The Villa

For lovers of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware, here's a wickedly wicked gothic suspense novel set in an Italian villa with a sinister past, written by New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins.

Emily and Chess were best friends as children. But by their 30s, the responsibilities of adulthood had damaged their relationship. Hence, Emily is thrilled at the opportunity to catch up with her closest friend when Chess recommends a ladies' holiday to Italy.

Formerly known as Villa Rosato, Villa Aestas in Orvieto is a posh vacation house that was hired out for the summer by infamous rock musician Noel Gordon in 1974. Noel asks aspiring musician Pierce Sheldon, along with Pierce's fiancée Mari and stepsister Lara, to join him in an effort to rekindle his creative flame. However, he also starts a series of events that culminate in Pierce's terrible murder, Mari penning one of the best horror books ever, and Lara creating a platinum record.

Upon delving into the intricate past of the estate, Emily starts to suspect that there might be other details to that tragic summer of 1974. That maybe Pierce's murder was more diabolical than a story of drugs, sex, and rock & roll gone awry, and that there could be hints buried in the now-iconic works that Mari and Lara left behind.

However, Emily senses that tension between her and Chess is growing the closer she gets to the truth. It seems that the villa will take another victim before the summer is up as equally hazardous betrayals from the present also surface as secrets from the past are revealed.