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The Longest Echo
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, 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.
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, 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.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 9, 2021
1,710 people are currently reading
18.6k people want to read
About the author
Eoin Dempsey
33Ìýbooks978ÌýfollowersEoin Dempsey was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1977. He grew up in the beautiful Dublin suburb of Dalkey, where he and his friends would jump into the icy waters of the Irish Sea (during summertime) to prove their manliness. Eoin had a fantastic time attending Blackrock College, where he played rugby (poorly) and did his best to coast his way through. Eoin’s first ambition was to play rugby for Ireland. Due to a lack of talent, he soon abandoned that goal for the more reasoned path of the rock star. He played in bands through his teens and well into his twenties before harsh reality came calling, and his dreams of being the next Keith Moon faded.
Eoin made the ill-reasoned decision to study business in university and was accepted into University College Dublin to study Commerce in 1995. While Eoin did attend college, studying wasn’t his priority there.
He met his beautiful wife, Jill, while traveling to the USA in 1997, though it would be several years before he managed to break her down and they got together as a couple. It was during Eoin’s second stint in the USA, which he spent with his brother in New York City, that he decided to start writing a novel, for the express purpose of impressing women. This effort was met with mixed success. Eoin finished his first novel a year later. The over hundred and fifty rejections he received from publishers didn’t discourage him. He pinned them to his wall. After spending a year in Australia, where he was fired from many jobs, including picking red and green peppers and toiling for scallops miles out to sea on a fishing trawler, he returned home and decided to write again. Another novel followed while he phoned it in at a number of jobs in financial services in Dublin.
By this time Eoin had managed to convince Jill, the girl he’d met in the USA years before to move over to Dublin. She did so in 2004. It was the best negotiation he ever undertook. They were married in 2007. Jill’s more brilliant negotiating skills led Eoin to move to her hometown of Philadelphia in 2008, just in time for the economy to collapse. The plan to live with her parents for a few weeks turned into eighteen months, as Eoin struggled to retain employment in a fractured economy. It was during this time that he wrote FINDING REBECCA, which would go on to be his first published novel and be translated into fourteen different languages.
Eoin and Jill have three beautiful sons, Robbie, who was born in 2015, Sam, born in 2017, and Jack who came in 2019. Eoin enjoys playing with them and marveling at how much more talented they are at the sports that he loves, particularly golf.
Eoin made the ill-reasoned decision to study business in university and was accepted into University College Dublin to study Commerce in 1995. While Eoin did attend college, studying wasn’t his priority there.
He met his beautiful wife, Jill, while traveling to the USA in 1997, though it would be several years before he managed to break her down and they got together as a couple. It was during Eoin’s second stint in the USA, which he spent with his brother in New York City, that he decided to start writing a novel, for the express purpose of impressing women. This effort was met with mixed success. Eoin finished his first novel a year later. The over hundred and fifty rejections he received from publishers didn’t discourage him. He pinned them to his wall. After spending a year in Australia, where he was fired from many jobs, including picking red and green peppers and toiling for scallops miles out to sea on a fishing trawler, he returned home and decided to write again. Another novel followed while he phoned it in at a number of jobs in financial services in Dublin.
By this time Eoin had managed to convince Jill, the girl he’d met in the USA years before to move over to Dublin. She did so in 2004. It was the best negotiation he ever undertook. They were married in 2007. Jill’s more brilliant negotiating skills led Eoin to move to her hometown of Philadelphia in 2008, just in time for the economy to collapse. The plan to live with her parents for a few weeks turned into eighteen months, as Eoin struggled to retain employment in a fractured economy. It was during this time that he wrote FINDING REBECCA, which would go on to be his first published novel and be translated into fourteen different languages.
Eoin and Jill have three beautiful sons, Robbie, who was born in 2015, Sam, born in 2017, and Jack who came in 2019. Eoin enjoys playing with them and marveling at how much more talented they are at the sports that he loves, particularly golf.
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November 19, 2020
Let's just say........You'll be sitting with this one a little longer after the last page.
The Longest Echo is actually inspired by true events that happened in the small town of Monte Sole in Bologna, Italy during World War II. Whether you like the characters, or the setting, or Eoin Dempsey's writing style, it's merely a sideline to what was visited upon human to human in the clutches of war.
Sergeant James Foley of the U.S. Army escaped from a prisoner train filled with captured Allied forces in September of 1944 outside of Monte Sole. James, exhausted and fearful, comes upon a small farmhouse. The farmer and his family put themselves in danger while hiding James when the Nazis surround their home. Liliana, their twenty year old daughter, is the only one who speaks English in this family. She's made an arrangement with the head of the Stella Rossa, an Italian resistance group, to take James with them.
But the savage-hearted Nazis return to Monte Sole to punish the villagers for the deeds of the Stella Rossa. It is here that a solid bond is formed between Liliana and James. The actions of the Nazis will be embedded in Liliana's mind and heart for the rest of her days.
Eoin Dempsey presses the story forward to New York City in 1956 where Liliana and James will meet once more. Liliana is a recent widow having married an American doctor during the war. James is recently divorced from his wife after living in Mexico City. He's currently working as a journalist for a New York magazine.
Liliana has never been able to find peace after Monte Sole. She convinces James to accompany her to Argentina where she believes that Werner Brack and other Nazis like him have taken refuge during the Peron government era. And we as readers follow right behind these unusual Nazi Hunters searching for the truth.
Eoin Dempsey supplies plenty of true historical background information within The Longest Echo. But what can never be explained is how Aryan patriots followed orders in the demise of millions of innocent people. It's like an evil demon worm infiltrated their mind turning them into robotic monsters. Hell is empty and the demons are all here.
A well written historical fiction work that leaps forward from true events. We can never appreciate or value the present fully without knowing the paths that led us to today.
I received a copy of The Longest Echo through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to Eoin Dempsey for the opportunity.
The Longest Echo is actually inspired by true events that happened in the small town of Monte Sole in Bologna, Italy during World War II. Whether you like the characters, or the setting, or Eoin Dempsey's writing style, it's merely a sideline to what was visited upon human to human in the clutches of war.
Sergeant James Foley of the U.S. Army escaped from a prisoner train filled with captured Allied forces in September of 1944 outside of Monte Sole. James, exhausted and fearful, comes upon a small farmhouse. The farmer and his family put themselves in danger while hiding James when the Nazis surround their home. Liliana, their twenty year old daughter, is the only one who speaks English in this family. She's made an arrangement with the head of the Stella Rossa, an Italian resistance group, to take James with them.
But the savage-hearted Nazis return to Monte Sole to punish the villagers for the deeds of the Stella Rossa. It is here that a solid bond is formed between Liliana and James. The actions of the Nazis will be embedded in Liliana's mind and heart for the rest of her days.
Eoin Dempsey presses the story forward to New York City in 1956 where Liliana and James will meet once more. Liliana is a recent widow having married an American doctor during the war. James is recently divorced from his wife after living in Mexico City. He's currently working as a journalist for a New York magazine.
Liliana has never been able to find peace after Monte Sole. She convinces James to accompany her to Argentina where she believes that Werner Brack and other Nazis like him have taken refuge during the Peron government era. And we as readers follow right behind these unusual Nazi Hunters searching for the truth.
Eoin Dempsey supplies plenty of true historical background information within The Longest Echo. But what can never be explained is how Aryan patriots followed orders in the demise of millions of innocent people. It's like an evil demon worm infiltrated their mind turning them into robotic monsters. Hell is empty and the demons are all here.
A well written historical fiction work that leaps forward from true events. We can never appreciate or value the present fully without knowing the paths that led us to today.
I received a copy of The Longest Echo through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to Eoin Dempsey for the opportunity.
March 23, 2021
Erin Dempsey weaves a tale that is memorable and heartbreaking but also manages to inform the reader of a horrific and little known (well to me anyhow) atrocity in history.
Against the backdrop of WW II and set in occupied Italy 1944, in the mountain regions south of Bologna. Liliana Nicoletti’s family finds James Foley behind German lines. Committed to the anti-fascist cause, they help him escape to a local but powerful band of partisans. The SS launches a brutal attack against the Resistance, and Lilians’s peaceful life and family pay a dreadful price.
I was hooked from the very first page, and really enjoyed this historical fiction novel and hope to further my reading with a non fiction account in the future. I love when historical fiction novels highlight a time or event in history that readers may not have been aware of. The Longest Echo certainly informs, engages and transports the reader to a time and place in history when unspeakable horrors took place.
So well researched and written, this was a really interesting and heart wrenching novel. I loved the characters and the plot is suspenseful and engaging.
Another book for my real life bookshelf and one for my favourites list.
Against the backdrop of WW II and set in occupied Italy 1944, in the mountain regions south of Bologna. Liliana Nicoletti’s family finds James Foley behind German lines. Committed to the anti-fascist cause, they help him escape to a local but powerful band of partisans. The SS launches a brutal attack against the Resistance, and Lilians’s peaceful life and family pay a dreadful price.
I was hooked from the very first page, and really enjoyed this historical fiction novel and hope to further my reading with a non fiction account in the future. I love when historical fiction novels highlight a time or event in history that readers may not have been aware of. The Longest Echo certainly informs, engages and transports the reader to a time and place in history when unspeakable horrors took place.
So well researched and written, this was a really interesting and heart wrenching novel. I loved the characters and the plot is suspenseful and engaging.
Another book for my real life bookshelf and one for my favourites list.
April 13, 2024
This work of historical fiction is inspired by true events that happened during WW2 in the small town of Monte Sol in the mountainous region south of Bologna, Italy. Liliana and her family are living behind Nazi-occupied lines, and like the rest of their community, secretly supporting partisan efforts as the Allies advance at the end of the war in 1944. When an American soldier escapes from a POW train and turns up at their farm, they hide him and get him to the partisans. James is therefore in a position to witness the brutal attack against the Monte Sol community, of which Liliana is one of the few survivors.
The story picks up twelve years later, when Liliana and James are living overseas and have the chance to search for the Nazi officers who were responsible for the slaughter that day, believed to be hiding in Argentina. This was a well-detailed historical fiction, told in multiple POVs and across several different timelines during and after the war. I’ve read several historical fiction novels by Eoin Dempsey and always look forward to his clean writing style and characters.
The story picks up twelve years later, when Liliana and James are living overseas and have the chance to search for the Nazi officers who were responsible for the slaughter that day, believed to be hiding in Argentina. This was a well-detailed historical fiction, told in multiple POVs and across several different timelines during and after the war. I’ve read several historical fiction novels by Eoin Dempsey and always look forward to his clean writing style and characters.
October 7, 2021
It's 1944 and the place is Italy. American POW James helps the Italian farm girl Liliana to escape from the German atrocities. After the war they meet up again and go to Argentine together to look for Nazis who live a comfortable and anonymous life there.
I thought the first half of the story to be the best, because it tells of true happenings. I did appreciate the second half because it emphasized how after the war countries looked away in tracking down the perpetrators.
I thought the first half of the story to be the best, because it tells of true happenings. I did appreciate the second half because it emphasized how after the war countries looked away in tracking down the perpetrators.
March 23, 2021
Italy 1944. Living in the remote mountain regions of south Bologna, the Nicoletti farm is inspected by the German army every couple of weeks and help themselves to whatever they want. So far the family hasn’t been hurt, they hear rumors about civilians being massacred in Tuscany, because they aided the local resistance and they need to be careful.
James Foley is an American POW traveling on a train when it's bombed by the allies, creating a hole in the carriage and he escapes. He stumbles upon the Nicoletti farm and they offer him food, shelter for one night and will take him to the local partisans the next day. The Stella Rosa camp is hidden high in the mountains, James is looking down on the town and he notices the Germans acting in an odd way and he’s very worried. The Germans lead by Werner Beck launch a vicious attack on the innocent citizens, almost everyone living in Monte Sole are killed and because Beck assumes they have helping the resistance. Liliana is extremely lucky to survive, James rescues her; they begin a difficult journey to find the allied lines and dodge German patrols the whole way. They make it but Liliana is injured, she will be fine and James has to rejoin his unit.
Twelve years later Liliana is a widow, she married the doctor who treated her during the war and moved to America. James is divorced, his marriage was a disaster and he’s working as a journalist for a New York magazine. Both Liliana and James still suffer from what happened to them during WW II in Italy and both have terrible nightmares. Liliana wants revenge for her family and she’s sure that Werner Beck is still alive, living in Argentina and she’s determined to find him. The couple join forces, once in Argentina Liliana is certain she’s found Beck and she wants to kill him!
This is when the story gets a bit over the top for me, I really enjoyed reading the first part of the book set in Italy and I found what happened in Argentina far too dramatic. I received a copy of The Longest Echo from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and four stars from me.
James Foley is an American POW traveling on a train when it's bombed by the allies, creating a hole in the carriage and he escapes. He stumbles upon the Nicoletti farm and they offer him food, shelter for one night and will take him to the local partisans the next day. The Stella Rosa camp is hidden high in the mountains, James is looking down on the town and he notices the Germans acting in an odd way and he’s very worried. The Germans lead by Werner Beck launch a vicious attack on the innocent citizens, almost everyone living in Monte Sole are killed and because Beck assumes they have helping the resistance. Liliana is extremely lucky to survive, James rescues her; they begin a difficult journey to find the allied lines and dodge German patrols the whole way. They make it but Liliana is injured, she will be fine and James has to rejoin his unit.
Twelve years later Liliana is a widow, she married the doctor who treated her during the war and moved to America. James is divorced, his marriage was a disaster and he’s working as a journalist for a New York magazine. Both Liliana and James still suffer from what happened to them during WW II in Italy and both have terrible nightmares. Liliana wants revenge for her family and she’s sure that Werner Beck is still alive, living in Argentina and she’s determined to find him. The couple join forces, once in Argentina Liliana is certain she’s found Beck and she wants to kill him!
This is when the story gets a bit over the top for me, I really enjoyed reading the first part of the book set in Italy and I found what happened in Argentina far too dramatic. I received a copy of The Longest Echo from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and four stars from me.
May 31, 2021
Wow! A captivating and heartbreaking novel that exceeded my expectations. I really liked the writing style and how it progressed from past to present. The plot quickly grabbed my attention from the beginning and kept a good pace throughout.
It was difficult to read the horrifying events that took place in Monte Sole, a small town in Bologna, Italy, in 1944. I learned a lot about this part of Italy’s history, as well as the aftermath of the war and how it affected different people. It was shocking to find out how many Nazi war criminals were able to escape and live freely after. It was also interesting to see different perspectives in this time period to try to understand why and how certain parties could do what they did.
This book had history, action, romance, and mystery. It was well researched and beautifully written. The title is perfect, and the book continues to stay with you even after finishing it. Overall, a devastating but eye-opening historical fiction read.
It was difficult to read the horrifying events that took place in Monte Sole, a small town in Bologna, Italy, in 1944. I learned a lot about this part of Italy’s history, as well as the aftermath of the war and how it affected different people. It was shocking to find out how many Nazi war criminals were able to escape and live freely after. It was also interesting to see different perspectives in this time period to try to understand why and how certain parties could do what they did.
This book had history, action, romance, and mystery. It was well researched and beautifully written. The title is perfect, and the book continues to stay with you even after finishing it. Overall, a devastating but eye-opening historical fiction read.
February 7, 2021
Set in the small Italian village of Monte Sole in 1944 amid the occupation, Liliana Nicoletti lived with her family � parents, two sisters, grandparents, cousins, aunt and uncle � until the day the Nazis arrived, and one of the biggest massacres of the war was perpetrated. The men hid in the hills while the women and children took shelter in their church, sure they were safe. Led by an SS man named Werner Brack, he ordered the murder of everyone in the church. The cemetery at Casaglia bore witness to that horrible day � only one person survived�
POW James Foley had escaped the camp, eventually finding shelter in the Nicoletti barn, from where they moved him on to the local partisans. He was in the mountains above Monte Sole on the day of the massacre, escaping with the other partisans when they saw what was happening. James was instrumental in saving Liliana and together they made their way, through enemy lines, to join the Allies.
Twelve years later in New York, Liliana and James met again. James was a journalist, writing on Nazi atrocities, while Liliana was newly widowed, obsessed with what had happened in the war and needing retribution. What would be the outcome as they joined forces to search for the monsters who had escaped punishment?
The Longest Echo is the second I’ve read by Eoin Dempsey and it was exceptional. Powerful, heartbreaking and incredibly moving, the pages basically turned themselves. Inspired by true events � which is heartbreaking in itself � Dempsey thanks the historian of the Monte Sole Peace School as he tells of his humbling visit to the area. Written with great depth and compassion, The Longest Echo will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
POW James Foley had escaped the camp, eventually finding shelter in the Nicoletti barn, from where they moved him on to the local partisans. He was in the mountains above Monte Sole on the day of the massacre, escaping with the other partisans when they saw what was happening. James was instrumental in saving Liliana and together they made their way, through enemy lines, to join the Allies.
Twelve years later in New York, Liliana and James met again. James was a journalist, writing on Nazi atrocities, while Liliana was newly widowed, obsessed with what had happened in the war and needing retribution. What would be the outcome as they joined forces to search for the monsters who had escaped punishment?
The Longest Echo is the second I’ve read by Eoin Dempsey and it was exceptional. Powerful, heartbreaking and incredibly moving, the pages basically turned themselves. Inspired by true events � which is heartbreaking in itself � Dempsey thanks the historian of the Monte Sole Peace School as he tells of his humbling visit to the area. Written with great depth and compassion, The Longest Echo will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2021
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.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #LakeUnionPublishing and the author #EoinDempaey #TheLongestEcho for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #LakeUnionPublishing and the author #EoinDempaey #TheLongestEcho for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 27, 2020
A beautiful, heart wrenching novel that captivated me from the very beginning. This is historical fiction at its absolute best, and one of my favorite reads of the year.
March 10, 2021
“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.
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.
February 9, 2021
Liliana Nicoletti is an educated young woman from a small mountain town located in the mountains of Bologna, Italy in 1944, when German forces occupied the country. Partisan forces known as the Stella Rossa roam the country side, looking for any way to disrupt the Germans. Escaped American POW, James Foley, stumbles his way into Liliana’s life, looking for a way to join the partisans, so he can do whatever it takes to get rid of the Germans. An absolutely brutal act by the German SS, led by officer Brack, brings the two back together again, as they witness the massacre of Liliana’s hometown and the remaining villages around the area. Twelve years later, the two join forces for a third time: this time, to hunt down the man in charge. Most of the literature and history that’s written about WWII focuses on the European theater side. I’m grateful to have discovered this book, which discusses of the massacre of Monte Sole in a brutal and compelling viewpoint. I also found it fascinating to see just how so many war criminals got away with their crimes. From sympathetic clergy members forging documents, to the Allied forces governments essentially luring Germany’s smartest to work for them because they were too busy focusing on the Cold War and the sympathetic Argentina government welcoming Nazi’s with open arms. It was incredibly eye opening and it also made me so angry. Money talks, larger than human decency.
March 21, 2021
“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.
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.
January 20, 2021
Could This Happen Again?
The Massacre of Monte Sole is an event in history that I had never heard of before. This is a book written about that time in history. The murder of over 700 civilians by Nazi troops in a few days in the fall of 1944 in a community in Italy should never be forgotten and should never be repeated. These were Italian civilians , women and children, murdered in cold blood by the Nazi's in retaliation of the activity of the partisan resistance group called Stella Rossa.
The Story in the Longest Echo is a fictional story written about this historical massacre. The Characters are realistic. The Italian girl Liliana and her family, the resistance leader Lupo and the escaped American soldier James. As these groups interact with each other and the Nazi's during this time an amazing story unfolds. The courage of Liliana, James and her father is admirable. The story after the war and the hunt for the Nazi that killed her family is totally believable.
It was a riveting story from the escape of Liliana and James to the fear on the Nazi's face in Argentina when Liliana confronts him for his crimes during the war. The stories in between of both James and Liliana are such a great read.
You can feel the bullets whizzing in the air and you can feel the pain of Liliana watching as her family is shot down by the Nazi's , the horror she is feeling is astronomical. Image being a young teenage girl , buried beneath dead people listening to the dying breaths of her mother, sisters and aunts . I could also feel the fear in the face of the Nazi when Liliana found him in Argentina, the sweat on his face, and his knowledge of what was about to happen to him.
This book was a page turner and another five star book for Eoin Dempsey. I would definitely recommend this book.
Thanks to Eoin Dempsey, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of the book in return for an honest review.
The Massacre of Monte Sole is an event in history that I had never heard of before. This is a book written about that time in history. The murder of over 700 civilians by Nazi troops in a few days in the fall of 1944 in a community in Italy should never be forgotten and should never be repeated. These were Italian civilians , women and children, murdered in cold blood by the Nazi's in retaliation of the activity of the partisan resistance group called Stella Rossa.
The Story in the Longest Echo is a fictional story written about this historical massacre. The Characters are realistic. The Italian girl Liliana and her family, the resistance leader Lupo and the escaped American soldier James. As these groups interact with each other and the Nazi's during this time an amazing story unfolds. The courage of Liliana, James and her father is admirable. The story after the war and the hunt for the Nazi that killed her family is totally believable.
It was a riveting story from the escape of Liliana and James to the fear on the Nazi's face in Argentina when Liliana confronts him for his crimes during the war. The stories in between of both James and Liliana are such a great read.
You can feel the bullets whizzing in the air and you can feel the pain of Liliana watching as her family is shot down by the Nazi's , the horror she is feeling is astronomical. Image being a young teenage girl , buried beneath dead people listening to the dying breaths of her mother, sisters and aunts . I could also feel the fear in the face of the Nazi when Liliana found him in Argentina, the sweat on his face, and his knowledge of what was about to happen to him.
This book was a page turner and another five star book for Eoin Dempsey. I would definitely recommend this book.
Thanks to Eoin Dempsey, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of the book in return for an honest review.
January 15, 2021
This book tore my heart apart. Especially, in the first half. Incredibly heart wrenching.
The different perspectives and the writing style was a little choppy at times in the beginning, but quickly became flawless and was super smooth to follow all the way to the end.
The timeline hop work exceptionally well, and it was fast paced from the very first sentence.
Some of this book was based on true events that I wasn’t aware of. I was so interested and invested in Monte Sole that I immediately researched the events after finishing. I love when a book pulls me in so completely and I learn something new at the same time.
I know this is a work of fiction, but it did make me question what was based on truth. I’m not sure why I thought about it so hard. I was a little disappointed in how this book painted Germans. Like they were all animals, celebrating the deaths of women and children. Was not one of them redeemable in these events? Any of them forced against their will to complete these acts or so completely brainwashed by their government at the time? I really loved how this novel made me think so deeply. How governments affect thoughts.
I didn’t love the second half as much as I loved the beginning, but I thought it had a unique twist with a civilian victim and a American soldier taking justice and revenge into their own hands. I also really enjoyed reading about the Germans in Argentina.
And, the very ending touched my soul.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for giving me a chance to read this incredible book. All thoughts are my own.
The different perspectives and the writing style was a little choppy at times in the beginning, but quickly became flawless and was super smooth to follow all the way to the end.
The timeline hop work exceptionally well, and it was fast paced from the very first sentence.
Some of this book was based on true events that I wasn’t aware of. I was so interested and invested in Monte Sole that I immediately researched the events after finishing. I love when a book pulls me in so completely and I learn something new at the same time.
I know this is a work of fiction, but it did make me question what was based on truth. I’m not sure why I thought about it so hard. I was a little disappointed in how this book painted Germans. Like they were all animals, celebrating the deaths of women and children. Was not one of them redeemable in these events? Any of them forced against their will to complete these acts or so completely brainwashed by their government at the time? I really loved how this novel made me think so deeply. How governments affect thoughts.
I didn’t love the second half as much as I loved the beginning, but I thought it had a unique twist with a civilian victim and a American soldier taking justice and revenge into their own hands. I also really enjoyed reading about the Germans in Argentina.
And, the very ending touched my soul.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for giving me a chance to read this incredible book. All thoughts are my own.
March 7, 2023
4.5. A great book about the massacre at Monte Sole in northern Italy during WWII told in the perspective of one of the few that survived and the hate in her heart that continues afterward. Certainly makes you wonder where all the Nazis went afterward. I recently finished a book about one that is sent to Texas to help the US in their race to the moon. This book talks about the many escaped to Argentina. Great book.
February 8, 2021
As an Italian American, I felt it was important for me to read this story. It's intertwined into the history of my people and the deadliest mass shooting in Italian history. I grew up listening to stories told by my grandparents of the struggles they faced during the war. The Marzabotto massacre was deadly to over 700 men, women, and children and is a heartbreaking event in our history. This book follows the story of two survivors, one Italian woman and one American POW, and how they come to terms with what happened on Monte Sole in 1944.
I applaud Eoin Dempsey for capturing this in his book and I can tell that he did his research. I found it interesting that he chose to expand beyond the actual event and show the PTSD and trauma following the event for the main characters. While I do think the depth of the characters could have been better developed, I recognize that this wasn't the main point of the novel. I wanted so badly to feel a deeper connection with the characters and more in tune with their emotions and feelings, but I felt like there was a wall that I just couldn't break down. Despite not feeling an attachment to the characters, the ending of the book was one that left me feeling fulfilled. As the characters themselves came to terms with what happened, it felt like an appropriate ending to a heartbreaking event.
I also want to note that I think it's great that Dempsey didn't dwell on the romance or relationship budding between the main characters. I often feel like some historical fiction novels put this aspect into books when there doesn't need to be any inclusion of it. Dempsey handled this well and it fit right in without taking away from the main point of the book.
I recommend this story to lovers of historical fiction, especially if you're interested in stories set during WWII and that explore the long term effects of war-induced trauma. Just take note that the book is pretty graphic when going into the details of the massacre, which is necessary to not forget about this point in history, but is hard to read nonetheless.
I applaud Eoin Dempsey for capturing this in his book and I can tell that he did his research. I found it interesting that he chose to expand beyond the actual event and show the PTSD and trauma following the event for the main characters. While I do think the depth of the characters could have been better developed, I recognize that this wasn't the main point of the novel. I wanted so badly to feel a deeper connection with the characters and more in tune with their emotions and feelings, but I felt like there was a wall that I just couldn't break down. Despite not feeling an attachment to the characters, the ending of the book was one that left me feeling fulfilled. As the characters themselves came to terms with what happened, it felt like an appropriate ending to a heartbreaking event.
I also want to note that I think it's great that Dempsey didn't dwell on the romance or relationship budding between the main characters. I often feel like some historical fiction novels put this aspect into books when there doesn't need to be any inclusion of it. Dempsey handled this well and it fit right in without taking away from the main point of the book.
I recommend this story to lovers of historical fiction, especially if you're interested in stories set during WWII and that explore the long term effects of war-induced trauma. Just take note that the book is pretty graphic when going into the details of the massacre, which is necessary to not forget about this point in history, but is hard to read nonetheless.
March 16, 2021
The Longest Echo I was really looking forward to this book, when I started I was instantly hooked and I thought it was going to be a great story to keep me hooked on my seat, and that was the case for the first half of the book.
This is the story of Liliana Nicoletti she was just a young woman when everything started to collapse, she saw and live atrocities that nobody could survive, things during WW2 that changed so fast for her leaving her behind and all alone, her only reason to keep going is to find the evil man who killed her entire family.
The Longest Echo is divided into a few parts and the last part was not what I really expected, I felt like I was reading a totally different story, the main character, the heroine became very pedant for my own taste. she was kind of selfish with her motives, I really thought after what Liliana went through she was going to be way different than what we read in the last couple of chapters.. she became very vindictive and somehow she was treating James like he was a burden, I know this was not the case but that's how it felt, her attitude killed the vibe of the book, there were so many scenarios that made you feel like everything was a lie.
Overall the book had so much potential but the last part killed the whole story, I wish the author would have left it when James and Liliana met again.
This is the story of Liliana Nicoletti she was just a young woman when everything started to collapse, she saw and live atrocities that nobody could survive, things during WW2 that changed so fast for her leaving her behind and all alone, her only reason to keep going is to find the evil man who killed her entire family.
The Longest Echo is divided into a few parts and the last part was not what I really expected, I felt like I was reading a totally different story, the main character, the heroine became very pedant for my own taste. she was kind of selfish with her motives, I really thought after what Liliana went through she was going to be way different than what we read in the last couple of chapters.. she became very vindictive and somehow she was treating James like he was a burden, I know this was not the case but that's how it felt, her attitude killed the vibe of the book, there were so many scenarios that made you feel like everything was a lie.
Overall the book had so much potential but the last part killed the whole story, I wish the author would have left it when James and Liliana met again.
June 23, 2021
3.5 stars. A really heartbreaking story based on true events in Italy during WWII. It tells the story of Liliana and POW James as their worlds collide. Not quite a four star as I felt the second half wasn’t as good as the first but still an engaging read.
November 10, 2020
Knowing that this book is based on real events, I can't hide the fact that I expected something more and something deeper, better.
I love historical fiction, and although authors use WWII themes too often, these stories never get boring.
But, the storytelling is key. It's that one special spice that can change the whole book.
And here, I didn't get the sparks of joy.
I didn't root for any of the characters, I wasn't feeling their pain, anything.
The historical part was great. I always love reading about different countries than the USA, France, or the UK. The WWII period didn't affect just these three, and it's nice to read something new for a change.
But unfortunately, that was all.
The whole book was just plain (and endless) conversations between the characters, and detailed narration of the things that happened on the front line.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC, in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love historical fiction, and although authors use WWII themes too often, these stories never get boring.
But, the storytelling is key. It's that one special spice that can change the whole book.
And here, I didn't get the sparks of joy.
I didn't root for any of the characters, I wasn't feeling their pain, anything.
The historical part was great. I always love reading about different countries than the USA, France, or the UK. The WWII period didn't affect just these three, and it's nice to read something new for a change.
But unfortunately, that was all.
The whole book was just plain (and endless) conversations between the characters, and detailed narration of the things that happened on the front line.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC, in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 4, 2022
Wow! What a captivating read. Couldn’t put this one down
December 7, 2023
Mr. Dempsey has yet to disappoint this reader on any of his novels; this novel is no exception.
It is based on an actual event in German Occupied Italy, 1944. The Germans murdered up to a thousand residents in Monte Sole during the Fall of 1944. It was in retaliation for the resistance of the partisans.
It is based on an actual event in German Occupied Italy, 1944. The Germans murdered up to a thousand residents in Monte Sole during the Fall of 1944. It was in retaliation for the resistance of the partisans.
September 4, 2021
As another reviewer wisely advised, don’t start this book before bed. My adrenaline was pumping and I couldn’t put the book down. I felt like I was living the horrific events in the small mountain towns of Northern Italy when the Germans attached. It was well told without being gruesome.
The second half of the story was less intriguing and wasn’t written with the same passion as the war scenes. The dialogue didn’t seem to flow or feel natural. I can understand the fixation on revenge for the man responsible for murdering everyone you know, but it became hard to read.
I’m disappointed there isn’t any additional historical information at the end of the book to provide more context. Was the main character written about a real survivor of the massacre of Monte Sole? Did an American POW help save a woman from the massacre? I’ll google some of my questions to learn more, but wished it was included.
The second half of the story was less intriguing and wasn’t written with the same passion as the war scenes. The dialogue didn’t seem to flow or feel natural. I can understand the fixation on revenge for the man responsible for murdering everyone you know, but it became hard to read.
I’m disappointed there isn’t any additional historical information at the end of the book to provide more context. Was the main character written about a real survivor of the massacre of Monte Sole? Did an American POW help save a woman from the massacre? I’ll google some of my questions to learn more, but wished it was included.
January 13, 2021
The Longest Echo by Eoin Dempsey is a riveting historical fiction book which features the real life tragedy that occurred in the cemetery at Casaglia in Monte Sole, Italy in September 1944. It is well researched and brings you into the life the horrors of living under the Nazi regime and highlights the partisan heroes who tried to hold them back. eighteen heroines who Those who love this genre will appreciate that this is a World War II book set in Italy, instead of the more frequently told stories from Germany or France.
I loved every minute of it, and did not want it to end. The heroine of the book is Liliana Nicoletti. The first part of the book is especially harrowing and full of courageous exploits by Liliana and James, a POW who manages to escape from on a train. The book then covers the period of time 1956 and concludes with a wonderful ending in 1984.
We are transported into life on the far outskirts of the Italian mountainous countryside, to parts of Argentina, and then the Northeastern United States. The author is masterful and weaving this passage of time and location to a satisfying conclusion.
I personally was floored again to be reminded that so many Nazi war criminals were not punished. This last half of the book examines the ways the Nazi war criminals escaped, the governments that hid them, and the apathy that allowed them to remain free. We are also cautioned that Nazi’s are not so far removed from our own ideals and “it’s harder to realize that there a little bit of that same monster in all of us, and the only real way to stop that monster is to make sure those with the ideas to destroy that which is good don’t attain power.� In our current political environment this advice is especially timely.
These characters will become real to you, too. You will learn much, but more importantly be inspired by the strength and will to survive. The many who were massacred that day deserve to be honored, and this book is a wonderful tribute to their legacy. Their strength and determination should not be forgotten.
I was provided a free advance reader copy from Lake Union Publishing in exchange for my honest review from Net Galley. The opinions shared in this review are my own.
I loved every minute of it, and did not want it to end. The heroine of the book is Liliana Nicoletti. The first part of the book is especially harrowing and full of courageous exploits by Liliana and James, a POW who manages to escape from on a train. The book then covers the period of time 1956 and concludes with a wonderful ending in 1984.
We are transported into life on the far outskirts of the Italian mountainous countryside, to parts of Argentina, and then the Northeastern United States. The author is masterful and weaving this passage of time and location to a satisfying conclusion.
I personally was floored again to be reminded that so many Nazi war criminals were not punished. This last half of the book examines the ways the Nazi war criminals escaped, the governments that hid them, and the apathy that allowed them to remain free. We are also cautioned that Nazi’s are not so far removed from our own ideals and “it’s harder to realize that there a little bit of that same monster in all of us, and the only real way to stop that monster is to make sure those with the ideas to destroy that which is good don’t attain power.� In our current political environment this advice is especially timely.
These characters will become real to you, too. You will learn much, but more importantly be inspired by the strength and will to survive. The many who were massacred that day deserve to be honored, and this book is a wonderful tribute to their legacy. Their strength and determination should not be forgotten.
I was provided a free advance reader copy from Lake Union Publishing in exchange for my honest review from Net Galley. The opinions shared in this review are my own.
February 10, 2021
James escapes from a POW train and is hidden by the Nicoletti family. He goes to fight with the local partisans and witnesses a massacre by the Germans. One woman escapes, it is Liliana Nicoletti. Her whole family is gone but James saves her life and they escape to the allies. On the way Liliana is shot and while she is in the hospital James is sent back to the front. Twelve years later they meet again in New York City. Liliana is still seeking revenge on Werner Brack, the Nazi who ordered the massacre.
I found the first part of the story exciting. The people that lived in Monte Sole were poor farmers. They knew of the partisans but were content to do their work and stay out of trouble. When the Germans take revenge on the citizens the story was breathtaking. The images of the people being killed with blood everywhere was horrendous and horrifying. Their run to safety through the mountains hoping to find people alive was just so vivid. The second part of the story felt a lot slower. Liliana is a wealthy widow and offers to spend the money for her and James to go to Argentina in search of Werner Brack. Liliana still had her demons and at times I felt like I was missing something. I wanted to more about her and what she was thinking as they did the search. She seemed to be going behind James's back. He was a simpler character. His motivation was to find the villain and bring him to justice but Liliana wanted more.
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union for providing me with a copy of this wonderful story.
I found the first part of the story exciting. The people that lived in Monte Sole were poor farmers. They knew of the partisans but were content to do their work and stay out of trouble. When the Germans take revenge on the citizens the story was breathtaking. The images of the people being killed with blood everywhere was horrendous and horrifying. Their run to safety through the mountains hoping to find people alive was just so vivid. The second part of the story felt a lot slower. Liliana is a wealthy widow and offers to spend the money for her and James to go to Argentina in search of Werner Brack. Liliana still had her demons and at times I felt like I was missing something. I wanted to more about her and what she was thinking as they did the search. She seemed to be going behind James's back. He was a simpler character. His motivation was to find the villain and bring him to justice but Liliana wanted more.
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union for providing me with a copy of this wonderful story.
January 25, 2023
We so wanted to forget the horrors of WWII that we let many of those who perpetrated those horrors slip away. This is a novel about two survivors who did not let those sins go unavenged, but tracked down their own personal monster and made him pay.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2021
Yet another heartreaking story of the the ravages of WW II. There were so many less well documented stories, and I found this one to be well researched and engaging, with memorable characters.
October 1, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of The Longest Echo by Eoin Dempsey. It told the story of the attack on Monte Sole, a part of WWII history that I knew nothing about. It was a quick read, with some very interesting parts. I found that the author used too many descriptions (the distance in meters) in the book that it became distracting to me. Overall, I enjoyed the book.
December 7, 2022
This book was so very hard for me in the beginning and I wasn't sure I wanted to finish it, but I did because it is our book club book.
I don't like detailed description of war situations. I feel it too much. I pushed past it and then it became a suspense and I was eager to see justice.
I wish the very young could read this so they can understand how easily we can be in the same situation.
I don't like detailed description of war situations. I feel it too much. I pushed past it and then it became a suspense and I was eager to see justice.
I wish the very young could read this so they can understand how easily we can be in the same situation.
August 26, 2021
Thank you @amazonpublishing for this gifted copy.
Have you ever started a book and known right from the beginning that it was going to be a five star read? From the very first few pages I knew that The Longest Echo by Eoin Dempsey was going to be among one of my favorite books this year. This is a riveting story that is based on the real life and horrifying tragedy that occurred in the cemetery at Casaglia in Monte Sole, Italy in September 1944.
I absolutely loved every page of this story, and I did not want to see it end. The first half of the book is a fast paced thrill ride that takes you back to the tragic Nazi occupation and massacre in Monte Sole. I was constantly holding my breath and my heart rate increased as I read about Liliana and James’s heartbreaking escape from Monte Sole. From there I was transported to the early 1980s, and the adventure continues as they work to unmask a group of Nazi’s hiding in Argentina.
As always, I am personally floored to be reminded that so many Nazi war criminals were not punished. The last half of the book examines the ways the Nazi war criminals escaped, the governments that hid them, and the apathy that allowed them to remain free. We are also cautioned that Nazi’s are not so far removed from our own ideals and “it’s harder to realize that there a little bit of that same monster in all of us, and the only real way to stop that monster is to make sure those with the ideas to destroy that which is good don’t attain power.�
From the beginning of the story I cherished each character and how real they were. I was inspired by their strength and will to survive and determination to seek justice for the many who were massacred that day in Monte Sole. This book is also a wonderful tribute to their legacy. Their strength and determination should never be forgotten.
The Longest Echo was a phenomenally researched story, and brings you into the life and horrors of living under the Nazi regime and highlights the partisan heroes who tried to hold them back.
Have you ever started a book and known right from the beginning that it was going to be a five star read? From the very first few pages I knew that The Longest Echo by Eoin Dempsey was going to be among one of my favorite books this year. This is a riveting story that is based on the real life and horrifying tragedy that occurred in the cemetery at Casaglia in Monte Sole, Italy in September 1944.
I absolutely loved every page of this story, and I did not want to see it end. The first half of the book is a fast paced thrill ride that takes you back to the tragic Nazi occupation and massacre in Monte Sole. I was constantly holding my breath and my heart rate increased as I read about Liliana and James’s heartbreaking escape from Monte Sole. From there I was transported to the early 1980s, and the adventure continues as they work to unmask a group of Nazi’s hiding in Argentina.
As always, I am personally floored to be reminded that so many Nazi war criminals were not punished. The last half of the book examines the ways the Nazi war criminals escaped, the governments that hid them, and the apathy that allowed them to remain free. We are also cautioned that Nazi’s are not so far removed from our own ideals and “it’s harder to realize that there a little bit of that same monster in all of us, and the only real way to stop that monster is to make sure those with the ideas to destroy that which is good don’t attain power.�
From the beginning of the story I cherished each character and how real they were. I was inspired by their strength and will to survive and determination to seek justice for the many who were massacred that day in Monte Sole. This book is also a wonderful tribute to their legacy. Their strength and determination should never be forgotten.
The Longest Echo was a phenomenally researched story, and brings you into the life and horrors of living under the Nazi regime and highlights the partisan heroes who tried to hold them back.
October 17, 2020
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.
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