REVIEW: The Greek House by Dinah Jefferies

 Synopsis

Can one house hold a lifetime of secrets?

Corfu, 1930

The moment Thirza Caruthers sets foot on Corfu, memories flood the scent of jasmine, the green shutters of her family’s home — and her brother Billy’s tragic disappearance years before.

Returning to the Greek house, high above clear blue waters, Thirza tries to escape by immersing herself in painting — and a passionate affair.

But as webs of love, envy, and betrayal tighten around the family, buried secrets surface.

Is it finally time to uncover the truth about Billy’s vanishing?

Format 432 pages, Paperback

Published April 24, 2025 by HarperCollins

ISBN 978008612047 (ISBN10: 0008612048)

About the Author

From the author's website:

I was lucky that my second novel The Tea-Planter’s Wife became a Sunday Times No.1, Kindle No.1, and Richard & Judy bestseller. Since then I’ve had further Sunday Times top 10s, three Richard & Judy Book Club picks, and become an international best seller charting in Italy, Norway, Israel and elsewhere

I was born in Malaysia but moved to the UK at the age of nine, going on to study fashion design, work in Tuscany as an au pair for an Italian countess, and live with a rock band in a commune in Suffolk.

A family tragedy changed everything, and I draw on the experience of loss in my writing, infusing love, loss, and danger with the seductive escapism of my locations. The sense of place, of history and of human nature is a heady mix in the novels.

Published in over 30 languages in more than 40 countries, I have written an epic three book series for my new publisher Harper Collins (my 8th, 9th, and 10th novels) starting with Daughters of War set in 1944 in France, The Hidden Palace in England, Malta and France, finishing with Night Train to Marrakech set in Morocco which became my third Richard and Judy Pick.

I spent many years living in a tiny 16th Century village in Northern Andalusia, Spain. Now I’m delighted to have settled close to my family in the South West of England with my husband, Richard, and along with our two enormous and very lovely Maine Coon cats.

Learn more about the author

My Thoughts

Among all peoples, Greeks have dreamt life's dream most beautifully.

-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I really enjoyed this one, even though the ending kept it from being a full five stars for me.

The novel unfolds across three timelines — August 1923, Spring 1930, and February 1931 — opening with writer Dulcie on Corfu during Italy's invasion of the island. In the chaos of the family fleeing to shelter, her young son Billy disappears and is never found. The loss is so devastating that Dulcie can't bring herself to return to the island, and the family leaves for good.

Years later, in Spring 1930, Dulcie's daughter (Billy's sister) goes back to Corfu alone to prepare the family home for their eventual return. But she finds herself often isolated instead, and the story follows her into a love affair, betrayal, and the lingering shadow of her brother's disappearance all those years ago.

Jefferies' writing pulled me in from the start. Her prose has a lovely, immersive quality, and I was completely invested in the characters — they felt layered and real, and the family relationships were rendered with a lot of emotional nuance. That's really where the book shines.

Five words: immersive, mysterious, atmospheric, implausible, layered

Buy Now: 

Buy through the author's website

My final word: Unfortunately, the final chapters didn't hold up to the rest of the novel for me. The storyline took a turn that felt too outrageous, and I found myself unable to suspend disbelief the way I had for the first three-quarters of the book. It was a disappointing note to end on after such a strong build-up.

Still, the strength of the writing and characters makes this a worthwhile read overall. Recommended, especially if you don't mind a slightly wobbly landing.

Warnings and Triggers:

Kidnapping, sexual situations

My Rating:

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The Cerebral Girl is a middle-aged blogger just digging her way out from under a mountain of books in the deep south of Florida.

I received a copy of this book to review through BookBrowse and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not financially compensated in any way, and the opinions expressed are my own and based on my observations while reading this novel.