Thursday 25 April 2024

The unspeakable acts of Zina Pavlou

 



The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou

THEY HAVE TOLD SO MANY LIES ABOUT ME.

London, 1954. Zina Pavlou, a Cypriot grandmother, waits quietly in the custody of the Metropolitan police. She can't speak their language, but she understands what their wary looks mean: she has been accused of the brutal murder of her daughter-in-law.

Eva Georgiou, Greek interpreter for the Met, knows how it feels to be voiceless as an immigrant woman. While she works as Zina’s translator, her obsession with the case deepens, and so too does her bond with the accused murderer.

Zina can’t speak for herself. She can’t clear her own name. All she can do is wait for the world to decide...

IS SHE A VICTIM? OR IS SHE A KILLER?

A compelling historical crime novel set in the Greek diaspora of 1950s London – that's inspired by a true story – The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou is perfect for fans of Erin Kelly, Sara Collins, and Jessie Burton.

Purchase Link - https://geni.us/TUAOZPRRR

Author Bio


Eleni Kyriacou is an award-winning editor and journalist. Her writing has appeared in the Guardian, the ObserverGrazia, and Red, among others. She’s the daughter of Greek Cypriot immigrant parents, and her debut novel, She Came To Stay, was published in 2020. Her latest novel, The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou, is inspired by the true-crime story of the penultimate woman to be executed in Britain. Follow her on and www.elenikwriter.com.


Social Media Links – 

AUTHOR Social Handles

Twitter: @EleniKWriter

Facebook: Elenikwriter

Website: www.elenikwriter.com

 

Aries/Head of Zeus Social Handles

Twitter: @AriesFiction

Facebook: Aries Fiction

Instagram: @headofzeus

TikTok: @headofzeus

Website: http://www.headofzeus.com

 

Blog Tour Hashtag

#UnspeakableActsOfZinaP

My Review

I absolutely loved Eleni's first book which showcased her wonderful gift of storytelling and an amazing use of language. This book also tells an amazing story and it wasn't until I'd finished it that I realised it was based on a true story. That fact makes the story even more heart-wrenching. 

Eleni Kyriakou has a wonderful ability to bring characters alive. The reader gets to see them going about their daily life, not as an outsider looking in but as almost as an extra character. She also raises some interesting questions. The translator, Eva Georgiou, at times doesn't transcribe certain information. This omission plays on her conscience. The fact that Zina may have killed someone as a young girl in Cyprus is present throughout the story and as we unearth the back story little by little, the reader cannot help but be moved by Zina's life.

I found this a fascinating read very poignant and sad and quite chilling.



Thursday 11 April 2024

Summer at the Santorini bookshop

 


Summer at the Santorini Bookshop

A Greek island holiday. A fake-dating pact. A chance at true love?

After losing her job as a book scout, hopeless romantic Evie needs a fresh start. So when she hears that her eccentric grandmother has just taken on a small bookshop in Santorini, Evie jumps at the chance to visit her.

But life on the island is not as idyllic as it first seems. Gran has a tempestuous relationship with her landlord and he’s threatening to take the bookshop away from her. So when Gran asks Evie to fake a romance with her landlord’s Greek God of a grandson, Georgios, to keep the family on side, she reluctantly agrees.

As the sun sets on Evie’s Greek holiday, can she save the bookshop – and fake date her way to love?

 

Purchase Links

US: amzn.to/40rvToW

UK: amzn.to/3u4QJOY

Aust: amzn.to/3QOc6x1

 

Author Bio – Rebecca Raisin writes heartwarming romance from her home in sunny Perth, Australia. Her heroines tend to be on the quirky side and her books are usually set in exotic locations so her readers can armchair travel any day of the week. The only downfall about writing about gorgeous heroes who have brains as well as brawn, is falling in love with them – just as well they’re fictional. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with. People with big hearts who care about relationships and believe in true, once in a lifetime love. Her bestselling novel Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop has been optioned for film with MRC studios and Frolic Media. 



Social Media Links – 

https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRaisinAuthor

www.twitter.com/jaxandwillsmum

https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaraisinwrites2/

https://signup.harpercollins.co.uk/join/signup-hq-rebeccaraisin


My Review

When Santorini and a bookshop are both mentioned in the title, I had no hesitation in wanting to read this book. The trope of a fake relationship is done well as the protagonists begin to reveal their true feelings for each other - however, not before much mayhem is created regarding the future of the bookshop. The granny is not only eccentric but totally over the top ( perhaps a tad too much at times to be really credible) yet brings a lovely, light-heated tone to the book. 

If you're looking for a light read, a budding romance and some wacky characters, all set in a beautifully stunning location, then this is the perfect summer read.