Author Jo Piazza weaves a captivating multigenerational mystery, inspired by her own family, that spans over a century and two powerful women. Sara Marsala, reeling from the collapse of her business and marriage, finds an unexpected lifeline in her great-aunt Rosie’s passing. Armed with a plane ticket to Sicily, and a deed to family land, she sets off on the adventure of a lifetime. There she discovers a shocking family secret. Contrary to family lore, Sara’s great-grandmother Serafina didn’t die of illness—she was murdered.
As Sara traces Serafina’s story through the picturesque yet perilous Italian countryside, she uncovers more than just her family’s roots. Serafina was a strong-willed woman who defied societal norms in the early 1900s, and her defiance had deadly consequences. Sara’s modern-day investigation echoes her great-grandmother’s struggles, putting her in direct danger from the same forces that silenced Serafina.
The novel’s dual timeline builds suspense as Sara races to uncover the truth, facing the theft of her passport, a kidnapping, and local corruption. Piazza masterfully contrasts the challenges of 1900s Sicilian women left behind while their husbands sought fortunes in America with Sara’s own battles against modern-day discrimination and deceit.
With rich descriptions of Sicilian landscapes and a tight plot full of twists, The Sicilian Inheritance keeps readers hooked until the very end. This atmospheric, smart, and heart-pounding novel will equally enchant fans of historical fiction, and suspense. 4 stars.
** Thanks to the publisher for a comp of this book. The opinions are my own.