I thought that most of the characters in this book were extremely unlikeable. However, having said that, I did enjoy reading it. Told in two timelines 1998 and 2020, and from multiple viewpoints this is a very atmospheric tale with enough twists to keep the reader interested throughout. I did have an inkling well before the end who the perpetrator was but why they acted like they did was somewhat perplexing. I have never been remotely interested in skiing and this book hasn't made me change my mind!

I know nothing about skiing. I have never seen the interest in it and, to be honest, my fear of heights would do nothing to help with the sport given that it is about sliding yourself down a mountain on two flat sticks. I'm not a bit fan of snow either, to be fair, so that last place you would find me is at a ski resort and, having read The Chalet, I've not been entirely convinced that my self imposed avoidance is a bad idea at all.

This is a dual timeline story, and early on in the book it is very hard to see how the two stories are linked, other than the fact that they occur in the same resort, La Medière, in France. What happens in 1998 is a tragedy, what happens in 2018 ... well that remains to be seen. This is a story of family, of rivalry, of business and of long buried secrets. But the problem with secrets is that even a heavy snowfall or two won't keep them buried forever ...

This is a very character driven story and one in which the author has been able to develop the characters to such a pint that I was intrigued to see how they were connected, what the purpose of the present day trip to France was and why one of the travellers was so reluctant to be there. There was no doubt over the impending tragedy that was about to unfold in 1998, the story opens with a newspaper report that gives the all important headlines, but it remained to be seen just who was affected and how it really impacted on the now. But even that tragedy wasn;t as straightforward as it appears and has the capacity to shock you as a reader, in a scene that is not gratuitous but is very cleverly and carefully portrayed.

This is not a high action thriller. In fact is it a good way into the novel, possibly the halfway point, before we get a real glimpse of what secrets lie at the heart of the story and how everything ties together. It is clear that something, or someone, links the timelines but as to who or what that might be, you need to read carefully to work it out. There is a slow build of tension and mystery throughout this book that drew me in, almost unexpectedly, but it kept me completely focused on the story and absolutely intrigued. The author uses carefully placed narrative sections told from a first person point of view to steer readers towards the truth, with a real emotional pull that helps you understand more about what is happening. It does mean that we know the why and the who well before the conclusion of the novel and yet it really does fit and didn't upset the balance of the story or make me want to stop reading. I wanted to know if they got their closure - their justice - or not. I wasn't disappointed.

If you are looking for an all action, high tension story packed full of threat, then this isn't the book for you. It is much more subtle for that, and all the better for it. It's a slow burner I suppose, one in which we get to know all the key players quite thoroughly and which intrigued me, wondering just where the story may lead. It wasn;t at all what I was expecting and yet it was completely absorbing. I felt for the characters, those who deserved it at least, I felt their highs and their lows, and I felt so completely at the heart of the resort, like I was there. This story examines the complexities of relationships, the cost of keeping secrets and the ultimate price some must pay to right a decades old injustice. A really enjoyable winter read with a thrilling twist. But I still don't want to go skiing ...

In January 1998 two skiers separate from their guides and go missing during a blizzard in the French Alps. Only one of them is found. Twenty-two years later, at the same ski resort, Hugo and Ria entertain a potential investor in Hugo’s struggling business and his young wife. They are staying at a luxurious chalet, waited on by a chalet girl, Millie. The scene for a perilous slalom through this thrilling mystery is set. It will ultimately lead to the finish line where the events of the past merge with the present and culminate in chilling disclosures.
Cooper’s narrative is gripping and her characterisation flawless. The story is told in the first person from the point of view of individual characters. The reader gains first-hand insights into their memories and feelings, which may be fragmented at times and biased, but that’s what makes them credible. Although there are many characters taking over the narration in turns, Cooper doesn’t lose her overall control over the plot which powers forward unhindered by too much baggage. New POVs are introduced into the story gradually and are layered in such a way that each person remains constant but the story acquires different new dimensions.
The Chalet is a tightly plotted and expertly delivered psychological thriller with a punchy conclusion.

The Chalet is a chilly, absorbing read with some divisive engaging characters and an excellent sense of mystery to it that really involves the reader on many levels.

The setting is well described and easy to see, slightly claustrophobic and always compelling as the tale unfolds. A luxury holiday that will end in tears, a past incident haunting present day and you have a classic “whodunnit” with a beautiful modern twist.

Perfect reading for those cold winter months The Chalet is a little bit Christie with a cleverly unpredictable plot.

Recommended.

This is a very good debut novel from Catherine Cooper.

Set in the french alps, it is written in dual timelines and from multiple points of view, it is a twisty story of hidden friendships, revenge, secrets and lies with a host of characters you will love to hate.

I will look forward to reading more of Catherine Coopers books in the future.

The Chalet by Catherine Cooper is a 4 star read.
This is the debut novel by this author and was a great read. It had twists and turns you couldn’t see coming and it kept me guessing right until the end. The story was well written and the characters were well thought out.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book through Netgalley.

A winter story to keep you entertained and intrigued as the story keeps hold of the answers as to how they are connected until the end. I didn't work them all out, it is well written and keeps you turning those pages. Love the typical winter setting and characters that are different but still work well together. Good story.

The Chalet by Catherine Cooper is set at a ski resort, present day, and 20 something years ago.  Then there was an incident where 2 men went skiing, and only 1 of them was found.

Present day, the other body shows up, just as people connected to the men are at the resort at the same time, and someone is out for revenge.  

This was a great thriller, with flashbacks over the years to certain characters, which meant you were forever guessing what was going to happen.  The twists kept coming, and I really enjoyed them all!

 The Chalet  was published on 31st October 2020.  You can buy it on  Amazon ,  Waterstones , or through your  local independent bookshop .

You can follow Catherine Cooper on her  website .

I was given this book in return for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to  HarperCollins.

For a debut novel this is pretty good. A few twists along the way, one I worked out but certainly one that made my jaw drop - very clever Ms Cooper! If you like a snowy location you will love this book, I felt cold just reading it! It would, therefore, be a great book to take on a skiing holiday or to read in the depths of winter. I also love the cover. Looking forward to this author’s next novel. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for letting me review this book.

A great story set in a ski resort. Two brothers book a ski trip in really bad weather. However only one returns. Who’s to blame the company that took them or the brothers.
We then cut to the modern day. A group of people are staying in a up market chalet. Why are they there? How are they connected. And who is the girl who’s story is told in flashbacks through the book.
A great lockdown book.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc in return for an honest review

Thanks netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book and give you an honest opinion what I thought.
In 1998 in France two brothers went skiing in very bad weather conditions and only one brother survived the trip.
In January 2020 a body was found of the skier who went missing.
This story then revolves around the girlfriends of the brothers and everyone else who were involved in the ski accident.
I thought the story was rather silly, but the ending was brilliant.

It's 1998 in the French Alps and two tourists overestimate their skiing prowess in a blizzard, from which one of them never returns. In January 2020 a group gathers at the same ski resort to cement a business deal, some of the chalet's residents sharing a past that they prefer to remain buried. Somebody knows what happened all those years ago and soon it will be time for one of them to pay...

Thriller lovers, grab your blankets, hot chocolate or glass of mulled wine and settle yourselves down on the sofa for an alpine nail-biter like no other! I zipped through this in a day, clinging to every word as I tried to connect the dots between the characters and the pasts they sought to keep hidden. Cleverly written from multiple points of view which alternate between 'then' and 'now', my theorizing glided off-piste with alarming frequency as the story unraveled and delivered its 'aha' moments, each more revelatory than the last. The cast of characters embodies some of the more distasteful characteristics of the privileged, my dislike for Cameron rather visceral, though I developed a soft spot for Hugo, a gentleman amongst rogues. Cooper lays the perfect trail of breadcrumbs to keep the reader on tenterhooks as the story gallops towards its crescendo, a satisfying ending served up on a silver platter as if a chilled glass of champagne, the perfect après-ski.

Thank you to Rachel Quin, Catherine Cooper, Harper Collins and Netgalley for the advance readers copy of this wonderful debut!

The Chalet is a amazing novel.. I finished this book in a day full of plots twists and turns.
Brothers Adam and Will are on a skiing holiday with their girlfriends. Adam and Will take to the slopes with a expert guide but they have lied to the guide about how experienced they are. Only one brother returns back to the chalet.
Twelve years later friends and couples Hugo and Rian,Simon and Cass with their nanny and small baby arrive at the same chalet.
The body of the missing brother is found on the mountain but who is hiding secrets and why?

My thanks to HarperCollins U.K. for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Chalet’ by Catherine Cooper in exchange for an honest review.

In 1998 at a resort in the French Alps, two brothers insist on skiing during a blizzard. As a result they ignore the instructions of their guides, and ski off on their own. Only one brother returns. The other vanishes.

In 2020 four people connected to the missing man find themselves at the same resort. Each has a secret. I am being a bit vague regarding the details in order to avoid spoilers.

This is Catherine Cooper’s debut novel. She has been a keen skier since her teenage years and so writes with authority on the subject providing a vivid setting.

Yet it isn’t all champagne, fondues, and going off piste... the narrative moves between a number of characters as well as between the past and present. It slowly builds up a picture of the events in 1998 and the intervening years as well as what is occurring in the present.

I loved the description of the luxury chalet where most of the action happens while the weather closes in. It’s a classic Golden Age setting with a modern twist. However, despite this and the cover art, ‘The Chalet’ isn’t a cosy mystery but quite dark in places.

In terms of the mystery there are plenty of clues including red herrings. It certainly kept me guessing until the final pages.

Cooper’s second book is listed for publication next September and following this positive experience I certainly will be looking out for it.

Two skiers went out with a guide but only one skier came back. Twenty years later and back at the same resort. New guests but they have a connection to the original mystery. How are they all connected and what really happened on that mountain.

What a ride this was. I had no idea how they were all connected but it came together beautifully. I actually read this in one sitting as I didn't want to put it down. I was so curious to figure it all out. The story is told in past and present from various characters in the story. Some we know, one is a mystery. I began to figure out who they were towards the end. The plot is steady, building to a dramatic if bittersweet ending. I have to say no character is overly likeable except maybe Millie but that worked for the book. The ending was brilliant and finished the story perfectly. A brilliant thriller that keeps you turning pages.

Quite hard to leave a review of The Chalet without spoilers but I’ll do my best.

The Chalet is told from the point of view of a number of characters including Ria, Hugo and Adam. It takes place during two timelines (mainly – I won’t give away the third) – 1998 when two brothers Adam and Will – take their girlfriends on a skiing holiday. There is tension right from the start and then on one fateful day they go off-piste during a storm with two guides Cameron and Andy. They get separated and there is a terrible accident. Only one brother returns. No body is ever found.

Over twenty years later four people are staying at the same resort. During their stay a body is found in the snow. Is it connected and what connects Ria, Hugo, Simon or Cass to that terrible event in 1998? Who are they really? Someone is hiding a secret and certain people are not who they seem.

I was really enjoying the set up of the two stories but I didn’t really get into it totally until the introduction of third character and her important story. This was the part I enjoyed the most even though it is harrowing and sad.

It was a great read with so many twists and I could never make up my mind about who was who. I found the whole skiing/chalet part a brilliant setting for a thriller. I have never been skiing and never wanted to. Just the thought of going up in that ski lift is enough to put me off (I don’t like heights). I used to work with a family who went skiing about three times a year. They all adored it apart from one daughter who said the idea of flying down a mountain on two pieces of wood just didn’t appeal. I agree. I feel her pain.

Many thanks to Pigeonhole, the author and my fellow Pigeons for making this such an enjoyable read. It was fun trying to work out what was going on. Many thanks also to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A real page turner - I read it in two sittings and found it easy to read and gripping. Until it was revealed I wasn't completely sure whose story was being told in italics from the point of view of the young child. It was one of two (obviously intentional). While you could see most of what was coming, it was still shocking. A luxury setting for examples of some of the worst human nature has to offer. I did enjoy the setting, what a lovely place to snuggle up with a book after a day in the snow. Great read. #thechalet #netgalley

I've never been to the Alps before, but from the beginning, Cooper's writing immediately made me feel as though I was there. I could feel the cold and inclement weather conditions as well as being able to immerse myself in the luxurious setting of the chalet. With the delicious food, the fluffy towels and the bespoke service, I almost wish I was staying there myself!

The Chalet begins in 1998, and switches between this time and the present day. It's not immediately obvious how the two threads of the novel are connected but I was very keen to find out! I didn't want the end of the staves to come because I wanted to keep reading!

Each chapter is narrated by a different character. This gives the reader the opportunity to find out more about each one, and although very few of them are likeable, it was fascinating to discover their true feelings about what was happening. I loved the way each character had such a distinctive voice.

There are so many red herrings in The Chalet, but I loved trying to follow the clues to work out the truth! I was engaged the whole way through and I look forward to seeing what this author does next!

1998 - two young men on a skiing holiday take an ill-advised guided trip off-piste in bad weather, and only one of them makes it out alive.

2020 - Ria and husband Hugo arrive for a holiday in a chalet in the French Alps. This is partly a business trip as Hugo wants businessman, Simon, to invest in his ailing company. Simon's wife, Cass, and newborn son, Inigo are also at the chalet. Then a body is found at the ski resort, a young man who died 20 years before and whose body had lain undiscovered for 20 years has finally been found, and his brother arrives to identify his body. At least one of the people in the chalet know some of what happened 20 years ago, but could one of them actually be a killer?

The story unfolds as the chapters alternate between what happened in 1998 and the present situation. It was a very tense, thrilling read. Most of the characters were rather unlikeable, but this worked well in getting the reader to suspect first one and then another of them. There are subtle clues throughout the build-up so it is possible to work out what will happen but it is well done. I really enjoyed reading it and would definitely read another book by the author.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, HarperCollins UK, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

1998 Two young men go on a skiing holiday to a luxury ski resort with their partners. Whilst there something happens and someone goes missing, Roll on 20 years later and four friends are back at the same ski resort. Some of these people know what happened in the past and someone is out to get revenge.

Oh my word this book was in my opinion absolutely brilliant. Right from the very start I was hooked on this story and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out what was going on. The characters were all well described , some nice and others not so nice. The dual story line was easy to follow. Highly recommend and cannot wait for this authors next book.