Rachel Hawkins's electrifying mystery "The Villa" takes place in an Italian manor with a murderous backstory. Lifelong best friends Chess and Emily have felt a growing fracture in their friendship since hitting adulthood. In an effort to revive their friendship, they decide to take a trip to Italy together. Upon arrival, Emily is enthralled by the villa's history: it's where the grizzly 1974 murder of up-and-coming rockstar Pierce Sheldon took place. As Emily's investigation sparks ideas for her writing, Chess struggles to hit her stride in her own work, bringing tension to their would-be idyllic trip. Emily's suspicions of foul play in Sheldon's death might be put on hold, because with her star on the rise and her friendship fraying, the villa may see history repeating itself.
Release date: Jan. 3
