This book had the right amount of twists and turns to keep me wanting to read more. I loved the multiple story lines of Julia’s life that were intertwined within this book. It covered grief and new beginnings well.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Narrator did an amazing job conveying the FMC emotions and inner dialogue. However, it was a slow start and took me a minute to get into the story.

Thank you Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the complimentary ALC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Julia is going through a rough time in her life - lost her adoptive parents, her husband was murdered and she is scared to leave her home. Suddenly she a letter that states that she inherited a villa in Tuscany.

This book had me hooked because I was wondering what is going on- what is paranormal and what it real. I think Lisa Scottoline did an amazing job with this book by combining the location (you can’t go wrong with Tuscany), paranormal events (makes you guess what’s real) and some conspiracy around her.

The narrator was magnificent, she gave different intonation to each character as well as did accents.

I am usually such a fan of this author's books but this one just didn't live up to my expectations. Maybe a little could be that my life is a hot mess but it seemed like more than that.

What I did love was the setting. Italy is such a beautiful country and I could picture it all. I was also drawn in with Julia's loss and struggling. I was curious as to why a stranger would leave her an estate in another country.

I am not a fan of paranormal, so that piece didn't go over with me and I thought there was a little much on the astrology front.

Overall I was underwhelmed and usually having the opportunity to switch to listening instead of reading helps keep me focused, but it didn't for this one. Maria Marquis did a good job voicing Julia's insecurities and inquisitiveness and sounded right for Julia, but she couldn't make up for my lack of connection.

Maybe I've grown to expect too much, but I just didn't connect with this one.

Julia Pritzker is not doing well. Like, “I think the moon might be trying to kill me” levels of not well. First her husband is stabbed to death in front of her (because we’re starting light!), and then she spirals so hard she starts blaming the stars. Which… would be a reach if her horoscope hadn’t literally warned her. Julia starts treating astrology like it’s both a prophecy and a restraining order, and honestly, I respect the commitment to the bit.

Then, plot twist with extra pesto, a letter shows up saying she’s inherited a Tuscan villa and vineyard from a woman she’s never heard of. Her name? Emilia Rossi. Her vibe? Paranoid reclusive ghost ancestor with a Renaissance cosplay kink. Julia, who was adopted, does the only logical thing: she packs her grief, trauma, and zodiac chart, and yeets herself across the Atlantic to find out if Emilia was her long-lost nonna or just a rich weirdo who watched too many telenovelas.

Italy is a whole experience. The villa’s falling apart like Julia’s mental health, the locals are shady as hell, and someone keeps breathing down her neck, maybe metaphorically, maybe not. Everyone keeps hinting that Emilia believed she was descended from Caterina Sforza, a real historical duchess-slash-boss witch, and wouldn’t you know it, Julia looks just like her. Add in visions, dreams, nightmares, and a few ghost-scratch wakeups, and we are officially in "Haunting-of-Hill-House"-but-make-it-Tuscany territory.

The first half of this book is mood heaven. We’re sipping wine, unlocking mysterious rooms, and Googling the lineage of Italian nobility like it’s gonna unlock a side quest. But then the pacing hits a wall. Instead of ramping up the tension, we’re detouring into endless astrology monologues and supernatural teases that don’t fully commit. Julia starts seeing things, hearing things, possibly being gaslit by the architecture. It’s fascinating but also… like, what genre are we in right now? Choose your fighter: gothic thriller, trauma memoir, haunted vineyard cozy, or all three at once?

Julia herself is chaotic-good. She’s messy, grieving, paranoid, and somehow still pulling off chic widow core in rural Italy. You root for her, even when she’s making bad decisions, especially when she’s making bad decisions. But the romance? Hmm. A year after Mike’s murder, which, by the way, she is very much not over, she’s making goo-goo eyes at a hot Italian librarian and everyone’s just... fine with that? It’s giving “Hallmark movie with unresolved trauma” and I needed more build-up and fewer soulful glances over espresso.

The mystery pays off. Mostly. We find out who killed Mike, how Emilia fits into the big family puzzle, and what the hell is going on with the villa. But the big finale is tied up with a neat little bow when honestly, I wanted something jagged and bloody and echoing in an ancient wine cellar. The end made sense. It just didn’t slap.

“The Unraveling of Julia” is gorgeously written chaos with big haunted-widow energy, layered mysteries, and vibes so strong you’ll Google flights to Florence mid-chapter. It’s weird, atmospheric, and addictive, but it wobbles under the weight of its own astrology obsession and ghost-lite detours. Still, I had fun. And that’s what counts when you’re unpacking intergenerational trauma in a haunted Italian mansion. 3.5 stars. Gorgeous, moody chaos with a horoscope hangover.

Whodunity Award: For Most Likely to Be Solved via Ghost Vision and Mild Gaslighting

Huge thanks to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the early access to the audiobook. I devoured it like a haunted pasta course. Special shoutout to Maria Marquis, who absolutely understood the assignment. Her narration brought Julia’s unraveling to life with just the right amount of urgency, dread, and romantic tension. Every character had their own voice. Every eerie moment landed. And her delivery made the wildest plot turns feel grounded in emotional truth. Highly recommend listening if you want the full drama-queen-in-Tuscany experience.

A thoroughly compelling mystery. The narrative begins with the protagonist unexpectedly inheriting a Tuscan estate from someone she has never met. What follows is a richly layered story that blends elements of gothic fiction, ghostly intrigue, and suspense. The atmosphere is immersive, and the plot unfolds in a way that consistently engages the reader—I found myself listening to chapter after chapter, unable to step away.

The protagonist is particularly well-crafted. In her thirties, she is still coming to terms with personal tragedy, navigating the uncertainties of adulthood, and gradually discovering her identity. Her character feels authentic and thoughtfully developed.

The narration enhances the story significantly. The narrator’s voice, tone, and cadence align seamlessly with the book’s mood, effectively bringing the characters and setting to life.

For the first half of the book I couldn't decide if this was a thriller or a rom com. It could have swung either way at any given chapter.
This is the sort of book where you need to heavily suspend reality in order to enjoy the story. If you can just go with the flow and ignore any of the outlandish plot holes you'll enjoy the journey!
I really enjoyed the book, despite some of the wild plot lines I had to follow. It was fun and quirky. I loved all of the scenes in Italy, it was certainly a fun book and definitely a page turner.

3.5 ⭐

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for providing me with an ALC.

It was a nice fast-paced book. This is more of a paranormal/general fiction rather than a psychological thriller (I'm very picky about genre definitions). I liked the Tuscan villa setting but felt somewhat let down by the motive. Some of the plot twists were pretty good though, I didn't see them coming. The writing was comfortable and conveyed the setting well. The characters and the romance were a bit difficult to believe but I don't usually expect character attachment in thrillers. I just went in with different expectations for the book -- Julia didn't unravel as much as I expected.

The narrator was brilliant. I found all the accents, voice changes and intonations to be very well done. It really improved my reading experience. I would totally recommend picking up the audiobook for this novel. Overall, this book would be ideal for those who are looking for a thriller with some paranormal/astrology elements and a beautiful/gothic Tuscan villa setting.

The best thing about this book was the narrator. She did so many voices and I was very impressed with her! The book overall was a 3 star but the narrator was amazing.

This one is a psychological/gothic/paranormal blend set in the gorgeous Tuscan countryside. It follows Julia Pritzker, a young widow who travels to Italy after inheriting a mysterious property—and quickly finds herself caught in a web of secrets, suspicion, and eerie twists. As always, Scottoline keeps you guessing.

The premise really grabbed me, and I was especially pulled in by the mystery surrounding a few key characters. The moody setting—complete with a Tuscan villa and vineyard—added a lot to the atmosphere and made the story feel immersive. That said, some of the character interactions felt a bit stiff, and the dialogue didn’t always flow naturally. The paranormal elements were also a bit over the top for my taste at times.

I listened to this one on audio, and the narration was well done—easy to follow and added to the eerie, mysterious tone of the story. Perfect for a weekend listen.

Overall, it was a quick, entertaining summer listen!

4 stars!

I had a great time with this book! Lisa Scottoline always delivers a twisty, layered mystery that keeps you invested all the way though, which is definitely the case with The Unraveling of Julia.

I am always drawn to the ‘surprise inheritance’ mystery trope, and the romance subplot was a nice addition. I loved the setting of this story. The writing really transports you to Italy along with Julia. This story also never felt stagnant. There were new characters introduced along the way, the mystery developed, and the pacing was great. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narration which brought all the characters to life. I would definitely recommend the audiobook for this novel.

While I really enjoyed the journey, the final reveal was slightly underwhelming and lacked a shock factor. I was missing the “I didn’t see that coming” feeling with the conclusion. I would also say that while I personally don’t have much interest in astrology and could have done without this aspect of the story, it might be a selling point for others.

Overall, a solid thriller, perfect for summer, I would recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Grand Central Publishing for providing an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My first completed book this month: The Unraveling of Julia by @lisascottoline ! This is my first book by this author, although I have another book of hers on my massive tbr shelves & even though my friend Maria claims to be related to her (I tease Maria saying all Philly Italians have only 2 degrees of separation from one another and only 3 degrees of separation from being related but I digress 🤭)!! This story was really fun on audio, I ADORED the narrator (@soundslikemarquis - is that you?) especially when she was touched by something sweet she’d say to herself Awe…. Well, Julia’s character did I mean.
This story starts off with action from the first few lines and it captured my attention as the opening scene happens in my home city and made me crime cringe.
The rest of the story is told in Tuscany, Italy. I swear when Julia gets that call saying she’s inherited a villa in Tuscany and then frowns at its state of disrepair I low key was jealous hating on her like gurlll I’ll take a villa that’s crumbling !!!! lol And that crummy realtor trying to make her sell for 2m euros???? I knew that had to be wrong crumbling or not including 40 acres? No sir!!! lol
I’m rambling but this story really had alot to it! It had a myriad of family secrets, abuse, murder, hidden documents, romance, family drama, gaslighting, poisoning, and mediums. I found the romance to be a bit quick, I almost got suspicious of him. I lovedddd Julia’s best friend who popped over to Italy when the going got tough & Julia needed her most! And I loved the epilogue, and the whole plot conspiracy. I’ll definitely read more by this author. Like I said there was a lot in this. I could’ve done without the medium-stuff but it did add a bit of (if unrealistic) nuance to the story. Have you read anything by this author?
Many thanks to @hachetteaudio for approving me an early listen to the story in exchange for my review. Thank you! A fun story and done so well on audio! Brava! #theunravelingofjulia #lisascottoline #tuscany
#thrillers #psychologicalthrillers #gaslighting #inheritancetrope #bookstagram

Thank you @grandcentralpub @hachetteaudio @netgalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

SUMMARY: After the tragic death of her husband, Julia Pritzker receives an unexpected inheritance of a large fortune and a Tuscan villa from a stranger, Emilia Rossi. She wonders if Rossi could be a relative and travels to Italy to search for her biological roots.

In Tuscany, Julia discovers that Rossi was a reclusive woman with delusions of grandeur about her lineage. As she uncovers eerie similarities between them and their shared obsession with astrology, Julia grows increasingly paranoid, feeling watched, and even followed. Strange illusions and dreams challenge her grip on reality, and soon, she finds herself in an increasingly dangerous situation.

MY THOUGHTS: The title of this one is what first drew me in, reminding me of the gothic mysteries I loved as a teenager. Set against the enchanting backdrop of Tuscany, the vivid descriptions of the food, artwork, and even the decaying villa transported me to Italy. The storyline was rich with mystery -think hidden rooms, unseen eyes, and ghostly visits. The character development was noteworthy, though I found Julia a bit too pushy and quick to jump to conclusions. However, this did not diminish my overall enjoyment of the story, as I was thoroughly engaged throughout.

After a string of personal tragedies, Julia Pritzker inherits a mysterious Tuscan villa from a stranger named Emilia Rossi, whose obsession with astrology and claims of royal lineage mirror Julia’s own spiraling fears. As eerie parallels unfold and danger creeps closer, Julia must untangle long-buried secrets to reclaim her identity and her grip on reality.

This was an atmospheric and easy-to-read mystery that kept me engaged from start to finish. While it wasn’t deeply intense or edge-of-your-seat addictive, I found myself fully invested in Julia’s journey and eager to see where the story would lead. The author’s vivid descriptions of the Tuscan countryside, local cuisine, and historic settings added a richness and charm to the story. I loved the fresh and original plot, which felt unlike any thriller I’ve read before, and I appreciated the underlying themes of intuition, legacy, and the power of female connection.

The audiobook, narrated by Maria Marquis, was also a strong highlight. She skillfully brought each character to life, handling a variety of genders, voices and Italian accents with authenticity and ease.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the advance listening copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own. I’m giving this one 3.75 stars, rounded up to four.

I enjoyed this book, but I felt like something was missing. It was paced well. I felt the backstory was brushed over quickly in the end. Overall, good story and writing.

The Unraveling Of Julia
By Lisa Scottoline
📚Publisher - @grandcentralpub
🎧Audio Publisher- @hachetteaudio
Narrotor - Maria Marquis
Audio time - 10hrs 27min
Pub Date - 7/15/25

Julia’s husband is suddenly sta.bbed to death before her very eyes. Her horoscope that day gave her a warning and it came true. Are the horoscopes really true?

Then, she receives a letter informing her that she has inherited a Tuscan villa from a woman she didn’t even know, Emilia Rossi.

Julia decides to head to Tuscany for her inheritance. Just who was this Rossi woman and how is she connected to her?

I did enjoy the narrator in the story. She was believable in her fears and she was easy to follow. She had a pleasant voice. However, the story itself was kind of all over the place. It touched on astrology, her ancestors, and even a romance was thrown in. As her husband had died just six months previous, the romantic relationship was hard to believe. I didn’t think it needed to be a part of the story.

I did like how it came together though. This was my first Lisa Scottoline book, and I am told, that it’s nothing like her usual works. With that said, I am willing to give this author another go.

Audiobook- 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The story - 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance audio copy of this title. Julia is a young widow who was the victim of a violent crime. This has caused her to be reclusive, until she gets a mysterious correspondence informing her that she has inherited a Tuscan villa. In disbelief, she travels to Italy where things get stranger and stranger. The woman who left it to her seems to have no connection to Julia, the villa is in disrepair, the owner had a strange connection to Catherine Sforza, and several unsavory characters and situations are exposed. Julia prevails, and eventually untangles the many webs that she is presented with. An intriguing mystery!

The Unraveling of Julia
by Lisa Scottoline
Expected publication date: July 15, 2025
4 out of 5 stars

Thank you to #NetGalley and Hachette Audio for a free copy of #TheUnravelingofJulia in exchange for my honest review.

When Julia's husband is murdered, then she inherits a villa in Tuscany, she begins to wonder if the two events are related.

I really appreciated the narrator on the audio version of this book. She brought the characters to life in many ways, especially pronouncing Italian words that I would have stumbled over while reading. I also liked her various accents that differentiated characters. The narrator also knew exactly where to pause to bring suspense to a scene.

As far as the story, this is a typical Lisa Scottoline book, meaning she has a great balance of elements, including suspense, supernatural, and romantic parts. I could actually picture many of the action scenes being played out in a movie. Right about the time that I was ready for a break, though, the author moved forward with the plot.

There were a couple of places in the book that were a little rushed or a little too convenient for plot points to come together, but it didn't detract from the story in a major way.

I would recommend this book to fans of Lisa Scottoline and those who enjoy a good psychological thriller.

The Unraveling of Julia is a delicious escape that grips you from the very first page—a captivating blend of suspense, atmosphere, and heart. Set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of a crumbling Tuscan villa, the novel delivers both emotional depth and spine-tingling intrigue. When a shocking murder shatters the serenity of Julia’s retreat, she finds herself at the center of a mystery as layered as her own grief. Still reeling from a tragic personal loss, Julia must summon strength she didn’t know she had to confront buried secrets, both within the villa and herself. The story is rich with moody settings, complex characters, and a slow-burning tension that builds to a satisfying and emotional climax. Readers will be swept away by the lush descriptions of Tuscany, the undercurrents of danger, and the poignant journey of a woman rediscovering her resilience. This is more than just a thriller—it's a story about healing, identity, and the courage it takes to unravel the truth.

Thank you to Hachette Audio for the gifted ALC.

I unfortunately decided to DNF this one about 20% in. I did not realize it was going to lean so heavily on the horoscope and "woo woo" element, and that's just not for me.