The Chalet

I noticed this one before it was published, but didn’t get a chance to read it. The cover and description grabbed my attention, so I snatched up the the audiobook when I saw it was available. I had a small road trip planned, and thought it would be a fabulous way to pass the time.

It was filled with annoyingly unlikable characters. Unfortunately, they weren’t the type that you love to hate, so I grew tiresome of their antics early on.

The story itself was well-written, but I didn’t care for it as much as I thought I would. Because I think my lack of enjoyment was due to the characters and not the story itself, I’ll give the author another try. Her upcoming thriller “The Chateau” has already made my radar!!

My Rating: 3 show more ⭐️’s
Published: November 12th 2020 by HarperCollins Publishers UK
Pages: 390 show less

A captivating psychological thriller set in the French Alps told in the form of a dual timeline. A man goes missing whilst skiing and 22 years later four people connected to this event take a holiday at the same resort, but someone has murderous intentions on their mind.

I really enjoyed this absorbing mystery. It’s well plotted with plenty of twists and turns and the odd red herring. There is a whole cast of mainly unlikeable characters and it’s a tale where no-one is as they seem. The setting is gloriously atmospheric, I could just picture it! I read this via the Pigeonhole app and eagerly awaited each stave every day. I was gripped all the way through, right until I turned the last page. An exciting, edge of your seat type of show more story which will appeal to those who enjoy thrillers with more than a hint of suspense. show less

1998, two young men are on a skiing holiday in the French Alps. They go out skiing with two guides but only one of the young men comes back. 2020, two couples, Hugo and Ria, Simon and Cass go to the French Alps. Which one has a connection to the missing man.

After reading two previous books which I didn't really enjoy this book is just what I needed. This is the first time I've read a book by the author and I really enjoyed it.

The story is told from the pov of some of the characters going back and forth, past and present. As with most thrillers there is a connection to both timelines and everything does become clear.

I really enjoyed this easy to read thriller. Short snappy chapters with the usual twists and turns kept my interest show more throughout.

I will certainly read more books by the author in the future. I did receive a copy of the book via Netgalley to review. show less

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.The moment I read the blurb; I knew I had to read The Chalet by Catherine Cooper. It promised a thrilling and mysterious journey, and it did not disappoint. This story is one where I believe the reader needs to go in blind. An intricately woven plot with characters you will either hate or love, an atmospheric setting, a mystery that will keep you guessing from start to finish and an ending which will have you champing at the bit. Now I am waiting and wishing that the story will continue and keeping my fingers crossed that the author will grant me my wish.

The story takes place in the French Alps in a show more mountain Chalet surrounded by ski slopes. In 1998, two brothers went skiing in a blizzard, but only one returns. Fast forward 22 years later, a group of people are staying at the same location amid a blizzard, the same conditions that existed in 1998. There are four persons in this group who are connected to the missing brother, but of the four one is there for the main purpose of revenge. This is where things get interesting.

The events of the story began in 1998 and came full circle in 2020. It alternated between the two timelines and was told from several POVs. At no time did I feel confused, but it made curious about the connections between the past and the present.

I found the story to be detailed and easy to follow. With its many suspects and several red herrings, the story kept me glued to the pages, and I struggled to put the book down.

Most of the characters featured turned out to an unlikeable bunch. Obnoxious, entitled, selfish and a host of other negative characteristics. Although there were persons, I would have no interest in meeting, I recognized their importance to the plot. They made the story interesting and mysterious.

I enjoyed the mystery and had a great time seeing how it all developed. Figuring out the identity of the person who wanted revenge proved a challenge because of many red herrings.

The end hinted at more to come and I for one am curious to see how it will play out.

Overall, I found The Chalet to be an entertaining and well- written story of revenge, secrets and murder. If you are a fan of crime fiction, then this would be a great addition to your library.
This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading show less

I love finding debut books and being able to share the fantastic book with other readers, unfortunately The Chalet by Catherine Cooper is not as awesome as some of the big name reviewers are promoting it to be.
This 400 page book could have easily been edited down to 300 pages. I read to learn new things, and since I don’t know a lot about skiing I was excited to pick up some new information. While I did learn a couple of things, there were a lot more that could have been explained a bit more for the reader. I’m not saying I want it to be an instruction manual on skiing, but there are ways that some of the terms could have been added into the story.
I also think The Chalet could have been edited down because I found myself skimming… show more a lot, especially the sections where the two ski instructors were trying to figure out what to do about their lost clients.
For a brief moment, and I do mean brief, I thought the book was going in a different direction, but about 20 pages later I knew exactly where it was headed. And all the super twists that are mentioned in the advertising are not that surprising if you read any other thrillers or suspense books. Since I want to keep this review spoiler free, in case you decide to read The Chalet, I won’t go into more detail about the parts that a reader could see coming from a mile away.
I really do not enjoy being so negative to a new author, but The Chalet needed more editing… which is not Cooper’s fault. Because of this I would be willing to read another book she puts out, but really hope she is able to make it twisty. show less

This was both delightful and satisfying.
CW for drug use, cutting, sexual assault, child abandonment, could be more

Despite the warnings I found this to be not very intense, a nice mostly relaxing thriller.

The storyline was interesting and engaging without being overly upsetting or intense.

I was more invested in the story than any of the characters and this had rotating pov chapters and a timeline that jumped between the past and present storylines.

I listened to it on audiobook in an afternoon.

I'd give it 3.75 rounded up

My 6P review: Publication, Plot, People, Place, Prose/Pace, Praise

The story is told over two timelines from multiple points of view which was a bit difficult to follow to start with. I loved the setting and I felt I had to rug up to read this because of the blizzard and just how cold it was.

The characters didn’t really appeal to me so I wasn’t invested in any of them

I was really looking forward to reading this given the cover (I mean who doesn’t like a glass of bubbles?) and where it was set - the French alps.

As this was a revenge killing, it wasn’t much of a mystery.

It was a quick read and for the most part I enjoyed it. It felt well paced until the end where it felt rushed and over before you knew it.

I still think I might show more read her next one though. show less