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Secrets Under the Sun
Secrets Under the Sun is a stunning romantic mystery by the sea, from Nadia Marks, author of the bestselling Among the Lemon Trees.The truth will surprise you . . .On the island of Cyprus, in the small seaside town of Larnaka, three childhood friends have reunited for the funeral of Katerina, the much-loved old woman who had a profound effect on their lives.Eleni, Marianna and Adonis grew up together, as close as siblings. Although from humble beginnings – a housemaid from the age of thirteen – Katerina’s love, wisdom and guidance helped shape them all.Her loss leaves the friends bereft, but the funeral is not just a time to mourn and remember. Adonis’s mother decides that with Katerina’s death comes the time to share the family’s secrets and answer the riddles of their childhood. A story of deception, forbidden love and undying loyalty unravels. What she reveals will change everything . . .
383 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 17, 2018
51 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Nadia Marks
10 books51 followersNadia Marks (née Kitromilides,) was born in Cyprus, but grew up in London. An ex creative director and associate editor on a number of leading British women's magazines, she is now a novelist and works as a freelance writer for several national and international publications.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 31, 2019
Sincere, enchanting, and expressive!
Secrets Under the Sun is set on the picturesque island of Cyprus and delves into the lives of several generations of the Linser family and all the secrets, tears, smiles, strength, and compassion they shared over the years.
The writing is heartwarming and vivid. The characters are complex, multi-faceted, and reliable. And the plot, alternating between the past and present, sweeps you away in a tale full of love, life, loss, friendship, heartbreak, deception, generosity, support, forgiveness, and the true meaning of family.
Overall, Secrets Under the Sun is a tender, alluring, beautifully depicted tale that highlights the enduring bonds of women and the power and everlasting effects of unconditional love and friendship.
Thank you to PGC Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Secrets Under the Sun is set on the picturesque island of Cyprus and delves into the lives of several generations of the Linser family and all the secrets, tears, smiles, strength, and compassion they shared over the years.
The writing is heartwarming and vivid. The characters are complex, multi-faceted, and reliable. And the plot, alternating between the past and present, sweeps you away in a tale full of love, life, loss, friendship, heartbreak, deception, generosity, support, forgiveness, and the true meaning of family.
Overall, Secrets Under the Sun is a tender, alluring, beautifully depicted tale that highlights the enduring bonds of women and the power and everlasting effects of unconditional love and friendship.
Thank you to PGC Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2021
Beautiful
June 18, 2018
I've never heard of this author before and it was the front cover staring at me in my local library that attracted me to the book and I'm so glad it did as it was an exciting, heart breaking and happy read all rolled into one.
Eleni, Marianna and Adonnis are home in Lanska for the funeral of their much loved housekeeper who was like a mother to all 3. After the funeral Anita the mother of Adonnis sits all 3 down and tells them some home truths they never knew about themselves, their family and the land they grew up in.
This book had me gripped from the beginning and I have already ordered more books by this author. Can't wait to see what else she has written
Eleni, Marianna and Adonnis are home in Lanska for the funeral of their much loved housekeeper who was like a mother to all 3. After the funeral Anita the mother of Adonnis sits all 3 down and tells them some home truths they never knew about themselves, their family and the land they grew up in.
This book had me gripped from the beginning and I have already ordered more books by this author. Can't wait to see what else she has written
October 11, 2019
A lot of love affairs and drama ( a bit much to my taste) combined with some Cypriotic history makes for easy holiday reading
July 19, 2025
Set in Cyprus, which was lovely to read about. Family drama. OK story.
October 11, 2020
I really struggled to get into this book and nearly gave up a few times but half way through I started to really enjoy it and by the end couldn’t put it down !
May 16, 2023
Characters one dimensional and irritating but liked the setting and historical background
March 31, 2020
Questo romanzo racchiude una moltitudine di storie che si intrecciano tra loro, creando una corale capace di far capire al lettore tutta la storia dietro alla famiglia Linser.
Adonis, Eleni e Marianna tornano a casa per dire addio alla donna che ha cresciuto ognuno di loro con tutto l'amore di cui era capace, facendo loro da madre, amica e salvatrice.
L'ultimo saluto a chi li ha amati così tanto riporterà a galla un passato fatto di segreti, guerre, morti e tanto, tantissimo amore, da cui scaturisce l'animo di ogni ogni personaggio.
La leggerezza delle parole della Marks mi hanno ammaliata, pur parlando di temi profondi e di argomenti difficili. La sua capacità di narrare con naturalezza mi ha coinvolta e mi ha fatta camminare tra le vie di Cipro accanto a dei personaggi descritti alla perfezione. Mi sono innamorata di ognuna delle donne Linser e ho avuto il groppo il gola alla morte di alcuni personaggi.
Ma quella che ho amato di più è la protagonista indiscussa di questo romanzo: Katerina. Una donna speciale, che per la felicità altrui avrebbe annullato completamente la sua vita. Una donna nata da una seconda possibilità, saggia e composta, capace di dare amore anche al lettore. Io ho sentito la mia cara Katerina, ho sentito la sua anima, la sua essenza e la sua forza, il suo abbraccio.
Ho percepito tutto quello che l'autrice voleva far trapelare, tutto quello i personaggi avevano da dire, tutto quello che il romanzo è capace di far sentire. Ho percepito la consapevolezza e l'accettazione della verità da parte dei tre ragazzi che a fine romanzo capiscono di avere una nuova vita davanti. Pensavano di sapere chi erano prima di tornare a Cipro. Ora sanno chi sono davvero.
Adonis, Eleni e Marianna tornano a casa per dire addio alla donna che ha cresciuto ognuno di loro con tutto l'amore di cui era capace, facendo loro da madre, amica e salvatrice.
L'ultimo saluto a chi li ha amati così tanto riporterà a galla un passato fatto di segreti, guerre, morti e tanto, tantissimo amore, da cui scaturisce l'animo di ogni ogni personaggio.
La leggerezza delle parole della Marks mi hanno ammaliata, pur parlando di temi profondi e di argomenti difficili. La sua capacità di narrare con naturalezza mi ha coinvolta e mi ha fatta camminare tra le vie di Cipro accanto a dei personaggi descritti alla perfezione. Mi sono innamorata di ognuna delle donne Linser e ho avuto il groppo il gola alla morte di alcuni personaggi.
Ma quella che ho amato di più è la protagonista indiscussa di questo romanzo: Katerina. Una donna speciale, che per la felicità altrui avrebbe annullato completamente la sua vita. Una donna nata da una seconda possibilità, saggia e composta, capace di dare amore anche al lettore. Io ho sentito la mia cara Katerina, ho sentito la sua anima, la sua essenza e la sua forza, il suo abbraccio.
Ho percepito tutto quello che l'autrice voleva far trapelare, tutto quello i personaggi avevano da dire, tutto quello che il romanzo è capace di far sentire. Ho percepito la consapevolezza e l'accettazione della verità da parte dei tre ragazzi che a fine romanzo capiscono di avere una nuova vita davanti. Pensavano di sapere chi erano prima di tornare a Cipro. Ora sanno chi sono davvero.
May 28, 2021
Such a beautiful descriptive read, looking into the lives of an Austrian/Cypriot family and the many challenges the family faced over the year. A good strong female empowerment theme runs through the book, as well as touching on themes such as romance, war, privilege and loss. The book is set out as a story telling in modern times by Anita - the mother and aunt of the three listeners Eleni, Marianna and Adonis. You learn about the family's heritage and legacy, as well as the intertwining stories that draw every person of importance in their lives together - all set to the gorgeous backdrop of Larnaka, Cyprus. I learned a great deal about the history of Cyprus as well as gaining an emotional connection to the storyline especially with the characters Katerina and Olga, whose life stories are thrilling, empowering and captivating!!
July 28, 2019
Unfortunately plot didn't keep promises given once I had started reading the book.
As pages were getting along it was likely to me that this was more a tourist guide for visitors in Cyprus and less a real novel.
A bit of history,a bit of traditions,a bit of romancing betrayal,plus a doomed love... Oh please do count the fancy title of the book,as well.
It's a pity,as writer has an agreeable way of intimacy towards the reader through descriptions and scenery.
In any case is an acceptable reading under your summer umbrella 😎
As pages were getting along it was likely to me that this was more a tourist guide for visitors in Cyprus and less a real novel.
A bit of history,a bit of traditions,a bit of romancing betrayal,plus a doomed love... Oh please do count the fancy title of the book,as well.
It's a pity,as writer has an agreeable way of intimacy towards the reader through descriptions and scenery.
In any case is an acceptable reading under your summer umbrella 😎
July 24, 2018
Such a delightful summer read. A wonderful take of cousins brought together at a funeral and then told the true story of their history.
Wonderfully written story with characters that I now feel are friends and I’m sad to leave behind.
Thank you for this lovely tale.
Wonderfully written story with characters that I now feel are friends and I’m sad to leave behind.
Thank you for this lovely tale.
August 19, 2018
So different
So different to anything I've read before. The story emerges in such an unusual way. 3 cousins return home for a funeral of a beloved Aunt and learn so much about their childhoods. Loved everything about their lives and previous generations
So different to anything I've read before. The story emerges in such an unusual way. 3 cousins return home for a funeral of a beloved Aunt and learn so much about their childhoods. Loved everything about their lives and previous generations
October 5, 2018
A wonderful story where family and friends discover the secret past of a beloved maternal figure. This was even more enjoyable to me personally, being set in Cyprus, as I lived and worked there for a while in the past and I recognised many of the places of historical interest.
October 10, 2018
An enjoyable summer read set on Cyprus where past and present are cleverly interwoven as three childhood friends come together to mourn the loss of a maternal figure in their lives. Secrets abound and nothing is quite what it seems.
September 4, 2018
Very interestingly woven story.
My only wish is that I would have liked to see if the Padre was still alive and found.
My only wish is that I would have liked to see if the Padre was still alive and found.
April 4, 2020
Quick sentence to summarize for now. Nice, easy read about the love of some very strong women and what they all did/secrets they kept which helped shape their decedent's personalities/lives.
May 4, 2020
Easy, light reading to pass a spring/summer day. Not too profound.
October 14, 2020
Really enjoyable story
May 4, 2022
A fabulous read about family and Greece. Loved the characters, now want to read more from this author
May 19, 2022
A good read, but I found it kind of similar to her other book I read
August 28, 2022
Great generational saga!
August 12, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
January 11, 2025
Really enjoyed the family saga with some interesting history of Cyprus included. Slow to start but worth sticking with
June 30, 2019
Cinque donne, tre generazioni, le vicende della loro famiglia che attraversano la Storia dell’isola di Cipro a cavallo fra gli anni Cinquanta e Sessanta, un racconto di una di queste cinque donne che svela solo dopo moltissimi anni molti segreti che riguardano anche e soprattutto i tre giovani dell’ultima generazione e non mancano i colpi di scena. Ciascuno di loro al termine di questa lunga narrazione si ritrova cambiato, catapultato in una nuova prospettiva di se stesso e pronto per ripartire a ricostruire la propria vita, partendo dal vero sé. È per questo che il titolo dell’edizione del romanzo, ancora una volta risulta lontano dall’originale e oltremodo fuorviante!
Non è un romance, come ci si potrebbe aspettare, e per fortuna dico! L’amore c’è, naturalmente, ma è quello viscerale di una madre per le proprie figlie, di una nonna per le proprie nipoti, di una domestica che entra a far parte di questa famiglia come fosse lei la madre, la sorella, la figlia.
Mi è piaciuto leggere la storia di queste donne forti nella loro indissolubile unione, libere da pregiudizi, aperte alla modernità quando il mondo ancora non era del tutto pronto a una donna indipendente e che poteva fare a meno della figura maschile (che in questo romanzo risulta inetta), però se devo essere sincera leggendo questo romanzo mi sono venute in mente le storie della Allende o della Fallaci e questo mi è sembrato un po’ una brutta copia. Troppo lento, troppo ripetitivo, troppo poco pathos e drammaticità, poca freschezza nello stile narrativo, a tratti l’ho trovato pure noioso; si salva un po’ la parte finale per il colpo di scena e per le riflessioni finali sei tre ragazzi.
Nel complesso gli do la sufficienza, se non altro per l’ambientazione e per un pezzo di Storia che forse è stata dimenticata, ma nulla di più
Non è un romance, come ci si potrebbe aspettare, e per fortuna dico! L’amore c’è, naturalmente, ma è quello viscerale di una madre per le proprie figlie, di una nonna per le proprie nipoti, di una domestica che entra a far parte di questa famiglia come fosse lei la madre, la sorella, la figlia.
Mi è piaciuto leggere la storia di queste donne forti nella loro indissolubile unione, libere da pregiudizi, aperte alla modernità quando il mondo ancora non era del tutto pronto a una donna indipendente e che poteva fare a meno della figura maschile (che in questo romanzo risulta inetta), però se devo essere sincera leggendo questo romanzo mi sono venute in mente le storie della Allende o della Fallaci e questo mi è sembrato un po’ una brutta copia. Troppo lento, troppo ripetitivo, troppo poco pathos e drammaticità, poca freschezza nello stile narrativo, a tratti l’ho trovato pure noioso; si salva un po’ la parte finale per il colpo di scena e per le riflessioni finali sei tre ragazzi.
Nel complesso gli do la sufficienza, se non altro per l’ambientazione e per un pezzo di Storia che forse è stata dimenticata, ma nulla di più
August 13, 2025
Ho trovato questo libro molto carino, anche se non ho apprezzato i troppi dettagli culinari e il dilungarsi sulla storia della rivolta a Cipro degli anni '50.
Un viaggio dagli anni '30 fino ad oggi alla scoperta della storia della famiglia Linser e di tutti i loro segreti.
La storia di cinque donne che hanno vissuto insieme in una grande casa, in un'armoniosa sorellanza, durante gli anni in cui la società era fortemente patriarcale, affrontando gli alti e bassi della vita.
Molto apprezzato l'albero genealogico all'inizio del libro, insieme ad una vecchia fotografia degli anni trenta di Larnaca.
Piaciuto: Sì sì!!!
Un viaggio dagli anni '30 fino ad oggi alla scoperta della storia della famiglia Linser e di tutti i loro segreti.
La storia di cinque donne che hanno vissuto insieme in una grande casa, in un'armoniosa sorellanza, durante gli anni in cui la società era fortemente patriarcale, affrontando gli alti e bassi della vita.
Molto apprezzato l'albero genealogico all'inizio del libro, insieme ad una vecchia fotografia degli anni trenta di Larnaca.
Piaciuto: Sì sì!!!
June 5, 2025
I started Secrets Under the Sun by Nadia Speaks as a beach novel and and was pleasantly surprised to find so much more beneath the surface. While it starts off with a summery, relaxed vibe, the story quickly deepens into something far more layered, with emotion, introspection, and well-kept secrets coming to light.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!
February 24, 2019
Secrets Under the Sun by Nadia Marks is an epic family saga of deception, lost love, and unwavering loyalty. When three cousins return to Cyprus to bury a woman who was a mother figure to them all, history is redefined in a way that none of them could have expected.
Congregating in beautiful Nicosia, Cyprus following the death of Katerina, a surrogate mother to them all, Adonis, Marianna and Eleni are grieving their beloved friend and matriarch. It is a time to share their sorrow and to reminisce about a shared history and closeness that has sustained them each into adulthood. Adonis' mother Anita takes the opportunity to share the Linser family history and, in particular, the story of Katerina, whose humble beginnings as a housemaid seem at odds with her position of influence in the family during her later years.
Told in various timelines throughout the family's history, from Vienna to Greece and Cyprus, long buried secrets are revealed as Anita takes the three cousins on a surprising journey through the past. Revelations are made and the history they have shared is ultimately redefined.
This is a novel rich in historical details, and beautifully character-driven. I found myself swept up in the decadent descriptions of Cypriot life, and would love to read more from this author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for this ARC.
Congregating in beautiful Nicosia, Cyprus following the death of Katerina, a surrogate mother to them all, Adonis, Marianna and Eleni are grieving their beloved friend and matriarch. It is a time to share their sorrow and to reminisce about a shared history and closeness that has sustained them each into adulthood. Adonis' mother Anita takes the opportunity to share the Linser family history and, in particular, the story of Katerina, whose humble beginnings as a housemaid seem at odds with her position of influence in the family during her later years.
Told in various timelines throughout the family's history, from Vienna to Greece and Cyprus, long buried secrets are revealed as Anita takes the three cousins on a surprising journey through the past. Revelations are made and the history they have shared is ultimately redefined.
This is a novel rich in historical details, and beautifully character-driven. I found myself swept up in the decadent descriptions of Cypriot life, and would love to read more from this author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for this ARC.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews