A little different from the usual Lisa Scottoline thrillers, this story follows Julia as she is failing to recover after her husband was murdered in front of her. Almost reclusive, with only best friend Courtney for company, her world changes when she receives notice of an inheritance in Tuscany, Italy.

She has inherited a villa and a fortune from Emilia Rossi - someone completely unknown to her. As she was adopted, she wonders if this person is connected to her birth family? Julia heads to Tuscany, and soon becomes embroiled in some dark situations. A local real estate agent is pushing her to sell the villa, she is being followed, she has dark hallucinations at night. What is going on?

She befriends a local librarian, who is then seriously injured in an accident. Is Julia cursed? There is a lot more astrology and clairvoyance involved in this plot than I expected, which I found a little weird. Especially as the locals in Italy seem to just accept that as reasonable considering Julia's behavior.

However, this was a fast paced and intricate plot, and it kept me very interested as we follow Julia's path in finding out the truth about her family, and who murdered her husband. A lot of twists and turns that I didn't expect!

I listened to the book and the narrator did a good job in keeping the sense of tension throughout the book. She voiced the different characters well, and made it easy to follow.

This one was one I hated to put down whenever I couldn't keep listening. Julia feels cursed after her husband's murder and then she learns she has inherited a Tuscan villa and vineyard and she heads to Italy in search of answers, as she is also adopted, so this could be related to her birth mother. There ends up being a lot of mayhem, both paranormal and criminal, and I loved the unraveling of not just Julia, but all of it. Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for a chance to listen to this one early in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Stars

This started out with a bang. Julia's husband gets murdered and then she finds out she's been left a large inheritance and a villa in Italy. While still reeling from her husband's death, Julia goes to Italy to claim the inheritance and find out who might have left it to her. While there though, things start getting complicated and Julia's life might be in danger too.

This was a solid mystery, just a little slow moving (the middle) for my tastes. If you enjoy a good mystery with some suspense and action sprinkled in or you're a fan of Lisa Scottoline's other books, you're going to really enjoy this one.

The audio narration was excellent making this a great listen that was easy to follow. I will say that I've never listened to a book that uses the interjection "Argh" so much though - so be ready for that. It's not excessive, it's just something I picked up on and every time I heard it, it made me smile.

Julia is suffering the loss of her adoptive parents when her husband is murdered in front of her. She is trying to navigate life with all her losses when she receives notification that she has inherited a villa and large amount of money in Italy from a lady she has never met or ever even heard of.

Was this lady family? Could this lead to answers about who her biological mother is? She decides to embark on this new adventure in a different country with hopes of finding answers. As she starts to as questions, secrets begin to be uncovered.

This book kept me intrigued, the twists and turns kept me wanting to more.

The narrator did a great job with this audio. She did fabulous with all the different characters and the Italian accent. I would definitely listen to more by this narrator in the future.

Thank you to Hachette Audio for allowing me to listen to this early audiobook copy to leave my honest review.

This is to be released on July 15th

All opinions of this book are my own

4.5 stars! My only complaint is it was SLIGHTLY predictable- but much of the plot did surprise me. I was hooked from the beginning and I was given just enough each chapter to pique my curiosity. I loved the bits of Italian history included and the characters were developed well. I was rooting for Julia and enjoyed hearing her story. Thank you to NetGalley for letting me listen to an advanced copy.

Lisa Scottoline does it again! This is a terrific summer read with lots of twists and turns. Julia unexpectedly inherits a villa in Tuscany and goes there to find out the details and potential answers about her husband's recent murder. I enjoyed “unraveling” all the details of the mystery with the touches of history, astrology and adoption.

Maria Marquis is fantastic at voicing different characters, which enhances the story and keeps the pacing moving along at a steady pace.
The ending works and will stay with you.

Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for this terrific audiobook.

I quite enjoyed this one! It came across as a well layered, interwoven thriller. Great delivery. I called one of the reveals early but it didn’t affect my enjoyment, being part of something much bigger.

Enjoyed the audio. Maria Marquis did a fantastic job with the numerous characters. It easily sounded like multiple narrators.

The paranormal elements added depth to the story and fit well for me.

Recommend-yes.

This was my first Scottoline book so I wasn’t sure what to expect but I’ll definitely read more!

This will make a great read for ‘U’ for the Alphabet Challenge readers!

With thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the advance listening copy.

Very much enjoyed this listen. The intrigue kept me guessing and listening. I liked this a lot. I thought that the plot was believable and the twists and turns felt authentic. Which sometimes is lost in thrillers these days. The conclusion felt satisfying and it made the perfect summer read. I would definitely recommend.

Scottoline tends to be hit or miss for me. This one I found to be mediocre. It starts off strong with a surprise inheritance worth millions to a random woman, Julia. We follow Julia to the beautiful Tuscan countryside of Italy as she works out the background behind the mansion and inheritance that she has been given.

It was okay, it seemed to take some elements for another popular books (spoiler if shared) regarding the home, and overall it didn't keep me connected to the story.

One thing I do love about Scottoline is her love for Italy and taking us there to enjoy the culture and land.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the gifted ALC.

I was a little nervous going into a story about an inherited villa, as I already thought I had the plot figured out. I was surprised with the twists and turns, and to find that my assumptions on the plot were incorrect! There was good character development for the main character too. Lots of growth in really challenging circumstances. I enjoyed the narrator’s voice for the audiobook as well. This story was hard to put down and had me thinking about it when I wasn’t actively listening to it!

Friends, this book was a complete mess. It wasn’t awful, but I wouldn’t recommend it beyond a one-time “oh, you’re looking for something somewhat silly and nonsensical” recommendation. The main character’s erratic behavior makes sense given her past experiences, but it just comes across as amusing/frustrating depending on the situation. Despite this, I managed to finish the entire book.

I also find it challenging to write reviews, so I’m unsure how to criticize someone who writes entire books. 😂

The narrator was excellent, but the story itself was a bit too much and too little for my taste.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance audiobook copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Julia had a good life in spite of some basic sadness. But then her beloved husband was randomly murdered beside her and there was nothing she could do. She became wrapped too tight in deep sadness and isolated herself despite the best efforts of her BFF. When a totally unexpected inheritance comes to her from a mysterious woman in Tuscany, she gathers herself to go there and find what there is to know. Now things get really convoluted and intense. There is astrology, historical integration, finding the facts of her adoption, and a very current conspiracy. Unputdownable!
Voice actor Maria Marquis ably demonstrates her skills and abilities of interpreting the author's work.
I requested and received a temporary advanced listener copy from Hachette Audio | Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley. ***** review
#TheUnravelingofJulia by @lisascottoline narrated by Maria Marquis @soundslikemarquis #NetGalley @hachetteaudio #goodreads #bookbub #storygraph #librarything @barnesandnoble @kobobooks @booksamillion @#bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk @grandcentralpub #atmospheric #eerie #lies #childhoodtrauma #orphanedtwice #adopted #witnessedhusbandmurder #grief #grieving #secrets #inheritance #tuscanvilla #ptsd #psychologicalthriller #astrology #drama #ancestry #mysterious

This review is totally my comments and not the publishers.
The narration was great and gave each voice their own distinct identity. The plot and subplots made the mystery more suspenseful and unpredictable until the end. A well written mystery in two countries as it was in Philadelphia and Tuscany.

The Unraveling of Julia was a captivating and refreshing listen—quite different from what I’ve come to expect from Lisa Scottoline, in the best possible way. The audiobook added a rich layer to the experience, especially given the Italian names and pronunciations, which I imagine might have been a bit more challenging in print.

From the start, the character development was strong, drawing me into the story and keeping me engaged throughout. While a few chapters dipped slightly in pace, they quickly regained momentum and kept me turning the virtual pages.

I would absolutely recommend this book—particularly the audiobook version—as I believe the narration significantly enhanced the overall impact and emotional depth of the story.

This one had a lot going on gothic mystery, astrology, family secrets, Tuscan villas, romance, and a possible descent into madness. I was intrigued by the premise (who wouldn’t want to inherit a mysterious Italian vineyard?), and Julia’s unraveling did keep me reading. But while the suspense was there, the story sometimes felt tangled rather than twisty.

The astrology thread was interesting but a bit heavyhanded, and some of the reveals leaned more dramatic than believable. I also didn’t quite connect with Julia emotionally, even when the stakes got high. That said, the setting was beautifully atmospheric, and the whole “suspense with a passport” vibe really delivered.

Not my favorite from Scottoline, but if you like your thrillers with a side of stargazing and secrets, it’s worth a try

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you prepare for the paranormal this will be a much easier read. Scottoline brings her usual well told murder, crime fiction. Julia Pritzker’s husband is murdered and soon after she is informed that she has inherited a Tuscan villa. Having been adopted Julia is hoping to find some answers about her birth family. It’s a twisty story and keeps you guessing.

The production was top notch. Narrators were exceptional. Thanks Hachette for always bringing your A game.

Lisa Scotoline does it again with twisting, multi-layered mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. Every word of it is masterfully written-don,t miss it.

Great read. The narrator was great and really added to the book. Really enjoyed and will highly recommend this book/audible version to everyone. Thank you for the chance to listen to an advanced copy!

Julia Pritzker is having a rough year. Her husband was murdered, her grief is unraveling her sense of reality, and now she’s inheriting a sprawling villa and vineyard in Tuscany from a woman she’s never even heard of. With no knowledge of her biological family, Julia heads to Italy hoping for answers. What she finds is a legacy of paranoia, a long-dead duchess, and some deeply unsettling similarities between herself and the mysterious Emilia Rossi. Oh, and did I mention she might be cursed? As strange events start stacking up and danger creeps in, Julia is forced to confront whether the truth lies in her bloodline, in the stars, or somewhere much darker.

Spillin’ the Book Tea:
This was my first Lisa Scottoline book, and clearly I’ve been missing out. It gave me everything I didn’t know I wanted in one sitting: secret inheritance, spooky mansion, creepy lineage theories, and a woman losing her grip on reality in the most relatable way. Julia isn’t just dealing with grief; she’s untangling a legacy that could be more than coincidence. Or fate. Or astrology. It’s layered, it’s moody, and honestly, it gave off that delicious "is this happening or is she unraveling?" vibe I live for.

The setting? Total Tuscan escapism with just enough unease to keep your shoulders tense. The plot walks a tightrope between realism and the possibly supernatural, and it does not trip. I stayed hooked the whole time. And let’s not ignore the historical mystery running under it all, giving the story some serious depth without getting too earnest about it. This isn’t a dusty historical lecture. It’s a smart, eerie mystery with emotional stakes and just enough weirdness to make you second-guess every character.

I was also really into the pacing. No drag. No filler. Just steady tension and that growing dread you don’t want to admit you love. The ending? Don’t worry, I’m not spoiling a thing, but let’s just say it sticks the landing. Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the ALC!

The Vibes It Brings:
🍷 Mysterious inheritance
🏚️ Gothic villa atmosphere
🪞 Unsettling family resemblances
🧿 Astrology and fate themes
🇮🇹 Tuscan countryside escapism
👻 Haunting paranoia
🧬 Ancestral secrets
📖 Past and present mystery blend
💔 Widow in emotional freefall
🕵️‍♀️ Woman-digs-into-her-own-origins plot

Narration:
Maria Marquis nailed this one. Her voice carried both the vulnerability and edge Julia needed, and her transition between English and Italian was smooth and believable. You could hear the unraveling in Julia’s voice as things got stranger, and that made the listening experience feel intimate and cinematic. Honestly, her narration added an extra layer of tension I don’t think I would’ve picked up just reading it. Absolute perfection.

TL;DR:
If you like your suspense with a passport, this is it. A lush, twisty escape into grief, legacy, and the kind of spooky inheritance that would send me running.

The following is a review of The Unraveling of Julia audiobook. Thank you to Hachette Audio for the ALC! When Julia Pritzker inherits a Tuscan villa from a mysterious stranger, our troubled protagonist is thrust into a web of secrets, astrology, and ancestry that ties her to a paranoid recluse—and possibly to a legendary Renaissance duchess. The Unraveling of Julia promises suspense and self-discovery in a gothic Italian setting, but delivers something a little different than expected.

Admittedly, it took me some time to become fully invested in this story, as the synopsis that initially drew me in doesn’t quite reflect the book’s actual substance. Though marketed as a thriller, I never felt the heightened tension or anxiety typical of the genre. Instead, the novel reads more as a mystery with elements of conspiracy and emotional drama. Nonetheless, Lisa Scottoline’s writing was solid, as expected from a seasoned author. I especially enjoyed the dialogue and its narration by Maria Marquis. Her Italian accents added a wonderful texture that brought the story to life!

Like many other readers, I found it difficult to connect with the book’s unique emphasis on astrology and the paranormal. These elements didn’t resonate with me, but I think fans of the metaphysical would appreciate this layer of the story. I also struggled with the romantic subplot, which felt rushed. Given how much of the beginning focused on Julia’s grief over her late husband, her quick shift into a new relationship with the “handsome Florentine” felt unconvincing and underdeveloped to me.

Despite these points, I truly found myself enjoying the book by the end. The gradual unraveling of the plot was satisfying and well-crafted, and I was pleasantly surprised by the heartfelt themes of motherhood and family that added an emotional depth I hadn’t anticipated. While The Unraveling of Julia didn’t quite align with my initial expectations, this was an entertaining, well-written story. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy mystery with a spiritual twist and are open to genre-blending narratives exploring grief, identity, and family bonds.