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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
✨I wasn’t expecting much from this holiday short story. I do think the holiday vibes were a bit absent, but the mystery itself and the twists and turns you go on were worth the read alone. I really loved the ending of this book and it was a fun way to pass the time on my drive to see family on Christmas Eve!
dark
mysterious
tense
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:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
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
Great, creepy, short little mystery. Loved it as a book club pick for the busy holiday season.
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was not good...
The festive atmosphere was none existent, the language and writing is average (bordering on terrible), and the plot is unoriginal and easily guessed. The upside is that its short and quick.
My biggest peeve is that this male author clearly has no idea how to write a woman's POV. No woman talks (or writes) like that, and I don't know anyone over the age of 11 who addresses their diary as a friend ('dearest diary.') And woman are not so easily manipulated by men as men would like to believe and which is embarrassingly pushed in this book.
In this vain, the characters are shockingly unrealistic. The plot is not really a mystery as it is quite obvious from the start.
Not an awful book but not a good one either. Wouldn't recommend.
The festive atmosphere was none existent, the language and writing is average (bordering on terrible), and the plot is unoriginal and easily guessed. The upside is that its short and quick.
My biggest peeve is that this male author clearly has no idea how to write a woman's POV. No woman talks (or writes) like that, and I don't know anyone over the age of 11 who addresses their diary as a friend ('dearest diary.') And woman are not so easily manipulated by men as men would like to believe and which is embarrassingly pushed in this book.
In this vain, the characters are shockingly unrealistic. The plot is not really a mystery as it is quite obvious from the start.
Not an awful book but not a good one either. Wouldn't recommend.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
This Christmas murder mystery novella was refreshing and intriguing from page one. It was fast paced and contained multiple twists and turns. I was able to read it in a single sitting. The first part of the story is told through a diary in the past, where the mystery lies. While the remainder of the story is written first-person in the present, where the twists are revealed, the culprit fesses up and you get an intimate look into the mind of a killer. I did not see the twist coming! And you think the story is winding down after the first big reveal, but then 2-3 more twists are cleverly introduced leaving you slightly hanging at the end. There is a pretty dark tone that’s well balanced with the cozy Christmas atmosphere. It was well written with fleshed-out characters and an inventive and sharp plot. I thoroughly enjoyed this murderous gothic-esque Christmas tale.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Christmas Guest is a short little novella in which an American student is invited to spend Christmas at a classmate's English manor home. Murder ensues. Lots of English Christmas elements, plus a perfect slow ramping up of creepiness and unease. Great twist at the start of part two, plus a satisfying ending where one villain gets what he had coming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder