This was a bit of a wild read and please never make me the main character of anything! There were some twists that I didn't see coming and I love that! This was my 1st book by Jaclyn Goldis but will not be my last!

The premise of this novel involves an author who uses real life individuals to create fictional characters and her most recent subject, Rory. As we read on we realize there is more to the author's relationship with Rory when she gifts her a magnificent 3 day trip on the re-imagined Orient Express after the novel is finished. Rory arrive to find her ex-fiance, her brother and best friend have also been invited on the trip as surprise, but all is not as it seems. Both the novel's version and the real-life of Rory find their lives are filled with deceit and lies from the people the should be ab;e to trust the most. This novel culminates in a shocking conclusion that you will not see coming.

he Main Character is a book with such a unique concept, that I was immediately captivated. Our Main Character of Main Character is an author named Ginevra Ex is unconventional, she uses the stories of real people to craft her stories. She hires main characters and interviews them about every aspect of their lives, giving her the details she needs to craft unforgettable stories. When Genevra hires ex journalist Rory, her generosity expands to taking her newest “main character” a trip on the Orient Express with her brother, best friend, and ex fiance. This cast of characters find themselves in tense situation after tense situation, leaving Genevra with a completely different story than expected.

It is interesting to read a book where the main character doesn't actually feel like the main character. Rory was clearly meant to be the main character, but despite having much fewer POV chapters, Genevra is clearly the driving force behind the flow of the story. She is the only character that felt fully fleshed out and three dimensional. Despite the wide cast of characters, Max, the brother, Nate, the ex fiance, and Caroline, the best friend, none of them were able to grab attention in the same way.

The secrets and betrayals that flowed between the group should have provided the book with delicious tension and a sense of urgency. Instead, the secrets fell flat after being hinted at for far too long without any answers. This also created a disjointed feeling between the plot itself and the characters. There were too many secrets and it was hard to judge what was actually important, and what was just filler.

The highlight of The Main Character was the fluidity between memories and the present. While the first memory was a bit jarring, once the flow was established, the memories provided huge amounts of context and helped to create a sense of tension that the secrets failed to provide.

Overall, Main Character and its Main Characters was a suitable read for anyone looking for an interesting mystery, but the chemistry and flow could leave some disappointed.

⅗ stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria books for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

The concept for this story is tantalizing but the execution was lacking, unfortunately. The build up was slow, so slow in fact that I had to DNF at 40%. The characters were unlikable (which could be the total point) but the events did not snatch my attention at all. Nothing kept me turning the pages, I felt like every back story, event, and conversation was way too drug out. This one just wasn’t for me.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and Jaclyn Goldis for the ARC. I couldn't get into it at all, and ended up DNF'ing it around 10%. 5 stars because I'm not a fan of historical mysteries-- so I shouldn't have requested it.

Reclusive author, Ginerva X, is famous for her unique approach to her writing - she conducts in-depth interviews with real people and then fictionalizes them. Her latest main character is Rory, an unemployed news anchor. To celebrate the release of Ginerva’s novel, Rory is rewarded with a luxury train trip through Italy. Of course secrets are revealed and mayhem ensues. I struggled to get into this one. All the characters are unlikeable. The upside was the Italian setting. Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC.

I enjoyed the general concept of this book, but I think the biggest problem was that the blurb explaining the plot kept comparing it to Agatha Christie. Beyond Taking place on the Orient express and including a murder… The characters didn’t have the depth or complexity of any Christie novel. I felt like a lot of these secrets that were being hidden from the audience were unveiled rapidly, and without real reason which made the book get dragged out for a very extended period of time.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
All opinions expressed are my own

2.5/5 stars, rounded up

Thank you Emily Bestler Books for the advanced reading copy!

SYNOPSIS -- Ginevra Ex is a fantastic writer, but she's most well known for the unique way she approaches her thrillers: using real people as the inspiration for her main characters. Rory is thrilled to be her latest character and being afforded the opportunity to spend an extended time in Italy interviewing with Ginevra, especially as she's recently unemployed. As a bonus for the work, Ginevra sends Rory on a dream trip aboard the Orient Express, traveling along the coast of Italy. What she's less thrilled about, however, are the passengers: her brother, best friend and ex-fiancé. Realizing that Ginevra may have ulterior motives, Rory spends the next three days reading between the lines of every word her friends say and every word Ginevra has written, trying to figure out what they're all REALLY doing on this train.

Ugh I wanted to like this book so much more than I did! The plot sounded super good and just didn't deliver for me. While the suspense was built generally well, the pacing of the book felt a little bit odd and got boring for a while in the middle. All of the characters were pretty unlikeable and I wasn't really invested in any of their stories or dynamics. The twist at the end was unpredictable and definitely adding .5 star for me overall! That being said, I feel like there was a major loose end and the book was unexpectedly sad? I wasn't really satisfied by how things played out and just didn't love it overall. Great premise, lacking execution. I'd read more by Jaclyn Goldis in the future, because there's definitely great potential there!

I'm not sure if I'm just not in my thriller/mystery era or if I'm especially critical of books that are compared to Agatha Christie, but either way, this just wasn't for me. It fell short on the hopes that I had for it

I am a fan of Jaclyn Goldis. She writes interesting mysteries that are always at a slower pace. In the Main Character she takes her time delving into each character, their psyche, and their backstory. While the main story doesn't cover much detail, the book instead highlights the characters instead of drawing out a long plot line. It's an interesting and unique way of writing. I think The Main Character has an exciting setting, The Orient Express, and very deeply expressed characters. For those that enjoy books really let you get to know the characters I think the Main Character is for you.

The Main Character
⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Author: Jaclyn Goldis

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Atria Books and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Reclusive, mysterious author Ginevra Ex is famous for her unusual approach to crafting her big bestselling she hires real people and conducts intensive interviews, then fictionalizes them. Her latest main character, Rory, is thrilled when Ginevra presents her with an extravagant bonus—a lavish trip along Italy’s Mediterranean coast on the famed, newly renovated Orient Express. But when Rory boards the train, she’s stunned to discover that her brother, her best friend, and even her ex-fiancé are passengers, as well. All invited by Ginevra, all hiding secrets.

With each stop, from Cinque Terre to Rome to Positano, it becomes increasingly clear that Ginevra has masterminded the ultimate real life twisty plot with Rory as her main character. And as Ginevra’s deceptions mount, and the lies and machinations of Rory’s travel companions pile up, Rory begins to fear that her trip will culminate like one of Ginevra’s with a murder or two. In the opulent compartments of the iconic train, Rory must untangle the shocking reasons why Ginevra wanted them all aboard—and to what deadly end.

My Thoughts: This was a mystery mixed with family domestic drama. Ginevra Ex is known for usual method of interviewing actual people for her thrillers. Her latest thriller endeavor is featuring Rory. She is thrilled when an added incentive is presented of a lavish trip to Italy. However, on the train, she discovers her brother, her best friend, and ex-fiancee are also passengers, all have been invited to this lavish trip by Ginevra. As the deception from Ginevra begins to accumulate, the lies and secrets from the passengers start to rack up as well looking more like one of Ginevra’s novels and Rory begins to worry what is the deadly endgame?

This novel has been compared to Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. While there are definite similarities, I think it stands on its own. Narrated by multiple characters and in dual timelines. The characters were realistic, however, most were unlikable. While some of the characters were interesting, they did not have distinct voices. From chapter to chapter, I got confused who was narrating. The characters needed their individual personalties more defined. Then one of them did a complete flip during a plot twist that was very left field. There are multiple characters and at times, it was hard to keep up with who was who. The characters were created with depth, mystery, secretive, and were intriguing. The author’s writing style was complex, twisty, and compelling. The characters were slowly build up. The plot was a character driven plot, was still delved into twisty layers. The conclusion unexpected, but a bit rushed and abrupt, and was kind of open, you had to make some assumptions.

The premise was interesting and unique. However, the execution of the plot just fell a little short for me. Having said that, I still enjoyed the novel and would recommend to other readers.

This was and unique and interesting premise for a story. I found it somewhat confusing at the beginning but it quickly became very entertaining. The story is filled with a multitude of drama and deceit that doesn’t resolve itself until the very end. The scenery is exceptional as is the description of the train itself. Fans of Agatha Christie will find this a must read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Main Character! This novel opens with main character Rory embarking on a tour of the Italian coastline on a majestic train — it’s the trip of a lifetime sponsored by bestselling but reclusive author Ginevra Ex. The setting is promising and the novel embraces its Murder on the Orient Express influences, but the middle-to-end of the plot tended to drag. Rory is an authentic, relatable main character as a woman grappling with loss: of love, career, and family and I found myself rooting for her the entire novel. However, the multiple POVs, timelines, and subplots compete for on almost every page, leaving me with whiplash and dissatisfied with the superficial resolutions. This is definitely a solid and suspenseful read!

I was really intrigued by the plot line on this, but it fell a little short for me. I did think it was a pretty good read overall though.

Ginevra Ex is famous for her untraditional way of writing novels. She finds a 'main character' to craft each of her novels about by taking their real life experiences and putting her own twist on them. Rory spent the last few weeks with the author giving extensive interviews and living in Rome. Ginevra has a parting gift for Rory, a weekend train ride across the country. Once she's on board, Rory finds that Ginevra has also invited her brother, best friend, and ex fiancé too. She has no idea why the author would do that, but she has a feeling all the answers can be found in the ARC of the novel based on her! Does the author have malicious intent with this train ride? What is Ginevra hiding? Rory is about to find out and her life will never be the same.

This book is a thrilling mystery set against the backdrop of Italy's Mediterranean coast and the luxurious Orient Express. Reclusive author Ginevra Ex, known for her unconventional method of fictionalizing real people's lives, invites Rory on a lavish trip. To Rory's shock, her brother, best friend, and ex-fiancé are also on board, each hiding secrets.

As they travel from Cinque Terre to Rome to Positano, Rory realizes Ginevra has orchestrated a real-life plot twist, filled with deception and intrigue. Goldis masterfully builds suspense, making readers question the motives of each character and fear a deadly conclusion akin to Ginevra's novels. This captivating read will keep you on edge, eager to unravel the mysteries aboard the iconic train.

Thank you Jaclyn Goldis, Atria Books, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Ginevra Ex is a world famous writer who chooses a real life main character to base her books around. This time around she has chosen Rory, a seemingly normal woman from Michigan. Rory is at a crossroads in her life after being dumped by her fiance, losing her job, and her father's failing health. While in Europe to meet with Ginevra about the upcoming book release, Rory finds the Ginevra has invited Rory's brother, ex-fiance, and best friend along on a train tour of Italy. Something sinister is at play and Rory needs to figure it out before someone gets hurt.

It took me a while to get into this one, but about two thirds of the way through I suddenly couldn't put it down. The unraveling of the mystery at the end was worth it to get through the slower parts in the beginning. I didn't see it coming. I loved the blend of historical fiction with present day mystery. It made the story feel new and fresh - unlike anything else I've read recently. It was very well written and I would absolutely recommend this to someone looking for a unique mystery.

Thank you to Atria Books for the ARC of The Main Character.

The Main Character is the story of how a fictitious author crafts her Agatha Christie inspired mystery tales. Because Rory has been selected to be the next “main character” of these highly regarded books, she and three of her nearest and dearest are invited to spend an Italian vacation riding on the luxurious Orient Express. Everyone is keeping secrets and trying to keep certain aspects of their lives hidden, but the last few twists and turns were truly a surprise! Thanks NetGalley!

I thought this book was really fun - and it definitely borrowed from Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express. I thought the characters were interesting and unique. I enjoyed The Chateau by Jaclyn Goldis, so I was excited to read her newest release. Thanks to Netgalley and Atria books for the eArc!

The Main Character by Jaclyn Goldis is an electrifying and cleverly plotted thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story follows reclusive author Ginevra Ex, who arranges a luxury train trip on the Orient Express for her latest main character, Rory. The twist? Rory's brother, best friend, and ex-fiancé are also aboard, each hiding their own secrets.

Goldis masterfully creates a web of intrigue and suspense, with each stop on the journey revealing more about the characters' hidden pasts and motivations. The opulent setting and the well-timed twists make for a thrilling read reminiscent of Agatha Christie's best works. Fans of mystery and psychological thrillers will find this book unputdownable. Highly recommended!

I loved Jaclyn Goldis’s first novel, The Chateau. It was a compelling locked room mystery with deep backstories. It’s rare for the sophomore novel to be better than the debut, but in this case I thought Goldis knocked it out of the park with The Main Character! It’s creative yet has a vintage feel, while also being refreshing and compelling.

Goldis returns with another locked-room mystery, inspired by and an homage to Agatha Christie’s legacy. This book is quite different in tone and story than The Chateau. It opens with a reclusive and eccentric author, Ginevra Ex. One of the most successful authors in the world. Ginevra always found it came naturally to crank out a mystery per year to critical acclaim and the bestseller charts. Until her last book, which flopped. Ginevra has now made it her mission to make sure her next book is a success.

The beginning chapter is critically important, and not just because of the mysterious dead body Ginevra has discovered. Ginevra has written what she believes to be her triumphant return to the best seller charts. I found it fascinating that Ginevra bases her book on real people, and this is where the rest of the cast comes in. For her grand finale, Ginevra has gathered the cast of real-life people onto the Orient Express for one opulent and twisted ride. Unfortunately, things don’t go at all as planned.

“Ginevra had forgotten the cardinal rule: Often characters have a mind of their own. And characters are prone to hiding secrets—from the author and from each other. […] Sometimes it doesn’t matter that you’ve lined it up perfectly, […] the twisty, perfect lead-up to that critical character’s final zig. Because instead of zigging, they zag.”

Ginevra has cast Rory Aronov as her main character, and placed her in the most expensive compartment onboard the luxury train. Of course, she did this before she discovered a dead body three days before the trip. The real life Rory is the inspiration for Ginevra’s latest novel, has just left a ten-day meditation retreat, hoping that it will give her the soul searching she needs to work out how she’s gotten to where she is in life. Her relationship of ten years has just ended, her career is in ruins, and she’s learned a life-changing secret while working with Ginevra on her new book. But when Rory arrives in the bar car, she sees it filled with people she knows. Her best friend, Caro, her older brother, Max, and her ex-fiancé Nate.

No one is more surprised than Rory to find these three on the same luxury train as her. It seems Ginevra arranged it as a “surprise” for her main character. But soon Rory and the reader learn that there are more surprises in store. Secrets are now trapped on a luxury liner traveling across Italy and are just waiting to be spilled. The characters are wildly unreliable, and their various perspectives slowly fill in the details about what exactly Ginevra intended. But even Ginevra couldn’t have foreseen how this would all play out.

One of the most mysterious and compelling parts of the story for me was how much Ginevra already knew. She had sent a few copies of the book onboard, but they are stolen before any of the central characters can read what’s in them. Or did one of them steal the books to keep the others from finding out a terrible secret? Ginevra also has quite a few secrets she kept from Rory and the reader, and those are waiting to be revealed along with the other ones. This is a story more twisted than the very train they are riding on.

The central characters are pitted against one another, and it seems at some points as though they won’t escape this train without blowing up every long-standing relationship they have. Or can there be healing through forced proximity? The tension was high throughout, and Goldis kept the pace moving with well-timed reveals and expertly plotted twists. This was a fun ride for the reader (though perhaps less fun for the characters). I loved the premise of a writer arranging this for the real life inspiration of her characters, only to see what happens.

Brilliant, entertaining, and compelling!