The Hills of God Book

Wild life photographer and conservationist Melissa Haye visits the beautiful Greek island of Asteri, ostensibly to research her latest travel series, but with the hidden agenda of investigating the murder of her lover two years before. She was never satisfied with the official explanation that, drunk on retsina, he had fallen off the cliff. Andrew never drank retsina and he was a competent climber and swimmer. Besides, her last conversation with him suggested that he had unwittingly observed a smuggling gang in action.
Melissa very soon finds herself caught up in a web of intrigue involving the local mayor and a famous sculptor – both very attractive men - and her old enemy, Katherine Hopkins – a vicious scheming woman who stands for everything Melissa hates and will stop at nothing to get her own way.

This story has everything for me. It is supremely well-written, with a fascinating and well-paced plot. The characters are well-drawn and believable. It has the added attraction of being set in a real place, in a part of the world I love dearly, and Ms Townsend describes it so well. You can practically smell the sea and feel the warmth of the sun.

In its setting and style it is very reminiscent of the wonderful Mary Stewart, one of my all-time favourites.
A delightful and very satisfying read. I cannot recommend it too highly