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Title details for The Main Character by Jaclyn Goldis - Available

The Main Character

A Novel

by Jaclyn Goldis
Ali Andre Ali
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
"Rollicking good fun." —The Wall Street Journal

A bestselling thriller author arranges a luxury train trip that is not what it appears to be in this electrifying modern homage to Agatha Christie that is filled with "rich, complex characters, taut prose, and twists and turns that keep those pages turning as the plot thickens" (Lisa Barr, New York Times bestselling author).
Reclusive author Ginevra Ex is famous for her unusual approach to crafting her bestselling thrillers: she hires real people and conducts intensive interviews, then fictionalizes them. Her latest main character, Rory, is thrilled when Ginevra presents her with an extravagant bonus—a lavish trip along Italy's Mediterranean coast on the famed, newly renovated Orient Express. But when Rory boards the train, she's stunned to discover that her brother, her best friend, and even her ex-fiancé are passengers, as well. All invited by Ginevra, all hiding secrets.

With each stop, from Cinque Terre to Rome to Positano, it becomes increasingly clear that Ginevra has masterminded the ultimate real life twisty plot with Rory as her main character. And as Ginevra's deceptions mount, and the lies and machinations of Rory's travel companions pile up, Rory begins to fear that her trip will culminate like one of Ginevra's books: with a murder or two. In the opulent compartments of the iconic train, Rory must untangle the shocking reasons why Ginevra wanted them all aboard—and to what deadly end.

The perfect read for fans of Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley, and Paula Hawkins, The Main Character mixes "the family drama of Knives Out with the locked room atmosphere of Murder on the Orient Express and the resulting cocktail is like an Aperol spritz on a hot summer's day: perfect" (Katy Hays, New York Times bestselling author).

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    May 21, 2024

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781797178486
      • File size: 397673 KB
      • Duration: 13:48:29

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      March 4, 2024
      A bestselling author pays ordinary people for the right to model her protagonists on them in the disappointing latest from Goldis (The Chateau). In exchange for $100,000, individuals agree to answer personal questions, undergo psychological evaluations, and have their lives probed by Ginerva Ex’s private investigators. Her “latest, and finest, main character,” Rory, has recently been fired from her job as a news anchor for running an error-ridden story. In addition to providing Rory with the standard stipend, Ginerva has invited her on an extravagant train trip across Italy aboard the Orient Express. Rory’s elation turns to bafflement, however, when she discovers they’ll be joined by her ex-fiancé, her brother, and her best friend. As Goldis gradually reveals the secrets of each person in Rory’s orbit, Ginerva’s unorthodox writing methods start to look more and more sinister. Per the prologue, readers know someone will die, Agatha Christie–style, on this European vacation. Unfortunately, Goldis goes too heavy on the red herrings, and her clumsy prose doesn’t help (“I clasp my fingers around the smooth ticket, relieved that my mouth can still eject speech”). Despite the strong premise, this runs out of steam quickly. Agent: Rachel Ekstrom, Folio Literary.

    • Library Journal

      September 13, 2024

      Author Ginevra Ex prefers her works to be as authentic as possible. For each project, she hires a main character muse and mines their life for personal details that breathe life into her plot. Reaching the end of their writing process, Ginevra gifts her most recent subject, Rory, with an opulent train trip across Italy. When Rory boards, however, she finds her brother, best friend, and ex-boyfriend are all passengers, as well. As disturbing secrets are revealed, both on the journey and in Ginevra's new book, Rory begins to fear what awaits at their destination. Goldis (The Chateau) presents a dramatic suspense that intensifies with each troubling twist. Narrators Ali Andre Ali, Jesse Einstein, Rachel F. Hirsch, and Emily Lawrence portray four alternating first-person perspectives with expressive performances, though the two men and two women are, respectively, difficult to discern at times. Erin deWard reads Ginevra's story, though the engaging experience would be enhanced if this was also a first-person perspective and featured Ginevra's Italian accent. VERDICT This audio will appeal to listeners seeking compelling contemporary suspense with nods to Agatha Christie classics. Recommended for fans of Laura Dave, Alice Feeney, and Paula Hawkins.--Lauren Hackert

      Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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