Tracing a Family Mystery to Southern Italy

A family mystery. An Italian journey. A story about love, identity, and belonging.

When Linda was a teenager, her grandmother, Filomena, shared a story she would never forget: at just five or six years old, Filomena had crossed the Atlantic alone with a man she didn’t know. “I was kidnapped,” she said.

Decades later, those words became the catalyst for a journey into the mountains of southern Italy. Determined to uncover the truth behind her grandmother’s mysterious childhood, Linda traveled with her son and his partner to the small Puglian village of Castelluccio Valmaggiore, where generations of her family were born, lived, and died.

With the help of a local genealogist, she followed her ancestors’ footsteps through ancient streets, uncovered long-buried records, met relatives she never knew existed, and confronted questions that challenged the family story she thought she knew. Along the way, the search for answers became something more—a journey of discovery, connection, and a deeper appreciation for the people who shared in the adventure.

Rich with the sights, flavors, history, and warmth of southern Italy, In My Grandmother’s Shadow explores what we inherit from those who came before us—and how understanding their stories can change our own. 

For fans of Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love by Dani Shapiro and Murder in Matera: A True Story of Passion, Family, and Forgiveness in Southern Italy by Helene Stapinski. 

Author: Linda Schifino
Page Count: 108
Trim Size: 6 x 9
Publish Date: August 27, 2026
Imprint: Brown Posey Press
Genre: Memoir

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