The Villa by Rachel Hawkins

Available now

If you are new to Rachel Hawkins as a thriller writer, I am so jealous! This is a true gift for those that seek their thrills between the pages. I read this nearly a year ago and I still think about how cleverly it comes together.

I love a book about a Book. One that requires the Other to become something magnificent. That book that lets you believe that you may own such a Book and the adventures that could be found both between the pages and by simply owning it. That’s The Villa. It’s about Emily and Chess, and their inseparable friendship, even into adulthood. It’s about the lengths we go to as adults to hang on to those friendships that shape us and define us humans.

Emily and Chess, have been friends for years. The type of friends that should transcend everything. When they find themselves renting a villa in Italy for a much needed vacation and chance at reconnection, they discover the villa is the home to a legacy far deeper than either woman believed. Found in the villa’s library is a journal from the time the villa was home to some of rock and roll’s most famous murders.

This one is so good! Hawkins is so skilled at amping up the tension until you can’t possibly believe it will all work out and then, deliver a twist so sharp you can’t but help to be humbled by her skill. I loved this book. It’s full of complicated, sympathetic characters; kind of? Or at least, not feel guilty for supporting. There are some very real reasons for Emily to do what she does. While Chess was who I thought she would be, I was still shocked by the ending and fully invested in the story and characters. This is also one of those magical books that gives you two compelling stories: we get the complicated relationship between Emily and Chess and the intriguing story or what actually happened at the villa all those years ago.

It’s so, so good!

If you’d like to add this incredible thriller to your collection, you can find ordering information here or click on the cover. As always, this post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Affiliate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own.