According to the publisher, parts of The Villa are inspired by the events of when Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein. This is apparent in the structure of The Villa, which embodies a story within a story. I liked the setting in Orvieto, but I expected the villa to play a larger role in the story. The villa didn’t convey the darkness and creepiness I was anticipating. Really, it is more of a place where things happen vs. a space that contributes to the events.

Once they arrive it appears Emily still isn't ready to put her fingers to the keyboard for book 10 in her Petal Bloom series. Emily is much more interested in the history of Villa Aestas and the murder of an up-and-coming musician that happened there in the '70's when the villa went by Villa Rosato or better yet, The Murder House. This was a highly anticipated book for 2023. I have not read Hawkins before. I may read another one of hers. Her book The Wife Upstairs was nominated for best mystery/thriller in 2021. But if all of her books have 100 f-words, I won’t be reading any more.It’s called the Pomodoro technique, and I actually still use it, even though it’s not exactly doing me much good these days. I wave her off. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me an ARC of The Villa in exchange for an honest review. As Emily delves deeper into the mysteries of the past, searching the villa for clues, she begins to realize that the survivors of that tragic summer may have left more in the Murder House than meets the eye...and perhaps Chess had her OWN reasons for bringing Emily to the Villa. Are these two friends in it to the bitter end...or is the villa ready to claim yet ANOTHER victim? Hawkins casts a sharp eye throughout to the way we construct stories about female artists—and the moral ambiguity inherent in creation and fame. The effect lingers like a shadow, or a creature, that endures past the final words. Hawkins manages to achieve the seemingly impossible: A Frankenstein-inspired novel that feels both fresh and unique." — Kirkus (starred review) I usually choose audiobooks narrated by UK or Irish narrators although I do not have the same bias with TV or film as I often find it a bit grating, but not this time ,,, it was simply a dream - genius plot and so well written.

So, although the story drags a bit in the middle, the ending it totally worth it and made the slower parts worth the wait. Read the second, and now, the story twists. Heroine is villain, villain is victim, and that colors everything that comes before in a new light. The relationship between Emily and Chess was complicated, as many friendships are, but I found it to be 100% believable. Friendships can get messy and this one definitely had its moments. With Chess, that can mean pretty much anything. She might be thinking of marrying a stranger or it could just mean she’s thinking about reintroducing carbs to her diet. Hard to say. Hawkins weaves an engrossing tale about betrayal, sisterhood, and the power of telling your own story. Captivating!" –– People

More from The Author

I leave it on read, telling myself that it’s only because I’m supposed to be working right now. My phone technically shouldn’t even be in my office—that’s usually a strict rule of mine. It stays in the kitchen, sitting on the counter until I’m through with my work for the day. Shiromi Arserio, Julia Whelan, and Kimberly Wetherell are the perfect trio to narrate this thriller about an Italian villa with a haunted past."— AudioFile