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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I loved the setting of this book. It felt like a classic whodunnit. It was suspenseful throughout, but when the killer was revealed, I was a bit underwhelmed. However, the last 2 pages redeemed it a bit for me.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 stars. Really enjoyed this book! Definitely reminded me of Agatha Christie and excited to read more from this author!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
a very good mystery, with surprising twists.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Book Review: An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena
An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena is a masterclass in the classic whodunit mystery. From the very first page, I was hooked. This book doesn’t just give you a twisty murder mystery—it immerses you in a chilling atmosphere where paranoia brews with every turn of the page. Set in a secluded, snowed-in inn, it’s the kind of locked-room mystery that pays homage to Agatha Christie while still feeling sharp, modern, and psychological.
A True Classic Whodunit
This novel is a perfect throwback to the golden age of mystery. A group of strangers is stranded at Mitchell’s Inn during a brutal winter storm. No power, no phone service, and then—people start dying. The way Lapena builds tension is brilliant. Every chapter makes you second-guess what you thought you knew. The setting becomes a character in itself—claustrophobic, isolating, and hauntingly quiet, amplifying every sound, every footstep, every whisper.
There’s a real old-school feel to the pacing and clues, but what makes it feel so fresh is Lapena’s psychological touch. She doesn’t just want you to figure out who the killer is; she wants you to doubt everyone, including yourself. And that’s where the real magic happens.
Themes: Trust, Fear, and the Masks We Wear
At the core of An Unwanted Guest is the theme of trust—or rather, the absence of it. As the guests try to keep themselves safe and figure out what’s going on, they each start peeling away at each other’s facades. Secrets come out, true intentions are questioned, and we start to see that no one is exactly who they claim to be.
The book taps deeply into the fear of the unknown—of being trapped with people who might be dangerous, and of not knowing who to rely on. It also examines the masks we wear in society: how easily people can pretend to be kind, successful, or trustworthy… until survival is on the line.
Characters and Evolution
What I especially loved was how the characters evolved through the story. At first, they’re polite strangers—or acquaintances—trying to enjoy a weekend getaway. But the moment the first death happens, civility begins to crumble. Lapena doesn’t rush the unraveling. Each character is slowly and carefully stripped down to their rawest, most desperate self. Fear does that. And in a book like this, it’s done so well.
From the couple trying to rekindle their relationship, to the war correspondent battling PTSD, to the quiet, observant single woman—all of them carry something with them that adds depth to the narrative. Their backstories aren’t just filler—they’re clues, red herrings, or both. I loved how my opinions of the characters kept shifting, and how some of them revealed unexpected strength, weakness, or darkness by the end.
The Unsettling Truth
One of the most chilling parts of this book is how it drives home the idea that you genuinely can’t trust people—not even the ones you think you know, and certainly not strangers. It reminds us that we often see only the surface of those around us, and when we’re faced with danger or desperation, our true selves come out. Sometimes, those truths are far more terrifying than any killer in the dark.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely loved this book. It’s tense, atmospheric, and cleverly constructed. The pacing is near-perfect, the twists are satisfying, and it leaves you thinking long after you’ve closed the last page. If you’re a fan of murder mysteries with a psychological edge, this one delivers in every way. An Unwanted Guest is a haunting reminder that sometimes, the most dangerous thing in the room isn’t a weapon—it’s the people you’re trapped with.