It’s a pleasure today to be joining the blog tour and sharing my review of Beside the Turquoise Sea, the latest book from Emma Burstall: published on 11th June by Boldwood Books, it’s now available as an ebook (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. Many thanks, as always, to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
Emma’s a new-to-me author – although I always kick myself for never getting round to reading any of the books in her Cornish Tremarnock series, because they look very much up my street. I also missed (I’m not keeping up very well, am I?!) her first book with Boldwood, Beneath the Lemon Trees – and kicked myself once more, because the many reviews are excellent. That book was set at the Villa Ariadne in Crete, and this book is the second in a planned series set in the same location – but Rachel assured me there was no reason not to read it as a standalone (and she was right), and I really couldn’t resist the author’s promise of a “gripping tale of secrets, lies, misunderstandings, egoism, friendship – and love”.
Let’s take a closer look…
Can one magical Crete villa change everything?
Now her children have moved out, Edie has begun to feel lonely in the home she shares with her husband. She hopes returning to Crete, where she and Ralph spent their honeymoon, will help heal the growing rift between them.
And when Edie stumbles upon the website for the Villa Ariadne, with its breathtaking views and peaceful surroundings, it feels like the perfect place to spend a week together, along with their closest friends Mac and Hannah. But then, Edie invites a fifth guest: her feisty, independent colleague Jessica, with unexpected consequences.
It’s clear from the moment they arrive that the villa is special, and under the golden Greek sun, Edie hopes to rekindle the relationship she’s felt slipping away from her. But when conflict arises between two of her fellow guests, will Edie be prepared for revelations that could change her life forever?
I was rather expecting a holiday escape – the village in Southern Crete and the wonderful Villa Ariadne are beautifully drawn, and you can certainly feel the sunshine – but this book turned out to be rather more than an opportunity for some armchair travel.
Now an empty nester, Edie feels the excitement has gone from her marriage to Ralph – but hopes they can grow closer again when they return to the island where they had their honeymoon for the half-term holidays. They’re joined by friends Mac and Hannah – with a few qualms, as it’s become fairly obvious that they’re having a few problems in their marriage too, their frequent arguments becoming a little uncomfortable. And, at the last minute, they also invite Edie’s single work colleague Jessica – the evening they spent together before the holiday gave them the feeling she’d fit in just fine.
But things start to go wrong as soon as they arrive – Jessica’s particularly forthright in her views and opinions, rubbing everyone up the wrong way, Mac and Hannah’s issues begin to escalate, and it’s clear this isn’t going to be the idyllic stay Edie’d hoped for. The atmosphere is already tense and uncomfortable when Jessica decides to do some sightseeing, but fails to return – and they have no option but to involve the police.
The whole book very much focuses on the cracks and strains within marriages – and the emotional stress of that stage in life is particularly well handled. Other than Edie, I didn’t find any of the individuals sympathetic or likeable – but that made the reasons for their bad behaviour and the various secrets that emerged all the more intriguing. Nothing and no-one is quite what they seem to be – including the Villa Ariadne itself, although we’re already aware that its owner Katerina rather knew that their time there would be the life-changing opportunity they all needed.
It’s a compelling story, with a few twists that came as a real surprise – and the exploration of friendship, the dynamics between the main characters and the emotional touches are all excellent. The atmosphere at the villa, as things go from bad to worse, is cloying and claustrophobic – but the setting is absolutely gorgeous, and the author certainly captures its beauty with glimpses of village life and descriptions that really transported me there. While not the light beach read I thought it would be, it was a rather more challenging read that I really enjoyed – and would certainly recommend to others.
About the author
Emma Burstall is the bestselling author of women’s fiction, including the Tremarnock series. Emma studied English at Cambridge University before becoming a journalist for local and national newspapers and women’s magazines. She lives in London and has three children.
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Newsletter Sign Up
