Review: The Chateau by Jaclyn Goldis
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The Chateau by Jaclyn Goldis is finally here, and if you’re in the mood for a thriller set in a luxurious French chateau, then this one’s for you.
The Chateau is the latest (and second) novel written by Jaclyn Goldis. She’s a new author for me, so this is the first of her novels that I’ve read.
I was excited to read this book because I was looking forward to the vibe of a chateau in the French countryside. What’s not to like about that? Aside from the fact that I would be able to daydream about a beautiful historic home while reading this book, I really didn’t know what to expect.
My review of The Chateau includes a short synopsis of the book along with my honest thoughts about it. And as always, you’ll get my three Rs of book reviews. Should you read, reread, or completely reconsider reading The Chateau by Jacklyn Goldis.
Contents
Who Is Jaclyn Goldis?
Jaclyn Goldis is an American author and former lawyer. She holds a BA in economics from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and a law degree from NYU School of Law. She practiced law in Chicago for seven years before changing careers and becoming a writer.
The Chateau is Jaclyn Goldis’s second novel.
Summary of The Chateau by Jaclyn Goldis
A group of lifelong friends visits picturesque Provence on a dream girls’ trip to a luxurious French chateau. As the Lady of the Chateau, Séraphine Demargelasse, extends a sudden invitation to her granddaughter Darcy and her friends, old memories resurface from their time studying abroad in France two decades ago.
Amidst the beauty of winery tours, visits to vibrant markets, and exquisite dinners overlooking olive groves and lavender fields, the façade of bliss begins to crack. Each woman harbors a hidden motive for returning to the estate after all these years. However, the idyllic atmosphere shatters when Séraphine is discovered brutally murdered following a wild evening of celebration.
In the wake of this horrifying crime, an insidious Instagram account emerges, revealing intimate snapshots from the friends’ time at the chateau and ominously promising to expose even more.
With their lives in peril, the once inseparable friends find themselves torn apart by suspicion as they race against time to uncover Séraphine’s murderer—a relentless foe now stalking their every move.
Inside the chateau’s elegant walls lie numerous secrets, some of which are worth killing for. The Chateau is a tale of betrayal, revenge, and the quest for truth that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
My Review of The Chateau by Jaclyn Goldis
Overall, I’m glad I read this book. I find it hard to pass up a good thriller. Add in a French chateau and some mysterious doings in a family and that thriller becomes irresistible to me.
There were a few things, though, that didn’t work well for me.
What I Liked About The Chateau
What hooked me on The Chateau before I even picked the book up was the cover! There is no way I could have skipped it because of that cover.
For me, there was a lot to like about The Chateau besides just the cover, not the least of which was the setting at a luxurious French chateau! I’ve been fortunate enough to visit many chateaux of the type depicted in this book, and (aside from all the underhanded stuff going on), reading this book reminded me of happily vacationing in the Loire Valley of France, going from chateau to chateau and just enjoying life.
The mystery that was building throughout the book increased with every chapter and kept me in suspense.
For the most part, I liked the characters, although I thought it was a bit hard to keep them straight given the way the story was told from the viewpoint of many different characters.
Secrets from each character were revealed as the book progressed. Some of them seemed important, like perhaps some fact that would allow us to solve the mystery that was unfolding. This built a lot of tension with each new chapter and really kept me guessing throughout the book.
What I Disliked About The Chateau
I didn’t like how the story was told from the viewpoints of all four of the main characters.
Those characters, Darcy, Jade, Arabelle, and Victoria, were the four friends who were invited to come to stay at the chateau. Each chapter switched off to be told from the viewpoint of a different character, mostly these four.
Occasionally, a different character – Seraphine, Silvie, or Raph would sneak in and tell the story from their viewpoint. But most of it was the viewpoint of the four girls. I found this confusing, and I kept having to go back to the beginning of the chapter to remind myself of whose viewpoint I was currently in.
Because I was having difficulty with the viewpoint thing, I felt that the book slowed down for me a bit, especially around the middle. I did feel like the pace picked up later in the book though.
The Chateau by Jaclyn Goldis – Read, Reread, or Reconsider?
And now, for my 3 Rs of book reviews. Should you Read, Re-read, or Reconsider The Chateau by Jaclyn Goldis?
Read!
Review of The Chateau by Jaclyn Goldis – Conclusion
Despite the fact that I thought the first part of the book was slow, I think this is a worthwhile read. There was an unexpected twist and a shocking ending that I did not see coming.
If you can make it through the first half, I think you’ll agree that the book somewhat redeemed itself in the second half.
Looking For Some More Thrillers? Try These
- The Family Holiday by Shalini Boland
- The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
- The Cloisters by Katy Hays
- I’m Not Done With You Yet by Jesse Q. Sutanto
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