The Greek Proposal: An escapist novel where romance and mystery are irresistibly entwined

by Marjory McGinn

From the best-selling author of Things Can Only Get FetaIsla’s not looking for love on her Greek sabbatical, or to be drawn into a dark family mystery.
But Greece has other ideas ...

Isla is taking time out in Greece to revive her health and happiness after a road accident and a car crash of a relationship. Her clifftop villa and location in the southern Greek mainland are stunning and her sexy, enigmatic landlord Pericles (Perry) is hardly a drawback either. But undercurrents are there all the same. When Isla discovers Perry's dark family back story concerning a malevolent grandfather, her curiosity is aroused.



When a stranger arrives in the village with an astonishing, heroic World War 2 twist to Perry’s family tale, Isla feels compelled to help him unpick the truth of these opposing narratives. Her efforts draw her closer to Perry but also ignite her affection for an unexpected new admirer. The three are pulled into a gripping web of wartime secrets that will test everyone’s resolve. By the time the family mystery is solved, one man will be the standout winner of Isla’s heart.



This novel will whisk you away to sunny southern Greece full of olive groves and pristine coves. It’s a story full of drama and intrigue, sweet romance, laced with humour, and also one lovable sausage dog, Lou, who possesses a rare gift.



For fans of novels by Victoria Hislop, Dinah Jefferies and Karen Swan.



"This is a masterful piece of storytelling that hooks you from the very first page and keeps you captivated to the last." Peter Kerr, Times best-selling author

"Beautifully written with a gripping storyline." Amazon reviewer
"Marjory McGinn creates an atmosphere, a mental environment that is irresistible." Journalist/reviewer, Alan Hill
"Loved this and binge-read it. I'm looking forward to the next book by this author." Amazon reviewer

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 22, 2025

About the author

Marjory McGinn is a Scottish-born journalist who has worked on newspapers in the UK, and Australia where she spent some of her childhood.

In 2010, she set off for an adventure in the rural Mani, Greece, with her husband and their famously mad Jack Russell dog, Wallace. The adventure lasted four years and is the basis for her 4 travel memoirs: Things Can Only Get Feta, Homer's Where the Heart Is, A Scorpion In The Lemon Tree, A Donkey On The Catwalk. She has also published two novels also set in Greece: A Saint For The Summer and How Greek Is Your Love? in a 2-book series.

Her latest book is a humorous travel memoir with various locations, Wake Me Up For The Elephants.

Marjory writes a blog with a Greek theme on her website www.bigfatgreekodyssey.com/blog. She likes sea swimming, improving her Greek, crazy terriers and photography.

Reviews

[Stephanie Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story which is set in a beautiful location, with an interesting historical mystery to solve and romantic possibilities to keep the reader guessing. A wonderful read which I enjoyed immensely.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have waited a while for another of Marjory McGinn's wonderful Greek novels and it was worth the wait. I loved the Scottish- Greek links (of course I would) and the fact that it's not simply a romance but has a storyline touching on wartime history which particularly resonated with me.
Following a difficult time in her personal life, Isla is encouraged by her Greek friend Nektaria to spend time in a remote area of the southern Peloponnese to recuperate and where her nephew Perry is renovating some family property. She is delighted with her little villa and even more delighted when he asks he to look after gorgeous little Lou, the sausage dog. He's a real canine character!
She was intrigued to learn about Perry's family history and why he's reticent to discuss it. However, the arrival of Lucy, a lively Australian who is seeking to learn about her grandfather's escape from the Mani peninsula during the war causes Perry some vexation. She's convinced that his grandfather was the one who helped.
Isla is fascinated and with the help of local vet Lambros endeavours to get to the truth.
It's beautifully written with wonderful descriptions of the rugged Greek landscape and the warmth of the Greek people. I also loved the snippets of ancient Greek history. You cannot fail to be captivated by it. Engaging characters and a gripping storyline which highlights just what the Greeks and allies endured at that awful time. It resolves beautifully - it's a love story after all - and little Lou was lost for words.
Thanks to Marjory McGinn for my ARC copy. It was much appreciated and this is my unbiased review.

[Valerie Poore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read and loved all Marjory McGinn's books, so I was delighted when this one was released as I knew I would be immersed in that land of my dreams, Greece, again. Apart from the wonderful setting, what I enjoyed most about this book were the local characters the heroine, Isla, meets and learns to know. The flavour of Greece pervades the book through these people. The mystery Isla needs to solve, however, revolves around a man whose reputation was none too good, but was he as bad as he seemed? The lengths she goes to in order to uncover the mystery also embroil Isla in the life of the local vet, which adds a further complication to this gripping tale. The Greek Proposal is a real page-turner and I felt I reached the end far too soon; I really didn't want to leave Greece and return to the real world. Thank you, Marjory McGinn, for helping me escape and for giving me a wonderful puzzle to unravel.