Dark Harvest by Orna O'Reilly

  

Dark Harvest   

By Orna O’Reilly

SUMMARY

The romantic canals of Venice and the sun-drenched olive groves of Puglia provide diverse Italian backdrops for this story of love and betrayal involving three very different women, toxic neighbours and two men with evil in mind.
Claudia, a survivor of an abusive marriage, dares to love again, but her ex-husband's vengeful threats force her to choose between her heart and her loved one's safety. Will she find the courage to overcome her past traumas and embrace a new future?
Meanwhile, Janet grapples with a choice between a luxurious lifestyle with her wealthy new lover or her independence.
Can Olivia, a countess who lives in a grand palazzo in Venice, finally bring everyone together? In this engaging tale of love and betrayal, Dark Harvest is Orna O'Reilly's spectacular work of fiction, filled with drama, romance and suspense.

MY REVIEW:

The title ‘Dark Harvest’ gives little away about the plot until you reach the end of the book, and then you understand its significance and relevance. Dark, meaning ‘mysterious and ‘hidden from knowledge’ to ‘suggestive of or arising from evil or sinister.’ It is a gripping and suspenseful tale filled with unexpected twists. Even the sharpest thriller enthusiasts will be captivated until the very end, unable to foresee how the intricate threads will unravel.

In the very first chapter, the author juxtaposes two opposing elements.

‘The Itrian Valley in Puglia was calm and beautiful. In a tiny corner hung an air of evil like a malevolent cloud.’  

It is quite a dramatic start and pulls the reader into something rather sinister. Two characters are experiencing murderous thoughts towards their wives, so we are given a motive for murder, not once but twice. Belgian, Lucas Van den Eynden is the long-suffering husband of Emma and has thoughts about how he can get rid of his wife.

‘Lucas was entertaining himself, as he mindlessly cut the weeds round the olive trees in the hot sun, by making plans about how he could get rid of Emma, who he had decided was ruining his life. As he hacked at the weeds, he dreamt it was his wife who was at the other end of the weed whacker. This gave him extra energy.’

It is a rather macabre example of dark humour and of course as we get to know more about the controlling and abusive Emma, we can empathise with him. At the same time, his wife’s uncle (only ever referred to as Emma’s uncle), who lives in their trullo, is also plotting revenge against his own ex-wife.

The author explores this homicidal intent through various narrative approaches. For example, there is a flashback to one year previously to set the scene and a reference to inappropriate advances towards his teenage sister. While Lucas plans the perfect murder, his unpredictable behaviour, careless appearance and idealising over Claudia make him creepy.

“‘You know you are a beautiful woman, Claudia.” His face was eager and childlike. His grip on her stiffened slightly and she stiffened. “Can I call on you again?”

The story then takes a different turn, and we are introduced to the three main characters Janet, Claudia and Olivia and other expatriates who live in the vicinity. These three very different women, relatable and engaging, are effectively described in a combination of physical appearance, background, personality and actions.

‘Janet’s dream trullo amongst the olive groves was everything she longed for and dreamt about during her last few months in Ireland. Ever since that grey, dreary day, as she sat on the bus on the way to work in Dublin, she had longed for the life she was now experiencing.’

‘Olivia, Contessa di Falco, watched the snow-capped peaks of the Alps unfold as she flew from Venice to Dublin, her son Dani fast asleep on her lap. It seemed that although she was exotically beautiful with a fabulous lifestyle, her maternal instincts proved she was just a normal mother, after all.’

The famous writer, Claudia Farrell was the other Irishwoman who lived in Ostuni and was Olivia’s cousin.

‘After the death of her first husband and leaving her with a daughter, Anya, her unhappiness poured onto the pages of her romantic, thought-provoking novels. ‘In her palazzo, Claudia stared at the screen of her laptop. Her latest book was almost finished but she found it difficult to concentrate. She then married Michel Renard who cruelly proceeded to try and gain complete control of her, her daughter and her money.

The stage is set. We enter into a moving exploration of experiences, past and present, for all three women culminating in… (no spoiler here!)  There are deep and emotional themes like love, resilience, and domestic violence. Janet is swept away by the riches and luxury offered by the very married American, Brad. The author describes and highlights the complexities, emotional turmoil, and potential consequences of such a relationship. Olivia, too, only comes to terms with the betrayal from her husband Steve shortly before his death when he told her how his life had fallen apart and the agonies of conscience he had suffered when he thought how much he had hurt her. Bombshells drop like raindrops through the book, which significantly alter the course of the narrative. Olivia discovers that her brother-in-law has a secret daughter from a fling with a girlfriend at college and also a granddaughter. This technique certainly creates drama, suspense, and challenges the reader’s understanding of the story. The sense of pace and propulsion is created when we learn that Claudia’s ex-husband Michel, is out for revenge. Where he is and how he might achieve this keeps the reader invested in the outcome. But there is also healing and self-discovery.

The cast of characters is quite extensive, so I was grateful for the cast of characters provided at the front of the book.

I would also mention the setting, which contributes to the mood and atmosphere, to the extent that the setting is involved in telling the story. A setting breathes life into a story and this is no exception. The author focuses on two - a sun-drenched land of olive groves, rich flavours, whitewashed villages, and shimmering sapphire seas — Puglia is magical in every way. Every corner of this stunning region has a story waiting to be experienced. The other setting is Venice, with its winding canals, ornate architecture, and enchanting atmosphere and has long served as inspiration for love stories.  The city's unique charm, a blend of romance and mystery, creates the perfect backdrop for passionate encounters and heartfelt declarations.

 I also believe that the way the author describes the expatriate lifestyle is very authentic. I am an expat myself, so I can comment on this. Here in Italy, the community of foreigners sharing experiences and providing information on relocation, culture, and daily life can be a lifeline.  Acclimatising to a different culture and experiencing an unfamiliar way of life for the first time can be a struggle for many expats so that’s why British, Belgian, Dutch, German and Americans are more likely to come together in a tight social group. The author mentions several.

‘Janet had been lucky enough to find herself living in a community where there were a few permanent residents. Penny and John Rivers, with their two dogs had provided endless comfort, support and aperitivi when she had first moved here and had terrible problems with the ownership of her precious new home.’

However, not every expat becomes close friends, and in this story, the community of expats is rocked by subsequent events. I think the link here between criminality and immigrants is a theme worth exploring.

 

Why I recommend this book

I am in mind of Agatha Christie after reading this book with some similarities of style. Ms Christie was skilled at blending historical themes with subtle characters. She also relied heavily on dialogue, a technique to vary the pacing of the story as well as to heighten suspense. I feel this story has some of these elements.

The beginnings of Ms C’s work are strong on description, which gradually drop off as dialogue and interaction between characters take over. With shorter sentences and sharp dialogue, she hurries readers along to what’s always a captivating conclusion. Again, a comparable style.

‘What is it Janet? Why are you here?’

‘Your uncle’

What do you mean?

‘My uncle has no relatives here except me.’

‘You didn’t know? Seriously?’

‘What happened last year when he stayed in the trullo? Why did he leave?’

Perhaps the book could be described as a haunting domestic noir. It certainly explores the dark side of relationships and the home, including jealousy, revenge and the complexities of family dynamics. It centres on female protagonists whose lives are disrupted by unsettling events within their domestic sphere.

There is loss, grief and renewal, which makes it heartfelt and moving, uplifting and tender. The narrative is infused with tantalising intrigue that irresistibly draws readers in, making it impossible to stop turning the pages. But there is a resolution as the characters overcome adversity, ultimately finding a sense of wholeness and purpose.

The pacing of the narrative is effective, and the handling of multiple perspectives is skilful. Additionally, each major character had a distinctive voice, which enhanced the overall storytelling. These elements contribute to a compelling reading experience.

The book really highlights how experiences can shape our decisions and relationships long after they happen. It's a fascinating read that touches on deep emotions and the journey of healing!

 

AUTHOR BIO:

Orna O’Reilly is a former interior designer from Ireland. She moved to Italy in 2013, began an award-winning blog, Orna O’Reilly: Travelling Italy, and lived in the Veneto region of northern Italy close to Venice, from where she drew inspiration for her first work of fiction, The Blonde in the Gondola. Her second book, In the Shadow of the Olive Tree, was set in Puglia in southeastern Italy, where Orna lived among the olive groves with her husband, Tom, for almost seven years. They have now returned to live permanently in the Veneto. Her latest book, Dark Harvest, is set between both regions of Italy with which she has become deeply familiar. Orna has been a contributing writer for various travel and design magazines for several years.

Previously, Orna spent almost thirty years as a hands-on interior designer in South Africa, Mozambique and laterally Ireland. A fully qualified designer, in 2000 she returned to her home country and began a busy practice on the west coast, leaving to move to Italy in 2013. Orna's goal was to write fiction, but first she was keen to share her wide experience as an interior designer, with her first book, "Renovate and Redecorate without Breaking a Nail" published in 2014, followed by her three works of fiction set in Italy.

https://ornaoreilly.com/

BOOK BLURB:

Published by Pegasus Publishers (Jan 2025)

OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR:

In the Shadow of the Olive Tree

The Blonde in the Gondola