Julia is a young widow, recently made that way by the unexplained, unsolved stabbing murder of her husband on a Philadelphia street. The incident has given her PTSD, made worse by her belief in astrology (and the fact that the horoscope the morning of the murder had warned her about tragedy). Six months later she reads another fateful prediction: “Your luck is going to change today. You are stronger than you know. Trust yourself.” What occurs: a letter from a lawyer in Tuscany arrives, informing Julia that she has inherited an Italian villa with vineyard, from a childless elderly woman, Emilia Rossi (who considered herself a descendant of famed Renaissance noblewoman Caterina Sforza). Julia is an adoptee with no knowledge of her birth family — maybe this inheritance is a clue to her heritage.

There are multiple mysteries to be solved: who was Emilia Rossi? Why did she bequeath her villa (minus all the personal belongings she burned in a bonfire) to Julia? Is this related to Julia’s unknown birth parents? Why are there strange people following her in Italy? Could any of this be related to Mike’s murder?

Lisa Scottoline always creates wonderful main characters and we are quickly invested in Julia’s quest for the truth. Her storytelling is engaging and the story is original and even quirky in spots — with hints of the supernatural and the integration of historical facts. The audiobook is narrated by the very talented Maria Marquis who gives life and versatility to the various characters. I was riveted until the very end! 4.5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Courtney has green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO There’s an interesting description of the effects of the African iboga plant.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Audio and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

This. Book. Was. So. Good. I had to add all those periods for emphasis because I feel that strongly! This is the third creepy Italian villa themed thriller I’ve read over the last year and I just love that theme so much! This one was exciting with some intrigue and plenty of spooky elements. The narration of the audiobook quickly sucked me into the story and really added to my overall experience.

Thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns in the storyline! Scottoline has done it again with a winner!

I don't know how I feel about this book, I think I feel kind of just okay about it.

This story follows Julia a year after her husband has been murdered. Obviously, that makes her a bit of a nervous wreck. Can't imagine who that sort of thing wouldn't impact. But she finds out that she has mysteriously inherited an Italian villa from a woman she has no knowledge of. (And they're supposedly related to what is essentially Italian royalty, so that's cool!)

But when she's in Italy, there's some weird things going on. And she thinks they're somehow connected to her husband's murder.

This book had so much potential in my eyes, but the main character kind of ruined how good I thought this could be. I just didn't like her. She is a very unreliable narrator but I don't know if that was on purpose. I just don't trust her. I don't know if it's because she's seeing things, being super paranoid, her overall personality, or a combination of the above. I just didn't like her as much as I would like to like the main character, the person telling me the story.

And I can totally get behind an unreliable narrator, those are fun. But Julia was just not my kind of person. It's like she wanted everything that was going wrong in her life to go wrong. I don't know.

This kind of reminded me of the book Diavola a bit, but less supernatural.

Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

3-3.5 stars. This book was just ok for me. It kept me entertained and guessing for the most part, but at the same time I found myself checking out from the story more often than I normally would if I were fully engaged.

I had the audiobook on while following along in the ebook copy for this read. I enjoyed the narration by Maria Marquis. I thought she did a great job with her various emotions and shifting tone along with the story. Her accents and male voices were well done, too. They didn’t distract or take me out of the story. It flowed naturally as I was listening.

The premise of a mysterious inheritance was an intriguing plot and what really drew my attention to the book. I know I’m in for a lot of twists and turns when the character has no idea how they’re connected to the place they have inherited. That was definitely true here. The setting was also great for the added paranormal/mystical/vibey atmosphere of the story that was unfolding.

I really struggled to get on board with everything that was ultimately revealed. Without saying too much, it was all a bit too far-fetched and convoluted for me. The romance subplot was also just way too instalove cheesy for me — and romance is my primary genre. I usually love any hint of it where I can get it in a mystery/thriller. This one did nothing for me though.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the eARC and Hachette Audio for the ALC, both via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This was a bit different from previous books that I have read by Lisa Scottoline but still very entertaining. There was a it of a paranormal element with the creepy run down villa in Italy. I didn’t know what to believe, was it haunted or was Julia losing her mind.. or a bit of both.

Julia witnesses her husbands murder on their way home from dinner one night and her life is turned upside down. She becomes a hermit and never leaves the apartment. That is until about 6 months later she learns that she has inherited a large amount of money and a villa in Italy. She has no idea who this woman that has bequeathed her home to her but is interested to find out. Being adopted, could it be her biological family? she sets of to find out and runs into all kinds of dangers.

I really enjoyed the Italian setting, the food, the language, the people. It is somewhere that I have always wanted to visit. Julia had an unhealthy obsession with horoscopes and that did get a little too much at times. But overall a great mystery that is easy to binge. The narrator was fabulous, her Italian accent was beautiful.

Thanks so much to Hachette Audio for my early copy to listen to. Out on July 15th,

3 stars ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

This book definitely had a much stronger start than it did ending which is unfortunate because in the beginning I really enjoyed this book and where it was heading but as the story progressed it started to lose me a bit. The pacing in certain areas was a bit off and hindered the momentum of the story in my opinion.

There was also so much going on yet nothing really happening at the same time through the story that kind of detaches the reader from the story. Not saying it should be thrilling all the time but it’s about having a consistent pace throughout.

Maria Marquis did a real job of bringing to life the story in the pages, I feel like without her I would have taken much longer to get through the book.

Lisa Scottoline is a favorite author of mine. I just finished listening to The Unraveling of Julia and it was a five star read.

I received an arc of this in audiobook form.
Julia's husband was murdered then she gets a letter saying she has inherited a villa, she was adopted and has no idea who the person is. She thinks maybe it could be her biological grandmother so she goes to check it out. She's starts uncovering who her family is and lots of strange things happen. Will she survive finding out all the answers that come with the villa. Such a great read. Thank you netgalley

This was a good audio book! It was easy to follow along while doing my daily activities. The narration was great. It is a fun mystery with lots of twists and turns. I enjoyed the Italy villa setting and the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

I'm loving this journey of personal growth and exploration of the Italian region around Florence Chianti and surrounding area.

Would've loved this even more sans the medium stuff, but there you have it. Despite it, this is a solid mystery with a dash of romance.

It’s been a.long.time. since I’ve read a Lisa Scottoline book, and to date, I have thoroughly enjoyed all the books I’ve read by her. It goes without saying, I was excited to receive an advanced audiobook from Net Galley and Hachette Audio. To my surprise, I regret to say, I was underwhelmed with Scottoline’s newest release, The Unraveling of Julia. Rather than rely on shocking twists, the story built slowly and meaningfully, and revealed its secrets in a way that felt earned.

The Unraveling of Julia was a haunting, slow burn tale that blended tragedy, mystery, and ancestral questioning. Although the pacing was slow, Scottoline delivered an alternately introspective and plot driven story that balanced internal turmoil with external threat. Additionally, Scottoline incorporated mystical elements that added an intriguing layer to this already unique story.

I appreciated how Scottoline crafted Julia as a deeply psychological character—someone whose external mysteries reflected her internal wounds. Julia’s persona was not only complex, it was also emotionally rich. I couldn’t help but have empathy for her after she lost her husband. Julia’s journey was both an external and internal one. Externally, there was the mystery surrounding her inheritance and past—and internally, she struggled with deep psychological turmoil and the loss of her identity. Much like the richly developed protagonist, the Tuscan setting became a character itself-it was rich in atmosphere and secrets. The Tuscan villa and vineyard created a lush backdrop that enhanced the mood and served as a symbol of Julia’s heritage. Tuscany represented Julia’s unknown past and acts as a link to her identity.

Collectively, Julia’s experiences were laced with themes of generational trauma, the impact of grief, and the weight of secrets. All these themes forced Julia to confront deep personal truths and by the end of her journey she was no longer unraveling. She was wiser and bolder.

As much as I liked the above noted aspects, there were a few that I didn’t care for. Above all of my unfavorable criticisms, the overuse of paranormal and astrology elements weighed the heaviest. Typically I don’t care for mystical phenomena, and as a result, I found the horoscopes and paranormal events were heavily relied on and therefore became repetitive and annoying. I also did not favor the various plot threads. There were far too many, which on occasion, veered off from the main plot. Even more, some of the plot threads were a bit too far fetched leading to a disconnect with the story and it diluted what was otherwise a powerful emotional journey.

Altogether, I’m glad to have had the opportunity to read Lisa Scottoline’s latest work. She delivered a slow emotionally resonant story with crafted psychological depth and a richly atmospheric setting. I felt this book is best for readers who enjoy psychological mysteries rendered on mystical elements, repetitive monologue, and an authentic emotional journey.

Thank you to Net Galley and Hachette Audio for an advance audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 ⭐️

Julia thinks she is cursed as she witnessed her husband's death. She turns into a recluse after barely leaving the house for fear something will happen to her. She is believing astrology is telling her the future.

Then she gets a call saying she inherited a villa, land and lots of money from someone in Italy she has never heard of before. She knows she was adopted but could this be a long lost relative. She finds the villa in a state of disrepair and an agent who is quick to push her to sell. In the villa she starts to have visions and bizarre dreams and wondering if she is going crazy. I loved all the super natural elements in the story. She starts to investigate the owner of the villa. She has her best friend show up to try and convince her to come home. This had so many different things going on at once as someone following her was creepy, the house was freaky and scary as strange things happen at night and once you found the secret room. Yikes.

Wasn't sure if the house was haunted or if Julia was losing her mind but it kept me easily entertained. This had so many moving parts that I was happy it was audiobook.

I first want to thank @hachetteaudio for approving me this ALC via @netgalley. I am very honored to have been picked as an advanced listener! This is my very first Lisa Scottoline book and she did NOT disappoint!

~Review~

I am very concerned for my welling bring after listening to this advance listener’s copy (ALC). I was literally biting my nails as I trekked through the twisted suspenseful book. I am a huge fan of psychological thrillers and loved the twists and turns of this book. I really got creeped out by the guy that followed her in that dark hat.

I am glad she found a friend in John (Luca?). I couldn’t really understand the author and maybe it was me listening to it at 2.0x speed. :P

I am really creeped out. This book was a masterpiece. I had to stop listening to it at night because of how dark and suspenseful the audio was! Lisa Scottoline did a wonderful job with the twists and turns. This book hit home a little too much though. I am adopted and also have visited Italy.

I have been getting into thrillers and suspenseful books and this one will probably always live rent free in my head. I probably won’t sleep well for the next few nights.

I was so enthralled all the way up to the very end of the book. I won’t stop recommending this book to thriller readers. Again thank you @hatchetteaudio for approving me for this ALC!

#ALCreviewerr #audiobook #bookreviewer #arcreviewer #bookcommunity #bookaddict #addictedtobooks #bookstagrammer #thriller #thrillerreads #thrillers #suspensefulreads

I requested this solely based on the author as I've seen her on many recommendation lists. I started it and DNF'ed because of the sheer amount of astrology (I assumed it would be a small part). Just couldn't get into it.

After Julia's husband is murdered, she receives notice that she inherited a house and money. Once she moves to Italy to try to find her birth family, she thinks the house may be haunted. There is talk about horoscopes etc in this book. Overall, it seemed to flow well. It's one of those books you can listen to, not catch it all, and still ends up ok. It's not my favorite by Lisa, but it wasn't bad.

The Unraveling of Julia is an emotionally-charged, genre-blending mystery that swept me away—right to the hills of Tuscany.

After witnessing her husband’s shocking murder, Julia is shattered and reclusive. But when a mysterious inheritance surfaces—an Italian villa and millions of euros—she’s pulled into a world far stranger than she ever imagined. Between eerie visions, whispered town secrets, and an unsettling connection to the past, Julia finds herself questioning everything: her sanity, her family history, and who she can trust.

Astrology, ghosts, hidden lineage, and historical intrigue swirl through this story like a Tuscan storm. I was hooked from the start, flipping pages late into the night wondering: Is Julia cursed? Or is someone making sure she unravels?

The vivid setting, unforgettable characters (hello, Gianluca!), and the slow-burn tension made this one unputdownable. And the friendship between Julia and Courtney brought heart to the suspense.

It’s part thriller, part historical mystery, part supernatural puzzle—and entirely captivating.

If you’re craving a twisty, atmospheric read with secrets, stars, and a side of Chianti, don’t miss this one.

The Unraveling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline is a captivating rollercoaster of a mystery that keeps you guessing—and guessing wrong—until the very last page. Julia Pritzker’s life, already on the edge after losing her adoptive parents and her husband, takes a wild detour when she inherits a mysterious villa in Tuscany from a stranger named Emilia Rossi. And what a wild detour it is! From the moment Julia steps into the Italian countryside, the story pulls her—and us—into a labyrinth of eerie parallels, family secrets, and astrological obsessions that are as fun as they are creepy. Rossi’s eccentricities, Julia’s growing paranoia, and the surreal events make for a cocktail of suspense and humor that’s impossible to resist. Scottoline expertly ratchets up the tension with each twist, weaving historical intrigue with modern-day mystery. Just when you think you have the story figured out—bam!—a shocking revelation sends everything spinning into chaos. The characters, especially Julia, are wonderfully flawed and fascinating, making this journey both a thrill and a deeply personal puzzle. If you love a story that combines the allure of Tuscany, a splash of Renaissance history, and enough twists to make your head spin, The Unraveling of Julia is a must-read. Prepare for a wild ride—just don’t forget to look at the stars, because apparently, they hold the secrets to everything.

The Unraveling of Julia is a combination of psychological thriller, paranormal, historical fiction, and women's fiction. It has a little bit of everything and narrated remarkably well by Maria Marquis.

Julia witnesses her husband's brutal murder and then secludes herself in fear of being attacked herself. Both of her adoptive parents are no longer living and her only outlet is talking to her best friend, Courtney. Months after her husband's death, Julia finds out she has inherited a villa in Tuscany from a woman she has never heard of, Emilia Rossi. She wonders if Emilia could be her biological grandmother. She overcomes her fears and travels to Tuscany to search for answers. She has inherited a villa, 40 acres and millions of dollars. While there, it's apparent the people do not want her there and she does not know who to trust. She wonders if her husband's murder and her experiences in Tuscany are related. While reading, the paranormal was a miss for me, but after continuing it all unfolded and made sense. The ending comes together nicely and no question is left unanswered. Well done! 4.5 stars

This book made me want to pour a glass of Chianti and eat Italian cuisine.

I was really worried that this was going to be lame -- but it wrapped up well.



Review copy provided by publisher.