The Cypress Maze

In this novel, Beatrice, a wartime survivor, seeks refuge at Villa delle Colombe, where she must confront the villa's painful past to save it. Tess, a recent widow, arrives at the villa and finds solace in its gardens, but Marco's arrival threatens to destroy it. Tess discovers that the villa is a beacon of hope in the darkest of times.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 18 July 2023
Publisher: Amazon Publishing

In this captivating tale penned by the acclaimed author of The Storyteller of Casablanca, Beatrice harbored a wartime secret, driven by the noble intention of safeguarding the innocent. However, the weight of this secret had burdened her for years. Now, as she found herself stranded in the war-ravaged lands of Italy, her dream of an escapist year teaching English seemed shattered beyond repair. Fortuitously, she sought solace at the Villa delle Colombe, a sanctuary hidden within the beautiful walled garden, shielded from the outside world. Within this tranquil haven, Beatrice discovered a sanctuary of her own, surrounded by the enchanting cypress maze that served as its heart. Yet, she was not the only one seeking refuge at this enigmatic estate. Francesca, the villa's caretaker, had brought children and other adults seeking safety and sanctuary within its walls. As the war drew closer, the residents of the villa were forced to witness and endure unthinkable atrocities.

In 2015, Tess arrived at the villa, raw and grieving the devastating loss of her husband. Beatrice, now serving as the caretaker, guided Tess to the solace of the villa's gardens, where she began the arduous journey of healing. However, all hope of peace was shattered when Marco, the absent owner of the estate, arrived, driven by a single desire: to hand it over to developers. Devastated, Beatrice realized that she must finally reveal the painful past of the villa if she wished to save it. As the extraordinary story unfolded, Tess gradually realized that Villa delle Colombe was not merely a refuge but a beacon of hope in the darkest of times. Determined, she embarked on a mission to convince Marco to give the estate a new lease of life and find her way back to happiness.

Weight: 268g
Dimension: 128 x 197 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781542035200