Last Night at Villa Lucia – Simon McCleave

A body is floating face down in the middle of the infinity pool.

For a second I think I’m imagining it. My head is throbbing as I pull my sunglasses down over my eyes. It’s not even 8 a.m. and the blazing Tuscan sunshine is already stifling.

Flashes of last night play over in my mind. The spiteful words hurled across the table. The ruined meal. The endless glasses of crisp white wine. My daughter watching my every move.

Tears choke my throat. This beautiful villa was the only good thing that came out of my painful divorce. I fix my eyes on the gently swaying cypress trees as I try to calm my breathing.

A police siren pierces the tranquillity and I collapse onto a wicker chair. I must get my story straight fast. But one question plays over in my mind without an answer.

What really happened last night?

Review

I can’t believe I didn’t know about this author before, oh my god! This was just such a great read, such a great great time from start to finish.

We follow mainly Cerys, the owner of Villa Lucia; her daughter, Lowri; Zoe; Harry; and their son, Charlie.

I loved to see the women’s unity. I honestly loved everyone (obviously except for the people that were antagonists), and I actually didn’t expect absolutely any of it. I wasn’t expecting ANYTHING that happened; I didn’t know who the victim was when I started reading. Everything took me by surprise.

The book’s writing was flawless throughout; the characters were particularly well-developed. You really felt for them; you really did.

Although, between all this, I must say I did see a revelation coming, but, as you know, I don’t really care whether I’m right or wrong about twists; it doesn’t impact my reading experience at all.

I am just lost for words. This was just so cool, ugh. Everything was just amazing, and I don’t care; I probably sound like a bootlicker, but I cannot wait for this book to be published in print to get a copy of it. JUST WOW!