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A review by caribbeangirlreading
The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
mysterious
medium-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
3.5
ARC Review
PUB Date: January 3, 2023
First off, this book is NOT a thriller because a thriller is a book about the fear of a future crime. The Villa is gothic suspense novel with a bit of a mystery thrown in. I rated The Villa three stars because it did what I wanted it to do, entertain me. I gave it another half star because I love atmospheric Gothic suspense novels. However, this was just a fun summer read. If you want top notch Gothic suspense, go read Daphne du Maurier.
LOVED:
• The book (Lilith Rising) and the folk music album (Aestas) created by the two female characters from the 70s felt so real. I wish I could read and listen to them.
• The Verity vibes. (Although this is nowhere near the mind fuck that book was.)
• I was transported to a villa in Italy for the summer. What’s not to love about that?
COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:
• The structure of the book can be confusing. In the same chapter we can be reading about the events in 1974, the current story, and a quote from a podcast or magazine article referring to the 1974 events. I really hope this gets fixed before the physical copy is published.
• I enjoyed the modern timeline, but it was wrapped up a little too quickly and conveniently.
PUB Date: January 3, 2023
First off, this book is NOT a thriller because a thriller is a book about the fear of a future crime. The Villa is gothic suspense novel with a bit of a mystery thrown in. I rated The Villa three stars because it did what I wanted it to do, entertain me. I gave it another half star because I love atmospheric Gothic suspense novels. However, this was just a fun summer read. If you want top notch Gothic suspense, go read Daphne du Maurier.
LOVED:
• The book (Lilith Rising) and the folk music album (Aestas) created by the two female characters from the 70s felt so real. I wish I could read and listen to them.
• The Verity vibes. (Although this is nowhere near the mind fuck that book was.)
• I was transported to a villa in Italy for the summer. What’s not to love about that?
COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:
• The structure of the book can be confusing. In the same chapter we can be reading about the events in 1974, the current story, and a quote from a podcast or magazine article referring to the 1974 events. I really hope this gets fixed before the physical copy is published.
• I enjoyed the modern timeline, but it was wrapped up a little too quickly and conveniently.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Child death, Blood, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, and Infidelity
Minor: Miscarriage, Suicide, Cancer, and Death of parent