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The Villa
- A Novel
- Narrated by: Julia Whelan, Kimberly M. Wetherell, Shiromi Arserio
- Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins
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Publisher's Summary
"Shiromi Arserio, Julia Whelan, and Kimberly Wetherell are the perfect trio to narrate this thriller about an Italian villa with a haunted past."—AudioFile
From New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins comes a deliciously wicked gothic suspense, set at an Italian villa with a dark history, for fans of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware.
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 girls 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.
Inspired by Fleetwood Mac, the Manson murders, and the infamous summer Percy and Mary Shelley spent with Lord Byron at a Lake Geneva castle–the birthplace of Frankenstein–The Villa welcomes you into its deadly legacy.
A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.
What the critics say
"Hawkins casts a sharp eye throughout to the way we construct stories about female artists—and the moral ambiguity inherent in creation and fame. The effect lingers like a shadow, or a creature, that endures past the final words. Hawkins manages to achieve the seemingly impossible: A Frankenstein-inspired novel that feels both fresh and unique."—Kirkus (starred review)
"Friendship and professional jealousy fuel this nail-biter...Intense characters complement the brisk plot, which shifts smoothly between the present and 1974. Hawkins consistently entertains."—Publishers Weekly
This story’s finely honed interplay of creative ambition and haunting sadness makes it a step above. Hawkins pokes at the darker aspects of both true crime and self-help, and it works beautifully. Hawkins' star is definitely on the rise after two bestsellers, and this one will propel her further into the stratosphere."—Booklist, starred review
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- Anonymous User
- 2023-11-23
Great Plot
For the first while I was worried it was sounding a bit shallow, but glad I stuck it out. The story within a story and twists and turns were really enjoyable!
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- LaceyC08
- 2023-07-14
Kills time but meh
It was a good book to multitask to but the back and forth between past and present was a little confusing. I also feel like it left some things out about what the present girls did with their book, etc. it wrapped up too quickly and left too much open I felt.
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- Savannah Wood
- 2023-02-08
Great quick read
Definitely in the same vein as Lucy Foley books so if you enjoy those you’ll more than likely like this as well. I thought the writing was better overall and while a bit predictable not enough to make it in enjoyable. Worth the credit for sure
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- Mackenzie Dayle
- 2023-01-13
Wonderful snd haunting
Story told very well. Loved the twist, and turns of the mystery, and also pleased with the strong women characters.
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- Anonymous User
- 2023-04-19
Light but deeper than you'd expect
Similar to Lucy Foley but also more thematic and thought provoking in a way that surpasses Foley. A little weird in parts (the Podcasters were very off-putting) but they were an attempt at using different forms of information relayance so I applaud the author for trying something. The flashed between the two stories were a little annoying at first since they were different tempos but patience paid off for the overall alp parallels and commentary. The main character is funny at times but rarely in that cringey I-am-every-woman self depracating way, so that was nice. The narrator and writer seem to be a good team. This isn't exactly a lightweight mystery so if that is what you're in the mood for, hold off until you've got a little time to listen and explore some of the ideas hinted at in the story.
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- Anita Daher
- 2023-08-23
Gorgeous layers
Wow! Gem of a story. I looked for it after reading Nick Martin's review in the Winnipeg Free Press, and chose the audiobook version when I saw that it was performed in part by Julia Whelan (a great voice actor truly adds to the experience, and Julia Whelan is exceptional). A story within a story, within a story, and an unexpected end. I was engaged from the beginning and captivated until the end. Highly recommended.
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- Florence
- 2023-11-25
About friendship, relationships and self preservation
I loved the way the two eras overlapped, and I became very invested in the characters. I enjoyed the twists, turns, and eventual reflections upon my own life. I definitely recommend this book.
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- LDanna
- 2023-01-10
There's a solid book inside there somewhere.
I agree with other reviewers that the sections of the novel set in the past were uninteresting. I too would have been happier with the current story only. And the podcasters were weird and brought nothing to the story. It doesn't help that the narrators for the 1970s sections and the podcasters have the most boring delivery ever. Too bad because there's a solid book inside there somewhere.
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