The Main Character is not the mystery I anticipated, but it is an enjoyable read. The comparison to Agatha Christie isn't entirely accurate, but that's not a bad thing.

I didn't love this book. I couldn't relate or even actually enjoy any of the characters. They were fairly unlikable and for me that just makes me not want to read the book. The ending left some to be desired. It wasn't a bad book by any means I just didn't love it!

This is a very slow-build, character-driven story. If that’s your thing, you’ll love this one. I much preferred her previous book, The Chateau, to this one, just because I like a more fast-paced, plot-driven story. That being said, this was still a good read and I enjoyed it. The atmosphere and setting really shine. There were enough well-placed reveals that kept me invested. Some of the twists were shocking and unexpected. I was waiting for one final big twist to drop that never did. The ending felt a little too abrupt for how much time was spent getting there. Something about it just wasn’t as satisfying as I wanted it to be. It wasn’t quite a perfect five-star but definitely a solid four. I liked Rory and the “main-character” theme exploration. I was engaged in the mysteriousness of everything that was happening. I also really enjoyed Ginevra’s POV chapters and learning about what it was like in Soviet Russia. There’s generational trauma, family drama, and relationship drama. The story has a heavy emotional undertone and can be quite thought-provoking at times. Definitely recommend if you like a mystery/thriller with depth.

(I got an ARC of this through NetGalley, but it’s out now!) I’m not always a huge mystery/thriller reader, but I really enjoyed this book! It’s kind of like a modern take on an Agatha Christie story, so it’s a little more of a slower burn thriller. Rory has just finished serving as Ginevra Ex’s “muse” – Ginevra is a famous author who writes by basing all of her best-selling books on a real person, whose life she mines for details and spins into fiction. As a final “gift,” Ginevra sends Rory on an all-expenses paid trip on the newly-renovated Orient Express… but when Rory boards, she finds that her best friend, brother, and ex-fiance are also on the train, all sent by Ginevra too. Hidden secrets start to come to light, and after reading an early copy of Ginevra’s book, Rory starts to believe that this train trip isn’t a vacation after all.

The Main Character is a good murder mystery with an interesting premise -- that it's easier to write about the lives and "main characters" of others than to write about one's own life and personal characteristics, especially if you don't want to be seen or have secrets to hide. However, since it was hyped as an homage to Agatha Christie, I was expecting something a little different than what was given. Overall, though, it's an interesting read with a twist you might not realize until almost the end.

Though it may not have been my cup of tea that could have been my mistake i was hoping for more of a suspens. Much more of a who done it murder on the orient style. The book was well written though and maybe just not for me. But for someone who prefers mystery this would be a great pick for you

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review

This book had potential to be really good but I truly could not get into it. I didn’t like a single character. I had previously loved the author’s other novel but this fell really short. Too wordy and drawn out.

Would recommend for fans of…
🚞 The Guest List
🚞 Murder on the Orient Express
🚞 The Sanatorium

I’ll read mysteries and thrillers any time of year, but in the summer, I tend to gravitate towards titles with lush, summery settings and plots that hook me from the very first page.

The Main Character checks both those boxes. The novel follows Rory, a woman chosen to be the inspiration for famed novelist Ginevra Ex’s next novel. But after the interview process is over, Rory finds herself caught up in lies and deceptions, questioning which of her friends and family she can trust.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Main Character. The setting and location screams summer and makes for a great escape if you don’t have any upcoming vacation plans. It’s twisty and fast-paced (but not overly convoluted) and is a great book to pick up if you’re looking to get lost in a story. But despite those elements of the mystery, I actually found myself more invested in The Main Character’s family drama. There’s a lot of themes around keeping secrets and whether or not that is a selfish or selfless act and I felt as though that aspect really elevated the story.

Experienced mystery and thriller readers might find this novel to be similar to other entries in the genre, but I think The Main Character would be a great pick for readers who enjoy family dramas or mysteries that are more secretive than scary.

The Main Character is out now. Thanks to Atria and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This had such a great premise and an ode (of sorts) to Agatha Christie's classic, "Murder on the Orient Express" that I knew I wanted to read it. The writing is good and I enjoyed it for the most part.

Genevra Ex is a world wide best selling mystery author. She has a unique method when it comes to writing her books. She "interviews" her main characters about their lives and experiences and then cleverly weaves a story out of it. This is what she's done with her most recent main character, Rory. After her interviews Genevra presents her with an extravagant gift. She buys her a ticket on the famed, Orient Express on a train trip throughout beautiful Italy. Once Rory boards she is surprised to find people she has recently become estranged with. Her brother Max, best friend Caroline, and ex fiancé Nate. All courtesy of Genevra Ex. Could what happens next be the actual book coming to life?

It's a great premise but with a slow start. Plus I didn't really warm to any of the characters. There are some classic twists and a certain scene was very dramatic that I could picture it in my head like an old movie. I also enjoyed the flashbacks to Moscow, Russia in the 1980's. The author's notes at the end about her own grandparents and the inspiration for part of the story was interesting. I'd gladly read something else from this author again.

I went into The Main Character expecting a thriller with a strong sense of place (an Orient Express style train going through Italy) but ultimately there were too many points of view, too many storylines, and not enough story to carry the book.

Throw your kindle worthy ending of a book that shouldn’t be considered a thriller. I liked the gist of the story, but it didn’t have enough oomph

I enjoyed it. It took quite a few chapters to get into this but once I got everyone figured out, I was invested. I liked the originality of the storyline. The intrigue continued to build and twist throughout the book. The descriptions of the luxury and of travelling through beautiful Italy on the ‘Orient Express’ made me envious.
Thank You to NetGalley and to Atria Books for the invitation to read and enjoy an ARC of The Main Character.

I was really interested in the premise of this book. I love thrillers that have a secluded location (in this case, a train). However, this book was very slow for me. It was fun reading to figure out the connection between Rory (the main character) and Ginevra (the author) all while exploring the relationships between Rory and her friends. Throughout the story, it continued to feel as though random things were happening that had little to do with the main plot. I was excited to finish it to see it all come together, but overall I wanted more from this one. It is definitely a fun concept and an interesting book!

This book's premise sounded incredibly exciting, but sadly it fell short of expectations. This novel deviates greatly from the premise; it's not like an Agatha Christie mystery, and there's no actual murder to solve. This book is okay; it's just not the story it's claimed to be.

The plot is somewhat unique if you overlook the passages that are blatantly lifted from Christie's novels. Both Ginevra's mystery and the concept of a contemporary Orient Express were interesting.

Although I must admit that I really liked the first half of this book, the second half took a different turn and felt a little disorganized.
There was just too much happening on at once. Chapter to chapter, the points of view also shifted, making it difficult for me to follow who was telling the story.

The Main Character's premise was intriguing, but until the final few pages, the plot didn't really take any exciting turns. In addition, a lot of questions remain unanswered and the ending is a little abrupt.

Even though I wasn't very impressed by this novel, it was still a passable read if you needed something to pass the time.

Overall a pretty solid thriller-i did not guess the twist! I would say this perhaps suffered from too many viewpoints-it’s multi POV (5 i believe) and my head was continuously spinning since all were in first person, I’d easily lose track of my narrator. Perhaps this would have been less annoying in paper book form! Ultimately this wasn’t the most exciting thriller I’d ever read-i wasn’t on the edge of my seat-but it was a solid “beach read” thriller!

After The Golden Spoon I was willing to give this author another try. Again, I think this fell flat. The premise was very promising and the first half of the book had me invested but again, the second half dragged on. The climax wasn’t anything to write home about.

A great mystery. Definitely Agatha Christie inspired and a lot of fun to read. I’d go into the plot, but it’s so twisty, I don’t know where to begin.

Highly recommended.

Thank you to Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Toot toot! all aboard this murder mystery story with a feel of Agatha Christie sprinkled throughout. This was a well done story starting out with a murder of an unknown character. A basic and unrevealing summary of this book is that we follow a main character which a popular and famous author has gifted a train trip to. Our MC, Rory embarks on her dream trip to find that most of her near and dear family and friends were also invited. Slowly the secrets start to surface as the story moves along the itinerary, some shocking and maybe some expected but I will say all came together nicely! No spoilers here, so you'll have to read it for yourself.
Should be enjoyed by fans of Agatha Christie, MC Beaton, etc.

When people ask me for mystery/thriller recs, this going on top of the list! Love the nod to Murder on the Orient Express while still committing to telling an original story. I loved that each side character felt real and well developed.

Well, blah. I hate writing negative reviews because the author puts so much work into their book, but this one just wasn't for me. It included a trope I can't stand and an ending that was a bit predictable, the setting was great though!