All aboard! The train will soon be leaving the station and what a wild ride it promises to be!

Ginevra X is an aging, best-selling mystery writer who uses real people and their backstories to develop the characters in her novels. With her newest novel soon to publish, she arranges a luxurious, all-expense paid Italian journey on the Orient Express for her newest main character, Rory. However, when Rory boards the train, she finds her brother, her best friend and her ex-fiancé are passengers as well,.. and all funded by Ginevra. Is the author's generous gift simply a kind-hearted gesture or does she have an ulterior motive.

Told from the POV of all of the characters, this deeply layered, page-turner is full of twists and turns and set against the picturesque backdrop of the Italian coast.

This was a great read! But it's gonna be an IMPOSSIBLE book to review without spoilers, since basically everything is a clue or a hint or foreshadowing. I love the setting, blending a retro-mystery luxury train with modern tech bro/health startup secrets and modern-day immigrant secrets. The relationships are believably complicated and mystery-novel dramatic. So good.

This book was to pay homage to one of the all time greats Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express”. Unfortunately it fell short, the characters felt unbelievable and the story too long. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

The Main Character is a modern twist on the classic Agatha Christie novel Murder on the Orient Express. Needless to say, the setting for this book was picture perfect. I loved the lux description of the train cars and exotic locations. Goldis did a great job with her character development, adding in the perfect amount of family drama. With one final twist at the end for good measure, The Main Character had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. A must read for 2024!

Ginevra X is an extremely successful author with a unique technique. The main character of each of her mysteries is based on a real person whose life has elements that inspire Ginevra. With her subject’s cooperation Ginevra conducts intense interviews and delves deeply into their life to gather the background and scenarios for her book. She intends for her next book to be spectacular. She has selected Rory Aronov, an LA newscaster whose career and love life has just blown up for this book. Rory agrees to be the main character and allows Ginevra to delve deeply into her life. As a bonus at the end of the process Ginevra sends Rory, her brother, best friend and ex on a luxurious Orient Express excursion along the Italian coast. At this point things get tricky. There are secrets, things are not what they seem - not only with Rory and her crew but Ginevra may have much more than an author’s interest in these four.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an eGalley of this title.

A delicious Agatha Christie type story, this was such a fun mystery, full of twists and turn, with messy and flawed characters.

A clever and turbulent story, paced largely by: an achingly slow character-driven build; a plot-driven puzzle that surfaces early, is tweaked and dangled and kept alive with tiny tantalizingly hidden clues (very much solvable, if the reader sticks with it); and a supremely chaotic, crazily consistent ending.

Our story is narrated by Ginevra, our main character, and interestingly, the only narrator, (of the five in this multi-POV book), who tells her tale in an arms-length, third-person voice. Ginevra is a fascinating enigma of a woman - a fabulously rich and successful Italian author, somewhat mysterious and reclusive, with an eccentric appearance, being short, a caftan enthusiast, and favoring Sophie Loren-style eyeliner, pancake makeup and purple-red hair.

Ginevra’s tried-and-proven formula is to base her murder-mystery stories on the real-life foibles and formative experiences of a “main character” who is in fact a live person (with a licensing contract in place) - allowing Ginevra to weave tales of observed passion and angst without exposing her own personal hidden truths.

As Ginevra spins her literary web around her new main character, Rory, a thirty-three year old former news anchor, bruised and battered both professionally and romantically, Ginevra’s incredibly intrusive prying extends to those nearest and dearest to Rory, including: the beautiful Caroline (Rory’s best friend); Max (Rory’s science-nerd turned hi-tech-CEO brother); and Nate (Rory’s ex-fiancé, he of the “soft blond curls and almond brown eyes“).

The plot, (Ginerva’s, as well as our author’s) now staged, unfolds theatrically, manipulated by Ginevra, as she arranges for her characters to experience an all-expense paid luxury train excursion on the extravagantly revamped Agatha Christie-esque Orient Express, a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the gorgeous western Italian coastline.

As secrets hinted at begin to wreak havoc, it will take a final flash of ingenuity to predict, and resolve, the who, what, when and why, as murder is dramatically freed from the pages (and stories, within the stories, are revealed and enacted).

A great big thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.

I’ve seen this compared to Agatha Christie but I’ve also seen another review say that the only similarities are that they’re on a train and there’s a murder and I have to agree. The only thing I would add is that each character does have their own motive and secrets but I don’t feel it was as complex. There are a few other nods to Christie but that’s about it. The entire plot is pretty straightforward but we’re following the characters and multiple POVs so it takes a while to get to the meat of the story. It’s very character driven and all the characters are well thought out, some more interesting than others. The ending really saved this book. There was a last minute plot twist that I did not see coming. It was really heartbreaking too. I understand that all of the character backstory and buildup was needed to really feel the gut punch of the twist but you can’t tell that when you’re reading it. Overall it was an interesting idea but I just feel like it took too long to get there

"The Main Character" is definitely a suspense thriller but at its core it's a family-driven drama, which is set on the picturesque Italian coastline. The story unfolds with a unique twist, adding a whimsical touch to the story.

Amidst the stunning backdrop, the plot revolves around Ginevra, a renowned author, who hires Rory, a talented writer, to fictionalize her life story. This decision sets in motion a series of events that take the characters on a luxurious trip aboard the legendary Orient Express.

As the journey progresses, the story takes an unexpected turn, with shocking secrets and hidden truths gradually coming to light. The modern-day Orient Express adds an element of mystery and intrigue, which kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters, for the most part, are portrayed as unlikeable, with their flaws and complexities laid bare. However, Ginevra and Ansel stand out as the exceptions, capturing my heart with their relatable and endearing personalities.

The setting in Italy serves as a captivating backdrop, with its exotic charm and breathtaking landscapes. The author's vivid descriptions transported me to the sun-soaked shores, immersing me in the beauty and allure of the Italian coastline. The cultural richness and vibrant atmosphere of Italy add depth and authenticity to the story, making it all the more engaging.

At its core, The Main Character is a poignant reminder to seize control of our own narratives and embrace the joys of life. It encourages to move beyond mere survival and actively pursue happiness and fulfillment. The underlying message resonated with me, urging me to reflect on my own life and make the most of every moment.

However, the book does have its flaws. The slow start kind of detered me, as it takes time for the story to gain momentum. Additionally, the characters, aside from Ginevra and Ansel, lack distinct personalities, making it difficult for me to fully connect with them. Furthermore, the ending feels abrupt and unresolved, which left me with unanswered questions and a sense of dissatisfaction.

Overall, The Main Character presents a promising premise with its unique blend of family drama, quite interesting characters, and a modern-day Orient Express. The captivating setting in Italy adds an extra layer of allure to the story. However, the execution falls short, with a slow start, indistinct characters, and an unsatisfying ending. While it may appeal to some readers who appreciate the blend of drama and mystery, it did not win me over completely.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

I loved this thriller! A famous author hires disgraced news anchor, Rory, to be her “main character” in her upcoming book. She interviews Rory’s closest people, her best friend, Caro, her brother Max and her ex flame, Nate. She delves deep, uncovering their secrets and lies. The author sends Rory on the trip of a lifetime on the Orient Express. Rory is estranged from her these people, imagine her shock and concern to find them all on the train. Why are they here? Atmospheric and brooding, with rich, complex characters. Agatha Christie would proud! Perfect for fans of Ruth Ware.

this was a mystery with a twist at the end. I enjoyed the story very much. was hard to put down read in three afternoons.

I previously enjoyed The Chateau by this author and this premise sounded good, so I gave it a chance. Pretty good story. Ginevra writes best-selling thrillers based on real people, Rory is excited to be chosen as a "base" for a character. She is invited on a mysterious train trip and is surprised to find friends and family along for the ride. All have secrets and murder happens. What is going on? I enjoyed this and yes, it definitely has Agatha Christie vibes. Perfect for fans of her or more modern locked-room type stories. The story is told from 4 POV's plus Ginevra's "chapters", which was interesting. I did figure out a lot of it, but still a nice twist at the end. Ready for more from Jaclyn Goldis!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Jaclyn Goldis and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Amazon, Instagram and other retail and social media sites upon publication.

What do you expect or want from a book before you start reading ?

I want to be kept on my toes in anticipation of what will happen next.

I want that can’t stop won’t stop feeling when I know I should really only read just “one more chapter”

And ultimately I want characters who feel real and relative .

Well…

Check ✔️
Check ✔️
Check ✔️

This book checks off every box on my list for what I believe is a soon to be bestseller .

I was consumed early on and didn’t want to put this book down for even a bathroom break.

This was my first by Jaclyn Goldis, but it won’t be my last ! Due out 5/21/2024!!! You don’t want to miss this one!

The Main Character

Teaser :

Reclusive, mysterious author Ginevra Ex is famous for her unusual approach to crafting her big 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 Main Character started out strong for me, but about halfway through I began to lose interest. The plot was easy to figure out, albeit at times unrealistic, and the ending was flat and predictable. That being said, I did enjoy the characters and at times could really see the setting for myself through the authors descriptions. So while this story didn't wow me, it was an okay read if you are looking for something to fill your time.

I was not crazy about this book, the characters, or plot. The plot itself was a bit incredulous to believe. A woman agrees to be the subject of an author's latest novel steps aboard a train and soon finds her ex-boyfriend, friends and family also on this train. It made no sense that they would agree to board the train. There was really nothing in it for them. Some of the characters, I questioned what their purpose was to the overall development of the story. The book also had lots of stereotypes and an extensive amount of Jewish history. I understand that telling the story of Rory's father was close to the author's heart with adding experiences of her on family, but with everything that is going on in Gaza, it was hard for me to follow the back story especially when so many innocent children and families are being oppressed and murdered in Gaza. Also, the events that took place with the main character and her brother, I found very hard to believe. Who would choose someone that betrayed them over the loving brother you have lived with your entire life. This made no sense. Also, I found it hard to feel sorry for the friend when she was indeed blackmailing someone yet never felt any consequences and in fact was rewarded.

Overall, I appreciate the author for putting her passion into this book, but for me the plot was hard to believe, and some characters could have been further developed. I also could have done with less of the father and Ginevra's story. I also found the ending somewhat disappointing for the aforementioned reasons; blackmail was rewarded, and the love of a brother was easily tossed aside for someone that the character was not on good grounds with. While I wasn't crazy about this story, it wasn't a bad read. I loved hearing about the sights the characters were seeing in Rome and other places. I was also invested in finding out the mystery and did not guess the plot twists or ending. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

The concept of the book grabs the reader. I started to piece together the mystery about 50% of the way into the book but the ending held a nice little twist at the end.

Hmm, this book was fine but overall it didn't really work for me.

Maybe I wasn't in the mood for a mystery when I picked this up or maybe I was expecting more, but it moved pretty slowly for me. In the beginning I felt like all of the characters were such blank slates that I had trouble keeping tracking of whose point of view the story was coming from. I think there were details to spark intrigue and set up the story but I found that I never quite engaged with any of the characters.

The mystery in and of itself was a bit of a red herring for other mysteries but my then I was rather bored and didn't really get too wowed by the resolution.

Others may love this one but it just wasn't for me.

I really wanted to like this one! Expectations were high, given the comparison to Agatha Christie. And while the story did take place on the Orient Express, that's about where the similarity ends. Even saying that, the premise is unusual: an author writes a book based on the life of Rory, and through interviewing her and her family, reveals a number of dark secrets. I'm hooked!

Unfortunately, this book fell down for me in the execution of this interesting idea. It felt rushed in the descriptions of the characters and settings, but on the other hand, the plot didn't move along quickly enough for the first little while. Often I like having different characters' points of view, but I wished their voices had been more different or they had had unique things to add.

I enjoyed this author's previous work, The Chateau, and would likely pick up another one by her. This one just missed the mark for me. I almost gave it 2 stars, but was so interested by the author's note about the real circumstances of Jewish people in Russia inspiring a character in this book that it added a star for me, because I did find that aspect of the book interesting.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Emily Beatles Books for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it in your local and online bookstores and libraries on May 21, 2024.

I enjoyed this. The characters got on my nerves a bit but it was still good. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.