In the Shadow of the Olive Tree

by Orna O'Reilly

Two strangers, both newly divorced women, are determined to start life afresh amongst the olive groves of Puglia in the South of Italy, as they both attempt to put their old lives behind them.

Claudia has a seemingly perfect life: a successful novelist, a loving mother, beautiful and admired by all, but she's haunted by a decision she made. Her confidence is destroyed at the hands of another. Is she able to move on, put it behind her and find happiness once more?

Janet is determined to make a new life for herself after her husband left her for a younger woman, and she yearns to live in an idyllic trullo under the Pugliese sun.

As the paths of Claudia and Janet cross and their lives become entwined, one woman's dream is threatened by the past of the other when they discover it's not always easy to escape one's previous life. Sometimes it follows in unexpected ways.

261 pages, Paperback

Published July 29, 2021

About the author

Orna O’Reilly is a former interior designer from Ireland. She moved to Italy in 2013, began an award- winning blog, Orna O’Reilly: Travelling Italy, and lived in the Veneto region of northern Italy close to Venice, from where she drew inspiration for her first work of fiction, The Blonde in the Gondola. Her second book, In the Shadow of the Olive Tree, was set in Puglia in south eastern Italy, where Orna lived among the olive groves with her husband, Tom, for almost seven years. They have now returned to live permanently in the Veneto. Her latest book, to be published shortly, Dark Harvest, is set between both regions of Italy with which she has become deeply familiar. Orna has been a contributing writer for various travel and design magazines for several years.
Upon moving to Italy, Orna published her first book, Renovate and Redecorate without Breaking a Nail. This was published in 2014.

Reviews

[Thomas Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A trullo, a palazzo and the Pugliese blue serve as the backdrops for Orna’s second turn with the quill, and it’s a good one. “In the Shadow of the Olive Tree” is a brilliantly paced, psychological thriller that’ll have you on the edge of your seat and keep you there. With more plot twists than a white-knuckle roller coaster ride, O’Reilly brings it home with an “I didn’t see that coming” of an ending that’ll leave you craving for more from this clever and descriptive storyteller. “In the Shadow of the Olive Tree” is must-read this summer.

[Margie Miklas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! A page-turner that captivated my attention from the start.
I couldn’t put this book down and read it in one day! The story captivated me with surprising twists I didn’t see coming. The author’s well-developed characters contributed to the plot’s credibility. I especially appreciated her accurately described settings and traditions in southern Italy, triggering good memories of time I spent visiting the region of Puglia. Kudos to Ms. O’Reilly for addressing serious issues in a responsible, yet entertaining novel. Highly recommend this enjoyable read!

[Philip Koslow · Rating 5 out of 5]

What lurks in the shadow of the olive tree? Author Orna O’Reilly takes us from Ireland to Belgium and all the way down to Puglia in the heel of the Italian boot to find out in this contemporary romance full of twists and turns. Along the way, we meet two women from different walks of life, both looking for an escape from tragic pasts and a breath of fresh air to start anew. They land in the Italian south, in a region renowned for its immense olive groves, bright blue, sunny skies, and “trulli,” curious stone houses with pointy roofs.

Jane hopes to live in one of these distinctive structures, while Claudia seeks out the sort of palazzo fit for nobility. The author’s keen descriptions give a great sense of place, detailing what it’s like to experience such unique dwellings and the expat lifestyle in an exotic land. However, the women aren’t left in peace to enjoy these idyllic settings, and perhaps a romantic encounter or two, as O’Reilly’s dastardly villain insidiously inserts himself into their lives in an unexpected manner and ultimately brings together the contrasting pair of Irish women, their families and newfound community of friends.

Do the characters emerge out of the shadow and into the sunshine in the end? I won’t tell, but I highly recommend that you read In the Shadow of the Olive Tree and take your own journey to Southern Italy with this engaging story, vividly told.

[Eileen Boylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I received the book in the post I sat down with a cup of tea to start reading, before I knew it I had read five chapters. Needless to say, I didn't get much done for the next couple of days as I devoured each chapter. It was well written, very easy to read and I enjoyed the storyline. A good holiday read. Can't wait for the next one.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was amazed by how enthralled I was with this book - it is a total page-turner with twists and I have carried it around like a child's teddy bear for the past two days reading it at every opportunity! I was prepared for a happy ending for all the female protagonists but it doesn't just end there....I just hope that Orna O'Reilly is already working on the sequel ....?

[Cathán · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Anne Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

A delicious combination of exotic setting (Puglia in Italy) larger than life characters and a story that races along while keeping you guessing!