The Sicilian Inheritance

A Novel

De: Jo Piazza

Narrado por: Rachel F. Hirsch, Carlotta Brentan

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

One of the NY Post's Best Beach Reads, an US Weekly pick for "mystery novels to read on the beach”, a Woman's World "captivating beach read you won't be able to put down this summer" ("a riveting saga"), an Eater food-filled beach book for your summer vacation ("an appealing mix of romantic escapism, whodunit intrigue, and feminist introspection.")

From bestselling author and award-winning journalist Jo Piazza, comes "A Journey to the Boot of Italy, With Murder, Romance and Ricotta” (The New York Times) about a disputed inheritance and a family secret that some will kill to protect . . .

Sara Marsala barely knows who she is anymore after the failure of her business and marriage. On top of that, her beloved great-aunt Rosie passes away, leaving Sara bereft with grief. But Aunt Rosie’s death also opens an escape from her life and a window into the past by way of a plane ticket to Sicily, a deed to a possibly valuable plot of land, and a bombshell family secret. Rosie believes Sara’s great-grandmother Serafina, the family matriarch who was left behind while her husband worked in America, didn’t die of illness as family lore has it . . . she was murdered.

Thus begins a twist-filled adventure that takes Sara all over the picturesque Italian countryside as she races to solve a mystery and learn the story of Serafina—a feisty and headstrong young woman in the early 1900s thrust into motherhood in her teens, who fought for a better life not just for herself but for all the women of her small village. Unsurprisingly the more she challenges the status quo, the more she finds herself in danger.

As Sara discovers more about Serafina, she also realizes she is coming head-to-head with the same menacing forces that took down her great-grandmother. At once an immersive multigenerational mystery and an ode to the undaunted heroism of everyday women, The Sicilian Inheritance is an atmospheric, binge-worthy delight.

©2024 Jo Piazza (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"A Journey to the Boot of Italy, With Murder, Romance and Ricotta . . . By Page 53, I put the book down, but not for long. I simply had to go online and search for flights to Italy. . . . Here, Sicily shimmers off the page, utterly enticing—azure waters for swimming, hunky Italian chefs . . . I enjoyed Piazza’s twisty narrative and complicated characters, especially her contemporary women, who are strong and feisty—not so different from Updike’s lost, lusty Rabbit. It was a joy to read about Piazza’s heroines loving hard, eating well and blowing themselves kisses in the mirror."—The New York Times

"The latest novel from Jo Piazza has something for everyone. History buffs? Check. Thriller girlies? Yup. Inspirational women? Definitely. . . . It's an ode to strong women, past and present, with a compelling plot to keep you turning the pages."—Glamour, "The Best Books for Book Clubs to Read in 2024, So Far"

“Moving back and forth in time, Piazza smoothly blends a mystery deep into the heart of a page-turning family chronicle.”—The Washington Post

A true adventure

It’s like I went on an adventure while listening to this book. It was fun and addictive and makes me want to board the next flight to Italy.

Great setting with interesting story of women of bygone times in Sicily

I truly enjoyed this book. She did a good job with bouncing back and forth through two time periods and tying it all together. The setting was great and it was an another educational viewpoint on what women had to persevere through. The narrator was outstanding and a joy to listen to.

A good listen

It was an entertaining book. There were a few plot twists, some things that were never resolved. In my opinion, the ending was meh.

Compelling read

Intricate story with unusual twists and great girl power message. Also nice insights to old Sicilian life.

The best read ever!

This could’ve been the fictional story of my great grandparents except they were from Ukrainian area of Russia. The manner in which they were raised, and the values taught were so immensely similar! What they lacked in material wealth they had tenfold in stamina, fierce love, and loyalty. This is my #1 favorite book that we have read in book club, which I joined in 2015! Well done, Jo Piazza!!!👏👏👏

I enjoyed every second of this book

The 2 timelines blended together seamlessly. The story was riveting, interesting and most important. I was invested in the characters. I haven’t enjoyed a book this much in a while.

Loved the history

I enjoyed the overall plot and loved the history of focused on women’s stories. There were times it felt like it dragged a little bit in the middle, but overall entertaining.

An Intergenerational, International Tale of Resilience and Love

This is such an engaging and entertaining story on the surface, with perfect pacing and tone. And normally once I read (listen) to a book, I move on. But this is also so compelling that I am still thinking about it, and in that reflection, its depths are becoming revealed to me in terms of the (hidden, often unacknowledged) value of women historically… the expectations, and the penalty for not upholding them… how in some ways, not much has changed. And yet, just as family recipes are passed down, or maybe even certain eye colors, so too are things resilience. I know I’m going to continue to think about this book and find more themes… I might even have to go back and listen again (or, gasp, read in print)!! (This, dear reader, is never done normally…) I hope you, too, enjoy this beautiful story!!

Beautiful

Such a good listen. I felt like I was taken along on this fun and empowering adventure.

Well written and great character development!

Such a great story and insight into life for Sicilian women (and women in general) but it does take a slightly unbelievable turn at the end. Although slightly far fetched it was overall well done!