Book Review for The Main Character by Jaclyn Goldis

 The Main Character by Jaclyn Goldis

Published May 21, 2024 by Atria/Emily Bestler Books

Genre:   Mystery Thriller

 

Taken from Goodreads:  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 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 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.

 

My Thoughts:  The Main Character is a great thriller.  Jaclyn Goldis wrote a thriller that had intrigue, mystery, and twists and turns.  I picked it up and did not want to put it down. 

The setting of The Orient Express was amazing.   I love the description of the different suites and could picture them as the book continued.  The towns that the train stopped in were familiar to me but not places that I have visited before.    I enjoyed seeing the sights, visiting the cities, riding the train, and meeting the characters. 

Jaclyn Goldis is a must-read thriller author.  I will continue to recommend her books, including The Main Character, to all my fellow mystery thriller readers.

Thank you SS Atria for a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. 

 

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Meet Jaclyn Goldis (taken from her website):  I have a BA in Economics from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and a JD from NYU School of Law. I practiced estate planning law at Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago for seven years before leaving my job to travel the world and write novels. After culling my possessions into only what would fit in a backpack, I traveled for over a year until settling near the beach, where I can often be found writing from cafés. 

My debut novel, WHEN WE WERE YOUNG, historical women's fiction, was published in 2021 by Hachette/Grand Central. My next novel, THE CHATEAU, a mystery/thriller, is forthcoming from Simon & Schuster/Atria/Emily Bestler Books on May 23, 2023. I am represented by Rachel Ekstrom Courage of Courage Literary Management.