Hello! welcome back to our podcast, today will be discussing the book “The Villa” written by Rachel Hawkins. This book is a thriller/drama that follows two former best friends, Emily and Chess, who spend the summer in an Italian villa to reignite their creativity.
The villa happens to be the same one in which a famous murder occurred in the 1970s, involving a rock star. As the two women work on their new books, they start to investigate the murder and find themselves in some unexpected consequences.
The story is told through the eyes of Emily and Mari and alternates between the past in the 1970s and the present. The characters are complex and not necessarily likable, but readers will find themselves feeling sympathetic towards Mari. The setting in Orvieto is beautiful and adds to the overall atmosphere of the book.
According to the publisher, parts of the book are inspired by the events surrounding Mary Shelley’s writing of Frankenstein and this can be seen in the structure of the book, which embodies a story within a story. However, the villa itself doesn’t play as large of a role as readers might expect, serving more as a location where events take place.
Some reviewers found the first 40% of the book to be slow-paced and lacking in tension and suspense, more like a women’s fiction or domestic drama than a thriller. However, they noted that the book became unputdownable towards the end, with intriguing twists that may not be very surprising. The final chapter was considered by some to be less than satisfactory, but it still results in a dark and edgier ending.
In conclusion, “The Villa” is a book that’s perfect for readers who enjoy slow-burn thrillers and complex characters. With elements inspired by the events of Mary Shelley’s writing of Frankenstein, this book is sure to keep you engaged from start to finish.
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