'Tense. Moving. Morally complex. Zina Pavlou is wholly unforgettable.' RACHEL RHYS
'Impressive... worthy of Sarah Waters' THE TIMES
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.
'Eleni Kyriacou has drawn such a rich cast in this enthralling and wholly original novel. Utterly compelling.' CLARE MACKINTOSH
'Immersive, gripping, authentic' ERIN KELLY
'Chilling, gripping' NIKKI SMITH
'A tragic and compelling tale' GUARDIAN
The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou
By Eleni Kyriacou
Inspired by a true story, The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou is a historical crime novel set in 1950s London about a Cypriot grandmother accused of murder and the young Greek translator assigned to her case.
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All Rights AvailableBook Details
Imprint: Apollo | Pub date: April 2024 | Format: 198 x 129mm | Extent: 384 pages |
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 her on @EleniKWriter and www.elenikwriter.com.




















