I enjoyed the setting, concept, and development of this story. I wish it would have been a little faster paced.

Ginevra Ex, a successful mystery writer, bases her stories on actual people. Her latest subject is Rory, who spent three months with Genevra in Rome, being interviewed and providing information on her family and friends. Recently unemployed and broken up with her fiancé the project comes at the perfect time. With their interviews completed, Genevra provides a three day luxury vacation aboard the Orient Express. She also has a surprise for Rory on the train. Her best friend Caroline, her brother Max and her ex-fiancé Nate are all in the bar car when she enters. There is tension between Rory and her brother, who has a volatile temper, she has not talked to Caroline for some time and Nate is pressuring her to get back together even though he is the one who left her. There are whispers and secrets that some are afraid will show up in the book. Genevra writes murder mysteries and one of her characters will die. Before the trip is over, revelations also lead to the death of someone in Rory’s circle.

Rory and Max were raised by their father, who now has Alzheimer’s. He left Russia with the help of two Italian sisters, one of whom he loved. As children, Max and Rory were always told the story of the duke who was rescued by sisters, one who was beautiful and one who was evil. As Rory discovers more of her family history she begins to suspect that she was chosen by Genevra because she has a connection to her father’s story. The murder and several surprising twists make this suspenseful tale from Jaclyn Goldis a real treat. I would like to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this book.

I enjoyed the author's last book and was so excited to receive an ARC of this one, as the description sounded awesome. Unfortunately, I think my expectations were a bit too high! The Main Character was a twisty destination mystery that made me want to visit Italy again, but something about it just didn't work for me. The characters were all so annoying and deeply unlikeable that I didn't find myself rooting for any of them. The story was pretty slow moving and it took me a while to get everyone straight. The first ~60% was a bit of a slow burn to set everything up, but the second half flew by. I guessed a couple minor twists and I think there were some plot points that were unresolved, but this book was mostly enjoyable! I'd recommend it to any mystery lovers, as it was definitely less of a thriller than I anticipated.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy!

This book was not for me. I appreciate the publishers and netgalley giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I was so excited for an Agatha Christie retelling. I mean, come on, The Orient Express was involved. But this was not executed well. I couldn’t stand any of the cast of characters and I couldn’t wait to get through it.

I really enjoyed this one! I love that it was a new age Murder on the Orient Express. It just felt very original and a great refresh- exactly what I was looking for! I’ve already recommended it to several people!

THE MAIN CHARACTER is one of those mystery novels that nails all the details. Goldis delivers a story with complex and layered characters while still maintaining the tension and forward-moving trajectory of the plot.

There is something so wonderful about setting a thriller on a train. I guess it could be brought back to my love of Agatha Christie’s MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS. Yet, I think there is something special about the setting of a train. You are confined in a space, but still in a state of movement. This allows the reader to have the experience of a locked room and atmospheric mystery at the same time. And this author uses everything she has at her disposal to make this book a compelling read.

With the twists, turns, and secrets bubbling to the surface, THE MAIN CHARACTER will not disappoint. The characters are nuanced and interesting in a way that comes across as real. They have flaws…oh do they have flaws, but this is what makes the story so good. Rory, Ginevra Ex, and the full cast leap to life as they are put on this train and in a way, forced to confront decisions made, deceptions hidden, and emotions just waiting to come out. If you love a suspenseful thriller propelled by its characters, this one is for you.

Thank you Netgalley for an early copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review. I was excited to read this one as I really enjoyed Jaclyn's other novel, but this one absolutely did not reach my expectations. I could not connect with any of the characters and none of the story lines. The scenery described was a plus for me, but I really had to drag myself through this one. I ended up giving it two stars because I did finish it. It is not something I would recommend to friends... just not for me.

The Main Character is not the mystery I anticipated, but it is an enjoyable read. The comparison to Agatha Christie isn't entirely accurate, but that's not a bad thing.

I didn't love this book. I couldn't relate or even actually enjoy any of the characters. They were fairly unlikable and for me that just makes me not want to read the book. The ending left some to be desired. It wasn't a bad book by any means I just didn't love it!

This is a very slow-build, character-driven story. If that’s your thing, you’ll love this one. I much preferred her previous book, The Chateau, to this one, just because I like a more fast-paced, plot-driven story. That being said, this was still a good read and I enjoyed it. The atmosphere and setting really shine. There were enough well-placed reveals that kept me invested. Some of the twists were shocking and unexpected. I was waiting for one final big twist to drop that never did. The ending felt a little too abrupt for how much time was spent getting there. Something about it just wasn’t as satisfying as I wanted it to be. It wasn’t quite a perfect five-star but definitely a solid four. I liked Rory and the “main-character” theme exploration. I was engaged in the mysteriousness of everything that was happening. I also really enjoyed Ginevra’s POV chapters and learning about what it was like in Soviet Russia. There’s generational trauma, family drama, and relationship drama. The story has a heavy emotional undertone and can be quite thought-provoking at times. Definitely recommend if you like a mystery/thriller with depth.

(I got an ARC of this through NetGalley, but it’s out now!) I’m not always a huge mystery/thriller reader, but I really enjoyed this book! It’s kind of like a modern take on an Agatha Christie story, so it’s a little more of a slower burn thriller. Rory has just finished serving as Ginevra Ex’s “muse” – Ginevra is a famous author who writes by basing all of her best-selling books on a real person, whose life she mines for details and spins into fiction. As a final “gift,” Ginevra sends Rory on an all-expenses paid trip on the newly-renovated Orient Express… but when Rory boards, she finds that her best friend, brother, and ex-fiance are also on the train, all sent by Ginevra too. Hidden secrets start to come to light, and after reading an early copy of Ginevra’s book, Rory starts to believe that this train trip isn’t a vacation after all.

The Main Character is a good murder mystery with an interesting premise -- that it's easier to write about the lives and "main characters" of others than to write about one's own life and personal characteristics, especially if you don't want to be seen or have secrets to hide. However, since it was hyped as an homage to Agatha Christie, I was expecting something a little different than what was given. Overall, though, it's an interesting read with a twist you might not realize until almost the end.

Though it may not have been my cup of tea that could have been my mistake i was hoping for more of a suspens. Much more of a who done it murder on the orient style. The book was well written though and maybe just not for me. But for someone who prefers mystery this would be a great pick for you

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review

This book had potential to be really good but I truly could not get into it. I didn’t like a single character. I had previously loved the author’s other novel but this fell really short. Too wordy and drawn out.

Would recommend for fans of…
🚞 The Guest List
🚞 Murder on the Orient Express
🚞 The Sanatorium

I’ll read mysteries and thrillers any time of year, but in the summer, I tend to gravitate towards titles with lush, summery settings and plots that hook me from the very first page.

The Main Character checks both those boxes. The novel follows Rory, a woman chosen to be the inspiration for famed novelist Ginevra Ex’s next novel. But after the interview process is over, Rory finds herself caught up in lies and deceptions, questioning which of her friends and family she can trust.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Main Character. The setting and location screams summer and makes for a great escape if you don’t have any upcoming vacation plans. It’s twisty and fast-paced (but not overly convoluted) and is a great book to pick up if you’re looking to get lost in a story. But despite those elements of the mystery, I actually found myself more invested in The Main Character’s family drama. There’s a lot of themes around keeping secrets and whether or not that is a selfish or selfless act and I felt as though that aspect really elevated the story.

Experienced mystery and thriller readers might find this novel to be similar to other entries in the genre, but I think The Main Character would be a great pick for readers who enjoy family dramas or mysteries that are more secretive than scary.

The Main Character is out now. Thanks to Atria and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This had such a great premise and an ode (of sorts) to Agatha Christie's classic, "Murder on the Orient Express" that I knew I wanted to read it. The writing is good and I enjoyed it for the most part.

Genevra Ex is a world wide best selling mystery author. She has a unique method when it comes to writing her books. She "interviews" her main characters about their lives and experiences and then cleverly weaves a story out of it. This is what she's done with her most recent main character, Rory. After her interviews Genevra presents her with an extravagant gift. She buys her a ticket on the famed, Orient Express on a train trip throughout beautiful Italy. Once Rory boards she is surprised to find people she has recently become estranged with. Her brother Max, best friend Caroline, and ex fiancé Nate. All courtesy of Genevra Ex. Could what happens next be the actual book coming to life?

It's a great premise but with a slow start. Plus I didn't really warm to any of the characters. There are some classic twists and a certain scene was very dramatic that I could picture it in my head like an old movie. I also enjoyed the flashbacks to Moscow, Russia in the 1980's. The author's notes at the end about her own grandparents and the inspiration for part of the story was interesting. I'd gladly read something else from this author again.

I went into The Main Character expecting a thriller with a strong sense of place (an Orient Express style train going through Italy) but ultimately there were too many points of view, too many storylines, and not enough story to carry the book.

Throw your kindle worthy ending of a book that shouldn’t be considered a thriller. I liked the gist of the story, but it didn’t have enough oomph

I enjoyed it. It took quite a few chapters to get into this but once I got everyone figured out, I was invested. I liked the originality of the storyline. The intrigue continued to build and twist throughout the book. The descriptions of the luxury and of travelling through beautiful Italy on the ‘Orient Express’ made me envious.
Thank You to NetGalley and to Atria Books for the invitation to read and enjoy an ARC of The Main Character.