As an Italian American, I felt it was important for me to read this story. It's intertwined into the history of my people and the deadliest mass shooting in Italian history. I grew up listening to stories told by my grandparents of the struggles they faced during the war. The Marzabotto massacre was deadly to over 700 men, women, and children and is a heartbreaking event in our history. This book follows the story of two survivors, one Italian woman and one American POW, and how they come to terms with what happened on Monte Sole in 1944.

I applaud Eoin Dempsey for capturing this in his book and I can tell that he did his research. I found it interesting that he chose to expand beyond the actual event and show the PTSD and trauma following the event for the main characters. While I do think the depth of the characters could have been better developed, I recognize that this wasn't the main point of the novel. I wanted so badly to feel a deeper connection with the characters and more in tune with their emotions and feelings, but I felt like there was a wall that I just couldn't break down. Despite not feeling an attachment to the characters, the ending of the book was one that left me feeling fulfilled. As the characters themselves came to terms with what happened, it felt like an appropriate ending to a heartbreaking event.

I also want to note that I think it's great that Dempsey didn't dwell on the romance or relationship budding between the main characters. I often feel like some historical fiction novels put this aspect into books when there doesn't need to be any inclusion of it. Dempsey handled this well and it fit right in without taking away from the main point of the book.

I recommend this story to lovers of historical fiction, especially if you're interested in stories set during WWII and that explore the long term effects of war-induced trauma. Just take note that the book is pretty graphic when going into the details of the massacre, which is necessary to not forget about this point in history, but is hard to read nonetheless.

Absolutely stunning book. There is an echo left in my heart from reading this thank you for sharing it and bringing me into what felt like a very personal and emotional world

The Longest Echo by Eoin Dempsey is an intriguing story based on an horrific massacre that occurred during WW2. The story is told from the point of view of a US pow James Foley who escaped from detention and continued the fight against the Nazis. The tragedy that James witnessed and the story of his escape with Liliana is remarkable.

The later events that took place in the second half of the book 12 years later and the characters seem to lack realism or mystery for me.

Set in the small Italian village of Monte Sole in 1944 amid the occupation, Liliana Nicoletti lived with her family – parents, two sisters, grandparents, cousins, aunt and uncle – until the day the Nazis arrived, and one of the biggest massacres of the war was perpetrated. The men hid in the hills while the women and children took shelter in their church, sure they were safe. Led by an SS man named Werner Brack, he ordered the murder of everyone in the church. The cemetery at Casaglia bore witness to that horrible day – only one person survived…

POW James Foley had escaped the camp, eventually finding shelter in the Nicoletti barn, from where they moved him on to the local partisans. He was in the mountains above Monte Sole on the day of the massacre, escaping with the other partisans when they saw what was happening. James was instrumental in saving Liliana and together they made their way, through enemy lines, to join the Allies.

Twelve years later in New York, Liliana and James met again. James was a journalist, writing on Nazi atrocities, while Liliana was newly widowed, obsessed with what had happened in the war and needing retribution. What would be the outcome as they joined forces to search for the monsters who had escaped punishment?

The Longest Echo is the second I’ve read by Eoin Dempsey and it was exceptional. Powerful, heartbreaking and incredibly moving, the pages basically turned themselves. Inspired by true events – which is heartbreaking in itself – Dempsey thanks the historian of the Monte Sole Peace School as he tells of his humbling visit to the area. Written with great depth and compassion, The Longest Echo will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

The Longest Echo by Eoin Dempsey was such a difficult read and not in the fun, it kind of broke me way that I expected.

The plotline seemed pretty interesting. Italy, World War II, Liliana comes across an American soldier, James, who is trying to find his way to the Partisans who are fighting the Nazis. Twelve years later, Liliana is a young widow on the hunt for the Nazi who slaughtered her entire family. She enlists James, now a journalist based in New York, to help her.

At first, this book was okay, but then it got into a bit of a rut where it was so focused on dialogue that it felt like I was reading a script or a screenplay which was fine except I was spending half of my reading time trying to figure out who was speaking. It just got to a point where I was struggling a lot to get through it.

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The Longest Echo is based on true events, the Marzabotto Massacre that took place just before the Allied troops came to control the region.

I love historical fiction and have been on a bit of a binge read of this genre lately. This was definitely a good one that even educated me on events that happened in Italy during the war that I did not even know. I loved the characters and could feel the emotions that they felt in every page.

Highly recommend this and hve just added it to my books to buy list.

Many thanks to Net Galley, Lake Union Publishing, and the author, Eoin Dempsey, fir the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book.

Occupied Italy, 1944: In the mountain regions South of Bologna, Liliana Nicoletti's family find escaped POW James Foley behind German lines. Committed to the anti-Fascist cause, they deliver him to a band of local partisans. But when the SS launches a brutal attack against the Resistance, Liliana's peaceful community is destroyed. James and Liliana fight toghther as Monte Sol burns. Twelve years later, fate reunites Liliana (newly widowed) and James who is now a journalist for a New York magazine. They join forces to hunt down the SS officer who ordered her family to be killed.

This story is based on true events, the Marzabotto Massacre that took place justbefore the Allied troops came to control the region. Liliana and James had to flee the country. They are both still haunted by the events that took place in Monte Sol. I was drawn into this story straight away, learning more about our history as i read. I did prefer the first part of the story, but overall, it's a really good read.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #LakeUnionPublishing and the author #EoinDemosey #TheLongestEcho for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a riveting book about a horrific time in history, the slaughter of innocent civilians in Italy by the Nazis. The first part of the book was about the massacre, and it is also about great courage and heroics. The second part of the book takes place after the war, as two of the survivors embark on a quest to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice. There are parts of this book that are very difficult to read, as the author pulls no punches when describing the crimes that were committed. But in the end this is a compelling book that sheds light on a forgotten part of history, and the bravery and resilience of those who survived.

It's 1956 and Liliana wants revenge for what Werner Beck did to her village in the mountains of Italy during WWII. She finds James, an American she rescued during the war (who later rescued her) in New York, where he's working as a journalist and together they embark on the hunt for Beck, who is now living in Argentina. This is well titled- what Beck did lingers in the mind. Liliana can't forget it but is what she plans appropriate? It will make you think. She's a good character and the storytelling is smooth. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of historical fiction.

Many thanks to Net Galley, Lake Union Publishing, and the author, Eoin Dempsey, fir the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book.
This is, by far, one of the best books I have read in a long time. I was brought into the moment of the tragedies and struggles of the people who lived in this small mountain town just south of Bologna, Italy.
The characters and events were wonderfully developed. This story is based on events that transpired during World War II and the years that followed.
After reading this book, I feel highly encouraged to read additional works by this author.
A wonderful book!

I loved this story. Lilliana and James meet during war. They do all they can to save the lives of her family. Reunited years later the story turns into a story of revenge, forgiveness, and growth. The history and research are incredible and I’m heartbroken for the lives lost in Monte Sole.

I love historical fiction and this was a good one. Fictional characters are based on true events. The story takes place in Monte Sole, a small village near Bologna, during the Nazi occupation. Local Partisans are on the move, and have killed enemy troops, resulting in Nazi threats of death to any villager that helps them.
James, an escaped American POW joins up with the Partisans, hoping to connect with allied troops in the area. He is separated from the Partisans during a ambush, and aids the escape of Liliana, a local girl, along with two young boys.
The story evolves to years later, when James, now a journalist, is working to expose the atrocities of Monte Sole, and the Nazi’s that escaped, to live their lives in sympathetic foreign countries.
The author, Eoin Dempsey, did extraordinary research into the Massacre of
Monte Sole and the elimination of an entire village. His characters are fictional, but so reminiscent of the Italian people. This story just gripped my soul, as it will yours.
My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

In Monte Sole, Italy, Liliana’s family find an escaped American POW James Foley. They help him get to the local partisan resistance. But the SS strike a brutal attack against the resistance and locals leaving Liliana and James fleeing to the allied lines.
Years later Liliana and James are reunited. Both are haunted still by Monte Sole and Liliana wants to bring the SS responsible for what happened to justice and James knows how to do it.
The Longest Echo is a story that instantly draws you in and keeps you thinking long after you read it.
I love how you follow James and Liliana through the years and find out how what happened to them both has shaped their life. Despite the time jumps the story flows and is easy to follow.
I really enjoyed the different settings in the book. War ravaged Italy, New York, Argentina and back to America again.
The story is moving and poignant, made more so by the fact the Monte Sole massacre is a true event from the war.
The events here should be something everyone knows and I’m so glad The Longest Echo brings it to more people’s attention.

This novel attempts to chronicle two related historical sagas: an SS massacre women and children in Italy during WWII, and the later escape and settlement in South America of Germans who committed atrocities such as this massacre. The novel is emotionally difficult to read. Sensitive readers might want to pass on this book.

I wanted to like this book, but it fell flat for me. The characters didn't grab me or earn my sympathy. The main female character in particular impressed me as bent on revenge and not much more. The latter part of the book also seemed rushed and insubstantial. I think the material needed either a much more developed and longer novel or a focus on either one saga or the other.

Recommended if you're interested in WWII in Italy. Otherwise, this book is heavy on violence and light on character and plot.

This was a very good book. It starts out during the War in Italy. Liliana is the main heroine of the story. The story travels the world and ends in the United States. James is the male hero of the story. I don’t recall any foul language or sex in the book. I do recall staying up late to find out what happened next and reading a lot during the day. Family is very important to the story. I don’t want to get into the story a lot but, I think just about anyone would find it riveting and a page turner. I will be looking for another book by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

Could This Happen Again?

The Massacre of Monte Sole is an event in history that I had never heard of before. This is a book written about that time in history. The murder of over 700 civilians by Nazi troops in a few days in the fall of 1944 in a community in Italy should never be forgotten and should never be repeated. These were Italian civilians , women and children, murdered in cold blood by the Nazi's in retaliation of the activity of the partisan resistance group called Stella Rossa.

The Story in the Longest Echo is a fictional story written about this historical massacre. The Characters are realistic. The Italian girl Liliana and her family, the resistance leader Lupo and the escaped American soldier James. As these groups interact with each other and the Nazi's during this time an amazing story unfolds. The courage of Liliana, James and her father is admirable. The story after the war and the hunt for the Nazi that killed her family is totally believable.

It was a riveting story from the escape of Liliana and James to the fear on the Nazi's face in Argentina when Liliana confronts him for his crimes during the war. The stories in between of both James and Liliana are such a great read.

You can feel the bullets whizzing in the air and you can feel the pain of Liliana watching as her family is shot down by the Nazi's , the horror she is feeling is astronomical. Image being a young teenage girl , buried beneath dead people listening to the dying breaths of her mother, sisters and aunts . I could also feel the fear in the face of the Nazi when Liliana found him in Argentina, the sweat on his face, and his knowledge of what was about to happen to him.

This book was a page turner and another five star book for Eoin Dempsey. I would definitely recommend this book.

Thanks to Eoin Dempsey, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

The Longest Echo follows Liliana, an Italian, and James, an American soldier, from the end of WWII through the 1980s. The first 100 pages of The Longest Echo are action packed. Fueled by the strength and will to survive, you feel the urgency and determination of the characters. As the story progresses past the war, we learn more about the characters background. While James' story during the 50s was strong, I wanted a little more of Liliana. 

The ending action felt anti-climatic in comparison to the well developed beginning. It was quick and I would have loved more time spent on the climax considering the build up. The ending of the novel, another two decades later, was so touching and the perfect way to wrap up the story.

Read if you like:
-  Action heavy historical fiction
-  Characters you can't help but root for
-  WWII from a unique lens

My rating:

Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 3 out of 5 stars
Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

Historical Fiction


Review:

This book tells the powerful and heartbreaking story of the WII attack on Monte Sole by the Germans in September 1944 which is a true story. The plot centers on Liliana a local girl who lives on the mountain with her family and James Foley an escaped POW who is looking to join the partisans. The strength of the book is the way it tells the story of a relatively unknown historical event. The true events and the people involved were very well researched and the writing was clear with great attention to detail. Sadly the fictional characters didn’t really come to life; the writing was very to the point almost a bit detached at times. The plot was set up around a clear timeline of historical events rather than through the actions and interactions between the main characters. This made the characters appear a bit impassive.


Overall:

This book tells the story of a important little known WII event. The book is well written and researched. The horrors of war are never an easy subject to read or write about but it’s important that the stories are told and this book does it in a well structured way.

This is an incredibly moving, magnificently written, story of horrible things that happened to the people of Monte Sole during World War II. Eoin Dempsey weaves this tale, based on true events, in a way to evoke all the feelings of fear, outrage, loss, love, and survival is so many different forms associated with the atrocities that historically took place. This is masterfully crafted and although it cannot change the past, perhaps it will make us think about the future. It is a beautiful tribute to those who lived and died during this time, especially keeping the memories of what happened alive of those who lost their lives. I have always enjoyed Eoin’s writing and this, although not my favorite story of his, may be his best work I have read. Thank you NetGalley, Eoin Dempsey, and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this story.

I read a lot of WW2 historical fiction, so I wasn’t really expecting to learn anything new from The Longest Echo. I’m so glad I was wrong! This book tells the story of the Marzabotto Massacre, which occurred in Italy in 1944, just before Allied troops came to control the region. During this massacre, at least 700 civilians were murdered by SS troops. The novel follows Lilianna and James, two people significantly impacted by the violence of one man’s devastating orders to kill the entire town. James, an escaped American POW, is helped by Lilianna’s family in the Italian countryside just days before their brutal murder. After the devastating event, The Longest Echo follows James and Lilianna’s lives apart, their reunion, and their trip to Argentina to hunt for the man who called the shots that fateful day. I truly enjoyed this fast paced historical fiction, and thought it was fascinating to read a couple of chapters that exposed the Nazi perspective of the brutal war cruelties. Such a good read!