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My Starry Rating: 4/5 Stars
Reason for Rating: Gorgeous locations equally matched with a high stakes mystery thriller plot
What I Learned: If you’re going to be the main character of your life, make sure it’s a happy story…
Publication Date: May 21, 2024 by Atria Books
Genres: Mystery Thriller, Destination Thriller
SYNOPSIS:
A bestselling thriller author arranges a luxury train trip that is not what it appears to be in this electrifying modern homage to Agatha Christie from the author of the “tense and twisty” (Julie Clark, New York Times bestselling author) The Chateau.
Reclusive, mysterious author Ginevra Ex is famous for her unusual approach to crafting her big bestselling thrillers: she hires real people and conducts intensive interviews, then fictionalizes them. Her latest main character, Rory, is thrilled when Ginevra presents her with an extravagant bonus—a lavish trip along Italy’s Mediterranean coast on the famed, newly renovated Orient Express. But when Rory boards the train, she’s stunned to discover that her brother, her best friend, and even her ex-fiancé are passengers, as well. All invited by Ginevra, all hiding secrets.
With each stop, from Cinque Terre to Rome to Positano, it becomes increasingly clear that Ginevra has masterminded the ultimate real life twisty plot with Rory as her main character. And as Ginevra’s deceptions mount, and the lies and machinations of Rory’s travel companions pile up, Rory begins to fear that her trip will culminate like one of Ginevra’s books: with a murder or two. In the opulent compartments of the iconic train, Rory must untangle the shocking reasons why Ginevra wanted them all aboard—and to what deadly end.
Another stylish and compulsively readable mystery from Jaclyn Goldis, this is the perfect read for fans of Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley, and Paula Hawkins.
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REVIEW:
The Main Character by Jaclyn Goldis is a twisty destination thriller from the author of The Chateau.
Ginevra Ex is one of the most famous authors in the world, mainly for her unique way of writing books. She interviews seemingly ordinary people and their family and friends and will fictionalize their lives for all to read about. Rory is Ginevra’s latest muse and receives a trip of a lifetime aboard the newly revived Orient Express, all expenses paid by Ginevra. Aboard the luxury train, Rory is stunned to discover that her brother, best friend, and ex fiance have also been invited by Ginevra, but for what purpose? With the train traveling along the west coat of Italy, visiting charming Italian towns, decadent restaurants, and famous landmarks, Rory will need to revisit each chapter of her life in order to decode and decipher Ginevra’s mysterious plans. Startling truths, unexpected discoveries, and the beauty of the Mediterranean will culminate in the biggest plot twist of the story, that perhaps Rory is not the main character of her life, but rather, a supporting character to the mysterious and deceptive Ginevra Ex.
Life works in mysterious ways. I had recently read a magazine discussing the newly renovated Venice-Simplon Orient Express and quickly added it to my bucket list. Only a day later, this book came up on my radar and I knew that I had to read it. The story itself does harken back to the stylish mysteries of Agatha Christie, and there are definitely references to Murder on the Orient Express, but it is definitely not a retelling.
Ginevra Ex with her intriguing name and murky motivations juxtaposed with the gorgeous locations made this a propulsive thriller full of twists and turns to match the winding cliffside towns that the Venice-Simplon wound its way around. The jewel box interior of the train coupled with the sketchy backgrounds of the characters, created tension between glitz, glamour, and guilt. The whole concept of the “main character” was incredibly relevant as there is a trend towards becoming the main character of one’s life…whatever that means? In the story we learn of the incredible pain, heartbreak, betrayal, and sacrifice that affected the lives of the characters and what it ultimately means to be the main character of one’s life–being able to tell your own story, to be in control of your life, and to ultimately decide how your story ends.
The Main Character will take readers on a grand journey from the Italian coast to 1980s Moscow and through the horrors of the past, the sorrows of the characters, right through to the final destination, where the characters will learn a shocking truth that is stranger than fiction.
I could not put this book down because it had me guessing right until the very end. I would love to see it become a film as it had a vintage cinematic feel. The cover is also very beautiful.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jaclyn Goldis is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and NYU School of Law. She practiced estate planning law at a large Chicago firm for seven years before leaving her job to travel the world and write novels. After culling her possessions into only what would fit in a backpack, she traveled for over a year until settling in Tel Aviv, where she can often be found writing from cafés near the beach. She is the author of The Chateau and The Main Character.
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