The Villa by Rachel Hawkins

The Villa

by Rachel Hawkins

As kids, Emily and Chess were inseparable. But by their 30s, their bond has been strained by the demands of their adult lives. So, when Chess suggests a girl's trip to Italy, Emily jumps at the chance to reconnect with her best friend.

Villa Aestas in Orvieto is a high-end holiday home now, but in 1974, it was known as Villa Rosato, and rented for the summer by a notorious rock star, Noel Gordon. In an attempt to reignite his creative spark, Noel invites up-and-coming musician, Pierce Sheldon to join him, as well as Pierce's girlfriend, Mari, and her stepsister, Lara. But he also sets in motion a chain of events that leads to Mari writing one of the greatest horror novels of all time, Lara composing a platinum album - and ends in Pierce's brutal murder.

As Emily digs into the villa's complicated history, she begins to think there might be more to the story of that fateful summer in 1974. That perhaps Pierce's murder wasn't just a tale of sex, drugs, and rock & roll gone wrong, but that something more sinister might have occurred - and that there might be clues hidden in the now-iconic works that Mari and Lara left behind.

Yet the closer that Emily gets to the truth, the more tension she feels developing between her and Chess. As secrets from the past come to light, equally dangerous betrayals from the present also emerge - and it begins to look like the villa will claim another victim before the summer ends.

Reviewed by Quirky Cat on

3.5 of 5 stars

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Book Summary:

Emily and Chess were the best of friends growing up. But like many friendships, theirs faded as they grew up. That didn't stop Emily from readily agreeing on a vacation to Italy with Chess. Perhaps this will be the time to reconnect that they've been needing?

Their destination is the infamous Villa Aestas, where a famous murder once happened. Staying on the grounds, Emily can't help but get sucked into the story. In turn, this investigation fuels a new novel and a new rivalry.

My Review:

Huh. There are SO MANY layers to The Villa. I'm honestly almost uncertain where to begin. It's tempting to say that this novel has two main plot lines, but honestly, it feels more like three. You probably know what I am referring to if you've read the book.

This adds a certain amount of complexity to the story, which I think was sorely needed. Emily's story could have gone the way of a stereotypical domestic thriller if not for the intervention from the past.

I had several theories throughout the course of reading The Villa. One was never technically proven incorrect, so I'm going to hold onto that one and consider it at least partially accurate. If you're looking for a mystery that'll make you theorize, this is the one to read!

Highlights:
Mystery/Thriller
Historical Fiction Elements
Book within a book
Layers

Trigger Warnings:
Illness
Affairs
Gaslighting

Thanks to StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 27 January, 2023: Finished reading
  • 27 January, 2023: Reviewed