I have loved all of Fiona Valpy’s books I have read. So, when I saw The Cypress Maze, I jumped at the opportunity to read it. This haunting tale is somewhat different in its approach but no less intriguing. Two women are at the heart of this novel providing their stories. Dual timelines of 1943 and 2015 are explored.

One of the timelines carries Beatrice’s story of Tuscany 1943, the horrors she witnessed and experienced in a war-torn Italy. She initially escapes to Italy for a year to teach English but the pressures of war force her in another direction and she must find refuge. She is given shelter at Villa delle Colombe by Francesca and Edoardo. Behind their walled garden, her life blossoms, and we see vividly what an amazing location it is through Fiona’s detailed descriptions. Also, in this hidden setting is a complex maze that becomes a place of refuge, protection and love but also where a crime occurs. It is a story of great loss but also restoration. By reviewing memories of the past, one woman is freed and one finds new courage to continue on.

In 2015 we meet Tess. A woman who has lost her husband. She is on a journey through grief when she arrives at the villa to take solace in the gardens. It is here where she begins to heal. But the tranquil setting is interrupted when the estates owner, Marco, arrives and wants to wipe out its past by removing the garden and redeveloping it. This gives its current custodian, Beatrice, great concern as it is where she has spent most of her life and cannot imagine living anywhere else. In her attempt to save the villa, she shares with Tess its tumultuous past during the second world war but how it offered shelter and kept hope alive for those who found refuge behind its walls. She asks Tess to write it all down of what happened long ago and unveils a secret that she wants shared with Marco in hopes it will change his mind. He comes across as a grumpy and unfeeling man who cares not for the welfare of others. But his anger really is a shield he hides behind and there are more layers to him than first believed.

Gardens always possess a magical serene aura and can provide emotional, spiritual and mental healing. And they can also be a great social setting for finding love! In this story’s case, the gardens of Villa delle Colombe have been all these things. This setting in many ways is also a character and includes a fascinating maze harbouring secrets that once revealed could offer both negative and positive results.

I truly loved The Cypress Maze and although the dire details of events and pain experienced by the inhabitants of the Villa fills many of its pages, the ray of hope that shines throughout this story buoys it up to a special level. In the past timeline, the gardens (and relationships nurtured there), provide the characters with what they need by giving them something (and someone) to hold on to— through the horrific war times. In the modern timeline, the setting still serves in the same way when that haven is threatened.

And the enigma of the maze? It is an intriguing part of the plot. The Cypress maze has an incredible story to tell, once it is released to share its secrets. Its purpose in the garden is quite appropriate. I will leave the mystery for the reader to unveil, though, and just quote Plato on his definition of a maze: “It is a confusing path, hard to follow without a thread, but, provided [you are] not devoured at the midpoint, it leads surely, despite twists and turns, back to the beginning.” The Cypress Maze definitely takes us back to the start to deliver the emotional core of this novel. And it holds a powerful revelation of the effects of war on the human mind.

The Cypress Maze with its complexities certainly captured my imagination and I was moved by Beatrice’s strength and Tess’s determination. These courageous women help each other in 2015 and the book ends on a fulfilled note. Fiona has delivered another heart felt triumph. I sincerely recommend this novel and give it 5 Stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and Netgalley for my review copy.

I have enjoyed this author's previous books and was anxious to read her new book.

Set in her two time periods, the reader meets Tess (2015) who is recovering from a tragic loss. She relocates to Italy to take a new job as a helper to Beatrice, an old friend of her grandmother's. Here we learn the story of Beatrice (1940"s) and how she came to live in Italy. Along the way, the author introduces us to many characters who influenced both women and how their lives are changed because of them. One also learns about the history of Italy during WWII and the heroic actions that many people undertook to save people endangered during that time. A wonderful historical read and I am anxious to read the author's next book

I am always delighted to read one of Fiona Valpy's books and have followed her since her early books on renovating a home in France.
What a wonderfully descriptive novel this is. Two women, two timelines, meshed together. Tess, desperately sad after the loss of her husband finds healing in the beautiful villa. Her relationship with Beatrice, the current owner, grows as we hear the tales that Beatrice tells of the story of the villa.. Marcus is a facinating character.
Loved this book, thank you NetGalley for a review copy which I could out down!

The Cypress Maze by Fiona Valpy
Publication date - 18th July 23
Publishers - Amazon Publishing

Fiona Valpy has become a go-to author for me after I read ‘The Storyteller of Casablanca’ and I was not disappointed with this book either! ‘The Cypress Maze’ was a brilliant dual-timeline story which looks at Italy during the second world war and present day. It was an emotional read that tugged on the heartstrings and made me cry in places.

The books opens with Tess arriving in Tuscany to be a companion to an old school friend of her grandmother’s. Tess has recently lost her husband and needs to recharge and recover. Beatrice has been guardian to the Villa delle Colombo whilst she tracked down the heir. Bea is also wanting Tess to recover her story. She came to Tuscany before the start of the war and got caught out and left it too late to leave. Bea lucked out by meeting Francesca, who was working with the Red Cross and ended up staying with her at the villa. Children were sent to the stay at the villa and it is one of these children that Bea is searching for.

I must admit I was much more involved emotionally with the story set in the past. Bea and the kids seemed a more developed plot compared to the present day with Tess. I wouldn't have minded reading a book which was longer to develop the present-day narrative more. I wanted to be invested in Tess to the same level as Bea but alas it was Bea that tugged on my heart!

Once again Valpy manages to directly import visuals straight into my mind whilst reading the story. Her descriptions of the surrounding area of the villa and the villa itself were very easy to picture and that is a reflection of her outstanding writing! I thoroughly felt as if I had been transplanted to Tuscany. It's an area I have always wanted to visit and this book has increased the longing.

This was a great piece of historical fiction and I loved learning more about the history of the area. I wasn't aware that it was Scottish troops which were on the front pushing up from the south of Italy. This is why I love this genre as I feel you also get an education as well as an entertaining read!

Let me know if you read this one!

Captivating historical novel with breathtaking scenery, a range of characters and an incredible story line. I read this in a number of days, I could not put it down. The switch between the past and present, with intriguing plots in both time periods, kept me gripped from page 1. This novel deals with some difficult topics, and a difficult period of history, in a sensitive way. I highly recommend this for all lovers of historical fiction!

Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC. Having read other novels by Fiona Valpy I hoped that The Cypress Maze would be as engaging and it did not disappoint. I was hooked from the opening chapter as Tess arrived at the villa in Tuscany in the hope of helping her move on from the tragedy she had recently experienced. There she encounters the indomitable custodian of the villa, Bea, who entrusts Tess with the secrets both she and the villa have been hiding since the Second World War. What shone through for me was the power of hope that survived, even in the darkest times, largely due to the friendships that were forged. Left me feeling uplifted on a freezing cold January evening.

All Fiona Valpy books are like old friends and this one is no exception. You will easy get into the storyline and the characters that you will,feel,like you are there..The strength of the women is admirable and it makes you wonder what you would do. This book was a wonderful reading experience.

I liked the idea of this book but it wasn’t for me. It is a like epic historical novel mixed with a bit a drama. It was good but not for me. Fans of this type of book will love it tho

Tuscany! This is an engaging historical fiction taking place in a Tuscan Villa set during WW2. I do not read books to learn something but I love when I do. I did not know much about World War 2 in Italy. Fiona Valpy gives us a story we can enjoy, become invested in and makes one fall in love with a Tuscan Villa. The setting at times feels like another character and the villa is the refuge of many during the war. I found myself imagining the gardens, the kitchen, the food, the maze and the characters. One aspect that struck me was how the villa did not change that much from 1940 to 2015. I certainly wish I could visit. The story of friendship is one you will not forget. I did not give 5 stars because I felt I never got to know Marco. That part of the story seemed rushed and I needed more information to feel his character was authentic. Overall a great read I would recommend to others. In fact I have recommended to others!

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the eARC.
This book is set in two timelines: 2015 and WWII. Bess (2015) who's reeling from the death of her husband, goes to Tuscany to stay with Beatrice, her elderly grandmother's good friend. The villa and it's grounds are slated to be turned into a golf club, to the horror of both women, by the man who inherited it, Marco. Beatrice tells the story of the history of the villa to Bess, who hopes to influence Marco with the details of this rich and heartbreaking history.
It was a sweet story, but I did get tired of Bess' talks to her late husband. The villa's history was much more interesting and the gardens' descriptions were luscious.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Pub for an ARC copy of this novel!
In this book, we see a dual timeline, both taking place at the Villa delle Colombo in Tuscany. The story follows Tess (2015) and her deep pain and grief from the loss of her husband. She arrives at the villa, hoping to find consolation and peace. There she finds Beatrice, the old guardian of the villa and friend of Tess’s grandmother. Tess and Beatrice become close friends and Tess begins to write down the story of Beatrice and her time at the villa during WW2 (1940-1944).
In 1940, Beatrice has come to Italy to work. She enjoys all Italy has to offer, but dangers arise as WW2 begins. She finds herself stuck and unable to go back home to Scotland. She is arrested as an enemy of the state, but soon let go. She eventually finds the villa, where a safe haven is provided for her and numerous others, including many children. The villa owners, Edoardo and Francesca, along with the other workers and Tess, work together to maintain the villa and harvest food and provisions. They try to remain hidden, but things become difficult and upsetting.
Presently in 2015, Beatrice had tried to find the person set to inherit the villa. A message arrives stating that Marco, the son of the inheritor, would be arriving. But he has plans to tear down the structures and build a golf course.
I really enjoyed the dual timelines of this novel and how they both tied together. I especially enjoyed the depth of the descriptions in the story throughout. Fiona Valpy’s style of writing is so beautiful!!! She pulls you into the story and makes you feel as if you are there and in person! This author is definitely on my radar and look forward to reading more of her work!
The Cypress Maze comes out July 18, 2023!

3.75 stars

E-ARC courtesy of NetGalley!

"A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma."

What an enigma this was! This story is really a story wrapped in another story. We follow Tess, still reeling from the loss of her beloved husband as she arrives in Tuscany to find solace in the gorgeous grounds of Villa delle Colombe. There she meets Beatrice, the custodian of the property and an old friend of her grandmother's.

Thus begins the story inside the story: in 1940, Beatrice is flourishing in her stay abroad, delightedly consuming the culture, beauty, and food that Italy has to offer. But darkness is looming in the form of WWII and Italy's alliance with Germany, and Beatrice finds herself abandoned in a country that sees her as an enemy. She finds safety at the Villa delle Colombe with Francesca and Edoardo, seemingly distant from the strife and tension of the war. But as the years pass, it becomes clear that they cannot remain hidden for long and soon the consequences and effects of the war will come right to their door...

It is not often that I say that a dual timeline offers a layer of extra depth to the story – or should I say, stories – but that is most certainly the case for this novel. Accompanying Tess on her journey of discovering the history of the Villa and fighting to ensure that it will not be lost to the plans and visions of the property's inheritor, Marco Vittorio, provided a perfect foundation for which the true story can emerge in the past. And as tends to happen, present mixes with past as Tess learns how to cope with her grief as Beatrice faces her own grief and sorrows more than seventy years prior.

As the Beatrice's story and the story of the Cypress Maze begin to unravel over the course of the book, I could not help but grow more and more attached to Beatrice, Francesca, and the wonderful cast of lovely children taking refuge at the Villa during the war. I was thoroughly invested as the truth behind the Villa and Alfredo's – Marco's father – time there was revealed, and the wonderful imagery of the lands and Tuscany's beauty kept me deeply immersed in the setting and its secrets. The descriptions of the gardens and the delicious food made by Silvana in particular evoked a visceral feeling in me.

Valpy is most definitely a talented writer, mastering the art of storytelling with her direct language and descriptive prose. The research that so obviously went into building the setting of wartime Tuscany was evident and served to make the story and what the characters were experiencing feel even more tangible. I already wanted to visit Italy before reading this novel, but now if I get the chance to go, I think I will have a deeper appreciation for the land and its history. That's one of the best parts of historical fiction: as the story is told, it is also taught.

My only real complaint was that I wish the dynamic between the characters in the present timeline was further developed and provided the same care as the relationships depicted in the past. Obviously, the past timeline is the main focus of the story, but I wish in particular that we saw more of Marco and that the plotline between him and the house was explored further, especially as certain romantic themes became clear. I wanted to hear more about his side of the story and how his differing knowledge of his father's time at the Villa had impacted him so deeply rather than it just quickly being addressed and explained at the conclusion of the novel like it ended up.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this reading experience – a solid first ARC for sure! I am eager to read more of Valpy in the future as well. She is definitely an author I'll be looking out for now.

As for anyone reading this review: definitely look out for this novel in July 2023!

Two women find solace and hope in the garden of an Italian villa. In 1943 Tuscany, war is raging and Beatrice has taken shelter in the Villa del Combe, where she soothes her soul in its walled garden and cypress maze. Francesca, owner of the villa has taken in many refugees and orphans from the storm, and they are in constant peril of exposure, which will surely mean death. In 2015, Beatrice is now the caretaker of the gardens, and she welcomes Tess, who’s reeling from the unexpected death of her husband. But Tess’s fragile peace and Beatrice’s beloved villa and gardens are threatened when the owner want to sell the land to a developer. The only way to save her home is for Beatrice to tell the terrible truth about what happened during the darkest days of her life. I loved this book, two women getting strength and resolve from nature and from each other and willing to put everything on the line for what they believe