Publish Date: 2005 Awards: 2007 Galaxy British Book Awards Newcomer of the Year Award
The book follows Alexis on a journey to find out about her mother Sofia’s past in Crete. Determined to visit the island, she sets off to Greece. Here, she meets Fotini, a friend of her mother’s, who reveals to Alexis the story Sofia has been concealing all these years. Crete is immediately adjacent to the deserted island of Spinalonga, a former leper colony. The secret story of Alexis’ grandmother Eleni, her husband, and two daughters is one of tragedy, war, and love.