The Ghosts of Rome by Joseph O’Connor – 4 Stars

[Hannah]

I really enjoyed The Ghosts of Rome. It’s a slower burn than I expected going in and having read the previous book in the series, but the atmosphere Joseph O’Connor creates is so rich and immersive that I didn’t mind. Rome in 1944 comes to life in all its tension and beauty, and the character of Jo - an aristocrat secretly working with the resistance - was layered, brave, and compelling. I liked the way the story wove between past and present, though some of the shifts did break the momentum a bit. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, which was occasionally confusing, but the emotional payoff was worth it. It's not a straightforward thriller - it’s more reflective, with a literary feel - but it stuck with me long after I finished.

[Algernon (Darth Anyan)]

I loved Star of the Sea by the same author and I already ordered his new novel. I hope I can fit it in this year's reading list.

[Hannah]

Algernon (Darth Anyan) wrote: "I loved Star of the Sea by the same author and I already ordered his new novel. I hope I can fit it in this year's reading list."

I read Shadowplay earlier this year and loved it, and I have a few of his other books on my TBR. The Ghosts of Rome is the follow up to My Father's House, so you will need to have read that one first, if you haven't already.

[Joy D]

I loved My Father's House so I definitely need to read the follow-up!