The Woman in the Castello, Kelsey James
The Woman in the Castello, Kelsey James
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The Woman in the Castello

Author: Kelsey James

Narrator: Patricia Santomasso

Unabridged: 9 hr 47 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/25/2023


Synopsis

"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

About Kelsey James

Kelsey James is a historical fiction author and content marketer whose work has appeared in Conde Nast Traveler, Insider, ABC News, and the Huffington Post, among other outlets. Her debut novel, The Woman in the Castello, was an Indie Next Pick and a LibraryReads selection. A graduate of Dartmouth College with a degree in creative writing and classical studies, she currently lives with her family outside New York City and can be found online at kelseyjamesauthor.com.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Madison on July 24, 2023

The Woman in the Castello by Kelsey James Historical mystery with romance. Mid 1960’s. Silvia Whitford travels to Rome with her sick mother and her daughter for an acting job she hopes will launch her career. Low on money, Silvia goes to a small town in Italy to find an aunt she has never met, knowin......more

Goodreads review by Marilyn (not getting notifications) on September 10, 2023

The Woman in the Costello by Kelsey James was a captivating historical fiction mystery. It was her debut novel and it was a good one. I was initially intrigued by the cover until I began reading it. This well plotted debut novel captured my attention from the first page and held on to it to the surp......more

Goodreads review by Cadee on October 29, 2022

LOVED this book. Can’t wait for it to be published so everyone else can discover it and enjoy it. Feeling jealous of people who get to read it for the first time. Kelsey James’s debut novel is incredible!!! Just a few things I love about it: 1. The setting. Italy! A crumbling old castle filled with s......more

Goodreads review by Karren on July 10, 2023

In 1956, Silvia Whitford travels to Rome with her mother Lucy and daughter Lulu. She is an actress, she has only had some minor roles, she has an interview for a part in la dolce vita and when arrives at the studio she's told it has been cancelled. Silvia is broke single mother, she has nothing to r......more

Goodreads review by Kirsten on August 28, 2023

Sometimes I want a light-hearted read suitable for vacation. The Woman In The Castello met that need. With its setting in a centuries old castle in 1960s Italy, and its cast of melodramatic aspiring film stars, this novel entertained me and brought me to another place and time. I liked the atmospher......more