Sofia thought she was only traveling to Tuscany to meet the sister she never knew. She didn’t expect to risk her life for her father’s legacy. After her father’s death, Sofia Laverne learns a devastating truth: he led a double life and left behind a daughter in Tuscany—and a vineyard they now share. Determined to claim her inheritance and meet the sister she never knew, Sofia travels from California to the rolling hills of Italy. But not everyone is eager to welcome her. Whispers of betrayal follow her arrival, and soon strange accidents begin to threaten her safety. As tensions rise, Sofia must untangle the vineyard’s secrets and decide who she can trust—before someone decides her new life in Tuscany should end before it begins. The Italian Sister is a story of loss, betrayal, and resilience set against the breathtaking Tuscan countryside, where every twist reveals both danger and unexpected bonds. As in her other novels, Polkinhorn offers a keen sense of place, and whether she's showing the reader how Italian wine is made, narrating a trip to Florence, or depicting the flora and fauna of Tuscany, the author's vivid descriptions place us squarely in her literary territory. The Italian Sister is the ideal novel to read on a sultry night, preferably while sipping a fruity glass of Brunello di Montalcino, made from the Sangiovese grapes grown in Sofia's vineyard. I highly recommend this book and also look forward to reading more from the talented pen of Christa Polkinhorn. - Susan Dormady Eisenberg , Arts journalist, member of the Author's Guild and author of The Voice I Just Heard Sofia's loss of her father, her discovery of his double life and a half-sister living in Italy (on an estate of which she is now part-owner), and her encounters with her Italian family in beautiful Tuscany provide the mix for a wonderful and uplifting tale of the complexities of life. I loved it for the passages descriptive of the scenery and the wine-making process, I loved it for the story and the bit of mystery swirling about it, I loved it for the depth to which the characters were drawn. In short, I loved it. - Larry Enright, award-winning author of The Jennifer Project , Four Years from Home, A Cape May Diamond Five Stars for The Italian Sister . A charming story set mostly in a vineyard in Tuscany. Christa Polkinhorn's descriptions are both interesting and spot-on - reading this book, you can feel the sun on your back and smell the grapes. A book for lovers of Italy, mystery stories, romance, and wine. - Linda Huber , Switzerland, author of psychological suspense novels Ms. Polkinhorn has a touch for providing the perfect amount of description to bring her characters and locales to life. As the threats to Sofia developed, the author kept me guessing on the identity of the culprit and then deftly wrapped up all the elements of the story with a satisfying ending. - Linda Cassidy Lewis , Author of the Bay of Dreams and the High Tea series The Italian Sister by Christa Polkinhorn begins with a family secret and a life on a vineyard. The story is both sad and exciting. It feels like you're walking through Tuscany's rolling hills while carrying the weight of a family's secret past. There's a tension that keeps your heart racing and a tenderness that stays with you long after you turn the page. Christa's stories are a careful mix of mystery and emotion, which makes it easy for readers to connect with the characters on a deep level. The novel explores themes of loyalty, identity, and the complicated bonds between family members, showing how the choices of one generation echo into the next. It makes readers think about what truth and forgiveness really mean, as well as how love can last even after being betrayed. Christa's writing is full of life and makes you feel like you're in each vineyard scene. She describes the sun-warmed grapes and the rustic charm of Tuscan estates in great detail. Her pacing keeps the suspense high and interesting. The different points of view add depth, but some readers may need a moment to get used to the changes. Still, they make the story feel like it has more than one layer. There are many scenes that stay with you, from a shocking revelation that changes everything to a quiet moment of reflection that speaks to universal truths about family and strength. Christa can combine deep feelings with suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat, making each chapter feel important. In the end, The Italian Sister is a gripping story that stays with you because it has a lot of suspense, family drama, and romance set in Tuscany. People who like family mysteries with a lot of heart will love it. The secrets will stick with them long after they finish reading it. - L.D. Clarke, The Book Review