The Chateau

Ever since I saw this book at a book club pick, I knew I had to read it. So when I did get a chance to check the audiobook, I practically leapt with delight.The story is about the mysterious gathering after 20 years hosted by Grandma for her granddaughter and her 3 best friends. As soon as Grandma decides to reveal to them why they are called to the Chateau, she is brutally murdered. And now each one of these friends doubts the other because each of them has a skeleton in their closet(metaphorically).Doubtless, the plot was intriguing and when it was coupled with a multiple PoV narrative it worked wonders. Initially, it was a bit confusing when the characters were being introduced. But you do get a hang of it once the baseline is set. You may or may not be able to guess the murderer based on your experiences with thrillers. Though one thing is for sure... it does not end like an ordinary thriller 🤯And since I was listening to the audiobook here, I wanted to emphasize the efforts of narrators to hold distinctive personalities clearly. The French accents felt done well too. However, I do feel they could have added some sound effects too (like pulling the trigger, dropping the champagne glass, etc.)

This is twisty thriller. It was entertaining and I liked it. I half-guessed the ending but still enjoyed the journey. The characters are pretty stereotypical…almost to an exaggerated extent. The writing reminded me of Clue (the game) in narrative form. This is neither a good or bad thing but simply an observation.For me, the biggest head scratcher is the amount of “topics” the author tries to cover. She packs in a lot (unnecessarily) and it starts to feel a bit gratuitous. In addition to murder, infidelity, friendship, eating issues, lies and deception, she also covers homosexual bias and…the Holocaust. 🤔I usually appreciate tough topics and I certainly love historical fiction. But remember, this is (seemingly) a basic thriller. As such, the writing and the characters are fairly simple and the plot somewhat formulaic. Thus, the inclusion of these “tough topics” felt forced…like an attempt to genre hop. It was almost as if the editor said, “We need another subplot here,” and in response the author hastily crafted the Holocaust storyline and tried to weave it through an already completed plot line. Perhaps a bit more character development surrounding this topic would’ve made it feel less random.All that being said, I still enjoyed the book from an entertainment perspective. It’s the perfect airport grab for all you thriller-lovers.

Darcy's Grandmother, Seraphine, invites her and her three friends back to the Chateau in France for the first time in twenty years. She says she has something to tell them. The morning of this announcement Seraphine is found stabbed to death. Which one of them killed her?This was a little slow to start. It's all about the characters at first and it takes a while for the murder to occur. I was going to DNF it but decided to wait until the murder to see if it got better. And I'm glad that I did. At that point, it became a popcorn thriller with me turning the pages as fast as I could. There are several mysteries ongoing and everyone has secrets. The plot gets pretty detailed and somewhat convoluted but this is just a for fun thriller. That little suspension of belief is needed to imagine all this going down at the same time but it's worth it for a fun ride.

Jaclyn Goldis' *The Chateau* is a mesmerizing blend of mystery, historical intrigue, and richly woven family drama. Set against the backdrop of a stunning French chateau, the novel transports readers into a world of secrets, betrayal, and deeply buried memories.The story centers on four women, each connected by blood and bound by the history of the chateau: a grandmother, her two daughters, and her granddaughter. As they gather at the chateau for a reunion, long-held secrets start to unravel, bringing past and present into a collision that promises to change their lives forever.Goldis excels in creating a vivid and atmospheric setting. The chateau itself is almost a character in the story, with its grand architecture, hidden rooms, and storied past. Goldis' descriptions are lush and evocative, making it easy for readers to visualize the opulent yet mysterious estate. The sense of place is so strong that you can almost smell the lavender fields and hear the echo of footsteps in the grand halls.The characters are equally compelling, each woman richly drawn with her own complexities and motivations. Goldis delves into their inner lives with sensitivity and depth, exploring themes of love, loyalty, and the haunting influence of the past. The dynamics between the women are fraught with tension and emotion, adding layers of intrigue to the unfolding mystery.The novel's pacing is well-balanced, seamlessly weaving between the present and flashbacks to earlier generations. This narrative structure enhances the suspense, gradually revealing pieces of the puzzle that keep readers hooked until the very end. The plot twists are well-executed, with revelations that are both surprising and satisfying.One of the strengths of *The Chateau* is its ability to blend genres. It is at once a gripping mystery, a poignant family saga, and a beautifully written historical novel. Goldis' prose is elegant and engaging, making the book a pleasure to read from start to finish.In conclusion, *The Chateau* by Jaclyn Goldis is a captivating and immersive read that will appeal to fans of mystery, historical fiction, and family dramas alike. With its rich descriptions, complex characters, and intriguing plot, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression. Jaclyn Goldis has crafted a story that is as enchanting as the chateau itself, full of secrets waiting to be uncovered.

I really enjoyed the story, and the mystery kept me guessing. Even when I had it figured out, I wasn’t able to untangle all the ties between the characters. There were parts where it was slow, and I almost stopped reading, but I wanted to know the ending. I thought the story was great but the length and the pacing were off.

The characters were very believable. I liked their interaction and how the story was built. The ending combined all the different pieces.