The Unravelling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline

When Julia’s husband is brutally murdered in a random attack, her life unravels in ways she never could have foreseen.

Haunted by his death and spiraling into despair, Julia seeks refuge in a secluded Italian villa she has mysteriously inherited from a stranger. But her sanctuary becomes a prison as she uncovers disturbing connections to her own past – and faces chilling threats that may not be imaginary.

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Caught between a heritage she doesn’t understand and a darkness she can’t escape, Julia must confront secrets that could cost her what little she has left. The Unraveling of Julia is a gripping, atmospheric tale of grief, memory, and a descent into psychological terror that will keep readers turning pages deep into the night.

My Review

I wasn’t sure about this when I started it, but it grew on me. It’s a real page turner, but some of the supernatural elements were a bit over the top.

And then there’s the astrology, which we all know is b*****x. Apologies to those who believe but here’s one of mine for today:

“Another person might let you know how they see you today. Maybe the grandiose vision of yourself that you carry in your head isn’t what comes across to others. Remind yourself that this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. While the connection-craving Moon passes through your 7th House of Relationships, your companion may give you a chance to come down to Earth and enjoy life on a less dramatic scale. Follow what feels comfortable instead of scheming to look as impressive as possible.”

Really? Grandiose vision? 7th house of Relationships? Less dramatic scale? Could mean anything. But Julia believes hers is a warning of her husband’s impending murder. Other supernatural elements I liked, but Italian noblewoman Caterina Sforza and her blue light were a stretch too far.

But back to the story, which continues with Julia’s inheritance. She’s been left a villa in Tuscany and the land around, plus money. The whole lot is worth around 2 million dollars. She has no idea who has left it to her or why. She’s fostered and has no family. Emilia Rossi who owned the villa had no children, but Julia is not convinced she wasn’t lying. Many children of her generation had children out of wedlock, which they gave up and no-one knew. An illegitimate child of Emilia could be Julia’s mother. Or not.

The two stories unfold, as Julia herself unravels, but is there any connection? Is she going mad with her visions, her ‘ghosts’ and her dramatic ideas, or is she being used for some bigger plot of which she has no clue. It was an interesting premise and I really enjoyed it. Unlike some reviewers, I felt the ending was satisfying. We’ve got a bit of romance thrown in as well, for those who like that sort of thing!

Many thanks to @annecater for inviting me to be part of #RandomThingsTours

About the Author

Lisa Scottoline is a #1 bestselling and Edgar Award-winning author of 33 novels. Lisa has been President of Mystery Writers of America and she reviews fiction and non-fiction for the New York Times, Washington Post, and the Philadelphia Inquirer. She has over 30 million copies of her books in print and is published in over 35 countries. She lives with an array of disobedient pets, and wouldn’t have it any other way.