The Villa Ariadne is in Crete, close to the Palace of Minos at Knossos, near Herakleion. It was built by the great Sir Arthur Evans soon after he had discovered the Palace, when this archaeological site was his own private property. He needed to be on the spot when he was romantically reconstructing the ruins, so he built the Villa Ariadne and lived there in state, a benevolent autocrat. The author knew him. She has known the villa over 40 years. The next occupant was John Pendlebury, scholar-athlete, Curator of Knossos and became a legend in Crete when he led the guerillas against the invading Germans and died a terrible death at enemy hands. The Germans then took over the Villa, followed by the British. It is now back in the hands of Greece.

Dilys Powell brings the story of the villa up-to-date in a book which combines action, observation, and characterisation.