A Dual-Timeline Italian Gothic Thriller of Rock Stars, Toxic Friendships, and 1970s Cold Cases
Estranged best friends Emily, a cozy mystery author recovering from a difficult divorce, and Chess, a successful self-help writer, rent Villa Aestas in the Tuscan countryside for a summer writing retreat. The lavish Italian estate holds a notorious literary legacy: in the summer of 1974, it housed a hedonistic group of musicians and authors, culminating in the brutal murder of rock star Pierce Sheldon and inspiring a cult gothic novel.
As Emily researches the villa's historical archives to untangle what really happened in 1974, she uncovers unsettling parallels between the decades-old murder and the growing rivalry in her friendship with Chess. Past and present collide as hidden motives, artistic jealousy, and buried secrets come to light.
Why You’ll Love This Book
Rachel Hawkins delivers an atmospheric dual-timeline suspense novel steeped in Italian scenery, rock-and-roll history, and gothic dread. Essential reading for fans of Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley, and Megan Miranda.
Book Details
ISBN: 9781250834591
Binding: Paperback
Pub Date:
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Pages: 304
Author:
Rachel Hawkins
Language: English
Curator's Note:
Hawkins delivers an atmospheric thriller set in an Italian villa, alternating between a contemporary writing retreat and a 1974 murder involving a group of rock stars. The narrative tracks the fracturing friendship of two women as their personal resentments begin to parallel the villa’s violent history, focusing on themes of creative competition and betrayal. It is a precise recommendation for fans of dual-timeline mysteries who enjoy the summer gothic trope and stories that examine the darker side of artistic inspiration.
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