The Main Character

A bestselling author pays ordinary people for the right to model her protagonists on them in the disappointing latest from Goldis (The Chateau). In exchange for $100,000, individuals agree to answer personal questions, undergo psychological evaluations, and have their lives probed by Ginerva Ex’s private investigators. Her “latest, and finest, main character,” Rory, has recently been fired from her job as a news anchor for running an error-ridden story. In addition to providing Rory with the standard stipend, Ginerva has invited her on an extravagant train trip across Italy aboard the Orient Express. Rory’s elation turns to bafflement, however, when she discovers they’ll be joined by her ex-fiancé, her brother, and her best friend. As Goldis gradually reveals the secrets of each person in Rory’s orbit, Ginerva’s unorthodox writing methods start to look more and more sinister. Per the prologue, readers know someone will die, Agatha Christie–style, on this European vacation. Unfortunately, Goldis goes too heavy on the red herrings, and her clumsy prose doesn’t help (“I clasp my fingers around the smooth ticket, relieved that my mouth can still eject speech”). Despite the strong premise, this runs out of steam quickly. Agent: Rachel Ekstrom, Folio Literary. (May)