Lottie Archer meets and marries Tom who lives and works in Rome. She is able to secure a job as chief archivist at Archivo Espatriati where one of her first tasks is to archive materials belonging to Nina Lawrence, murdered in Rome in 1978. Lottie gets drawn into Nina’s world with astonishing results. The story is told in two timelines in the late 1970’s and the present day.
This is a really well written and very enjoyable thriller, the setting in Rome is wonderful and there are some fantastically rich descriptions of the Eternal City which transport you there. The characterisation is good and you can picture both women vividly. There’s a good mix of characters to like and loathe. Nina’s story is mysterious, elusive and absorbing and is set against the violent political turbulence, turmoil and tensions of the ‘Years of Lead’. Italy is a mess in the ‘70’s and especially prominent in the novel is the kidnap of Aldo Moro a former Prime Minister of Italy. We have the Red Brigade, Communists, Fascists, spies, the CIA and so much political wrangling and machinations. Set against this jaw dropping and factual backdrop is a love story that is fated from the start. There are so many layers to the storytelling as also interwoven is a fascinating art theme which I really like and if that isn't enough to whet your appetite we have the Catholic Church and the Vatican! It all works really well and keeps you reading as you try to sift through the veil of, secrecy, espionage, lies, betrayal and guilt to get to the truth. I admire Lottie’s doggedness in her pursuit of Nina’s story which is truly an astonishing one. It works alongside her personal pursuit for her identity which is central to her inquiry.
Overall, I really like Elizabeth Buchan’s books. She has a way of pulling you into a storyline in a very compelling way particularly in this clever thriller. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to thriller fans
This is a really well written and very enjoyable thriller, the setting in Rome is wonderful and there are some fantastically rich descriptions of the Eternal City which transport you there. The characterisation is good and you can picture both women vividly. There’s a good mix of characters to like and loathe. Nina’s story is mysterious, elusive and absorbing and is set against the violent political turbulence, turmoil and tensions of the ‘Years of Lead’. Italy is a mess in the ‘70’s and especially prominent in the novel is the kidnap of Aldo Moro a former Prime Minister of Italy. We have the Red Brigade, Communists, Fascists, spies, the CIA and so much political wrangling and machinations. Set against this jaw dropping and factual backdrop is a love story that is fated from the start. There are so many layers to the storytelling as also interwoven is a fascinating art theme which I really like and if that isn't enough to whet your appetite we have the Catholic Church and the Vatican! It all works really well and keeps you reading as you try to sift through the veil of, secrecy, espionage, lies, betrayal and guilt to get to the truth. I admire Lottie’s doggedness in her pursuit of Nina’s story which is truly an astonishing one. It works alongside her personal pursuit for her identity which is central to her inquiry.
Overall, I really like Elizabeth Buchan’s books. She has a way of pulling you into a storyline in a very compelling way particularly in this clever thriller. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to thriller fans