When this novel starts, Rory, her brother Max, her best friend Caro, and her ex-fiancé Nate are all on a luxurious trip through Italy on the Orient Express train, paid for by famous writer Ginevra Ex. Ginevra has an unusual writing technique - she hires someone to be the "main character" of her next book - that is, she interviews them extensively and creates a detailed psychological portrait of them, and then uses that to create a fictional story starring a version of them. And, she has just concluded her time having hired Rory as the main character for her new book, and has gifted her and the others in her life she interviewed with this trip.

The book is told mostly from Rory's perspective, but also occasionally from all four others, and we know from the start that someone on the trip is going to wind up dead, but it takes a long time to find out who. It also is clear from the start that everyone there has their own secrets that they're keeping.

I absolutely adored Jaclyn Goldis' previous book, The Chateau, so I am sorry to say I didn't love this one quite as much. The pace was quite slow for most of the book, before getting quite twisty at the end - with some secrets and twists that I guessed at least in part, and some that came out of nowhere and not always in a good way. However, I did enjoy the book nonetheless and absolutely will read whatever Goldis writes next. I also loved the Italy travelogue that really made you feel like you were seeing all the sights, from the Cinque Terre to Rome and more, and I also loved the Jewish representation.

3.5 stars

Pure, escapist fun. A murder on the Orient Express surrounded by the most amazing Italian landscapes, insane luxuries, several mysteries, a central plot that spans decades and countries, a final twist that I hadn’t seen coming… it all adds up to a very entertaining, suspenseful and addictive read. Ginevra Ex is one of the most famous mystery writers in the world. Rory has been chosen as her main character, a job that entails answering questions about her life and eventually having the most luxurious trip on the most famous train. The book opens with the author crying over a dead body and this is the story of how it happened, whodunit and why. The chapters are told by the different characters, and they all have their own, distinctive voice. I absolutely hated some of them and liked the others, but I was rooting for them all. The descriptions of the settings help situate the action, and you can almost feel the thick carpets on the train. Some parts were a little over the top, but I was so invested that I didn’t mind. Very entertaining.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Atria Books.

The setting is perfect - a luxury train ride through Italy. The concept is great - put a group of longtime friends who are in the midst of conflict in a confined space and watch their secrets come out.

The execution, though… was a bit of a miss for me. The writing felt frantic - a few times, I had to backtrack a few pages to try to figure out where we were (physically; on the train? off the train? still at the restaurant or on to the next location? etc.) and there were a handful of poorly-used words that took me out of the flow. I hated every character and I didn’t want any of them to succeed in the end. They all seemed like vapid, selfish babies. We see things from everyone’s POV, which I felt took some of the mystery out of things.

A few of the secrets felt like they were revealed (to the reader or to Rory) too early - make me work a little! The ending was quite abrupt, almost as if the author ran out of time. Overall though, an enjoyable read. A few of the twists escaped my notice, and when I got to the last quarter of the book I really didn’t want to put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jaclyn Goldis, and Atria Books for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t dislike this book, it was just very different from what I was expecting. It’s marketed as a retelling of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express and that was not how this story read. It did take place on a train, and someone did end up dead but the steps involved were not in the same realm. The stakes involved didn’t feel “high” enough and I felt a lack of urgency throughout making it slow and with not a lot of suspense or thriller-like elements. There was also a good chunk of historical background about one of the characters which was interesting but didn’t help out the already poor pacing of the story. Most of the action occurred in the last 30% of the book and even when it did it the ending wasn’t anything spectacular. I did like the setting and the start of the book started out strong, it just missed the mark for me.

3/5 Stars

Once you recognize that this book is NOT like Murder on the Orient Express and NOT much like an Agatha Christie story, you are free to enjoy a book that is both predictable and surprising at the same time. I loved the odd way Ginerva finds the basis for her books and thought that was a unique way to develop the characters for the reader. Along with lots of twists, both expected and unexpected, this kept the story moving along, making this a great escapist read! (And, yes, gotta say how much I love the cover!)

The Main Character gave me a great vibe along the lines of And Then There was None meets the White Lotus. Chaotic and beautifully written.

I was sooo excited to read this book. The premise sounded so interesting. Unfortunately, I had to DNF it 20% in. I couldn't stand the writing. These characters were insufferable, coming across as dramatic, whiney teenagers instead of full-fledged adults in their thirties. This author cannot write men. All of the men acted and thought like women. There were too many POV characters. I didn't care for or feel the others were necessary. I would have liked, however, to have been in the mind of the author more (in the book, not the real one lol). This book was just not for me. Not well written and not the plot I thought it was going to be. I was hoping it was going to be more about the writing of the book but instead that part had already been done.

I saw so many similarities between this book and EVERY TIME I GO ON VACATION, SOMEONE DIES. Both occur on an author-sponsored bookish trip to Italy, with packed tourist itineraries. Both start with the knowledge that a murder occurs, although the reader doesn't know who or why. Both feature authors who write fiction books based on people's real lives.

Italy is the hot book setting right now, it seems! I've read at least four books set there in the past month, possibly more. I love it! It's making me want to visit Europe again.

What I like most about Jaclyn Goldis's writing is the important history she slips into her thrillers. As stated in her author's note, she based the experiences Rory's father had as a persecuted Jew in Russia on her own father's life. I love that I always learn something new and important from her books.

I enjoyed the hints of Christie, the mysterious author, and the backstory between the characters. There's not a lot of action until the very end, though, at which point there's an abrupt personality change and then the story ends right after the climax. I won't say too much and spoil it, but I wanted a bit more resolution from what Ginevra and Rory discovered.

While there's lots of drama and some mystery, it didn't have enough action or twists to feel like a thriller. It's an interesting family drama in a great location, though!

I was easily drawn in by this book with it being described as an homage to Agatha Christie, as well as the premise sounding interesting.

I really enjoyed the multi POV, I love seeing things from different perspectives, especially in thrillers. It took me a while to predict the twist, but I eventually did get one part, but the rest was really well done.
The characters were a little frustrating at points, I wanted to shake them a few times.
I loved the setting, Italy is such a beautiful place to read about.
There was quite a bit of drama and suspense that kept me interested despite it being a very slow burn.
The final twist was fully insane and although being incredibly well done, was absolutely heartbreaking to consider.

The Chateau has been on my TBR for quite a while but I’m definitely more interested now after reading The Main Character, I did enjoy this author’s writing.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and the author for this eARC.
Publication date 5/21/24

A suspenseful tale that blurs the lines between fiction and reality The story takes place on an opulent train trip and is reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel. There are elements of love, success, and family.
Many thanks to Atria and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

My first Jaclyn Goldis novel but definitely not my last. A new to me author and she did not disappoint. I loved the setting. Lots of action from beginning to end. The characters were fantastic and made me feel like a part of the story. Secrets, lies and great reveals.
Thank you NetGalley, Jaclyn Goldis and Simon and Schuster for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you for the arc. However, I had to stop reading at 30%. It was clunky, it was a mess, and it felt like a chore having to keep reading. Disappointing...

Although the premise sounded intriguing with a nod to Agatha Christie and the elegant Orient Express, the novel fell flat for me. I think I was expecting more murder mystery and less family drama. However I did appreciate the Italian setting but I would have loved to hear more detail about the train experience. Furthermore, I did enjoy several twists but it still wasn’t enough to give this review 4 stars.

What I liked:
-Italian and Orient Express setting
-multiple POV
-twists and turns
-the Jewish experience in 1980’s Soviet Union

What I didn’t :
-more character development needed
-a more satisfying ending, it felt like it was missing something
-storylines explained (ie. breakup, job loss)


My rating: 3 out of 5

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria/ Emily Bestler Books for this eARC that will be published May 21 2024.

An entertaining and intriguing premise inserted in a novel that essentially fell apart by the end.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199797969

I really enjoyed this book! At first I felt like I was reading slow and then hyper speed and also I was completely engrossed with the insight of the events and how life was for some in Russia among other spots in and near Europe in the 1980s. The Author’s not in the end really punched that storyline in and I am so grateful that I have been able to read her book early again! This one was an awesome nod to a Christie-like story mysteries, trains, and murder! What’s not to love!? I had such an excellent time binging this one!!!

Thank you @netgalley and @atria - Emily Bestler Books for access to this one!

PUBLICATION DAY: May 21, 2024

Rory’s life is not going the way she expected - recently fired from her dream job as TV anchorperson, and dumped by her fiance, she is suddenly at a loss regarding her next step, so accepts a very unconventional position. She will be the “main character” for famous author Ginerva Ex, serving as inspiration for her next book. But a reward turns ominous when she boards the luxurious Orient Express and discovers her best friend, brother and ex-fiance also in attendance. What is Ginerva up to by bringing them all together like this? A better story? And what will Rory learn as she delves deeper into Ginerva’s motives?

PROS and CONS:
Initially I did have trouble differentiating between the various POV’s, but I hung in there and it all got quite good for a while! Unfortunately, the characters simply wouldn’t help themselves, and I ended up feeling a little frustrated with them all. I also felt that some things weren’t explained very well (job loss, break up, and a few others I won’t spoil), but the scenery descriptions were amazing and I’d love to go on this train for myself (without the murder of course.)

READ IT?
If you are a die hard fan of murders on trains, then this one's for you.

3 Stars

This just wasn’t what I expected. I was expecting an Agatha Christie style one by one mystery and it was more of a family drama. There is a mystery element to it but fell flat for me.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
A good book but just too many POV's. It was a good idea and it had some mystery in it and a historical aspect. I usually enjoy a book based off of Agatha Christie too. This just wasn't a favorite though.

I really really enjoyed this read. Jaclyn Goldis created such an intriguing story, putting these characters who were real life inspiration for a book, on the Orient Express as they figured out the secrets and mysteries in their life, spurred on by an eccentric author who had a mysterious connection to them (beyond writing the story). Honestly, it took a bit for me to get sucked in, but once I did I had a hard time putting it down. I found the twists and turns super surprising, and genuinely didn’t see it going in the direction it did. This was a 5 star read for me.

So I hate giving bad reviews on any book but this just was not for me. 40% in I realized there’s no mystery at all nor was there ever. I did finish it so I could leave a review but did not enjoy it. Besides being set on the Orient Express this was nothing like an Agatha Christie novel. The characters were very bland and flat: besides Rory and Ginevra I had no clear mental picture of any of them in my mind. This was a family drama, not a mystery. So disappointing.

Thanks for the e-arc I received from NetGalley, all opinions are my own.