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  • The Tuscan Secret

  • By: Angela Petch
  • Narrated by: Ellie Heydon
  • Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (82 ratings)
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The Tuscan Secret cover art

The Tuscan Secret

By: Angela Petch
Narrated by: Ellie Heydon
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Summary

An absolutely gripping, emotional, World War II historical novel

Il Mulino. An old crumbling mill, by a winding river, nestled in the Tuscan mountains. An empty home that holds memories of homemade pasta and Nonna’s stories by the fire, and later: the Nazi invasion, and a family torn apart by a heartbreaking betrayal.

Anna is distraught when her beloved mother, Ines, passes away. She inherits a box of papers, handwritten in Italian and yellowed with age, and a tantalizing promise that the truth about what happened during the war lies within.

The diaries lead Anna to the small village of Rofelle, where she slowly starts to heal as she explores sun-kissed olive groves, and pieces together her mother’s past: happy days spent herding sheep across Tuscan meadows cruelly interrupted when World War Two erupted and the Nazis arrived; fleeing her home to join the Resistenza; and risking everything to protect an injured British soldier who captured her heart. But Anna is no closer to learning the truth: what sent Ines running from her adored homeland?

When she meets an elderly Italian gentleman living in a deserted hamlet, who flinches at her mother’s name and refuses to speak English, Anna is sure he knows more about the devastating secret that tore apart her mother’s family. But in this small Tuscan community, some wartime secrets were never meant to be uncovered....

A stunning tale, inspired by true events, about how the tragic consequences of war can echo through generations, and how love can guide us through the darkest times. Fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and The Letter by Kathryn Hughes will be captivated.

This book was previously published as Tuscan Roots.

©2019 Angela Petch (P)2019 Bookouture

What listeners say about The Tuscan Secret

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  • TG
  • 02-08-19

What a great listen!

Thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish. Likeable characters, wonderful descriptions of Italy and a love story to boot. Not cheesy or sickly, a really good listen. Narrator was excellent and really invoked feelings or being swept along. (Whilst all Italian sounds fluent, I wouldnt know how accurate but was great. There were two words in English that were mispronounced and you do notice them but the do not detract at all from the story, characters and enjoyment of the book). Loved it and highly recommended

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Exciting untold story of WW2

Beautiful story about the people of Italy rebelling against the war their countries leader is partaking in.
Covering ww2 to present day, had me gripped.
Loved it very much

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2 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

A weak attempt.

I didn't enjoy the the reader's simpering manner. She is better suited to a less dramatic story; but I would say the same of the author. There is not enough intellectual weight for a story of this nature.
Additionally, only 50% of the audio book downloaded and the refund option is not available without too much effort.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Quite nice

Quite a nice book with quite nice storyline, but not an unputdownable. Ok if you want an easy listen

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
  • JG
  • 17-10-19

A bit boring

This was very different to the other book I listened to by the same author. Unfortunately it was a boring story and went on for far too long. I am struggling through the last couple of hours but I doubt much will improve. The narrator has a young voice and therefore difficult for her to portray the voice of an old lady.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

WW2



I really enjoyed this book. I listened on audio and often found myself driving around to finish chapters! I love most books where there are different stories, told by different sides that all tie up together. Anna’s mother passed away and leaves her her diaries. As her mother was Italian Anna decided to travel there to see where her mother grew up and where her story cane from. Won’t ssy anymore but if your looking for a good read/listen - I highly recommend

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Listener received this title free

Beautiful

A delightful, poignant story of love and loss. Anna is in Italy discovering her Mother’s story through her old diaries. Her Italian mother Innes fell in love with her English father Jim during the war and moved to England to set up life with him. The diaries are Innes gift to Anna and reveal a side to her mother that she has never seen. I loved this story so much I did not want it to end.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A romantic and moving story, perfect for my Tuscan holiday

A thoroughly enjoyable listen, which both moved and engaged me from the off. Authentically captures the times and places in which it’s set and serves as an important reminder the French were not the only ones with a resistance fighting Fascism in WW2. Strongly recommended.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Easy listening

Listened to this whilst doing the housework, it’s a a bit predictable but okay if you don’t want to concentrate on anything that needs too much thought.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

loved the book

a good story telling history with romance. good narration and descriptions of the lives lived and love.

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