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Travelling around Greece for The House in the Olive Grove

LN106954 — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 16:03:26 GMT

The House in the Olive Grove Inspiration....

It was love at first sight! The moment I stepped onto the mainland of Greece, I knew my life would change, but had no idea just how that would manifest. Years ago we were invited by our dearest friends to join their annual Greek holiday. I can’t put my finger on why I adore the place so much. I immediately felt a heightened sense of connection to the country, the landscape, food and culture. Whether it was my childhood obsession with the myths and legends of Ancient Greece, there was something almost tangible in the air that resonated with me…an echo from a life lived before, perhaps. I felt like I was meant to be there at that precise moment in time, like it was destiny.

Many people immediately think of the islands when it comes to Greece, but the mainland is just as rich in spectacular scenery. Stunning Instagram worthy sandy beaches, simple shoreline tavernas and cooler mountain micro-climates mean you don’t have to board a ferry or hop to an outcrop to soak up authentic Greek life.

In 2013, the summer after my mother died, I found an incredible peace and healing, a spiritual alignment by being there, finding the space to process what life looked like without her. Greece gave me what I needed when I needed it, even before I knew what I was looking for. When I came to write my debut novel, ‘One Last Letter From Greece’, pouring my grief into a love story celebrating the mother daughter bond, I set it in the place that had captured my heart in the Southern Peloponnese: Methoni. It’s around an hour’s drive from Kalamata airport over hilltops and through olive groves, navigating sheer ravines which reveal tantalising glimpses of the sea. It’s a beautiful place, guarded by a castle built by the Venetians in 1209 which hugs the bay with its ancient arms. Due to the protection around the ruined ramparts, there isn’t much more that can be built, and it retains a charming authenticity. In my first novel, I admit I tinkered with the geography, (sorry!) but the places featured are real. The bustling harbour town of Pylos with its giant trees creating a natural leafy canopy in the square is the perfect people-watching idyll as locals go about their business. I have whiled away countless hours nursing an ice cold frappé, watching the scurrying to and from the bakeries to secure the last slice of spanakopita – a life changing spinach and cheese pie. And there are several bakeries that co-exist and I’ve sampled delights from them all, returning for more each time I visit. Pylos is also a working port where you can observe the fisherman tend and mend their nets as hopeful cats pray for a scrap to be thrown their way.

One of the most spectacular features of the Peloponnese is the varied archaeological digs. The Palace of Nestor- around 11 miles from Pilos- was a key site in Mycenaean times and is one of the best preserved palaces in Greece. It is mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey, no less! The last time I visited, archaeologists were busy excavating, and it was fascinating to watch their pain-staking efforts armed only with a toothbrush and scalpel. Over several decades, expert teams have uncovered artifacts dating back to 1200BC and early examples of drainage and sewerage systems have been revealed along with an extensive clay jar system for storing and preserving olive oil - the prized nectar of the gods!

But the ultimate place to walk in the footsteps of the past is Ancient Messene or Messinae. It is an almost complete city with a full sized stadium, gymnasium, agora and temples. But the jewel in the crown is the breath-taking amphitheatre. Concealed initially behind the brow of a hill, you cannot quite believe it is real as each step forward reveals its beauty. The magical part of this site is you can touch the cool stone columns, sit on a marble throne in the theatre and trace the mosaics with your fingers. It was founded in approximately 370BC and is the most precious gift to immerse yourself in history. It’s approximately half an hour from Kalamata airport and is always uncrowded, with the of majority tourists heading for the famed Olympia or other places of note. It is an undiscovered gem in the Peloponnese and even if a coach load of people arrived, it is so vast, you won’t see another soul. My tip is to go early in the morning with a good litre bottle of water with you. There’s a fountain to re-fill but if it’s hot and you’re determined to cover the several miles to see all the wonders, you’ll need to replenish your fluids to brace for the walk back up the hill.

The House in the Olive Grove is set in Petalidi which is another village come town- around twenty minutes from Kalamata airport. It tends to be a thoroughfare for tourists heading to Koroni along the coast, but it’s definitely worth a visit, if only for lunch. There are fabulous tavernas around the sleepy main square where the church stands sentinel. But along the promenade, you will find a couple of fantastic fish tavernas. A chance stop and discovery of one of those eateries became my inspiration and ultimately the setting for Maria’s Kitchen. I was in Kardamyli on the Mani peninsula (another beautiful part of the mainland) and met a wonderful Polish lady called Monica who had two chihuahuas who were available for constant cuddles! She told me about Petalidi and recommended where to stay. I spent a couple of days there and it certainly made an impact. The stony beaches and the buoyant salty water yielded yet another version of Greece to inspire me.

I couldn’t imagine writing about somewhere without being immersed in the scents and smells of a place. Greece, for me, is the ultimate sensual experience. Earthy oregano floats on the wind, ensuring food is never far from your mind. I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to write in Greece. When I’m there, I feel a deeper connection to the scenery in front of me, re-creating a moment experienced or overheard on the page. It feels as if the country becomes another character in my novels. Sense of place is what I often connect to in the books I read, so, I’ve tried to write a love letter to a country which has given me so much and has truly changed my life in countless ways.

And then there’s the food… a theme for sure in this book and my first- it’s impossible to avoid in Greece! Being able to re-live my own personal discovery of the delicious Greek cuisine through my characters has been a way to pay homage to the scores of talented home-cooks I’ve met over the years- the fiercest experts in their own kitchens. If you want to create authentic Greek cooking at home, I heartily recommend the Greek chef Akis Petretzikis, or try a Cypriot twist with the lovely Theo Michaels, or my wonderful friend from Crete, Irini Tzortzoglou. If you’ve read my first book, you’ll know that I’m in a full-time relationship with the Greek orange cake, Portokalopita. I’ve tried so many versions but in Irini’s book, Under the Olive Tree, she does a killer citrus version and it’s heaven! Her recipe for the Greek Easter cookies mentioned in this novel is fabulous too. I will also be sharing some of my recipes on my website or on social media, so keep your eyes peeled and your tastebuds poised for slice of Greek deliciousness!

A sneak preview for you….despite having waxed lyrical about the mainland of Greece which I will continue to visit and adore, for my third novel, I am off to a very special island. I hope you can join me for my next Grecian adventure.

Book Brunch Author Q&A

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:58:21 GMT

Book Brunch Q&A

Q&A: author Emma Cowell

Lucy Nathan News - Interviews Tuesday, 6th May 2025

The author of Under the Lemon Tree tells BookBrunch about love, grief, and her long-term relationship with Greece

Could you tell us what Under the Lemon Tree is about, and what inspired it?
My fourth novel is about self-discovery and healing and coming to terms with loss. It is a common theme in all of my books along with a romantic element, though they are very different stand-alone stories. The island of Agistri inspired me - my writing always begins with a place that burrows beneath my skin and urges me to explore it. Under the Lemon Tree is about family secrets and loss featuring a sibling relationship - a male and female set of twins. Twins feature frequently in Greek mythology, which is a passion of mine. I also have twin godchildren, cousins and friends, and it’s a fascinating bond. I wanted to pay homage to a lot of my Greek friends with their incredible familial bonds and the conflict and comedy that naturally arises from that.

Under the Lemon Tree is set on the Greek island Agistri, and your other books are also set in Greece - how does the Grecian setting inspire your work and how do you research?
I’m in a long-term relationship with Greece and it was love at first sight! Something about the culture and history speaks to me and I’m in awe of the pride so many Greeks have in their country and flag. The climate and food are of course heavenly, but it is such a romantic place - especially the mainland. I’m ashamed to say my research process consists mainly of sitting in tavernas, ordering delicious food and people-watching for hours on end. It’s a way to immerse myself in the culture and rhythm of Greek life. I also ask my Greek friends endless questions and often the amusing things they tell me end up in one of my books. I’ve written chunks of every novel so far in Greece, usually on a research trip to the place it’s set. There is something about being where you’re writing about that changes the experience significantly. Not that the writing comes easy, but it perhaps comes easier...

What's your writing process?
I have a full-time day-job, so I write in the evenings and weekends - there is no such thing as spare time in my life! I’m a very visual person and need to counter my ADHD with sensory tools that I’ve learned work for me. I make a musical playlist for each book, choose a scented candle to light when I open my laptop and make a mood board of photographs of the place I’m writing about. It’s all part of the world building for me, setting the stage for the book so I can dive in immediately. It also helps me switch off the excess noise in my brain, allowing me to focus on the storytelling. I’m not a plotter, but always have an idea of the beginning, middle and ending of the book when I start, but I enjoy letting the characters lead me where they want. Sometimes I have to temper their wanderlust by plotting with bullet points a few chapters ahead, otherwise they’d meander around Greece forever.

One of the main themes of Under the Lemon Tree is finding joy in life again after grief - how did you tackle the theme of grief, and why do you feel it's so important to depict the possibility of finding happiness after hard times?
We all need hope, it’s what gets us through the day and out of bed in the mornings. I know from my personal experience of grief that when you are in the thick of it, you can’t imagine ever feeling joy again or how you could function properly again. Grief and bereavement are sadly something we can all relate to in one form or another and being authentic is so important for me as a writer. It’s not only writing about what you know, but what you feel. The issues I feature in my novels I research if it’s not my own experience. Some of the topics, especially grief, have resonated with readers, and I am so grateful to those who send me messages about their very precious memories of someone they’ve lost or another issue that they relate to featured in a storyline. It’s a reminder of the power and responsibility an author has with each word they set to the page.

What writers and artists have inspired you?
There are so many writers who inspire me, especially Margaret Atwood and Joanne Harris, but reaching back to the first time I read Jane Austen, I felt changed forever. Plus, I’m named after the novel Emma, so I feel great affection for her work. Others I admire hugely have become dear friends, even before I started my author journey like Santa Montefiore and Adriana Trigiani - they have both been such generous cheerleaders of my books and I am grateful beyond measure for their wisdom and support.

What do you have planned for the future?
More corners of Greece to explore between the pages and sweeping love stories set in stunning places! I’m also planning to spend more time in Greece, so it’s less of a long-distance love affair. I’m currently writing my fifth novel and there’s already another story nudging forwards for book six, but it will have to wait!

Under the Lemon Tree by Emma Cowell is published by Avon Books on 8 May.

My First Two Months As An Author....

Sat, 20 Aug 2022 08:31:59 GMT

My first 2 months as an author

It’s hard to imagine that in September 2020, I was finishing my debut novel, writing for fun without an agent or publishing deal.

We had managed to travel to Greece as COVID restrictions began to lift, and my project which started at the beginning of the pandemic was still consuming my mind. Even on holiday, I woke early each morning, lured by the sound of the gently lapping sea, the scent of wild oregano swirling in the air and, as my fingers flew across the keyboard, I had no idea where the story I was writing would take me.

I could never had imagined in August 2022 I would be two months into publication having sold 25,000 copies of One last letter From Greece. It has been a nerve-wracking and thrilling journey in equal measure. The unbridled joy and bafflement at seeing my book on the shelves, receiving messages on social media from those who’ve enjoyed it and hearing about reader’s personal experiences of grief and other issues within the novel has given me daily pause to feel immensely grateful.

I have to pinch myself when another milestone is reached, entering the top one hundred in the UK Kindle chart or hearing the e-book rose to number 2 in America. What on earth is happening!? It feels like walking through the best dream.

The strange thing about the timelines of publishing, as I’m lucky enough to have a two book deal, is when the first comes out, I am finishing the second. It’s almost as if you have to segment your mind: one part is entirely engrossed in the new tale you’re trying to weave versus the need to speak about and promote a story you completed a year ago.

Nevertheless, One Last Letter From Greece is borne of my personal experience of losing my mum very suddenly in 2012. And the bitter sweetness remains, if she was still here, I wouldn’t have written this story. I would have written a story eventually, but not this one. But, as they say, when life gives you lemons…..

I am buoyed and deeply moved by the comfort my book has brought those picking up the pieces of their lives following bereavement, or experiencing the crushing heartbreak of miscarriage, or simply those who have revelled in the sheer escapism and romance of Sophie and Theo’s story. It is the greatest joy to hear from readers and something I was utterly unprepared for. Seeing pictures of the book around the world this summer has been fabulous- it looks good on a beach by the sea!

I am preparing to head off on my own Greek Odyssey in September and one of the stops will be Methoni, where One Last Letter From Greece is set. I will be sure to hug the ruined ramparts and thank them for being the most spectacular backdrop for my first novel. While I’m there, I will complete my edits on book two- as yet untitled- which will be out in May or June 2023.

It has been an astonishing journey and thank you, fabulous reader, for your support, it truly means the world as you’ve helped me to live my dream.

If you’d like to explore the places featured in One Last Letter From Greece, I wrote this piece for The Book Trail

Enjoy the rest of the summer and thank you so much again!

E x

Greek food and recipes

Wed, 25 May 2022 09:49:58 GMT

Going Greek in the kitchen...

As my love affair with Greece continued, I wanted to recreate the tastes and smells of the country that captured my heart when back at home. The best place to do that is the kitchen, since so much of Greek life and culture centres around food.

In the recipe section of my site you will find some of the dishes referred to in 'One last Letter from Greece' and I hope you have fun re-creating them to bring a bit of Methoni onto your dining table. Tag me on social and share your pics of the dishes!

Italian and French cuisines are much lauded, but Greek is oft forgotten. It's much more than Moussaka. The challenge of course with re-creating any cuisine back at home is the year round growing climate of Greece, that makes the fruit and vegetables so tasty. If you can get local or organic produce and where I live in Cornwall has an abundance of local food suppliers, it will pay off as it will make your simple Greek dishes sing with flavour.

Click here for Greek recipes featured in 'One Last Letter from Greece'

My Debut Novel....

Mon, 02 May 2022 08:32:19 GMT

My publishing journey

As a debut author the world has turned from hopeful to bewildering to terrifying over the course of a few months during 2021. In August 2020, I was merrily sitting in Greece with a strong black coffee finishing a story that an agent was looking at. I needed to get a wriggle on as she wanted to read what I'd written as soon as I was back home. But being able to sit in the place where my novel is set, the writing came freely, and it was joyful although mildly anxious-making that an agent was reading the first twelve chapters, but I forged onwards, immersing myself in the story. I could close the laptop and have a holiday when I'd reached my limit for the day.

Cut to August 2021 on my publisher's structural edit deadline, being in Greece was soothing, but there was a contractual obligation to not only write well, but to get it done. There is something to be said for being where you've set a novel. Capturing on the page what is in front of you, the full sensory experience of Greece, the smell, temperature and sounds, it lives vividly in my mind when I'm back at home but writing out there makes a huge difference.

There were crumbs of inspiration for my story floating around my mind and it all began on a train journey from London to Cornwall. I saw a writing competition requiring 500 words on the subject 'the outfit I will never wear again'. As the remaining two hours stretched ahead, I started to think....

My family asked people not to wear black to my mother's funeral, she was so vibrant, colourful and fabulous that despite the tragedy and heartbreak of her sudden death aged just 59, mourning attire felt wrong. So, I dressed in a magenta cocktail dress that she and I had bought together for a 'pink' Mitzvah. Paired with skyscraper heals and a broach I bought her for Christmas that she never got to open, I was bedecked and bejewelled for my mother's funeral.

Wrong, but so right.

That was my starting point for the writing competition and the seed of inspiration for the beginning of my debut novel. I tinkered with formulating a story from those 500 words and three years on from that train trip, I am about to be published. The bittersweetness remains that if my mother was still here, this book wouldn't have been written. I would have certainly written a novel at some point, but it wouldn't have been this story. I know she is incredibly proud and has been with me on this journey, holding my hand along the way.

Writing this blog post just one month away from publication seems unreal. But such is the road to publication, the ultimate rollercoaster for thrill-seeking masochists! It's hard to imagine myself back in the shoes of that girl coming up with a story on the train a few years ago, but the giddy feeling I get in my stomach about seeing my book on the shelves on June 9th makes it all seem worthwhile.

It isn't easy, writing a novel, but I've done it and now it's almost time to share it with the world.

My love affair with Greece

Sat, 02 Apr 2022 08:32:19 GMT

Ancient Messene

How I found Greece, or did Greece find me?

A decade ago, a very dear friend, Nick Burnell, invited us to join him and his family on their annual Greek holiday. Having heard about it over the years from them, we eventually wrenched ourselves away from Italy and France and took the plunge. It was love at first sight. I can't put my finger on why, but I immediately felt a heightened sense of connection to the country, the landscape, food and culture. Whether it's my childhood obsession with the myths and legends of Ancient Greece or not, there is something tangible in the air that resonates with me.

So many people think of the islands when it comes to Greece, but the mainland is as rich in spectacular scenery and white sandy beaches, plus there are the mountain micro climates providing a welcome respite from the scorching summer heat.

In 2013, the year after my mother died, I found an incredible peace and healing, perhaps a spiritual alignment by being there, having the space to process what life looked like without her. Greece gave me what I needed when I needed it, even before I knew what I was looking for. That very difficult time has certainly inspired my debut novel, 'One Last Letter from Greece'. The protagonist, Sophie, travels to mainland Greece, to Methoni in the southern Peloponnese to uncover a family secret. She finds much more than she was expecting......