The Tuscan Contessa is a story about women fighting to keep those they love safe, defending their home and those close to them, while finding ways to work together to survive all that World War Two and the Nazis threw at them. I had recently seen a documentary about how dreadful the war was for the people of Italy and so was doubly intrigued to read this book; it didn’t disappoint. 
Sofia is a countess living in her beautiful Castello de Corsi. Most of the men have left the village to join the partisans and fight back, including her husband, Lorenzo who is away working for the Ministry of Agriculture while secretly passing on information to the allies. Sofia hates being away from him but slowly discovers her strength and determines to do what she can to save the home that has been in her husband’s family for centuries. When Maxine, an Italian/American woman is sent to carry out her own mission helping the local resistance, the two very different women have to find a way to cope with each other. Sofia finds Maxine’s brash ways difficult to deal with at first and Maxine finds Sofia’s behaviour vastly different to her own. Maxine discovers that her determination not to become involved with anyone romantically hadn’t taken into account meeting the charismatic, mysterious resistance member, Marco. 
Sofia has to force herself to be charming to the Nazi officers that come to her beloved Castello de Corsi, while hiding her hatred of them and all that they represent. She works hard to do all she can to support those living in the village, or, like James, an injured British soldier who comes to her home, find ways to help him while keeping his presence a secret from those villagers who are feeding information to the enemy.
It took me a little time to get into this book, but when I did, I couldn’t put it down. It is obviously extremely well-researched and transports the reader into the beauty of the Tuscan countryside, but at the same times draws you in to the heart-breaking experiences they are forced to face in that beautiful place and the horrors of what women like Sofia and Maxine were forced to overcome simply to survive during that terrible time in history.
Thanks to Penguin UK and NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Set in the WWII in Italy, the book embraces the strength and resilience of two amazing women which do everything in their power to help the partisans and the allies to defeat the German armies.
While reading the pages, it’s easy to be completely absorbed by the story, and impossible to don’t find yourself sympathising with the characters, with their fear of not being able to see their loved ones, the desire to go back to better days, the hope felt when the allies defeated the Germans, the shock at the atrocity consumer right in front of their eyes.
An absolute amazing historical fiction and highly recommended if you loved Vicki Beeby’s The Women Auxiliary Air Force

This is the first of Dinah Jefferies’ novels not to be set in Asia. After being whisked off by her previous six books to Sri Lanka, Myanmar, French Indochina and other fascinating settings, it was a surprise to find that her latest one takes place in Italy. I do love reading about Italy, though, and this setting – Rome and Tuscany during World War II – was just as interesting as the others.

The Contessa of the title is Sofia de’ Corsi, who lives with her husband Lorenzo in their Tuscan villa in the Val d’Orcia. Lorenzo works for the Ministry of Agriculture but Sofia knows very little about what his work actually involves, other than that it takes him away from home for long periods of time. The war is in its final years – the story begins in November 1943 – yet life in Italy is becoming more dangerous and more complicated than ever. Much of the country is still under German martial law and although the Allies are advancing and driving the German army back, their progress is very slow. Not only do Italians have the Nazis to worry about, however, but they are also fighting each other, with anti-Fascist partisans locked in civil war with supporters of Mussolini and his Fascist forces.

When James, a British radio engineer, is found wounded near Sofia’s home she offers to give him shelter, but knowing that Lorenzo would be worried for her safety, she decides to keep his presence a secret from her husband. Meanwhile, Maxine, an Italian-American spy, has arrived from Rome to stay with Sofia, having been given the job of gathering information about the Germans to pass on to the resistance and the Allies. But with the Nazi officers stationed in the village beginning to grow suspicious about Sofia’s household, the two women and their loved ones could be in danger.

I have to confess that before I read The Tuscan Contessa I knew very little about Italy during the war, so I was pleased to find that a timeline is included at the front of the book, outlining the key events from the Italian perspective. This helped me to understand what had been happening in the months prior to the beginning of the novel and how there were so many different groups all working with or against each other: the German occupiers, Mussolini’s Blackshirts, the Partisans and communists, Allied soldiers and SOE spies. It’s not surprising that Sofia and her friends are never quite sure who can and cannot be trusted and who might be about to betray them. One thing I really liked about the novel is the way Jefferies shows that there are good and bad people on all sides of any conflict and that both friends and enemies can be found where they are least expected.

Although there are plenty of male characters, all with significant roles to play in the novel, the focus is mainly on the women and the decisions they have to make to keep themselves and their families safe. I liked Sofia but the other characters felt less well drawn and I even found myself confusing some of them with each other. I didn’t feel that I ever truly got to know and understand Maxine, which was a shame because her storyline should have been the most exciting and compelling, as her work took her into some very dangerous situations. It seemed that the characters sometimes took second place to the history unfolding around them, which made the story less emotionally gripping than it could have been.

This is not one of my favourite Dinah Jefferies novels, but I’m still glad I read it even if just for the knowledge I’ve gained of 1940s Italy!

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great drama and romance with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

‘The Tuscan Contessa’ by Dinah Jefferies is a story of women at war where trust, between women, between strangers, is at the core of everything. Although the book’s title refers to Contessa Sofia de' Corsi this is also the story of Italian-American Maxine, recruited by English special services to the fight against fascism in Tuscany. Once there and charged with assessing the ability and armaments of Italian partisans, Maxine she finds the fight is not only against the Germans but between Italian groups suspicious of each other. 
It is 1943 and in the exquisitely beautiful Tuscan countryside, trust is in short supply. Strangers may be spies or escaping Allied soldiers, the penalty for helping enemies has been followed by retaliation – massacres of villagers by the Nazis. Maxine, with her odd sounding Italian accent, must prove her worth if she is to do her job. She must also learn who to trust. When Maxine’s radio engineer James is wounded, he is sheltered by Sofia in her isolated castello. And so though very different characters, Maxine and Sofia find themselves on the same side; one is young, energetic and full of zeal, the other more cautious and concerned with protecting her husband’s legacy and castello. Neither can imagine the horrors they will see, and the risks they must take, before the war is ended.
The power of Jefferies’ story comes from the juxtaposition of the brutality and blood of war with the beauty of the Italian countryside. The stately villas of Sofia – Castello de’Corsi and in Florence – contribute both atmospherically and practically to the story, offering glimpses into the pre-war and wartime life, as well as hiding places and storage for contraband. And while the women hide their bottled fruit and vegetables, and knit secretly at night – jumpers and socks to keep the partisans warm throughout winters spent hidden in forests and caves – there is the uneasy feeling that some villagers continue to support the fascist cause and inform to the Germans. While Maxine goes on increasingly perilous missions with the partisans, Sofa must handle the unwelcome attention of a German officer whose smiles glint with the promise of sadism.
The book is the result of copious research and visits to locations and gives a clear and often difficult-to-read portrayal of real Tuscan villages during the German occupation. Jefferies shows the complicated moral dilemmas for Italians fighting first one enemy and then another, as the enemy hated at the beginning of the war becomes by 1943 the only hope of salvation. Every woman lives in a constant state of ‘not knowing’; not knowing who to trust, not knowing if a loved one is away fighting, injured, captured or dead. And meanwhile, daily life continues. Children are loved, babies are beget, love is declared and food is made and eaten. In the background is the gossip of reprisals and villagers killed, while in the foreground the women of Castello de' Corsi continue to exist. As spring arrives with blue skies and beautiful wildflowers, the killing continues.
A moving story of women in wartime facing impossible odds, finding hidden courage and a dash of recklessness in order to fight the enemy. And the recognition of the line which, when crossed, means that your own life ceases to matter when the death of an enemy is preferable. Trust, between women, between strangers, is at the heart of everything.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-reviews-a-z/

I love Dinah Jeffries books - this one was beautifully written, but it didn’t grip me as much as the others - I don’t know if it was the setting that didn’t engage me as much, or the time it was set or what - I liked it but didn’t devour it like I have all the others. But nonetheless it is well written and I would recommend it to everyone.

I thought the story line of this book was really interesting set against the occupation of Tuscany by the Germans The atrocities were not spared but there was also a feeling that the partisan movement gave real hope for sabotaging German activities. It’s not a love story although exploring relationships was part of the backdrop.

I had been putting off reading this book because of the print size - Penguin please take note. I found myself with a day to myself recently and sat down to read this book. What a book it was too! As usual, it is well researched and well written and I wished I'd read it sooner. 
World War II - two women whose lives have been upturned by the arrival of the Germans. Contessa Sofia de Corsi''s peaceful home now providing shelter and medical aid and giving any help she can, but keeping secrets from her husband Lorenzo. Lorenzo is passing information to the Allies. An Italian American woman Maxine arrives at the Contessa house where the two women forge an unlikely friendship. Both women become involved in dangerous games with the Nazis. Will they be discovered, can they help their loved ones? Much intrique and the author's research has kept pretty much to the events that happened in those dark years.

Another rich and compelling story from Dinah Jefferies set in Italy towards the end of WW2. Full of honour, bravery, love and loss

Rating 3.5 stars
With the arrival of German soldiers, Contessa Sofia peaceful Tuscan home life has been turned upside down. Desperate to do something, she provides any help she can against the Germans but keeps her efforts secret from husband Lorenzo – who is also passing information to the Allies.

Maxine, an Italian-American working for the allies, arrives on Sofia’s doorstep and before long, the two women find themselves entangled in a dangerous game with the Nazis.

Whilst I enjoyed this book, the story was just okay, there felt like there was something missing from the story.  Both characters are perhaps one dimensional and the book lacks any real emotion or depth.  Even though there are deaths due to the war going on around them, none of it made me want to weep, and I'm a weepy girl, so something was off with the writing.  I didn't really get a sense that I was there either, the atmosphere was lost.  And I wasn't sure about the chapter at the beginning, it seemed a little out of place and didn't really build up to the ending I was expecting - could have been left out as it added no weight to the story really. 

I liked the potted history of the war as seen from the Italian side at the beginning of the book, it was interesting as so much of WW2 history focuses on the German/English/American conflict.

I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.

This was a very sad story and very real. The atrocities of the Nazis are all recorded in history. It was a great touch basing the story around ordinary people and their lives during the war. A good cast of characters and a memorable storyline. A book well worth reading.

WoW.......and just breathe! and where's the tissues. You will need them.

The Tuscan Contessa by Dinah Jefferies was beautifully written and well researched  this is always the case with all Dinah Jefferies books.
Every book I have read, by this author have been a 5 star read and this was also a 5 star read. 

I highly recommend this book and all her books You will not regret reading Dinah's books. 
They are just Brilliant.

Big thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review

A new war story from Dinah Jeffries. Not as good as previous outings but I still enjoyed it. Switching Points of view and stunning Tuscany countryside made this a good read.

Contessa Sofia lives in Tuscany with her husband Lorenzo and the tale starts towards the end of World War II.  Lorenzo "works" for the Ministry but he is secretly helping the Allies which takes him away from home for periods at a time.   Sofia is also helping the Partisans in her own way, but when Maxine turns up on her doorstep to ask fr shelter and help, she only briefly hesitates before agreeing.

The tale switches between Sofia and Maxine and the difficulties each of them face and decisions they have to make.

A difficult tale to read about the atrocities of war but it also has a softer side of the lengths the women would go to help their menfolk.

I was delighted to be invited onto the blog tour for the latest book by the fabulous Dinah Jefferies – The Tuscan Contessa. Thank you Georgia!

I was quite late in discovering Dinah Jefferies and since then I have been working my way through her back catalogue, she knows how to write and she knows how to pick her locations. Her writing never fails to transport me to the most wonderful places most of which I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting – yet. And in The Tuscan Contessa Dinah Jefferies took me to Italy and the beautiful Tuscany region – I love her flare for description.

I knew right from the beginning that Dinah Jefferies had written another book I was going to love.

And I love the cover design – it’s gorgeous. Whoever does the designs for all of her books does a great job. Even before I pick up The Tuscan Contessa I know from the cover to expect historical fiction with a beautiful location. #CoverLove.


As well as great locations, Dinah Jefferies writes some great female characters. I loved Maxine from the moment I met her. I LOVED her. She was feisty, challenging and brave – she was a pleasure to read about and someone I would want on my side. The first time we meet Maxine she is rescuing an older gentleman from a beating by a group of young soldiers, then outwits them and meets up with the resistance. And that is just the beginning.


The book alternates between following Maxine’s journey and Sofia’s life and I loved both of the POVs. Sofia is The Tuscan Contessa. It took me a little while to warm up to Sofia but I found her fascinating and she isn’t afraid to jump in and get her hands dirty. She isn’t as intense as Maxine but she certainly is another strong willed, strong minded female character living in a very dangerous wartime.


As well as great locations and strong female characters I always expect a bit of romance from Dinah Jefferies. I haven’t finished it yet so I am not sure the book has a HEA, but it definitely has a dollop of romance thrown into the mix.

The writing was good, the pacing was spot on for the story and the whole novels shines with little titbits of information and colour that only comes from research. I am very much enjoying it so far and I am looking forward to logging off the computer and getting back to my book. I do have my suspicions thou that as much as I love it so far I don’t think it will be my favourite – I LOVED The missing sister – I loved the element of mystery that I feel the Tuscan Contessa doesn’t quite have. Small, small negative in an otherwise entertaining historical read. BUT I’m not sure that is even a negative – just a personal preference.

I really enjoyed this book.  It was a difficult read at some places but despite that I was captivated.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Penguin Books UK and Dinah Jefferies for my copy. This was such a wonderful book in every sense; the only previous book of Jefferies that I'd read was The Tea Planter's Wife, which I also loved. Jefferies has such a gift for creating both a perfect sense of place and the most fantastic characters. The book drew me in and I struggled to put it down - such a great read. A very moving story set in Italy during World War II. I love books set in this period and this one certainly didn't disappoint. Highly recommended.

I love historical fiction and this did not let down. I have adored all Dinah's previous books. This is set during WW2 in Italy - I did not know too much about this period of horror the Italians went through. The Nazi's, the Partisans and the Resistance, the pro and the for makes for torn relationships. This is so well researched and the characters are truly outstandingly brave and resilient. Despite the awful subject I loved this book.

The Tuscan Contessa was a joy to read set in Tuscany during the latter years of World War Two.

During my schooling I was never taught about the events of the world wars, through the historical fiction I have read recently I have become more aware of the events and through this novel I learnt more from the Italy history of WWII.

This is the first novel I have read of Dinah Jefferies and I dare say it won’t be the last! I highly recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley & Penguin Books (UK) for gifting me this copy to review!

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest story by the hugely talented, Dinah Jefferies. I have enjoyed every one of Dinah's books and although this one was different in that it was set in Italy during the second World War, I think that she has exceeded her writing abilitity with this book.
My heart was in my mouth many times as Sofia, Maxine and the Partisans stand up for their beliefs, rights, and for their Country, as they fought for their survival, taking huge risks and not knowing what to expect from one day to the next. 
Who can they trust? Will they get caught? Will they and their loved ones survive and arrive home safe?!
It was so intense that I was scared of reading on at times, but I mean this in a good way; the authors talent for storytelling and because I liked the characters and just wanted them safe. 
I loved the setting - the writing straight from the eyes of the author and the atmosphere just felt so alive; the author brought the story to life. 
My heart went out to Sofia as she really had a tough time, yet she still looked out for the local people, offering help, lending an ear and her door was always open to them. 
The story wouldn't be true to life, without the good and the bad scenes. The Nazis were awful, cruel, heartless people but so were the Fascists, who caused just as much destruction. 
There are some great surprises that I couldn't have foreseen and the author tied up all the loose threads of the story perfectly. 
I always say that I will never read a book twice, but I would happily read this book again.
5 stars?!! That's an insult! The Tuscan Contessa deserves all the stars, and more. I LOVED it!!

Thank you to the author and to Penguin Books UK via NetGalley for my arc copy.
This is my honest and unbiased opinion.