I was hooked from the beginning!
This family’s story starts in 1923 when in the commotion of the Italians invading Corfu leads to 9 year old Billy going missing.
We learn about Dulcie, the mother, and the anguish, horror and sadness that possesses her and also Thirza, the sister, who at 16 has to deal with not only her brother being lost, but also herself being abandoned by her grief stricken parents.
Eventually Thirza finds love, but even that doesn’t come problem free.
This all sounds like it’s doom and gloom, but it’s not. It’s set on the beautiful island of Corfu with stunning scenery and you can almost smell the fragrant flowers and trees.
Wonderful descriptions and the powerful feeling of love flow throughout this book.

Thanks to Netgalley.co.uk, HarperCollins UK and Harper Fiction for a copy of this book in return of an honest review. All comments are my own views or opinions.

For me, this book was a bit of a conflict.
In part one, the story was beautiful. It was engaging and had me relating to its characters. The plot was interesting, moving and deeply thought out. The descriptions of the landscapes were beautifully laid down, and the details of the historical events were interesting.
But in the second part, it felt as though the author had departed, and another had stepped in. Whilst the story was still engaging, I found the detail and depth that the relationship was presented with was unnecessary and, for me, a little off-putting. I'm by no means prudish, (I'm a 61 year old mother and grandmother - I've lived a life), but I did find myself wishing a lot of what was written could have been presented more sensitively, and left to the readers imagination. This is the first book I've read by this author, and maybe it is their style of presenting intimacy, but I didn't think that aspect of it was for me.
However, the story did progress well, the plot unfolded, and there were many wonderful reasons to continue reading when the writer I had enjoyed in the first part returned.
In the end section, we were back to the gorgeous writing of the beginning of the book, and the final chapters were emotional and wonderful. I will read more by this author, I'm sure.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4

This was the first Dinah Jeffries book I've read so I didn't know what to expect. I'm not a fan of romantic fiction, and was concerned that this would be of that genre, although the synopsis sounds more interesting than that.
And luckily, it was. Set on a Greek island in the 1930's, the characters are well-drawn and as the story develops, you begin to see the cracks and wonder where it's going.

Part of the story is a little predictable, but enjoyably so. Secrets are discovered and uncovered throughout the story, the end leaves you satisfied that everything has been explained.

It was an interesting read, and I would be happy reading more from this author.

A beautiful old house, not used by the owners since the disappearance of their son years ago. Thirza returns, to clean the family's house and make it habitable again. She meets and falls in love with Emilio but their relationship is blocked by family secrets which gradually unfold. Ideal holiday or wet day reading.

The book starts in 1923 when the island of Corfu is invaded by Italian troops. In the confusion, Thirza's little brother Billy disappears and all that of him is found is a pile of bloodstained clothing. Thirza's mother, Dulcie, takes her daughter home to England. Thirza comes back to the family home, Merchant's, many years later with her cousin Ianthe and they set about restoring the house. Thirza meets the older, but handsome Emilio, and they start a passionate relationship, but Emilio has secrets that Thirza knows nothing about.

I loved this book. I wasn't sure I was going to when it started with the invasion, as I am not a particular fan of historical fiction or war fiction. However, they are not the emphasis of the book. In fact, this novel is all about relationships and secrets and almost all the characters have something to hide. The ongoing grief over the loss of Billy permeates the story and is beautifully handled. This is a compelling novel to read and was responsible for some late nights because I wanted to read just a little bit more, and a little bit more...! This would be perfect to take on holiday - particularly if you were visiting Corful or another Greek island this summer.

I was undecided about this having read some of other readers reviews but as I was given the opportunity to read an advance copy and it was set in Corfu I went for it , and I’m glad I did. Very well written , lovely descriptions of the island and its people . Set at the time of political unrest it was nevertheless an enjoyable read with good characters.

Thank you to HarperCollins and Netgalley for this advance e-copy.

The Greek House is set on the island of Corfu, in the 1920-30s. Billy goes missing on one eventful day in 1923 and the book tells the story of his family as they deal with the aftermath. There’s some mystery surrounding this as we try to work out what happened but we are left guessing until the very end.

I loved the setting of the book; it’s made me want to visit Corfu one day. The descriptions of island life and the beautiful scenery is perfect.

The story moved fast and I enjoyed this quick read. I struggled with believing that this book was supposed to be set in the early 1900s. The characters, in particular Theresa, felt so modern. I enjoyed following her story and her growth. Her relationship with her mother was poignant and a lot of people will find this relatable I’m sure.

The ending was tied up very conveniently and neatly. If you are looking for a mystery, this book is not the one for you. This is a nice family drama, a perfect summer read, that will have you dreaming on living on a beautiful island.

A Great emotional story line with fantastic characters, had me reading well into the night. So sad to finish but really hope there is another book to follow.

I found the beginning part of the story with Dulcie rather intense, but once things moved on to concentrate on her daughter Theresa's story it became much more enjoyable. Some weird coincidences were woven into the story that needed resolving. I was interested to read that the author has written another book involving the characters that we have got to know in this book.

The Greek House is the second book I have read by Dinah Jefferies and I really enjoyed the setting of Corfu as I have been on holiday there on many occasions so it was wonderful to be able to see the places in my mind as I read the book. It was also interesting that the book was set in the 1920’s so that the reader learns some of the history of the island.
As a number of Italian warships drop anchor near Corfu Town and start shelling the fortress Dulcie and her family start to run to the British Embassy but in the confusion her son Billy becomes separated from his sister Thirza who were both in the care of Dulcie’s cousin Columbine.
The story moves forward seven years and Thirza arrives back in Corfu from London with her cousin, Ianthe to open up their old home, Merchant House. She is hoping that her mother will return to Corfu even though she has sad memories of Billy going missing there. As Thirza prepares the house for her mother’s return she meets an older Italian man, Emilio and falls deeply in love. Nothing can prepare Thirza for the family secrets that unfold as her mother arrives on the island and discovers her relationship with Emilio.
The Greek House is a gripping family drama with interesting characters with a satisfying ending as all the loose ends come together. I throughly enjoyed it.

The first part of the plot dragged when looking for Billy and then suddenly changed to another narrator with a time jump.

While I liked some of the characters, others needed more development or depth. Perhaps I just didn't find the characters relatable but some of the dialog between the characters felt stale.

While most of the story felt quite slow and meandering, some of the twists came out of nowhere and felt a bit rushed While others were slow to develop and could have had more time dedicated to them. It was fairly obvious about Billy, but had to get through the whole book to have it confirmed.

I did like the descriptions of Corfu, they painted the island in a nice light and brought the setting to life.

Overall 3 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Like other books by Dinah Jefferies, the plot in The Greek House twists and turns through multiple generations. Although the story dragged as the family endlessly searched for Billy, their missing son / brother, I found Thirza's story compelling enough to keep reading. Set in lush Corfu beginning in 1923, I enjoyed the introduction to a new location and the politics of pre-WW2 Italy vs Greece. Well researched and seeped with the detailed intense colors and exotic smells of the island, Ms. Jefferies created a story filled with flawed characters and intense emotions.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins and the author for the advance reader copy. I enjoyed reading The Greek House and look forward to more books from Ms. Jefferies.

This was a book that immediately captured my interest, but then, unusually, lost it again. The searching for Billy seemed to go on endlessly, and I became bored and ready to give up. However, I resumed reading and found that the story was developing well. It is a rather unusual novel, with complex characters who have more depth than originally expected. The relationships between mother and daughter, and daughter with her soon to be stepmother, are certainly not stereotypical. After the initial slowish start I found this an absorbing and interesting read, which I ultimately enjoyed. The author conveys very well the depth and potential pain of parental love and loss. The overall effect of the story is emotional and satisfying, portraying an unusual family coping with difficult circumstances.

Ah, Corfu. A place of sun-drenched beauty, and in the pages of this book, a vessel overflowing with a lifetime's worth of whispered secrets. Thirza Caruthers, our protagonist, returns to this idyllic isle, and immediately, the past, thick with the scent of jasmine and the shadow of her brother Billy's disappearance, wraps itself around her like a clinging vine.
The author paints Corfu with a brush dipped in sunlight and sea spray. You can almost feel the warm breeze and hear the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore. It's a truly evocative setting, one that perfectly mirrors the story's blend of beauty and hidden darkness.
However, while Corfu shines, Thirza, bless her, often grated on my nerves. There's a certain self-absorption that simmers beneath her artistic temperament, a reluctance to truly see beyond her own experiences. It's a character trait that, while perhaps realistic, made her a difficult companion at times.
The narrative unfolds at a measured pace, a slow burn that allows the tension to build. We are drawn into the intricate web of family relationships, the tangled threads of love, envy, and betrayal. The suspense is palpable, the anticipation of the big reveal growing with each passing chapter.
And then, the dam bursts. Secrets that have lain dormant for years come tumbling out, and perhaps, just perhaps, a little too quickly. The final revelations, while satisfying in their way, felt a tad rushed, a flurry of plot twists that threatened to overwhelm the carefully constructed atmosphere. One particular twist, in my humble opinion, ventured into the realm of the melodramatic.
Furthermore, the book, a generous 400-plus pages, did feel a little stretched towards the end. There were moments where the narrative meandered, where the family drama, though compelling, became a touch overwhelming. It's as though the author, in their eagerness to tie up every loose end, added a few too many knots.
Despite these minor quibbles, the heart of the story remains compelling. The exploration of family secrets, the yearning for truth, and the lingering shadow of loss are all handled with a deft touch. And, of course, the ever-present beauty of Corfu, a character in its own right, provides a stunning backdrop to this tale of hidden truths and long-buried memories.

This atmospheric book is set in two timeframes, beginning in 1923 with Mussolini’s army invading the Greek island where Dulcie and her family live. When her young son Billy disappears, the family are devastated and search frantically hoping to find him.

Seven years later, Thurza returns to the island, with mixed feelings about the past and how it affected them all. She is haunted by feelings about her younger brother, and senses his presence everywhere. She begins painting Marshall’s her old home, and becomes involved in a passionate, tempestuous affair with her neighbour Emilio.

Characters are sensitively described and you become absorbed in their complex stories. The rugged coastline and colourful flowers of Corfu, you can almost smell the exotic fragrances of jasmine and honeysuckle, and feel you are there. The plot is about families, relationships and hopeful reconciliations, with twists and turns which are explored as the story unfolds.

The author is going to write a second book featuring some of the characters, and I can’t wait to read.

I have read a number of Dinah Jeffries novels over the years and I have always enjoyed her storytelling. It is usually centered around an historical event so you have a mixture of a story with fact and fiction. This is no exception as it deals with events initially in the 1920's and is set in Corfu. I did feel that this story was over long, too repetitive in some ways and although there were a number of 'twists' in the story they were well signposted. Not one of her best I felt.
Thank you to NetGalley and harper Collins for the advance copy of this book.

While this story was very slow to start and quite over descriptive, I'm glad I persevered with it because around halfway through the story really picked up and I couldn't put it down. A beautiful story in the end set amongst beautiful scenery

I always enjoy picking up a new Dinah Jefferies book and finding out which part of the world she’s going to take me to next! India, Sri Lanka, Italy, Morocco and Malaysia are just some of the places I’ve visited through the pages of her novels and now I can add Corfu to the list. More specifically, Corfu in 1923, when the island is occupied by Mussolini’s Italy following a border dispute between Greece and Albania.

Sixteen-year-old Thirza and her nine-year-old brother, Billy, are caught up in the panic on the streets of Corfu Old Town during the Italian naval attack. Dulcie, their mother, has left them with her cousin, Columbine, while she goes to check on a camp of refugee children with whom she volunteers, and when she returns, she finds that Billy has disappeared. Despite weeks of searching, the little boy can’t be found and is eventually presumed dead. Struggling to cope with the trauma, Dulcie blames both Thirza and Columbine for what has happened and goes home to England, leaving behind her husband Piers, director of the British police training school in Corfu.

In 1930, Thirza returns to the island after a long absence, planning to renovate the old family home, Merchant’s House, in the hope that one day her mother will also feel ready to join her there. A lot has changed in the intervening years – the Italians have left and there’s a new woman in her father’s life – but Thirza still feels the shadow of her brother’s disappearance and decides to renew her efforts to find out the truth.

The Greek House is probably not my favourite Dinah Jefferies book, mainly because I found it too easy to predict some of the plot twists and I also thought the number of explicit sex scenes was a bit unnecessary. I loved the Corfu setting, though; everything comes to life in wonderfully vivid detail, whether the intense purple of bougainvillea or the changing colours of the sea in the sunlight. I also knew nothing about the Italian occupation of 1923, so that was interesting, although it only forms a small part of the story.

The disappearance of Billy happens very early in the novel, but it’s the trigger for everything else that happens and I liked the way Jefferies explores the impact of such a tragic incident on the various family members, depending on their different personalities and circumstances. Although I did naturally feel sorry for Dulcie, I also found it slightly annoying that she never really seemed to accept any responsibility for leaving her child in the middle of an invasion in the care of a teenager and a woman who was drunk at the time. Most of my sympathies were with Thirza, who has to live with the guilt as well as the sense of loss, and who feels that her mother will never truly forgive her. The feelings of Dulcie’s husband, Piers, seem to be largely ignored by everybody due to his hard, aloof exterior, but later in the book he mellows thanks to his relationship with his new girlfriend, Penelope – a character I ended up loving.

In her author’s note at the end, Jefferies hints that we’re going to meet some of the same characters again in her next book. That’s something to look forward to!

A good novel, but not my favourite by Dinah Jeffries.

Thirza's brother Billy disappears during the Italian Incident, the family becomes a bit disjointed afterwards, Thirza returns to the UK with her mother, while her father continues to live and work on the island.

Several years later, Thirza returns to Corfu in the hope she can convince her mother to return to the family home.... She finds her father has a young mistress and wants a divorce.... and the house on the island. Thirza gets involved with an Italian who is visiting the island, and becomes pregnant.
Lots of ups and downs and revalations during the story.... I hope the next book which will feature some of the characters will be a little more interesting.

An easy and uplifting read to warm the soul.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers HarperCollins for this ARC.

A great read set in Corfu in the early 1920s when the Italians invaded the island and when Billy disappeared. This event destroys the family - mother, Dulce, flees to England; his father becomes immersed in his business and his older sister, Thirza, who is blamed for his disappearance, cannot move on.

In 1930 Thirza and her cousin return to the island and the Greek House to renovate the property and to heal. She has a passionate affair with a visiting Italian and finds herself investigating her brother’s disappearance and uncovering family secrets.

Her own pregnancy and the identity of the Italian lover cause further family upsets but ultimately lead to questions about the past being answered.

Ultimately a hopeful read. The ending was a little too tidy for me but an interesting atmospheric read.