The Chateau by Jaclyn Goldis (Review by Stacie Kitchen)

Rating: 4/5

What a suspenseful book! There is so much tension dripping from each character starting on page one. Twenty years after Darcy and her 3 best friends from a semester abroad first visit her grandmother’s chateau, the girls get invited back for a weekend retreat. Receiving their invitations in the mail, the girls know there must be some reason that Seraphine wants them to visit after all this time.

When Darcy, Jade, Arabelle, and Vix reach Provence, the girls begin to feel unease. They are celebrating Jade’s fortieth birthday, but each woman has something to hide. After some celebratory drinks the girls are hanging out at the chateau when they all simultaneously get the same ominous Instagram message that includes a picture of their feet under the table. Someone is watching them. In a locked room style mystery, a murder is committed at the chateau. They know someone in the house is responsible, but which one of them did it? Or was this the work of someone outside their circle?

This book is a slow burn. Huge amounts of tension in the plot and among the characters, and we find out little by little the details that will help us determine the murderer and their motive. Each chapter is in a different character’s point of view which I loved because it kept my guessing as their secrets were revealed. I was honestly still shocked by the ending. I finished within a few days because I couldn’t wait to find out who did it! Great immersive picturesque setting and a super engaging read! Definitely a book to read if you are a mystery lover!