Reviews with content warning for Murder - The Villa

I liked the book within a book in this story. Most of it is a strange friendship story, until the end.

Emily and Chess have been best friends, in some ways, but resentful of each other in others - maybe like high school friends can be. Emily is getting divorced and her husband is being nasty, so she takes the opportunity to go to an Italian villa with Chess to work on a book. This villa was the scene of a murder in 1974, so we get that timeline also. The 1974 storyline is about a group of music guys and their illicit romances, women who end up with famous stories of their own after the stay.

The audio is great (thank you Libra.fm for providing copies to libraries) with Julia Whelan as Emily and two other narrators for the 1974 timeline.

“People are never just gone, after all. There are always marks, always signs.” Chapter 8

Content Warnings

taylorbrooke's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Content Warnings

theycallmebookish's review against another edition

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mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

This my second book by this author and I definitely like this one better than the last one. The mystery meets thriller meets Daisy Jones vibes were working. It was a quick listen and although a bit predictable it was entertaining. Was a great summer read.

Content Warnings