A haunted murder villa in Italy. Famous rock stars and hangers-on. Temperamental artists and writers and young people behaving badly.
Emily and Chess have been friends forever. But now they are in their 30s and Chess’s life is going great, with her advice and lifestyle brands, while Emily is stalled in her relationship with Matt and her writing.
When they reconnect, Chess decides a holiday at a villa in Italy will be good for them both. So off they go to Italy. Villa Aestas is a beautiful villa used for holidays. But in 1974, the famous rocker, Noel Gordon is staying there with a motley crew of drug dealers, musicians, and wanna-be girlfriends.
The part about Mari is written in 1974 as she arrives with her step-sister, Lara, and her boyfriend Pierce, who is sleeping with Lara who is sleeping with Noel. Yes, it’s sex, drugs, and a rock and roll tale.
There is nothing redeeming about Noel. He spends most of his time doing drugs and sleeping with whoever is willing.
At the current time, Emily is taken with the history of the house and the story of all involved. From all of the horror of 1974, how did these very young people go on to do such great things? Lara will write a platinum album and Mari writes a best seller. Just one. Because what happened in that villa changed them forever.
The more Emily works on her piece on the house and that summer, the more distant Chess becomes. Secretive. Sneaking into Emily’s computer and demanding they work together to publish the book. And as secrets long kept come to the surface this may turn out to be another 1974!
You are always in for a great time with Hawkins!
NetGalley/January 3rd, 2023 by St. Martin’s Press
Inspired by Fleetwood Mac, the Manson murders, and the infamous summer Percy and Mary Shelley spent with Lord Byron at a Lake Geneva castle.
Pirate Patty Reviews 
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