The Woman in the Castello

By: Kelsey James

Narrated by: Patricia Santomasso

Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

"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 listeners 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

©2023 Kelsey Blodget (P)2023 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

A really sweet story

It was a good story, if you could read it yourself. I am sorry that I got it as an audible. The narrator was horrible. She gasped after every sentence. It was so annoying. I wrote her name down so I would not get another story read by her. If I was the author, in the future I should listening to make sure the narrator wasn't ruining my story. The story was a mystery and a love story that you wouldn't guess the ending. Will tell my book club to only get the book!!

Just so-so

Kinda boring and predictable. The main character in the book had the same reaction to each “scary” event in each chapter.
Narration was good. If it’s offered as a freebie/included with membership-ok, use a credit to purchase-no I wouldn’t recommend.

Narration was terrible

I’ve never given a bad review before but I couldn’t finish this book. So, it’s not fair for me to comment on the story itself. The narrator was truly terrible. She sounded out of breath the entire time I could stand to listen. Sorry to have to give this review.

Not for me

I felt this book was predictable and uninteresting. I didn’t like the storyline or the writing style.