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Christa Polkinhorn
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Letter from a Cave: The Mystery of a Letter found in a Cave in the Swiss Mountains Uncovers a Heartbreaking Love Story during World War II Kindle Edition

by Christa Polkinhorn (Author), Diane Busch (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 43 ratings
With a captivating mystery at its core, Letter from a Cave is a suspenseful journey through Switzerland and Italy that will make readers feel a gamut of powerful emotions. Fans of Christa Polkinhorn’s other novels will be delighted to meet a few familiar characters. Don’t miss your chance to get lost in this unforgettable story!

Andreas, a Swiss sculptor and stonemason, grieving the loss of his wife from three years ago, discovers an old, abandoned backpack in a cave during his hike in the Swiss mountains. What he finds within the backpack—a letter written by a young Jewish refugee during the Second World War to his pregnant wife in Italy—sets him on a quest with his friend, Luisa, to find out what happened to the man, to his wife, Bella, and her family in Italy. During their search, they meet both helpful people and those who try to prevent them, even by force, from digging into a past filled with heroism but also with cruelty and betrayal. Will the outcome of the quest bring closure and peace, or will it cause turmoil and heartache?
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  1. Print length
    263 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    July 8, 2023
  5. File size
    1.0 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"I've read several of this author's books over the years, and I was very happy to learn she had a new release, one that gives new adventures to established characters. It's always great to see old friends. That said, this wonderful book doesn't rely on past novels to be enjoyed.
Letter from a Cave offers suspense, romance, emotion, surprises, nostalgia, and so much more. The author's gorgeous descriptions made it easy to visualize the scenes in Switzerland and Italy—not to mention making me hungry for Italian food.
This was truly a feel-good read, and I hope the author will continue to write more stories with her delightful characters. Already, I'm wondering how they're all doing."
- Lisette Brodey, Author of The Sum of our Sorrows, All That Was Taken, Hotel Obscure

"If you enjoy vivid descriptions of Switzerland and Italy and reading about tasty regional dishes, while following a family trying to solve a mystery, you will enjoy this story. As in all of Christa Polkinhorn's novels, family is at the centre of the story. And the family of Andreas encourage and help him with his quest. Will Andreas come to grips with his wife's untimely death? Will he ever be able to love again? Travelling through the mountains of Switzerland and the vineyards of Tuscany, he follows every clue to find the family the letter belongs to, and on the way learns things about himself. I especially fell in love with the puppy Pietro, whose description matches my dog perfectly! A feel-good, comfortable read."
- Darlene Foster, Author of the Amanda Travels series, a children's adventure series

"Letters from a Cave takes us from Switzerland to Italy as we experience the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of both countries. Andreas has found a letter in a Swiss cave, and realises it has lain there for a generation. He sets off to return the letter to the writer's family across the border in Italy, and discovers that old war wounds are still festering... Can the contents of the letter bring peace to the family? Another lovely feel-good read from Christa Polkinhorn."
- Linda Huber, Author of psychological suspense novels

This is a delightful book with several elements that add interest and colour, along with stunning descriptions of the majestic mountains and lakes of Italy and Switzerland.
The characters in this story have appeared over the years in the author's other books, but there is enough back story for the book to be a standalone read. It was the first time I had met them, but they are so well rounded and engaging that you feel you have known them for years.
A tragedy towards the end of the war prompts a journey through Italy and Switzerland to unravel the mystery, but it is also a journey of discovery for the main characters as they come to terms with the past, loss and uncertainty about love and the future.
There are reminders of a darker past and that there are still those who bear grudges and guilt about their own actions during a time of repression and fear. There are also wonderful moments where there is an opportunity to celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of others.
I highly recommend this lovely and well-written book to romance and mystery fans of any age."
- Sally Cronin, Author and Host of Smorgasbord Blog Magazine, UK

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CBHRMNXX
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bookworm Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 8, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 263 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 43 ratings

About the author

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Christa Polkinhorn

Christa Polkinhorn

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Born and raised in Switzerland, Christa Polkinhorn has always had the desire to explore the world outside of her beautiful but tiny country. She traveled in Europe, China, Japan as well as South America. Now, she lives and works as writer and translator in southern California. Her interest in foreign cultures informs her work and her novels take place in several countries. She published a volume of poetry (The Path of Fire). Now, she writes and publishes contemporary fiction with a focus on family drama/love stories (The Family Portrait trilogy) and family drama/suspense (The Wine Lover's Daughter series). Aside from writing and traveling, she is an avid reader and a lover of the arts, dark chocolate, and red wine.

Visit the author on her website and blog: https://www.christa-polkinhorn.com

Christa Polkinhorn can also be found on Facebook as Christa Polkinhorn and Author Christa Polkinhorn as well as on Twitter and Instagram as cpolkinhorn.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
43 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's readability positive, with one describing it as a feel-good read. The story quality receives positive feedback, with several customers noting how it really takes off, and one mentioning the heartfelt sub-plots that flow through the main narrative.

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ReadabilityStory quality
3 customers mention "Readability"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable, with one describing it as a feel-good read.

"...Good story, worth reading." Read more

"...This was truly a feel-good read, and I hope the author will continue to write more stories with her delightful characters...." Read more

"I thoroughly enjoyed Letter From a Cave, the new novel from Christa Polkinhorn, which continues the story of Andreas and his life after the death of..." Read more

3 customers mention "Story quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, with one customer noting its heartfelt sub-plots and another describing it as a must-read for mystery lovers.

"Nice little story. In addition to being a mystery story it was also a little tour of Switzerland and Italy...." Read more

"...Author Polkinhorn has several wonderful and heartfelt sub-plots flowing through the main story...." Read more

"A must read for those who love mystery & adventure..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Pharmish1
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good story
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Nice little story. In addition to being a mystery story it was also a little tour of Switzerland and Italy.I like stories about WWII so this was a good mix of then and now. Good story, worth reading.
    One person found this helpful
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  • VickiO
    4.0 out of 5 stars Letter from a cave
    Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Nice, heartwarming story about family and love lost and love found. The soul finds a way to go on.
    One word.
    Helpful
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  • Lizzy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Just loved this book! A special, heartwarming story!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I’ve read several of this author’s books over the years, and I was very happy to learn she had a new release, one that gives new adventures to established characters. It’s always great to see old friends. That said, this wonderful book doesn’t rely on past novels to be enjoyed.

    Sculptor Andreas, who has been lonely and depressed since his wife’s death three years prior, often hikes into the mountains. One day, while with his dog in a cave, he is surprised when the dog unearths a backpack from years ago. Looking inside, Andreas finds a letter from an Italian man named Joshua to his pregnant wife, Bella during World War II. He realizes Joshua never made it home and his family most likely never knew what happened to him or that he had tried to make contact.

    The emotional weight of the letter hits Andreas hard, and with the encouragement of his daughter, Emilia, and his son, Tonio, he sets off to Italy to see if he can do the impossible and track down Bella (if she’s still alive) or other family members. Tonio takes his sister and father to a vineyard in Tuscany where he has a friend, Julietta. Readers of the author’s previous book will remember Julietta and her mother, Luisa, from The Italian Sister.

    From this point on, the story really takes off. I don’t want to summarize the plot, but rather offer a short commentary on why I found this book to be so special. Author Polkinhorn has several wonderful and heartfelt sub-plots flowing through the main story. All of them are skillfully woven together, beautifully emulating life and its twisty, unpredictable ways. I genuinely cared about every character.

    Letter from a Cave offers suspense, romance, emotion, surprises, nostalgia, and so much more. The author’s gorgeous descriptions made it easy to visualize the scenes in Switzerland and Italy—not to mention making me hungry for Italian food.

    This was truly a feel-good read, and I hope the author will continue to write more stories with her delightful characters. Already, I’m wondering how they’re all doing.
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • L. Strauser
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for those who love mystery & adventure
    Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed Letter From a Cave, the new novel from Christa Polkinhorn, which continues the story of Andreas and his life after the death of his beloved wife.
    The book transported me from modern day Switzerland to Italy during World War II when Andreas, taking refuge from a storm, discovers a love letter from Joshua, a young Italian man, buried in the back of a cave. He immediately wonders what happened to Joshua and why the letter never reached it's destination.
    After showing the letter to his daughter Emilia and son, Tonio, they encourage him to find the woman, Bella, who the letter was written to decades ago. Knowing it's a long shot, Andreas is up to the task and decides to embark on a journey to Italy to begin his quest.
    Accompanied by Emilia and Tonio, they visit a vineyard in Italy owned by Tonio's friend Julietta and her mother Luisa (who are part of another book by the author called The Italian Sister) to begin his journey to find Bella or her family.
    What transpires next is an adventure of discovery, friendship and perhaps even love for Andreas and the woman who decides to accompany Andreas on his journey to give closure to Bella and her family.
    Go on the journey with Andreas, I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Bill Pupkis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2024
    Format: Kindle
    This book was interesting and a very easy read. There was sufficient detail, yet not too much. I will look for another from this author.
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Darlene Foster
    5.0 out of 5 stars A feel-good comfortable read.
    Reviewed in Canada on August 18, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    If you enjoy vivid descriptions of Switzerland and Italy and reading about tasty regional dishes, while following a family trying to solve a mystery, you will enjoy this story. A letter is found in a cave by Andreas, a grieving widower. It's a heartfelt note to his wife and unborn son from a Jewish man escaping Italy during WWII. Andreas is determined to find this family and deliver the letter 70 years later. As in all of Christa Polkinhorn's novels, family is at the centre of the story. And the family of Andreas encourage and help him with his quest. Will Andreas come to grips with his wife's untimely death? Will he ever be able to love again? Travelling through the mountains of Switzerland and the vineyards of Tuscany, he follows every clue to find the family the letter belongs to, and on the way learns things about himself. I especially fell in love with the puppy Pietro, whose description matches my dog perfectly! A feel-good, comfortable read.
    Report
  • Linda
    5.0 out of 5 stars Like a mini-holiday
    Reviewed in Germany on July 17, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Letters from a Cave takes us from Switzerland to Italy as we experience the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of both countries. Andreas has found a letter in a Swiss cave, and realises it has lain there for a generation. He sets off to return the letter to the writer's family across the border in Italy, and discovers that old war wounds are still festering... Can the contents of the letter bring peace to the family? Another lovely feel-good read from Christa Polkinhorn.
    Report

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