THE UNSPEAKABLE ACTS OF ZINA PAVLOU.

 THE UNSPEAKABLE ACTS OF ZINA PAVLOU by ELENI KYRIACOU.

Genre ... Historical Crime

Publisher ... Head of Zeus – Aries Fiction

Publication Date ... 25th April 2024

Standalone Novel

Estimated Page Count ... 384

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

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.

Based on the true story of mother and daughter in law, Styllou Christofi  and Hella Dorothea Christofis. Their harrowing crime one I wasn't familiar until I read about them in the author's notes.

With so many layers to the story; miscarriage, racism, misogyny, mental health, xenophobia, domestic abuse, to say nothing of a brutal murder and subsequent trial, The Unspeakable Acts Of Zina Pavlou already had all the makings of a good read and yet for me personally all this kind of paled into comparison when  given the gift of a character as memorable as Zina Pavlou.

A character the author could so easily have written in such a way that, even if we didn't dislike her, we had little sympathy for her BUT complex, vulnerable, flawed, beautifully and sympathetically portrayed; a truly memorable character, the likes of which I haven't read in a while, my feelings for her constantly changing, I liked Zina; I didn't like her quite so much; I was frustrated by her; I felt sorry for her; I was intrigued by her; perhaps most of all though, I felt her a victim as much as a perpetrator.

Not that she was the only character I enjoyed. I also liked interpreter Eva, enjoying the relationship between the two women and also that between Eva and her husband Jimmy who rather ironically given how immersed Eva has become in Zina's life are finding communication difficult; their feelings no longer easily expressed if expressed at all. 

Judged and found guilty of being 'coarse, peasant stock', of being unable to read or write her own language let alone speak English, what chance does Eva stand when it comes to being put on trial for her daughter in law's murder?  

Totally engrossed by this thought provoking and ultimately heartbreaking read. As her story unfolds and new revelations, revelations that Eva must choose to disclose or not, come to light, I defy you to read it and not feel the tiniest bit of empathy for Zina. 

Eleni Kyriacou is an award-winning editor and journalist. Her writing has appeared in the Guardian, the Observer, Grazia, 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 ... 

Twitter: @EleniKWriter 

Facebook: Elenikwriter

Website: www.elenikwriter.com

With thanks to Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for organising a paper copy. One of several bloggers participating in the Blog Tour of this book, agree or disagree with me, all opinions are my own; no financial compensation was asked for nor given; threats of violence towards my favourite teddy bear went unheeded as did promises of chocolate.

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THE MAIDEN OF FLORENCE.

 

THE MAIDEN OF FLORENCE BY KATHERINE MEZZACAPPA.

Genre ...  Historical fiction

Publication Date ... 18th April 2024

Standalone Novel

Estimated Page Count ... 380

Author Content Warning ... There are some sex scenes, in some of which coercive control is exercised (I don’t mean bondage but emotional coercion). These are not gratuitous scenes but are based on historic record and are there to advance the plot.

Order Link ... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maiden-Florence-Katherine-Mezzacappa/dp/1914148509/

Florence, 1584. Rumours are spreading about the virility of a prince marrying into the powerful Medici family. Orphan Giulia is chosen to put an end to the gossip. In return she will keep her life - and start a new one with a dowry and her own husband. Cloistered since childhood and an innocent in a world ruled by men, Giulia reluctantly agrees, only to be drawn under the control of the Medicis' lecherous minister. Years later, married and with a growing family, Giulia hopes she has finally escaped the legacy of her past. But when a threat arrives from a sinister figure from her youth, she must finally take control of events - and become the author of her own story.

Based on true events and reminiscent of 'The Marriage Portrait' by Maggie O'Farrell, 'The Maiden of Florence' gives a charismatic voice to a woman cast aside by history.

Even more than historical fiction, I enjoy historical fiction that, as with The Maiden Of Florence, is based on actual events.

Expecting a story that was pretty much of a sameness to others that I have read set during this time and place in history {16th century Italy}, what I actually got was something quite different.

A bit more sexually detailed than I had expected; nothing too gratuitous though, as I'm sure was the author's intent, the minister Vinta's lecherous behaviour throughout the book and in particular during the early scenes left me feeling decidedly uncomfortable.

In fact this aspect of the novel proved to be really interesting as, whilst I have read many books in which the lengths to which the aristocracy/royalty would go to to prove the virginity of a bride were described, the notion of it being used to provide evidence of the groom's ability to, err, perform on his marriage bed/impregnate a woman was new to me.

Told mainly from Giulia's perspective. Her fear, her sadness, her trauma, her sacrifice, her love of her family, all beautifully depicted and painfully palpable. In perfect contrast, equally enjoyable are the portions of the story given over to Giuliano, the poor musician who becomes her husband and saviour ... just as in many ways she becomes his. Bravo! These are such intelligently written characters that will stay with me for a long, long while.

Recounted with a great and yet human insight into Renaissance Italy. The author perfectly captures what I imagine it was to be a woman and especially a woman such as Giulia; living life by the constraints of gender, society and religion, living life dominated by not just powerful men but men in general. Yes, in many ways her's is a stark story BUT it is also a story of resilience, of achievement, of triumph and, perhaps most of all, hope.

Definitely an author to keep a look out for, this has to be one on my favourite reads of 2024.

Katherine Mezzacappa is an Irish writer of mainly historical fiction, currently living in Italy. She has published several novels under pen names with publishers Bonnier Zaffre and eXtasy. She works as a manuscript assessor for The Literary Consultancy. Katherine reviews for Historical Novel Society’s quarterly journal and is one of the organisers of the Society’s 2022 UK conference. In her spare time she volunteers with a used book charity of which she is a founder member.

Social Media Links ... X {Formerly Twitter} FaceBook  

With thanks to Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for organising a paper copy. One of several bloggers participating in the Blog Tour of this book, agree or disagree with me, all opinions are my own; no financial compensation was asked for nor given; threats of violence towards my favourite teddy bear went unheeded as did promises of chocolate.

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HOW TO START A RIOT IN A BROTHEL IN THAILAND BY ORDERING A BEER AND OTHER LESSER KNOWN TRAVEL TIPS.

 

HOW TO START A RIOT IN A BROTHEL IN THAILAND BY ORDERING A BEER AND OTHER LESSER KNOWN TRAVEL TIPS by SIMON YEATS. 

Genre ... Humour, Memoir, Travel

Publication Date ... 15th October 2023

Estimated Page Count ... 250

Standalone first book in a 3 part series

Purchase Link ... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLDBSXGX  

Book 1 of a hilarious series of travel misadventures and dubious personal introspection by Australian author Simon Yeats, who from an early age learned that the best way to approach the misfortunes of this world is to laugh about it.

​Simon shares his comedic insights into the unusual and uproarious elements of living life as an Aussie ex-pat and having a sense of Wanderlust as pervasive as the Spanish Flu in 1918.

​From how to keep yourself entertained when unwittingly forced to watch 11 hours of live sumo wrestling in Japan, to surviving heartbreak in India at the hands of a French flight attendant, to 48 hours spent in Nepal that qualify as the funniest most gut wrenching travel experience since Captain Bligh was set adrift in the Pacific, to his unsuccessful attempts at avoiding going to a brothel in Thailand.

​Simon Yeats has gone into the world and experienced all the out of the ordinary moments for you to sit back and enjoy the experience without the need to break a leg or rupture a pancreas.

Whether or not a horror novel is scary enough; a thriller exciting enough; a romance romantic enough; a 'funny book witty enough, its all subjective, humour perhaps most of all, right? 

Sooo, speaking for myself ...

Whilst not altogether uproarious I did find How to Start a Riot in a Brothel in Thailand By Ordering A Beer And Other Lesser Known Travel Tips {what a great title} an amusing enough read in which the author's sense of humour and love of travel shone through. That at times they bought into racial stereotypes ... Hmm! Personally speaking, not something that I personally found funny but hey-ho.

Covering some twenty seven years of misadventure, a travel memoir with a difference. The author revels in poking fun at himself in any number of cautionary tales in which I found myself chuckling, wondering just how they got away with some of the things they did.

Part one in a planned series of three book. I wonder what adventures await Yeats as he once again travels the globe.

Simon Yeats has lived nine lives, and by all estimations, is fast running out of the number he has left. His life of globetrotting the globe was not the one he expected to lead. He grew up a quiet, shy boy teased by other kids on the playgrounds for his red hair. But he developed a keen wit and sense of humor to always see the funnier side of life.

With an overwhelming love of travel, a propensity to find trouble where there was none, and being a passionate advocate of mental health, Simon’s stories will leave a reader either rolling on the floor in tears of laughter, or breathing deeply that the adventures he has led were survived.

​No author has laughed longer or cried with less restraint at the travails of life.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS ... Instagram TikTok

With thanks to Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for organising a paper copy. One of several bloggers participating in the Blog Tour of this book, agree or disagree with me, all opinions are my own; no financial compensation was asked for nor given; threats of violence towards my favourite teddy bear went unheeded as did promises of chocolate.

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Take a few minutes to check out their newest post and leaving a comment, you’ll instantly put a smile on their face.

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The next time you see their post pop up on your feed, hit the like button, leave a comment, or even share it with your followers. It’ll defiantly make their day.