The Villa
The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
This is a psychological thriller novel layered with a suspenseful dual story and timeline. We are a story within a story told decades apart. The two timelines intertwine and get more interesting when Emily begins to find secrets and clues inside the villa about the murder that took place there in the past. These discoveries lead up to an unexpected turn and a few surprise twists in the story.
The Book is largely told from Mari’s perspective in the past, and Emily’s perspective in the present. Both Mari and Emily are effective narrators in very different circumstances. In 1974, a time famous for sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll, Mari knows she’s in a bit over her head. She is staying with her stepsister and three grown men in a secluded Villa. Emily, on the other hand, knows she’s directionless. After coming to terms with her pending divorce, financial difficulties, and the pressure to finish her upcoming book. Both find inspiration at the villa to escape their pasts and the shadow of the men in their lives.
Emily begins to read about Mari and the villa Rosato Horror. Emily suspects that this was more complicated than people were led to think...
Overall, was a dual narrator that was easy to follow, and suspenseful! It’s about friendship/sisterhood and it makes you think about the lengths you might go for that certain bond. This was another great one by Rachel Hawkins. I love The Wife Upstairs, Reckless Girls and now...The Villa.
