When Anna de’ Medici Rossi inherits her family’s Tuscan villa, she’s forced to confront the haunting mysteries of her mother’s death, a missing heirloom, and the night terrors that have plagued her since childhood. As she unearths long-buried secrets hidden within the villa’s walls, Anna must uncover the truth—before it destroys her.

The Medici Curse had all the makings of a gothic thriller I’d usually devour—an eerie Tuscan villa, family secrets, a missing heirloom, and whispers of a deadly curse. The atmosphere was rich and haunting, and I loved the moody, almost dreamlike quality of Anna’s return after years away.

I especially enjoyed the subtle supernatural elements woven throughout the story, and one particular character brought a surprising sense of warmth and comfort to the darker moments. The ending definitely shocked me, though I found myself wishing for a deeper gothic twist to really drive it home.

The story did lose some momentum for me, and I wanted a stronger emotional connection to Anna’s journey. Still, the setting absolutely stole the show, and the unraveling mystery kept me intrigued until the end.

If you’re in the mood for a slow-burn, atmospheric read with an old-world setting and a touch of the supernatural, this might be the perfect book to curl up with on a rainy night. Just go in expecting more mood than mayhem.

AUDIOBOOK NOTE:
I listened to this one, and unfortunately the sound was off on Audible. I could barely hear the narration, which really detracted from the experience. While this review focuses on the book itself, I’d recommend double-checking your audio settings or reading a physical/digital copy if you run into the same issue.

Thank you Scarlet, Highbridge Audio, Thriller Book Lovers:The Pulse, and NetGalley for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.

The Medici Curse by Daco S. Auffenorde pulled me straight into its atmospheric and unsettling world. I have always enjoyed books set abroad, and while I have never been to Tuscany, the descriptions here made me feel like I had been whisked right into those cobblestone streets and sweeping landscapes. The writing moves between raw and emotional moments and a layered mix of mystery, thriller tension, and even touches of romance.

There is an eerie undertone running through the story, and I think it was aiming for Gothic without fully crossing into it. Even so, there were plenty of moments that kept me leaning in closer, wondering what might be waiting in the next chapter.

The audiobook narrator was phenomenal. Her pacing and tone were spot on, and she moved between two languages with ease. I thoroughly enjoyed her performance, which made the entire experience even more engaging.

Thank you to NetGalley, Daco S. Auffenorde, and HighBridge Audio for the ALC of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

A short *synopsis*
When aspiring artist Anna de’ Medici Rossi inherits her family’s opulent villa in Tuscany, she returns to a place steeped in tragedy and mystery. Living there as a child, Anna suffered from debilitating night terrors, frequently waking to find that she had wandered far from bed. During one such episode when Anna was twelve, her mother took a fatal tumble down the stairs. Vittoria’s death was officially ruled an accident, but an heirloom ruby-and-diamond necklace was missing from her bruised neck. Whispered suspicions suggest that Anna pushed her mother and stole the precious jewels. Anna, remembering little from that night, is afraid they’re right. But if that’s true, then what became of the necklace, which has long been associated with legends of a family curse?

It's a fast paced historical - gothic thriller with a twist of an ancient curse. I've really enjoyed the audiobook narration. It's a 3.5 ⭐ read for me.

Loved the twisting tale of this book from start to finish! This book was well thought out and kept ke guessing on what was next!

This was right up my alley with an intergenerational curse, supernatural elements and it being set in Italy. I did like the storyline, but I could have lived without the baby side of the story, that was a little disturbing and unnecessary twist.

This one had such a cool mix of historical mystery and dark intrigue. The Medici Curse pulled me in with its eerie atmosphere and the way the story weaves the past and present together. I love anything with secret societies, old legends, and a touch of the supernatural, and this definitely delivered on that. Some parts moved a little slower, but the overall story kept me hooked. If you’re into history, curses, and a touch of gothic drama, this is worth picking up.

#ad much love for my advance copy @scarletsuspense #partner

Medici Curse

Loved the family tree before the book even started - such a fun way to start things off.

Anna returns home after sixteen years away. As a child, she was plagued by nightmares and haunted by the feeling that someone - or something - was after her. But she’s not a child anymore. Still, she belongs to a family bound by a cursed heirloom.

Now that her father has died, Anna is back to prove everyone wrong. They say she pushed her mother down the stairs. The necklace her mother was wearing that night has vanished. Some believe the curse lives on. Others don’t. But the Medici Curse is hard to ignore - every woman in the family who died tragically was wearing that same necklace. Each one died young. Each one with an injury to the neck.

Oh, how I enjoyed this book so much. The story is gripping and hooked me from the very beginning. I didn’t know what to expect going in, but I absolutely loved it. It surpassed all my preconceived notions.

The writing is fantastic - engaging, and the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat. I started listening and reading on Tuesday night and stayed up way too late to finish it - I just couldn’t stop reading it. The suspense, the mystery, the grit - it was all fantastic.

Highly recommend this one to all the suspense and mystery lovers. You will enjoy this, and that’s a PROMISE. Oof! I also loved the creepy painting. Not gonna lie - this book creeped me out - in the best ways possible.

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I liked this novel, but didn't love it as much as I'd hoped. It is an interesting story involving a woman returning to the home in Tuscany where her mother died decades earlier. Her storied family history and a long-lost necklace feature in the plot, which was the draw. However, I felt that the story turned in a few odd directions and there were a few plot holes along the way. It was interesting enough to keep going, but I feel like I've read other similar books that were more compelling. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook, narrated by Cassandra Campbell.

Atmospheric and eerie, The Medici Curse delivers a gripping blend of family secrets, old legends, and psychological suspense. The Tuscan villa is as much a character as the people who haunt its halls, and Anna’s descent into buried memories is both haunting and compelling. That said, the cousin-romance subplot felt uncomfortable and unnecessary (yikes!), and I would’ve loved a deeper dive into the actual Medici history behind the curse. Still, a captivating read with a gothic edge and satisfying twists.

Did anyone else obsess over the Medici family growing up? I definitely did!

The story begins with Anna returning to her home after being away but there's more to it than an average homecoming. Death, stolen items, curses, and gripping suspense carry you through the rest of this book in a very engaging way.

I loved reading this and am so glad I did!

If you’re a fan of messy, backstabbing family drama—this one’s for you! I couldn’t believe how twisted and intertwined Anna’s family turned out to be. Every chapter took things to another level, and I was hooked.

The narration had great pacing and emotion, which made it easy to follow, but I’ll admit the voice used for the male characters threw me off a bit—they all sounded super old and super creepy, which pulled me out of the story at times.

Still, it’s a fast-paced mystery with plenty of unexpected twists, and I definitely enjoyed the ride!

Thank you @scarletsuspense & @dacoauffenorde for my complimentary copy.
This one has received rave reviews from my friends @thrillerbookloversthepulse

SUMMARY: When Anna de’ Medici Rossi inherits her family's villa in Tuscany, she faces a troubled legacy of fragmented memories. As a child, she experienced night terrors that often led to sleepwalking. One night during one of her night terrors, her mother fell to her death, and a valuable necklace disappeared. This raised questions about Anna’s possible involvement .

Now back in Tuscany after many years, Anna faces suspicion from the local community, who see her as a suspected killer. With only a few distant relatives and an old friend for support, she explores the villa, and reawakens unsettling memories. As she seeks the truth about her past, Anna encounters shocking revelations that challenge her identity and lead her on a perilous journey.

MY THOUGHTS: This story captivated me right from the first chapter. Cassandra Campbell's narration is excellent, and her character accents truly transported me to Italy. The vivid descriptions of the Italian settings, artwork, and jewelry were spot on! I appreciated the intricate characters and unexpected plot twists; I was never sure where the story would lead next. This is a must-read for mystery lovers!

𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3⭐️
THE MEDICI CURSE
🤍𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: gothic thriller
📖 288 pages
𝗘𝗺𝗼𝗷𝗶𝘀: 🇮🇹👀😱🤫📿🍇💎🎨🗝️😈👻🎭📔🐦‍⬛

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
◽️ curses
◽️ nightmares
◽️ single POV
◽️ creepy noises
◽️ secluded setting

💚𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲💚

Thank you @netgalley @highbridgeaudio @dacoauffenorde for the #gifted copy! @thrillerbookloversthepulse loves this one!

If you enjoy atmospheric thrillers set in eerie, secluded locations—especially those with an old Italian villa at the center, THE MEDICI CURSE might be right up your alley. The story blends haunting childhood memories, family secrets, & an unreliable narrator who keeps you questioning what’s real. With unsettling dreams, eerie visions, & ominous signs at every turn, the book leans into psychological suspense & gothic undertones.

There are dark family dynamics, including a controlling father, & plenty of scenes designed to keep you on edge. Fans of slow-burn suspense with a moody, almost dreamlike quality will appreciate the journey!

𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁: When Anna de’ Medici Rossi inherits her family’s villa in Tuscany, she returns to a home haunted by tragedy & whispers of a curse. As a child, she suffered from night terrors—& on the night her mother died, a priceless necklace vanished, & suspicion fell on Anna. Now, years later, the townspeople still believe she got away with murder. While uncovering secret passages & long-buried memories, Anna’s visions grow more intense & disturbing. Desperate for answers, she begins a chilling search for the truth, one that will force her to face her darkest fears.

#TheMediciCurse #giftedbooks #suspense #thrillerbooks #thrillerlover #thriller #mystery #gothic #gothicthriller #bookaddict #whattoreadnext #botwxbs #bookcollector #booksaremylife #booksonbooks #crimewithaclaw #readdrinkandbeMary #cozycorner #thepulse

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HighbridgeAudio for the book #TheMediciCurse by #DacoSAuffenorde. This mysterious book about the medici necklace and curse was super good. Anna has returned home after 16 years of being away since her mother’s death. A death everyone thinks that she did by pushing her mother down the steps and taking the curses necklace. But as Anna digs for the truth and an unexpected twist, can she survive the curse?

This must have been my week for gothic, inherited Tuscan villas because I read another atmospheric novel set there. Lies secrets, curses and shocking revelations fill The Medici Curse by Draco S. Auffenorde.
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Maybe I had some residual creepy feelings after reading the last book with a similar setting, but this felt extra creepy and I really wanted Anna to be okay. I know she had ties to the house she inherited, but I wished she could just walk away safely at one point.
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As a child, Anna had horrible nightmares and always felt that someone or something was after her. She was accused of pushing her mother down the stairs, but doesn’t remember that at all. Sixteen years later and all grown up, refusing to believe in curses or haunted villas any more, Anna returns home. She is not welcomed by the majority of the town.
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Is the curse real? Every woman in Anna’s family who died tragically was wearing the same necklace, including her mother. That necklace disappeared the night her mother died.
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This was an edge-of-my-seat type of book. I was very invested in the story and loved how the writing propelled me forward. It never lagged and never lost my interest.
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I was gifted the audiobook by @HighBridgeAudio and thought it was well done. Either in print or audio, this is a captivating read. It was published earlier this month and ready for you to check out now.

This was such a great book! The Medici Curse follows Anna as she returns to Tuscany to the family villa she has inherited. She used to live in the villa as a child but it holds bad memories since it's where her mother died when Anna was a child. I loved how history was woven into the story. It was suspenseful and atmospheric and had good twists.

Anna de Medici Rossi has inherited her family villa in Tuscany and goes there intending to clear out the house and sell it. She hasn’t been there since she was twelve years old, leaving after the tragic death of her mother. The villa is full of painful memories, and Anna begins having terrible nightmares again, as she did when she was young. She gets drawn into the family circle of aunts, uncles, and cousins, and begins digging into the secrets of the past, aided by her faithful protector and relative, Eduardo. In particular, Anna wants to find a precious heirloom, a valuable necklace passed down through the family which hasn’t been seen since her mother’s death. But someone wants Anna to leave the villa and stop uncovering the past. Is it the family curse, or does someone want Anna dead?

This is an addictive read with a twisty plot and a very sinister atmosphere. It is never clear who is trustworthy and who is acting a role. The uncertainty leaves Anna very alone and vulnerable. Anna is haunted by memories of her past, especially guilt over her mother’s death. She was only a child when it occurred and many of her memories are hazy and confused. She finds the family very reluctant to discuss the past or to provide straight answers to her questions. Although they outwardly display a welcoming attitude, in subtle ways Anna is made to feel like an outsider, or a “guest” rather than a permanent part of the family. Over the course of the novel, Anna matures from being a lost child manipulated by her extended family to an adult assuming her rightful place and inheritance.

I listened to this on audio from RB Media and simultaneously read my own hard copy. It was well narrated and an entertaining, quick read.

Thank you High Bridge audio and Netgalley for a copy of this book for review purposes. Let’s first start out with Cassandra Campbell, the narrator. She is easily one of the best, flowing easily from English to Italian and then back. As well as the different characters she narrates, it makes listening such a pleasure. I have not read anything by Auffenorde before but I will read more of her books. Anna inherits her family home in Italy. Her father is dead and her mother, a famous opera singer, was murdered. Did Anna do it? All she remembers is her mother’s body at the bottom of the stairs, wearing the famous Medici Sword necklace. The necklace disappeared after her mother’s death and Anna was raised in America. Now that her father has died, she needs to deal with the ghosts of her past and connect with her family. Unless they don’t want to connect with her because of the cursed necklace. The descriptions of the countryside make a trip to Tuscany seem completely appealing. Anna must deal with her cousins, a lecherous art dealer, and her butler to discover the truth. Not only about herself, but her family and the curse. Put this book in your beach bag. It’s a great read. Thank me later

This week at work has been crazy, but this audiobook transported me to Tuscany! The Medici Curse was a twisty, bingeable audiobook that features aspiring artist, Anna, as the main character. Anna has just inherited her family’s massive villa that has a history filled with heartbreaking tragedy and mystery.

The story is full of jealousy, guilt, local lore, and dysfunctional family relationships. Add in a sprinkle of the supernatural and gothic vibes, this audiobook was a great atmospheric thriller.

From the very first chapter, The Medici Curse drew me in with its eerie, gothic atmosphere and richly detailed Italian setting. The blend of family secrets, a long-standing curse, a missing heirloom, and a mysterious disappearance made for a truly gripping listen.

This story is packed with suspense and layered with twists I never saw coming. The haunting ambiance, buried secrets, and the touch of the supernatural kept me on edge throughout. Auffenorde masterfully weaves a fast-paced narrative that’s both dark and intriguing. I was completely absorbed in the mystery, eager to see how everything would unravel.

The audiobook’s narrator, Cassandra Campbell, was phenomenal. Even during the occasional slower moments, she maintained a compelling presence that brought the story to life. Her performance added depth and emotion, and she’s now officially on my list of must-hear narrators.

If you’re looking for an atmospheric mystery full of chilling secrets, unexpected turns, and gothic flair, The Medici Curse is an excellent choice—especially in audiobook form.

Thank you so much to the author Daco S. Auffenorde & @thrillerbookloversthepulse for my gifted ALC.