The Witch of Little Italy is the 1st book in the Witch series by Suzanne Palmieri.
In The Witch of Little Italy, Eleanor “Elly” Amore is pregnant and having a baby with her mean, abusive boyfriend. When Elly’s mom—a theater actress— abandons her to deal with the pregnancy herself, Elly moves in with her estranged aunts at their Bronx family home.
Elly knows in her heart that she loves her aunts, but her memory is fuzzy about the time she’s spent with them. She can’t recall exactly why her relationship with them is estranged.
At her aunts’ home, Elly reunites with her childhood sweetheart, Anthony, who also lives in the building. As Elly makes herself at home, she begins to blossom and thrive under all the love she receives. But ghosts and mysteries dwell in and around the Amore home, putting Elly and her fuzzy memory to the test as she embarks on learning more about her past.
If I had to use one word to describe Palmieri’s debut, it would be “magical.” Everything about The Witch of Little Italy screams magic as you read it, and the more you read, the more mysterious and magical this book becomes.
Every chapter provides just enough intrigue to keep you addicted until the denouement explodes into a very beautiful conclusion. The witchcraft elements in The Witch of Little Italy are tasteful and do not overshadow the book’s messaging.
Some parts of this novel reminded me of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It features lots of secret passages and evokes lots of nostalgic childhood memories. It’s definitely one of the best novels I’ve read in the last year.
Other books in the Witch series by Suzanne Palmieri include:
- The Witch of Belladonna Bay (2014)
- The Witch of Bourbon Street (2015)
- The Witch House of Persimmon Point (2016)
What did you think about this book?
Last Updated on November 30, 2025 by Sarah Ann
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