I'm a massive fan of Dinah's and have loved all of her previous books. Hugely enjoyable reads, full of sweeping, emotional stories and engaging characters. I loved it!

I wouldn't normally read this kind of commercial historical fiction, but I got an email from NetGalley about it and I knew I had to read a book set in Corfu when I was on holiday there! The book itself was enjoyable – I found the ending silly and it's definitely not my favourite genre, but it was an interesting story and I rooted for the protagonist Thirza. But my favourite thing was definitely the Corfu setting – there was something so lovely reading about the island and the family's villa in the northeast and their time in Corfu Town, when I'd also walked along the Liston and could see the Albanian mountains from my reading spot. And I think Dinah Jeffries described the island very well, it made me want to go out and explore even more! 3.5 stars

I love historical fiction, so I was looking forward to reading this, especially as it is set in Greece!
This was a story depicting betrayal, loss, secrets and love and was written so well. I liked the change in timelines, as it showed how the story began and the progression and development of the characters. Thirza was such a strong leading character and I really liked how things ended for her, especially as she seemed to have a rocky journey.
The storyline of the book was good, as it instantly had my attention when Billy went missing. There were some definite twists as the story progressed and they all lead to an ending that was perfect for the story.
The setting within Corfu was just idyllic and I really liked the transformation of the guest house and its position on the coast.

Another fantastic book from Dinah Jefferies; I always find that they teach me about some part of European history that doesn’t get taught in schools but is incredibly fascinating, I loved the first section of the book more than the second but I enjoy3 the whole thing with plenty of shocks along the way. My only complaint is that the ending felt a bit rushed.

The Greek House is a sweeping novel about love & loss by Dinah Jefferies.
In short, Thirza Caruthers returns to Corfu 7 years after her brother’s tragic disappearance on the island during the Italian invasion.
Whilst there her life explodes into an emotional journey as she discovers the buried secrets which will lead her to finding out the truth of her brother’s disappearance.
Dinah Jefferies always writes a good story, always fast paced page turners…The Greek House with its glorious sunny Greek backdrop was the perfect summer read for me. I was swept up in this intimate & captivating story of conflicting loyalties and emotions between a family destroyed by the loss of a loved one. Always looking for the next read by Dinah.
Big thanks the Dinah Jefferies, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction & NetGalley for this eARC which I chose to read in return for my honest review.

I’m no stranger to a Jefferies title and, even if I have found some of her books falling a little flat with the ending, I do love the writing and think most are a masterclass in setting and atmosphere….just not sure this one quite made it!

The Greek House is a historical novel set during the Italian occupation of Corfu in the 1920s. In the midst of the chaos, a little English boy goes missing, leaving his family in pieces. Years later, his older sister returns to the island and uncovers some wild family secrets.

This story was definitely slow to start and it took me a long while to get into it, but once it finally picked up, it was a real page-turner. The crazy plot twist kept me going, but I’m not saying anymore!

Overall, an easy holiday read.

Many thanks to netgalley and harpercollinsuk for the read. .

I love Dinah Jefferies' books and this one was just as excellent as her previous ones. I loved the setting and all the characters; this is a sweeping story of a family in Corfu, beginning in 1923 with the mysterious disappearance of 11 year old Billy.
Gripping and enjoyable, this is a perfect holiday read.
Great to hear that there will be a sequel too!

Set against the backdrop of Corfu, the story spans ten years from 1923 and follows the family through ten years since the disappearance of nine year old Billy and the effect it has on each of them. A very good read.

A family drama set in Corfu between 1923 and 1930 when the disappearance of the young son rocks the lives of his loved ones. The author captures the setting beautifully and I loved the interweaving of the characters. I look forward to the next book.

Another great book from this author. It captured the essence of the island and how a family copes when tragedy strikes - it can fracture a family and some things can't be mended.
There were some twists along the way and you hoped everyone got a good ending but not always the case.

This is a great family saga set in Corfu, we cover (I think), just over 10 years from 1923 when nine year old Billy goes missing and his bloody clothes are found, up until a family gathering in 1933.

Billy’s disappearance has a ripple affect on the wider family, his mother goes back to London, his sister moves back to Corfu and his father remarries.

There are a few layers to this story, I really enjoyed it and looking forward to Dinah Jefferies next book which she hints at the end of this one, which will include some characters from The Greek House!

This is a real summer holiday read - lots to keep you thinking about but not too hard to follow. The book begins with the Italian's invading Corfu and a small boy disappearing, the tragedy shaping the lives of his family for years to come. A key part of the story revolves around the missing boy, Billy's sister, Thirza and her return to Corfu 7 years after his disappearance. The setting is sunny Corfu and the author does a good job of conveying what key places on the island look like, particularly Merchant's House, former family home which Thirza later converts to a luxury b&b - it sounded lovely and I wanted to be there. I have read previous Dinah Jefferies books and can't say I enjoyed this one as much as others perhaps because the tangled love lives of Thirza and her mother seemed a bit unrealistic Overall I'd give this a 3.5 rounded up to 4*

As with Dinah’s other books, this was well written. I love reading books that are set in a place I know and this did not fail in that department. The story captured my interest from the outset and was difficult to put down. I’d recommend this book to family and friends.

Dinah Jefferies has been a favourite author of mine, since 2014 when her debut novel 'The Separation'. was published. Over the years she has transported me with her vivid descriptive prose to some wonderful locations, some which I have been lucky enough to visit and other places I now wish to see for myself.

The Greek House is set on the beautiful island of Corfu, somewhere I have been fortunate enough to visit. With this story full of mystery and drama Dinah Jefferies in her inevitable style brings the history of the island alive. It is set in a turbulent time in Corfu's history, 1923. The Caruthers family, Piers, Dulcie, Thirza and Billy suffer a devastating event when Mussolini invades the island. The impact of this event and its effect on the various family members makes for a compelling read.

Once again Dinah Jefferies has written a very satisfying read. Highly recommended for fans of the author, historical fiction readers and armchair travellers.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins and the author for the opportunity to read and review.

An interesting book that spans the period from 1923 to 1933 set on the Greek island of Corfu. A well to do family living on the island experience a tragic loss which drives a rift through the family. Dulcie a strong minded woman runs a publishing company and also writes travel books. She and her family live in a beautiful country house called Merchants which is set amongst olive and fruit trees some way out from Corfu town. The book is delightfully written and plots the ups and downs of each family member as they try to rebuild their lives after a tragedy. Highly recommended.

Set in 1920s Corfu when it was invaded/taken over by the Italians. Piers is a government official living there with his wife Dulcie (an artist), their children and her sister Thirza. Their settled life is disrupted by this invasion where chaos ensues, during which their young son Billy goes missing. Trying to come to terms with what happened then, Thirza returns to Corfu seven years later. I really like Dinah Jeffries' books but found this one a little too long. The descriptions of Corfu were wonderful but overly drawn out I thought and not a lot happens in parts. I also didn't empathise very much with some of the characters which was a shame.

Such a tangled web of emotions! As always with Dinah Jefferies’ writing, the pain feels raw and real.

In The Greek House, the tension and heartache are palpable—particularly in Part One, set in August 1923 during the Corfu Crisis. I found myself holding my breath through the chaos and panic of Billy’s disappearance. It’s utterly harrowing.

Seven years later, Thirza returns to Corfu for the first time since that traumatic summer. Now 23, she and her cousin Ianthe are restoring Marchant’s summer house themselves (the Wall Street Crash has devastated her mother Dulcie’s finances—the same money the family once lived on).

Thirza’s return to the island sharpens every memory, and the emotional weight of what was lost is always present. The future of the house isn’t certain, but despite all the memories, this is Thirza’s happy place and she’s determined to make it work.

The arrival of guests at the summer house adds another layer, as past mistakes threaten to repeat themselves, taking me back to 1923.

She’s had relationships before, but now, she experiences a true sexual and emotional awakening—one that’s life-altering in ways she couldn’t have predicted!

I was completely drawn into this family’s pain, and the ripple effects of the lie that continued to shape them. Dulcie distances herself emotionally and physically; Thirza, a moral dilemma and choices to make; her father, quietly moving forward with his life; and her aunt, Columbine—consumed by jealousy, guilt, and the hollow ache of revenge.

And then came that moment at the wedding—an absolute blinder that had me in tears, leaving me with a sense of peace, healing, and hope for the future.

Dinah Jefferies writes her settings so vividly and with an artist’s eye—Corfu, the summer heat, the sparkling sea, the faded grandeur of the house—they all come alive on the page.

It feels especially fitting that Dulcie both opens and closes the novel.

A truly moving read.

Couldn't put this book down. It had me hooked from the beginning. It was an exciting read. The book was well written. Lovely plot that played out well. Set in what sounded like an idylicc setting, that was described wonderfully. highly recommend this book

What a heartbreaking read. A huge amount of sadness in the most wonderful location. Another of Dina Jefferies work I was gripped by and read in a couple of days.

Beautifully written with an easy flow to follow

This was a sad story in many ways but there was also a lot of love and happiness. Great well described characters that made the story come alive. A satisfying conclusion