Hearts of Stone
On sale
30th July 2015
Price: £21.99
The fierce courage of the men and women of the Greek Resistance is brought to vivid life in Sunday Times bestseller Simon Scarrow’s powerful novel of World War II. ‘Gripping… [a] moving narrative of friendships broken by war and betrayal’ Sunday Times
1938. A perfect summer on the Greek island of Lefkas for three young people untroubled by the simmering politics of Europe. Peter, visiting from Germany while his father leads an archaeological dig, has become close friends with locals Andreas and Eleni. As the world slides towards conflict and Peter is forced to leave, they swear to meet again.
1943: Andreas and Eleni have joined the partisan forces resisting the German invasion. Peter has returned – now a dangerously well-informed enemy intelligence officer. A friendship formed in peace will turn into a desperate battle between enemies sworn to sacrifice everything for the countries that they love…
‘Simon Scarrow has done it again: another barnstorming book that speaks not only of the horror of war, but the ultimate heroism and self-sacrifice of those caught up in it. The glory of Simon’s books is that they can be read on so many levels: yes, they are thrilling in its truest sense, there are characters we care about deeply and they are under constant threat. But alongside this are the vignettes of a life clearly viewed, the threads of sharp social observation that set his historical thrillers apart from the greater mass.’ Manda Scott
1938. A perfect summer on the Greek island of Lefkas for three young people untroubled by the simmering politics of Europe. Peter, visiting from Germany while his father leads an archaeological dig, has become close friends with locals Andreas and Eleni. As the world slides towards conflict and Peter is forced to leave, they swear to meet again.
1943: Andreas and Eleni have joined the partisan forces resisting the German invasion. Peter has returned – now a dangerously well-informed enemy intelligence officer. A friendship formed in peace will turn into a desperate battle between enemies sworn to sacrifice everything for the countries that they love…
‘Simon Scarrow has done it again: another barnstorming book that speaks not only of the horror of war, but the ultimate heroism and self-sacrifice of those caught up in it. The glory of Simon’s books is that they can be read on so many levels: yes, they are thrilling in its truest sense, there are characters we care about deeply and they are under constant threat. But alongside this are the vignettes of a life clearly viewed, the threads of sharp social observation that set his historical thrillers apart from the greater mass.’ Manda Scott
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Reviews
Gripping... [a] moving narrative of friendships broken by war and betrayal
What an amazing roller-coaster of a ride... this book is fantastic... So startlingly good, so utterly readable
Scarrow neatly weaves together competing human passions for treasure, love, honour and freedom in a moving tribute to the Greek resistance during the Second World War
This is an excellent novel with powerful storytelling and well-crafted characters whose proud stories and courage will melt your heart. I really enjoyed this evocative and emotional novel and found the detail compelling and interesting
Can friendship survive the horrors of war? A brilliant read spanning the war years and the present
Brilliant, exciting, moving story of Greek resistance during WWII. I loved this book
'An evocative story of a Greek island in the Second World War interlaced with a modern day tale'
A very good read
This book is totally gripping right from the start and I loved all of it
Such a powerful, interesting read. Very well researched. Will definitely be looking out for more of Simon Scarrow's books
'As an avid reader of his Roman novels about Macro and Cato, I was keen to see how he would portray a different period of history. I was not disappointed'
'A "can't put down" book of the best kind! I found myself whispering warnings and encouragement to the characters as though they were my friends'
'I absolutely loved this book from the first to the past page, and that is down to the writers style, the story is well crafted and flows at a pace to keep the pages turning... beautifully crafted into a mesmerising story'
'I found myself immersed in this adventure. A great holiday read'
Simon Scarrow writes vividly of the drama and intensity of 20th century warfare
Pacy...and thrilling
...a compelling and exciting read. This is a real treat for fans of Scarrow, a fast-paced page turner. Recommended
A deep and intense novel that examines the effects of World War II on Lefkas and the rest of Greece
'An action-packed narrative'
'A rip-roaring page-turner... Sturdy elegance and incisive wit'
Without shying away from the realities of the war in this rarely mentioned corner of the conflict, the story deftly weaves the past together with the effects it has on future generations... The story of the friendship at the heart of this novel stays with you after reading. ***** (5 stars)