#PublicationDayBlitz The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou by Eleni Kyriacou

It's a pleasure to take part in the Publication Day Blitz The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou by Eleni Kyriacou.

 Author photo: credit - Jon Cartwright

About the Author

Eleni Kyriacou is an award-winning editor and journalist. Her writing has appeared in the Guardian, the Observer, Grazia, and Red, among others. She’s the daughter of Greek Cypriot immigrant parents, and her debut novel, She Came To Stay, was published in 2020. Her latest novel, The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou, is inspired by the true-crime story of the penultimate woman to be executed in Britain. Follow @EleniKWriter on X and elenikwriter.com.

About the book

They have told so many lies about me.

London, 1954. Zina Pavlou, a Cypriot grandmother, waits quietly in the custody of the Metropolitan police. She can't speak their language, but she understands what their wary looks mean: she has been accused of the brutal murder of her daughter-in-law.

Eva Georgiou, Greek interpreter for the Met, knows how it feels to be voiceless as an immigrant woman. While she works as Zina’s translator, her obsession with the case deepens, and so too does her bond with the accused murderer.

Zina can’t speak for herself. She can’t clear her own name. All she can do is wait for the world to decide... Is she a victim? Or is she a killer?

A compelling historical crime novel set in the Greek diaspora of 1950s London – that's inspired by a true story – The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou is perfect for fans of Erin Kelly, Sara Collins, and Jessie Burton.

Review

Both sides of the coin of justice play a role in this story. The disparity created by a lack of support for accused who are unable to communicate in the language of their chosen country, the way the press and prejudice create a specific frame of reference that has undue influence over the opinions and thereby also possibly court, judge and jury.

On the other side there is pesky legislation (depending on court and country) that often comes into play about the use of prior information that could also influence one way or the way. In this particular scenario Eva keeps pertinent information from the authorities, which could determine a different outcome for Zina, although I'm certain it is the attempt to save the woman.

She sees parallels between her own experiences and the way her mother was treated as an non-English speaking person from a foreign country. It's at the core of her interactions with Zina, despite I think knowing what the truth is - deep down she knows she is capable, but the lack of fairness and inequality towards this woman override everything else.

I really enjoyed the way the author shed a light on the way recognising systemic bias can influence the most important institutions, regardless of guilt or innocence - all deserve an equal chance in court.

It's a captivating read, a tale with a factual story at the core. The unpicking of Zina and Eva, the scrutiny of life as an immigrant and way we interact with others, especially when others look and sound different. It's a fantastic book I hope to read more by this author.

Buy The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher ‏: ‎Head of Zeus -- an Aries Book; pub date 25 April 2024. Buy at Amazon com.