This book was so good! I’ve read one other book by Eoin Dempsey in the past, so I knew there was a high probability I’d enjoy this book. WWII fiction has quickly become my favorite genre to read, but rarely do I find as much fact woven into the story as in The Longest Echo. Eoin Dempsey made me want to research more about the events of the book, which I did ad nauseam. Even more than the research, after part one of this book - the massacre at Monte Sole - I was asking myself how a seemingly civilized society could turn so evil. I actually googled “how did the everyday German justify their actions?” just to see what came up. The author then asks these very questions and allows the reader to imagine, through the eyes of Werner Brack, what one such soldier believed. Every time I read WWII books, I’m again shocked by the atrocities committed, separate from the well-known concentration camps. I always assumed (you know what they say...) that the Italians and Germans were totally allied, but how very wrong I was. To find out that the largest massacre by shooting in Western Europe was perpetrated by Germans AGAINST Italians shocked me. The fact that the Germans literally obliterated an entire mountain, which never recovered, revealed yet another nuance of that devastating war. I really appreciated how Dempsey included real people and places in his fictional story, which really leads to his credibility and talent. I didn’t feel like I was reading fiction at all. I’m looking forward to more of Dempsey’s novels. I’d highly recommend this book. It sheds a light on just how demented and devastating the war was on even the tiniest and most unassuming of European communities.

As a fan of Dempsey’s earlier book, White Rose, Black Forest, I eagerly chose to read The Longest Echo. The novel begins in Italy during WWII. Liliana lives with her family in the mountain regions south of Bologna. James Foley, an escaped American POW, is aided by Liliana’s family. James then joins the local partisans. Subsequently, the SS launches a brutal attack on Monte Sole, murdering hundreds of innocent residents, including Liliana’s family.

Liliana and James manage to escape and are bonded for life. Fast forward twelve years later, to New York City. James is a successful journalist out to uncover the atrocities of WWII. Liliana is a wealthy widow hoping to avenge her family’s deaths. Will James and Liliana get the closure they so desperately seek?

This novel successfully captures a little-known attack by the Nazis and does so through the lens of relatable yet flawed characters. The narrative is driven by suspense and the desire for the characters to be successful in their quest. The tension between James and Liliana as the author reveals their separate but similar motives enhances the plausibility of the storyline. Perhaps I missed something, but I can’t figure out the meaning of the title. I recommend this book to fans of the author and readers of historical fiction and WWII novels. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advance reader copy of this book.

A heartbreaking story of the annihilation of a mountain area in Italy. The one survivor must find the German responsible. Her nightmare won't end until she finds some justice. Sadly most war criminals never faced their crimes. The answer to why humans can be so evil is known only to God.

I tried with this book. I have read dozens of books about WW2. I got about 25% of the way through before I gave up. I think my issue with this book is the total morbidity from the very start. Usually books from this era build and we experience the sadness and the despair later in the story, but this book was too much of a letdown from the start. I think the author does it more for the shock factor than for the actual story.

So many things i love about this book. I love historical fictions that particularly focus upon war time italy so this book was perfect! This captured the emotional aspects i love, as i feel inspired about the characters, trials and tribulations they go through which inspires me and leaves me feeling in love with this book.

I absolutely LOVED this book. Historical Fiction is my favorite genre, especially around WW2 and I have recently started reading about the Nazis in Italy during WW2. The Longest Echo is the perfect amount of history, romance, and perseverance. Eoin Dempsey's writing is brilliant and I could not put this book down. I love how he divided up the parts, and talked from both James and Liliana's point of view. This book may be my favorite Historical Fiction to date!

I gave this book 4 Stars rounded up from 3.5. The story featured an event in WWII history that I was unfamiliar with. I found the author's use of the description "meters" to be excessive and annoying.

"Finding Rebecca," another novel by Dempsey, is one of my favorite books, so I was excited to read this one after several years since reading "Finding Rebecca" for the first time.

The setting of this book was a pull for me -- I love books set in Italy and come from Italian descent myself. The same tense, aching, gripping suspense from "Finding Rebecca" returns in "The Longest Echo" as Liliana and James's story unfolds. For readers who enjoy angst and tugging on the heart strings, this is a book for you. I felt so much nostalgia and warmth reading this book, and I hope Dempsey continues to write romantic historical fiction. This was a beautiful novel.

Loved loved this book! I finished it in 2 days but I kind of wish I had taken my time because I just loved it so much. Historical fiction, especially during WW2 is my thing, I read tons of it so I was pretty excited to read this. I was not disappointed! I had never heard of this tragedy before and am grateful Mr. Dempsey choose to tell their story. He did such a great job too, I was immediately drawn into the family of characters he created. I could not put down Part 1 and stayed up to finish it because I felt so invested in what was happening to these people. As I stated previously I had not heard about this event happening and will now go to learn more.
Another awesome book by Eoin Demspey! I will for sure be recommending it to my Historical fiction friends!

Very good historical fiction book on WW2. It had great writing, a great plot and characterization and was a brilliantly told story. Very sad to see the suffering of everyone of that time during the war and after. Would definitely recommend.

It's September 1944 in Italy. There are alot of events going on. Liliana has two sisters Martina and Lena. I like the name Liliana. Her sister's left school at a young age. Liliana dreams of a world not filled with Nazis and a life with a job off the mountain. Liliana is twenty and it's expected of her to settle down and get married. I really liked Liliana. I liked the dialogue.