The Sicilian Inheritance

A Novel

By: Jo Piazza

Narrated by: 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

Critic reviews

"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 Wonderful Story

Thoroughly enjoyed this book and didn't want to stop listening. A feel good entertaining book.

Loved it!

I found the book to be nicely written with a captivating story with a good reader. Kept me busy looking for household chores just to keep listening.

Good summer read!

As an Italian American myself with roots in Sicily I can say this book was very entertaining and nostalgic. the history of the women in Sicily , the mysteries surrounding Serafina and Sera’s journey all kept me interested. I liked the ending too.

Clever Mystery and Fascinating Historical Fiction

4.25 stars for the Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza. This was a super fun and quick read for me! It's told in dual timelines (1908 & current day) and begins with the main character, Sara, inheriting a property in Sicily from her beloved Aunt Rosie. Upon arriving in Sicily she also learns that her deceased Aunt had other plans for bequeathing this property to her which include uncovering what happened to her mother, Serafina, decades ago in Sicily where she was murdered and the case was never solved. Sara, a chef and divorcee, has little interest in anything other than selling the property to pay for lawyers and retain custody of her daughter but becomes entangled in the story of what happened to her Great Aunt Serafina and the mystery is slowly unraveled. I loved all of the historical aspects about Sicily especially the cultural and political bits and how this little island was forced to become part of Italy in 1861. The mafia and the mines and farmers were all worked into the story with a deft touch and it felt very natural. The mystery of what happened to Serafina kept me turning the pages and built a lot of tension in the read. I thought the characters both present day and past to be colorful and affecting. One of the main themes of the book is what it is like to be a mother and want something more for yourself and the sacrifices mother's make for their children. I have huge respect for how the author wove that into the story. I only deducted a star because I personally would have changed something in the ending but I can almost bet most readers will be satisfied with it the way it is. Really exceptional read and one of my favorite books this year!

Such a great story!

I was hooked right away. Loved the characters in this story. Unexpected and so good.

Historical Sicilian Woman

Very good story about the struggles,warmth and strength of all the Sicilian woman in that era.. and the the writer brings it into view with present time ancestral view‼️❣️🇮🇹

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.

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!!!👏👏👏