🎧Julia Pritzker thinks she is cursed lost her parents at a young age and then lost her husband right in front of her. Months later she gets a package from an Italian lawyer and found out she was the sole beneficiary which includes 3million euros and a Villa of 75 acres. So she flies to Italy to claim her villa, etc. but she wants to know who Emilia Rossi was. That’s two mysteries she needs to unwind with her friend Caroline.

I enjoyed this standalone mystery with the subplots of how one goes on through grief and get back out there also after a tragedy.

The narrator was Maria Marquis and I thought she was excellent on this audiobook.

Julia Pritzker believes her life is curse, her adopted parents have passed, her husband was murdered and is she now living a reclusive life. She is mourning her husband and is sorting out how to move forward and she is barely holding on.

Julia receives news that she is an heir to Emilia Rossi and is receiving a villa and large fortune. Julia has no idea who this is or why named she is in the will. Against her better judgment she agrees to a visit to villa and flies across the world to sort the will out with the lawyer managing the estate.

Julia is not there long before things start to go wrong and she is in a fight to survive and get to the bottom of who Emilia was and why this curse began.

Thank you to NetGalley for an early review of the book.

🎧Julia doesn’t have much family now that her adoptive parents are gone. She endures a horrible encounter while walking with her husband. Her husband is subsequently killed by the suspect and now she is even more distraught. Then, she is notified that she has inherited an Italian villa and a bundle of cash worth millions.

🎧She takes off to Italy to investigate this inheritance, as she has no idea who this person is that willed this to her. Once in Italy, she and her best friend, Courtney, begin trying to figure this out. The deceased, Emilia Rossi, is supposedly related to her or why would this stranger have left her millions? No one has answers and all of the townspeople have nothing to share with Julia. Emilia wasn’t well known or liked, for that matter.

🎧As Julia begins to experience some emotional paranormal happenings, things begin to make sense to her. Astrology has its place in the story and I think it is used well; I liked it. I like all of the characters and feel that Scottoline has an especially great knack with character development. All of her books begin with the reader knowing who the characters are from the beginning. Characters are the most important thing to me when reading a book.

🎧This story is so different than her others and it is a pleasant surprise. Being transported to Italy was fun. I felt like I hitched a ride with Julia! The narration was so good too! Maria Marquis was spot on with how I imagined the characters would sound if this was a movie. The feelings of the characters penetrated my mind with such impact.

🎧Another fabulous book by Scottoline. She is a master storyteller! One of my top authors. Thank you to Hachette Audio and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC of this book.

The Unraveling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline is a twisty and atmospheric story about grief, identity, and feeling like your life is out of your control. Julia has already lost her adoptive parents, and when her husband is murdered, she starts to spiral, especially after realizing her horoscope basically predicted it. Things get even stranger when she inherits a villa in Tuscany from a total stranger and heads there looking for answers. What she finds is a creepy connection to a paranoid woman who thought she was descended from a Renaissance duchess, and Julia starts noticing some eerie similarities between them. I really enjoyed this book. It kept me hooked the whole way through, and the audio was really well done.

This book was not at all what I had expected. I loved the horoscope reference and influence in this book, I can’t say I’ve ever read anything quite like it. I did find it a little slow to get into, but I’m glad I stuck with it.

What an interesting story. I wasn't sure how it would end. Was she really loosing her mind? The narrator did an amazing job. I would definitely recommend.

A really great story. The narrator did a fantastic job with the characters and accents. The story moved at a great pace mainly - I felt it got a little lost about half way through but soon picked up again. The descriptions of the decay in the villa and the creepiness of all the events really kept me on the edge of my sear and I would recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to an early release of this audiobook.

I made it through the first 1/2 of the book and then, just couldn’t continue. The choppy storyline, incredible leaps of imagination and overall slowness of narrative mad this a tedious listen. Maybe it would have been better as a print book?

Thank you for the sneak peek, Net Galley!

I love books like this where an unknown relative leaves an estate that may or may not be haunted.

The narrator, Maria Marquis, has a soothing voice. When she spoke different languages and accents, it felt natural. My only complaint is when she would say “argh” which felt very out of place. I think it was meant to be an ugh but came out a little pirate-y.

I think, for me, I wish it had more of the paranormal vibe to it instead of the conspiracy. But it was still a good book. I would definitely read more by the author.

Book recommendations: Anything by Wendy Webb has a mix of spooky and historical fiction. If you want more of the medium-ghost vibes, The Whispering Dead/Gravekeeper series by Darcy Coates.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Scottoline, Maria Marquis, and Hachette Audio. I have written this review voluntarily and honestly!

The Unraveling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline Narrated by Maria Marquis

Lisa Scottoline’s latest gothic thriller plunges listeners into a haunting tale of grief, inheritance, and identity, set against the atmospheric backdrop of Tuscany. The audiobook spans 10.5 hours and is brought vividly to life by Maria Marquis, whose narration is a standout feature. Maria Marquis delivers a masterclass in vocal performance, shifting seamlessly between American and Italian accents, male and female characters, and emotional tones

Julia Pritzker, reeling from the brutal murder of her husband, receives a mysterious inheritance—a Tuscan villa from a woman she’s never met. As she journeys to Italy, she uncovers eerie connections to Renaissance noblewoman Caterina Sforza, astrological prophecies, and a chilling conspiracy that blurs the line between psychological suspense and paranormal intrigue.


If you enjoy audiobooks that blend psychological suspense, historical mystery, and emotional storytelling, this one’s a compelling ride. It’s perfect for fans of Mexican Gothic or The Thirteenth Tale, and for listeners who appreciate narrators who bring authenticity and nuance to every scene.

Lisa Scottoline’s The Unraveling of Julia delivers a beautifully written gripping journey through grief and mystery. Her story starts off with a bang—literally and figuratively—and immediately pulls you into its emotional and suspenseful world. What begins with intensity gradually unfolds into a slower burn as the story shifts to Italy, where the main character Julia, still mourning the loss of her husband, inherits a mysterious villa from someone she's never heard of.

Scottoline is at her best when she's painting scenes, and her descriptions of Italy are nothing short of stunning. The plot weaves in some great twists that kept me turning the pages, and while it takes its time building tension, the payoff is worth it. Lisa Scottoline never really disappoints, and this novel is no exception. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a thoughtful, atmospheric mystery with emotional depth and a strong sense of place.

This is my first Lisa Scottoline book and I will be looking for more of her books very soon. This was a very good story with great characters. I really enjoyed the story and everything about this book. Very good story and very fast paced book.

Julia Pritzker was the main character of The Unraveling of Julia, written by Lisa Scottoline. During the opening of the audiobook, narrated by Maria Marquis, Julia came across as unlikeable, maybe due to the way her character was portrayed by the narrator, but likely due to the way the novel was set up. That unlikability quickly changed, and Julia’s character was redeemed by the end of the novel.

Julia has just lost her husband to an unexpected tragedy, which has altered her life dramatically. She soon learns that she has inherited property in Italy from someone unknown to her, and the story ensues, leading her off to discover herself and find the strength to get on with her life. She grows a spine and finds out who she is on her path to explore her past, present, and future.

The narrator does an excellent job of differentiating characters and putting a voice to each one. Though at the beginning I was a bit leery, the pace and ability of the narrator to tell the story was conveyed in a way, the listener couldn’t imagine the story being told by any other voice. The book was brilliant and by the end I was hoping to hear more of Julia’s story.

For many, many years, I have been a fan of Lisa Scottoline, and this beautifully written gothic tale did not, in any way, disappoint! Many thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of Lisa Scottoline’s audiobook The Unraveling of Julia.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for an ALC.

I’m sorry to say this book didn’t really work for me. I enjoyed the first half which was grounded a little more in reality but the second half just felt like a little too much. Conspiracy, supernatural, family drama, love story. Just too much going on to make any of it even reasonably believable.

That being said, I did really enjoy the first half and this was a quick read. Depending on your frame of mind it can work for you?

3.5 ⭐️

After witnessing her husband’s murder by a hooded figure, Julia Pritzker becomes afraid to leave her home. Her life, already consumed by grief, shifts when she gets a call from a lawyer in Italy informing her that she has inherited a Tuscan estate from a woman named Emilia Rossi. Julia, adopted and with no knowledge of her biological parents, has no one left to turn to for answers. Hoping to learn more about her roots and this mysterious inheritance, she travels to Italy.

The estate is in poor shape, but Julia immediately begins receiving generous offers to sell. Still, she’s determined to learn more about Emilia Rossi—though that proves difficult, as Rossi was a self-proclaimed hermit who burned all her belongings before her death. As Julia spends more time at the estate, strange things begin happening. She starts experiencing visions and feelings tied to supernatural elements and uncovers secrets that are both horrifying and criminal. She also senses she’s being watched and pushed to leave—the locals didn’t like Emilia, and they like Julia even less. Despite this, and even after meeting a charming teacher she begins to fall for, Julia stays focused on one goal: finding out who her birth mother is.

This was a page-turner with elements of astrology and the supernatural. But at its heart, it’s the story of a woman who, after a devastating loss, sets off on a journey to uncover her biological roots—unraveling a plot filled with conspiracies and coverups.

I enjoyed the book, though I found it slightly long in some parts. It also didn’t quite feel like a psychological thriller to me, and at times there seemed to be a bit too much going on—grief, astrology, hallucinations and visions, romance, conspiracy, and trauma all packed into one story. I did enjoy how the narrator of the audiobook brought the story to life, though.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ARC.

🎧 3.5 Star Review – The Unraveling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline
Thank you so much to HachetteAudio for the audiobook copy! I genuinely enjoyed listening to this one — the narration really brought the story to life and made it feel like a movie playing in my head. I love when that happens.

This story follows Julia, a woman trying to rebuild her life after witnessing her husband’s murder. Just as she’s barely holding things together, she finds out she’s inherited a massive estate, vineyard, and a small fortune… from someone she doesn’t even know. It kicks off a twisty, slow-burning mystery set in a hauntingly beautiful Tuscan countryside. Think emotional healing meets creepy secrets meets a vibe-y villa with way too much history.

What I liked:
• The setting was GORGEOUS. Tuscany basically became a character.
• Julia’s grief and growth felt really raw and real.
• The story had just enough mystery to keep me intrigued and emotional moments that actually hit.

Why I landed on 3.5 stars:
• It dragged a little in the middle. I caught myself zoning out a couple times.
• And the ending… I just wanted more. Not necessarily a big twist, but something sharper. It felt like it wrapped too soft for the amount of build-up.

Still, I’m glad I picked this one up. The audiobook was beautifully done, and I enjoyed the journey even if the destination felt a bit too tidy.

—

Final thoughts:
If you like atmospheric settings, grief-driven plots, and a slow unraveling mystery, this one’s a solid pick. Just don’t expect a jaw-drop ending. Enjoy it for the emotional ride and the moody Italian vibes. 💭

The first half of the book was a very good pace keeping me into the story - about half way through the character development seemed forced and the directions not really necessary to the storyline. Once I got through to about 75% everything ended up working out really well and the plot picked up so quickly that I could NOT put it down. I was very content with the ending and will definitely be telling fellow readers to pick this up. Thank you to Netgalley, Lisa Scottoline, Hachette Audio and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The novel offers compelling emotional moments and introspective depth, particularly in its exploration of Julia's inner turmoil. Readers who enjoy psychological drama with a focus on relationships and personal discovery may find the book satisfying. However, the plot at times leans on familiar tropes, and some characters feel less fully developed than others. The resolution, while tidy, may not surprise seasoned readers of the genre. Overall, The Unraveling of Julia is a thoughtful and readable novel that balances emotional complexity with mainstream appeal, though it may not break new ground for fans of psychological fiction.

This was everything I was expecting, and also not at all what I was expecting. Kept me guessing with everything that kept happening. Wasn’t expecting it to be how it was.. but it definitely was!

The Unraveling of Julia is Lisa Scottoline at her best. She delivers and does not diappoint. I think this is one of Scottoline's very best psychological thrillers to date. Julia relies on a Renaissance strength to help her on the journey to find her identity, and to help her through several heartbreaking situations. It is the attempt of the pursuers to unravel her; do they?