Review of Escape to Catania

[Gerry Steen]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Escape to Catania" by Patrizia Lo Turco.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Do you want to know what it's like to be a cop in Catania, Sicily? Would a story describing Sicilian landscapes, culture, history, and language captivate you? Does the status of refugees in Sicily interest you? Are you curious about how Sicilian mafias function? If you answered yes to these questions, you should read Escape to Catania by Patrizia Lo Turco.

Gina, a policewoman living in mainland Italy, decided to leave her cheating husband and reconnect with her father’s roots in Catania, Sicily. Once she started working for the Catania police force, she found herself involved with issues related to finding a Cosa Nostra crime boss, protecting Nigerian women forced into prostitution by the Black Axe, and understanding the Sicilian way of living.

Lo Turco used a third-person narrative and conversation between characters to describe the plot. The characters included Gina's Sicilian grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and coworkers. Lo Turco's descriptions of Sicilian geography, culture, food, words, and family traditions brought me to Sicily. I found this aspect to be adventurous and enjoyable. The story was filled with suspense as Gina tried to locate the Cosa Nostra boss. Sadness and tension were ever-present as the reader was privy to Gina’s thoughts regarding her disappointing marriage. The plot featured twists and mysterious events. I learned about the workings of the Cosa Nostra and Nigerian mafias.

Even though this story cannot be described as an action-packed thriller, I enjoyed its realistic representation of what a police officer goes through while performing their daily duties. Also, I was educated about the social issues in Catania. Through Gina's discussions with coworkers, I discovered how the police struggle with these issues. The plot was realistic and flowed well. Sicilian traditions regarding women, marriage, and motherhood were questioned in Gina’s thoughts. I found her questions to be thought-provoking. I loved the Sicilian experience. This story was easy to read and professionally edited. I did not notice anything negative. Therefore, I gave this novel 5 out of 5 stars.

Some readers might be happy to know that Lo Turco did not create any vivid violent scenes in the story. There was a description of a dead body, but it was akin to reading about a murder in a newspaper.

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Escape to Catania
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[Claudia Angelucci]

That's a book I would love to read, Gerry. Great review! Catania is a beautiful city. I have read many similar fiction thrillers set in Sicily by Sicilian authors and really enjoyed them. As you mentioned about this one, they are not necessarily action-packed but are very insightful. I don't know if you watch 'Montalbano' in America; do you?

[Gerry Steen]

That's a book I would love to read, Gerry. Great review! Catania is a beautiful city. I have read many similar fiction thrillers set in Sicily by Sicilian authors and really enjoyed them. As you mentioned about this one, they are not necessarily action-packed but are very insightful. I don't know if you watch 'Montalbano' in America; do you?

Is Montalbano on Netflix? I would like to check it out.

[Claudia Angelucci]

That's a book I would love to read, Gerry. Great review! Catania is a beautiful city. I have read many similar fiction thrillers set in Sicily by Sicilian authors and really enjoyed them. As you mentioned about this one, they are not necessarily action-packed but are very insightful. I don't know if you watch 'Montalbano' in America; do you?

Is Montalbano on Netflix? I would like to check it out.

I checked and it's not on Netflix. It is on YouTube and Amazon Prime Video. It was on telly here in the UK many years ago. It is in Italian with subtitles.

[Gerry Steen]

That's a book I would love to read, Gerry. Great review! Catania is a beautiful city. I have read many similar fiction thrillers set in Sicily by Sicilian authors and really enjoyed them. As you mentioned about this one, they are not necessarily action-packed but are very insightful. I don't know if you watch 'Montalbano' in America; do you?

Is Montalbano on Netflix? I would like to check it out.

I checked and it's not on Netflix. It is on YouTube and Amazon Prime Video. It was on telly here in the UK many years ago. It is in Italian with subtitles.

Thank you, Claudia. My wife and I will check it out. She has Calabrese parents and I have Irish ancestry. I learned to speak Calabrese dialect because of her famiglia. I am sure we will enjoy this series and I hope you enjoy Escape to Catania.

[Anu Anand]

Thank you, Gerry, for such a detailed and thoughtful review! This sounds like an immersive journey into Sicilian culture and the complexities of police work in a place rich with history and challenges. I love that the author brings Sicily to life through her descriptions of landscapes, food, and family traditions while also shedding light on important social issues like human trafficking and organized crime. Your review has made me excited to dive into this novel, especially since it offers a realistic portrayal of life as a police officer and explores thought-provoking themes. Thanks again for the insight!

[Priya Murugesan]

I have never read about Sicily. This looks like an intriguing read. Awesome review, Gerry!

[RJ Reviews]

A great review! I always appreciate a book that showcases the social standings and its underlying issues while narrating an engaging story. This book seems to capture Sicily in new light and I appreciate your efforts to capture the essence of the book. Thank you, Gerry.

[Stephen Christopher 1]

As the mafia and Sicily go hand-in-hand, I would have been disappointed if it hadn't been included in this story. I'm going to add this one to my list, thanks Gerry.

[NetMassimo]

To me, all the stuff about Sicily is basically news and history. This novel seems to embrace all the sides of Sicily, at least that I know, in an engaging story. I see on Amazon that there's an Italian edition, which is a plus to me. Thank you for your great review!

[Enkay Favour]

“Escape to Catania” promises an immersive dive into Sicilian life through the eyes of a policewoman navigating complex criminal landscapes and personal struggles. The blend of cultural insights and suspenseful plot elements, combined with Lo Turco’s vivid depiction of Sicily, makes it a unique read for those interested in the intricate dance of tradition and modern challenges.

[Laney K]

This book seems like an intersection view into the life of a police officer and Sicily. Thanks for the informative review as always!

[Sarah Zain]

As for me, after watching The Godfather movies, I would like to know more about life in Catania Sicily. You are good at choosing interesting books, Gerry. Comprehensive review as usual. I enjoyed it. Thank you.

[Shirley Ann Riddern Labzentis]

I enjoyed your review. My family is also Calabrese and I enjoy reading anything about Italy. This sounds like a book that I would like to read. My book list is getting longer and longer.

[Alissa Nesson]

That sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for another great review, Gerry. I have no connection to Sicily, but it always sounded like a beautiful place. It would be nice to understand more about it.