Book Synopsis:
When Ashley Smith – a bright-eyed but lonely American studying in London – is invited to spend Christmas with her classmate’s family at their Cotswolds manor house, it seems like a perfect country idyll.
And for Ashley – who records it all in her diary – there’s the added romantic potential of her friend’s twin brother, Adam, who she thinks could be her wildest dream come true.
But is there something strange about the old house, both stately and rundown? What could the motives of the mysterious Chapman family be? And what holiday horrors might be lying in wait?
My Review:
The Christmas Guest is a gripping murder mystery perfect for reading at this time of year.
Firstly I loved the cosy, country house setting in this book which is just the type of place to spend a family Christmas in. I loved the descriptions of the huge family house, with extensive grounds and a pub just round the corner full of delicious sounding food. The characters were all wonderful creations that I enjoyed following throughout the book even though I didn’t find any of them very likeable. Ashley was my favourite out of them though and I found myself feeling quite sorry for her at times though her neediness did get on my nerves at times and I wish I could tell her to stop.
I thought the book had a great pace to it and I quickly found myself drawn into the book. For a short book it really packs a lot in with lots of very intriguing things happening that ensured I kept reading. The story is told in two halves with a twist in the middle that I didn’t see coming which I thought was cleverly done. The ending was interesting and I liked seeing how everything played out. Although this is billed as a Christmas read it didn’t seem overly festive and I actually think you could pick this up anytime if year.
If you’re looking for a last minute socking filler I really recommend this one!
About The Author:
Peter Swanson is the author of nine novels, including The Kind Worth Killing, winner of the New England Society Book Award, and finalist for the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, and Her Every Fear, an NPR book of the year. His books have been translated into 30 languages, and his stories, poetry, and features have appeared in Asimov’s Science Fiction, The Atlantic Monthly, Measure, The Guardian, The Strand Magazine, and Yankee Magazine.
A graduate of Trinity College, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and Emerson College, he lives on the North Shore of Massachusetts with his wife and cat.
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