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The Tuscan Contessa

A heartbreaking new novel set in wartime Tuscany

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

ONE WAR. TWO WOMEN. WILL THEY BE ABLE TO SAVE THE ONES THEY LOVE?

A sweeping new novel from the number one Sunday Times bestselling author of The Tea Planter's Wife

In 1943, Contessa Sofia de' Corsi's peaceful Tuscan villa among the olive groves is upturned by the sudden arrival of German soldiers. Desperate to fight back, she agrees to shelter a wounded British radio engineer in her home, keeping him hidden from her husband Lorenzo - knowing that she is putting all of their lives at risk.

When Maxine, an Italian-American working for the resistance, arrives on Sofia's doorstep, the pair forge an uneasy alliance. Feisty, independent Maxine promised herself never to fall in love. But when she meets a handsome partisan named Marco, she realizes it's a promise she can't keep...

Before long, the two women find themselves entangled in a dangerous game with the Nazis. Will they be discovered? And will they both be able to save the ones they love?

'Dinah Jefferies has a remarkable gift for conjuring up another time and place with lush descriptions, full of power and intensity' Kate Furnivall

'A stunning story of love and loyalty in wartime' Rachel Hore

'Beautiful writing, wonderful characters, gripping story, and such a gorgeously evoked Tuscan setting - how I loved this! Such a perfect, immersive summer read!' Jenny Ashcroft


'A lush, fast-moving, gripping story that will keep you guessing till the last pages. A perfect summer read' Gill Paul

'It's so rich & the historical details so transporting. Reading this novel is like being swept into a wonderful movie' Eve Chase


© Dinah Jefferies 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

20th Century Action & Adventure Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Romance War & Military Women's Fiction Marriage War Military

Critic reviews

My ideal read - I couldn't put it down (Santa Montefiore on 'The Tea Planter's Wife')
A sweeping tale, beautifully written in a wonderful setting, heart rending yet ultimately up lifting. Gorgeous. (Katie Fforde on 'The Sapphire Widow')
The sights, smells and atmosphere of Ceylon are beautifully depicted. This is Dinah Jefferies at her best. (Lucinda Riley on 'The Sapphire Widow')
All stars
Most relevant
The accents range from Basildon to Billericay. A bit strange factor in a book set in Tuscany. I can appreciate why the book is being touted on the cut price market.

The accents range from Basildon to Billericay.

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I was very moved by this whole story fascinating characters in beautiful war torn Tuscany

Superb story , beautifully and sensitively read .

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I did not bother to finish listening to this after 2 hours as the narration was so irritating. Please note - less is more!

Disappointing

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Love the story as always but I cannot bear the style of this narrator. It’s so affected and like listening to someone read a children’s story to the point it distracted me from the content. This is the first narrator of Dinah’s Audible’s that I’ve struggled with.

Always brilliant from Dinah

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well written, brought to life, life in Italy during WW2 and what people went through.

Great story set in history

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