Dying Phoenix
Against a background of fear and torture under a military dictatorship in Greece, Max and Nina Hammett struggle to preserve a marriage that has become fraught with jealousy and despair.
In April 1967, a totally unexpected military coup throws Greece into turmoil. People vanish amid terrified rumours of torture and murder. As these events unravel, so does Nina and Max’s marriage. Nina doesn’t trust Max, and leaves him in a jealous rage. But the truth of the matter is that Max was trying to help an abused woman escape her tormentor, not taking her to his bed as Nina imagines. Young, flighty Zoe’s angst puts Max in terrible danger from a ruthless murderer. At the same time, he must also try to find Nina, who has disappeared into the shadowy depths of Athens. He knows that her wilful nature, along with her refusal to cater to the military, could get her killed. Hearing that she is in danger, he sets off on a journey across Greece to find her and to escape his own past.
Dying Phoenix is a thrilling historical romance that covers an interesting, little-known period of modern Greek history, and lends an insight into ordinary Greek lives. The book will appeal to fans of literary fiction, sagas and romantic suspense — as well as fans of Loretta’s earlier novels, The Crimson Bed, Middle Watch and The Long Shadow.
(119,000 words; available as ebook and print)
