THis latest book by Lisa Scottoline will appeal to some readers. Those that liked Cloud Altas will find this book interesting. Sadly that is not so for me. Although I've been a fan of her other books, I was unable to finish Loyalty.

A beautiful Historical fiction with numerous storylines of love, deceit and loss. The multiple storylines intersect and gives us Loyalty.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I’ve only read one of book in her series but have read about a dozen of Lisa Scottoline’s stand alone books and they’ve all been 4 or 5 star reads for me. This is her 2nd attempt at historical fiction, based on the beginning of the mafia in Sicily. Some historical fiction can occasionally feel like a text book has been thrown in while the author inundates you with facts – that’s not the case here. You truly aren’t sure which parts are fact and which parts are fiction because you’re too immersed in the storylines to care. She does spell it all out for you afterwards though.

For those planning to read it (and I truly hope you do), please know there are multiple related storylines going at the same time in alternating chapters. This is one of those books where I honestly think you need a dedicated 30 minutes of reading time to start the book to get a solid “foundation” to keep it all straight. After that, you can easily pick it up and put it down for shorter reading periods.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnum Books for gifting me with an advanced copy to read and review.

Lisa Scottoline impresses us once again with a great book that keeps you up reading yet you don't want it to end too soon. As the chapters introduce you to the various, complex characters - villains, victims, do-gooders - you turn each page wondering how they will all come together at the end though different adventures, happy times and peril. The story also offers an education of the origins of the mafiosa families of Sicily. I highly recommend this book and can't wait for Lisa Scottoline's next novel. Thank you NetGalley!

I was so excited to see a new book by Scottoline that I didn't even check what the book was about.
This book is VERY different from the previous books I've read by her. Books set in the 1800's and stories involving the mob are really not my thing. However, Scottoline made this readable for me.

A child abducted and the beginnings of the Mob in Italy led to many different story lines to keep straight. I will admit I struggled with that at times. I was curious though to see how the many threads would all tie together. I did enjoy how it all played out.

The scenery was well portrayed and I could almost smell the food, it was described so well.

While not my preferred genre, I would highly recommend this to history lovers.

Thanks to netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the arc

Lisa Scottoline is an incredible writer and she is successful in multiple genres. I have loved Bennie and her cohorts, her stand alone thrillers and her historical novels. Loyalty, her latest novel, is a historical masterpiece. The colorful saga begins in Palermo, Sicily in 1810. Dante, a young boy, is kidnapped from a crowded festival he is attending with his parents. The boy screams for help but no one hears him. He is taken to an asylum where he is held hostage. Scottoline develops many fascinating characters that are linked by Dante's abduction and one man's desperate search to find him. As the plot thicken's the plot becomes even more compelling. Scottoline's concise writing style and fascinating story are what make Loyalty difficult to put down. Scottoline's novels never disappoint and I will always be a loyal Scottoline reader.

I grabbed this book because historically I've been a big fan of Lisa Scottoline but this one fell a little short for me.

A historical fiction book based on Sicily and individuals rise to power. We meet a bunch of different characters, a boy who is kidnapped at a young age and locked into a mad house, individuals from the mafia. With all of these characters comes a lot of different story lines, which could be harder to follow. They did all come together at the end but it did take a bit.

The writing of this book was great, I think the subject just wasn't my favorite.

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARCH of this book!

LOYALTY
BY: LISA SCOTTOLINE

Having read and loved, Lisa Scottoline's gripping and immersive historical fiction set in Rome, called, "ETERNAL," I knew when I saw that she had a new historical fiction, coming out called, "LOYALTY," I was praying to be approved to read it. I absolutely without a doubt feel like she was able to far exceed my expectations once again. Those two historical novels are in my top five FAVORITE historical novels of ALL TIME! I LOVED Both of them equally, and they are both vastly different, they are both BRILLIANT and STUNNING! This one takes place in the 1800's in Sicily and Palermo. After binge reading "Loyalty," reading half last night and the other half today, I am so sad that I finished it already because after finishing "Loyalty," I know that it is going to be very hard to be as swept away by another novel, as I was by this one. Now I know I have to go to Italy and visit the vivid and sensual settings that were so beautifully described. It's no wonder that Sicily is called an Island with parts of it facing the Mediterranean Sea. The vast lemon orchards. The fresh and delicious descriptions of the food. The landmarks that are now still there. I loved everything about this FANTASTIC masterpiece.

I loved reading the Author's Note at the end where this talented author told me what was factual and what was fiction. Lisa Scottoline really did her research by traveling there herself. Much about the Mafia's origins as described in the novel are factual and true, which I found fascinating. I had a very easy time keeping the characters straight, although in the first part she provided a list, I found the characters all to be so very interesting, that they were easy to follow. I really applaud Lisa Scottoline, for her blending facts with fictional characters that I was so captivated by every single one of them that she created with a tremendous imagination. From the very beginning she managed to grab my attention and held it throughout the entire novel. I loved all of the characters, and found the plot to be impressive.

I really hope that this author writes more historical fiction in the future, because she really deserves one-hundred stars for this one, and "Eternal." I think that both, "Eternal," and "Loyalty," are outstanding epic, multifaceted storytelling from a gifted writer at the top of her game. They are both Unique, and Unforgettable. As I said, and I know that I'm reiterating "Eternal," and "Loyalty," are in my lifetime top favorite five historical fiction novels that I have ever had the pleasure to read. I know that everything else that I read, from here on out in this genre is going to pale in comparison. I am going to have a major book hangover after this one. It was an absolute honor, and privilege to read Ms. Scottoline's Advanced Reader's Copy early. It is going to be published this month. I can't wait to purchase the physical hardcover for my personal collection of the extraordinary & remarkable books that are truly outstanding in every aspect, like this one was. I will also be buying it for all of my friends, and family who love to read exceptionally well written gems that I discover. I purposefully didn't write a summary, because the synopsis already did that. I will just add that this excellent novel was one that I really enjoyed, and one that I will be thinking about for a long, long time. Lisa Scottoline you said that you love to read historical fiction. I hope that you continue to write it, because you have struck gold again with "Loyalty." I will be recommending it to everybody who I discuss books with. 100 Bright, Sparkling Stars!

Here is the link to my review of, "Eternal," in case anybody is interested. With, "Eternal," I summarized it. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3845490696

Publication Date: March 28, 2023.

Thank you to Net Galley, Lisa Scottoline and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam G.P. Putnam's Sons Publishing for generously providing me with my Wonderful ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. I was not required to write a positive review, I sincerely loved the book.

#Loyalty #LisaScottoline #PenguinGroupPutnamGPPutnamsSons #NetGalley

Franco is a lemon grower who dreams of owning his own grove and devotes his life to a lemon growing baron, including assisting in the kidnapping of a young child named Dante but when his baron turns against him, Franco seeks his own revenge and goes on to build a mafia family without scruples about seeking revenge and protecting their own! Meanwhile, Dante spends most of his life in a madhouse, forgetting his family and questioning his own sanity before being given a chance to find out the real truth behind his kidnapping! All while local lawyer, Gaetano, devotes his livelihood and eventually his freedom to finding young Dante! Loyalty explores the early development of a mafia family and those linked both directly and indirectly to the rise and fall! Welcome to the darker side of the beautiful island of Sicily!

Loyalty is a wonderfully written, heartbreaking story that ties individuals from all walks of life together! Scottoline does a fabulous job with all the characters while telling an intriguing story! Once I got going with the story, I couldn't put it down! Loyalty includes love, loss, drama, action...everything! I think this is truly going to become a classic and a bestseller!!

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Scottoline’s historical fiction is not my favorite. This one took a while to get into but I struggled and pushed through.

This was an intriguing journey through 19th century Sicily and the beginning of the first Mafia family. The characters were well-developed, and it was interesting to see how all the separate storylines were eventually woven together.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for early access to this novel. I was really excited to read another Lisa Scottoline book after loving What Happened to the Bennetts. This novel is a huge departure from her contemporary writing. It's obviously well researched and the novel endeavors to take on mental health care, the beginnings of the Sicilian mob, the Beati Paoli (vigilantes doing the work the police won't), horrible conditions in sulfur mines, etc, etc, etc...so much! With a long list of characters and several plot lines, there's a lot to keep track of. I found the dialogue to be clunky and unrealistic. I DID enjoy the descriptions of scenery and food.

Loyalty
By Lisa Scottoline

If you like historical fiction and want to learn about Palermo in the 1800s and how the mafia and a secret society of aristocrats (dedicated to investigating crime) interact—then this is a novel for you. The portrayal of loyalty is depicted throughout the story, but I think an alternate title could have been Revenge!

This story contains a wide range of characters and a just as wide range of themes. There is a kidnapped boy, a guard, a manager of a lemon grove, a wealthy baron, a lawyer, a cheese maker, and a fisherman. All have their roles/places and are intertwined within this chronicle.

The first chapter of the book starts off with action and throughout the story, the author draws you into the customs and everyday life of these larger-than-life characters. Early on, you’ll be introduced to the Beati Paoli, the Blessed Society of Saint Paul. As mentioned above, it’s the secret society that works for the common good in honor of Saint Paul. And the next 97, yes 97 chapters will provide you with a wealth of drama, gruesome killings, love and of course loyalty.

The author’s note at the end is not to be missed. I loved reading how she set about to research the book and also love the fact that she provides more educational insights and resources for a reader to explore after finishing her book.

It’s a story that’s worth the time.

Lisa Scottoline is an auto-purchase for me. She writes about the surrounding suburbs of Philadelphia where I grew up and still reside. Loyalty was unique and intriguing. I am not usually a fan of historical fiction but Lisa has made me a fan. Her writing draws me in, I feel like I know these characters and I can’t put it down until I’m done. Another winner Lisa!!

Wow what a great book. It was very interesting and the city/country is gorgeous I image.

Lisa this was a very amazing book. The way you write makes to visually image the cities and the people.

Thank you net gallery for letting this amazing book.

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.

Mafia is the consciousness of one's individuality, the exaggerated conceit in one's strength, which is regarded as the sole arbiter of every dispute, of every conflict of interest and opinions, which results an intolerance of anyone else's superiority, or worse still anybody else's power.

That's how it is with family, isn't it? Loyalty is everything to the Fiorvantis.

I love to see how an author I have read has progressed in their writing. For example, some authors, you can pick up any book of theirs and see a thread. How a plot unfolds, the character, etc. To be upfront, I have not read Lisa for awhile so this one was so different and it was a delightful surprise.

A historical fiction based on the origin of the Mafia in Sicily with the a fictional family of Fiorvanti family. Twin brothers that are the same in looks but are very different in character. Don Franco and Don Roberto. Under the leadership of Roberto the family has gained power in the area using the tool of loyalty.

What made this novel so good were the different characters. The first notable character is Dante who was kidnapped at the age of 5. Who was meant to be murdered by Franco but was saved in put in a "mad house" He keeps his sanity remembering the comfort of his parents and book that his parents shared with him that kept him in the fight.

Gaetano a man of deep Catholic faith who was a lawyer who felt called to find the boys that were kidnapped in his small town of Palermo. He believed in justice but justice was not found.

The characters express the one sided loyalty, the long-suffering loyalty, and the loyalty of doing the right thing, and of faith. I loved it. The characters are unforgettable and it was hard to put down.

A special thank you to Penguin Group and Netgally for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

I love Lisa Scottoline and I fell in love with Sicily on a trip there a few months ago. But I don't like historical fiction and neither Lisa nor Sicily could get me thru her latest, Loyalty! Don't get me wrong, she has earned the right to write whatever genre she wants. I'll be waiting for her next (non historical fiction) book with bated breath!

The idea of loyalty is only one of the central themes of this sprawling historical novel by Lisa Scottoline. She is so good at writing historical novels! She makes us truly believe that the characters are living, breathing, human beings who have both good and evil sides. People who have strong playful senses of humor and a propensity for sudden, violent, angry outbursts.

At the beginning, it is a bit difficult to follow the myriad characters that are introduced. But the payoff will come if you stick with it. And when it does, you will find out how the characters paths cross. There are so many plot twists and turns to this story that the mystery is in how all will be resolved.

The origins of the Sicilian mafia plays a large role in this novel and so does the treatment of the mentally ill. Justice vs. revenge is another major theme. And the lack of a strong police force to protect the citizens is yet another. All in all, this is one delicious book. And I highly recommend it.

In the beginning, I wondered how the different storylines could be related and was impressed with how the author brought everything together. Parts of the story were a bit unbelievable such as the lawyer who devoted his life to finding a lost child as he was forsaking his own family. The historical aspects of places and the time in Sicily and the surrounding area were interesting.