Pensione Anastasia

“Mystery, romance, art and history—Pensione Anastasia will
capture the reader’s heart and imagination from its opening
chapter through to its entrancing denouement at a Glyndebourne
production of Mozart’s Magic Flute. An education in sculpture
and painting can be absorbed with effortless delight, as one
follows the dynamic story of the loss and recovery of an amulet
created by Phidias, the 5th century B.C. Athenian sculptor.
The personalities of the main characters, British, Greek and
American, come to life in the lively unfolding of a complex yet
profoundly human story of learning and teaching, living and
dying for a cause.”

—Ruth Hayhoe, Professor, University of Toronto,
Honorary Fellow, University of London Institute

“Writing in a gentle style reminiscent of Agatha Christie,
Alice Heard Williams’ suspense novel Pensione Anastasia
lavishes an art background, a soupcon of history and dollop
of romance. Emma Darling, an American, is drawn into the
unexpected role of amateur sleuth when a famous amulet
disappears in the mountains of Greece. In settings both in
Greece and England, the book paints scenes as true as our
own backyards.”

—Julie Malear, author of shattered bonds and
More Precious than Rubies

“The novel introduces us to Emma Darling, a young American,
whose respect for ancient artists and their works takes her
through an adventure to recover stolen treasure, the Amulet of
Apollo dating from the fifth century BC. Placing the action in
Greece and England, Alice Heard Williams invites the reader to
visit the southern and northern homes of great ancient poets.
By the dedication of Emma and her friends to put themselves
into very dangerous situations in the world of the 1970s,
the reader is moved to honor the work of ancient artists who
honored the artists before them. I could not put the book down!”

—Mary Faraci, Professor of English,
Florida Atlantic University