I requested a copy of The Crimson Thread for review as soon as I realised it was about the Battle of Crete. My grandfather was in the British Army in World War II, and was on Crete when the German paratroopers arrive. He never talked about his war experiences – I only discovered he was on Crete because I found a map he’d drawn of the British defences.

I was therefore keen to read a fictional account of the battle and the aftermath. As it happened, the Allies famed retreat was over by about a quarter of the way through the book. By then I was so captivated by the characters that I couldn’t stop reading.

Alenka is a translator and guide at the archaeological dig at Knossos (the palace where the legendary minotaur lived), but war has changed that. Her younger half-brother looks like his German father, something he has been bullied for his entire life. So it’s no surprise when he tries to ingratiate himself with the invaders.

Teddy Lloyd and Jack Hawke are officers in the Australian Army. Teddy is the outgoing, popular one, and Jack is loyal sidekick who suffers from a stutter. Both, unsurprisingly, fall for Alenka, although she's not interested in either of them.

The story takes us all the way through the long German occupation of Crete, and the dangers faced by the locals, and the soldiers who were left behind which the Cretans hid and protected. The story covers years, so it isn't exactly fast-paced, but it does have plenty of tension. The worst of the tension is relieved by the fact we do know who won the war ... but that doesn't tell us if the characters will survive.

Overall, The Crimson Thread is an excellent World War II novel with a thread of romance. There was one part at the end that I didn't enjoy (and wondered if it needed to be there), but that didn't detract from my overall enjoyment.

Thanks to Blackstone Publishing and Net Galley for providing a free ebook for review.

“The Crimson Thread” by Kate Forsyth is a historical fiction novel and retelling of the story of the Labyrinth from Greek mythology. The book is about a young woman called Alenka who lives in Crete with her mother and younger brother. During the Nazi occupation of World War II, she is part of the local resistance. When German paratroopers land on the island in 1941, Alenka saves the lives of two young Australian men: childhood friends Jack and Teddy. However, the war is far from over and as the fighting intensifies on land and off, it becomes harder and harder to know who to trust.

This was an excellently researched book that seamlessly wove together two Cretes: the one of classic mythology and the modern one of the mid-20th century. The pacing in this book was superb. There was a lot of really challenging themes, and Forsyth knew exactly when to allow moments of tension and moments of tenderness. Some of the scenes were so poignant or full of perfect timing that they brought me to tears. The parts of the book that are hardest to read are those that are true either to the Nazi occupation of Crete or the events following Ariadne helping Theseus to navigate the Labyrinth and defeat the Minotaur in Greek mythology. Forsyth’s writing is so vivid in these moments, using motifs and metaphors that span millennia, and appealing to the universal human experience.

Alenka was such a relatable character, trying to do her best in extremely dangerous and ever-changing circumstances, including in her own home. My heart broke for her over and over. Conversely, the friendship and rivalry between Jack and Teddy was a fascinating exploration of class, disability and entitlement in Australian culture. All of the characters felt incredibly well-rounded with histories, motivations and unique personalities propelling them towards the final conflict. Forsyth has written about her experiences growing up with a stutter and writes with power, authenticity and flexibility about Jack’s stutter and how it waxes and wanes depending on the situation and his state of mind. This topic also has a particular significance to my family. During World War II, my grandfather’s twin brother’s aeroplane was shot down over Crete and never recovered. I understand the inspiration for Forsyth’s book came from her own family connection to Crete.

I have reviewed quite a few books by Forsyth on this blog, and I think this is her best yet.

What a beautifully written and researched book! Historical novel set in Crete during World War 2. The book tells the story of Alenka, her family and friends and 2 Aussie' soldiers Jack and Teddy, friends who grow up together and now are fighting together, who fall in love with the same girl, Alenka. The book follows the story on how they survived during this horrible time. An amazing story of love, courage and betrayal along with hope and love. I was transported back in time, where I held my breath many times and also cried many times, feeling the pain and sorrow the people of Crete endured during this time. Absolutely a must read if you like me, love a well written historical novel.

For fans of WWII historical fiction. Set on the island of Crete under German occupation, this novel relates the story of a young women, Alenka, and her work for the Resistance. There is also a strong romantic element.

OMG I want more!!
Love, love, loved this book!

Just wonderful. And a most beautiful cover too!

Oh my goodness, I’m sad to come to the end of it.
What an amazingly talented author is Kate Forsythe, I’m in awe of her skills,
to be able to weave and plot and fashion such a complex amount of information into a seamless story is just an awesome accomplishment.

I won’t go into the plot here as this is too complex a story to try to condense adequately, I know I couldn’t do it justice….just read this book.

Mythological stories are seamlessly blended with historical stories from different accounts of the unwaveringly brave efforts of Cretans during World War ll, when Hitler launched an airborne Blitzkrieg on the small island of Crete.
These melded scenarios paint a graphically poignant picture of a time when the people of Crete faced off with the Monster that was Hitler, as he indiscriminately unleashed his might on them.

There were a couple of things that stood out for me as a bit questionable…which I’ve noticed have been addressed in other reviews…so I wont dwell on those here as I am of the personal opinion that they may have been the result of rushed editing decisions… because they just didn’t fit the overall “feel” or context of the story as a whole.
Perhaps it was a directive in the interests of brevity? I’m not sure, I do know for sure though, that I could easily have read another 100 pages of this wonderful book! I’d love to see it made into a movie!

Suffice to say that this is is a really engaging and insightful book in so many ways, and I was equally fascinated by the Author’s notes at the end of this fantastic story!

I feel embarrassed to admit that I have not read any of Kate Forsyth’s book before this, though that will definitely change now as I plan to read more of her work.
I believe this book has something for everybody, it’s that easy to get absorbed in.
I highly recommend it for the enjoyment of all readers.
This is a keeper.

A Fantastic 5⭐️s!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for my digital copy to read and review.

I want to thank Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review The Crimson Thread by Kate Forsythe.
The main characters, best friends Aussie’s Teddy and Jack, go to Greece and Crete to help fight against Hitler’s invasion of the country. It’s 1941 and the German army is advancing. They are brutal. Alenka, who has lived in Crete her whole life, becomes a valuable asset to the defending Cretans. A love triangle develops. And then there is Alenka’s younger brother who is mesmerized by the Germans and only wants to become a German soldier!
The book made me think of the current Russian invasion of the Ukraine and how Americans and others are joining in the fight to save the country.
The title of the story, The Crimson Thread, draws on how Alenka used her embroidery as a signal.
This emotional journey, which takes place from 1941 to 1945, published July 5th.

This was a first book by this author and I love it from the very beginning.The heartfelt story and amazing characters just drew me into the story! Highly highly recommend..

Partway through reading The Crimson Thread, which takes place on Crete during WWII, I exclaimed to myself, This is a retelling of the Greek myth of Ariadne and the labyrinth! I had read the US publisher’s blurb, which didn’t include this, but the Australian publisher does. Kate Forsyth is known for her creative reworkings of ancient tales (she has a PhD in fairytale studies), so I should have figured this out sooner. Knowing the underlying structure added even more dimension to a story I had already been enjoying.

Among the abundance of WWII novels, I seek out those with underexplored characters or settings, and this one qualifies. The story focuses on the underground resistance on Crete and three young people caught in a love triangle while trying to survive and repel the Nazi invaders.

Alenka Klothakis lives near the Ariadne Villa in the village of Knossos and works as a translator for the curator at the archeological site there. With her mother near-mute after past trauma, and her twelve-year-old half-brother Axel, whose father was German, obsessed with Hitler and sympathetic to the Nazis, Alenka’s home life is tense. She is at heart a rebel (“It infuriated her that Greece was the home of democracy, but she was not allowed to vote”), and when her life becomes entwined with two Australian soldiers, she risks much to save them both.

Teddy Lloyd and Jack Hawke were childhood friends and fellow Classics students at the University of Melbourne before deciding to join up. Otherwise, the men are very different; Teddy is dashing and flirtatious, seeing Alenka as a possible conquest, while Jack is thoughtful though no less courageous, and he has a special affinity for the history and stories of the Greek isles—as does Alenka. Their connection ignites Teddy’s jealousy and leads him to lash out against his supposed “best mate.” Meanwhile, Axel moves from bratty adolescent rebellion to actual collaboration with the enemy.

The novel spans the entirety of the war, beginning with the German invasion and subsequent occupation to the Allied forces’ retreat over the White Mountains and the evacuation from Crete—which Teddy and Jack are unable to join, for separate reasons. The on-the-ground action feels vividly real, but what sets the novel apart is the cultural history and symbolism woven through the story in the form of music, dance, and colorful embroidery.

Jack has a talent for playing the lyra and finds that the stammer he has when speaking disappears when he sings. And Alenka, an experienced needlewoman, employs her skill in her work with the Resistance, literally and figuratively deciding which threads to spin—and which to snip. She is a wonderfully nuanced character, a young woman torn between caring for her family and saving her homeland, and she hates the idea of being any man’s possession.

Steeped in the alluring history of Crete, both ancient and modern, The Crimson Thread can be appreciated on many levels. It is a worthy addition to the author’s oeuvre and to WWII-era historical fiction.

Known for weaving fairy tales into her World War II stories, in The Crimson Thread Kate Forsyth brings to her readers another incredile story combining the Battle of Crete and the Greek mythological tale of Ariadne, a Cretan princess, and the Minotaur.

Jack and Teddy, two Australian soldiers and best friends since they were boys, are on Crete when the Nazis launch their airborne invasion. Unable to be rescued and rather than surrender, they opt to take to the hills and continue the fight with the Cretan Resistance.

Teddy is the typical Australian larrikin. He likes to drink, gamble and chase women. The woman he has his eye on, Alenka, although friendly towards him, is very protective of her reputation and resists his advances. Teddy takes this as a challenge and lets it be known, especially to Jack who he suspects is harbouring feelings for her himself, that Alenka is his girl. However, when Teddy and Jack are separated, Jack and Alenka get to know one another better through a shared love of literature and music.

Jack and Teddy are opposites, with the more confident and adventurous Teddy usually the leader in their escapades. Jack is known for his quietness, the result of a stutter brought on by abuse he received as a child. He loves music, writing poetry and reading and is enthralled by the stories told to Alenka by her grandmother that she now shares with him. Jack is also interested in the customs and traditions of life in the small Cretan village and gains acceptance by his respect, willingness to help and his music.

Over the course of the story, we see how Teddy's feelings for Alenka become an obsession, eventually showing a darker side to his personality. He also becomes jealous of Jack's achievements. Jack's knowledge and skills that Teddy had deprecated in the past have become valuable assets.

Aside from the love triangle and the strain it puts on Jack and Teddy's friendship, the fear and hardship living under German occupation, especially with a known vengeful collaborator in their midst who will stop at nothing to ingratiate himself with the Nazis, infuses the story with even more tension. Hiding Allied soldiers and continuing to resist the Nazis brings more danger into the villagers' already perilous lives.

While Jack and Teddy are fictional characters, some of the soldiers that appear in the story were actual historical figures, including Reg Saunders, who is a corporal in this story but went on to become the first Aboriginal to be commissioned as an Army officer. Another interesting inclusion is Operation Mincemeat that not only deceived the Nazis into thinking an invasion of Greece was imminent but also raised the hopes of the Cretan people.

This is the first novel that I've read by Kate Forsyth. I was completely enthralled by how she wove Greek mythology into the invasion and occupation of Crete, a theatre of war I knew little about and how she created characters that I came to care for and hoped, despite the devastating setbacks, would find happiness together. I will certainly be reading more of Kate Forsyth's novels.

The Crimson Thread by Kate Forsyth is based on a true story. It covers a part of WWII I have not read much about but knew about which was the German occupation in Crete. The story follows two Australians, Jack and Teddy, and a native of Crete, Alena. As with a lot of WWII stories this is another group of people that end up working with the resistance to try and defeat the Nazis.

This is a well written story that held my interest and I did enjoy learning something from the story itself.

Thank you to #netgalley and #blackstonepublishing for allowing me to read the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.

#kateforsyth #thecrimsonthread

I usually enjoy Kate Forsyth’s novels. Unfortunately, this book was a letdown. The characters were very stereotypical and fell flat. I did not have any emotion towards Alena, Teddy, and Jack. The love triangle felt forced. The writing is very stilted. It was written in a passive voice. It was told and not shown. The best part of the novel was the setting. However, the retelling of the Greek myth of Ariadne seemed unnecessary and could have been eliminated. Thus, it had an excellent premise but was not executed well. Still, I recommend this for fans of Kate Quinn, Heather Morris, and Pam Jenoff!

This is a part of WWII that I knew nothing about, he Nazi occupation of Crete. The story tracks 2 Aussie soldiers who end up on Crete, Jack and Teddy, and Alena, a beautiful native. They become involved with the resistance trying to defend their people against the Nazis. A fiction story based on events.

In May 1941 Germany launched a massive airborne blitzkrieg on the island of Crete. It was met with fierce fighting from the inhabitants joined by the allied soldiers who had retreated there from the German invasion of Greece, but in the end the sheer numbers of the enemy overwhelmed the locals and Crete fell to Germany.

Kate Forsyth’s historical novel follows the actions of two Australian soldiers, Teddy and Jack and a young Greek woman, Alenka, who were there on Crete that day. Teddy and Jack were boyhood friends who joined up together and found themselves fighting together in Greece before retreating to Crete, where they hoped to be evacuated before the Germans arrived. Teddy is a bit of a charming knock-about Aussie larrikin whereas Jack is quieter and more serious, enjoying books and history. Alenka saves both Teddy’s and Jack’s lives, hiding them from the Germans and bringing them food. She is a spirited woman and both Teddy and Jack fall in love with her, creating tension between them for the first time. Despite being at risk of discovery by her younger brother, a Nazi sympathiser, Alenka becomes a member of the resistance and through her job as a translator in the German Headquarters is able to pass on vital information.

Not only has the author meticulously researched the invasion and occupation of Crete and the resistance by the Cretans and their allies, but she has perfectly captured the atmosphere of its ancient history and culture. The ruins of the palace at Knossos make an evocative backdrop for this novel as do the customs, music and food of the local people. Kate Forsyth has also magically incorporated her love of myths and fairytales by weaving the tale of the Theseus defeating the minotaur into the narrative. Just as Ariadne gave Theseus crimson thread to mark his path into the labyrinth so he could find his way out, so Alenka uses her embroidery threads to fight against the monsters occupying her island. With it’s perfectly paced plot, well developed characters and beautiful writing this is a gripping historical novel, about a part of the world and it’s struggles during WW2 that I knew little about.

A new book by Kate Forsyth, as one of Australia’s best storytellers, is always cause for celebration. You know without doubt that you are in for a rich historical tale that will fully immerse you back in time.

‘Hitler’s winged devils are leaping from the sky onto our soil. They think us an island of weak old fools. We shall show them!’

Kate’s, The Crimson Thread, is so multilayered and so much more than a simple World War II story. Set in Crete, it details the time of the Nazi occupation and the terrible impact that ensued on the local people, their resistance and the support given by a few remaining allied forces. On the one level, it is full to the brim of information from this horrific occupation and those who stood up for the greater good. A good solid wartime saga.

“War is not an adventure, my boy,” she had said. “It hurts you somewhere deep down, and the wound never heals.”

Kate does, however, take this to the next level through her rich and vibrant multidimensional storytelling. Firstly the cast of characters are wonderful (though I couldn't stand Teddy from the outset - but I think that was the point) and you cannot help but feel each and every tragedy that befell them. The romance is true and honest. Secondly is the Cretan culture - traditions, music and food - this particular aspect I found most entertaining and interesting. Finally, Kate’s great love of fairy tales/myths comes shining through - how could it not from the home of Zeus! With all the Greek retellings I have read of late, it felt like going home in many ways. To read of Ariadne and the story of the Minotaur amongst the temple ruins was a definite highlight. Kate cleverly weaves it all together into a sublime retelling with a new cast of characters - heroes and villains.

‘The people of Crete had three great passions: love of country, love of freedom, love of life. The Nazis had brought subjugation, enslavement, death. Alenka was determined to fight them’

Overall, this is sure to be another success to Kate’s impeccable list of books. The faultless way she weaves history, culture and mythology to provide a tale of tragedy with real heroes offering resistance makes this a highly recommended read for lovers of this genre.








This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

In Crete, 1941, Alenka lives near the ruins of Knossos. As the Germans invade from the sky, the proud Cretan people fight back. Alenka is determined to help the resistance and the men who came to fight for her country. Alenka takes a chance and rescues two Australian soldiers. Friends, Teddy and Jack are left behind in the evacuation from the island. Alenka hides the soldiers in the ruins and brings them food. She teaches them how to act Greek while taking part in resistance efforts. However, Alenka's brother, Axel supports the Nazi's and is ready to report Alenka and her friend's resistance efforts at every turn.

The Crimson Thread combines several elements that I love; history, mythology and the author's own family story into an intricately woven tale of hope, resistance, and overcoming obstacles. I didn't know much about World War II in Greece and was amazed by the heart of the people there. The Nazi's seemed to take every hint of resistance out on innocent citizens. but the people kept fighting back with whatever they had. I was pleased to learn that two of Alenka's friends in the book, Phyllia and Micky Akoumianakis were real life Greek SOE. Alenka's character encompassed the feelings of the people of Crete. I was amazed at her ability to keep going, think of ways to outsmart the Nazi's and how she loved Axel even when he was bent on destroying her. Axel's character struck a chord of fear in me from the very beginning, he had something to prove and he was willing to destroy everything in order to do it. Teddy and Jack's characters were interesting, best friends that were Australian soldiers with completely different outlooks on life and relationships. From the description, I thought it would be a love triangle situation; however, it is anything but. Teddy's true colors come out immediately and Jack's humble, caring nature shines through. I wasn't sure how the Ariadne and the Minotaur story was going to be brought in except for the setting near the labyrinth; although, in the end, Ariadne, the Minotaur, Theseus and Dionysus were there all along.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

I feel rather conflicted about this book. Forsyth's prose is lovely but the way this story is told didn't quite work for me. I do love the Greek perspective and I welcomed the opportunity to learn a bit about Crete during WWII and Cretan culture in general. I also appreciate the retelling of the Minotaur myth.

That said, a lot of time was spent on the myth at the very start of the book and I found it difficult to get into the story. The main character, Alenka, fell a bit flat for me. Her motivations were clear but they lacked emotion. In addition, the antagonists were so archetypal that I quickly felt irritated by them. Finally, I found the story meandered and the plot lost tension at some critical points.

This novel has a lot of positive reviews, so I can't help but think a lot of my struggle with it is simply an issue of personal taste. There is still plenty that is good in the book, so I would say that fans of historical fiction should give it a chance and decide for themselves.

In the plethora of books that have been written about WWII Kate Forsyth’s The Crimson Thread is a story of survival that stands out. She deals with the German invasion of Crete, an event that is not often featured. Jack and Teddy have been friends since childhood. When the king of Greece is evacuated to Crete, Teddy is on his protection detail. At the Villa Ariadne he meets Alenka and decides that she will be his girlfriend. Jack is also stationed on Crete. When the Germans invade he saves Alenka’s life. Even though he develops feelings for her, his loyalty to his best friend prevents him from expressing his feelings. When Allied troops are evacuated from Crete, Teddy and Jack are among the many who are left behind. Alenka risks her life to keep them hidden and safe until they are rescued.

Forsyth centers her story around Alenka. Her half brother’s father was German and he becomes a collaborator. His greatest wish is to travel to Berlin to find his father. He is as brutal as the conquerors and watches Alenka in hope of catching her with her resistance friends. Winding through the story are the myths and culture of Crete, including the story of Ariadne, the Minotaur and the Palace of Knossos. It is filled with music and dance. The German occupation, however, was also a time of destruction and reprisals that are heartbreaking. Through it all is a fight to survive and the determination of the people to reclaim their island. This is a story of love and war that is beautifully written and will stay with you long after the last page. I would like to thank NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing this book for my review.

An awesome read by Kate Forsyth. She blends Greek mythology with WWII history, creating a unique beautiful story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I am not that familiar with Crete and what occurred there during the war so The Crimson Thread is a great lesson of its story.
Alenka is a composite of all women who suffered struggled, and kept carrying on in the face of abject adversity. Axel is insidious and deserved all that happened to him. Teddy is a chameleon character, whose true character finally surfaces.
Jack is the man most women dream of finding.
I love the author’s note, how her own family history inspired this book.

I haven’t read any historical fiction in the WWII era from the perspective of the Greek, and I’ve read a lot of WWII books! It was interesting to get perspective, because they weren’t exactly a “big player” in the war and yet they were very much impacted by it.

Alenka’s heart really sold me on this book. Her younger brother is half-German. He is hellbent on doing things for the German cause despite being young. While he continually does things to hurt her and her mother and put them at risk, she loves him fiercely. On the flip side, she meets two Australian soldiers and ends up saving their lives despite the risk of her brother turning her in. She always seemed to find the good in people even during the war.

The story is told from multiple viewpoints, and overall, that gave a really good picture of all of the pieces at play that drove the story.

If you’re looking for a WWII-era book full of love and determination that will keep you turning the pages, look no further!

Thank you @hfvbt @blackstonepublishing and @kate_forsyth_ for the opportunity to read this book. The review expresses my own personal opinions.

Alenka is just a young woman trying to survive. Like so many others, her world is shattered when the Nazis invade her home during WWII. Alenka embraces any and every opportunity to assist in resistance operations, even if it puts her and her family at risk. In doing so she meets two young men who change her life forever.
Teddy and Jack are just young men from Australia looking to do their part in the fight against the Nazis. Teddy is confident and charismatic. Jack is shy and has a stutter. One is set on embracing all the freedom and "fun" that being in the army provides. The other genuinely wants to make a difference.
Forsyth writes a gripping story that weaves the lives of these characters into one thread. Readers are familiarized with not only the crushing oppression under Nazi rule but also the deeply imbedded culture of the region. Forsyth's love of mythology entwines itself into the undercurrent of it all. There was a perfect balance of Alenka's world; the military actions of the Nazis, the Resistance, and Allies; and the complexities of the relationships between Alenka, Teddy, and Jack. Every single character makes a sacrifice. Every single character makes choices that impact others. Every single character forces an emotion from the reader.
This is a powerful read that brings to light yet another overlooked culture that was devastated by WWII.
I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.