The story is told from the viewpoint of first Dulcie Caruthers, a female travel writer; then her daughter Thirza, an artist. When Thirza’s younger brother goes missing in the confusion brought during the Corfu incident of 1923 (this was a military and diplomatic crisis between Italy and Greece), her family is torn apart. The story then fasts forward to Thirza returning to Corfu and trying to re-build her life a few years later.

To be honest I did not find this was an easy book to read. I liked the setting of 1930s Corfu but the blurb didn’t really live up to the story inside the covers. I didn’t find Thirza or Dulcie particularly likeable characters, just spoilt and rich; the story went a little bit wild and unbelievable; so I found the conflict between them long winded. I wanted to shake both of them and tell them to sort out their issues! The book predictably reaches a positive ending, a lot of the action happens in the last few pages.

I usually love Dinah Jefferies' stories, but this was not as captivating as her other books.

I couldn't put this down, very compelling writing style. 16 year old Thirza and her 9 year old brother Billy live with their mum and dad on the island of Corfu in the 1920s. Also living with them is their mum, Dulcie's, cousin Columbine and her daughter Ianthe. A privileged life, the youngsters are happy until one day in 1923 Italian soldiers invade and occupy the island. During the turmoil, Billy disappears. Some time later the police discover his murder and the family are never the same. Seven years later, Thirza returns to the family home on Corfu and prepares it to be lived in again. Falling in love was not in her plans and things don't quite work out as planned. A sad story of family secrets, love and unexpected laughter. I truly loved this story. #netgalley #thegreekhouse

The Greek House by Dinah Jefferies was a beautifully written book from start to finish and I just love opening any of Dinah's books, especially as she writes from her heart and she takes you to such beautiful places around the world. This book was no different! She take you back to 1923 Greece, when the Italian army invaded the island of Corfu, where it is suddenly occupied by Mussolini's Italian navy. A British Family called The Carruthers were caught up in it Sixteen-year-old Thirza and Billy who is nine-year-old are caught up in the panic on the streets of Corfu Old Town during the Italian naval attack. Dulcie, who is their mother, left them with her cousin, Columbine, just for a short while as she goes to check on a camp of refugee children where she volunteer. But, when she returns, she finds that Billy has disappeared, no one has seen him. She panic's and goes looking for him, still no sign she will never give up and ends up looking for him for several weeks. Her beautiful little boy has not been found and is eventually presumed dead. This has an lasting effect on all the members of the Family.
Dulcie blames both Thirza and Columbine for what has happened to Billy and leaves Corfu to go back home to England, she is leaving behind her husband Piers, who is the director of the British police training school in Corfu, she is losing so much! but her marriage has been hard on both of them - so this was the only way she could see that may make her happy again.

7 Years go by and Dulcie’s daughter, Thirza, returns to Corfu hoping to find some answers but she only finds that she is struggling to deal with the memories of baby brother Billy who was never found. Whilst Dulcie returns to her family home, a very handsome Italian man called Emilio, moves into the property next door. Thirza and Emilio begin an affair.

This is a a wonderful book, it is full of secrets and lies, family relationships. . . . . which will have you gripped from the beginning till the end. It is a great holiday read especially if you are in Greece or even Corfu. I loved it.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for a review copy of this book.

I enjoyed this emotional, engaging and evocative historical tale set in Corfu in the 1920s and 1930s. Authentic historical details add depth to the story, and its complex, flawed characters and their emotional relationships make it an immersive and intense read. The lyrical descriptions bring the island and the historical events to life, and the depth of emotion makes the characters real, and what happens to them matters to you. The passionate romance that defines the story is evocatively written and echoes across the generations, drawing the web of betrayal and love together in its resonating conclusion.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

The Greek House is another wonderful historical book by Dinah Jeffries I have read many of her books and enjoyed them all .The descriptions of Corfu were just beautiful. The story starts in Corfu 1923 when the Island is suddenly occupied by Mussolini's Italy and the British Family Carruthers are caught up in it and their little boy Billy disappears the story tells of the effect on all the members of the Family ,I loved the characters this story is one of heartbreak, love secrets and new beginnings. Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.

I found this story to be a thoroughly engaging read. It first begins in 1923 on the island of Corfu and an invasion by Italy. Dulcie Caruthers-Moreland is there with her family. There is tension between Dulcie and her cousin, Columbine, concerning something that happened in the past. Columbine often seems to be drunk. During a terrifying time, Billy, Dulcie’s son, is lost. I can’t help but feel how devastating it must be to lose a child but Dulcie blamed Thirza ( her 16 year old daughter)and Columbine. She didn’t take any of the blame herself.
The story then takes place in 1930, when Thirza is back on the island, renovating their house. Thirza has a very strained relationship with her mother, mainly due to her mother’s attitude. Billy was obviously the favoured child. There are a number of family secrets that are gradually unfolded and some romance. There are heartaches but also some joy. I loved all the descriptive details, I really felt as though I was there. It seems as though some of the characters will be in the next book and I look forward to reading it. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Corfu, 1930 & the moment Thirza Caruthers sets foot on Corfu, memories flood the scent of jasmine, the green shutters of her family’s home — and her brother Billy’s tragic disappearance seven years before.
Returning to the Greek house, high above clear blue waters, Thirza tries to escape by immersing herself in painting and a passionate affair.
Another very well written book from the author, the description of the settings is stunning, the characters well portrayed & the story drew me in from the start. There are secrets plus twists & turns plus this is steamier than other books I’ve read by the author. An engrossing book which I thoroughly enjoyed
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

Dinah Jeffries takes us to Corfu in this book.

When Italy invades Corfu and young Billy vanishes his family will not be the same again! We follow them as they navigate life without Billy. Theresa returns to Corfu and to the house they shared.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it!

My second Dinah Jefferies read and it did not disappoint, I could not put it down as I loved the story and the characters so much.

1923 Corfu, Thirza and her brother Billy enjoy life in the island with their parents, time is spent between Corfu town and their summer house on the coast and life is good.

But everything changes when Italy invade the island and in the chaos of the invasion 9 year old Billy goes missing.

Seven years later Thirza returns to the island to open up the summer house again in preparation for her Mothers return. Every where she turns memories of the past haunt her and she wonders if it will ever be possible to live here and heal the past.

Then a chance meeting, with an Italian visiting the island, changes her life and once again things will never be the same again.

A wonderful read about family secrets, love and forgiveness. I loved the characters and enjoyed being transported to the beauty of Corfu.

Highly recommended for your summer reading.

I have been a fan of Dinah Jeffries since I first read The Separation many years ago so I was delighted when I was given the chance to read this one as an ARC.
This book is set on the beautiful Greek island of Corfu and the author paints such a wonderful picture with words that I want to head straight to the travel agent and book a flight'
It's 1923 and chaos reigns on the island, Mussolini's Italian navy were attacking. The wealthy Caruthers family were in a panic, travel author, Dulcie, the matriarch, left her sixteen year old daughter, Thirza, and her nine year old son Billy with her cousin, Columbine whilst she went to check the safety of the children in the orphanage, a decision that she would bitterly regret, Columbine had been drinking and in the mele Billy disappeared.
Despite a frantic, far reaching search, Billy was never found, Dulcie's despair was palpable, she blames both Columbine and Thirza both of whom were wracked with guilt, she would never recover from this, she would return to England.
In 1930 Thirza returned to Merchant House, the Greek home that she loved, the place where she felt closest to Billy, she hoped to persuade her mother to return, her mother had been distant since Billy's disappearance, Thirza felt alone and rejected.
Against all odds, Thirza met and started a passionate affair with Emilio, a handsome, older Italian, Thirza was in love but was it a love that was going to break her heart ? all was not as it seemed, both of them had secrets, secrets that would tear them apart.
This is a well written book and I must admit that it had me hooked although I didn't find the characters very likeable and I'm not sure what I think of the final twist.
Thank you Harper Fiction for this ATC, the review is my own.

Captain Piers Caruthers is director of the British Police School in Corfu. He and his wife, Dulcie, with Billy (9) and Thirza (16) live in a town house in Corfu town but also have Merchant’s House as a summer home in north of the island.

Life in the 1920s is going well until some Italian men helping to resolve a border dispute between Albania and Greece are murdered. Italy is blaming Greece and demanding retribution. In the resulting chaos Italians come in ships and take over island. All Brits receive orders to report to the consul where they will be safe but young Billy goes missing in the chaos. Dulcie blames her cousin Columbine who was supposed to be taking care of Billy.

The mystery and distress of Billy’s disappearance continues and the story picks up seven years later when Rear Admiral Emilio Bellini enters the story and there is a lot of romance in the air.

This was a well written book with many twists and turns. It is part romance, part mystery with a great background of Greece throughout. It was an easy and enjoyable read.

With thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book

The moment Thirza Caruthers sets foot on Corfu, memories flood back: the scent of jasmine, the green shutters of her family’s home — and her brother Billy’s tragic disappearance years before.

Returning to the Greek house, high above clear blue waters, Thirza tries to escape by immersing herself in painting — and a passionate affair.

But as webs of love, envy, and betrayal tighten around the family, buried secrets surface.

I have never been to Greece but this book made me feel like I was there. The writing is so descriptive I could practically feel the sun on my face and the smell the scent in the air. A really enjoyable read

Set in beautiful Crete, the story centres on the aftermath of a boy’s disappearance while on holiday with his family in their beloved holiday home, Merchants. Years later, the tragedy is still affecting them in different ways, especially his sister Thirza. She returns to the island sad but determined to enjoy her time there. A love affair and self-discovery await, not to mention a dramatic revelation when Thirza’s mother arrives. A thoroughly enjoyable read with a thrilling ending.

The Greek House is a richly atmospheric family drama set against the sun-drenched backdrop of 1930s Corfu. I really enjoyed the story, a bit predictable in parts but enjoyed the characters and the twists.

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This story takes you back to Corfu in the 1920s-30s, and a life which happened on the island. From the disappearance of her brother to finding love on the island, Thirza Caruthers's live is entwined with Corfu.

This story will transport you to Corfu where you can smell the jasmine and orange blossom, but want to know more about the family secrets hidden on the island.

Fans of Dinah Jefferies will enjoy this one.

If, like me, you place Dinah Jefferies in the top rank of authors you will enjoy ‘The Greek House’. Indeed, her writing is so captivating that you are likely to feel as if you have enjoyed some time in Corfu in the interwar years by the time the book’s finale is reached.

As with most of this author’s novels, the plot is brought to life by beautifully crafted characters and unfolds at a pace that carries the reader along with ease. Add to that the masterly skill at scene setting and sketching the surroundings with such care that the reader almost feels to be in the time and place in which the plot unfolds and this book is bound to satisfy most readers.

True, there is no great surprise with how the plot unfolds to a satisfactory ending. But for most readers the satisfying ending may be a better finale than some ‘rabbit from a hat’ trick.

Strongly recommended.

I wish I had kept this book to read on holiday. I think although it was a good book to read in the rainy Uk, it would have been much better read lying on a sun lounger in the sun. Preferably in Corfu.

I enjoyed this story although the twist at 60% I’m still not sure about. It took me a while to connect with the characters but as it went, I did feel them all softening, and I did feel like I got to know the family.

Ultimately it is about a boy, Billy, who goes missing after the Corfu Incident, and the effect it has on his family. Lies, deceit, naivety crept up throughout this story. The ending seemed a bit fairytale like, but I was glad of it!

Overall, another good read by Dinah Jefferies.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this novel in return of an honest review.