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A review by serenityofbooks
The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
4.0
Since January, I've devoured three of Rachel Hawkin's books, including The Villa. It echoed the historical fiction and mystery blend I adored in her most recent release, The Heiress, compelling me to devour it without pause!
Emily and Chess, lifelong friends now in their 30s, reunite when Chess invites Emily to spend the summer at a famous Italian villa. Despite initial hesitation, Emily, seeking respite from personal turmoil, agrees. The villa holds a dark history: in 1974, it hosted a group including a promising musician Pierce, his girlfriend Mari, and her stepsister Lara. By summer's end, Mari wrote a horror classic, Lara penned a platinum album, and Pierce was murdered. Intrigued by the villa's past, Emily discovers clues from the fateful summer of 1974, unravelling present-day secrets and betrayals in the process.
The Villa is described as “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.” It’s creepy gothic bohemian vibe really captured my attention and I was impressed by the way the historical and present-day storylines were cleverly intertwined.
I loved escaping into this one and highly recommend if you enjoy a narrative that weaves dual timelines together with a bit of glamour and mystery. For me, her books just keep getting and I can’t wait to read what she writes next.
Emily and Chess, lifelong friends now in their 30s, reunite when Chess invites Emily to spend the summer at a famous Italian villa. Despite initial hesitation, Emily, seeking respite from personal turmoil, agrees. The villa holds a dark history: in 1974, it hosted a group including a promising musician Pierce, his girlfriend Mari, and her stepsister Lara. By summer's end, Mari wrote a horror classic, Lara penned a platinum album, and Pierce was murdered. Intrigued by the villa's past, Emily discovers clues from the fateful summer of 1974, unravelling present-day secrets and betrayals in the process.
The Villa is described as “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.” It’s creepy gothic bohemian vibe really captured my attention and I was impressed by the way the historical and present-day storylines were cleverly intertwined.
I loved escaping into this one and highly recommend if you enjoy a narrative that weaves dual timelines together with a bit of glamour and mystery. For me, her books just keep getting and I can’t wait to read what she writes next.