Historical Fiction Book Club - Past Titles: "Eternal" by Lisa Scottoline

2020s: Expanding Beyond Legal Thrillers

• 2020: Publishes Eternal, her first historical fiction novel, which is set in Italy during the Fascist regime and World War II. The novel is a departure from her usual legal thrillers and receives critical acclaim for its depiction of love, friendship, and resilience during a tumultuous historical period.
• 2022: Publishes What Happened to the Bennetts, a standalone psychological thriller that quickly becomes a bestseller.

Additional Achievements

• Frequent Speaker: Lisa Scottoline is a sought-after speaker and makes regular appearances at literary events and panels, discussing her writing process, her inspiration, and the themes of her work.
• Columnist: She writes a humorous column with her daughter, Francesca, for The Philadelphia Inquirer, which has further broadened her audience and allowed her to connect with readers on a personal level.
• Numerous Bestsellers: Over her career, Scottoline has published more than 30 novels, many of which have reached the bestseller lists.

Lisa Scottoline’s career spans over three decades, during which she has evolved from a legal thriller writer to a versatile author capable of tackling historical fiction and psychological suspense. Her novels are known for their strong, multidimensional female characters and intricate, suspenseful plots.

Lisa Scottoline, an American author known for her bestselling legal thrillers and crime novels, has had a prolific career. Here's an overview of some key moments in her life and writing career:

Early Life

• 1955: Lisa Scottoline is born on July 1 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• 1976: Graduates magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, where she majored in English. She becomes the first woman in her family to earn a college degree.
• 1981: Graduates from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. She briefly works as a trial lawyer but leaves law after a few years to raise her daughter as a single mother.

1990s: Beginnings as a Novelist

• 1994: Publishes her debut novel, Everywhere That Mary Went, introducing the legal thriller genre that would come to define much of her work. This book is nominated for an Edgar Award, and it marks the start of her popular "Rosato & Associates" series.
• 1995: Wins the Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original with her second book, Final Appeal. This win establishes her reputation in the mystery and thriller genre.
• 1996–1999: Publishes additional novels in the Rosato & Associates series, including Legal Tender (1996) and Rough Justice (1997), which build a devoted readership.

2000s: Establishing a Successful Series

• 2000: Publishes Moment of Truth, a stand-alone novel. Continues to balance her work between stand-alone books and the ongoing Rosato & Associates series.
• 2004: Publishes Killer Smile, a thriller inspired by her family's history, incorporating themes of Italian-American identity and immigrant stories.
• 2007: Publishes Daddy’s Girl, a standalone novel which becomes a bestseller. This year marks her transition to full-time writing.
• 2009: Begins co-authoring humorous essay collections with her daughter, Francesca Serritella. Their first book, Why My Third Husband Will Be a Dog, is a collection of essays reflecting on their personal lives, showcasing Scottoline's humorous side.

2010s: Continued Success and New Directions

• 2010: Think Twice is released, another addition to the Rosato & Associates series, and becomes a bestseller. Scottoline continues writing annual thrillers while co-authoring essay collections with her daughter.
• 2013: Publishes Don’t Go, a standalone thriller focusing on a military doctor’s journey home from Afghanistan. This book underscores her willingness to tackle broader social themes.
• 2014: Publishes Betrayed, introducing Rosato & DiNunzio, a spin-off of the original Rosato & Associates series that delves deeper into the lives of her characters.
• 2017: Releases One Perfect Lie, another stand-alone thriller, and continues to expand her readership with compelling, socially relevant plots.

2020s: Expanding Beyond Legal Thrillers

• 2020: Publishes Eternal, her first historical fiction novel, which is set in Italy during the Fascist regime and World War II. The novel is a departure from her usual legal thrillers and receives critical acclaim for its depiction of love, friendship, and resilience during a tumultuous historical period.
• 2022: Publishes What Happened to the Bennetts, a standalone psychological thriller that quickly becomes a bestseller.

Additional Achievements

• Frequent Speaker: Lisa Scottoline is a sought-after speaker and makes regular appearances at literary events and panels, discussing her writing process, her inspiration, and the themes of her work.
• Columnist: She writes a humorous column with her daughter, Francesca, for The Philadelphia Inquirer, which has further broadened her audience and allowed her to connect with readers on a personal level.
• Numerous Bestsellers: Over her career, Scottoline has published more than 30 novels, many of which have reached the bestseller lists.

Lisa Scottoline’s career spans over three decades, during which she has evolved from a legal thriller writer to a versatile author capable of tackling historical fiction and psychological suspense. Her novels are known for their strong, multidimensional female characters and intricate, suspenseful plots.

1939

• Invasion of Albania: Italy invades and occupies Albania in April, which is later annexed to the Kingdom of Italy. This action signals Mussolini’s ambitions in the Balkans and marks a continuation of expansionist policies.
• Pact of Steel: Italy signs the Pact of Steel with Germany, formalizing a military and political alliance that strengthens the Axis Powers. This pact commits Italy to support Germany in any upcoming conflicts, further drawing Italy toward involvement in World War II.
• Outbreak of World War II: Although Germany invades Poland in September 1939, sparking the war, Mussolini initially keeps Italy out of the conflict, citing Italy's lack of readiness.

1930

• Great Depression: Italy, like many countries, feels the impact of the Great Depression. Mussolini's government promotes public works projects and autarky (economic self-sufficiency) to mitigate its effects.

1931

• Repression of Catholic Opposition: Tensions rise between Mussolini’s regime and the Catholic Church, especially with the Vatican’s Jesuit-led newspaper, La Civiltà Cattolica, which voices criticism against fascist policies. Mussolini suppresses dissenting groups within the Church.
• University Oath of Allegiance: Mussolini enforces a requirement that all Italian professors take an oath of loyalty to the Fascist regime, which most accept despite some reluctance.

1932

• 10th Anniversary of the Fascist March on Rome: Mussolini holds celebrations to commemorate a decade of Fascist rule, showcasing his achievements in public works, transportation, and cultural projects.
• Italian Colonial Expansion: Italy begins to intensify its focus on expanding its colonial empire, setting sights on Ethiopia as a primary target.

1933

• Economic Autarky Policies: To counter the effects of the Great Depression, Mussolini launches initiatives to make Italy economically self-sufficient, encouraging domestic production and reducing dependency on foreign imports.

1934

• Italy and Nazi Germany Alliance Begins to Form: Relations with Germany begin to shift as Adolf Hitler rises to power. Although Mussolini is initially wary of Hitler, he sees potential in an alliance, leading to a slow drift toward cooperation.

1935

• Invasion of Ethiopia (Second Italo-Ethiopian War): Italy invades Ethiopia (Abyssinia) in October 1935, leading to international condemnation. Italy used overwhelming military force, including chemical weapons, to subjugate the Ethiopian population.
• League of Nations Sanctions: In response to the invasion, the League of Nations imposed sanctions on Italy, though they proved largely ineffective.

1936

• Rome-Berlin Axis: Italy and Germany formalize an alliance in what becomes known as the Rome-Berlin Axis. Mussolini officially allies with Hitler, setting the stage for future military cooperation.
• Victory in Ethiopia: Italy declares victory in Ethiopia in May and establishes the colony of Italian East Africa. This victory is a propaganda win for Mussolini, although Ethiopian resistance continues.
• Spanish Civil War: Italy supports Francisco Franco’s Nationalist forces in Spain, sending troops and resources to assist his fight against the Spanish Republic, further aligning with fascist forces across Europe.

1937

• Anti-Comintern Pact: Italy joins Germany and Japan in the Anti-Comintern Pact, aimed at countering the spread of communism, marking further alignment with Axis powers.
• Increased Repression at Home: Mussolini’s regime intensifies its repression of political opponents, including communists, socialists, and liberal democrats, consolidating his authoritarian control over Italian society.

1938

• Racial Laws: Mussolini’s government enacts anti-Semitic racial laws, stripping Jews of Italian citizenship and barring them from many professions. This policy reflects alignment with Nazi Germany's racial ideology, marking a significant shift in Italian social policy.
• Munich Agreement: Mussolini plays a mediating role in the Munich Agreement, which permits Nazi Germany’s annexation of the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia. This move is celebrated as a diplomatic success by the Fascist regime.

1939

• Invasion of Albania: Italy invades and occupies Albania in April, which is later annexed to the Kingdom of Italy. This action signals Mussolini’s ambitions in the Balkans and marks a continuation of expansionist policies.
• Pact of Steel: Italy signs the Pact of Steel with Germany, formalizing a military and political alliance that strengthens the Axis Powers. This pact commits Italy to support Germany in any upcoming conflicts, further drawing Italy toward involvement in World War II.
• Outbreak of World War II: Although Germany invades Poland in September 1939, sparking the war, Mussolini initially keeps Italy out of the conflict, citing Italy's lack of readiness.