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Island of Secrets
'As I remember, the story started at about six o'clock in the morning on the fourteenth of September, 1943...'
All her life Angie 37-year-old London-born has been intrigued by her mother's secret past. Now, planning her own wedding she feels she must visit the remote Cretan village her mother grew up in, despite her objections. Unbeknownst to Angie her elderly grandmother, Maria, is dying. She wants to unburden herself of the terrible story that she will otherwise take to the grave.
It's the story of the time of the German occupation of Crete during the Second World War, of horror, of courage and of the lengths to which a mother will go to protect her children and of how you learn to go on in the aftermath of tragedy. And it's the story of bitter secrets that broke the family apart, and of three enchanting women who come together to heal wounds that have damaged two generations.
If you loved Victoria Hislop's THE ISLAND and the novels of Santa Montefiore and Rosanna Ley, you will fall completely in love with this novel.
All her life Angie 37-year-old London-born has been intrigued by her mother's secret past. Now, planning her own wedding she feels she must visit the remote Cretan village her mother grew up in, despite her objections. Unbeknownst to Angie her elderly grandmother, Maria, is dying. She wants to unburden herself of the terrible story that she will otherwise take to the grave.
It's the story of the time of the German occupation of Crete during the Second World War, of horror, of courage and of the lengths to which a mother will go to protect her children and of how you learn to go on in the aftermath of tragedy. And it's the story of bitter secrets that broke the family apart, and of three enchanting women who come together to heal wounds that have damaged two generations.
If you loved Victoria Hislop's THE ISLAND and the novels of Santa Montefiore and Rosanna Ley, you will fall completely in love with this novel.
400 pages, ebook
Published March 9, 2017
296 people are currently reading
1169 people want to read
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Patricia M Wilson
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 243 reviews
July 16, 2017
This story centres around Angie trying to reconcile her family and find her Greek roots. It incorporates the history of World War II and the Nazi invasion of Crete and the atrocities committed. This is told through the reminisces of Angie’s grandmother Maria. The book reminds me very much of Victoria Hyslop’s The Island, also set in Crete. Although the history is very good and well researched, I found the repetitive nature of the telling very tedious. Maria tells the story of the Nazi invasion of the village and then Angie retraces her steps and effectively reflects on the same story. To me this adds nothing new to the narrative.
Suspense in the story is another problem and this is where I think a good editor really should have intervened. The past is told by Maria and all the characters defer to her saying Angie must not ask them questions she must speak to her. This gets tiresome after the 3rd, 4th, 5th etc time it happens. Manoli refuses to tell her, Voula and Matthia refer her back to Maria. Matthia will not even explain his grumpy behaviour, it is just attributed to the past.
The complicated nature of the family relations in this novel are also beyond belief. I understand that paternity can be confusing in a time of war, but the twists in this book are taken to extremes with mistaken identity and changing roles.
The language of the book is accessible and I am sure it will be praised for its history and the use of Greek culture but I feel the plot does let it down by trying to be too clever.
Suspense in the story is another problem and this is where I think a good editor really should have intervened. The past is told by Maria and all the characters defer to her saying Angie must not ask them questions she must speak to her. This gets tiresome after the 3rd, 4th, 5th etc time it happens. Manoli refuses to tell her, Voula and Matthia refer her back to Maria. Matthia will not even explain his grumpy behaviour, it is just attributed to the past.
The complicated nature of the family relations in this novel are also beyond belief. I understand that paternity can be confusing in a time of war, but the twists in this book are taken to extremes with mistaken identity and changing roles.
The language of the book is accessible and I am sure it will be praised for its history and the use of Greek culture but I feel the plot does let it down by trying to be too clever.
February 13, 2018
I'll say from the start that I don't usually read "great summer read" novels like this, but this book was recommended and loaned to me by a friend at work so I thought I would keep an open mind and give it a try.
The book is about a woman called Angie. She is going to get married and has Cretan heritage, however when she asks her mother about her family her mother becomes very upset and refuses to tell her anything about her roots. So, she decides that before she gets married she will go to Crete and find out about her family.
There is a second underlying story in the book, and for me this was the only thing of importance. This is the story of what happened in Crete in World War II, as told to Angie by her dying grandmother.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story of the family's past. It was very shocking to me as I have only a basic education of what happened in World War II, and most of what I know about that time is based around Britain, France, Germany and the US. Where I mistakenly thought most of the war had taken place. I had no idea how far reaching the devastation of that time was and how much it affected civilians and families in many different countries. The story shows how, even many years later and generations down the line, what happened during wartime tore the family apart and had changed everything about the family and the individual family members. It is a beautiful story and very well told, and also quite exciting in parts as the family members open up and confess secrets they have been hiding for a lifetime.
What I sadly didn't enjoy was the main character in the book, Angie. I found her to be a complete bore. All she did was complain and fret about her own situation and how selfish she was. She added absolutely nothing of worth to the story, and I found her constant wondering about what would happen next in her grandmother's story to be annoying, to put it politely. Just get back to telling the actual story already! I realise that as this book is not aimed at my particular demographic, others (perhaps middle-aged housewives - no offence!) might enjoy her overly-emotional thought process and perhaps relate to her, but I just didn't get it.
Overall, I was touched by the painful truth of this story and I did enjoy it for the most part. It was worth the read just to learn a little bit about what happened to the poor Cretan civilians of World War II. That part will stick with me for a while. And the rest? I can't forget it soon enough.
The book is about a woman called Angie. She is going to get married and has Cretan heritage, however when she asks her mother about her family her mother becomes very upset and refuses to tell her anything about her roots. So, she decides that before she gets married she will go to Crete and find out about her family.
There is a second underlying story in the book, and for me this was the only thing of importance. This is the story of what happened in Crete in World War II, as told to Angie by her dying grandmother.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story of the family's past. It was very shocking to me as I have only a basic education of what happened in World War II, and most of what I know about that time is based around Britain, France, Germany and the US. Where I mistakenly thought most of the war had taken place. I had no idea how far reaching the devastation of that time was and how much it affected civilians and families in many different countries. The story shows how, even many years later and generations down the line, what happened during wartime tore the family apart and had changed everything about the family and the individual family members. It is a beautiful story and very well told, and also quite exciting in parts as the family members open up and confess secrets they have been hiding for a lifetime.
What I sadly didn't enjoy was the main character in the book, Angie. I found her to be a complete bore. All she did was complain and fret about her own situation and how selfish she was. She added absolutely nothing of worth to the story, and I found her constant wondering about what would happen next in her grandmother's story to be annoying, to put it politely. Just get back to telling the actual story already! I realise that as this book is not aimed at my particular demographic, others (perhaps middle-aged housewives - no offence!) might enjoy her overly-emotional thought process and perhaps relate to her, but I just didn't get it.
Overall, I was touched by the painful truth of this story and I did enjoy it for the most part. It was worth the read just to learn a little bit about what happened to the poor Cretan civilians of World War II. That part will stick with me for a while. And the rest? I can't forget it soon enough.
September 18, 2019
I was attracted to this story by the subject of WWII. However, this story seems to be written by an amateur writer, who tries to tell the story in one breath. As a reader I don’t care about what the main character is doing every step of the way during a day.
@FB: Best Historical Fiction
@FB: Best Historical Fiction
December 4, 2017
I was originally drawn to this story because of the location, being Crete and also that it is based during World War 2. The story begins well with Angie planning her wedding and visiting her estranged grandmother. The first chapters of this book are well written and provide a good foundation for a fabulous story. However i became increasingly irritated with the main character, Angie. As she finds out more and more about how complex and emotionally unsettling her mother and grandmothers past are she still appears selfish which in turn made me resent the character. Also other characters inability to provide Angie with any details about what this massive secret is began to grind on me.
I found the ending far fetched and rather funny. The author attempted to keep the reader engaged by beating around the bush for the entire book and when the secret is actually revealed it is just rather pathetic and comical. The introduction of Angie's father at her wedding was silly and the fact that he walks her down the aisle with little explanation of his where abouts is ridiculous and it is obvious that the author was clutching at straws to make the ending worth the 300+ pages of pointlessness.
I found the ending far fetched and rather funny. The author attempted to keep the reader engaged by beating around the bush for the entire book and when the secret is actually revealed it is just rather pathetic and comical. The introduction of Angie's father at her wedding was silly and the fact that he walks her down the aisle with little explanation of his where abouts is ridiculous and it is obvious that the author was clutching at straws to make the ending worth the 300+ pages of pointlessness.
July 5, 2021
This was a sad but brilliant book. I've not read Patricia's books before and this won't be my last. It reminded me of the wonderful book The Island which I love. This book gives you an idea of what it was like during WW2.
March 11, 2017
Oh......... how I enjoyed this book. I was lucky enough to win a copy for the lovely people at Readers First and sorry to say that it took me a bit to get around to reading it.
The original synopsis reminded me of The Island by Victoria Hislop (this is also mentioned on the front of the book) which I had read some years ago but had very fond memories of.
The story is mainly set in Crete where the author, Patricia Wilson had lived and I adored her descriptions of this throughout the book. It starts with a woman, Angelika eager to meet her family that her mother Poppy had run away from to England and had been estranged from for nearly 40 years as she is due to marry.
Angelika meets her grandmother Maria for the first time and we are transported back to the Second World War and the German occupation of Crete through the memories of Maria. This storyline was so well written and utterly heartbreaking but it is a story that needs to be told to find out what happened all those years ago to Poppy, Maria and the rest of the family.
A brilliant debut novel that I just couldn't put down.
The original synopsis reminded me of The Island by Victoria Hislop (this is also mentioned on the front of the book) which I had read some years ago but had very fond memories of.
The story is mainly set in Crete where the author, Patricia Wilson had lived and I adored her descriptions of this throughout the book. It starts with a woman, Angelika eager to meet her family that her mother Poppy had run away from to England and had been estranged from for nearly 40 years as she is due to marry.
Angelika meets her grandmother Maria for the first time and we are transported back to the Second World War and the German occupation of Crete through the memories of Maria. This storyline was so well written and utterly heartbreaking but it is a story that needs to be told to find out what happened all those years ago to Poppy, Maria and the rest of the family.
A brilliant debut novel that I just couldn't put down.
September 14, 2022
Today is the 79th anniversary of the real life events that inspired the author to write Island of Secrets – an atrocity that took place during the German occupation of the island of Crete in WW2. For me, this was the most powerful part of the book. The story is revealed gradually by Maria to her granddaughter, Angelika. At one point Angelika is told to ‘be patient and everything will become clear’ and the reader needs that patience too which is a pity because the experiences Maria reveals are moving and compelling. They include some harrowing scenes which at times make difficult reading, even more so once you realise they are based on fact.
Prompted by her forthcoming wedding to her boyfriend Nick, Angelika has travelled to Crete to try to discover why her mother Poppy left the island so suddenly many years ago and why she has been estranged from her family ever since. It’s a period of her life Poppy has been reluctant to talk about, yet Angelika seems determined to delve into the past in a high-minded belief that she is doing her mother a favour and trying to ‘ease her pain’. In fact, her efforts have just the opposite effect and it’s only later that Angelika concedes that perhaps her search for answers is a means of distracting herself from her own worries about her personal life.
The reasons for Poppy’s flight from Crete, when eventually revealed, are rather melodramatic in nature and only vaguely connected to the wartime storyline. I confess at this point in the book I got rather confused with all the different members of Angelika’s Cretan family and could have done with a family tree, although the way the storyline develops means I understand why the author would not have wanted to include this.
The modern day storyline involving Angelika’s concerns about her relationship with Nick held less interest for me; her wedding preparation woes seemed lightweight compared to the wartime story. I found Angelika rather immature for a woman of thirty-seven and there were details that I found unrealistic, such as the fact that Angelika has apparently never needed to see her birth certificate for any reason, for instance to obtain a passport. Her sudden interest in her family history and her expectation that people she’d never met or had any communication with would want to come to her wedding was not very credible.
There were lots of things about Island of Secrets that I enjoyed, especially the wartime story that was clearly the product of extensive research and felt really authentic. However, overall it did feel as if there were three different stories fighting for my attention.
Prompted by her forthcoming wedding to her boyfriend Nick, Angelika has travelled to Crete to try to discover why her mother Poppy left the island so suddenly many years ago and why she has been estranged from her family ever since. It’s a period of her life Poppy has been reluctant to talk about, yet Angelika seems determined to delve into the past in a high-minded belief that she is doing her mother a favour and trying to ‘ease her pain’. In fact, her efforts have just the opposite effect and it’s only later that Angelika concedes that perhaps her search for answers is a means of distracting herself from her own worries about her personal life.
The reasons for Poppy’s flight from Crete, when eventually revealed, are rather melodramatic in nature and only vaguely connected to the wartime storyline. I confess at this point in the book I got rather confused with all the different members of Angelika’s Cretan family and could have done with a family tree, although the way the storyline develops means I understand why the author would not have wanted to include this.
The modern day storyline involving Angelika’s concerns about her relationship with Nick held less interest for me; her wedding preparation woes seemed lightweight compared to the wartime story. I found Angelika rather immature for a woman of thirty-seven and there were details that I found unrealistic, such as the fact that Angelika has apparently never needed to see her birth certificate for any reason, for instance to obtain a passport. Her sudden interest in her family history and her expectation that people she’d never met or had any communication with would want to come to her wedding was not very credible.
There were lots of things about Island of Secrets that I enjoyed, especially the wartime story that was clearly the product of extensive research and felt really authentic. However, overall it did feel as if there were three different stories fighting for my attention.
September 28, 2019
Tο βιβλίο είναι ο ορισμός του πως να καταστρέψετε μια γαμάτη ιδέα με ένα κάρο χαζομάρες. Κρίμα κρίμα κρίμα είχε όλα τα φόντα να γίνει ένα πολύ δυνατό βιβλίο και το μόνο που κατάφερε είναι να με κάνει να νευριασω. Ξεκίνησε φανταστικά με τον δεύτερο παγκόσμιο στη Κρήτη. Ειχε μια πολύ πολύ δυνατή στιγμή της θυριωδια των Γερμανών που με άφησε ξεπνοη και μετά το πήρε ο διάολος. Γραμμένο σε σε 3 χρόνους παρών και παρελθόν πολύ δυνατή η ιστορίας της γιαγιάς και την μητέρας στο παρων έχουμε μια πλοκή νερουλη χαζή κυριολεκτικά που το μόνο που κατάφερνε είναι όχι να δέσει το παρών και το παρελθόν αλλά να σε ξενερώνει και να σκέφτεσαι γιατί να υπάρχει.ασυνδετο και αδύναμο το σύνολο του αφήνει μόνο μια στυφη γεύση στο τελος. Δεν μπορώ να αναλύσω σημεία που είναι παντελώς ηλίθια μη χαλάσω την πλοκή στον οποίο καημένο αποφασίσει να το διαβάσει. Πατάκη μεγάλο φάουλ το βιβλίο και τελευταία έχεις μαζέψει αρκετα
July 13, 2017
I bought this and downloaded it to kindle because it was set in Crete and I was going there on holiday. I started it on the plane and finished it a day later.
In present day London Angie is preparing for her wedding to Nick. Angie's mum, Poppy left her home and family in Crete thirty years ago but Angie wants to re-connect with them and invite all her Cretan family to her wedding. Against her mother's wishes Angie travels to Almeria in Crete to find her grandparents.
The next part of the story takes place in Crete where Maria, Angie's grandmother tells her the story of her life and what happened in Almeria during the Second World War.
Oh my goodness, how do I describe this book? It broke my heart and I cried. I had no idea of what had taken place in Crete during the war,it was so cruel and needless and the story was not always an easy read.
Although this was the background of the story the author has cleverly weaved lots of sub plots through the book. I thought I had guessed one but I was completely wrong. There were many twists and turns, secrets and revelations.
All through the book I felt I was there with Maria. I felt her fear and her pain. The descriptions of the surrounding countryside were vivid and well written.
I think reading this in Crete although at the other end of the island from Almeria made the story even more poignant. Perhaps it wasn't the light holiday reading I should have choose but I understood better why the people are so proud of their island, they have fought hard for it. I looked differently at the places we visited and at the many old people I saw dressed in black clothes and I wondered.
I cried happy tears at the ending and felt a sense of loss at not having the book to read anymore.
My favourite author is Victoria Hislop and now debut author Patricia Wilson is up there with her.
I want to tell you the whole story. I want to discuss with you what parts made me cry, I want to tell you what I thought was going to happen and didn't, but I also want you to read it the way I did and find out for yourself.
After finishing the book I felt compelled to Google the village in the story where it all happened and I was stunned to discover that all facts about the village during the war are true. The author Iives in Almeria in Crete and found an army rifle while digging in her garden. She spoke about it to the older women in the village and they told her their story. These brave women should all have been given medals for what they had to live through and the British Government should hang their heads in shame for turning a blind eye to what was happening. (Google it after reading and find out)
I can't believe this book is only 98p for kindle, Patricia Wilson deserves so much more for this debut novel and I eagerly await her next book.
In present day London Angie is preparing for her wedding to Nick. Angie's mum, Poppy left her home and family in Crete thirty years ago but Angie wants to re-connect with them and invite all her Cretan family to her wedding. Against her mother's wishes Angie travels to Almeria in Crete to find her grandparents.
The next part of the story takes place in Crete where Maria, Angie's grandmother tells her the story of her life and what happened in Almeria during the Second World War.
Oh my goodness, how do I describe this book? It broke my heart and I cried. I had no idea of what had taken place in Crete during the war,it was so cruel and needless and the story was not always an easy read.
Although this was the background of the story the author has cleverly weaved lots of sub plots through the book. I thought I had guessed one but I was completely wrong. There were many twists and turns, secrets and revelations.
All through the book I felt I was there with Maria. I felt her fear and her pain. The descriptions of the surrounding countryside were vivid and well written.
I think reading this in Crete although at the other end of the island from Almeria made the story even more poignant. Perhaps it wasn't the light holiday reading I should have choose but I understood better why the people are so proud of their island, they have fought hard for it. I looked differently at the places we visited and at the many old people I saw dressed in black clothes and I wondered.
I cried happy tears at the ending and felt a sense of loss at not having the book to read anymore.
My favourite author is Victoria Hislop and now debut author Patricia Wilson is up there with her.
I want to tell you the whole story. I want to discuss with you what parts made me cry, I want to tell you what I thought was going to happen and didn't, but I also want you to read it the way I did and find out for yourself.
After finishing the book I felt compelled to Google the village in the story where it all happened and I was stunned to discover that all facts about the village during the war are true. The author Iives in Almeria in Crete and found an army rifle while digging in her garden. She spoke about it to the older women in the village and they told her their story. These brave women should all have been given medals for what they had to live through and the British Government should hang their heads in shame for turning a blind eye to what was happening. (Google it after reading and find out)
I can't believe this book is only 98p for kindle, Patricia Wilson deserves so much more for this debut novel and I eagerly await her next book.
October 22, 2017
I only got halfway through this novel before giving up. The writing was just really annoying and didn't really manage to draw me into the story. The flashbacks were better written than the framing narrative for some reason, but that wasn't really enough to keep me interested.
The book is at its best when it depicts the atrocities committed during WWII because it doesn't shy away from the violence and brutality of the era, but "Island of Secrets" unfortunately focuses on an assortment of bland characters.
The protagonist Angie has absolutely no character or backbone and her Greek family is portrayed as a chipper bunch of stereotypes instead of as real characters.
What bothered me the most about the novel was the sexist undercurrent which implies marriage and children to be the ultimate goal for every woman. Especially annoying were the occasional assertions of women only being strong while men aren't around or in order to bolster men.
Overall, I definitely cannot recommend this novel because it just really got on my nerves.
The book is at its best when it depicts the atrocities committed during WWII because it doesn't shy away from the violence and brutality of the era, but "Island of Secrets" unfortunately focuses on an assortment of bland characters.
The protagonist Angie has absolutely no character or backbone and her Greek family is portrayed as a chipper bunch of stereotypes instead of as real characters.
What bothered me the most about the novel was the sexist undercurrent which implies marriage and children to be the ultimate goal for every woman. Especially annoying were the occasional assertions of women only being strong while men aren't around or in order to bolster men.
Overall, I definitely cannot recommend this novel because it just really got on my nerves.
March 11, 2020
4.5 stars
The storyline was gripping, incredible, moving and tear-jerking. Not only is the reader presented with an incredible account of war time in Crete from the grandmother’s point of view but the narrator of this audio book was brilliant and made this an even more memorable book.
Angie travels to Crete, the main setting of this story, to visit her grandmother whom she has never met, against the wishes of her own mother, to unearth family secrets. And wow, they were doozies! Set in two time periods, 1943 and present day. Both were interesting, though, naturally the war time scenes were more thought-provoking.
Highly recommended.
The storyline was gripping, incredible, moving and tear-jerking. Not only is the reader presented with an incredible account of war time in Crete from the grandmother’s point of view but the narrator of this audio book was brilliant and made this an even more memorable book.
Angie travels to Crete, the main setting of this story, to visit her grandmother whom she has never met, against the wishes of her own mother, to unearth family secrets. And wow, they were doozies! Set in two time periods, 1943 and present day. Both were interesting, though, naturally the war time scenes were more thought-provoking.
Highly recommended.
September 9, 2019
predivna ali i potresna prica o stradanju ljudi na Kritu u WW2
August 6, 2023
This was SO much better that I thought it was going to be! 4,5 stars!
August 10, 2023
Quite a slow plot for the most part of the book, but that's why the end is full of events and surprises. Nice summer read!
May 2, 2021
Very mixed feelings about this book, it had all the right ingredients, and at first I thought I was going to love it. But I didn't, I struggled to get enthusiasm for it and I think it was just over advantageous and should have been shorter.. sorry Hans, it doesn't make me think any less of you xoxox
April 6, 2019
An excellent book that describes real stories of people during the second world war. I read the book very easily, the descriptions are amazing as if you are a living in another time, in the book. Excellent!!!
February 17, 2021
Καλή ιστορία στην Κρήτη. Δεν έχει καμία πρωτοτυπία αλλά είναι καλά γραμμένη και διαβάζεται ευχάριστα. Μέχρι τη μέση έχει πολλά κενά τα οποία καλύπτει μέχρι το τέλος
April 15, 2017
Review also found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I was really looking forward to this book due the subject matter of World War II. As an avid reader of any book dealing with this subject, I have yet to read anything related to what occurred in Greece during this time. Any opportunity to learn more through fiction is a welcome opportunity for me.
While the storyline involved a lot of twists and turns and names of secondary characters I had a hard time keeping track of, the real highlight for me was the events of WWII and the Greek culture in a small village.
Starting with the story of the war, I was shocked with the events that had unfolded in Crete. Although I know that there was tragedy and hard times for everyone the war touched, I had no idea of the atrocities that occurred here. While this is a story of fiction, Wilson's biography indicates that the stories were mostly true based on stories told by the elderly woman of Amiras. Without giving anything away, I will only say that the horror stories that we all know about the Nazi regime are not the only horrors that were perpetrated by them. I can only feel fortunate that I was not around to experience anything like what the woman of Amiras did.
The second highlight for me was the actual village of Amiras and the Greek culture. I found it slightly humorous the dramatics that occur in village life and could see clearly what it was like. The example Angie's wedding day and the chaos that took place made me want to be part of the chaos. Also the close family ties and sense of community was a refreshing change to the way today. I also got a kick out of everyone knowing each others business.
As for the actual storyline, I didn't know where it was going to take me at first. The story wove between present day and the past and got kind of confusing at times. As in all stories of this nature, the secrets are gradually exposed as the reader takes the journey. While I didn't enjoy the story as much as the backdrop of it, I still found it satisfying that everything eventually came to light.
All in all, this was an eye opening story about the events that occurred during the war. It is yet one more piece of the puzzle for me as the reader to have the opportunity to learn about how it impacted others. I still feel haunted regarding this fact long after reading the last sentence.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I was really looking forward to this book due the subject matter of World War II. As an avid reader of any book dealing with this subject, I have yet to read anything related to what occurred in Greece during this time. Any opportunity to learn more through fiction is a welcome opportunity for me.
While the storyline involved a lot of twists and turns and names of secondary characters I had a hard time keeping track of, the real highlight for me was the events of WWII and the Greek culture in a small village.
Starting with the story of the war, I was shocked with the events that had unfolded in Crete. Although I know that there was tragedy and hard times for everyone the war touched, I had no idea of the atrocities that occurred here. While this is a story of fiction, Wilson's biography indicates that the stories were mostly true based on stories told by the elderly woman of Amiras. Without giving anything away, I will only say that the horror stories that we all know about the Nazi regime are not the only horrors that were perpetrated by them. I can only feel fortunate that I was not around to experience anything like what the woman of Amiras did.
The second highlight for me was the actual village of Amiras and the Greek culture. I found it slightly humorous the dramatics that occur in village life and could see clearly what it was like. The example Angie's wedding day and the chaos that took place made me want to be part of the chaos. Also the close family ties and sense of community was a refreshing change to the way today. I also got a kick out of everyone knowing each others business.
As for the actual storyline, I didn't know where it was going to take me at first. The story wove between present day and the past and got kind of confusing at times. As in all stories of this nature, the secrets are gradually exposed as the reader takes the journey. While I didn't enjoy the story as much as the backdrop of it, I still found it satisfying that everything eventually came to light.
All in all, this was an eye opening story about the events that occurred during the war. It is yet one more piece of the puzzle for me as the reader to have the opportunity to learn about how it impacted others. I still feel haunted regarding this fact long after reading the last sentence.
July 26, 2017
I won this through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
A family saga, told from two different points of view. In London in the present day, Angie is planning her wedding to Nick and wants to reconcile her mother Poppy with her estranged family in Crete. We then travel back to 1943 during the German occupation of Crete and find out why the family was torn apart. I really enjoyed this debut novel from this author. The historical part of the novel was quite harrowing in places, but I kept wanting to read on to find out what was going to happen. You do have to keep your wits about you as there are many twists and turns to keep track of. Certainly fans of Victoria Hislop and Rosanna Ley will find much to like about it.
A family saga, told from two different points of view. In London in the present day, Angie is planning her wedding to Nick and wants to reconcile her mother Poppy with her estranged family in Crete. We then travel back to 1943 during the German occupation of Crete and find out why the family was torn apart. I really enjoyed this debut novel from this author. The historical part of the novel was quite harrowing in places, but I kept wanting to read on to find out what was going to happen. You do have to keep your wits about you as there are many twists and turns to keep track of. Certainly fans of Victoria Hislop and Rosanna Ley will find much to like about it.
January 3, 2020
Although the premise of this story - a granddaughter going back to Greece to discover her family's secret past - has been used many times before, the way in which this story unfolds will have you gripped. I thoroughly enjoyed both timelines, having discovered this author whilst on holiday on Crete. Like all good stories it will make you laugh and cry but you won't want the story to end. The twists and turns are well thought out and the suspense carries you along. The author's love of Greece clearly shows through the writing and as a fellow hellenophile, I learned a lot about the Cretan's suffering during WW2. I am now going to add Patricia Wilson to my list of favourite authors.
July 21, 2018
Zanimljiva i čitljiva svakako preporuke za citanje....
September 21, 2018
This is a fabulous book...moving from current time to 2nd World war Crete...some sad sad historical moments....great read...and on to her next book...
November 23, 2024
Sadly based on true events. Learnt more about the war, especially from a civilian and women's standpoints and all the subplots of political strategies. Of course being greek, there is a greek tragedy element with vendettas.
I listened to this as an audiobook and have to admit due to my own fault had to keep going back and forth as I'd miss chunks and kept losing my place.
I listened to this as an audiobook and have to admit due to my own fault had to keep going back and forth as I'd miss chunks and kept losing my place.
July 26, 2023
I really loved this book. Parts of it were a bit gruesome and I was horrified that such a thing really happened. The author made a really good job of weaving the facts into a story and you could really warm to the characters.
July 19, 2025
Twists and surprises at every turn
February 1, 2018
A very descriptive novel reminding me of the beautiful scenery in Crete. I thought the novel was very moving and Patricia Wilson has researched well the terrible atrocities of the German occupation of Crete during the Second World War. It was both heart breaking and up lifting at the same time. I would recommend it to those who enjoyed Victoria Hislop’s ‘The Island’ and also those who enjoy reading a family saga.
June 24, 2017
Set during the Second World War years in Greece the story takes place on the island of Crete where Angie returns to her birthplace to visit her elderly grandmother Maria much against the wishes of her own mother. Maria wants to make her peace before she dies to tell Angie the terrible story that she does not want to take to her grave.
German occupation of the island during the war reveals some terrible stories that are based on the mostly true stories told by the elderly women of Amiras. This was mixed nicely with the culture and traditions of this village. Gradually as secrets are revealed we piece together the past. Good characterisation and vivid descriptive passages bring this story to life. A little flitting between past and present did make it a bit tricky to maintain continuity but it didn't spoil what was otherwise a good read. Some good twists and mysteries carefully revealed make this a worthwhile read. Not my usual genre but does get a well deserved 4 stars.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.
German occupation of the island during the war reveals some terrible stories that are based on the mostly true stories told by the elderly women of Amiras. This was mixed nicely with the culture and traditions of this village. Gradually as secrets are revealed we piece together the past. Good characterisation and vivid descriptive passages bring this story to life. A little flitting between past and present did make it a bit tricky to maintain continuity but it didn't spoil what was otherwise a good read. Some good twists and mysteries carefully revealed make this a worthwhile read. Not my usual genre but does get a well deserved 4 stars.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.
May 31, 2021
I listened to Island of Secrets, by Patricia Wilson, as an Audiobook from Borrowbox. Read by Julie Maisey, it was another outstanding book from the author and once again, taught me so much about the Second World War that I wasn’t aware of.
‘The story started at dawn on the fourteenth of September 1943...’
Angelika (Angie) is planning her wedding to Nick and has decided that she wants her mother’s family to be involved. The problem is, is that her mother hasn’t spoken to her family in almost 40 years and they live in Crete! Cue a trip to the Greek island to see what she can find out. Her grandmother, Maria, is overjoyed to see her granddaughter and begins to tell her story of the massacre in 1943 when the Germans occupied Crete.
I imagine that often Greek village life is chaotic, very family-orientated and with everyone knowing each other’s business. Angie’s wedding day was very much like this. Nothing went to plan, and to say it was chaos was an understatement!
The story is told over the two timelines, present-day and 1943 and to be honest, I was much more interested in the stories of the past. Knowing the accounts were based on fact, horrific though it was, made me warm to the characters more, whilst learning about the horrors they were put through for seemingly no reason whatsoever.
Patricia Wilson is a master at descriptive writing, and I love how she draws you into the story, making you believe you could be experiencing every gunshot, yet also enjoy a coffee in the local cafe with the sun beating down.
I would recommend Island of Secrets to anyone interested in Greek history and would like to know a little bit more but with the ease of a ‘nice read’ behind it. I have enjoyed the three novels I have read or listened to by Patricia Wilson, and I will be on the lookout for more.
‘The story started at dawn on the fourteenth of September 1943...’
Angelika (Angie) is planning her wedding to Nick and has decided that she wants her mother’s family to be involved. The problem is, is that her mother hasn’t spoken to her family in almost 40 years and they live in Crete! Cue a trip to the Greek island to see what she can find out. Her grandmother, Maria, is overjoyed to see her granddaughter and begins to tell her story of the massacre in 1943 when the Germans occupied Crete.
I imagine that often Greek village life is chaotic, very family-orientated and with everyone knowing each other’s business. Angie’s wedding day was very much like this. Nothing went to plan, and to say it was chaos was an understatement!
The story is told over the two timelines, present-day and 1943 and to be honest, I was much more interested in the stories of the past. Knowing the accounts were based on fact, horrific though it was, made me warm to the characters more, whilst learning about the horrors they were put through for seemingly no reason whatsoever.
Patricia Wilson is a master at descriptive writing, and I love how she draws you into the story, making you believe you could be experiencing every gunshot, yet also enjoy a coffee in the local cafe with the sun beating down.
I would recommend Island of Secrets to anyone interested in Greek history and would like to know a little bit more but with the ease of a ‘nice read’ behind it. I have enjoyed the three novels I have read or listened to by Patricia Wilson, and I will be on the lookout for more.
July 3, 2017
Angelika has always been intrigued by her mother's secret past. Now with her wedding approaching, she visits the remote Crete village where her mother, Poppy, grew up. Angie's grandmother, Maria, is dying and desperate to unburden herself. Maria tells her story, one that begins with the Nazi occupation of Crete during the Second World War and carries life-changing consequences to the present day.
Wow, this novel is simply perfection. Wilson has brought the tragic history of Amiras to life and done so beautifully. Everything is stunning; the plot, setting, characters and landscape, are all wonderful.
I love how Wilson has told the story, weaving the history of Amiras into the present day, Wilson has the perfect balance between past and present. There is a lot of foreboding in this novel as the shocks come out and there are plot twists but they are done sensitively and do not make the novel scandalous. 'Island of Secrets' has it all from history, family and love to terror, heartbreak and forgiveness and makes for an emotional roller-coaster of a read.
The characters are spectacular, from Angie and Nick to Angie's Cretan family. They are all damaged by the events of the Second World War and we follow them as they start to heal. They are so realistic and I felt like I knew all of them. 'Island of Secrets' is pure perfection, from the devastating history to the hope of the future. I adored this novel and know that you will too.
Wow, this novel is simply perfection. Wilson has brought the tragic history of Amiras to life and done so beautifully. Everything is stunning; the plot, setting, characters and landscape, are all wonderful.
I love how Wilson has told the story, weaving the history of Amiras into the present day, Wilson has the perfect balance between past and present. There is a lot of foreboding in this novel as the shocks come out and there are plot twists but they are done sensitively and do not make the novel scandalous. 'Island of Secrets' has it all from history, family and love to terror, heartbreak and forgiveness and makes for an emotional roller-coaster of a read.
The characters are spectacular, from Angie and Nick to Angie's Cretan family. They are all damaged by the events of the Second World War and we follow them as they start to heal. They are so realistic and I felt like I knew all of them. 'Island of Secrets' is pure perfection, from the devastating history to the hope of the future. I adored this novel and know that you will too.
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