I am a big fan of Lisa Scottoline and she never disappoints.
This was not one of my favorites but still kept me intrigued enough to keeping reading and I enjoyed the twists and turns.

I have always been a fan of Lisa Scottoline and was super excited to receive this ARC. So first off I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me a copy in exchange for my honest review. This book is a historical fiction and really kept me engaged the entire time. I enjoy books about the mafia and this one was no exception. It did have me researching the Sicilian mafia and their role in Italy during this time period. The characters were very well developed and while the story was different than her normal writing style, I still very much enjoyed it. I would highly recommend this book and will be buying a physical copy once its released.

Getting a chance to review a Lisa Scottoline novel was like winning the lottery. Instead of another one of her thrillers, “Loyalty” gives us a peek into Italian history with a dramatization of the early days of the Sicilian mafia.

When the novel opens, we discover that a child, Dante, has been kidnapped and left at a madhouse. The kidnapper may or may not have been Franco who manages a lemon grove but hoping to own his own grove, might be willing to do anything to make that happen. Further, Gaetano is attorney and a member of Beati Paoli, a secret society, who seeks to find the boy. Meanwhile, Lucina born to Mafalda, is deemed evil, even though her mother believes she is God’s greatest gift.

Yes, there is a lot going on, and I have only touched the surface. Readers of her legal thrillers might be a little frustrated with the pace of this book as well as the number of characters and plots. While this is a slow read, especially in the beginning, and you wonder where the novel is headed, there is a payoff. Ultimately, you will enjoy the journey Scottloine takes you on. I especially appreciated the picturesque details she gives of Silicy. I could easily imagine myself there.

My thanks to the publisher, Lisa Scottoline and NetGalley for this intriguing book.

This book is so different from the writing style in Scottoline's What Happened to the Bennet's? that I almost couldn't believe I was reading something from the same author.

I found it a bit challenging to get into the story and plot but I was happy to have finished it for the purpose of this review. Thanks to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy.

It's always amazing to read and be transported to another country and Scottoline does this when she takes us on a thriller ride to Sicily with her new book Loyalty. It is an intense historical novel which isn't my usual genre.

Scottoline’s latest had me hooked from the first scene. Set in Palermo, Sicily in 1810, the book opens with a shocking kidnapping that sets in motion a chain of events involving several seemingly unrelated groups of people. The kidnapping has a devastating ripple effect on all of them and ultimately alters the history of the region.

Scottoline’s deep research is evident as she describes the intricacies of Sicily at the time. The fishing village, the customs, the sea patterns, etc. I was completely transported to the Sicily of the early 1800’s and I loved it! We follow the events leading to the rise of the Sicilian mafia and it’s a riveting read.

Like good historical fiction does, this one had me looking up information to try to decipher what is based in fact. The Royal madhouse of Palermo?! Was that a real place? Did the Sicilian mafia really start in farming regions of Palermo? Be sure to read the Authors Note at the end. Very interesting and it will save you some time flipping back and forth looking stuff up while reading.

Some scenes were a bit melodramatic and I found the writing a bit choppy in places, but I still gobbled it up. I was sad when it was over. If you like historical fiction, be sure to preorder this one. 👍🏻

Thank you to NetGalley and GP Putnam Sons for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another best seller from Lisa Scottoline! I found this different than many of her other books and wasn't sure if I would enjoy it but I did get caught up in the story and really liked it! The book is filled with the history of Sicily-a lot of research went into this novel. There are many characters but it all weaves together and is truly a very enjoyable book. Will definitely recommend. Thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Scottoline and ‎G.P. Putnam's Sons for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Lisa Scottoline has really turned me into a fan! I loved every page of this one., It was fast-paced and kept my mind occupied!

I always enjoy reading Lisa Scottoline’s novels. I have to admit that I’m still unsure of this one.
The beginning was very confusing with so many characters that didn’t seem connected. I almost gave up at that point. I did continue though, mainly to understand their connection.
I didn’t really care for the characters and some were just plain evil. But the sign of a good author is that she hooked my interest. I needed to know the connection.
So if you start this novel, please don’t give up. The answers will surprise you.
I will give Ms Scottoline 5 stars but only 3 for the book.

When I decided I wanted to read this book I was expecting a storyline similar to those in the other books I have read from this author. This book was completely different. Although a decent read it did not meet the quality of her previous works.

Loyalty is historical fiction imagining the early days of the Sicilian Mafia. Several character threads are used to weave an intricate story, and although a lot to manage at the beginning, the story becomes more clear and engaging as it moves along. I struggled a bit at first keeping track of the characters, but once it all clicked I was engrossed in this novel. I associated Lisa Scottoline with mystery and thrillers, but it seems as though she has ventured into historical fiction and I think this is a solid shift.
Thanks to Net Galley and GP Putnam Sons for an advanced copy to review!

I will admit this was not my favorite Lisa Scottoline Book. The story takes place in a time and place that I am unfamiliar with, but was interested in learning more of the period. The book follows MANY characters and at first the reader does not see how the characters are intertwined. By the end of the book all the lose ends have been tied up in a nice little bow.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

A lot of dynamics at work in this one.

This detailed journey is a tour through Palermo Sicily in the 1800’s woven expertly with fact and fiction.
A little boy, Dante, is kidnapped during the St. Rosalia Festival and tossed into a madhouse, where a bribed guard, Renzo, tells the administrator the child was relinquished by his parents for trying to kill a fictional little brother.
On the outskirts of Palermo, Franco manages a lemon grove for Baron Zito, a crop desired by the British Navy to prevent scurvy, and wants to one day own his own grove. So much that he will do almost anything, including arranging such kidnappings.
We see the rise of the mafia in Sicily through the desires of the not so wealthy. How power and greed corrupt- How the choices made both enhance and affect the people of the town.

This story is a very different type of story for Lisa. Her previous writings that I have read are mostly legal thrillers of mystery. Now she is turning her hand to writing historical fiction, and I couldn't be happier! This was a fascinating inside look at the mafia as it grows in power in Sicily! I also enjoyed reading about a completely different time period in history and a setting that my own ancestors originated from. Lisa is from my hometown and I always gravitate towards her books because of her locations she chooses. It’s very fun to read books where you know road names, landmarks and towns!
I will include, you will need patience before the main characters come together in this one. Try and take your time and absorb the writing and development of Lisa’s characters.
In the front of the book is a list of all of the character names and their positions within the story. Very useful!! This will be your guide.
Thank you to #NetGalley, the publishers and Lisa for extending me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

Another outstanding book by this very talented author who started off with legal fiction and has come up with a historical novel set in 1810 in Italy. The story begins with the introduction of the multiple characters who eventually will tie everything together,
Dante a young boy 0f 5 or 6 gets kidnapped at a festival and is sold by a man who profits by this and he is the main focus of this book. He is shackled in his cell and he endures this horrible life until his teenage years when a new administrator takes over the mental facility. He falls in love, sets out to find his family and makes peace with the life that he has lived up to this point.
Rich descriptions of the people, places and events make this such a great read that I am happy to recommend. I look forward to many more great books in the future by Lisa Scottoline.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This book has a lot of storylines in the beginning, with a lot of names and places, I was ready to give up around 25%. Stick with it though, and it all comes together quickly to finish as a strong story.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Catalans, a lawyer must find Dante, a little boy who was kidnapped.
Franco, who was to kidnap Dante was to murder him but instead took him to the mental asylum.
Why was he asked to kidnap and murder the child? What will happen to Dante? Can he escape?
A shocking story if Nadia control, family secrets, and love.

Always a good story and sucks you in right away. I really enjoyed the book and really appreciate the advance read. Thanks

An absolute breathtaking journey of love, loss, choices and of course, Loyalty.

This immersive journey is a tour through Sicily in the 1800’s woven expertly with fact and fiction.

You see the rise of the mafia in Sicily through the ambitions of the not so wealthy. How power and greed corrupt absolutely. How the choices made both enhance and incumber the people of this small town.

Boys are being kidnapped from the wealthy. Dante is kidnapped and placed in a madhouse, left at just 6 years old with the raving mad. His abuse and torture is brutal. More boys disappear and only one man (a lawyer) is compelled through his faith to find them… no matter the cost. (And the costs are high for him and the boys.)

You’ll meet Lucia and Mufalada, forces from their home since Lucia is born albino. The town believes her a curse and Mufalda chooses to flee and live off the land in order to raise her child she believes has been sent from God as a blessing, not a curse.

When all these players in the book converge, death and destruction, love and forgiveness and justice and revenge is exacted.

This is a fast paced, brilliantly written, breathtaking experience of Sicily, its beautiful lemon groves, and the rise of the mafia. Loyalty, it’s a blessing and a curse.

I can’t give enough praise for this novel set to be released in March of 2023.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the publishers and author for extending me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. This is one you truly will not want to miss!

My full review will be posted to all my social media, blogs and retail sites on release day.

This is definitely not your average modern day courtroom Lisa Scottoline book. So before you read it, get any expectations out of your mind and then enjoy the throwback to old school Italy! I will say it was a lot of characters to keep up with...

1810 Palermo, Sicily:

A little boy, Dante, is kidnapped during the St. Rosalia Festival procession and tossed into a madhouse, where a bribed guard, Renzo, tells the administrator the child was relinquished by his parents for trying to kill a fictional little brother.

On the outskirts of Palermo, Franco Fiorvanti manages a lemon grove for Baron Zito, a crop desired by the British Navy to prevent scurvy, and wants to one day own his own grove. So much that he will do almost anything, including arranging such kidnappings.

Gaetano Catalano is a lawyer and a member of Beati Paoli, a secret society trying to stop those preying on children.

Mafalda gives birth to a long awaited baby, Lucia, on the same night that her fisherman husband, Turi, is the sole survivor of a shipwreck. The villagers think he and Mafalda made a deal with the devil and they deem that Lucia, a very light-skinned (maybe even albino but with blue eyes) baby is cursed as a result.

Alfredo is a cheese maker who considers his 4 unusual goats his daughters and has a family secret that will most likely die with him.

Dante starves in prison; Gaetano loses his job; Mafalda and Lucia become homeless; Alfredo loses the ability to feed his goats. Only Franco, the kidnapper, seems to thrive until he asks for the hand of the ungrateful Baron’s daughter…. How do these stories get intertwined in the end? Does the storyline keep getting darker?

This is not a typical Lisa Scottoline Rosato & Associates novel or legal thriller.

You need patience before the main characters come together. Ms. Scottoline’s books tend to run over 400 pages (no page count was supplied), so the storyline moves deliberately, with Gaetano’s quest getting the most attention since it will be the thread that weaves the others together. It’s almost at the two-thirds mark when the book jumps 15 years into the future and the individual stories start to overlap. I loved the richness of the Sicilian settings and I could easily envision lemon groves and gardens, but I became slightly impatient waiting for the story to become one narrative instead of five. Ms. Scottoline’s talent is evident since she did entice me to keep reading to the conclusion. 4 stars.

Thank you to G.P. Putnam/Penguin Group and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO The characters of “Loyalty” have eyes the color of hazelnuts or chestnuts.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): YES/NO Lemon groves are featured as the yellow jewels of the Golden Basin (Conca d’Ora).