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The Traitor's Wife

Heartbreaking WW2 historical fiction with an incredible story inspired by a woman's resistance

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About this listen

 Inspired by the incredible stories of the heroines of the Italian Resistance, this is a heart-wrenching dual-timeframe story which is a portrait of war and a powerful exploration of how far we will go to protect our families, set between World War II Naples and the glamorous Golden Age of Hollywood.

Wartime Naples 1943. Luisa Giordano knows how to weather loss, first that of her father to a deadly illness, then the man she loved for all her life to the Resistance, and now the unborn child she had longed for - at the hands of her own husband. All she has left is her voice, and she must use it to fuel the women of Naples with fire.

Los Angeles 1962. Hollywood icon Lola Hart has long since shed her past as Lolita Vaccaro, a girl from the rough part of Naples. The unfulfilling roles and insecure fiancée a welcome respite from the distressing memories of a crumbling family on the other side of the world. But when the role of a lifetime becomes intertwined with the facts of Lola's past, the ghosts she encounters threaten to break apart the new identity she has so carefully crafted. So, why can't she help but look deeper . . .?

(P) 2023 Headline Publishing Group Ltd©2023 Sarah Steele 20th Century Historical Historical Fiction Thriller & Suspense Italy Fiction War Mystery

Critic reviews

Sarah Steele combines the best aspects of an unputdownable thriller with beautiful writing and characters who live and breathe. I just loved it! (Katie Fforde)
A gripping and atmospheric read. As smouldering and compelling as it is satisfying: mystery, love and redemption. It has it all. (Tessa Harris)
I can taste the gelato and the sweetness of La Dolce Vita in Italy of the 1960s, coupled with the bitterness of wartime intrigue and betrayal. A perfect combination (Mandy Robotham)
Delicious . . . Part history of the liberation of Naples in 1943 and part love story, [The Traitor's Wife] is peppered with colourful glimpses of 1960s Hollywood . . . sweet, sensual, tense and tragic. A perfect summer read (Emma Flint)
A thrilling dual timeline story combining the glamour of Hollywood with gripping tales of the women of the Italian Resistance. Told with such vivid beauty and featuring a cast of incredible women, I felt as if I'd been swept away to the backstreets of Naples. Heartbreaking, beautiful and utterly compelling. (Annie Lyons)
All stars
Most relevant
Rather than the predictable angle of grandmothers letters A historical film about war events was being made The dual storyline was less dull A bit predictable though

Quite interesting

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A wonderful story about strong women. Loved the dual timeline and learning about Naples history in this well researched book. Great performances by both narrators.

A wonderful story

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