New Fiction

MNEMOSYNI’S MUSINGS…

Maria A. Karamitsos

You’ve heard of Mnemosyni, the Greek goddess of memory. Mythology buffs will know that she’s also the goddess of storytelling—and mother of the Muses! So, it’s only fitting to name a literary column in her honor. Here, you’ll learn about authors, poets, books, and all things “Greek” literary.
By: Maria A. Karamitsos

New Fiction

Lots of great books came out so far this year. Can’t wait to see what the rest of the year has in store. For now, check out these recently released novels by Greek and PhilHellene authors.

The House of Hidden Letters by Izzy Broom

Berkley (March 17, 2026)

New from the author of My Map of You (published as Isabelle Broom) comes “a beautiful and escapist novel full of heart”.

When Skye wins a lottery to buy a run-down cottage on a Greek island for only one euro, she jumps at the chance to leave the UK and make a fresh start. As she unlocks the tattered blue door of her new cottage with a sun-kissed sea glinting in the bay outside her windows, Skye immediately feels like she’s found her true home. She and the other lottery winners are the first residents in these houses since the 1940s. But when Skye and her local contractor find a set of mysterious letters, they begin to unravel the history of the prior residents, and the truth about life on Folegandros during World War II.

Under an African Sky by Elene Catrakilis

Belvedere House (March 10, 2026)

In this debut historical novel, travel to South Africa circa 1989, a deeply divided country on the brink of change. There, two women from different backgrounds share an unlikely friendship. Sofia, a Greek-Cypriot immigrant, longs to keep her family close, but her children want to leave the country, upending the future she’s envisioned. Grace, Sofia’s housekeeper and trusted friend, pins her hopes on her son’s education and a future where he’ll no longer be treated like a foreigner in his own country.

When their children’s lives become entangled in ways neither woman could foresee, the fallout threatens not only their dreams, but also the friendship on which they’ve come to rely. Into this turmoil, a priest from Sofia’s past arrives from a remote Greek monastery. His quiet presence steadies Grace yet unsettles Sofia as long-buried secrets rise to the surface. But in this fractured world, where a nation and hearts are coming undone, can his prayers hold the pieces together, or will the past refuse to let go of the present?

The Island of Ghosts and Dreams by Christopher Cosmos

Pegasus Books (March 3, 2026)

The latest historical novel from the bestselling author of Once We Were Here takes us to Chania, Crete in 1941, ahead of the German invasion. Maria lives with her in-laws. Her husband, Dimitrios, has been away on the mainland, fighting with the Greek army. One day she finds a wounded British soldier on the beach and she and her family nurse him. Shortly after he leaves, the Germans invade Crete. Maria, her family, and the villagers are thrust into a battle for their lives—and their storied island.

Maria’s husband returns, but there’s danger. In defense, the Cretans have taken up arms— including a stockpile left by the British soldier. The men hide in the mountains and in caves, ones that the Germans are unaware of, and in rough terrain. A minor incident occurs, and in reprisal, the Germans kill Dimitrios in front of his family then torch the village. Only Maria and a few young family members survive. She finds herself in a role she never imagined, as they’re thrust into a battle for their lives, for Crete, and for history.

The Amalgam by Maria Karametrou

Vine Leaves Press (March 24, 2026)

This debut historical novel has been called “sweeping, intimate, and deeply human”. In Athens in 1984, Meta looks to escape her tyrannical father and the future he demands. But then her grandmother, Metaxia, makes a dying wish: return a mysterious heirloom to her lost village in Asia Minor from which she was violently expelled during World War I. Meta makes a promise she doesn’t fully understand.

In a desperate bid for freedom, she flees to America. Her father cuts her off leaving her penniless and hungry. She’s all alone, clinging to her dream of becoming an artist. But she still hasn’t fulfilled her grandmother’s final request. It’s not until years later that a shattering moment forces Meta to confront the life she has built and the history she has tried to outrun. So, she sets out for Turkey, a pilgrimage across continents and time, echoing Metaxia’s own flight from violence. As their parallel stories converge, Meta must finally face the truth: can we ever return to the places that made us, or only to the person we were meant to become?

The Shopkeeper’s Daughter by Valerie Nifora

Author Academy Elite (March 31, 2026)

From the award-winning author of The Fairmounts and Mary Whitcombe comes a new romantasy novella.

Cole’s Sundry Shop sits on a quiet street in a forgotten corner of the village, full of porcelain teapots, satin curtains, and whispered legends. Within its walls lives Agnes, a devoted daughter whose life is bound by duty, longing, and the shadow of a love that may never have been real.

When a storm, a strange teal tin of tea, and a mysterious young man named Malcolm converge, Agnes’s world is forever altered. Is he a fevered dream, a ghost called forth by enchantment, or the echo of her whispered wish beneath the bewitched winter snow?

As her father departs on a fateful journey, Thaddeus offers steadfast devotion. But Aunt Charlotte stirs jealous secrets. Agnes must navigate the fragile line between memory and illusion. Her choices will bind her not only to those she loves, but to the quiet mysteries that shape a life.

The House in the Middle of the Street by Jennifer Sklias-Gahan

Rare Bird Books (February 17, 2026)

This debut teen/YA novella conjures a haunting modern fairy tale of inheritance, secrets, and the creatures we invite into our lives. When Rebecca and her husband inherit a stately old home, they imagine it as the perfect place to build their family. But as the seasons turn, shadowy visitors begin to arrive—children who are not what they seem, guests with appetites beyond bread. Bound by ancestral debts and ancient instructions, Rebecca and her descendants are drawn into a chilling cycle of desire, duty, and haunting. It’s a gothic exploration of legacy, survival, and the perilous cost of letting others in.

Lots of great books to add to your list. Happy reading! See you next time for more of Mnemosyni’s Musings.

Maria A. Karamitsos is a journalist, author, and poet. She’s the founder & former publisher/editor of WindyCity Greek magazine and former associate editor & senior writer for The Greek Star newspaper. Maria also contributes to Greek City Times and TripFiction. Her work has been published in The Magic of Us-A Moms Who Write Poetry Anthology, The Pen Poetry Magazine, Voices of Hellenism Literary Journal, Highland Park Poetry, Recipes & Roots, GreekCircle magazine, The National Herald, GreekReporter, Harlots Sauce Radio, Women.Who.Write, KPHTH magazine, and more. Maria has contributed to two books: Greektown Chicago: Its History, Its Recipes and The Chicago Area Ethnic Handbook. She’s currently editing her 1st novel. mariakaramitsos.com