This was such a brilliantly readable and unputdownable book....what can I say about The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou? It is an excellent read!

The characters are so strong and so well shaped - the book is based on true events but even so, to actually lift that character from the page enough to feel like they are genuinely with you as you read is so well done!! Round of aplause for the author on that one - in particular Zina & translator/ interpreter Eva just felt like I knew them.

This book is so well structured, effortlessly laying the story before us by sliding between present day, and a monthly countdown of 'before', it was incredibly well-structured and it effortlessly transported me back to 1950’s London - mixing in prejudices against immigrants and women with the very rigid structure (and bias from prison officers) of the women's prison service and court procedures of that time.

This really made me think about the stories behind the headlines, not everything is at it seems, not everyone is how they are portrayed....I was hooked from start to finish. The writing was so easy, so thorough & so formulated that I wanted to have this book permanently in my hands. I'm now off to investigate the author's back catalogue!
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Huge thanks to @headofzeus for the copy of this to read as part of the tour and to Andrew for the invite to take part

BOOK REVIEW

The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlov by Eleni Kyriacou.

I picked this novel up to read not having read a thing about it really. I didn't know any of the back story behind it or that it was based on a true story.
I'm delighted I didn't now as I was reading it with fresh eyes completely not having a notion of what it was about.
And boy was it a great read. I must admit I enjoyed it immensely. A real case of did she or didn't she the whole time reading it.
Zina Pavlov had my sympathies for sure being in a country that she couldn't speak the language and accused of murdering her daughter in law.
How very sad that the only person who cared for her was her translator Eva Georgiou.
Eva works for the police and must take care not to get too attached to Zina.
She must do her job and not get attached.
How is that even possible?
I loved the different viewpoints the story was told through...
We as the reader got such a good understanding of both characters Zina & Eva...
Two very strong Greek Cypriot women...
Compelling, gripping and I feel a story that will stay with me for quite some time...

This is a powerful and thought-provoking novel which delves into the darkest corners of human nature. Set in Athens during the 1970s, the story is about Zina, who has been accused of the brutal murder of her daughter-in-law. it’s a haunting and poignant story told perfectly by the author and I found myself all consumed by it.

Zina is an elderly woman and speaks very little English, and so is given a translator called Eva who soon becomes emotionally involved in the case and in Zina, and they slowly build a relationship.

Each chapter takes you back to watch the events leading up to the daughter in law (Hedys) death. With each passing day, it’s gets more and more strained/tense and Zinas son Michalis, is stuck in the middle making it even more tense.

The characters are complex and multi-dimensional, each grappling with their own demons and desires, this is a compelling and thought-provoking read that lingers in the mind long after the final page and one of which I think we all should read. I found myself totally captivated by Eva and Zina and could not put it down.

Did she do it? Didn’t she? Read it and find out ❤️

Absolutely brilliant. Also devastating. I was completely gripped by this book, so well written and clearly thoroughly researched. The novel is set in 1950's London where Zina, a Cypriot grandmother has been arrested for the murder of her daughter-in-law. The police assign her with an interpreter, Eva Georgiou. We learn more about both womens lives and how various family relationships have impacted them both in the past and now in their present situtions. The male dominated society is brought into sharp focus and both women find themselves in vulnerable positions, up against language, class and societal barriers. There are significantly weighty topics dealt with head on, completely consuming. The author notes at the end are excellent. Highly recommend.

The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou is set in 1950s London and inspired by a true story. It’s 1954 and Zina Pavlou, a middle aged Cypriot woman is in police custody, charged with the murder of her daughter in law. Eva Georgiou is a young woman, employed by the Met as Zina’s translator..
This is an absolutely stunning novel, it’s beautifully written, powerful and moving and I was completely gripped by it over the course of 24 hours. The story is told over two timelines - before the murder when Zina arrives in England to live with her son and his family and during her imprisonment and trial when her relationship with Eva is explored. The 1950s setting is atmospheric and evocative and the novel makes powerful points about how society and the justice system treated immigrant women at this time. The author very cleverly draws the reader into Zina’s life with her son and daughter in law and throughout the novel I did not know who to believe.
This is one of the most compelling and emotional novels I’ve read for a while and, a novel that will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC

The book is about lost women. Can anyone understand the pain they experiencing every day? Some of them have chances to change the life and some of them not so fortunate.
This is a powerful book. It is perfectly written and based on real story. The book makes you to think in what extent circumstances control one's life and can we judge people not knowing the full story.
Excellent read. I am looking forward to see next this author's book.

This book – based on the real-life case of Styllou Christofi and her daughter-in-law Hella – is a fascinating look at two women in 1950s London. One is an interpreter who works with the police, and the other is the woman she is translating for – a Cypriot woman who speaks little English yet is trying to defend herself against the charge of brutally murdering her son’s wife.

The story follows two timelines – one showing the arrival of Zina in London and her subsequent life living with her son’s family, and the other showing the developing relationship between Zina and her interpreter Eva, herself a Cypriot woman who has had her own share of recent unhappiness.

What follows is a fascinating character study of two women who, despite being warned not to grow attached, find themselves increasingly reliant on each other in a society where to be a woman, an immigrant, illiterate, and/or working class, meant the odds were heavily stacked against you from the off. The story is beautifully constructed and has a huge amount of emotional integrity. The author strikes a clever balance between the subplots, and each is captivating.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

I enjoyed the cultural differences that were portrayed within the book.
One woman accused of a horrible crime and the other doing everything in her power to help shows no matter the walk of life you lead there is always someone who will help you.

A gripping thriller set in the Greek diaspora of 1950s London. The narrative follows two women,
Eva, a waitress and part time Greek translator and Zina, the accused. Wanted for the murder of her daughter in law.

The story follows the past, the present and the murder with the court case sitting neatly in between.

Based on a true story there are obviously some embellishments to get the heavy hits in, but nonetheless this was a really fantastic look at the choices people make and the outcomes those decisions create down the line. There’s also a very clear ‘never judge a book by the cover vibe’ particularly when we’re reading from Zinas perspective, illiterate and unable to speak English and made out to be stupid it’s not until you read her life story you realise how much she gave up to get to this point.

You are constantly arguing with yourself wether you believe she did it, what her motives could have been and then when you think you’ve got it sussed another piece of the puzzle is found and writes off everything you thought you knew.

This is one of the best crime thrillers I’ve read this year, it’s a really easy read there’s no padding so it’s not unnecessarily long. (Under 400 pages).

It covers a lot of topics such as social inequality, class and generally life for women of a different nationality in 1950s London.

There is a lot to unpack and if you do pick this up, I would recommend reading about Styllou Christofi who’s story has inspired this book.

Thanks to

Over the past year or two we’ve seen a flurry of book titles containing the names of women. These often fall into the quirky and offbeat or cosy categories. The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou is not one of them. Quite the contrary.

In 1954, a Greek Cypriot grandmother named Zina Pavlou is in London to visit her son. The 53-year-old Zina hasn’t seen Michalis in 12 years, nor has she had the chance to meet her two young grandchildren or her German daughter-in-law, Hedy. Zina is understandably overjoyed when her son finally sends for her – even if it is only to be an unpaid housekeeper.

Read the rest of this review here: https://westwordsreviews.wordpress.com/2024/01/08/the-unspeakable-acts-of-zina-pavlou-eleni-kyriacou/

This is one of those books were I was instantly hooked, I had to know what was going on!

I’m already a fan of this authors writing as I loved ‘She Came To Stay’, I love the representation of characters (this is based on a true story) and the friendships that developed

The differences in cultures were interesting, one that really stood out was Hedy turning her ‘back’ on her mother-in-law.

I don’t want to give the plot away, but this needs to be on your TBR and make sure you read the authors notes.

An intriguing book right from page one. It was written so well I could see it all, the weather, the scenery, the clothes, the characters themselves and that's something I can't usually do. I think it would translate really well to the big (or indeed the little big) screen. The fact it is based in fact just adds to the interest.

"They have told so many lies about me.

It's a terrible thing to be accused of a crime so dreadful to be told every day that you're lying, when you are almost certain that you are not.

Their stories spin above my head, their words snagging in my hair. I dig my fingers in to pull them out. This morning I found black strands on my pillow. I must have tried to untangle the lies as I slept."

I knew I wanted to read this book as soon as I read the blurb. The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou is based on a true story, one I had watched a documentary on a year or two earlier.

Zina Pavlou left her native Cyprus to live with her son in London. Once she arrives Zina is critical of the home he lives in, the way he chooses to raise his children, and his lifestyle in general. This leads her to clash frequently with his wife, and her son. So, when her daughter-in-law is found dead it seems likely that she could have killed her, especially seeing as there is some strong evidence against her,

Eva Georgiou is a translator who occasionally helps the police out. Eva reluctantly agrees to help with Zina's case and soon finds herself questioning whether this lady is really guilty,

Eva is appalled at the lack of compassion for Zina and the inherent racism within the judicial process, the media and the community at large. Eva does everything she can to offer Zina comfort and to ensure she is able to discuss her side of the story,

The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou was an interesting read.

"The Unspeakable Act of Zina Pavlou" was a pleasant surprise, earning its 4.5-star rating, rounded up to 5. The novel captivated me with its powerful writing, complex characters, and well-researched portrayal of 1950s London life. This emotionally intense and gripping tale, based on true events, was written with such remarkable compassion toward both the victim and the perpetrator, that it will linger with me for a long time.

Gripping! I was hooked from the first page, and realised that I couldn’t put it down. What a gorgeous writing style! I also enjoyed the way the characters were developed, and thought they had some interesting features that gave them more depth.

"The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou" unfolds a compelling narrative around Zina, a Cypriot grandmother accused of brutally murdering her daughter-in-law in 1950s London. The novel centers on the interactions between Zina and her police-assigned interpreter, Eva Georgiou. As Eva grapples with her own personal challenges, including a recent loss and marital struggles, she becomes entangled in Zina's quest for justice.

The strength of the novel lies not only in its tight plotting and engaging narrative but also in its exploration of the powerlessness of women within a male-dominated societal and economic landscape. Zina's vulnerability, compounded by her foreign status, low social class, and language barriers, highlights the systemic challenges faced by marginalized individuals. The narrative deftly delves into broader themes of racial prejudice, women's rights, and social inequality without sacrificing the engaging plot.

The novel is praised for its delicious craftsmanship, featuring a deft lightness of touch while fearlessly addressing weighty questions about societal issues. Despite tackling significant topics, the narrative remains wholly enjoyable, maintaining depth without deviating from its engaging storyline. "The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou" succeeds in offering a thought-provoking and engaging read that resonates with readers on multiple levels.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Loved this book and its many layers. It's a mystery story, at the same time about loss and grief, about ageing, about being an "other". I liked the historical setting, and this was also an interesting look at the justice system of that time. The ending wasn't a surprise, and at one point it felt way too drawn out, but I'm not complaining.

(Review copy from NetGalley)

This is quite possibly my book of the year.

The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou is based on real life events and is about the justice system in Britain post-WW2. Zina Pavlou is a Greek Cypriot who has come to England to live with her son and his wife. During her time in England she struggles with the new way of life, not understanding the language and mostly not getting on with her daughter-in-law. However, when she gets accused of a heinous crime things become decidedly worse.

This story is a fascinating read that makes you question what it is that you think you know. Told from two different perspectives with a non linear timeline you are left really unsettled.

The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou is a fantastic story.

The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou by Eleni Kyriacou is available now.

For more information regarding Eleni Kyriacou (@elenikwriter) please visit www.elenikwriter.com.

For more information regarding Head of Zeus (@HoZ_Books) please visit their Twitter page.

This book was very different than the usual murder/ thrillers I read. From the central character to those who would work to prove her innocent of such a heinous crime, the story builds until it leaves the reader certain justice may have been done.

A wonderfully written story, you are immersed in to the lives of Zina Pavlou and Eva who is appointed as the translator when Zina is arrested. Although the story is about Zina, Eva was the standout character for me as she deals with the case details and getting attached to Zina.
You are kept guessing as to what really happened right to the very end.

One of my top books read in 2023.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou.