A wonderful twisty whodunnit for you to read

History teaches us lessons about the present.  I have really enjoyed delving into historical novels recently, and most especially learning about history, and it’s many facets.  The Tuscan House is a wonderful example of a rich historical novel. In each conflict there are more than two sides.  Each person experiences war differently and it shapes people.  (Not unlike how the pandemic is shaping people today.) I was quickly drawn into The Tuscan House and felt the pain of Richard, a conscious objector, who finds his own way to contribute to the war effort, and through that carries scars that make it hard for him to reintegrate into society.  An invitation to an Italian village he spent time in during the war, leads him to make a change.  He leaves war torn London and travels by motorbike across Europe.  In Corbello he finds an old house, and decides that he will repair and renovate it.  This is the house that will heal him. It seems that this house isn’t just his refuge.  Soon a woman and a little boy stagger into the ruins of an old house deep in the forest, wild roses overwhelming the crumbling terracotta walls. Since the war, nowhere has been safe. But they both freeze in shock when a voice calls out from the shadows This is Fosca and Richard’s story.  A story that takes place during the war, and a story that concludes after it.  It is also the story of a village finding it’s way back from the brink.  Yes, it may be a love story in parts, but it is also a delicious mystery and whodunnit, with a delightful twist.  Be prepared to fall in love with Tuscany (and want to visit) and with the wonderful cast of characters that tell a truly memorable story.

Book Description:

For young mother Fosca Sentino, accepting refuge from reluctant British war hero Richard – in Tuscany to escape his tragic past – is the only way to keep her little family safe. She once risked everything to spy on Nazi commanders and pass secret information to the resistenza. But after a heartbreaking betrayal, Fosca’s best friend Simonetta disappeared without trace. The whole community was torn apart, and now Fosca and her son are outcasts.

Wary of this handsome stranger at first, Fosca slowly starts to feel safe as she watches him play with her son in the overgrown orchard. But her fragile peace is shattered the moment a silver brooch is found in the garden, and she recognises it as Simonetta’s…

Fosca has always suspected that another member of the resistenza betrayed her. With Richard by her side, she must find out if Simonetta is still alive, and clear her own name. But how did the brooch end up at the house? And with a traitor hiding in the village, willing to do anything to keep this secret buried, has Fosca put herself and her young son in terrible danger?

The Tuscan House is an absolutely gripping and heartbreaking page-turner that explores the incredible courage of ordinary people in extraordinary times. Perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen, The Nightingale, and anyone longing to lose themselves in the mountain landscapes and olive groves of rural Tuscany.

Meet the Author

Angela Petch is an award winning writer of fiction – and the occasional poem. Every summer she moves to Tuscany for six months where they own a renovated watermill which we let out. When not exploring the unspoilt corner of the Apennines, she disappears to her writing desk at the top of our converted stable. She always carries a notebook and pen to jot down ideas too. If you want to get completley absorbed in a wonderful story, treat yourself. Amazon: https://bit.ly/31wEgSJ Apple: https://apple.co/3uPJlCS