouMacs Book Reviews.
http://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogspo...
February 2, 2013
Uma bela surpresa este livro!!! :)
Quatro pessoas que não se conhecem entre si vêem-se nomeadas num testamento de uma mulher, da qual não têm qualquer tipo de conhecimento.
Beatrice Malaspina, a mulher que fez o testamento e dona da Villa Dante exige que os quatro desconhecidos compareçam na sua Villa em Itália. Estes acedem, curiosos com este enigma e descobrem na Villa Dante um lugar mágico e capaz de operar milagres nos seus estados de espírito!
Mas à medida que procuram resolver o mistério acerca do porquê de terem sido chamados àquele lugar, descobrem que Beatriz, essa mulher extraordinária, esconde um segredo que os irá afectar a todos!
Não tinha qualquer tipo de expectativa relativamente a este livro pois nunca me tinha chamado à atenção, mas devo dizer que cedo se tornou numa leitura agradável e com a qual pude passar bons momentos!
Recomendo :)
Quatro pessoas que não se conhecem entre si vêem-se nomeadas num testamento de uma mulher, da qual não têm qualquer tipo de conhecimento.
Beatrice Malaspina, a mulher que fez o testamento e dona da Villa Dante exige que os quatro desconhecidos compareçam na sua Villa em Itália. Estes acedem, curiosos com este enigma e descobrem na Villa Dante um lugar mágico e capaz de operar milagres nos seus estados de espírito!
Mas à medida que procuram resolver o mistério acerca do porquê de terem sido chamados àquele lugar, descobrem que Beatriz, essa mulher extraordinária, esconde um segredo que os irá afectar a todos!
Não tinha qualquer tipo de expectativa relativamente a este livro pois nunca me tinha chamado à atenção, mas devo dizer que cedo se tornou numa leitura agradável e com a qual pude passar bons momentos!
Recomendo :)
December 28, 2014
I read thus book whilst on holiday in the sun, which was ideal.
It's a bit of pleasant escapism. Well written, quite intriguing, and it feels warm.wqa
It's not a literary masterpiece, but so what. It's worth going into for a few hours.
It's a bit of pleasant escapism. Well written, quite intriguing, and it feels warm.wqa
It's not a literary masterpiece, but so what. It's worth going into for a few hours.
August 22, 2017
It was a fascinating read - although clearly focused on a female target group, I really liked the plot and I have to admire the way Edmondson created an atmosphere and a plot that kept me captivated. I know... there were loads of clichés, a bit too much bragging with classic education and Delia's transformation from a lamb in love ready for slaughter by Theo to a self-determined woman was a bit too fast.. but you can always find something to criticize.
In the end what counted for me: it was a great read and I couldn't put down the book until I knew how the protagonists were finally related and the story would end. What more can you ask for?
I'll certainly try another book of the author!
In the end what counted for me: it was a great read and I couldn't put down the book until I knew how the protagonists were finally related and the story would end. What more can you ask for?
I'll certainly try another book of the author!
August 8, 2014
I only got as far as page 165, I very rarely abandon books but I could not be bothered with it any more! Predictable plot, clumsy writing, naff cliches, undeveloped characters, extremely formulaic and has put me off reading "chick-lit" for a long time. Maybe it's my fault for reading similar type of books in succession? Anyway, complete change of genre for next book!
April 24, 2017
What an enjoyable book this is. Unusual, absorbing, puzzling, this will keep you turning the pages seeking answers. Very well written with excellent main characters, there is a mystery to solve. I almost wished I was there to help search for clues!
The reader will also fall in love with the villa and the surrounding countryside. I enjoyed the whole experience of this read and am happy to recommend it.
The reader will also fall in love with the villa and the surrounding countryside. I enjoyed the whole experience of this read and am happy to recommend it.
June 19, 2012
ste livro é qualquer coisa de fascinante! A história e o enredo à volta dela prende completamente o leitor! Aquele mistério todo com o cheiro a policial, mas sem o crime! E no fundo, o que o livro nos quer transmitir é que podemos sempre recomeçar de novo!
October 1, 2017
As paisagens exuberantes da Itália, o romance e o mistério fizeram deste livro uma mistura deliciosa, garantindo-lhe assim a entrada no meu grupo dos favoritos.
ADOREI!!
ADOREI!!
November 11, 2009
Not an impressive read but still readable. There was something that made me read to the end but the mystery was a bit of a damp squib in the end - the thing they were looking for was found in a very obvious place. The bequests were very straightforward and obvious. Very disappointing.
Also, the characters were a little undeveloped. For some characters there wasn't enough background, for some they weren't as well rounded out as I'd have liked. I also didn't like the introduction of so many new characters towards the end of the story. Because of this underdevelopment there wasn't enough motivation behind their choices, for example George suddenly re-discovering his faith - this requires a bit more explanation, as does the evil that is Richie and the woodenness that is Theo and Flicka. - There were quite a few bits and pieces that jarred terribly - Lord Saltford didn't live up to Delia's descriptions of him but her feelings were never adequately explained or at least not in enough emotional depth, the reaction to Boswell was odd and unreal.
In fact, emotional depth is the key to what was lacking in this story. There were a lot of literary devices designed to instigate this sort of reader engagement but for me it was very clumsy. - I like to forget that I'm reading a novel, I want to enter into the spirit of the 'truth' of the story. I never forgot that there was an author who'd written this book and that spoiled it for me. - That may seem like an odd comment given that all books have authors, but I feel that the best books make you forget you're reading a novel and transport you directly into the action of the story. This never happened for me with this novel.
I was also very disappointed by the missed chances to delve into history, not enough in this book about Dante (despite the title), that Cardinal from the painting, the A-Bomb, the ATS etc etc - all of these things could have given the novel more depth but it was seriously lacking in historical grounding...and what exactly was it with all the lord of the rings stuff? Completely incongruous.
...but I did like the setting.
All round, this was a disappointing read.
Also, the characters were a little undeveloped. For some characters there wasn't enough background, for some they weren't as well rounded out as I'd have liked. I also didn't like the introduction of so many new characters towards the end of the story. Because of this underdevelopment there wasn't enough motivation behind their choices, for example George suddenly re-discovering his faith - this requires a bit more explanation, as does the evil that is Richie and the woodenness that is Theo and Flicka. - There were quite a few bits and pieces that jarred terribly - Lord Saltford didn't live up to Delia's descriptions of him but her feelings were never adequately explained or at least not in enough emotional depth, the reaction to Boswell was odd and unreal.
In fact, emotional depth is the key to what was lacking in this story. There were a lot of literary devices designed to instigate this sort of reader engagement but for me it was very clumsy. - I like to forget that I'm reading a novel, I want to enter into the spirit of the 'truth' of the story. I never forgot that there was an author who'd written this book and that spoiled it for me. - That may seem like an odd comment given that all books have authors, but I feel that the best books make you forget you're reading a novel and transport you directly into the action of the story. This never happened for me with this novel.
I was also very disappointed by the missed chances to delve into history, not enough in this book about Dante (despite the title), that Cardinal from the painting, the A-Bomb, the ATS etc etc - all of these things could have given the novel more depth but it was seriously lacking in historical grounding...and what exactly was it with all the lord of the rings stuff? Completely incongruous.
...but I did like the setting.
All round, this was a disappointing read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2016
When I read the short biography of Elizabeth Edmondson on the website of the International Thriller Writers, I was intrigued enough to go online and download four of her books. I expected from the titles they would be rather run-of-the mill romantic suspense set in exotic locales. Far from it!
Edmondson writes “retro” books. They are set in the 1930’s 40’s and 50’s. They capture that period of recent history so authentically that, half way through The Villa in Italy, I looked back to see what the publication date was. (It was 2006). Even then, I wondered if it was something she had kept in the back of a drawer for 65 years. Not so. This is what Edmondson writes. And she does so brilliantly. Her writing puts me in mind of Nevil Shute’s incredible post-WWII novels.
You will need a score board to keep track of her principal characters, (an opera singer, a writer, an atomic scientist, a banker and a young socialite running away from her husband) all of whom are stuck together at a villa in Italy for 33 days. There are a host of important minor characters as well.
Even the romantic ending of this book is true to the period. If you want an unusual trip back in time, with interesting characters, a beautiful setting and a mystery to be solved, I highly recommend The Villa in Italy.
Edmondson writes “retro” books. They are set in the 1930’s 40’s and 50’s. They capture that period of recent history so authentically that, half way through The Villa in Italy, I looked back to see what the publication date was. (It was 2006). Even then, I wondered if it was something she had kept in the back of a drawer for 65 years. Not so. This is what Edmondson writes. And she does so brilliantly. Her writing puts me in mind of Nevil Shute’s incredible post-WWII novels.
You will need a score board to keep track of her principal characters, (an opera singer, a writer, an atomic scientist, a banker and a young socialite running away from her husband) all of whom are stuck together at a villa in Italy for 33 days. There are a host of important minor characters as well.
Even the romantic ending of this book is true to the period. If you want an unusual trip back in time, with interesting characters, a beautiful setting and a mystery to be solved, I highly recommend The Villa in Italy.
October 25, 2014
Four total stranger are summoned to Italy to the Villa Dante. Beatrice Malaspina has named them in her will and each travel to see what fate will be bestowed upon them.
Likable characters and enchanting descriptions of the villa and the gardens. A gentle building of the plot and bringing together of the mystery of how they are all linked to Beatrice. I enjoyed it enough but I was beginning to long for the conclusion. A few twists in the end but tied up neatly.
It almost had the taste of an Agatha Christie mystery.
Likable characters and enchanting descriptions of the villa and the gardens. A gentle building of the plot and bringing together of the mystery of how they are all linked to Beatrice. I enjoyed it enough but I was beginning to long for the conclusion. A few twists in the end but tied up neatly.
It almost had the taste of an Agatha Christie mystery.
January 17, 2017
I enjoyed this post-war gathering of seemingly unrelated characters under the edict of legatees as each of four characters were notified to meet at the Italian villa where the deceased had lived a full life. One opera singer, one nuclear scientist, one mystery writer and one banker congregate, receive mysterious instructions from the Trust Attorney and slowly untangle the puzzle that will lead to the codicil. The process of getting to know each character during the discovery process could strain the patience of some readers, but I really enjoyed this book.
June 20, 2016
It's a nice book - lovely setting in Italy - found it slightly hard to get into somehow, but it got better towards the end. Possibly not one of her best but fine all the same.
September 11, 2022
A good blend of mystery, romance and diverse and well drawn characters in a beautiful setting. Easy enjoyable holiday read.
January 23, 2020
Much better than expected based on some of the reviews I read beforehand, some sort of old school charm, characters easy to relate to and delightful atmosphere
May 5, 2016
Ein schöner Schmöker um vier Personen, die sich laut dem Testament einer alten Dame in der Villa Dante in Italien einzufinden haben. Als da wären ein Atomphysiker, eine Opernsängerin, ein Banker und eine Krimiautorin. Mir gefiel besonders gut, dass es nicht so vorhersehbar war, wie ich vermutete und die Charaktere interessante Wandlungen durchmachten.
May 29, 2019
The plot was very clever, but I never felt a great connection to the characters. But it was a pleasant story.
October 2, 2021
I picked this up from the Audible Plus catalog and oh boy am I glad I didn't pay for it. I made three separate attempts and just couldn't get past the second chapter.
October 20, 2022
Esta es la primera novela que leo de esta autora y he de decir que me ha sorprendido bastante.
En esta novela la italiana Beatrice Malaspina ha fallecido en su Villa y deja instrucciones a sus abogados de contactar con 4 personas que deben reunirse en un plazo máximo de un mes en la Villa Dante para dar a conocer su testamento.
Estas cuatro personas no solo no se conocen entre ellas sino que tampoco conocen de nada a la propia difunta. Una vez reunidos en la Villa irán descubriendo poco a poco cuál ha sido el auténtico legado de Beatrice.
La novela está escrita con un ritmo lento donde las acciones se van sucediendo con mucha naturalidad, pero en ningún momento se me ha hecho pesado. El estilo de la escritora y el propio ritmo de la novela es perfecto en sí, pero si eres de los que solo disfrutan con un thiller de acción tras acción tal vez este no sea tu tipo de libro.
No sólo esta muy bien escrita y desarrollada la historia sino que el argumento es original y tiene una serie de giros que sorprenden mucho al lector. Además las descripciones de la Villa y entorno son exquisitas.
Sin duda una novela muy recomendable para leer en verano. Lo recomendaría especialmente a todas las personas mayores de 15 años que disfruten con las novelas de ritmo más pausado y que quieran disfrutar de una buena historia.
En esta novela la italiana Beatrice Malaspina ha fallecido en su Villa y deja instrucciones a sus abogados de contactar con 4 personas que deben reunirse en un plazo máximo de un mes en la Villa Dante para dar a conocer su testamento.
Estas cuatro personas no solo no se conocen entre ellas sino que tampoco conocen de nada a la propia difunta. Una vez reunidos en la Villa irán descubriendo poco a poco cuál ha sido el auténtico legado de Beatrice.
La novela está escrita con un ritmo lento donde las acciones se van sucediendo con mucha naturalidad, pero en ningún momento se me ha hecho pesado. El estilo de la escritora y el propio ritmo de la novela es perfecto en sí, pero si eres de los que solo disfrutan con un thiller de acción tras acción tal vez este no sea tu tipo de libro.
No sólo esta muy bien escrita y desarrollada la historia sino que el argumento es original y tiene una serie de giros que sorprenden mucho al lector. Además las descripciones de la Villa y entorno son exquisitas.
Sin duda una novela muy recomendable para leer en verano. Lo recomendaría especialmente a todas las personas mayores de 15 años que disfruten con las novelas de ritmo más pausado y que quieran disfrutar de una buena historia.
March 11, 2016
Both 2.5 stars for this and the Frozen Lake. They're very similar in narrative and the way the stories are constructed. The first book I read by her was A Man of Some Repute and then its sequel; I think both are really good within their genre. Not this one, and not the Frozen Lake so much, although it's good for a rainy afternoon. The Villa starts out promising but by the second half, and especially by the end, everything gets so improbable that I felt like a 5 year old, reading a fairy tale. I think all her books start out pretty well and then, some of them just go to a place that's not to my liking ie. everything falling into place *just so*.
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January 5, 2017Not a murder, or a theft, but a question of connection. Why have these four people been named in the will of a woman they have never even heard of?
The latest in a series of pleasant 'positive' reads for me, as four people's problems are laid bare and then unknotted.
The latest in a series of pleasant 'positive' reads for me, as four people's problems are laid bare and then unknotted.
May 1, 2016
Não consegui acabar este livro. Por muito que saltasse páginas, a história não se desenvolve. Tanta, tanta palha...não gostei mesmo.
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