THE SICILIAN INHERITANCE by Jo Piazza

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Apart from the resources mentioned in the Author’s Note, it is evident extensive research went into writing this book. The Sicilian Inheritance unfolds as a multi-layered narrative with dual timelines, which captivated me from the outset and kept me on edge with a succession of suspense-laden scenes.

I listened to the audiobook version which was narrated magnificently by Rachel Hirsch and Carlotta Brenton. While the initial chapters offers a generous dose of humor, the deeper I got into the book, the more it took on an edge of despair as I was thrown into the life of Serafina in the early 1900s Sicily. The author deftly describes the lives and struggles of rural Sicilian women during a time of mass migration and the stresses, conflict, and divisions it created between migrant men and women, and the hardships faced by the women who were left behind to fend for themselves and their children.

In modern-day Sicily, the reader experiences suspense of another kind in nail-baiting chapters in which Sara tries to unravel a centuries-old murder, a contested inheritance, and a family secret that threatens her own survival.

The plot of this book is intricate and filled with countless twists that took me by surprise. I was captivated until the very end when all the different plot points seamlessly weave together to reveal a breath-taking ending.

Beyond the fictional narrative in which Serafina transforms into a healer and martyr, and the profound impact of her life-altering choices that has a domino-effect on the lives of subsequent generations, I was fascinated and deeply intrigued by the shifting economic-, social, and family dynamics in marriages where young husbands and wives suddenly found themselves on opposite sides of the ocean. The author also doesn’t spare the reader from the horrors men had to endure working in the coal mines.

That brings us to Sara’s narrative arc in which she attempts to solve the murder of her great-grandmother, and vindicate her heritage, while trying to survive her time in Sicily, but to also have a second chance at redemption for all the mistakes she had made up to that point in her life back home in America where her own daughter is waiting for her.

The Sicilian Inheritance is a testament to the resilience of extraordinary women defying patriarchal norms, an epic love story, family, sacrifice, and survival, underscored by themes of friendship and compassion. It’s told beautifully and with empathy, and is one that will resonate deeply with many readers long after the final page had been turned.

All my thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK Audio for this phenomenal read in exchange for an honest review.

A fabulously written gripping story that was a pleasure to read. I would absolutely recommend this book, it was brilliant, I did receive the book to read review, but listened to the audio book

This story makes me want to pack a case, book a flight and head out into the Sicilian countryside. I’d find a deserted beach and dive into the crystal blue waters, then emerge for a late lunch with friends, under a shady vine at a rustic table, piled high with bread, cheese and local produce.
It’s a beautiful story, perfect for a summer read, set on the island. It’s rich with Sicilian characters, history and mafiosi and follows two timelines: Sara’s and that of her great-grandmother, Seraphina. Sara is dispatched to the island as her own life is falling apart around her; a failed business, failed marriage and husband fighting for custody of her beloved daughter, with no money to hire a decent lawyer to fight her case. Her aunt Rosie’s dying wish is that she find out what really happened to Seraphina, who never joined her husband and children when they left Sicily for America.
If you’re looking for a gripping summer read with plenty of intrigue and a touch of romance, you won’t go far wrong with this.
Five stars from me, with thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK audio for the chance to listen to an ARC.

I picked this as my summer read for the reading rivalry group. It is not a happy summer read but I was addicted. I loved it so much! The narration was perfect!
I loved the family history stuff but I especially loved the history stuff in general! Here in America we rarely thinks about the villages left behind when people immigrated for a new life/money here.

I found this book really compelling, I really enjoy a family drama with a little mystery, romance and rebellion thrown in and this didn't disappoint. The characters felt really well developed and the descriptions of Sicily transported me straight there. A great book!

I really enjoyed this one! The narration was wonderful and really immersed you in the story! An excellent summer thriller if you're looking for something twisty, turny, and burning with feminine energy and rage. Piazza writes her female characters so well, and you really find yourself swept away with this thriller spanning generations and the Sicilian diaspora.

A wonderful book.

I really enjoyed this audio book - once I'd got into the story (which didn't take long) I wanted to hear more and kept having to find jobs to do to justify my listening along. This is a dual time line thriller - Sara (short for Serafina)'s beloved Aunt Rosie has just passed away. Aunt Rosie has paid for her to travel to Sicily to scatter her ashes in the land where Rosie was born and Rosie's mother is buried. What Sara doesn't expect when she gets to Sicily is to have a decades old murder to investigate, a cast of characters surrounding her who are allegedly friends, but definitely can't be trusted, and potential threats from the Casa Nostra (mafia). As a fan of Kate Morton's dual time line books, this book perhaps unsurprisingly reminded me of Kate Morton's books - the most recent of which also involved the modern day protagonist finding and reading a diary written by her deceased relative.

This story is told in two timelines. Firstly we have Sara Marsala in the current day. She has just lost her business, her marriage and custody of her child. When her great aunt Rosie died she finds that Rosie has left her a document. Its a deed to a plot of land in Sicily. The family's homeland.
As Sara travels to Sicily she finds that is not going to be easy claiming her inheritance. The locals have already taken over the land and will not acknowledge her as the rightful owner. In order to claim the land she must discover what happen to Serafina Marsala. Rosie's mother. Rosie always believed her mother was murdered and did not die of an illness. By uncovering the truth can Sara take her land
We also flash back to Serafina Marsala. Growing up it a small village. Married early with a young family. Times were not always good. Especially when her husband travels off to America to make his fortune
This is a beautifully told story. The author reminds me very much of Victoria Hislop. A perfect holiday read

This book is a beautiful ode to Sicily. The fabulous plot - switching between the lives of Sara and her great grandmother Serafina alone makes for a fabulous read but in addition you have layers of history from a female perspective, medicine, mythology, a travelogue and a mouthwatering food journal to enjoy.
Think tiramisu in book form. And it certainly did pick me up, I want to book a trip to Italy right now!

- Dual Timeline
- Dual Perspectives
- Multi Generational Story
- Feminism
- Family Mystery

The writing is so compelling. I connected with the characters. I liked the characters of Serafina , Rosie and Sara. The novel will take you to Sicily and a century old unsolved murder with a letter notifying about the inheritance received to Sara by her Great Aunt. But the mystery of Sara’s grandmother Serafina and family secret is connected with the land in Sicily. The characters backstories were poignant. I felt the mystery of Serafina was so deep and heartbreaking. Sara gets tangled in a murder mystery, secrets, and the anatomy of identity with powerful story of women and making a better life for herself and her family . The book is powerful, moving, thought provoking and poignant. I loved that Sara made a difference in her life. I loved the Author’s note and the inspiration behind the Serafina’s character

The narration was so good. I liked the Italian setting and characters. I like how the narrators distinguished the voices and how Sara dig in the past to solve the mystery of a century old murder.

Many Thanks to Harper Collins publisher, Author and Narrators

At first, I had difficulty getting into this book, but I found it quite entertaining once I did. The alternating viewpoints between the past and present were well-executed, although I personally enjoyed Serafina's story more than Sara's.

The middle portion of the book dragged a bit for me, but the ending was satisfying and tied everything together nicely.

One aspect that stood out to me was the vivid descriptions of Sicily, and I particularly enjoyed listening to the audiobook version.

I want to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins UK Audio | HQ for the free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Sicilian Inheritance written by Jo Piazza and narrated by Rachel Hirsch and Carlotta Brentan is a stunning story of two women in two timelines, present day Sara and her Great Grandmother Serafina. The story is told in alternating POV's and are equally balanced

Sara is recently divorced, her business has failed and her dearly beloved Great Aunt Rosie has just died, leaving in her will, the deeds to land in Sicily and an all-expenses paid trip to explore the country, see if the land is still there and find out what happened to Serafina, that prevented her from joining the family exodus to the US

I adore Sara's sister Carla back in America, her Aunt Rosie sounded like an absolute scream! Also, Sara's guide Giussi (Juicy?), Fina and Luca. Sicilian people who are also determined to help Sara reclaim her land and solve the mystery

The beautiful thing about this book, is the intertwining strands of storylines that wind together to create a strong cable. Although the two women are 100 years apart, there are a lot of similarities in their tenacity and fortitude, their intelligence and drive. The character outlines are so well done and the descriptive is illustrious

But all is not well and the Mafioso are still prevalent in the small Sicilian village, the same as 100 years ago and they do not want to give up this land

The narrations are fantastic, the writing is gripping and I was utterly entranced throughout, a stunning audiobook

Thank you to Netgalley, Harpercollins Audio, the author Jo Piazza and narrators for this fantastic ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

Such a beautifully written and compelling story that spans generations.

Told in a gripping dual timeline narrative, we meet two strong women and see the lives they lead. Sara, is left an inheritance by her beloved great aunt, Rosie. It’s a plot of land in Sicily, but locals are refusing to recognize the legitimacy of the inheritance. Sara must travel to Sicily and work out the kinks so she can move on with the mess that her life is right now.

In Sicily, Sara learns from people in town of the infamous story of her great grandmother Serafina and her possible murder. Through Sara’s journey through the past, we also get Serafina’s story of her life.

Through the stunning beauty of the Italian setting and the incredible characters, we get this empowering story of women, their love and their strength.

I thought this was such a great read. It definitely moved me.

Wow wow wow...

I absolutely loved this book... This was such a pleasure to listen to the duality of 2 timelines was easy to follow which can be a difficult transition while listening to an audio book but this flowed so naturally it all felt very realistic. It is evident the work, time & effort that has gone into this book and it is absolutely worth every moment spent a truly wonderful read with high respect & gratitude for your work Jo Piazza.

The story itself has you feeling all sorts of various emotions throughout as you journey through what feels like your own ancestral journey as it is so encompassing. The characters Sara and Serefina both really bring the feeling of empowerment particularly in relation to women being able to stand on their own for themelves and alongside each other which proves evident with both Josie and Sara then Serifina at the ending. All the women in this novel play such a critical part in showing rhe reader the power we all have within ans also that not all men were or are of the same nature either even in centuries past when women were expected more to obey.

I felt particularly drawn to the early 1900 timeline it resonated deeply with me, the way in which the words were used to describe the situations in both timelines were so appropriate and fitting I really have nothing but praise for both the story, narration and simply everything about this. I even felt I got a nice lighthearted education on Scicily itself and some more of the historical traditions which I am greatful for. Absolutely outstanding.

Thank you to Jo Piazza, Harper Collins UK Audio and Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this book in return for an honest review.

Oh my goodness I inhaled this amazing story. I was listening compulsively. Jo Piazza, I think your great great grandmother would be extremely proud, and Im grateful to learn how the seed of the story was planted, the research that has gone into the dual timeline is evident in every part of the book.

I liked Sarah’s character, her determination to carry out her beloved aunts final wishes and the mystery’s that she uncovers along the way were touching, endearing and extremely interesting. I particularly loved Josie’s character, I cackled with laughter often at her antics.
I loved the way in which the story split flawlessly over both timeline’s and pov and as it progressed I felt that I couldn’t wait to be back in the early 1900’s with Seraphina, she opened my mind and really had me in awe, I was transfixed by her life story, she was a seriously strong woman, a break the mould type, and the ending was just exceptional and felt appropriate.

This book ticked all the boxes for me, it’s clever, funny, touching, distressing at times and there are moments of romance, love, loss, betrayal and mystery, it’s written with such love and attention to detail.

Both narrators have done a brilliant job. I didn’t want to leave them behind.

All the stars 🌟 #Jorecommends

With many thanks to Jo Piazza and Harper Collins U.K. audio via NetGalley for an advance copy of this audiobook.

Sorry to say that this book, that I so desperately wanted to love, fell flat.

I usually love dual timeline historical fiction, but this one just dragged and I felt like it was about three years long.

I’m struggling to work out why it didn’t work for me, I just didn’t connect with any of the characters, so I didn’t care what happened to them and I found the storyline dull.

Rachel F. Hirsch and Carlotta Brentan did a great job narrating.

2 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Jo Piazza and Harper Collins for an ARC in return for an honest review.

"Under the Sicilian Sun" is a captivating historical mystery that kept me glued to the pages until the very last word. The story follows Sara Marsala, who inherits land in Sicily from her great-aunt Rosie. However, a dark secret hangs over the inheritance - the locals deny the validity of the deed, and Rosie suspects foul play surrounding Sara's great-grandmother's death.

Driven by a mix of curiosity and a desire to honor Rosie's wishes, Sara delves into the past. As she explores the picturesque Sicilian countryside, she uncovers the truth about Serafina, a remarkable young woman who defied societal expectations. But uncovering the truth comes at a cost. The forces that silenced Serafina are still at play, and Sara soon finds herself in danger.

This book is a beautifully written blend of suspense, family history, and cultural exploration. The author brings Sicily to life, and the characters are both complex and relatable. I highly recommend "Under the Sicilian Sun" to anyone who enjoys a gripping mystery with a touch of historical intrigue!

The Sicilian Inheritance
By Jo Piazza

Anyone who judges a book by it's cover will have a hard time bypassing this one. It's gorgeous, and evocative and I knew I had to have it.

This is a dual timeline story with dual narrators, set in the ruggedly harsh bit impossibly beautiful island of Sicily. There's a murder mystery element, an exploration of identity, romance and friendship and insights into how Sicily became so exploited and impoverished, it's tradition of emigration, it's deeply ingrained patriarchy and the grip that the Cosa Nostra have on the economy, the government and social structures.

We discover how difficult life was and is, particularly for women, and how they coped against adversity through their particular strengths and resolves.

Piazza has captured a strong sense of place. Her connection and research is evident, with lushly painted landscapes and villages and epicurean delights.

Both narrators brought this story to life, their accents and cadence were well matched with their characters and distinct enough to not lose track of who's narrative was who's.

This is a brain candy ŕead with substance that would be worth the space in your holiday luggage, or to stretch out with in the garden on a sunny day.

Publication date: 25th April 2024
Thanks to #NetGalley and #HarperCollinsAudio for the ALC

This is an absolutely kickass narrative of female empowerment and women supporting women, specifically in situations where men think they're being kind.

What I didn't know before starting and you probably should is that this is a dual-timeline novel. This is a gimmick I sometimes love, particularly in the works of Jessie Burton, and it mostly works here but, occasionally, it clunks and I can't put my finger on why.
For example: there are a couple of places where we cut away from one narrative in a way that heightens the tension, then the section of the other narrative doesn't feed into or out of the situation we just left and then when we return to the previous narrator, the tension has been disappated off-screen.
The POV character in the older timeline left a diary and I think it might have been more effective for that timeline to be represented as diary entries. I really didn't need the epilogue and it kinda undercut my girl-power high that the last chapter left me on.

This book is peopled with fascinatingly complex female side-characters and some delightfully functional family relationships.

This book also chimes for me because my great-grandfather also left southern Italy (Naples, I believe, not Sicily) for America at the turn of the century and hearing about the poverty of that region always cuts me to the heart.

The Sicilian Inheritance weaves a tale of loss, murder, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of women facing adversity. Following the death of Sara's great-aunt Rosie, she inherits family land in Sicily, but her claim is challenged by the locals, who demand she solve the mystery surrounding her great-grandmother Serafina's murder.

This story took me by surprise, initially drawing me in with the promise of mystery, only to reveal a captivating narrative that seamlessly intertwines Sara's journey with glimpses into Sarafina's past. The accounts of the lives of women in Siciliy after the men left for America were heartbreaking, inspiring and fascinating. I found myself engrossed in the stories of strength, sisterhood, and resilience amid a patriarchal society. It was a four star read for me until the ending, when I realised how much I had come to care about these characters, the women of Serafina's time and the sacrifices made by Serafina to ensure a brighter future for her children and her community.

The beautiful narration, coupled with vivid depictions of Sicilian landscapes and culture, transported me to another time and place.The voices of the different characters were distinct and rich with emotion, which really heightened my sense of empathy for their plight.

Thank you HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.