Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"The Main Character" by Jaclyn Goldis is a thrilling and sophisticated modern homage to Agatha Christie, perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley, and Paula Hawkins. The novel centers around Rory, who becomes entangled in a mysterious and dangerous adventure orchestrated by the reclusive author Ginevra Ex. Ginevra, known for her unconventional approach to writing bestselling thrillers, invites Rory and several others from her past on a luxury train trip along Italy's Mediterranean coast on the famed Orient Express, where secrets and deceptions unravel in dramatic fashion.

Goldis' storytelling is captivating, blending the glamour of the Orient Express with a suspenseful and twisty plot. The setting is richly described, evoking the elegance and mystery of the iconic train journey. The characters are intriguing and well-developed, each hiding secrets that add layers of intrigue to the narrative.

The story is skillfully structured, with Rory’s discovery that her travel companions include her brother, best friend, and ex-fiancé, setting the stage for tension and drama. As the train moves from Cinque Terre to Rome to Positano, the stakes rise, and Rory finds herself in a situation reminiscent of one of Ginevra’s novels, where a murder could be the climax.

Goldis masterfully weaves together the threads of the story, keeping the reader guessing with each twist and turn. The novel is a brilliant blend of psychological thriller and classic murder mystery, with an air of suspense that keeps the pages turning.

However, readers who prefer straightforward narratives may find the intricate plot and numerous characters challenging to follow. The complex web of relationships and the layering of secrets require close attention.

Content warnings for themes of deception, betrayal, and murder are appropriate. "The Main Character" is ideal for readers who enjoy a modern twist on classic mystery tropes, set against a backdrop of luxury and historical intrigue.

In conclusion, "The Main Character" by Jaclyn Goldis is a gripping and elegantly written novel that offers a thrilling ride through deception and danger on the legendary Orient Express. Its compelling plot, rich setting, and intriguing characters make it a must-read for mystery and thriller enthusiasts.

This book was a great read, kept me intrigued on what is going on. The cover was def one of the main reasons i wanted to read this besides the synopsis.

The book kept you guessing and had some great twists. I will def read another book by this author. Great writing and made me not want to put the book down.

Great Read! Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

Thrilling intrigue on a train - what’s not to love? Rory is the “main character” of a famous author’s next novel, and is gifted a surprise train excursion by the author. She discovers that her brother, ex-boyfriend, and best friend are all on the train with her. They are all having conflicts with each other and many strange things start happening, until things come to a deadly conclusion.

I enjoyed this thriller quite a bit. The characters were interesting and the plot twists were unexpected. I did feel it bogged down a bit when history was being discussed, but I know others might enjoy the history lesson. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I look forward to seeing more from this author.

A murder mystery set on the Orient Express. Yes, please. I loved this and absolutely devoured it. Fast paved and filled with twists. The descriptions of the train and its journey through Italy had me feeling like less there with the characters.

As the Goodreads blurb states, The Main Character is a “modern homage” to Agatha Christie. I've only read a fraction of Dame Christie's novels (there are so many of them!) so there could be lots of little Christie-esque details that I missed, but I definitely recognized the Orient Express (from Murder on the Orient Express, obviously) and the “barely missed being crushed by a rolling boulder” trope that she used in multiple books (Death on the Nile probably being the most famous). But is this book really, truly anything like an Agatha Christie novel? Nah. Rory is not exactly Miss Marple, and no one is solving a murder in this one, anyway.

So what did I like about this book? If you ignore the parts of the story that are obviously taken from Christie's novels, the plot is pretty original. I love the idea of a modern-day Orient Express, and the mystery surrounding Ginevra Ex and the purpose of the surprise luxurious train trip is unique. And even though the characters are almost all completely unlikeable (excluding Rory and Max's dad Ansel), Ginevra's character (and her role in the mystery) is interesting and complex. Also, the setting is delightfully exotic – the characters' time is split between the Orient Express and various towns and cities in Italy.

But, with that said, I definitely had some issues with this book. First of all, I could not get into it at all, at least not until the action started happening toward the end. The characters are tremendously unlikeable and not all that interesting – Ginevra and Ansel being the exceptions as previously mentioned – and all of them have exactly the same “voice.” The point of view changes from chapter to chapter, and I kept getting confused about who was narrating because the main characters don't have distinct personalities. Well, right up until one of them does a complete 180 during the climax, anyway – where in the heck did that come from?!

Also, the ending is super abrupt and leaves a lot of issues unresolved. I'll admit that I like the books I read to be tied up with a neat little bow at the end, but this one is particularly open-ended. And just … no. I need more of a conclusion than we are given, and I despise it when books end right in the middle of a dramatic scene.

So, yeah. This book has a great premise but it ultimately fell flat for me in the execution. I won't say that it's not worth a read because it isn't terrible and I'm sure lots of other readers will enjoy it more than I did, but definitely don't go into it expecting the genius of Christie's works.

Overall rating: 3.35 stars, rounded down.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

I absolutely loved and devoured the author's previous book The Chateau, so when I heard she was coming out with a new book, I immediately had to request it. I finished this one so fast ! I loved how fast paced this was and how it was set on the opulent Orient Express. The descriptions of the train and all their stops along the way in Italy were flawless. I felt like I was on the train ride with all the main characters careening towards chaos. What a ride of a lifetime ! There were so many twists and turns toward the middle to end and it really kept me guessing and staying up late reading. I also enjoyed the historical aspects of the book such as life in the Soviet Union for Rory and Max's Jewish father. I would 100 percent recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well written thriller. 4.5 Stars !

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

So…it’s probably a me problem, but this is not at all like Agatha Christie. I mean, even if you squint. It’s got two things in common with Christie. It’s on the Orient Express. There’s eventually (eventually, like way too far into the book) a murder. Also, the author talks about Agatha Christie for about a paragraph - just in case you don’t get that it’s supposed to remind you of her.

This is a domestic thriller that is sometimes on a train and sometimes off the train in Italy. (And flashbacks.)

The main character has zero main character energy. She’s a cheese sandwich. Basic, bland and totally unworthy of any drama happening to her.

The other characters are more interesting, though very unlikeable.

Once I resigned myself to the fact that this was yet another domestic thriller wrapped up in a pretty package, I found the story interesting enough to continue.

The ending was a bit abrupt.

The read is okay, but I’m not certain I’d revisit the author.

• ARC via Publisher

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

Oof. I really did not connect with this one. I was expecting an Agatha Christie inspired literary thriller with a ton of foreshadowing, twists and turns, etc. This was more like a melodramatic, somewhat soap opera feeling domestic novel about a weirdly intertwined cast of characters... and then it took a weird turn into Soviet era Russia? Nothing felt cohesive, nothing made any sense but also managed to be predictable at every turn. I struggled to finish this one and ultimately, should have quit the second I felt skeeved out by the idea of a "main character"

Ginevra Ex has a unique approach to her mystery novels; she bases her main characters on real people she hires and interviews. It’s a method that has mostly served her well, and she is hoping her latest book will be her best. After all, this main character is unlike any other she has found.

After crafting her novel with the main character Rory, Ginevra decides to thank her with a once-in-a-lifetime trip on the Orient Express along Italy’s Mediterranean coast. Unbeknownst to Rory, Ginevra has also invited Rory’s brother, best friend, and former fiancé. Once the trip is underway, it becomes clear to Rory she is still playing the role of the main character, but this time with greater stakes. Can she uncover Ginevra’s true intentions of inviting all of them on this trip before it’s too late?

Told from the different perspectives of each character, this is a fun and twisty mystery. The author does a nice job of creating a scenic atmosphere, using both the train and Italy to her advantage. It almost feels like watching a movie. Additionally, the plot works as a cute nod to Agatha Christie. It is easy for the reader to get caught up in the mystery.

Ultimately, this is a great choice for anyone looking for an entertaining mystery to pass an afternoon. There are some cliché moments, but it is overall an enjoyable read.

Holy Mary……..what just happened??? I was completely unprepared to love this book as much as I did.
Honestly I was thinking okay….we all know how these Orient Express books go. This one definitely did not go that way for me.

The Main Character follows Rory as she is joined by her brother, best friend and ex fiance for a train ride through Italy which has been provided by author Ginevra Ex. The characters are complex and well rounded with just enough mystery to keep to a classic who-dun-it.

If you like a good mystery with extra twisty side plots then you’ll love this story!!

My honest review was given on this digital ARC from net galley and Atria books.

The Main Character had me at inspired by Agatha Christie’s The Orient Express, plus I absolutely loved Goldis’s The Chateau. Her newest novel does not disappoint!

Goldis seems to have carved out a niche for herself in a market saturated with thrillers as someone capable of keeping you on the edge of your seat while also infusing a good dose of history into her stories. First with The Chateau, and now with The Main Character, she has a talent for engaging the reader fully within the world of her stories and giving her characters motives that extend beyond the surface. It’s not just their present day personas we get to know, but everything that defines who they were and who they have become.

I was engaged in the plot of The Main Character right from the start - everyone has secrets and you’re just dying to know what they are. Who is telling the truth? Plus, it’s clear Genevera has her own agenda and I enjoyed the snippets of her interview with Rory. Although this was in many ways a retelling of The Orient Express, Goldis makes it her own and keeps you guessing until the end. I did not see it coming - it was so devastating and so perfect. If you enjoyed The Chateau, then you’re sure to love The Main Character. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, Emily Bestler Books, and Atria Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Agatha Christie for the Influencer Age- twisted tale of deadly luxury. I googled it like an artisanal confection.

Can’t wait for more from this author!

This was a delightfully twisty little mystery and I loved it!

Rory is author Geneva Ex’s new main character. Genevra’s writing formula is unorthodox, but it works for her. She hires people and creates scenarios, having them play out before her to get her stories, which… odd, but okay. I like it!

Rory wasn’t expecting to show up for her main character adventure and fine her brother, best friend, and her ex already there. What is Geneva up to?

This was so fun. Goldis weaves us through a strange and eventful story, sometimes enraging, but always interesting!! These characters, both good and bad, were written so well. They were so flawed and compelling. Goldis gets better and better!

An interesting premise that did not deliver.

Maybe I’m too much an Agatha Christie fan, maybe the melodrama was cringey, maybe it was the abundance of unlikeable characters … this was a fail for me. And, dare I say, bored me?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Main Character is a twisty destination thriller from the author of The Chateau.

Ginevra Ex is one of the most famous authors in the world. mainly for her unique way of writing books. She interviews seemingly ordinary people and their family and friends and will fictionalize their lives for all to read about. Rory is Ginevra's latest muse and receives a trip of a lifetime aboard the newly revived Orient Express, all expenses paid by Ginevra. Aboard the luxury train, Rory is stunned to discover that her brother, best friend, and ex fiance have also been invited by Ginevra, but for what purpose? With the train traveling along the west coat of Italy, visiting charming Italian towns, decadent restaurants, and famous landmarks, Rory will need to revisit each chapter of her life in order to decode and decipher Ginevra's mysterious plans. Startling truths, unexpected discoveries, and the beauty of the Mediterranean will culminate in the biggest plot twist of the story, that perhaps Rory is not the main character of her life, but rather, a supporting character to the mysterious and deceptive Ginevra Ex.

Life works in mysterious ways. I had recently read a magazine discussing the newly renovated Venice-Simplon Orient Express and quickly added it to my bucket list. Only a day later, this book came up on my radar and I knew that I had to read it. The story itself does harken back to the stylish mysteries of Agatha Christie, and there are definitely references to Murder on the Orient Express, but it is definitely not a retelling.

Ginevra Ex with her intriguing name and murky motivations juxtaposed with the gorgeous locations made this a propulsive thriller full of twists and turns to match the winding cliffside towns that the Venice-Simplon wound its way around. The jewel box interior of the train coupled with the sketchy backgrounds of the characters, created tension between glitz, glamour, and guilt. The whole concept of the "main character" was incredibly relevant as there is a trend towards becoming the main character of one's life...whatever that means? In the story we learn of the incredible pain, heartbreak, betrayal, and sacrifice that affected the lives of the characters and what it ultimately means to be the main character of one's life--being able to tell your own story, to be in control of your life, and to ultimately decide how your story ends.

The Main Character will take readers on a grand journey from the Italian coast to 1980s Moscow and through the horrors of the past, the sorrows of the characters, right through to the final destination, where the characters will learn a shocking truth that is stranger than fiction.

I could not put this book down because it had me guessing right until the very end. I would love to see it become a film as it had a vintage cinematic feel.

Thank you to Atria books for my arc!

This was so good. It felt like an Agatha Christie novel set in this century minus Poirot and honestly I enjoyed every minute of it. It’s fast paced and I couldn’t stop reading

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books foe the opportunity to read The Main Character by Jaclyn Goldis. A good homage to Agatha Christie.

I loved this twisty Agatha Christie/Meta mystery author story. What a fantastic idea and perfect titled story!

Ginevra Ex is a famous author. She is known for finding a real life person and casting them in her mystery stories. Recently she chose Rory, a disgraced newscaster who has left her long term boyfriend and is ready for a change.

Following completion of the novel, Ginevra surprises Rory with a lavish train ride through Italy.Even more surprising, Rory finds her brother, her best friend and her ex. What is Ginerva planning? Will life imitate art? Is Rory safe?

This truly unusual plot will keep you guessing ! I loved every minute of it and can't wait for another novel by Jaclyn Goldis. #JaclynGoldis #THEMaincharacter #netgalley #Atria #EmilyBestler