The Lost Garden by Angela Petch

  

The Lost Garden

By Angela Petch

SUMMARY:

Italy, 1930s. Tina lives in the crumbling castle of Montesecco with only her strict father and their maid, Allegra, for company. She’s never been allowed to ask questions about her mother, who died in childbirth. But the day Tina discovers a hidden, crumbling door, everything changes.

Inside is an overgrown garden. Ivy and roses adorn the stone walls. Fresh water springs from a fountain and the scent of wild herbs fills the air. How did she never know this beautiful place existed? Excitedly begging Allegra for answers, the elderly woman’s face turns pale. ‘You must never mention this to your father. It’s not safe. You’ve found your mamma’s garden.’

The Count believes Tina’s mother died because of the garden: but Allegra refuses to say more. Certain she can feel her mother watching over her, Tina secretly tends to the garden herself. And when war breaks out, Tina’s encounters with local resistance fighters mean the garden becomes a place of refuge, a place of hope – and a place of great danger when Tina must prove where her loyalties lie once and for all…

Will Tina ever discover the truth about her mother? Or was the garden, with all its secrets, never meant to be disturbed?

 

MY REVIEW:

This is the third Angela Petch book I have reviewed, and as always, she delivers on point with a dramatic historical fiction story.  The Lost Garden is a masterfully crafted narrative, steeped in emotion and atmosphere, with many diverse themes. It is a compelling story of love, friendship, adventure and courage. Angela combines her unique blend of storytelling brilliance with poignancy and authenticity backed up by excellent research, even with specific details like social customs, clothing, and daily life.

The story starts at the end. The year is 1946. In true Agatha Christie style, invitations are sent out to all the suspects who might be the whistleblower to come to the Castle of Montesecco for dinner, where they will be observed and questioned by someone they all know, but who is disguised as Cristiana della Silva. Intrigue about the identity of this stranger in the town is rife. Is she a nun who abandoned the faith, a past lover of the Conte of the castle or a long-lost relative from overseas?

‘Nobody will recognise the name because this woman has no past. If anybody attempts to trace her, they will not find her. Cristiana della Silva is the new owner of the castle. That is all the knowledge they require.’

And then the reader is transported back to June 1939. Contessina Ernestina di Montesecco (Tina) is 16 years old and leads a privileged yet rather lonely life. In an afternoon of boredom, she follows a stray cat who jumps onto a wall and lands on a narrow ledge merging onto a path, following the line of the castle wall, overgrown with ivy and scrub. Here she finds an iron ring which, with great force, she manages to free and open.

‘It took all her weight to shove against the surface before it suddenly gave and she fell into the other side, winded and panting. Tina stood up, brushed dirt from her hands and gazed around. This place was like nothing she had ever seen. Her father never came here. Had she stumbled upon a secret place, right under his nose?’

Tina’s curiosity is sparked, which creates a powerful sense of wonder and adventure, setting the stage for the extraordinary events that will follow. The reader shares the excitement of finding a secret place.  Then, there is a transition to the magical, the supernatural, even, as somewhere beyond life, Tina’s mother is watching over her, a mother whom she knows little about. Whether these are Tina’s unresolved emotions, lingering feelings of loss, or a spiritual visit from her in the subconscious, the voice of Fiametta is a beautiful, descriptive narrative. The colour of her voice is light, rich and warm, yet there is a sense of pain and despair.

‘The door to the garden is opening… she is here. At last, my child has been drawn to the corner of the grounds where I spend long, lonely hours with my secrets. I am a thousand things and nothing: the sparkle of sunshine on river stones, the feather that flutters free from a dove. I am the blossom drifting from wild cherry trees. I am the robin singing in the pines.’

Tina brings the garden back to life with the help and secrecy of the housekeeper, the loyal and devoted Allegra and a boy from the local village, Olivio. At this point in the story, the reader is completely engaged with Tina’s rather solitary life, her yearning for interaction, social connection and a sense of purpose. She finds one when Olivio asks her to meet his friends for a swim in the river. The author now introduces us to Donatella, Sergio, Luisa and Antonio, Each will play out their own destiny.

 Such moments of freedom, lack of responsibility and teenage fun prove to be short-lived as the story takes on a darker tone.  There is a shift in atmosphere and mood. Mussolini's desire to avoid war and assert Italian power while the country remained unprepared militarily and economically for conflict creates tension, but then he allies with Nazi Germany. 

‘Il Duce ha parlato. The leader has spoken.’

It's now time to pick a side. Anyone who opposed the German forces faced recrimination and retaliation. The description of some brutal events makes for harrowing reading, but this is the reality of war. It is neither glamorous nor attractive; it is ruthless and causes immense hardship and suffering. Angela uses strong, visceral sensory details and evocative language to convey the extreme violence, pain, and suffering involved. Her descriptions are superbly heartrending.  

‘Olivio pulled out his knife and gestured to Sergio, who armed himself similarly – the two men lunged forwards, gripping each German soldier by the throat and slicing through the skin in a single motion.’

The author tells us that although this book is fiction, it is inspired by a place and an event. A castle perched on a rocky crag on the Tuscan border and the dreadful massacre of thirty innocent civilians, including women, old people and young children in 1944, a reprisal as a result of increasing activity by the Italian partisans, the partigiani. Anti-fascist civilians, former soldiers of the Royal Italian Army who refused to surrender and young people.

This is an incredible story which illustrates and honours the sacrifices and resilience of numerous Italians. Tina’s involvement with the partisans gives a new significance to her life, even though she risks being found out by her pro-fascist father and his Austrian girlfriend. This transformation unfolds organically, weaving seamlessly into the comforting tapestry of her daily routine. The connection to her garden re-emerges, a brief yet poignant reminder of the beauty and solace it offers amid the chaos and uncertainty of life. As the story unfolds, we are enveloped in a rich tapestry of emotions—resilience, forgiveness, compassion, strength, duty, fortitude, and heartbreak—each thread adding depth to Tina's journey. She evolves into a woman you can't help but root for; she matures, flourishes, and blooms like the vibrant flowers in her mother’s garden, now fully restored to their radiant glory. Through her growth, the narrative illuminates a pivotal moment in the history of war. The underlying horrors are always evident but the author contrasts this by highlighting the humanity and compassion of humankind towards those in trouble.

The story finishes with a final note from Fiametta, Tina’s mother, which is a beautiful touch. We would all like to believe that our departed loved ones can reach out to us through dreams, signs or other subtle ways.

‘I grow weary. My spirit is fading. I see trails of sadness but through the trees, I see beauty, friendships, love. My daughter will never be alone. If she listens, she will hear me in the breeze that plays through her hair and whispers through the grass. If she looks, she will see. She should stop to hear the robin’s song rising above other birds in my garden.’

 

 

Why I recommend this book

I adored this book. The first thing that sprang to mind as I read it was wonderful memories from my own childhood, reading The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. A secret garden symbolises guarded hearts and vulnerability.  I can see similar primary themes, which are the healing power of nature, transformation and personal growth, the importance of friendship and companionship, the impact of positive thinking, and the themes of secrets and independence. The novel uses the metaphor of the secret garden's revival to show how inner growth and transformation occur when characters discover nature's beauty, build connections, and let go of negativity. 

I loved the way in which Angela describes plants and herbs for medicinal, culinary flavouring and preservation. Italians have a long tradition of using herbs for medicinal purposes, and Angela’s meticulous research is part of her creative process and is certainly inspiring.

 

‘I have created a large wheel from old bricks and stone from about the castle. The wheel is divided into segments where I have planted my most important herbs. Rue for making oils to massage cramps, and calendula for inflammation. Malva, Alchemilla, wild ginger and fennel are amongst other herbs I am using. Of all ailments, I have come to understand that worry and unhappiness are the cause of many ills.’

Angela has such a talent for presenting contrasting themes in her stories. War, which shatters communities and families, dismantling the social fabric that provides stability and security, versus the transformative power of nature. Resilience, the kindness of strangers, courage, and love in times of war versus rejection and betrayal. It creates depth, tension, and highlights the multifaceted nature of an issue or human experience.

At the end of the book, we have Allegra’s recipes – authentic, traditional dishes such as wild hare sauce, stuffed partridge, and fried gnocchi. The basic spirit of cucina povera relies on creativity, resourcefulness and ingenuity in the kitchen, and this is certainly what Allegra did.

This is a hard-to-put-down book. It is about a garden and a girl brought up in a castle without a mother. It is about Italy, its people, and its struggle under a fascist regime, a war that leaves the country devastated, economically depressed, and politically unstable. It's about finding strength and hope after catastrophic experiences, and it's about a love that blooms and endures.

 A lovely touch throughout the book is the quotes at the beginning of each chapter—they can provide a memorable and eloquent way to make a point. 

Chapter 12, for example...  "A garden is a delight to the eye and a solace for the soul" is a quote attributed to the 13th-century Persian poet Saadi. It captures the dual beauty and therapeutic nature of gardens, highlighting their aesthetic appeal and their ability to provide comfort and peace to the human spirit.  This, I feel is the essence of this beautifully written story.

 

AUTHOR BIO:

Angela Petch is a USA Today bestselling author and an award-winning writer of fiction-and the occasional poem. Every summer she leaves her home in West Sussex, England to reside in the Tuscan Apennines for six months where she and her husband own a renovated watermill. 

 

BOOK BLURB:

Published by Bookcouture (September 2025)

Available on Amazon

 

OTHER BOOKS BY ANGELA PETCH:

 

The Tuscan Secret  (2019)

The Tuscan Girl      (2020)

A Tuscan Memory   (2020)

The Tuscan House  (2021)

Never Forget          (2012)

Mavis and Dot         (2018)

The Postcard from Italy     (2022)

The Girl Who Escaped       (2023)

The Sicilian Secret  (2024)