The Shape of Crete

by Philip T. Nemec

Set on the Greek island of Crete, The Shape of Crete is a thrilling drama and passionate love story between a Bulgarian artist, Steffi, and James, an American historian. Rekindling their romance after a separation, Crete's history of ancient myths and Nazi occupation entwines them in surprise and danger. They meet an Englishman searching for traces of his brother missing since 1943, and a local woman whose father was a partisan war leader; and then, shards of information reveal Steffi's grandfather fought with the Nazis. Danger lurks when a local thug decides Steffi and Jim's relationships with the others concerns gold lost in the war. The final tension-driven scenes unfold in a labyrinth-like cave in the spirit of the mythical battle between Theseus and the Minotaur. The unexpected conclusion questions whether love's best outcome is enlightenment or physical survival.

"Philip Nemec has a hand for poetry and scenery. Despite never having been to Greece, I felt at times I was sitting on the mountainside with the characters or eating breakfast next to Steffi as she stared out her window at the captivating Plane Tree. From the gorgeous cover to the elegant storytelling, Nemic’s talents are on full display."

—For The Love of The Page book review

294 pages, Paperback

Published September 26, 2021

About the author

Philip T. Nemec grew up around Chicago. While Philip has written poetry and fiction his entire life, he also served as a Marine Corps infantry officer, owned of a small farm in Wisconsin, and completed a 26-year overseas career with the federal government. A father of two grown children, Philip resides with his wife, Harumi, in the Washington, D.C. area.

Reviews

[Jill Rey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jim is an American historian. Having lost his wife long before the cancer took her, he is looking forward to reuniting with his translator, turned lover, Steffi as they travel to the Greek island of Crete to finish working on his history book. Steffi, a Bulgarian artist, has already had one failed relationship so her mother disapproves of her new romance. Shortly after arriving they encounter Mr. Robinson, an older Englishman looking for the cave his brother may have died in fighting the Nazis in WWII. As their romance ignites and Mr. Robinson gets ever closer to finding his cave, danger seems to be nipping at their heels.

Author, Philip Nemec has a hand for poetry and scenery. Despite never having been to Greece, I felt at times I was sitting on the mountainside with the characters or eating breakfast next to Steffi as she stared out her window at the captivating Plane Tree. His poetic touches also served to kindle the romance budding within Steffi and Jim after a long absence apart, unsure of whether they should dive in or tread lightly given their individual pasts.

As a lover of WWII novels, The Shape of Crete was more Greek mythology and less WWII focused. Specifically, the battle between Theseus and the Minotaur as the danger stalking Jim, Steffi and Mr. Robinson’s lives began to catch up to them. Nemec understandably played with ribbons of Greek mythology throughout the book as he so lyrically weaved it into the storyline, which was overall fitting given the scenery and location. From the gorgeous cover to the elegant storytelling, Nemic’s talents are on full display.

*Disclaimer: a review copy was provided; all opinions are my own.

[Virginia Winfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hard book for me to describe. I liked Steffi and Jim. Much of the story is the two of them thinking about what happened to them before they met and started dating. I liked learning some of the history about Crete and Bulgaria. There is some adventure, some mystery and quite a bit of romance. This book is definitely not rated PG. I loved the ending even though it is tragic what happens. You will not be able to just walk away from what happens and not think about it. I received a copy of this book from Smith Publicity for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.