Reviews

The Main Character by Jaclyn Goldis

cheri325's review

3.5

A nod to Agatha Christie? I’m in! Except…it wasn’t. There was no mystery-just a family drama with a lot of loose ends and an abrupt ending. It was entertaining, but I won’t remember much about it. 

mtnest's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

thatbookbetchhh's review

5.0

Happy Pub Day to @jaclyngoldis and The Main Character (my #1 mystery suspense /thriller of 2024) 

This book was seriously so fun with so many moments where my jaw literally dropped and my mind kept guessing! 

✨Bullet Pointed Mini Review:

🇮🇹Lux All-Expenses Paid Italian Trip
😩Strained relationships
🧐Twists and turns 
👥Shady Caracters
⌨️Reclusive Disgraced Elderly Author
✨Multiple POVs
🎭Lots of D R A M A 
🕰️Multiple Time Periods

Thank you to @atriabooks @atria thrillers for the review eARC and the gifted finished copy!!

#themaincharacter #jaclyngoldis #atriabooks #atriathrillers #AtriaPartner #thatbookbetchhh 

lesseraliterary's review against another edition

bored 

herthrillingreads's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I loved this author’s first thriller novel, The Chateau so I wanted to love this book as well. The Main Character is inspired by Agatha Christie’s Murder On The Orient Express. It is well written and has some fantastic twists, especially towards the end. However, this book is not going to be for everyone. There are multiple narrators (5!) and two different storylines/time frames, which can make it a little confusing and hard to keep up with (especially if you typically read/listen to multiple books at the same time). Overall, the book was good, but in my opinion, not outstanding. I would recommend it if you enjoy complex stories that explore friend and family relationships that take place on an extravagant vacation.

Thank you @atriabooks for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

minimicropup's review against another edition

DNF @ 27%

This sounded so intriguing, but the train stalled out for me:

The characters sound the same even in their thoughts.

The perspectives of Rory's friends and family didn't add to the story. It was rehashing what Rory had already filled us in on.

The dialogue was stilted. Didn't sound like how people actually converse. Clunky transitions between energy or emotion. Like a pause and suddenly 'No!...don't leave!!!!" that was jarring.

Overdoing the So Much To Say Doesn't Say Anything Ever trope.  Plus toddler-style pouting and attention seeking, passive aggressive justifications, and all around each twist/problem seventeen different ways. So much tell, so little letting the reader experience it.

For such a cool setting, the ambience was lacking. We get details when a new room is entered or when the train stops or starts, but otherwise it's easy to forget they're on a train as it's so bogged down in conversing and inner monologues.

Ultimately, if I can skim a few pages and it's just more of the same reiterating and circling back on itself, I know it's not for me. 

Format: Library Digital

lgmelcher's review

informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.75

This murder mystery is prime escapist reading, especially for anyone who has dreamed of traveling the coast of Italy by train. With nods to Agatha Christie and plenty of picturesque scenery, there's a lot to like here for readers looking for a page-turner with summer travel vibes. Plus: a sub-plot set in the USSR in the 1980s, with historical details based on the author's own family's experiences, which I found fascinating. Regarding style, the writing is repetitive in places and leans heavily on metaphors which can feel trite. The story is told through the perspectives of multiple characters, although not equally and some characters are not fully fleshed out or carried through the entire book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance review copy.

danythebookworm1's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

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

3.0

monetdaffodil's review

slow-paced

3.0

holdmethrillme's review

4.0

 I thoroughly enjoyed this wild (train) ride of a book. The concept was unique and the story was heavily character driven. There were so many mysteries to unravel as the story went on and I was left with a sense of closure at the end that I desperately needed after all the unanswered questions that were posed throughout the book! I also really appreciated the Agatha Christie vibes and the travel theme. This book is a perfect summer read!