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The Woman in the Castello
In this beguiling midcentury historical fiction novel set in 1960s Italy, an ambitious American actress and single mother snags the starring role in a mysterious horror movie shooting on location in a crumbling medieval castle outside Rome...
Readers who enjoy the moody gothic allure of Kate Morton and Silvia Moreno-Garcia or the immersive settings of Lucinda Riley and Fiona Davis will be enthralled by Kelsey James' spellbinding web of intriguing mystery, family secrets, forbidden love, and midcentury Italian flair.
Rome, 1965: Aspiring actress Silvia Whitford arrives at Rome's famed Cinecitt� 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 . . .
Readers who enjoy the moody gothic allure of Kate Morton and Silvia Moreno-Garcia or the immersive settings of Lucinda Riley and Fiona Davis will be enthralled by Kelsey James' spellbinding web of intriguing mystery, family secrets, forbidden love, and midcentury Italian flair.
Rome, 1965: Aspiring actress Silvia Whitford arrives at Rome's famed Cinecitt� 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 . . .
288 pages, Paperback
First published July 25, 2023
169 people are currently reading
17721 people want to read
About the author
Kelsey James
4 books301 followersKelsey James is a historical fiction author, content marketer and former travel editor. A graduate of Dartmouth College with degrees in Creative Writing and Classical Studies, she currently lives with her family outside New York City and can be found online at KelseyJamesAuthor.com.
Instagram: @kelseyjamesauthor
TikTok: @kelseywriter
Instagram: @kelseyjamesauthor
TikTok: @kelseywriter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 402 reviews
July 25, 2023
Set in 1960s Italy, the plot of The Woman in the Castello by Kelsey James revolves around twenty-year-old aspiring actress and single mother Silvia Whitford who travels to Rome as part of the cast of a movie that is suddenly canceled leaving her without work and in need of a place to stay. Sylvia hasn’t had much success in her career having played only small parts in movies and was hoping to relocate to Italy with her terminally ill mother, who is Italian but moved to the United States after WWII, and her two-year-old daughter Lulu who traveled with Silvia. But the cancellation of the project puts a wrench in her plans. With no other options in sight, Silvia contacts her mother’s estranged sister, Gabriella Conti. Gabriella is a recluse who lives alone in a medieval castle, Castello del Lago, which is in a state of disrepair and is believed to be haunted by one of their ancestors. Gabriella and Silvia’s mother have not spoken for years and are unwilling to meet one another, remaining vague when asked about the reason behind their feud. When a movie crew approaches Gabriella to rent the castle to shoot for a new horror movie, The Revenge of the Lake Witch, Silvia manages to convince Gabriella to agree. Silvia also bags a lead role in the movie and the cast and crew temporarily move in. But Gabriella becomes increasingly agitated even insisting that the crew vacate the premises. Silvia tries to placate her aunt but tensions are high and when Gabriella suddenly disappears, Silvia suspects foul play and believes that someone from the production unit might be responsible for the same. Complicating matters further are the eerie occurrences in the Castello, the evidence of a gruesome crime and the fact that nobody, including the carabinieri, seems to be taking her concern for her missing aunt seriously. As the narrative progresses, we follow Sylvia as she juggles her work and family responsibilities, her budding relationship with a new flame and her search for the truth behind what happened to her aunt.
Combining elements of historical fiction, romance, family drama, suspense and mystery, The Woman in the Castello is an intriguing read. I really loved the setting, the descriptions of the castle and the Gothic vibes (not too scary but added to the atmosphere). Silvia is portrayed as impulsive and a tad immature but I thought the author does a good job of developing the character as the plot progresses. Gabriella is an intriguing character with an interesting backstory and I wish that had been explored further. The romance track was a tad rushed but I was glad that the romance angle did not overshadow the mystery. I enjoyed how the author describes the dynamics between the cast and crew of the movie and thought the characters were well drawn (even the unlikeable ones). The twists, red herrings and the build-up to the final reveal were well-executed.
I paired my reading with the audio narration by Patricia Santomasso, who has done a wonderful job of voicing the characters and setting the mood for this story.
Suspenseful and atmospheric, with a fluid narrative and an interesting cast of characters The Woman in the Castello by Kelsey James is an entertaining read.
Many thanks to Kensington Books, NetGalley and Highbridge Audio for the eARC and the ALC of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Combining elements of historical fiction, romance, family drama, suspense and mystery, The Woman in the Castello is an intriguing read. I really loved the setting, the descriptions of the castle and the Gothic vibes (not too scary but added to the atmosphere). Silvia is portrayed as impulsive and a tad immature but I thought the author does a good job of developing the character as the plot progresses. Gabriella is an intriguing character with an interesting backstory and I wish that had been explored further. The romance track was a tad rushed but I was glad that the romance angle did not overshadow the mystery. I enjoyed how the author describes the dynamics between the cast and crew of the movie and thought the characters were well drawn (even the unlikeable ones). The twists, red herrings and the build-up to the final reveal were well-executed.
I paired my reading with the audio narration by Patricia Santomasso, who has done a wonderful job of voicing the characters and setting the mood for this story.
Suspenseful and atmospheric, with a fluid narrative and an interesting cast of characters The Woman in the Castello by Kelsey James is an entertaining read.
Many thanks to Kensington Books, NetGalley and Highbridge Audio for the eARC and the ALC of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 12, 2023
It’s 1965, and Silvia Whitford has traveled from Los Angeles to Rome with her mother and young daughter for a small part in a movie she’s filming. But before filming can even begin, she is told she’s no longer needed. Desperate for money and work, she goes behind her mother’s back and reaches out to her estranged aunt who lives near Rome. While their initial meeting is rocky, Silvia realizes that her aunt and her dilapidated castle may just be her ticket to fame. But what secrets and dangers lurk within the castle, and what isn’t her aunt telling her?
This was an intriguing work of historical fiction and mystery that was highly enjoyable. I quite liked the time and setting of this work. I also enjoyed how the author included parallels between the movie and Silvia’s reality – it made for some good, tense moments and some interesting red herrings. The characters were good overall. They were written well enough to not detract from the work, though I would have like a bit more depth and development from them all.
I did want a bit more from the atmosphere of the read. I was expecting it to feel more gothic and darker due to the setting, but those feelings never really came across. I thought this work would be a bit darker overall based on the blurb and genres. I also wanted a little bit more from the relationship. It was only a subplot, but it moved too quickly for me to find the relationship compelling.
Despite wanting more from this read in several aspects, I devoured this book and was highly entertained. This was an easy, intriguing story that kept me engaged and made me lose track of time – it would be quite suitable for a vacation/beach read. My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for allowing me to read this work, which will be published 25 July 2023. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This was an intriguing work of historical fiction and mystery that was highly enjoyable. I quite liked the time and setting of this work. I also enjoyed how the author included parallels between the movie and Silvia’s reality – it made for some good, tense moments and some interesting red herrings. The characters were good overall. They were written well enough to not detract from the work, though I would have like a bit more depth and development from them all.
I did want a bit more from the atmosphere of the read. I was expecting it to feel more gothic and darker due to the setting, but those feelings never really came across. I thought this work would be a bit darker overall based on the blurb and genres. I also wanted a little bit more from the relationship. It was only a subplot, but it moved too quickly for me to find the relationship compelling.
Despite wanting more from this read in several aspects, I devoured this book and was highly entertained. This was an easy, intriguing story that kept me engaged and made me lose track of time – it would be quite suitable for a vacation/beach read. My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for allowing me to read this work, which will be published 25 July 2023. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
July 25, 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, knowing she may need to beg for a place to live for her small family.
Gabriella Conti lives in a crumbling castello that has a volcanic lake. Although she doesn’t want it, a movie studio agreement is reached to be filmed in the castello, with Silvia in the main role. The horror movie fits well in the old castle with an on-site ghost and a group of strangers living together.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook version narrated by Patricia Santomasso. The performance is dramatic and tense, the perfect format for the horror movie mystery story. There are specific voices for Silvia, Gabriella, the daughter, and a couple of the male actors in the cast. Silvia is the primary character and you can clearly hear her trepidation and throughout as stumbling blocks are thrown at her.
I listened to this at my regular preferred speed of 1.5 at what I feel is the closest conversational tone in my regional area.
Suspenseful and intriguing as family dynamics emerge and twists evolve.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher RB Media.
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, knowing she may need to beg for a place to live for her small family.
Gabriella Conti lives in a crumbling castello that has a volcanic lake. Although she doesn’t want it, a movie studio agreement is reached to be filmed in the castello, with Silvia in the main role. The horror movie fits well in the old castle with an on-site ghost and a group of strangers living together.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook version narrated by Patricia Santomasso. The performance is dramatic and tense, the perfect format for the horror movie mystery story. There are specific voices for Silvia, Gabriella, the daughter, and a couple of the male actors in the cast. Silvia is the primary character and you can clearly hear her trepidation and throughout as stumbling blocks are thrown at her.
I listened to this at my regular preferred speed of 1.5 at what I feel is the closest conversational tone in my regional area.
Suspenseful and intriguing as family dynamics emerge and twists evolve.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher RB Media.
September 11, 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 surprising and very satisfying conclusion. I loved the colorful collection of characters Kelsey James created for this suspenseful book. It was set during the 1960’s in a small Italian village outside of Rome.
Sylvia Whitford was determined to secure a role as an actress in a movie. When she was offered a small part in a movie that was being filmed in Italy she, her mother and precious young daughter all traveled to Italy. Sylvia was accompanied by her terminally ill mother, Elana, who had been born in Italy but had not been back since she and her late husband left for the United States shortly after World War II. She also brought Lulu, her precocious two year old daughter. Unfortunately, as soon as Sylvia reported to the movie set she learned that the film had been cancelled. What was she going to do now? Her money was running out and her opportunities to find another role in a movie were bleak. Sylvia could think of only one thing that she could do. Her mother had an estranged sister, her Aunt Gabriella, that lived in a Costello outside of Rome. Surely, her aunt would lend her some money. Sylvia found her way to the Costello that was in dire need of repairs. It was a crumbling building that Sylvia imagined might have hosted a ghost or two over the years. She wasn’t sure of the reason why but her mother and aunt hadn’t seen each other or communicated with each other since her mother left Italy all those years ago. Her mother had forbidden Sylvia from contacting her aunt. Sylvia knew that she had no choice though. What had happened all those years ago to cause such a rift between these two sisters? Sylvia hoped that she might find out more about what happened between her mother and aunt. While Sylvia was pleading her case to her aunt and getting acquainted with her, a production team that was working on securing a site to film their horror movie was checking out her aunt’s Costello as a possible backdrop for their movie. When Sylvia’s aunt Gabriella was offered a substantial monetary sum for the use of her Costello she agreed immediately. To Sylvia’s surprise, she was cast in the starring role. It was not the type of acting role she had imagined but she was glad for the opportunity and the pay. Everything was going well until Sylvia’s aunt simply vanished. What had happened to Gabriella? Where had she disappeared to? Was foul play involved?
I really enjoyed The Woman in the Castillo by Kelsey James. It was very atmospheric and fun to read. I loved the array of characters Kelsey James incorporated into this well plotted novel. It was suspenseful and had a few twists that I did not see coming. I loved how it ended. It was surprising yet satisfying. The Woman in the Castello touched on the importance of family, it had romance, mystery and quite a few secrets that some were harboring. Women’s roles were defined as they existed in the 1960’s. I am so glad women have moved beyond those years and the limitations they were faced with back then. The Woman in the Castello examined the complex roles of professional actors and actresses during that time period. This was an impressive debut novel and I look forward to reading more books by Kelsey James in the future. I listened to the audiobook of The Woman in the Castello. It was performed quite well by Patricia Santomasso. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to High Bridge/Recorded Books for allowing me to listen to this audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sylvia Whitford was determined to secure a role as an actress in a movie. When she was offered a small part in a movie that was being filmed in Italy she, her mother and precious young daughter all traveled to Italy. Sylvia was accompanied by her terminally ill mother, Elana, who had been born in Italy but had not been back since she and her late husband left for the United States shortly after World War II. She also brought Lulu, her precocious two year old daughter. Unfortunately, as soon as Sylvia reported to the movie set she learned that the film had been cancelled. What was she going to do now? Her money was running out and her opportunities to find another role in a movie were bleak. Sylvia could think of only one thing that she could do. Her mother had an estranged sister, her Aunt Gabriella, that lived in a Costello outside of Rome. Surely, her aunt would lend her some money. Sylvia found her way to the Costello that was in dire need of repairs. It was a crumbling building that Sylvia imagined might have hosted a ghost or two over the years. She wasn’t sure of the reason why but her mother and aunt hadn’t seen each other or communicated with each other since her mother left Italy all those years ago. Her mother had forbidden Sylvia from contacting her aunt. Sylvia knew that she had no choice though. What had happened all those years ago to cause such a rift between these two sisters? Sylvia hoped that she might find out more about what happened between her mother and aunt. While Sylvia was pleading her case to her aunt and getting acquainted with her, a production team that was working on securing a site to film their horror movie was checking out her aunt’s Costello as a possible backdrop for their movie. When Sylvia’s aunt Gabriella was offered a substantial monetary sum for the use of her Costello she agreed immediately. To Sylvia’s surprise, she was cast in the starring role. It was not the type of acting role she had imagined but she was glad for the opportunity and the pay. Everything was going well until Sylvia’s aunt simply vanished. What had happened to Gabriella? Where had she disappeared to? Was foul play involved?
I really enjoyed The Woman in the Castillo by Kelsey James. It was very atmospheric and fun to read. I loved the array of characters Kelsey James incorporated into this well plotted novel. It was suspenseful and had a few twists that I did not see coming. I loved how it ended. It was surprising yet satisfying. The Woman in the Castello touched on the importance of family, it had romance, mystery and quite a few secrets that some were harboring. Women’s roles were defined as they existed in the 1960’s. I am so glad women have moved beyond those years and the limitations they were faced with back then. The Woman in the Castello examined the complex roles of professional actors and actresses during that time period. This was an impressive debut novel and I look forward to reading more books by Kelsey James in the future. I listened to the audiobook of The Woman in the Castello. It was performed quite well by Patricia Santomasso. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to High Bridge/Recorded Books for allowing me to listen to this audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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 secrets! The cinema!! Just gorgeous, lush, immersive. Love love love.
2. The vibe. Spooky! Mysterious. A bit fantastical. Cozy.
3. I wasn’t expecting this, but it’s exactly the right amount of spicy! Not the focus of the story, but hey, no complaints here!! 🌶️🌶️😘
4. I also really appreciated the family dynamics too. The characters felt really rich and flawed and believable and maddeningly human. It delved into the weird complicated fraught tender nature of mother/daughter relationships and… made me feel some things, whew!!
Seriously I just can’t get over how much I loved this book and how impressed I am with this author. I’ve been in a reading rut and this was exactly what I needed. It’s fun, it’s satisfying, it’s unpredictable, it’s emotional, it’s just the right amount of scary!!! Ugh. LOVE.
Just a few things I love about it:
1. The setting. Italy! A crumbling old castle filled with secrets! The cinema!! Just gorgeous, lush, immersive. Love love love.
2. The vibe. Spooky! Mysterious. A bit fantastical. Cozy.
3. I wasn’t expecting this, but it’s exactly the right amount of spicy! Not the focus of the story, but hey, no complaints here!! 🌶️🌶️😘
4. I also really appreciated the family dynamics too. The characters felt really rich and flawed and believable and maddeningly human. It delved into the weird complicated fraught tender nature of mother/daughter relationships and… made me feel some things, whew!!
Seriously I just can’t get over how much I loved this book and how impressed I am with this author. I’ve been in a reading rut and this was exactly what I needed. It’s fun, it’s satisfying, it’s unpredictable, it’s emotional, it’s just the right amount of scary!!! Ugh. LOVE.
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 return to in America and she starts looking for work. No one will hire her, Silvia has only one choice, to visit her Italian aunt, she has never met her and her mother refuses to talk about her sister. Gabriella Conti lives in a crumbling castle, it’s a steep walk from the nearby town and it's located on the edge of a volcanic lake.
The medieval Castle is the location for a new horror movie called The Revenge of the Lake Witch, Silvia gets a role and she’s to play Bianca. The Castle is a creepy place, full of winding stone staircases, endless rooms full of damp furnishings, cobwebs, decay and the mice.
When Gabriella vanishes, Silvia is worried, no one else seems to be concerned by her aunts disappearance, she hears all kind of weird noises in the night and her aunt told her the castle is haunted. Silvia has no choice but to consider her aunt has met with foul play, she starts snooping around the castle in-between takes, the director, producer and other actors are all potential suspects.
I received a copy of The Woman in the Castello from Edelweiss and Kensington Publishing Corp in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book I have read by author Kelsey James, I would class it as a historical thriller and it’s certainly set in the perfect location.
A story about long kept secrets from the Second World War and intertwined with a feud between the two sisters, the other cast members of the movie are all rather vain, sinister, and mysterious and this adds to the spooky theme of the narrative. A quick read, three things I liked about the novel were; the location, the stunning cover and sweet little Lulu. Three stars from me and I didn't guess who was the bad guy.
Silvia is broke single mother, she has nothing to return to in America and she starts looking for work. No one will hire her, Silvia has only one choice, to visit her Italian aunt, she has never met her and her mother refuses to talk about her sister. Gabriella Conti lives in a crumbling castle, it’s a steep walk from the nearby town and it's located on the edge of a volcanic lake.
The medieval Castle is the location for a new horror movie called The Revenge of the Lake Witch, Silvia gets a role and she’s to play Bianca. The Castle is a creepy place, full of winding stone staircases, endless rooms full of damp furnishings, cobwebs, decay and the mice.
When Gabriella vanishes, Silvia is worried, no one else seems to be concerned by her aunts disappearance, she hears all kind of weird noises in the night and her aunt told her the castle is haunted. Silvia has no choice but to consider her aunt has met with foul play, she starts snooping around the castle in-between takes, the director, producer and other actors are all potential suspects.
I received a copy of The Woman in the Castello from Edelweiss and Kensington Publishing Corp in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book I have read by author Kelsey James, I would class it as a historical thriller and it’s certainly set in the perfect location.
A story about long kept secrets from the Second World War and intertwined with a feud between the two sisters, the other cast members of the movie are all rather vain, sinister, and mysterious and this adds to the spooky theme of the narrative. A quick read, three things I liked about the novel were; the location, the stunning cover and sweet little Lulu. Three stars from me and I didn't guess who was the bad guy.
February 5, 2024
The Woman in the Castello by Kelsey James 3.5. Tried to connect. I did off n on throughout At the end it was more off than 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 atmospheric details a lot. Author Kelsey James describes buildings and scenery skillfully, creating a vivid picture in my mind. Her development of the personalities of the various characters was adequate for the purposes of the moving the plot along.
The publishers were misleading in describing the book as a suspenseful thriller, since the ghost story element was about as scary as an episode of Scooby Doo. The bedroom scenes were well written and I would put the book into the romance or chick lit genre.
Parts of this novel bored me and the author repeats herself often. For the last third I wanted to hurry up and finish reading it so I could be done with it already. The final twist was too far fetched and gimmicky and I think the plot would have been better without it.
I am giving The Woman in the Castello a solid three stars and recommending it to anyone looking for a breezy vacation read.
Thank you Netgalley for the free advance digital audiobook in exchange for my unbiased review.
I liked the atmospheric details a lot. Author Kelsey James describes buildings and scenery skillfully, creating a vivid picture in my mind. Her development of the personalities of the various characters was adequate for the purposes of the moving the plot along.
The publishers were misleading in describing the book as a suspenseful thriller, since the ghost story element was about as scary as an episode of Scooby Doo. The bedroom scenes were well written and I would put the book into the romance or chick lit genre.
Parts of this novel bored me and the author repeats herself often. For the last third I wanted to hurry up and finish reading it so I could be done with it already. The final twist was too far fetched and gimmicky and I think the plot would have been better without it.
I am giving The Woman in the Castello a solid three stars and recommending it to anyone looking for a breezy vacation read.
Thank you Netgalley for the free advance digital audiobook in exchange for my unbiased review.
March 2, 2023
Reviews throw around phrases like "page turner," or "unputdownable" with frequency these days, so I don't use those words unless they are truly warranted. The Woman in the Castello is an unputdownable page-turner that straddles several genres. The story is suspenseful and gothic with romantic and mystery subplots, set in the 1950s. There's something for everyone here.
Silvia is a struggling actress who has moved her mother and daughter to Italy so her mother can pass away in her home country. She decides to also seek out an estranged aunt, which upsets her mother. In a series of lucky, but believable events, Silvia gets booked to star in a horror film and the production team decides to use her aunt's home, a decrepit castle in the countryside, as the shooting location. Silvia's aunt disappears just as the cast and crew arrive to start filming and Silvia spends much of the book worrying about her aunt, her job, a budding romance with a colleague, and hiding her daughter (for fear that being a single mother will hurt her career).
The pace is fast here and the writing is straightforward. There are a couple points where the romantic subplot advances a tad more quickly than I wanted. If there were a few more scenes with relationship development, the leap in Silvia's love life wouldn't have been so abrupt. That being said, it was a great, enjoyable read.
I was provided with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Silvia is a struggling actress who has moved her mother and daughter to Italy so her mother can pass away in her home country. She decides to also seek out an estranged aunt, which upsets her mother. In a series of lucky, but believable events, Silvia gets booked to star in a horror film and the production team decides to use her aunt's home, a decrepit castle in the countryside, as the shooting location. Silvia's aunt disappears just as the cast and crew arrive to start filming and Silvia spends much of the book worrying about her aunt, her job, a budding romance with a colleague, and hiding her daughter (for fear that being a single mother will hurt her career).
The pace is fast here and the writing is straightforward. There are a couple points where the romantic subplot advances a tad more quickly than I wanted. If there were a few more scenes with relationship development, the leap in Silvia's love life wouldn't have been so abrupt. That being said, it was a great, enjoyable read.
I was provided with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 25, 2023
As I read this book I realized there aren’t enough historical thrillers. I was instantly hooked when I saw the description was about an actress in a horror movie set in a castle in Italy that has ghosts of its own. I did think the book had a pretty slow start and it took a while to really get into the story. I liked the main character a lot. I had a couple of theories about the ultimate bad guy and one was right but it did have the right amount of twists and turns for a good thriller. Silvia goes to Italy so her mother can spend her last few years in her home country and because she has a small part in a movie which let the family move. When Silvia arrives that movie has been canceled and she is desperate to find work to support her mother and her toddler. When she lands a starring role in a movie that will be filmed in her estranged aunt’s castle she is beyond thrilled. But old castles hold more secrets than one can imagine.
November 17, 2022
The Woman in the Castello combines the richness of historical fiction and the intrigue of suspense to create a beautiful tapestry of family drama, romance and mystery. Silvia Whitford is a broke single mother who is counting on acting in a horror film at an Italian castle to support her family. Silvia’s whole world is upended when strange things begin to happen around her and a newly found, estranged aunt goes missing. Kelsey James brings the gothic 1960s setting to life and readers will not want to put this down, right up to the shocking conclusion. This will appeal to fans of Martha Hall Kelly and Ella Ferrante.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC.
July 12, 2023
"The Woman in the Castello" by Kelsey James is a sumptuous, gothic read that I thoroughly enjoyed; its page turning plot perfect for a long flight or day at the beach. Though billed as historical fiction (the setting is 1960s Italy, where the past lives alongside the present), this genre-bending novel is packed full of mystery, family drama, and a bit of romance. The author's descriptive writing makes the characters and setting come alive; I could almost smell the damp in the castle. It's a fast-paced read and was difficult to put down once started. The main character, Silvia, quickly won me over and I genuinely cared about what happened to her. I enjoyed being transported to a different time and place, and recommend this book to readers who enjoy atmospheric reads.
August 14, 2023
I loved the Italian setting of The Woman in the Castello. It’s set in a crumbling castle on the edge of a volcanic lake that’s rumored to be haunted. I liked the horror and giallo references and I personally could have done with more giallo elements in this story. The first half of the book was quite slow but things do ramp up in the second half. It was fairly obvious who the villain was but I was definitely surprised by some of the details of the mystery.
But there were some things that didn’t work for. For one, our protagonist drove me nuts. She was constantly whining and throwing out accusations at everyone. I also struggled with the prose of this book. The writing is rather stiff and the author was constantly telling us what was happening rather than showing. The characters are also incredibly flat and one-dimensional. There is a romance element which I think worked fine but it wasn’t anything that exciting. Overall, this gothic story was entertaining at points but as a whole it was a bit of a let-down for me.
But there were some things that didn’t work for. For one, our protagonist drove me nuts. She was constantly whining and throwing out accusations at everyone. I also struggled with the prose of this book. The writing is rather stiff and the author was constantly telling us what was happening rather than showing. The characters are also incredibly flat and one-dimensional. There is a romance element which I think worked fine but it wasn’t anything that exciting. Overall, this gothic story was entertaining at points but as a whole it was a bit of a let-down for me.
October 3, 2023
This was such a guilty pleasure read, complete with Italian gothic vibes and a creepy, crumbling castle!
October 14, 2023
A film in Rome's setting in the 1960's at a beautiful Castle, belonging to actress Silvia Whitford's Aunt Gabriella
As the production for the film begins Gabriella Conti disappears. Silvia is worried as her Aunt doesn't like to leave the castle grounds.
Silvia begins searching and has many suspicions about her Aunt's disappearance. She finds no
guilty party.
It's all a mystery.
A thankyou to Kensington Publishing for sending me the book.
As the production for the film begins Gabriella Conti disappears. Silvia is worried as her Aunt doesn't like to leave the castle grounds.
Silvia begins searching and has many suspicions about her Aunt's disappearance. She finds no
guilty party.
It's all a mystery.
A thankyou to Kensington Publishing for sending me the book.
August 5, 2023
This book ticked all the boxes for me: 1960s Italy, mystery, romance, nazis and fascists, cinema, and a plot that pulls nicely together with a few surprises at the end. This well-written story is like a giallo without the slasher bits, suspense without the horror. In my mind I’ve already cast the 1966 Mario Bava film version with Carol Lynley, James Franciscus, Barbara Steele, and Ray Milland.
July 19, 2023
The Woman in the Castello is a book about a movie that begs to be made into one. It’s set in a spooky Italian castle where the movie's cast and crew are trying to make a horror flick. Strange and unsettling events keep threatening to stop the show and a key figure has mysteriously disappeared. Are the legends about the ghost that haunts the castle true and what is the dark secret from the past that someone would kill to hide?
This book was a treat to read and I enjoyed everything about it from its fun ‘60s vibe to the surprise twist at the end. Also, the writing was so descriptive I had no trouble imagining it as a classic Italian horror film. My thanks to the publisher and Goodreads Giveaways for an arc to review. 4 ½ stars
This book was a treat to read and I enjoyed everything about it from its fun ‘60s vibe to the surprise twist at the end. Also, the writing was so descriptive I had no trouble imagining it as a classic Italian horror film. My thanks to the publisher and Goodreads Giveaways for an arc to review. 4 ½ stars
July 31, 2023
*spoiler* This book was so boring. I almost quit listening half a dozen times. I thought it was going to have a bit of a thriller/suspense type of vibe but it just fell so flat. There were definitely some surprise moments at the end but I don't know if they were worth waiting for. If I wasn't driving for 3 hours in a car with no other audiobooks I really wanted to listen to I definitely would have given up on this one. The characters had very little dimension. Take the main character, for example, who falls in and out of love with Paul like four times in two weeks and knows for certain how good of a person he is but the only time they spend together is when they are banging and there is no conversation between the two of them and no ability for us to actually determine if he is a good person but then she still goes ahead and decides she can't trust him, accuses him of murder, and then forgives him and moves in with him basically all in the same day. Oof. Then she is convinced the other actress on set is threatening her even though there is absolutely no reason for her to do so. It's just a hot mess of nonsense with a gothic vibe. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2023
Wow! Just wow! This book grabbed my attention from the first chapter and didn’t let go until I finished. It’s part mystery, part romance, part ghost story, part family drama, part friendship, part inside Hollywood, part Italian get away…and it makes for one fantastic whole. Silvia was easy to love and hope for. Her life has been complicated and she is in need of some good luck. When that good luck strikes, her life becomes more crazy and complicated. Just an all around fun read!
I received an ARC from NetGalley.
I received an ARC from NetGalley.
August 7, 2023
Thank you Goodreads and Kelsey James for the ARC of The Woman in the Castello!
I was completely surprised by this book, it pulled me in quickly and the pacing had a great balance to keep the mystery exciting! The characters are complex and they really fit in with the atmosphere. I highly recommend this book!
I was completely surprised by this book, it pulled me in quickly and the pacing had a great balance to keep the mystery exciting! The characters are complex and they really fit in with the atmosphere. I highly recommend this book!
August 5, 2023
Upon first reading the synopsis, I wasn't interested in another WWII historical fiction. But after a publisher rep described it, I was sold on a historical mystery thriller.
Unfortunately it did not meet my expectations. It lacked the suspense and eeriness of a ghost story. Characters were superficial and unlikable. Meeting her aunt, her affair with the assistant director, random amounts of mysterious blood, secret messages, dead mouse, and her missing aunt felt forced and didn't feel like they flowed cohesively in the plot.
I skimmed the last 40% of the book just to see how it was resolved. Didn't find any twists to redeem the story.
Unfortunately it did not meet my expectations. It lacked the suspense and eeriness of a ghost story. Characters were superficial and unlikable. Meeting her aunt, her affair with the assistant director, random amounts of mysterious blood, secret messages, dead mouse, and her missing aunt felt forced and didn't feel like they flowed cohesively in the plot.
I skimmed the last 40% of the book just to see how it was resolved. Didn't find any twists to redeem the story.
August 9, 2023
This story has been told in many different ways. In this case I never grew to like Silvia, the protagonist. Unmemorable.
August 1, 2023
I don't have much of an opinion on this book... interesting twists, but overall not very Gothic or horror-y for a book about Nazi sympathizers filming a horror movie in an Italian castle. The end was a little too... not trite, but perfectly wrapped up in a lovely bow for the main character. Overall fine, no big issues, but not a book I'm bound to remember.
August 8, 2023
If historical fiction is your thing- this is a book I'd highly recommend. I couldn’t put this one down. This is historical fiction at its best. A fun mash-up of mid-century glamour with a spooky haunting. Throw in some post-WWII family dynamics and uncovering of buried family secrets and this book takes the genre to the next level and gives you something to remember it by.
March 9, 2025
Historical suspense novel set in 1965 Italy. This reminded me of the contemporary gothic suspense books that were popular back in the 1960s (i.e. Mary Stewart, Phyllis Whitney). The story took place in an old castle that was being used as a horror movie filming location. This really added to the gothic feel of the story. I thought the book was good, but having read alot of these gothic suspense novels in the past, the plot was a bit too familiar to me. Still, it was entertaining.
July 6, 2023
As a Goodreads giveaway winner, I am posting this review in exchange for my free book. Silvia is a 20-year-old single mother trying to make it in the film industry in the 1960's. She, her mother and her daughter, Lucy, head to Italy, her mother's birthplace, with the last of their savings. Silvia is scheduled to film a movie and her mother is dying, having recently been diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer. But the movie that Silvia was scheduled to film has been cancelled, leaving her high and dry in a foreign country without any money. She decides to visit her mother's estranged sister, Gabriella, for help. As luck would have it, Paul, the assistant director from the now dead film, is visiting her aunt's home, a medieval castle, for a possible location for a different movie. He agrees to get Silvia an audition and she wins the role of the female lead. Since the castle is so remote, the entire company stays on set for the two weeks of filming, and her aunt is supposed to be going on an all-expenses paid holiday at a beach resort but when Silvia tries to call her she finds that she never checked in. She begins to grow suspicious that something terrible happened to her aunt and she starts to fall under the haunted castle's spell, hearing noises in the night, seeing ghosts and secret messages on walls, disturbing the entire company and causing delays in filming. She also has started an affair with Paul, much to the chagrin of the director, Mr. Meyerson, who took a shine to Silvia himself. As filming goes on, tensions mount, scenes are disrupted with falling lights and temperamental lead actors and soon the entire company is bickering with one another, setting the entire production behind schedule. When a threatening message appears on the wall saying "I know your secret," Silvia rushes to Lucy's side, thinking that someone knows about her daughter that she has been hiding in town with her mother. She decides to move them into the castle with her to keep them safe and gives the production the change it needs with a beguiling young girl to sweeten the atmosphere and lighten the mood. Lucy charms all of the actors and production staff and filming is once again running smoothly until Mr. Meyerson disappears. But Silvia knows all about that and tells Paul that she and her aunt killed him in self-defense and dumped his body in the lake. It turns out that he was living under an assumed name and was really a Nazi who lead the production of the propaganda films that Gabriella starred in during the war. Gabriella, who was hiding from Meyerson in the castle the whole time and who was responsible for the strange hauntings in hopes that they would all leave, also reveals that she and Meyerson are Silvia's parents. After the war, Gabriella was single and broke and gave the baby to her sister to raise, thinking that she would have a better life in America. Her attempts to get her back several years later when she was married and settled led to their estrangement. The film is finished with Paul as director and it is a box office success, allowing Paul, Silvia and her mother to get an apartment in Italy and live happily ever after. I enjoyed reading about the film production and the descriptions of the castle and surrounding town provided vivid imagery but Silvia's pouting, screaming at the drop of a hat and childish behavior grated on my nerves by the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2023
Women in the Castello
Kelsey James has written a book that makes one want to go to Italy, see some castles, take in the sun and of course see the famed Cinecitta Rome studios which was founded by Mussolini, and is the largest film studios in Europe.
This book is hard to define, but I think it falls into chick lit. Pulsing beauty and smoldering good looks with a dash of history, some mystery with sisters’ rivalry makes it all for a quick read. Did I add a child that drives the mother to do what it takes to work, keep her family going and of course bring in the happy ending.
Our story opens with Silvia, who is an unproven actress cast in a small role in a film in Italy. It seems too good to be true, and the day she is supposed to start filming the movie falls apart. She has brought her sick mother and her 2-year-old along as there was nothing binding them to Los Angeles. Of course losing the job is a terrible blow, and she is initially turned down for every waitress job she tries to get. Lucky for her, the hot production manager from the first film shows up at her aunt’s castle while scouting for another film (the aunt she never met) and she gets an opportunity to have a starring role in a horror film that is going to be filmed at the castle.
Little does Silvia know that the aunt who was estranged from the family is hiding a few secrets. As filming takes off, Silvia starts a relationship with the production manager and uncovers many hidden secrets about her aunt that affect the film production.
Without giving the ending away, all ends well, and Silvia and her new love move into a new apartment in Rome with a happily ever after ending.
I am not a big fan of this book. I found the story to be formulaic and the author does repeat herself. The dusting of history is not substantial enough to make it more interesting as it plays like an afterthought. The mystery aspect is better, but it is not intriguing enough that I was blow away when it was revealed.
It is an easy read, and the author helps us see that women can get along even if one is more beautiful than the other.
Kelsey James has written a book that makes one want to go to Italy, see some castles, take in the sun and of course see the famed Cinecitta Rome studios which was founded by Mussolini, and is the largest film studios in Europe.
This book is hard to define, but I think it falls into chick lit. Pulsing beauty and smoldering good looks with a dash of history, some mystery with sisters’ rivalry makes it all for a quick read. Did I add a child that drives the mother to do what it takes to work, keep her family going and of course bring in the happy ending.
Our story opens with Silvia, who is an unproven actress cast in a small role in a film in Italy. It seems too good to be true, and the day she is supposed to start filming the movie falls apart. She has brought her sick mother and her 2-year-old along as there was nothing binding them to Los Angeles. Of course losing the job is a terrible blow, and she is initially turned down for every waitress job she tries to get. Lucky for her, the hot production manager from the first film shows up at her aunt’s castle while scouting for another film (the aunt she never met) and she gets an opportunity to have a starring role in a horror film that is going to be filmed at the castle.
Little does Silvia know that the aunt who was estranged from the family is hiding a few secrets. As filming takes off, Silvia starts a relationship with the production manager and uncovers many hidden secrets about her aunt that affect the film production.
Without giving the ending away, all ends well, and Silvia and her new love move into a new apartment in Rome with a happily ever after ending.
I am not a big fan of this book. I found the story to be formulaic and the author does repeat herself. The dusting of history is not substantial enough to make it more interesting as it plays like an afterthought. The mystery aspect is better, but it is not intriguing enough that I was blow away when it was revealed.
It is an easy read, and the author helps us see that women can get along even if one is more beautiful than the other.
March 24, 2023
Was asked to blurb this book for the upcoming ARC! What an honor. My first blurb. I really enjoyed this one and will share my blurb when I have permission.
EDIT: Okay here's my blurb!
I could not get enough of this haunting suspense debut from a promising new voice. THE WOMAN IN THE CASTELLO comes with all the trappings of the Gothic: a beautiful but dilapidated and forebodingly remote estate, collapsing boundaries between reality and fantasy and dream, and secrets that will not stay secret. Kelsey James crafts in Silvia, a young actress starring in her first film, an exciting new take on the Gothic heroine. She is willful and imaginative and passionate and ambitious, and I so enjoyed watching her grapple with the unspooling mystery taking place on the set of The Revenge of the Lake Witch, an Italian giallo movie that is filming at her estranged aunt's castello. James has given us a beautiful work of historical fiction and Gothic horror, and an impassioned love letter to Italian horror cinema.
EDIT: Okay here's my blurb!
I could not get enough of this haunting suspense debut from a promising new voice. THE WOMAN IN THE CASTELLO comes with all the trappings of the Gothic: a beautiful but dilapidated and forebodingly remote estate, collapsing boundaries between reality and fantasy and dream, and secrets that will not stay secret. Kelsey James crafts in Silvia, a young actress starring in her first film, an exciting new take on the Gothic heroine. She is willful and imaginative and passionate and ambitious, and I so enjoyed watching her grapple with the unspooling mystery taking place on the set of The Revenge of the Lake Witch, an Italian giallo movie that is filming at her estranged aunt's castello. James has given us a beautiful work of historical fiction and Gothic horror, and an impassioned love letter to Italian horror cinema.
July 16, 2023
Love the premise of this book... Italy, 1960s, a scary movie being filmed in an old castle, family secrets, and a possible romance. That being said, it just didn't deliver. Very predictable and not tense at all.
April 15, 2024
*i received this book in a goodreads giveaway*
This book was amazing!! Once I got started it pained me to have to put it down! It’s got spooky, romance, Italian castles, what more can a girl ask for, honestly?
I could maybe have done with maybe a bit more spookiness but the story wrapped up so incredibly well. I’ll be looking for more from Kelsey James in the future for sure!
This book was amazing!! Once I got started it pained me to have to put it down! It’s got spooky, romance, Italian castles, what more can a girl ask for, honestly?
I could maybe have done with maybe a bit more spookiness but the story wrapped up so incredibly well. I’ll be looking for more from Kelsey James in the future for sure!
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