The Tuscan Child

By: Rhys Bowen

Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble, Katy Sobey

From New York Times best-selling author Rhys Bowen comes a haunting novel about a woman who braves her father's hidden past to discover his secrets....

In 1944, British bomber pilot Hugo Langley parachuted from his stricken plane into the verdant fields of German-occupied Tuscany. Badly wounded, he found refuge in a ruined monastery and in the arms of Sofia Bartoli. But the love that kindled between them was shaken by an irreversible betrayal.

Nearly 30 years later, Hugo's estranged daughter, Joanna, has returned home to the English countryside to arrange her father's funeral. Among his personal effects is an unopened letter addressed to Sofia. In it is a startling revelation.

Still dealing with the emotional wounds of her own personal trauma, Joanna embarks on a healing journey to Tuscany to understand her father's history - and maybe come to understand herself as well. Joanna soon discovers that some would prefer the past be left undisturbed, but she has come too far to let go of her father's secrets now....

Cover design by Shasti O'Leary Soudant

©2018 Janet Quin-Harkin (Writing as Rhys Bowen) (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Knocked this one out of the park

Rhys Bowen long ago proved her ability to develop interesting, complex characters and intriguing mysteries.

This novel, however, is her absolute best. Set in 1944 and 1973, the premise uses the classic devise of exploring the same story from two points of view and, in this case, two time periods. Hugo Langley is living the situation in 1944 which creates the mystery for Hugo's estranged and troubled daughter Joanna to figure out in 1973 as she comes to terms with both his death and her life.

I don't want to offer any detail that would allow any kind of spoiler, but I can safely tell you that Ms. Bowen has created a mystery, a romance, and a kind of coming-of-age story that will keep you curious until the very end. Nothing much is at is appears to be.

In addition, Ms. Bowen has used language beautifully to bring several complex characters to life in settings that allow the reader to see, feel and smell.

Finally, the narrators are both excellent. Katy Sobey does a wonderful job with Joanna's voice and the characters that live the story with her in 1973 as Joanna tries to solve the mystery she finds in her father's will. But Jonathan Keeble is simply outstanding reading Hugo as a British pilot trapped in a tiny town in Italy under German occupation as the Allies get closer.

I highly and enthusiastically recommend The Tuscan Child. Don't hesitate. Get it.

Excellent Stand-Alone Novel

Ms. Bowen is a wonderful storyteller whose earlier series I found charming and intelligent. THE TUSCAN CHILD is a departure from her tried and true series, and I enjoyed it immensely!

Great book, unfortunate female performance

The female performer was allowed to end nearly every sentence with a question mark making her character seem extremely insecure and immature. This took away any believability in her being a candidate for the bar. It was very distracting.

Mostly involving story of World War II Italy along side 1970s Italy and England

I think I might have enjoyed this more if I had read it. The mail narrator was very good, but the female was kind of a bore. She had a very repetitive speech pattern, and although she was inhabiting a 25-year-old in the early 70s she was almost entirely lacking in emotional variation. Very flat. Otherwise, it’s a fairly routine but well-written story, if not overly ingenious or innovative. Good for commuting hours.

Entertaining and Predictable

This was an easy listen. Quite predictable in every situation. But if you enjoy WWII era settings with comfortable characters, this is a good book.