Journalist Melina Knight longs to know why her grandmother, Mariam, so rarely speaks about her family and childhood. When Mariam dies suddenly, she inherits her grandmother's journal and handwritten letters stashed in a wooden spice box, cryptic treasures written in Armenian, Mariam's mother tongue. On a spring break in Cyprus, Melina meets Ara, a young Armenian man, who agrees to act as translator. In 1915, aged seven, Mariam was expelled from her home in Eastern Turkey and separated from her family, her life scarred by tragedy, exile and the loss of her first love. As a child, she witnessed the murder of her beloved brother, Gabriel, or so she believed. In fact, Gabriel is alive and living in the heart of a bustling Armenian community not far away. An uncompromising character, he is a stickler for tradition determined to stop his granddaughter from marrying outside the culture. A fact-finding trip across the island brings Melina face to face with the great uncle she thought was dead, but another miracle is on the horizon. Melina unearths a family secret that changes her life and lays the ghosts of her grandmother's turbulent past to rest.

About the Author
Eve Makis is the author of three books published by Transworld. Her debut novel, Eat, Drink and Be Married, was published in five languages and was awarded the Young Booksellers International Book of the Year Award. Her third book, Land of the Golden Apple, has been optioned by APM Filmworks and is now in pre-production. Eve was born in Nottingham to Greek Cypriot parents who moved to England in the 1960s. She is married with two children and lives in the UK and Cyprus. At present, she is developing the screen adaptation of her novel and writing her next book.

Reviews
'Her observations are consistently sharp and keep you engaged to the uplifting end.' Daily Express 'Makis translates the darker sides of domestic life into engaging, vibrant prose.' Good Housekeeping 'Eve Makis' poetic and humane vision of life turns tragedy into comedy.' Waterstones Magazine



Book Information
ISBN 9781910124086
Author Eve Makis
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Sandstone Press Ltd
Publisher Sandstone Press Ltd
Weight(grams) 216g
Dimensions(mm) 200mm * 130mm * 20mm