The Italian Party: A Novel

3.5 stars It was the 1950s and, Michael and Scottie Messina were traveling to Italy. They were newlyweds and excited to be setting up a residence in Siena. They were, however, practically strangers. Both Michael and Scottie held their reasons for wanting to marry quickly, from each other. Michael did not want Scottie to know that he worked for the CIA. Their move to Italy was part of his first mission for them. His assignment was to use whatever means necessary to foil the current communist mayor’s plan to be re-elected. The CIA preferred their agents to be married. So Michael married Scottie as soon as he could. Scottie had her own reasons for desiring a hasty marriage. First of all, she didn’t want to bring a child into the world, without having a father. Second, she wanted Michael to think that the baby was his. Neither of them knew of the other’s betrayal. Michael had other things that he was hiding from Scottie; things that he felt deeply ashamed of. Scottie, in time, would build up her own chunk of guilty secrets that would weigh her down. Michael hated that he was constantly lying to Scottie. He worked long hours and knew that his excuses sounded lame to her. Michael wished that he had confided in Scottie about his CIA involvement before they had married. But, he didn’t know her well enough then. His employment as a salesman for American made tractors was a flimsy cover. As his work hours became more erratic and long, Scottie knew that Michael was deceiving her. She began to seek comfort for her loneliness, and as a result, had a few secrets of her own. The Italian Party is a captivating story. I think, however, that I would have enjoyed it more if there was less talk of politics in it. But all in all, I found the book an enjoyable and entertaining read. Thank you, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley, for my advanced review copy.