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 tantalising 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.
 

Readers have fallen in love with The Tuscan Secret:

‘Wow!... The writing is magnificent… A story of love, lose, secrets and hope… I have truly fallen in love… A beautiful, touching story that I would recommend to everyone.’ Cooking the Books

‘An absolutely gripping story of world War II… You must read this book. You can hardly put it down.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘Wow what a story… could not put it down.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘Boy what an emotional read… I felt myself welling up and on the verge of tears… written superbly.’ The Ginger Book Geek
‘Exquisite writing… If you are a fan of Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale, you cannot miss this one… I highly recommend it.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘Angela Petch is astounding… a compelling story… an enthralling experience… Highly recommend this as a must-read.’ Giascribes

‘This beautifully woven story had me captivated from the start… I could not help but LOVE the descriptions of Tuscany, the countryside, the people and the food.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘This was a beautifully told tale… a perfect read… so wonderfully descriptive I could imagine myself there amongst the breathtaking scenery and tasting the delicious Italian food… exceptional.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘I was gripped… The author weaves a magical tale.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘A fabulous historical fiction story… wonderful… Angela Petch is now added to my favourite author list… The rich details of the story are captivating. A must read.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘Fantastic read… I loved this book...I would highly recommend.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘A wonderful story… I was completely captivated… quite heart-breaking.’ All Things Bookie

‘Excellent book!... will grab you and hold onto you long after you put it down.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘A captivating story… heart-breaking and compelling.’ Stardust Book Reviews

This book was previously published as Tuscan Roots.