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Loyalty
#1 bestselling author Lisa Scottoline presents Loyalty , an emotional, action-packed epic of love and justice, set during the rise of the Mafia in Sicily.
Loyalty can save a soul—or destroy one.
Franco Fiorvanti is a handsome lemon grower toiling on the estate of a baron. He dreams of owning his own grove, but the rigid class system of Sicily thwarts his ambition. Determined to secure a better future, Franco will do anything to prove his loyalty to the baron. But when the baron asks him to kidnap a little boy named Dante, Franco makes a decision that will change his life—and even the history of Sicily—forever.
Gaetano Catalano is an idealistic young lawyer whose devotion to justice is tantamount to a calling. He’s a member of the Beati Paoli , a real-life secret society of aristocrats who investigate crime in Palermo, a city riddled with graft. Gaetano sets out to find the boy and punish the kidnapper, but his mission leads him to a darker place than he had ever imagined.
Meanwhile, Mafalda Pancari is a new mother rejoicing at the birth of her daughter, Lucia, when disaster strikes. And Alfredo D’Antonio is a reclusive goatherd under constant threat of being discovered as a Jew. How the lives of these unforgettable characters collide makes Loyalty an epic tale of good versus evil, as the story twists and turns to its monumental showdown.
Readers will be transported to the dramatic and ruggedly beautiful island of Sicily, the jewel of the Mediterranean, where lush lemon groves and mouth-watering cuisine contrast with a turbulent history of colonization and corruption. Scottoline brings her decades of thriller writing to historical fiction, creating in Loyalty a singular novel that no reader will be able to put down.
Loyalty can save a soul—or destroy one.
Franco Fiorvanti is a handsome lemon grower toiling on the estate of a baron. He dreams of owning his own grove, but the rigid class system of Sicily thwarts his ambition. Determined to secure a better future, Franco will do anything to prove his loyalty to the baron. But when the baron asks him to kidnap a little boy named Dante, Franco makes a decision that will change his life—and even the history of Sicily—forever.
Gaetano Catalano is an idealistic young lawyer whose devotion to justice is tantamount to a calling. He’s a member of the Beati Paoli , a real-life secret society of aristocrats who investigate crime in Palermo, a city riddled with graft. Gaetano sets out to find the boy and punish the kidnapper, but his mission leads him to a darker place than he had ever imagined.
Meanwhile, Mafalda Pancari is a new mother rejoicing at the birth of her daughter, Lucia, when disaster strikes. And Alfredo D’Antonio is a reclusive goatherd under constant threat of being discovered as a Jew. How the lives of these unforgettable characters collide makes Loyalty an epic tale of good versus evil, as the story twists and turns to its monumental showdown.
Readers will be transported to the dramatic and ruggedly beautiful island of Sicily, the jewel of the Mediterranean, where lush lemon groves and mouth-watering cuisine contrast with a turbulent history of colonization and corruption. Scottoline brings her decades of thriller writing to historical fiction, creating in Loyalty a singular novel that no reader will be able to put down.
464 pages, Paperback
First published March 28, 2023
3729 people are currently reading
32901 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Scottoline
138 books15.6k followersLisa Scottoline is a #1 bestselling and Edgar award-winning author of 33 novels. Her books are book-club favorites, and Lisa and her daughter Francesca Serritella have hosted an annual Big Book Club Party for over a thousand readers at her Pennsylvania farm, for the past twelve years. Lisa has served as President of Mystery Writers of America, and her reviews of fiction and non-fiction have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Philadelphia Inquirer. She also writes a weekly column with her daughter for the Philadelphia Inquirer entitled Chick Wit, a witty take on life from a woman’s perspective, which have been collected in a bestselling series of humorous memoirs. Lisa graduated magna cum laude in three years from the University of Pennsylvania, with a B.A. in English, and cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she taught Justice and Fiction. Lisa has over 30 million copies of her books in print and is published in over 35 countries. She lives in the Philadelphia area with an array of disobedient pets and wouldn’t have it any other way.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,693 reviews
June 5, 2023
4.5⭐
Genre ~ historical fiction ~ Sicily 1810
Publication date ~ March 28, 2023
Page Count ~ 427
Audio length ~ 11 hours 21 minutes
Narrator ~ Edoardo Ballerini
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ 4 part story, dual timeline, mafia, kidnapped boys, violence
I am not going to say too much about this one. There is A LOT going on and there are so many different characters to keep track of that the author provides a name key. Some of the names are interesting and there were some funny nicknames too ~ Pietro Hay (the man who sells hay), Donato Nuts (the man who sells nuts), Giuseppe Dry Beans, Antonio Wet Beans, etc….they just made me chuckle.
We start out in 1810, then have a 15 year jump. We follow a mafia and a mans mission to be the most powerful, a kidnapping and a lawyers mission to find the boy, Alfredo who makes charmed cheese and has a big secret and an albino girl named Lucia. There’s violence, there’s sadness and happiness too.
I was going back and forth with rounding my 4.5 down or up and I chose to go with up after reading the author’s note. When an author actually goes to the country in which she sets her book to do actual research that deserves an extra nod IMO.
*Thanks to Lisa Scottoline, Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Genre ~ historical fiction ~ Sicily 1810
Publication date ~ March 28, 2023
Page Count ~ 427
Audio length ~ 11 hours 21 minutes
Narrator ~ Edoardo Ballerini
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ 4 part story, dual timeline, mafia, kidnapped boys, violence
I am not going to say too much about this one. There is A LOT going on and there are so many different characters to keep track of that the author provides a name key. Some of the names are interesting and there were some funny nicknames too ~ Pietro Hay (the man who sells hay), Donato Nuts (the man who sells nuts), Giuseppe Dry Beans, Antonio Wet Beans, etc….they just made me chuckle.
We start out in 1810, then have a 15 year jump. We follow a mafia and a mans mission to be the most powerful, a kidnapping and a lawyers mission to find the boy, Alfredo who makes charmed cheese and has a big secret and an albino girl named Lucia. There’s violence, there’s sadness and happiness too.
I was going back and forth with rounding my 4.5 down or up and I chose to go with up after reading the author’s note. When an author actually goes to the country in which she sets her book to do actual research that deserves an extra nod IMO.
*Thanks to Lisa Scottoline, Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
April 17, 2023
Loyalty by Lisa Scottoline is another new release that skips around. Too many characters. Confusing plot line. I struggled to finish it. I really enjoy Lisa Scottoline’s books. She does well following her previous style. Hopefully she will return.
January 15, 2026
My first read by this author…Meh.
March 2, 2023
I have enjoyed many of Lisa Scottoline’s works and I have especially enjoyed as she has branched into new genres like historical fiction. This is one of those stories that takes several characters and as you learn their stories you see how they are tied by the end which I absolutely love. These stories were full of tragedy and heartbreak but they were all well written and tied together nicely. I liked that the center of this story was about how the mafia began in Sicily which is something I knew very little about. I love when a historical fiction book tackles a piece of history that is not commonly written about. Overall I gave this one 4.5 stars but I rounded up for the uniqueness of the characters and their story. This was a very quick read given it’s size and if you like historical fiction you’ll definitely like this one.
April 4, 2023
It was not a good read. Very predictable and too simply written. I could not feel for any of the characters. It was more like a soap opera than a good read
April 6, 2023
Of the two historical fiction books that I have had the pleasure of reading by Lisa Scottoline I was allowed to learn about a time period in history that I was not familiar with, immerse myself among well developed characters and enjoy a well plotted story. Loyalty was no exception. It was a gripping and powerful novel that took place during the 19th century in Sicily, Italy. Loyalty exposed the reader to the vivid and sometimes disturbing and violent details of this time period. Lisa Scottoline brilliantly captured and described the birth of the Sicilian Mafia, the corrupt and terrifying way mental institutions were operated, the way Sicilians treated, feared and discriminated against those that were different from themselves either in appearance or how they lived their lives, the corruption that existed in Sicily’s law enforcement system, the very distinct caste system that existed in Sicily and the banishment of Jewish people from Sicily years before. Her beautiful prose enabled me to mentally visualize the Sicilian culture and geography and what it must have looked like back then. Lisa Scottoline also made it easy to picture and even smell the fragrant scent of the lemon groves of Palermo and the inviting smells of all the food that was described throughout her book.
Sicily was a very beautiful city but it was also quite violent during the 19th century. Loyalty described the planned and successful kidnapping of a young six year old boy named Dante during a public festival. Dante, a very frightened child, was brought to the madhouse in Palermo and remained there for many, many years. He was subjected to things that no young boy should ever have seen or heard. When the kidnapping became known, a very determined, resourceful and respected lawyer named Gaetano focused all his attention on delivering justice and finding the kidnapped boy. Gaetano was met with indifference from the law enforcement authorities. They had all but turned their backs on doing anything to help find the boy. Gaetano took matters into his own hands and started to search everywhere he could for the child. He used every resource he could think of to find out what happened to this child. At the same time, twin brothers, Franco and Roberto, who worked as managers for the lemon groves owned by Baron Zito started to get frustrated with the power and influence the Baron held. The twin brothers were set on bringing down Baron Zito and gaining power and nobility for themselves. They would use any means necessary to gain power and acquire the nobility they so desperately wanted and felt that they deserved. Around the same time Franco and Roberto were fighting for the power they sought, a wife named Mafalda Pancari was finally blessed with a child. It had taken Mafalda a long time to conceive but she finally gave birth to a daughter who she named Lucia. There was a problem, though. Lucia did not look like the people in her village. She had been born an albino but in those days the villagers thought she was just bad luck, a devil and not at all human. Mafalda and Lucia were ousted from their village and made to live in the wild. In the mountains of central Sicily, lived a cheese maker named Alfredo. He harbored a secret and because of that secret he was forced to keep it to himself and live quietly in the mountain town of Mussomeli with his goats. Alfredo lived a secluded life so that no one would suspect that he was Jewish. Back in 1492, when the Edict of Expulsion was declared, Jews were forced to leave Sicily. At one time there had been 30,000 Jews in Sicily but not anymore. Alfredo’s family did not want to leave Sicily. They loved living in Sicily and were proud to be Sicilians so they practiced their religion in secrecy. Alfredo and the members of his family had kept their religion a secret from others for many generations.
Lisa Scottoline masterfully wove the lives and actions of these characters separately at first and then brought them together in the flawless fashion she has become known for. There were many characters and at first it was a little difficult to keep track of all of them but their connections were made clear not too far into the book. I found Lisa Scottoline’s research impressive and impeccable. Loyalty was not my all time favorite book of hers but I did enjoy it. Eternal still remains my favorite book of hers. It definitely kept me guessing. Loyalty was about family, faith, secrets, power, taking vengeance, corruption, betrayal, love and allegiance or loyalty. I learned a lot about the city of Sicily during this time period. Without any hesitation, I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to G. P. Putnam’s Sons Publishers/Penguin Random House LLC for allowing me to read Loyalty by Lisa Scottoline through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Sicily was a very beautiful city but it was also quite violent during the 19th century. Loyalty described the planned and successful kidnapping of a young six year old boy named Dante during a public festival. Dante, a very frightened child, was brought to the madhouse in Palermo and remained there for many, many years. He was subjected to things that no young boy should ever have seen or heard. When the kidnapping became known, a very determined, resourceful and respected lawyer named Gaetano focused all his attention on delivering justice and finding the kidnapped boy. Gaetano was met with indifference from the law enforcement authorities. They had all but turned their backs on doing anything to help find the boy. Gaetano took matters into his own hands and started to search everywhere he could for the child. He used every resource he could think of to find out what happened to this child. At the same time, twin brothers, Franco and Roberto, who worked as managers for the lemon groves owned by Baron Zito started to get frustrated with the power and influence the Baron held. The twin brothers were set on bringing down Baron Zito and gaining power and nobility for themselves. They would use any means necessary to gain power and acquire the nobility they so desperately wanted and felt that they deserved. Around the same time Franco and Roberto were fighting for the power they sought, a wife named Mafalda Pancari was finally blessed with a child. It had taken Mafalda a long time to conceive but she finally gave birth to a daughter who she named Lucia. There was a problem, though. Lucia did not look like the people in her village. She had been born an albino but in those days the villagers thought she was just bad luck, a devil and not at all human. Mafalda and Lucia were ousted from their village and made to live in the wild. In the mountains of central Sicily, lived a cheese maker named Alfredo. He harbored a secret and because of that secret he was forced to keep it to himself and live quietly in the mountain town of Mussomeli with his goats. Alfredo lived a secluded life so that no one would suspect that he was Jewish. Back in 1492, when the Edict of Expulsion was declared, Jews were forced to leave Sicily. At one time there had been 30,000 Jews in Sicily but not anymore. Alfredo’s family did not want to leave Sicily. They loved living in Sicily and were proud to be Sicilians so they practiced their religion in secrecy. Alfredo and the members of his family had kept their religion a secret from others for many generations.
Lisa Scottoline masterfully wove the lives and actions of these characters separately at first and then brought them together in the flawless fashion she has become known for. There were many characters and at first it was a little difficult to keep track of all of them but their connections were made clear not too far into the book. I found Lisa Scottoline’s research impressive and impeccable. Loyalty was not my all time favorite book of hers but I did enjoy it. Eternal still remains my favorite book of hers. It definitely kept me guessing. Loyalty was about family, faith, secrets, power, taking vengeance, corruption, betrayal, love and allegiance or loyalty. I learned a lot about the city of Sicily during this time period. Without any hesitation, I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to G. P. Putnam’s Sons Publishers/Penguin Random House LLC for allowing me to read Loyalty by Lisa Scottoline through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
April 23, 2023
This is a well written, entertaining historical fiction novel. It has diverse characters, strife, heartbreak, hope and love. The scenes in Sicily are beautifully described. The author's note is interesting and informative. I listened to the audio version of this novel, and the narrator, Eduardo Ballerini, has a captivating voice and is truly talented.
April 6, 2023
I thought that this was a huge waste of time
March 30, 2024
Lisa Scottoline combined fact and fiction as she wrote about Sicily in the early 1800s. "Loyalty" is a book about justice, injustice, family, ambition, power, and loyalty.
There are four main storylines about various families that weave together at the end. The first one involves the kidnapping of young boys from wealthy families. The lawyer Gaetano Catalano attempts to find the boys and the kidnappers at great personal cost to himself.
A second thread spotlights the twin Fiorvanti brothers who need to protect caravans carrying lemons as they travel to market. They hire former criminals to guard the caravans against bandits, and the men take blood oaths of loyalty to the family. The term "mafioso" meant "strong, bold, and daring" without the negative connotations that soon became attached to it. A lust for power leads to tragedy in the family.
The third storyline involves Mufalada who births a beautiful albino daughter--but the villagers think the pale child is cursed. Alfredo is featured in a fourth thread. He raises goats (who he calls his daughters) and makes cheese. Alfredo is harboring a dangerous secret.
Although I've read quite a few books set in mainland Italy, I had not read much about Sicily. I enjoyed the descriptions of the lemon groves, the fishing villages, the mines, the villas, and the Sicilian cuisine. Conditions were brutal and lawless in the early 1800s in Sicily, and the police were corrupt. It was fertile ground for the Sicilian Mafia to become established. The book combined historical fiction with mystery and suspense. Lisa Scottoline is a good storyteller who kept my interest.
There are four main storylines about various families that weave together at the end. The first one involves the kidnapping of young boys from wealthy families. The lawyer Gaetano Catalano attempts to find the boys and the kidnappers at great personal cost to himself.
A second thread spotlights the twin Fiorvanti brothers who need to protect caravans carrying lemons as they travel to market. They hire former criminals to guard the caravans against bandits, and the men take blood oaths of loyalty to the family. The term "mafioso" meant "strong, bold, and daring" without the negative connotations that soon became attached to it. A lust for power leads to tragedy in the family.
The third storyline involves Mufalada who births a beautiful albino daughter--but the villagers think the pale child is cursed. Alfredo is featured in a fourth thread. He raises goats (who he calls his daughters) and makes cheese. Alfredo is harboring a dangerous secret.
Although I've read quite a few books set in mainland Italy, I had not read much about Sicily. I enjoyed the descriptions of the lemon groves, the fishing villages, the mines, the villas, and the Sicilian cuisine. Conditions were brutal and lawless in the early 1800s in Sicily, and the police were corrupt. It was fertile ground for the Sicilian Mafia to become established. The book combined historical fiction with mystery and suspense. Lisa Scottoline is a good storyteller who kept my interest.
October 13, 2022
An absolute breathtaking journey of love, loss, choices and of course, Loyalty.
This immersive journey is a tour through Sicily in the 1800’s woven expertly with fact and fiction.
You see the rise of the mafia in Sicily through the ambitions of the not so wealthy. How power and greed corrupt absolutely. How the choices made both enhance and incumber the people of this small town.
Boys are being kidnapped from the wealthy. Dante is kidnapped and placed in a madhouse, left at just 6 years old with the raving mad. His abuse and torture is brutal. More boys disappear and only one man (a lawyer) is compelled through his faith to find them… no matter the cost. (And the costs are high for him and the boys.)
You’ll meet Lucia and Mufalada, forces from their home since Lucia is born albino. The town believes her a curse and Mufalda chooses to flee and live off the land in order to raise her child she believes has been sent from God as a blessing, not a curse.
When all these players in the book converge, death and destruction, love and forgiveness and justice and revenge is exacted.
This is a fast paced, brilliantly written, breathtaking experience of Sicily, its beautiful lemon groves, and the rise of the mafia. Loyalty, it’s a blessing and a curse.
I can’t give enough praise for this novel set to be released in March of 2023.
Thank you to #NetGalley, the publishers and author for extending me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. This is one you truly will not want to miss!
Happy reading my friends! 😊
This immersive journey is a tour through Sicily in the 1800’s woven expertly with fact and fiction.
You see the rise of the mafia in Sicily through the ambitions of the not so wealthy. How power and greed corrupt absolutely. How the choices made both enhance and incumber the people of this small town.
Boys are being kidnapped from the wealthy. Dante is kidnapped and placed in a madhouse, left at just 6 years old with the raving mad. His abuse and torture is brutal. More boys disappear and only one man (a lawyer) is compelled through his faith to find them… no matter the cost. (And the costs are high for him and the boys.)
You’ll meet Lucia and Mufalada, forces from their home since Lucia is born albino. The town believes her a curse and Mufalda chooses to flee and live off the land in order to raise her child she believes has been sent from God as a blessing, not a curse.
When all these players in the book converge, death and destruction, love and forgiveness and justice and revenge is exacted.
This is a fast paced, brilliantly written, breathtaking experience of Sicily, its beautiful lemon groves, and the rise of the mafia. Loyalty, it’s a blessing and a curse.
I can’t give enough praise for this novel set to be released in March of 2023.
Thank you to #NetGalley, the publishers and author for extending me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. This is one you truly will not want to miss!
Happy reading my friends! 😊
July 11, 2023
I was intrigued by this book when everyone was comparing it to The Godfather.
No one should have been comparing it to the Godfather.
I was shocked to read the author’s note. Lisa Scottoline did a whole bunch of research in order to write this book.
And yet it was so flat and unbelievable.
No one should have been comparing it to the Godfather.
I was shocked to read the author’s note. Lisa Scottoline did a whole bunch of research in order to write this book.
And yet it was so flat and unbelievable.
January 29, 2023
Do you enjoy historical fiction?
Loyalty by Lisa Scottoline
What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline was one of my favorite reads last year. An entirely different approach to historical fiction is taken by Lisa Scottoline in her most recent book Loyalty. It is about the Mafia in the 19th century. The author proved she was capable of writing in different genres effectively.
Loyalty introduces the reader to a variety of characters. Throughout the story, Gaetano, who is trying to save kidnapped Dante, played an instrumental role and kept me turning pages. We also meet Franco an interesting lemon grower, Lucia, a beautiful strong woman and Alfredo, who tends to the goats.
The plot is set against the backdrop of Sicily and the struggles of the era. Secrets abound among the cast, and the outcome is determined by what they are loyal to. As there are several storylines in this book, you must give it your full attention. Lemons played an active role in the Mafia, which I found interesting. Be sure and read the author's notes at the end as it provides additional insight into the book.
Loyalty is available starting March 28th.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam, G. P. Putnam's Sons, for sharing this book with me. Your kindness is appreciated.
#Loyalty #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #blogtour #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #Audible #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra #Bookishcom #trending #bestsellingbooks #b
Loyalty by Lisa Scottoline
What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline was one of my favorite reads last year. An entirely different approach to historical fiction is taken by Lisa Scottoline in her most recent book Loyalty. It is about the Mafia in the 19th century. The author proved she was capable of writing in different genres effectively.
Loyalty introduces the reader to a variety of characters. Throughout the story, Gaetano, who is trying to save kidnapped Dante, played an instrumental role and kept me turning pages. We also meet Franco an interesting lemon grower, Lucia, a beautiful strong woman and Alfredo, who tends to the goats.
The plot is set against the backdrop of Sicily and the struggles of the era. Secrets abound among the cast, and the outcome is determined by what they are loyal to. As there are several storylines in this book, you must give it your full attention. Lemons played an active role in the Mafia, which I found interesting. Be sure and read the author's notes at the end as it provides additional insight into the book.
Loyalty is available starting March 28th.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam, G. P. Putnam's Sons, for sharing this book with me. Your kindness is appreciated.
#Loyalty #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #blogtour #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #Audible #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra #Bookishcom #trending #bestsellingbooks #b
January 4, 2023
Thanks to Lisa Scottoline for the best book I have read of 2002 and will be my recommend to readers for my column for December 2022, which will be out in several print publications all over the north eastern part of Ohio, including Cleveland and will be viewed online, as well. **This will not be my review, only some of what may be used in the future. And, though I could have put the review out this month, wanted to save this one for the holidays and, to wrap up the year with a bang, just like this book. My Tea Time With A Good Book, Pick of the Year. Though its quite a new column, only several months since its creation, its to be on-going and hopefully popular, helping with authors sales and giving readers the ability to pick the best books out there to read.
Being middle aged, there was a time when I went through my "mafioso" phase, in which all the material about gangs and gangsters was quite popular with me. But, that time ended a decade ago and, while I like gangster movies still, the interest is not as prevalent in me as it once was. And, while this tale was no Godfather type, the gangsters weren't well defined in structure, more of a creation story, it was still a tale in which mafia lore is prevalent, if only at its very beginning.
Two twin brothers bind themselves with other men, for money, protection, to be "better then", be like the men who have money and control. We are shown what and how they do this, how this affected life for the others, even the relationship for the two twin brothers. Intertwined with the mafioso actions of the brothers (one, more prevalent than the other)in this book, as in all of Italy (this tale is set in and around Palermo)are the problems that some face. Many come out of the life and times of the people then, many problems arising from the brothers actions. There are several characters with their own story line that, in the end, merge to make a perfect ending for a perfect book. While many bad experiences have been had, people have died along the way, life works out as you would hope it does, and those who are able to move on, find the best way to do so.
I fear that the new expense of buying this authors hardbacks the day they are released will now forever burden me (with the expense) but, I know the greatest tales will be inside that cover, by Scottoline, and that makes the cost every penny well worth it! This is the only purchase of a hardback I know I will never have to regret! LOL!
Being middle aged, there was a time when I went through my "mafioso" phase, in which all the material about gangs and gangsters was quite popular with me. But, that time ended a decade ago and, while I like gangster movies still, the interest is not as prevalent in me as it once was. And, while this tale was no Godfather type, the gangsters weren't well defined in structure, more of a creation story, it was still a tale in which mafia lore is prevalent, if only at its very beginning.
Two twin brothers bind themselves with other men, for money, protection, to be "better then", be like the men who have money and control. We are shown what and how they do this, how this affected life for the others, even the relationship for the two twin brothers. Intertwined with the mafioso actions of the brothers (one, more prevalent than the other)in this book, as in all of Italy (this tale is set in and around Palermo)are the problems that some face. Many come out of the life and times of the people then, many problems arising from the brothers actions. There are several characters with their own story line that, in the end, merge to make a perfect ending for a perfect book. While many bad experiences have been had, people have died along the way, life works out as you would hope it does, and those who are able to move on, find the best way to do so.
I fear that the new expense of buying this authors hardbacks the day they are released will now forever burden me (with the expense) but, I know the greatest tales will be inside that cover, by Scottoline, and that makes the cost every penny well worth it! This is the only purchase of a hardback I know I will never have to regret! LOL!
May 26, 2023
• BOOKSTAGRAM •
This book was extremely satisfying. I must say the first 1/2 of the book was really hard to follow and get into. The author thankfully had a main characters legend at the beginning of the book that you can keep referencing because the names are Italian and everything kind of looks the same because I’m not really pronouncing everything the Italian way in my head. There’s a lot of moving important characters. You grow to like them all.
It’s all based around a child kidnapping and wrong doing. You go through such tragedy, triumph, murders, deceit, romance. There’s everything in this book. Including the Italian Sicilian mafia. If you read it with an open mind and know eventually all the pieces will start to form together, you’ll be good. I was going to rate this a solid 3 stars until I got to the last 100 pages or so and each page I read I kept saying “this is going to be a 4 star.” This book is strongly focused on family and their values with God. It’s old Sicily. I enjoyed the book and would recommend!
This book was extremely satisfying. I must say the first 1/2 of the book was really hard to follow and get into. The author thankfully had a main characters legend at the beginning of the book that you can keep referencing because the names are Italian and everything kind of looks the same because I’m not really pronouncing everything the Italian way in my head. There’s a lot of moving important characters. You grow to like them all.
It’s all based around a child kidnapping and wrong doing. You go through such tragedy, triumph, murders, deceit, romance. There’s everything in this book. Including the Italian Sicilian mafia. If you read it with an open mind and know eventually all the pieces will start to form together, you’ll be good. I was going to rate this a solid 3 stars until I got to the last 100 pages or so and each page I read I kept saying “this is going to be a 4 star.” This book is strongly focused on family and their values with God. It’s old Sicily. I enjoyed the book and would recommend!
October 21, 2024
4.5⭐
Pirmasis mafijos klanas Sicilijoje ir galia, du broliai dvyniai, kuris vienas iš jų Frankas jautėsi atitrūkstąs nuo žmogiškumo, beįžengiąs į tamsų, savo paties sukurtą pasaulį, kur blogis pamynė gėrį, galia paėmė viršų ir vienintelis įstatymas buvo jo žodis. Daug keršto, neteisybės ir pabaigoje įvykdytas teisingumas.
Jauno teisininko Gaetano šauni kova už vaikus, išsaugotas tikėjimas ir pabaigoje kirsta finišo linija.
Pagrobto berniuko Dantės istorija nepaliks abejingų, laisvė, po penkiolikos metų įkalinimo beprotnamyje, pažintis su Liučija, jų meilė su gražia pabaiga.
Šioje įtraukiančioje knygoje bus daug praradimų ir atradimų, gėrio ir blogio kovos, bet, kad ir kiek kiekvienam istorijos veikėjui teks atlaikyti išbandymų, pabaigoje bus už viską atlyginta su kaupu.
Pirmasis mafijos klanas Sicilijoje ir galia, du broliai dvyniai, kuris vienas iš jų Frankas jautėsi atitrūkstąs nuo žmogiškumo, beįžengiąs į tamsų, savo paties sukurtą pasaulį, kur blogis pamynė gėrį, galia paėmė viršų ir vienintelis įstatymas buvo jo žodis. Daug keršto, neteisybės ir pabaigoje įvykdytas teisingumas.
Jauno teisininko Gaetano šauni kova už vaikus, išsaugotas tikėjimas ir pabaigoje kirsta finišo linija.
Pagrobto berniuko Dantės istorija nepaliks abejingų, laisvė, po penkiolikos metų įkalinimo beprotnamyje, pažintis su Liučija, jų meilė su gražia pabaiga.
Šioje įtraukiančioje knygoje bus daug praradimų ir atradimų, gėrio ir blogio kovos, bet, kad ir kiek kiekvienam istorijos veikėjui teks atlaikyti išbandymų, pabaigoje bus už viską atlyginta su kaupu.
March 29, 2023
An incredible saga of the Mafia’s beginning in Sicily.
Only as told by Lisa Scottoline’s research and fantastic writing style, do we get a book like Loyalty.
Thank you Edelweiss and GP Putnam for the egalley.
And big thanks to Goodreads that allowed me to win the printed ARC.
Only as told by Lisa Scottoline’s research and fantastic writing style, do we get a book like Loyalty.
Thank you Edelweiss and GP Putnam for the egalley.
And big thanks to Goodreads that allowed me to win the printed ARC.
January 6, 2023
DNF Got to 50% and had to quit.
May 6, 2023
A Highly Satisfying and Intriguing read
SUMMARY
Sicily Italy. Franco Fiorvante dreams of owning his own lemon grove one day. But for now he labors hard on the estate of Baron Zito. Determined to secure a prosperous future, Franco will do anything to prove his loyalty to the Baron. But when the Baron asks Franco to arrange the kidnapping of a young boy, Franco crosses a point of no return and sets in motion the making of the world first Mafia family.
Gaetano Catalano is an idealistic young Catholic lawyer totally devoted to justice. He is a member of the Beati Paoli, a real-life secret society of aristocrats who investigate crimes. The Beati Paoli and Gaetano set out to find the young kidnapped boy, but soon Gaetano becomes obsessed with the case. He risks losing both his job and his family to find the boy and bring him home.
Dante, the five-year-old kidnapped boy grows up in a madhouse without even knowing his last name. By the time he is a young man the madhouse is falling apart and Dante doubts his own sanity. He meets Lucia, a girl with a tragic past and they fall in love. Once Dante is release from his lifelong prison he sets out to find his kidnapper, his family and his true identity.
REVIEW
Loyalty is an intriguing historical fiction story of the creation and rise of one of the earliest Mafia families in Sicily. The Fiorvanti family depicted in the book is fictional but the origins of the Mafia depicted in the novel are true according to the author Lisa Scottoline. Scottoline says the Mafia’s earliest roots can be traced to the lemon groves around Palermo because of a combination of legal, social, political, and even agricultural factors that existed, all of which are highlighted in the book.
Scottoline novels typical flesh out the relationship between law and justice and Loyalty is no different. There are several converging and intriguing storylines and a multitude of characters. Each of the characters deeply explores their own form of loyalty to family and to faith. The writing is captivating and It makes for a highly satisfying but slightly challenging read.
Scottoline traveled all over Sicily to research this book. Her vivid descriptions reflect her travel experiences. She had cataloged all of her travels with videos and narrative on her website, it serves as a perfect companion to the book. I encourage anyone who has read or is interested in reading this book to check out her website.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher G. P. Putnam’s Sons
Published March 28, 2023
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
SUMMARY
Sicily Italy. Franco Fiorvante dreams of owning his own lemon grove one day. But for now he labors hard on the estate of Baron Zito. Determined to secure a prosperous future, Franco will do anything to prove his loyalty to the Baron. But when the Baron asks Franco to arrange the kidnapping of a young boy, Franco crosses a point of no return and sets in motion the making of the world first Mafia family.
Gaetano Catalano is an idealistic young Catholic lawyer totally devoted to justice. He is a member of the Beati Paoli, a real-life secret society of aristocrats who investigate crimes. The Beati Paoli and Gaetano set out to find the young kidnapped boy, but soon Gaetano becomes obsessed with the case. He risks losing both his job and his family to find the boy and bring him home.
Dante, the five-year-old kidnapped boy grows up in a madhouse without even knowing his last name. By the time he is a young man the madhouse is falling apart and Dante doubts his own sanity. He meets Lucia, a girl with a tragic past and they fall in love. Once Dante is release from his lifelong prison he sets out to find his kidnapper, his family and his true identity.
REVIEW
Loyalty is an intriguing historical fiction story of the creation and rise of one of the earliest Mafia families in Sicily. The Fiorvanti family depicted in the book is fictional but the origins of the Mafia depicted in the novel are true according to the author Lisa Scottoline. Scottoline says the Mafia’s earliest roots can be traced to the lemon groves around Palermo because of a combination of legal, social, political, and even agricultural factors that existed, all of which are highlighted in the book.
Scottoline novels typical flesh out the relationship between law and justice and Loyalty is no different. There are several converging and intriguing storylines and a multitude of characters. Each of the characters deeply explores their own form of loyalty to family and to faith. The writing is captivating and It makes for a highly satisfying but slightly challenging read.
Scottoline traveled all over Sicily to research this book. Her vivid descriptions reflect her travel experiences. She had cataloged all of her travels with videos and narrative on her website, it serves as a perfect companion to the book. I encourage anyone who has read or is interested in reading this book to check out her website.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher G. P. Putnam’s Sons
Published March 28, 2023
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
February 24, 2023
I was a fan of Scottoline’s Rosato and Associates series, but I don’t think there has been a new one in about 5 years. Lately, the author has branched out into writing other genres, including this piece of historical fiction.
Featuring a wide cast of characters, Scottoline presents a fictional account based on the real story behind the rise of the Mafia in Sicily. Among them, there is Franco who will never be accepted by the upper class, but will do anything at their bidding until he develops his own army to “protect” the lemon growing industry on the island. He is ruthless in becoming capo di tuti capi.” Dante is one of a number of boys kidnapped from their families in Palermo; Gaetano an attorney who risks all to try to find the missing children; Lucia the Albino child whose rare condition results in her mother being cast out from her home. There is also a man hiding his Jewish roots because Jews have been expelled from Sicily; townspeople attribute magical properties to the cheese he makes and claim he is a wizard!
Initially, I felt the plot to be all over the place and the dialog a bit simplistic. In time, though, the storylines did come together, revolving around themes of justice, revenge, loyalty. While I wasn’t enamored of the writing, I did enjoy the fast pace, the suspense and learning the historical basis for the Mafia (and the meaning of the term, mafiosi).
Be sure to read the author notes at the conclusion of the book.
Thanks to #netgalley and #penguinbooks #gpputnamssons for the ARC.
Featuring a wide cast of characters, Scottoline presents a fictional account based on the real story behind the rise of the Mafia in Sicily. Among them, there is Franco who will never be accepted by the upper class, but will do anything at their bidding until he develops his own army to “protect” the lemon growing industry on the island. He is ruthless in becoming capo di tuti capi.” Dante is one of a number of boys kidnapped from their families in Palermo; Gaetano an attorney who risks all to try to find the missing children; Lucia the Albino child whose rare condition results in her mother being cast out from her home. There is also a man hiding his Jewish roots because Jews have been expelled from Sicily; townspeople attribute magical properties to the cheese he makes and claim he is a wizard!
Initially, I felt the plot to be all over the place and the dialog a bit simplistic. In time, though, the storylines did come together, revolving around themes of justice, revenge, loyalty. While I wasn’t enamored of the writing, I did enjoy the fast pace, the suspense and learning the historical basis for the Mafia (and the meaning of the term, mafiosi).
Be sure to read the author notes at the conclusion of the book.
Thanks to #netgalley and #penguinbooks #gpputnamssons for the ARC.
February 16, 2023
I've read numerous books by Scottoline, and while this was okay, it wasn't my favorite.
First off, it's not my typical read, as it deals with the Mafia in Sicily, but my enjoyment of the author's prior books caused me to give it a try.
I found the story hard to engage with, for a few reasons. There's a large number of characters, and it takes quite some time to figure out how they're connected. The writing is solid (as expected!) and the characters well-crafted, but I never felt a true connection to any of them. The pace was too slow for my preference. I really enjoyed the author sharing as to how she came to write the book.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a review.
First off, it's not my typical read, as it deals with the Mafia in Sicily, but my enjoyment of the author's prior books caused me to give it a try.
I found the story hard to engage with, for a few reasons. There's a large number of characters, and it takes quite some time to figure out how they're connected. The writing is solid (as expected!) and the characters well-crafted, but I never felt a true connection to any of them. The pace was too slow for my preference. I really enjoyed the author sharing as to how she came to write the book.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a review.
April 26, 2023
3.75. This book is hard to review. First it all takes place in Sicily, an island I’m so excited to be visiting later this year. I loved the history of the lemon groves, all the food that was eaten, and the introduction of the mafia and how it all began. It involves several distinct and very different people all telling their story out of Palermo. They don’t really intersect til very near the end. At one point the book jumped 15 years and I was like, wait.. I wanna know what happened in those 15 years. All in all another incredibly well researched and well written book by Scottoline.
April 6, 2023
Normally love her books but this one; nope. So many characters that I would lose track and found myself not caring. So disappointed!
August 26, 2023
Ok.. where to begin.. there’s a lot of characters and different stories that as you read seems disjointed, flip flopping from one to the next, but if you stick with it, it does come together… but man, it doesn’t happen until the end.
Being Sicilian and recently getting married in Sicily I was intrigued with the book. Loved the setting and think Scottline did enough justice to make you feel like you were on the cobblestone streets going to the farmers market. It’s dramatic and intense at times but also moments of, what’s this story about? You have a kidnapped kid living in an insane asylum, a guy who is a goat farmer or sells cheese, a woman with a hideous born child fleeing from people, a guy who’s only desire is to owning his own lemon grove and a lawyer. Their stories eventually intertwine but you have to stay for the ride. It does seem boring at times but overall I thought it was a good read. Forgettable? Yes. Great? No. But a solid good read.
3 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Being Sicilian and recently getting married in Sicily I was intrigued with the book. Loved the setting and think Scottline did enough justice to make you feel like you were on the cobblestone streets going to the farmers market. It’s dramatic and intense at times but also moments of, what’s this story about? You have a kidnapped kid living in an insane asylum, a guy who is a goat farmer or sells cheese, a woman with a hideous born child fleeing from people, a guy who’s only desire is to owning his own lemon grove and a lawyer. Their stories eventually intertwine but you have to stay for the ride. It does seem boring at times but overall I thought it was a good read. Forgettable? Yes. Great? No. But a solid good read.
3 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
January 14, 2023
As a fan of Lisa Scottoline’s books, I was eager to read Loyalty. However, I found it very disappointing. There are too many characters and I found it hard to distinguish and remember them if the book is not read continuously. There is also too much going on throughout the novel — kidnapping, lemon growing, magical cheese making, arson, murder, people held captive in a “madhouse “, persecution of Jews, “evil eye” superstitions, wet nursing, banishing a daughter to a convent, etc.
The novel is purportedly historical fiction which takes place on the island of Sicily in the early 1800s and depicts the beginnings of the Mafia and the code of omertà.
I thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to publication.
The novel is purportedly historical fiction which takes place on the island of Sicily in the early 1800s and depicts the beginnings of the Mafia and the code of omertà.
I thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to publication.
November 13, 2022
I sit here writing my review while the music from the Godfather plays in the background. It's 1810 in Palermo, Sicily Italy in the lemon giardino, and this may have been the origin of the mafia.
I love this cast of characters that are so well written, and beautifully weaved together that places Loyalty above everything:
Renzo a vile inhuman piece of garbage.
Dante a six year old boy that is a survivor, I feel so very sorry for (Prince Pinocchio).
Gaetano the lawyer and his wife Maria are delt a bad hand, but their love & loyalty help them through it.
Franco the power hungry older twin brother (by 5 mintues) of Roberto. He'll stop at nothing to get what he wants.
Alfredo the wizard, and his daughters the magical goats & their cheese 🧀. He has a secret that no magic will fix.
Mafalda & her daughter Lucia, two very strong women that have only each other and the land they learn to live off of.
The story has you transported 15 years after the kidnapping and each of these people play a special role in each others lives as you will see that Loyalty does come with a price. The ending is perfect. The authors note is wonderful, where things are explained between facts and fiction, and you learn so much.
Lisa Scottoline has created a masterpiece in literature. This novel has all the elements a reader seeks to find in a story that will remain with you after your last page. I have read many of the authors past writings, and I love them all. I praise Scottoline first historical fiction "Eternal", and "Loyalty" is also a must have book to have in your library.
I was born in Italy, and own Scopa cards, and every morning I play the game with my 88 old dad. I highly recommend reading "Loyalty", and learning the game of Scopa, you'll love them both. Enjoy ❤️
Thank you so much G.P. Putnam/Penguin Group, NetGalley, and Lisa Scottoline for allowing me to have an advanced readers copy of this awesome book in exchange for an honest review.
#Loyalty
#LisaScottoline
#NetGalley
#Putnam/PenguinGroup
#HistoricalFiction
I love this cast of characters that are so well written, and beautifully weaved together that places Loyalty above everything:
Renzo a vile inhuman piece of garbage.
Dante a six year old boy that is a survivor, I feel so very sorry for (Prince Pinocchio).
Gaetano the lawyer and his wife Maria are delt a bad hand, but their love & loyalty help them through it.
Franco the power hungry older twin brother (by 5 mintues) of Roberto. He'll stop at nothing to get what he wants.
Alfredo the wizard, and his daughters the magical goats & their cheese 🧀. He has a secret that no magic will fix.
Mafalda & her daughter Lucia, two very strong women that have only each other and the land they learn to live off of.
The story has you transported 15 years after the kidnapping and each of these people play a special role in each others lives as you will see that Loyalty does come with a price. The ending is perfect. The authors note is wonderful, where things are explained between facts and fiction, and you learn so much.
Lisa Scottoline has created a masterpiece in literature. This novel has all the elements a reader seeks to find in a story that will remain with you after your last page. I have read many of the authors past writings, and I love them all. I praise Scottoline first historical fiction "Eternal", and "Loyalty" is also a must have book to have in your library.
I was born in Italy, and own Scopa cards, and every morning I play the game with my 88 old dad. I highly recommend reading "Loyalty", and learning the game of Scopa, you'll love them both. Enjoy ❤️
Thank you so much G.P. Putnam/Penguin Group, NetGalley, and Lisa Scottoline for allowing me to have an advanced readers copy of this awesome book in exchange for an honest review.
#Loyalty
#LisaScottoline
#NetGalley
#Putnam/PenguinGroup
#HistoricalFiction
October 9, 2023
Historical Fiction set in Sicily in the early 1800’s with themes of “loyalty,” family, power and justice. The making of the Sicilian mafioso from the lemon gardeners pursuit of power, wealth and “loyalty.”
The horrifying kidnapping of innocent children being put in madhouses to the killings of anyone standing in the way for them to succeed in their power of corruption throughout Sicily. The narration by, Edoardo Ballerini, is simply outstanding and he is one of the best audiobook narrators I’ve listened to. He is an Audie-Award winning narrator.
I had to come back to my review after watching Lisa’s 20 weekly videos from her website that she does on Sicily. They are wonderful videos to watch and learn about the history and some of the details she has put in, Loyalty. You get to see the the Cathedral Monreale, lemon groves, fishing villages, inland villages, as well as, the madhouse of Palermo, among other sites that tie into the story. Her passion shows that her heart and soul were put into this story. So interesting and what an incredible way of bringing the reader a slice of Sicily to view and listen to without actually visiting. This gives the reader an even deeper understanding of what this incredible story is all about. I enjoyed the videos after I read/listened to Loyalty, but you can watch them before reading too. Brilliantly done Lisa!
The horrifying kidnapping of innocent children being put in madhouses to the killings of anyone standing in the way for them to succeed in their power of corruption throughout Sicily. The narration by, Edoardo Ballerini, is simply outstanding and he is one of the best audiobook narrators I’ve listened to. He is an Audie-Award winning narrator.
I had to come back to my review after watching Lisa’s 20 weekly videos from her website that she does on Sicily. They are wonderful videos to watch and learn about the history and some of the details she has put in, Loyalty. You get to see the the Cathedral Monreale, lemon groves, fishing villages, inland villages, as well as, the madhouse of Palermo, among other sites that tie into the story. Her passion shows that her heart and soul were put into this story. So interesting and what an incredible way of bringing the reader a slice of Sicily to view and listen to without actually visiting. This gives the reader an even deeper understanding of what this incredible story is all about. I enjoyed the videos after I read/listened to Loyalty, but you can watch them before reading too. Brilliantly done Lisa!
April 15, 2023
2.75. It wasn’t bad, but not as good as I expect from this author. Characters seemed a little overdone.
April 19, 2023
Tooooo many characters , tooooo confusing ------ to be honest --- I didn't even finish.
May 3, 2023
5 star ⭐️ read. Thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction about the beginning of the Mafia in Sicily. Enjoyed the characters and learned a lot. Highly recommend…
May 10, 2023
I am not even going to attempt to summarize this book except with it is a historical fiction set in Italy during the early 1800's and it outlines how the first Mafia family came to be. There are 5 completely different storylines that eventually all come together.
What I liked:
* I did like the characters and found myself invested in each separate storyline.
*The setting was so detailed that I could picture it in my mind.
*I always appreciate a well researched book that teaches me something I didn't know prior to reading it. Who knew the first mafia family came from lemons!?
What I didn't like:
*The book felt long and it took until the very end to see how all these characters came together.
*There are a lot of characters and it is hard to keep track of them all in the beginning.
Overall I really enjoyed it, it just felt a little bit long and you really had to pay attention to keep up with all the characters and the plot. If you enjoy historical fiction then definitely check it out!
What I liked:
* I did like the characters and found myself invested in each separate storyline.
*The setting was so detailed that I could picture it in my mind.
*I always appreciate a well researched book that teaches me something I didn't know prior to reading it. Who knew the first mafia family came from lemons!?
What I didn't like:
*The book felt long and it took until the very end to see how all these characters came together.
*There are a lot of characters and it is hard to keep track of them all in the beginning.
Overall I really enjoyed it, it just felt a little bit long and you really had to pay attention to keep up with all the characters and the plot. If you enjoy historical fiction then definitely check it out!
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