2.5 Stars

I received an advanced copy of this book from Atria Books via NetGalley.

Ginevra Ex, the enigmatic and reclusive author renowned for her unconventional approach to writing, has taken her craft to a new level. Crafting her latest bestseller, she recruits real people, conducts intricate interviews, and then transforms their stories into captivating fiction. For her protagonist Rory, Ginevra goes above and beyond, gifting her an opulent journey along Italy's Mediterranean coast aboard the legendary Orient Express.

Rory is initially elated by the extravagant bonus but is swiftly disconcerted upon boarding the train. To her surprise, she discovers her brother, best friend, and even her ex-fiancé among the passengers, all personally invited by Ginevra, all harboring secrets of their own.

As the train weaves through picturesque stops like Cinque Terre, Rome, and Positano, the unfolding events reveal that Ginevra has orchestrated a real-life, twisty plot with Rory as the unwitting main character. The journey takes a dark turn as Ginevra's deceptions escalate, and the lies and intrigues of Rory's fellow travelers accumulate. The looming fear sets in—will the trip end in a manner befitting one of Ginevra's novels, perhaps with a murder or two?

Amidst the luxurious compartments of the iconic train, Rory is thrust into a web of deception. Her task: to unravel the shocking motives behind Ginevra's grand scheme and determine the potentially deadly conclusion awaiting them all.

This book, despite its Agatha Christie undertones, fell short of delivering the suspense and intrigue that makes Christie's works timeless. The narrative failed to captivate me, and it wasn't until the final moments that the story gained momentum but that momentum was confusing and abrupt. Unfortunately, the bulk of the plot was rather lackluster.

One significant drawback was the cast of characters, a collection of thoroughly unlikable and uninteresting individuals. Each character seemed to share the same monotonous "voice," lacking the distinctiveness that would have added depth to the narrative. The main character, in particular, lacked the energy and complexity expected of a protagonist. She came across as basic and uninspiring, making it challenging to invest in the unfolding drama and her at all. The frequent shifts in point of view added to the confusion, as the characters failed to possess distinctive personalities.

The conclusion was disappointingly abrupt, leaving numerous loose ends and unresolved issues. The overall reading experience left much to be desired, especially in comparison to the anticipation built by the premise and setting reminiscent of Agatha Christie's signature style.

I appreciate a slow burn, but this book was like trying to start a fire with broken matches and wet logs in the middle of a windstorm. There were sparks of exciting ideas, but each was quickly snuffed out with repetitive dialogue and tedious descriptions. The entire narrative circled endlessly on a path to nowhere. Then, the ending was an explosive clash of events that ultimately felt rushed and unresolved.

📚Slow and unsuspenseful
📚 Too many character POVs - none of which positively impacted the story. A single narrator would have served the plot line better.
📚Unresolved ending that didn't address plot holes
📚Irrelevant storylines - whole chunks of the book could have been deleted

Aside from the setting of The Orient Express, it's confusing that this book is being compared to Agatha Christie in a positive way. Unfortunately, The Main Character was a miss. Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for providing an ARC.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this book, with my honest review below*

The Main Character had a very clever premise and I was so glad when it delivered on it ten fold. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and learning about their past, from Rory and Max to Caroline and Ginevra, as well as somewhat more minor characters.

This book calls back to Agatha Christie in many ways and I was dying to get the full picture of why the reclusive Ginevra, our author, had brought Rory and those close to her on the orient express (past the initial reason it seemed a little odd, given her subsequent interactions with the group).

Ultimately this unfolded as a supremely satisfying mystery. My only quibble is that after all the tension and all the mysteries, I wish more time had been spent with the final conflicts and closure! This left me wanting more, in the best way. Well worth reading and well worth getting excited for!

All aboard the Orient Express as four people reconnect in severely dramatic ways, eventually ending in murder in this ode to Agatha Christie. This took me a while to get through, and I can't say why because I really enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Although this features the classic train, this doesn't exactly read like a Christie story, so just beware before diving in. I wouldn't exactly classify this as anything but a dramatic mystery. If you are looking for murder and suspense on every page, this is not for you.

There was a lot of history here that I wasn't expecting but found myself fully invested in. It was eye-opening learning the true state of the Soviet Union and the horrendous treatment of a person simply because they were Jewish. There was also a love story woven through this in a twisty, yet sad way. This really focused on relationships with family, friends, and significant others and the pain that can bring. There was a lot of deceiving going on and the inner turmoil of each person involved. Overall, this was a well written, thought-provoking read, and I give it four well-deserved stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and Atria Books, for this ARC.

This is a unique story that takes place on a luxurious train! Rory is gifted a trip by an author who has chosen her to be the inspiration for her next book. While Rory is excited about the trip, she is less excited to find out her best friend, brother and ex-boyfriend will be joining her! Rory has to figure out who she can trust! I thought this was a really fun book!

I received an advanced copy through Netgalley, but all opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book! I found the premise of an author who writes by conducting extensive interviews with real people and then fictionalizing their stories to be very intriguing. The action of the novel is set in Italy, largely aboard the Orient Express. The “main character” Rory has just concluded three months of interviews with author Ginevra Ex, and this trip is a parting gift. But, Rory does not realize that the author has invited her brother, best friend, and ex-fiancé to join her—and she’s not happy with any of them at the moment, so there is a great deal of conflict ahead. The ode to Agatha Christie is well done, the characters are interesting, and the story is very engaging. There are more than a few great twists in the second half of the book. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Jaclyn Goldis for this ARC.
This nod to Agatha Christie sadly fell flat for me. The premise sounded good, but unfortunately I found the characters to be boring and unlikeable.
Had this not been given to me for an early review, I likely would have DNF’d at ~35%. I am glad I pushed to finish the book; however, as a traditional reader of this story I doubt I would have carried on the the end.
2 ⭐️

This book is no Agatha Christie and there is no real murder to solve. I thought the premise of this book was so intriguing but the actual storyline veers far from the premise. I didn’t think the characters were developed enough. So much so that when the chapters had alternating POVS I got confused about who was talking and had to flip back to the chapter title. This book is ok just not the story it’s marketed to be. A very slow burn and not a thriller at all. Also I wanted the setting to play more of a role in the story. For me, sadly it’s a miss.

Ginevra Ex, the biggest mystery writer in the world, plots her stories by hiring people to act them out. For her newest she employs Rory, a recently fired news anchor. As a reward Ginevra gifts Rory an Italian train journey on the Orient Express. When Rory boards she finds her ex-fiancé, her best friend and her brother. What is going on? Is this some extension of the mystery?

The story is told in varying points of view from all the main characters, Rory, Caroline, Max, Nate and Ginevra. All have secrets (natch.). The locations (Cinque Terre, Rome and Positano) are all gorgeous and are used to lovely effect. This is a cute little mystery with some Russian history thrown in for good measure. Recommended.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for providing me with an advance copy ♥️

I was utterly captivated by this book! I went in with some preconceived notions, thinking it would be a run-of-the-mill Orient Express tale, but it blew me away! Rory's adventure with her diverse group of companions had me on the edge of my seat from the start. The characters are expertly crafted, with just the right amount of complexity and secrecy to keep me on my toes. If you love clever whodunits with added depth and intrigue, this story will consume you in one sitting!

The description of the book seemed interesting, so I wanted to check the story out. Unfortunately, it is not working for me right now. It is nothing against the story or the author, but I couldn't get into the story/characters. I may try and find a physical copy to add the my library when it is released, though, because I think my readers could like it!

Thank you to Atria Books, Atria/Emily Bestler Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this eARC!

The summary of this book had me hooked and I loved the setting of the Orient Express. I really enjoyed the first half of this book and read it over the course of one afternoon. However, I do have to say the second of the half took a different direction than the first and it felt slightly chaotic. There were too many plot points going on and coming together at the same time. It felt like a lot of the revelations came together in a way that muted their thrill factor. Overall, I found this to be a good domestic thriller with more emphasis on domestic drama than a straight thriller. I would recommend with these caveats.

“The Main Character” by Jaclyn Goldis is a thriller that will have you engaged from the very first chapter. The story is about the most famous author in the world who bases her mystery novels on real people. She chooses these people by interviewing them, their families and friends. In this novel as a gift, she sends her unique main character, her brother, best friend and ex fiancée on a once-in-a-lifetime trip on the lavish and newly renovated Orient Express. From here we have a fun and extra twisty mystery which has a slight nod to Agatha Christie that has an ending you will not see coming!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book is an intriguing mystery and drama aboard the Orient Express through Italy. The descriptions of Italy and later, Moscow are beautiful and interesting. Rory, the main character, is working through her relationships with her friend, brother, and ex-boyfriend. This is complicated by the new book coming out based on her life by her friend. The book delves into that author’s relationships and past which further entangles the story. I enjoyed the book but did not feel the story was resolved. The ending was quite abrupt.
Thank you Atria books and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

interesting plot! i enjoyed reading it. thanks netgalley & the publisher for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"The Main Character" by Jaclyn Goldis is a thrilling and sophisticated modern homage to Agatha Christie, perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley, and Paula Hawkins. The novel centers around Rory, who becomes entangled in a mysterious and dangerous adventure orchestrated by the reclusive author Ginevra Ex. Ginevra, known for her unconventional approach to writing bestselling thrillers, invites Rory and several others from her past on a luxury train trip along Italy's Mediterranean coast on the famed Orient Express, where secrets and deceptions unravel in dramatic fashion.

Goldis' storytelling is captivating, blending the glamour of the Orient Express with a suspenseful and twisty plot. The setting is richly described, evoking the elegance and mystery of the iconic train journey. The characters are intriguing and well-developed, each hiding secrets that add layers of intrigue to the narrative.

The story is skillfully structured, with Rory’s discovery that her travel companions include her brother, best friend, and ex-fiancé, setting the stage for tension and drama. As the train moves from Cinque Terre to Rome to Positano, the stakes rise, and Rory finds herself in a situation reminiscent of one of Ginevra’s novels, where a murder could be the climax.

Goldis masterfully weaves together the threads of the story, keeping the reader guessing with each twist and turn. The novel is a brilliant blend of psychological thriller and classic murder mystery, with an air of suspense that keeps the pages turning.

However, readers who prefer straightforward narratives may find the intricate plot and numerous characters challenging to follow. The complex web of relationships and the layering of secrets require close attention.

Content warnings for themes of deception, betrayal, and murder are appropriate. "The Main Character" is ideal for readers who enjoy a modern twist on classic mystery tropes, set against a backdrop of luxury and historical intrigue.

In conclusion, "The Main Character" by Jaclyn Goldis is a gripping and elegantly written novel that offers a thrilling ride through deception and danger on the legendary Orient Express. Its compelling plot, rich setting, and intriguing characters make it a must-read for mystery and thriller enthusiasts.

This book was a great read, kept me intrigued on what is going on. The cover was def one of the main reasons i wanted to read this besides the synopsis.

The book kept you guessing and had some great twists. I will def read another book by this author. Great writing and made me not want to put the book down.

Great Read! Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

Thrilling intrigue on a train - what’s not to love? Rory is the “main character” of a famous author’s next novel, and is gifted a surprise train excursion by the author. She discovers that her brother, ex-boyfriend, and best friend are all on the train with her. They are all having conflicts with each other and many strange things start happening, until things come to a deadly conclusion.

I enjoyed this thriller quite a bit. The characters were interesting and the plot twists were unexpected. I did feel it bogged down a bit when history was being discussed, but I know others might enjoy the history lesson. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I look forward to seeing more from this author.

A murder mystery set on the Orient Express. Yes, please. I loved this and absolutely devoured it. Fast paved and filled with twists. The descriptions of the train and its journey through Italy had me feeling like less there with the characters.

As the Goodreads blurb states, The Main Character is a “modern homage” to Agatha Christie. I've only read a fraction of Dame Christie's novels (there are so many of them!) so there could be lots of little Christie-esque details that I missed, but I definitely recognized the Orient Express (from Murder on the Orient Express, obviously) and the “barely missed being crushed by a rolling boulder” trope that she used in multiple books (Death on the Nile probably being the most famous). But is this book really, truly anything like an Agatha Christie novel? Nah. Rory is not exactly Miss Marple, and no one is solving a murder in this one, anyway.

So what did I like about this book? If you ignore the parts of the story that are obviously taken from Christie's novels, the plot is pretty original. I love the idea of a modern-day Orient Express, and the mystery surrounding Ginevra Ex and the purpose of the surprise luxurious train trip is unique. And even though the characters are almost all completely unlikeable (excluding Rory and Max's dad Ansel), Ginevra's character (and her role in the mystery) is interesting and complex. Also, the setting is delightfully exotic – the characters' time is split between the Orient Express and various towns and cities in Italy.

But, with that said, I definitely had some issues with this book. First of all, I could not get into it at all, at least not until the action started happening toward the end. The characters are tremendously unlikeable and not all that interesting – Ginevra and Ansel being the exceptions as previously mentioned – and all of them have exactly the same “voice.” The point of view changes from chapter to chapter, and I kept getting confused about who was narrating because the main characters don't have distinct personalities. Well, right up until one of them does a complete 180 during the climax, anyway – where in the heck did that come from?!

Also, the ending is super abrupt and leaves a lot of issues unresolved. I'll admit that I like the books I read to be tied up with a neat little bow at the end, but this one is particularly open-ended. And just … no. I need more of a conclusion than we are given, and I despise it when books end right in the middle of a dramatic scene.

So, yeah. This book has a great premise but it ultimately fell flat for me in the execution. I won't say that it's not worth a read because it isn't terrible and I'm sure lots of other readers will enjoy it more than I did, but definitely don't go into it expecting the genius of Christie's works.

Overall rating: 3.35 stars, rounded down.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.