Eumundi Voice - Issue 109, 23 January 2025

Literature

Greek Island Memoir

Sunshine Coast author Shelley Dark has captured readers’ hearts with her humorous and heartwarming travel memoir, Hydra in Winter: An Island Escape in Search of a Greek Pirate. The book, which recently became a #1 bestseller on Amazon, offers readers a light, breezy escape to the Greek islands – perfect for the holiday season.

When Shelley travelled to Hydra in winter, she wasn’t seeking a typical Greek island holiday. Instead, she was on a mission to uncover the story of her husband’s great-great-grandfather, Ghikas Voulgaris, Australia’s first Greek convict –a pirate who narrowly escaped the gallows and subsequently became a pioneer.

“My goal was to solve a historical mystery, but Hydra had other plans,” said Shelley. “The warmth of the locals, the island’s charm, and the joys of slow travel transformed the trip into something far more memorable.”

The memoir is filled with funny observations, heartwarming moments, and vivid descriptions of Hydra’s stunning architecture, fresh seafood, and hardworking donkeys.

It’s a story that will resonate with Philhellenes, travel lovers, history buffs, and anyone who’s ever dreamed of visiting Greece.

Kyra Geddes – author of The Story Thief – described the book as: “Like drinking a bottomless glass of champagne – bubbly, refreshing and bound to make you laugh.”

Shelley and her husband, former cattle farmers from Qld’s Granite Belt, now live on the Sunshine Coast. While Hydra in Winter is her first travel memoir, Shelley is working on more books inspired by her adventures, including Son of Hydra, a historical novel about Ghikas' life.

Hydra in Winter is available now on Amazon and local bookstores. Visit: shelleydark.com.