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A Piano Bar in Crete: The perfect summer feel-good read
A poignant, heart- warming novel of loss, love and renewal.
The fifth novel from the award-winning bestselling writer Richard Clark.
In 1974, a married couple flee Cyprus as Turkish bombs rained down on their home town of Famagusta. Nearly half a century later, a young woman's life is tragically changed forever as Russian troops bombard her village in war-torn Ukraine. Seeking refuge on the Greek island of Crete, their worlds collide. Generations apart, can shared experiences help mend their shattered lives?
‘Richard has a writing style that transports you to the real Greece. I truly love his ability to take me with him to wonderful places, feel the warmth of the Greek sunshine and experience Greece through the eyes of his characters. For me, he is one of the best writers out there.’
Peter Barber , author of Parthenon on Our Roof
The fifth novel from the award-winning bestselling writer Richard Clark.
In 1974, a married couple flee Cyprus as Turkish bombs rained down on their home town of Famagusta. Nearly half a century later, a young woman's life is tragically changed forever as Russian troops bombard her village in war-torn Ukraine. Seeking refuge on the Greek island of Crete, their worlds collide. Generations apart, can shared experiences help mend their shattered lives?
‘Richard has a writing style that transports you to the real Greece. I truly love his ability to take me with him to wonderful places, feel the warmth of the Greek sunshine and experience Greece through the eyes of his characters. For me, he is one of the best writers out there.’
Peter Barber , author of Parthenon on Our Roof
226 pages, Paperback
Published May 12, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 15, 2025
I'm a longtime reader Richard Clark's nonfiction notebooks about travelling in Greece (they were especially invaluable when planning my trip to Crete). Paradoxically, that might be why it took me so long to pick up one of his novels. I guess I was afraid I might not enjoy them as much, but I needn't have worried. This was a delightful page-turner of a story!
The characters are very relatable, and the sense of place was masterful. I particularly enjoyed the Athens, Heraklion and Elounda references. The author has a knack for scattering his story with recognisable landmarks that recall both actual visits and armchair travel experiences through the books we've read. I'm sure there are many here who have enjoyed Victoria Hislop's The Island, and will appreciate another quick 'visit' to Spinalonga in the pages of Clark's novel.
By coincidence, I read the book on a holiday that included a week on Cyprus... a bonus as the novel starts there before the protagonists move to Greece. While the book was an easy read that was perfect for a relaxing holiday, I still appreciated the glimpses into the tragedies of 1970s Cyprus and present-day Ukraine. It was a timely reminder of how many of us have refugees amongst our ancestors, and how many people are seeking refuge today.
I know have a collection of Clark’s novels lined up on my Kindle, in preparation for my Greek adventure, whenever that might be 😊
The characters are very relatable, and the sense of place was masterful. I particularly enjoyed the Athens, Heraklion and Elounda references. The author has a knack for scattering his story with recognisable landmarks that recall both actual visits and armchair travel experiences through the books we've read. I'm sure there are many here who have enjoyed Victoria Hislop's The Island, and will appreciate another quick 'visit' to Spinalonga in the pages of Clark's novel.
By coincidence, I read the book on a holiday that included a week on Cyprus... a bonus as the novel starts there before the protagonists move to Greece. While the book was an easy read that was perfect for a relaxing holiday, I still appreciated the glimpses into the tragedies of 1970s Cyprus and present-day Ukraine. It was a timely reminder of how many of us have refugees amongst our ancestors, and how many people are seeking refuge today.
I know have a collection of Clark’s novels lined up on my Kindle, in preparation for my Greek adventure, whenever that might be 😊
October 22, 2025
keeps going back and forth from before to 2022
he married a 17 yr old and they ran the tavern of his parents after they died. but the war came and they had to leave, never to go back
they didnt like athens so found another island. they found a apt to rent and he worked in the restaurant. they ate free when they worked there. he was able to repay his cousin and save money. he bought some land and made a juice bar which was successful enough he could open another tavern
they had a son who married and had a grandson who was 3 when his parents were killed in a car accident so they raised the grandson
she is in 2022 and the war killed her parents. she met a man who lived in athens and he took her there to his family. she wasnt used to the big city so his wife suggested his cousins on a island and they took her there. they told her she could come back to athens if she didnt like it.
the young woman who came to greece after her parents were killed met the man whos parents were killed in the car accident. she helped his grandparents get their tavern back up and running
he played his guitar and sold his song, her got her a piano they put in the tavern, she played at night and the tavern was a success
it ended with them drinking wine on the boat
he married a 17 yr old and they ran the tavern of his parents after they died. but the war came and they had to leave, never to go back
they didnt like athens so found another island. they found a apt to rent and he worked in the restaurant. they ate free when they worked there. he was able to repay his cousin and save money. he bought some land and made a juice bar which was successful enough he could open another tavern
they had a son who married and had a grandson who was 3 when his parents were killed in a car accident so they raised the grandson
she is in 2022 and the war killed her parents. she met a man who lived in athens and he took her there to his family. she wasnt used to the big city so his wife suggested his cousins on a island and they took her there. they told her she could come back to athens if she didnt like it.
the young woman who came to greece after her parents were killed met the man whos parents were killed in the car accident. she helped his grandparents get their tavern back up and running
he played his guitar and sold his song, her got her a piano they put in the tavern, she played at night and the tavern was a success
it ended with them drinking wine on the boat
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2025
I chose this book to read because I will be on the island of Crete in less than two weeks! It was an enlightening read because it shared the stories of refugees who had come from both the Ukraine and Cyprus to settle in Greece only to be welcomed and embraced by the locals. I tend to think of the horrendous wars going back to the first half of this century, but this story reminded me how wars are being fought today. The story was also a stark reminder that it is difficult to start a business on such a little island that relies so heavily on summer tourism.
March 5, 2026
I loved this book. I have stayed in Elounda several times and recognise the area he describes so beautifully. It's a lovely gentle book and even if you have never been there you can almost feel the sun on your face and see it sparkling on the water. This is a wonderful uncomplicated read , take it on holiday with you and soak up all that is Crete and the friendly people and if you are in Elounda or Plaka all the better.
June 6, 2024
It's hard for me to decide whether or not I'm grossed out about an author profiting from the pain of war torn country in Ukraine or believing this could be helpful to refugees from Ukraine being forced to relocate.
This is well written, but again it's walking a very tight line of inappropriate and I don't like that.
2.5/5
This is well written, but again it's walking a very tight line of inappropriate and I don't like that.
2.5/5
September 19, 2023
charming with great characterisation
This book brought back memories of our many holidays in Elounda, Crete. The characters had soul and it was a lovely story of loss and recovery. I enjoyed it very much.
This book brought back memories of our many holidays in Elounda, Crete. The characters had soul and it was a lovely story of loss and recovery. I enjoyed it very much.
January 29, 2024
Beautiful Elounda❤️❤️❤️
Took me back to a beautiful place in Crete. Loved this book from start to finish. It is a must read as it really made me feel as though I was there in the story.
Took me back to a beautiful place in Crete. Loved this book from start to finish. It is a must read as it really made me feel as though I was there in the story.
September 11, 2024
From heartbreak to healing
A beautiful story of heartbreak and healing, war and peace. Mostly set in beautiful eastern Crete. A delightful story of new beginnings, friendship and blossoming love.
A beautiful story of heartbreak and healing, war and peace. Mostly set in beautiful eastern Crete. A delightful story of new beginnings, friendship and blossoming love.
July 20, 2023
stunning
This story had all the trademarks of a brilliant novel. The tense escape from her homeland, settling in to a very different country and finding love and happiness.
This story had all the trademarks of a brilliant novel. The tense escape from her homeland, settling in to a very different country and finding love and happiness.
September 2, 2023
A very Enjoyable Read
I really loved the story, a feel good book. I do love Richard Clark’s writing, having read all his previous books. Will have to wait for the next one now!
I really loved the story, a feel good book. I do love Richard Clark’s writing, having read all his previous books. Will have to wait for the next one now!
August 19, 2024
What a delightful story!
I didn't know what to expect from this book, but as I turned the last page...I wanted more! Thank you for a lovely read!
I didn't know what to expect from this book, but as I turned the last page...I wanted more! Thank you for a lovely read!
February 12, 2025
take me back to Crete
Fun easy read. Made me want to head there and find them and the piano bar. Gread and descriptive book.
Fun easy read. Made me want to head there and find them and the piano bar. Gread and descriptive book.
May 31, 2025
Heart touching beautiful read
Heart touching beautiful read. Thank you for crafting this tale and touching on invasion in a manageable bite sized way.
Heart touching beautiful read. Thank you for crafting this tale and touching on invasion in a manageable bite sized way.
October 28, 2025
Song for Elounda
Just having returned from holiday in Elounda, it was enjoyable to revisit, remember and enjoy this romantic, untaxing story.
Recommended
Just having returned from holiday in Elounda, it was enjoyable to revisit, remember and enjoy this romantic, untaxing story.
Recommended
July 20, 2025
As per the blurb - a good summer read!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews