New Novel ‘The Sicilian Inheritance' Will Make You Want To Travel To Sicily This Summer

21.03.2024 - 13:47 / forbes.com / Ellis Island

As 2024 heats up, "The Sicilian Inheritance" is the book on everyone's summer must-read list, buzzing with anticipation. It's a delicious mix of mystery and adventure, served up with a side of Sicilian food and wine, all set against the backdrop of breathtaking scenery and wrapped around a cast of characters that draw you in. But what really makes this book stand out is the heart and soul poured into it by its author, Jo Piazza.

Jo's connection to the story is deeply personal, inspired by her own travels to Sicily. "This is the book you need to read before you go to Sicily," she shares, explaining how her dozen trips to the island have imbued the narrative with authenticity and love. The spark for the tale? The murder of her great-great-grandmother Lorenza Marsala in Sicily in 1916 is a family story that's been passed down through generations.

Yet, Jo didn't dive into the real story behind her ancestor's murder until after the book was written.

"I wanted to enjoy writing fiction, creating characters and scenarios," she says. Starting with just a "nugget of a woman in danger," she spun a tale that crosses time, linking a modern-day woman's journey to Sicily with her family's past.

After finishing the book, Jo's curiosity led her on a detective quest to uncover the truth about her great-great-grandmother's death. "I've been digging through records at Ellis Island, with ancestry sites, and going back and forth to Sicily," she recounts, a testament to her dedication to uncovering her family's history.

For Jo, experiencing Sicily firsthand was non-negotiable. "You can't write a book that makes the reader want to visit Sicily without being there yourself," she insists. It's this immersion that allowed her to capture the essence of Sicilian life, from the "mouthwatering" food to the unique culture that sets the island apart from the rest of Italy.

Jo's travels through Sicily not only enriched the book but also deepened her own connection to the island. She learned that Sicily is "a completely different place with its own customs, culture, language, and approach to life." From the generosity of its people to its rich history and diverse cuisine, Jo found a wealth of material that she wove into her narrative, making the island itself a central character in her story.

Reflecting on her experiences, Jo says, "It is a place that I want to return to again and again. It feels like home now." Her bond with Sicily has grown so strong that she's even considering making it a more permanent part of her life, exploring real estate options and applying for Italian citizenship with the help of a researcher she met during her book and podcast research.

Jo not only weaves a captivating tale but serves as an unofficial tour