The Hidden Palace
The Hidden Palace by Dinah Jefferies, published by HarperCollins Publishers Limited in 2022, is a historical fiction novel that unfolds against the backdrop of Malta in the early 20th century. Spanning 528 pages, this edition explores the intertwined lives of two sisters, Rosalie Delacroix and Florence Baudin, as they navigate personal and familial challenges amidst the turmoil of World War II. The narrative begins in 1925 with Rosalie’s escape from Paris to pursue a dancer’s career, while Florence, in 1944, embarks on a quest to uncover the truth about her sister’s mysterious disappearance.
Readers will find a rich tapestry of themes including betrayal, secrets, and the impact of war on family dynamics. The story delves into the complexities of sisterhood and the lengths one will go to reconnect with lost loved ones. As Florence grapples with her estranged mother’s request and the haunting memories of the past, the novel captures the emotional weight of their shared history. The setting of Malta serves as a vibrant backdrop, enhancing the narrative’s exploration of love and resilience during a time of conflict.
Official synopsis Publisher
An island of secrets. A runaway. And a promise…
A rebellious daughter
1925. Among the ancient honey-coloured walls of the tiny island of Malta, strangers slip into the shadows and anyone can buy a new name. Rosalie Delacroix flees Paris for a dancer’s job in the bohemian clubs deep in its winding streets.
A sister with a secret
1944. Running from the brutality of war in France, Florence Baudin faces a new life. But her estranged mother makes a desperate request: to find her vanished sister, who went missing years before.
A rift over generations
Betrayals and secrets, lies and silence hang between the sisters. A faded last letter from Rosalie is Florence’s only clue, the war an immovable barrier – and time is running out…
Praise for The Hidden Palace
“Completely swept me away to another place and time. Dinah is the queen of sumptuous settings, transporting the reader effortlessly from chocolate-box Devonshire to the cabaret clubs of 1920s Paris and war-torn Malta. A marvellous, multi-layered story, populated with characters to really care for”–HAZEL GAYNOR
“Dinah Jefferies wields her storytelling magic on the island of Malta . . . It’s engrossing and sensual, full of the heat of the Mediterranean sun”–GILL PAUL
“Powerful, passionate and profoundly moving . . . this compelling mix of love and tragedy vibrates with warmth and pain, and captures the intense dislocation of war”–KATE FURNIVALL
“Sweeping and sumptuous with a gorgeously described sense of place. A marvellous adventure”–TRACY REES
Praise for Daughters of War
“A wonderfully evocative and sensual writer”–SANTA MONTEFIORE
“A warm and engrossing tale of passion and courage. I loved it”–RACHEL HORE
“Love, grief, abandonment, betrayal and secrets … I adored it”–LIZ NUGENT
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