Occupied Italy, 1944: In the mountain regions South of Bologna, Liliana Nicoletti's family find escaped POW James Foley behind German lines. Committed to the anit-fascist cause, they deliver him to a band of local partisans. But when the SS launches a brutal attack against the Resistance, Liliana's peaceful community is destroyed. James and Liliana fight together as Monte Sol burns. Twelve years later, fate reunites Liliana (newly widowed) and James who is now a journalist for a New York magazine. They join forces to hunt down the SS officer who ordered her family to be killed.

This story is based on true events, the Marzabotto Massacre that took place just before the Allied troops came to control the region. Liliana and James had to flee the country. They are both dtill haunnted by the events that took lace in Monte Sol. I was drawn into this stoey straigh away, learning more about our history as i read. I did prefer the first part of the story, but overall, it's a really good read.

This book is inspired by true events
I loved the characters and the plot is full of suspense
It is written so well
A great book

I very much enjoyed the characters, plot, and writing style. Reading a WWII novel set in Italy versus France or England is refreshing.

Another fantastic book set during world war II. I thoroughly enjoyed this book even if it did tear apart heart. I didn't want this book to end

This was a beautiful book. Dempsey really knows how to tell a good story! I really found myself falling in love with the characters and rooting for them to succeed in their mission. 4 stars.

I love reading historical fiction books set in WWII. This particular one is based on true events which occurred in Italy. This is also a dual timeline book which I really enjoy. The characters are well developed and the author has done a tremendous job researching this horrific time in history. As you experience the atrocities the Nazis wreak on the villagers in Monte Sol, you will be appalled at what humans are capable of doing to each other. It is also shocking to discover the way countries turned their heads when it came to assisting in tracking down war criminals. Needless to say, this story is one that will stay with you long after you have closed the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A good WWII drama/suspense novel.

The Longest Echo begins with Liliana's family, living in the mountains of north-central Italy, finding an escaped American POW, James, near their home. The family faces great danger while harboring James. He leaves to join the partisans until he can rejoin his unit. The area is occupied by the Germans who are dedicated to eradicating the partisans and their strategy is to burn any village associated with them and murder all that may have a connection to them or aided in any way. Readers have been overexposed to WWII narratives, but publishers continue to push out thousands of these books. This one is no different. If the book continued as just another well-worn WWII story, I would have DNF'd it. But Part IV gave me a reason to continue and it was the reason I chose to read the book. The story turns to post WWII and James's quest to search out escaped Nazi's. As a journalist, he wants expose these evil men who now live a quiet, happy life in obscurity, and he hopes some justice for their wrongs will result. Liliana wants revenge for the murder of her entire family in Italy. The two join forces. It became an interesting story at this point.

Every time I think I have read all I can about WWII, a new book comes out that shows me a new perspective. The Longest Echo is a sweeping story of war torn Italy. Liliana and James are thrown together when the Nazi presence in Liliana's town decides to make an example of the citizens. Many years later their paths cross again in their hunt for the man responsible for all that death and destruction.

The Longest Echo is truly a unique perspective in WWII fiction in that it takes place largely after the war is over. It shows how many war criminals truly escaped punishment and how they were able to do it. I went into this one kind of blind and I was not expecting to love it as much as I did. I highly recommend this one to anyone who loves historical fiction.

This had me gripped from the first page. Devastating. Fascinating. Written with grace and complete command. Couldn't put it down. Will be searching for more other author's work.

This was powerful historical fiction. I haven’t read too much about WWII Italy, and it was fascinating. The extent of the destruction shocked me. After the war, resentment against the Germans who killed families and destroyed homes was strong. The plot was strong and the writing flowed. I couldn’t put the book down once I got started. 5 enthusiastic stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a super fun read. I really enjoyed this one!

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I am a sucker for a good WWII novel. While this is based on an actual event, the story focuses on two characters and their experiences before, during, and after the event. I really liked how it went into the 1950's and post war world. The descriptions of Italy, New York, Argentina are all wonderful. I couldn't put it down and didn't want it to end.

I really enjoyed this book. It was gripping, easy to read and absolutely devastating all at the same time. Would definitely recommend.

The Longest Echo is a great historical fiction story by Eoin Dempsey.
I was riveted early on, and stayed riveted throughout.
This is a war time story with events of the Massacre of Monte Sole.
I had never heard of this event, so this fictional take on it is fascinating to me.
This is a tragic tale that will leave you feeling the pain and horror that the Italians endured.
I highly recommend this tale.

Against the backdrop of WWII-ravaged Italy comes a powerful and emotional novel of love, survival, justice, and second chances by the bestselling author of White Rose, Black Forest.

Occupied Italy, 1944. In the mountain regions south of Bologna, Liliana Nicoletti’s family finds escaped POW James Foley behind German lines. Committed to the anti-Fascist cause, they deliver him to a powerful band of local partisans. But when the SS launches a brutal attack against the Resistance, Liliana’s peaceful community is destroyed. Alone and thrown together by tragedy, James and Liliana fight together as Monte Sole burns. Forging an unbreakable bond, they know their only hope of survival is to make it to the Allied lines.

Twelve years later, fate reunites Liliana, newly widowed, and James, now a journalist for a New York magazine. Liliana reveals to him the obsession that has haunted her since the massacre at Monte Sole: finding and bringing to justice the SS officer who ordered her family killed. James has a revelation too. He might know how to hunt the man down. Joining forces once more, and increasingly drawn to each other, Liliana and James discover new levels of conspiracy on a journey that leads them to Argentina—and to a choice that will change their lives forever.

I really enjoyed this book.

Occupied Italy of 1944 is a dangerous place, even for its own inhabitants. Liliana helps James, an escaped POW, to join with the partisans in their resistance against the Nazi regime. Ripped apart by circumstance, James and Liliana meet up 12 years later, still determined to find out the murderer of Liliana's family.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

WOW. This was my first novel by Eoin Dempsey, and it will NOT be my last. This book was just what I needed after being in a reading rut. This book just tore my heart apart and will stick with me long after finishing it. Perfect for any WW2 avid readers. Loved it!

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Inspired by true events, this is a devastating story of a Nazi massacre on Italian women and children towards to end of WW2. The book follows Liliana, a young Italian woman who lives through it and James, an escaped American POW who watches the massacre from a distance. Moving through the years after the war, the story tells how this impacted on both their lives. Would definitely recommend.

“Don’t let what you’ve seen here change who you are, my love. don’t let the evil that the SS scum have inflicted imprison you. You will survive…you must live the most wondrous life, beyond any of our simple imaginations. Don’t let their hatred live. Leave it behind, and you will have won.”

This book, based on true events, takes the reader from Monte Sole, Italy in the 1940s to New York in the late 1950’s. The author paints a beautiful picture of the picturesque town in Italy. There the reader is introduced to Liliana and her close knit family. The town is occupied by the Germans, but the residents have been mostly left to themselves. Enter James, an American POW, and the resistance rebels, Stella Rosa.

As James and Liliana’s stories intersect, the Germans destroy the beautiful town and as many of its residents as possible to punish them for harboring the resistance fighters. Liliana devastatingly watches her family murdered right in front of her. James, who has since joined up with Stella Rosa, also witnesses the murders and eventually leads Liliana to safety after their perilous escape from the burning town.

Fast forward and reader learns that James has become a writer. Liliana has moved on with her life as well. The two finally meet again in New York, after James has written an article about the murders at Monte Sole. The story also follows one of the German SS officers responsible for the massacre at Monte Sole. The reader learns about the escape route of many SS officers to safety through Argentina. This to me was the most disturbing part of the story. To know that these men who became monsters were in essence welcomed, and allowed to live freely and lavishly in another country made me feel disgusted. To realize this is actual history made it even more indigestible.

In an effort not to give too much of this important story away, James and Liliana begin to research the officer they remember and have seen semi-recent pictures of. In the end they both must grapple with their sorrow, their feelings of revenge and their sense of justice.

This was such an amazingly emotional read. The book starts off a tad slow, but stick with it, the wait is worth it. The author is one I will seek out again.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read this as an advance copy.