Letter from a Cave
Reviews
I’ve read several of this author’s books over the years, and I was very happy to learn she had a new release, one that gives new adventures to established characters. It’s always great to see old friends. That said, this wonderful book doesn’t rely on past novels to be enjoyed.
Sculptor Andreas, who has been lonely and depressed since his wife’s death three years prior, often hikes into the mountains. One day, while with his dog in a cave, he is surprised when the dog unearths a backpack from years ago. Looking inside, Andreas finds a letter from an Italian man named Joshua to his pregnant wife, Bella during World War II. He realizes Joshua never made it home and his family most likely never knew what happened to him or that he had tried to make contact.
The emotional weight of the letter hits Andreas hard, and with the encouragement of his daughter, Emilia, and his son, Tonio, he sets off to Italy to see if he can do the impossible and track down Bella (if she’s still alive) or other family members. Tonio takes his sister and father to a vineyard in Tuscany where he has a friend, Julietta. Readers of the author’s previous book will remember Julietta and her mother, Luisa, from The Italian Sister.
From this point on, the story really takes off. I don’t want to summarize the plot, but rather offer a short commentary on why I found this book to be so special. Author Polkinhorn has several wonderful and heartfelt sub-plots flowing through the main story. All of them are skillfully woven together, beautifully emulating life and its twisty, unpredictable ways. I genuinely cared about every character.
Letter from a Cave offers suspense, romance, emotion, surprises, nostalgia, and so much more. The author’s gorgeous descriptions made it easy to visualize the scenes in Switzerland and Italy—not to mention making me hungry for Italian food.
This was truly a feel-good read, and I hope the author will continue to write more stories with her delightful characters. Already, I’m wondering how they’re all doing.
– Lisette Brodey, Author of The Sum of our Sorrows, All That Was Taken, Hotel Obscure
Letter from a Cave takes us from Switzerland to Italy as we experience the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of both countries. Andreas has found a letter in a Swiss cave, and realises it has lain there for a generation. He sets off to return the letter to the writer’s family across the border in Italy, and discovers that old war wounds are still festering… Can the contents of the letter bring peace to the family? Another lovely feel-good read from Christa Polkinhorn.
– Linda Huber, Author of psychological suspense novels
I thoroughly enjoyed Letter from a Cave, the new novel from Christa Polkinhorn, which continues the story of Andreas and his life after the death of his beloved wife.
The book transported me from modern day Switzerland to Italy during World War II when Andreas, taking refuge from a storm, discovers a love letter from Joshua, a young Italian man, buried in the back of a cave. He immediately wonders what happened to Joshua and why the letter never reached it’s destination.
After showing the letter to his daughter Emilia and son, Tonio, they encourage him to find the woman, Bella, who the letter was written to decades ago. Knowing it’s a long shot, Andreas is up to the task and decides to embark on a journey to Italy to begin his quest.
Accompanied by Emilia and Tonio, they visit a vineyard in Italy owned by Tonio’s friend Julietta and her mother Luisa (who are part of another book by the author called The Italian Sister) to begin his journey to find Bella or her family.
What transpires next is an adventure of discovery, friendship and perhaps even love for Andreas and the woman who decides to accompany Andreas on his journey to give closure to Bella and her family.
Go on the journey with Andreas, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
– LuAnn Strauser, California
This is a delightful book with several elements that add interest and colour, along with stunning descriptions of the majestic mountains and lakes of Italy and Switzerland.
The characters in this story have appeared over the years in the author’s other books, but there is enough back story for the book to be a standalone read. It was the first time I had met them, but they are so well rounded and engaging that you feel you have known them for years.
A tragedy towards the end of the war prompts a journey through Italy and Switzerland to unravel the mystery, but it is also a journey of discovery for the main characters as they come to terms with the past, loss and uncertainty about love and the future.
With two romances developing for the younger and older generation there is plenty of light hearted chapters as well as the unfolding discoveries about the letter in the cave to keep the reader engaged. The fact there is a cute dog in the mix will also make readers very happy and entertained.
There are reminders of a darker past and that there are still those who bear grudges and guilt about their own actions during a time of repression and fear. There are also wonderful moments where there is an opportunity to celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of others.
I highly recommend this lovely and well-written book to romance and mystery fans of any age.
– Sally Cronin, Author and Host of Smorgasbord Blog Magazine, UK