In 'The Chalet' by Catherine Cooper, the story unfolds across dual timelines, December 1998 and January 2020, both centered on a luxurious resort in the French Alps. The plot revolves around two brothers who go skiing with their tour guides in 1998, only for one to disappear and never be found. Twenty years later, a group of characters gathers at the same resort, each harboring a secret, as a body is discovered in the snow. The narrative weaves together themes of rivalry, secrets, and revenge, set against the backdrop of a ski trip gone terribly wrong and the chilling consequences that follow.

The author skillfully alternates between the past and present, creating a suspenseful atmosphere with engaging characters and a beautifully described setting. Cooper's writing style effectively builds tension, intertwining multiple storylines and character perspectives to keep the reader guessing about the connection between the timelines and the characters until the very end.

Characters:

The characters are largely unlikeable, with varied depths and motivations, including the entitled main couples and the complex figure of Ria.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is engaging and descriptive, shifting perspectives among characters and incorporating themes of class and privilege.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative unfolds across dual timelines, centering on a skiing incident from 1998 and its repercussions in 2020, revealing hidden secrets and themes of revenge.

Setting:

The story is set in a luxurious ski resort in the French Alps, evoking both beauty and danger in the environment.

Pacing:

The pacing is mixed, with some slow sections that may detract from engagement, while the tension builds gradually.

Notes:

The novel is set in a luxurious ski resort in the French Alps, creating a glamorous yet dark backdrop.

It features a dual timeline, with events occurring in December 1998 and January 2020.

The story revolves around two brothers who ski into a blizzard in 1998, resulting in one brother's disappearance.

Twenty years later, a group of characters staying at the same resort is linked to the past events, each hiding secrets.

The characters are described as shallow and often unlikable, which prevents readers from forming strong connections with them.

Catherine Cooper, the author, has a deep understanding of skiing, which adds authenticity to the narrative.

The book combines elements of suspense, mystery, and literary themes on class and entitlement.

Readers noted that the pacing could feel slow at times, suggesting that the book might benefit from editing.

There are several subplots and themes that intertwine, making the reading experience complex and engaging.

The story includes trigger warnings for sensitive topics like violence and mental illness.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes significant content warnings related to rape, child neglect, sexual assault, violence, mental illness, suicide, death of a parent, self-harm, and cancer.

From The Publisher:

**The Sunday Times Top 5 bestseller**

Longlisted for the CWA New Blood Award

Four friends. One luxury getaway. The perfect murder.

'Pure adrenaline' ERIN KELLY

'An intense thriller' HEAT

'Agatha Christie meets the glamour of après-ski' SUNDAY TIMES

French Alps, 1998

Two young men ski into a blizzard… but only one returns.

20 years later

Four people connected to the missing man find themselves in that same resort. Each has a secret. Two may have blood on their hands. One is a killer-in-waiting.

Someone knows what really happened that day.

And somebody will pay.

An exciting new debut for anyone who loves Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley, and C.L. Taylor

'An intense, claustrophobic thriller' Heat magazine

'A brilliant book with a twist you won't see coming' Bella magazine

'A great, pacy read fans of Lucy Foley will love' Fabulous magaazine

'Atmospheric and suspenseful' Woman's Weekly

'A fast-paced and easy-to-read thriller, with a gorgeously escapist setting' Best magazine

'I was gripped from start to finish' Cass Green

'Chilling and atmospheric' Roz Watkins

'Thrilling - I could feel the icy chill blowing through the pages' Michelle Frances

'Cleverly plotted' Allie Reynolds

'The perfect book to take a stay-cation with!' Suzy K Quinn

Reader Stats (2):

Read It (1)
Want To Read (1)

What can you read after
The Chalet?

See the list (14 books)

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.

The Chalet

Catherine Cooper