A Death on Corfu Review | Books Set in Corfu

A Death on Corfu by Emily Sullivan

If you’re looking for books set on Corfu, Greece, then A Death on Corfu by Emily Sullivan is a fun summer read. This delightful murder mystery has all the hallmarks of a classic whodunnit, but is set against the fabulous island backdrop of Corfu as it was in the late Victorian era, 1898.

What's the Plot? (No Spoilers)

The protagonist, Minnie Harper, lives on Corfu with her two children. Her husband, Oliver, died a few years ago, so Minnie manages everything singlehandedly, with the help of her Greek housekeeper, Mrs Kouris. That is, until two things happen. 1) A mysterious stranger, Stephen Dorian, a famous writer of murder mystery novels, moves in next door and asks Minnie to be his typist, and 2) a body is discovered!

19th Century Brits Abroad

Corfu used to be a British Protectorate from 1815 to 1864, and that legacy didn’t disappear overnight. Although A Death on Corfu is set a few decades later, the British influence was still felt strongly on the island, and so it was common for British families like Minnie’s to still live there.

The Corfu Setting

The Greek island of Corfu, located in the Ionian Sea, is not an obvious choice for the setting of a murder mystery! But the insular and often snobby expat community lends itself perfectly to a scandal. Plus, I learned loads about Corfu and the neighbouring island of Paxos from reading this book. Did you know that legend has it the Greek god Poseidon split Corfu in two with his trident, separating off the island of Paxos to use as his secret love nest!

My Rating

I loved A Death on Corfu. It’s a really fun page-turner and it’s exciting trying to figure out who the culprit is. Just don’t take it too seriously, and be prepared to turn a blind eye to the occasional Americanism from Victorian-era British characters!

You'll Love This If...

You’ll love A Death on Corfu if you’re a fan of classic murder mystery books by authors like Agatha Christie or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Combine that with the sun-soaked Greek island setting, Victorian-era charm, and a dash of potential romance, and this novel is the perfect summer read.