The Villa

Emily and Chess were inseparable growing up, but their friendship has drifted and is strained. Emily jumps at the chance to have a girl’s trip to Italy when Chess suggests one. Their location, Villa Aestas in Orvieto (once known as Villa Rosato) has a dark past. In 1974, rock star Noel Gordon, invited an up-and-coming rocker, Pierce Sheldon to join him at the Villa along with his girlfriend, Mari and her stepsister, Lara. The trip ended in murder.

Emily, a cozy mystery writer, who has been ill and dealing with her soon to be ex-husband’s greedy demands, needs the time away. Chess is a famous author of self-help books. They both will use their time at the Villa to reconnect, write and get their creative juices flowing. Emily is inspired to learn more about the Villa, it’s murderous past and history. While at the Villa, Emily, and Chess, are having issues/tension/strain in their relationship. Secrets are about to come out not only about the Villa but about the women’s lives.

This book is told in two timelines. Mari went on to be the author of the feminist horror novel masterpiece, Lilith Rising. Mari was at the Villa that fateful summer when a murder took place. Emily is telling the present day. Both women have a connection in that they both spent time at the Villa, both are inspired by their time there, and both are dealing with issues with men in their lives.

I had both the book and the audiobook and enjoyed both but listened to the audiobook slightly more. I enjoyed both the past and the present storylines but at times enjoyed the past one more. I thought it was a nice touch having both Mari and Emily sharing details. I did enjoy the tension between Chess and Emily, former best friends who have a strained relationship as adults.

I also enjoyed the narrators of the audiobook. I felt they did a very good job at telling the story.

I thought this book was very nicely done and enjoyable. I look forward to reading more of Rachel Hawkins books in the future!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.