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Title details for The Woman in the Castello by Kelsey James - Available

The Woman in the Castello

by Kelsey James
Patricia Santomasso
Audiobook
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"You'll get lost in the pages of this lush, entertaining story." -Ellen Marie Wiseman, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Girls of Willowbrook Perfect for readers of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Kate Morton, this sophisticated, atmospheric debut spins a bewitching web of ruthless ambition, family secrets, and the consequences of forbidden love, as an ambitious American actress snags the starring role in a mysterious horror movie shooting on location in a crumbling medieval castle outside Rome . . . Rome, 1965: Aspiring actress Silvia Whitford arrives at Rome's famed Cinecittà Studios from Los Angeles, ready for her big break and a taste of la dolce vita. Instead, she learns that the movie in which she was cast has been canceled. Desperate for money, Silvia has only one choice: seek out the Italian aunt she has never met. Gabriella Conti lives in a crumbling castello on the edge of a volcanic lake. Silvia's mother refuses to explain the rift that drove the sisters apart, but Silvia is fascinated by Gabriella, a once-famous actress who still radiates charisma. And the eerie castle inspires Silvia's second chance when it becomes the location for a new horror movie, aptly named The Revenge of the Lake Witch-and she lands a starring role. Silvia immerses herself in the part of an ingenue tormented by the ghost of her beautiful, seductive ancestor. But when Gabriella abruptly vanishes, the movie's make-believe terrors seep into reality. No one else on set seems to share Silvia's suspicions. Yet as she delves into Gabriella's disappearance, she triggers a chain of events that illuminate dark secrets in the past-and a growing menace in the present . . . "Like Jess Walters's Beautiful Ruins, the glamour and heady indulgence of the era take center stage in this captivating, multilayered story that will keep you guessing to the end." -Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author "Mystery, romance, and an enchanting cast of characters with a plucky heroine at its heart. Against the richly drawn backdrop of post-war Italy, in a castle brimming with secrets, Kelsey James explores the enduring and sometimes destructive power of love, family, and ambition." -Amanda Skenandore, author of The Nurse's Secret

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    July 25, 2023

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781696610599
      • File size: 281828 KB
      • Duration: 09:47:08

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from August 14, 2023
      James makes a dazzling debut with this gothic tale of intrigue and danger on a 1960s movie set in Italy. Actor Silvia Whitford is down on her luck: as a single mother, she works hard to support her toddler, Lulu, and her dying mother, and her most recent role gets canceled just after she travels to Rome to start filming. Desperate to find a solution to her money woes, Silvia pays a visit to her mother’s estranged sister, Gabriella, in her crumbling castle in a small Italian town. It’s there where Silvia’s luck turns, and she lands a leading role in a horror movie. But soon, Silvia is living a real-life horror: her aunt’s gone missing, mysterious accidents abound, and everyone—from her costars to her family members—seems to be hiding a secret of consequence. James does a fine job devising a twisting plot, culminating in a true shocker (and a fitting conclusion for one character who has a diabolic history). With its sheen of ’60s Euro glamour, this is irresistible and satisfying. James is certainly one to watch. Agent: Danielle Egan-Miller, Browne & Miller Literary Assoc.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Narrator Patricia Santomasso takes us to Italy in the 1960s. When American actress Silvia finds that the film she was supposed to shoot in Italy is canceled, she and her mother are left almost penniless. Silvia then travels to the castello of her eccentric aunt, Gabriella, once a famous actress, hoping to borrow some money. The castle is chosen as the location for a new horror film, and both Silvia and Gabriella are cast. Santomasso gives each new character an authentic voice and accent. Although her delivery of narrative passages is overly breathy, she's especially strong as the rift between Gabriella and Silvia's mother reveals long buried secrets. Original characters, romance, mysterious noises in a spooky old castle, all read with enthusiasm and intelligence, make this entertaining listening. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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