Former Islip Bulletin and Suffolk County News editor releases first novel, 'Witness to Tribulation'

The writer

While working as a registered nurse four decades ago, Liz Finnegan never would have expected to become the editor of the Islip Bulletin and Suffolk County News.

Yet, she always had a desire to write. Finnegan thrived while writing short stories to read to her sons at bedtime and share with her family.

One day in the mid-1990s, she decided to write a story about her hometown, Islip, during Christmastime. With encouragement from friends and family, she sent the story to be submitted to the Islip Bulletin.

The rest was history. Finnegan spent over two decades as an award-winning journalist and eventually became executive editor, before she retired in 2019.

The pilgrimage

Liz Finnegan first visited Gettysburg with her historian husband, Robert, in 1985. The town left an incredible impression on her.

Finnegan noted that Gettysburg is not only a significant place in American history—the Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War and the bloodiest battle fought on American soil—but also a significant place for humanity itself.

“When you’re standing on hallowed ground, the enormity of the sacrifices that took place there… it really touches a place deep inside you,” said Finnegan. “It’s not only a place to learn history. It’s a place to re-examine the soul.”

Liz, Robert, and their children began visiting every year, like many others.

“No matter who you speak to who has been to Gettysburg, they have the same feeling. Many of them are returnees,” noted Finnegan. “Some, like my husband, kids and I, returned every year. It was like almost a pilgrimage.”

Gettysburg inspired Finnegan to write her first novel, “Witness to Tribulation,” which she completed in 1997. While she was encouraged to publish it, other commitments kept getting in her way. Finally, last year, Finnegan decided it was “now or never.” She began editing, a process she knows very well.

“Every time I looked at it, my story would evolve a little bit more,” said Finnegan.

The novel

Red Penguin Books is proud to announce the release of “Witness to Tribulation,” Liz Finnegan’s captivating new novel. The novel blends history, suspense, and the supernatural to explore family, resilience, and the enduring power of love.

When 24-year-old Emily Tomaso inherits her grandmother’s homestead in Gettysburg, Pa., she sees it as a chance to start over. Ready to leave behind grief, strained family ties, and long-held family secrets, Emily’s hopes for a fresh start are soon challenged by the echoes of the past.

Within the stone walls of the homestead, Emily discovers an old Civil War diary that draws her into a world where history refuses to remain silent. The diary’s pages reveal the struggles, sacrifices, and resilience of those who came before her, connecting Emily to the lives and stories of a bygone era.

As she explores the house and the surrounding Gettysburg landscape—steeped in blood, sacrifice, and the echoes of war—Emily begins to encounter visions and hear voices that challenge her understanding of life, loss, and love. The homestead transforms into a spiritual crossroads, a place where the veil between the living and the dead is unexpectedly thin, guiding Emily on a journey of reflection, discovery, and emotional growth.

“Witness to Tribulation” is a richly layered tale, blending historical intrigue, suspense, and a subtle touch of the supernatural. It explores the ways in which the past shapes the present and how understanding and compassion can bridge generational divides. Through Emily’s journey, readers witness the enduring power of family, the strength found in confronting the past, and the courage required to embrace the future with hope, love, and acceptance.

The future

Finnegan looks forward to writing more novels in the future. She will be signing copies of “Witness to Tribulation” at the Historical Society of Islip Hamlet’s annual Holiday House Tour on Dec. 7. Several historically and/or architecturally interesting homes will be decorated for the holidays and tour guides in Victorian dress will greet guests at each home. The tour will be held from 12 to 4 p.m. with a reception until 5 p.m. For more information, visit https://www.isliphamlethistory.org.