“The Sicilian Inheritance” by Jo Piazza

theSkimm

A failing marriage, a restaurant on the brink of bankruptcy — it’s not going well for Sara, the main character of bestselling author Jo Piazza’s new quest-thriller-mystery novel. Then her beloved aunt dies and leaves behind a request: that Sara travel to Sicily and claim land that belonged to her great-grandmother, Serafina. As Sara makes the trip and starts to investigate her great-grandmother’s life (and mysterious death), her story becomes intertwined with that of Serafina — a young mother with few choices and plenty of rage. We asked Piazza a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…

Q: “The Sicilian Inheritance” is inspired by your great-great-grandmother’s life and death — which you’ve since investigated for a true crime podcast by the same name. Why not write the real story?

Piazza: The novel is loosely based on the century-old murder of my great-great-grandmother Lorenza, who lived in Sicily. It’s a story my family has been telling for as long as I can remember, but like a 100-year-long game of telephone, the details are always changing. I knew that she stayed behind while her husband came to America to make a better life for the family and that she was killed before she could join him. I didn’t want to know more than that as I was writing. I wanted to let my imagination run wild to create a real adventure.

Q: The book is a love letter to Sicily, which might inspire some readers to visit. Have you ever visited a place after reading a book set there?

Piazza: I wanted Sicily to feel like a main character in the book with real main character energy, [because] I love it when a book transports you so fully that you simply have to visit a place. I am that person who went to Bali, specifically Ubud, after reading “Eat, Pray, Love.” I am very easily swayed by books — and Ubud totally delivered.

Q: What are three things everyone should see or do if they visit Sicily?

Piazza: Tonnara di Scopello, [which inspired] a pivotal scene in “The Sicilian Inheritance.” It’s a tiny inlet of perfect turquoise ocean surrounded by jagged white cliffs [on Sicily’s west coast], which is often overlooked in favor of the east coast, where much of “The White Lotus” was filmed. But it’s so much more authentic, less crowded with tourists, and equally stunning. Zingaro Nature Reserve, [where you can take a] boat tour and dart in and out of the rocky coastline, visiting hidden beaches and grottos. And the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento [is also] a must. The oldest of the ruins date back to the 6th century BC, and they are remarkable.

Q: If you had to live in a fictional literary world for one month, what would you choose?

Piazza: I’m about to get weird, but “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” Because if you only get a month, and you can only do it once, you better make it count. Who wouldn’t want to go to outer space?

PS: Love a good thriller? Us too. Once you finish “The Sicilian Inheritance,” check out our recs for other page-turners that’ll keep you at the edge of your seat.