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The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson

2.69k reviews for:

The Christmas Guest

Peter Swanson

3.56 AVERAGE

dog_eared_bookworm's profile picture

dog_eared_bookworm's review against another edition

4.0
I both guessed the twist and didn’t - which was fun; I enjoyed finding a thriller that surprised me some. I liked that it was diary entries in the first half from 30 years ago, and that the second half was present day
A good gothic Christmas thriller you can read in one sitting 
amberlalea's profile picture

amberlalea's review against another edition

3.0
fast-paced

m0thm3n's review against another edition

1.0
only a man could write a girl “intricately” killing another girl over a random dude

thissagreads's review against another edition

3.75
mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
I really couldn’t get into the first person diary entry at first. But then it switches characters and we get to hear the story pace, by pace, which ultimately recovers the story, and makes it a solid Christmas/Holiday read!
Did Emma, who’s now assumed Ashely’s identity, end up killing her murderous brother Adam!? I believe she did but the author leaves it up to the reader, and I love that twist!


I enjoyed this novella, and would encourage anyone reading this, to get through the first hour. It’s definitely worth it, because afterwards, the pace picks up and the POV changes, causing the mystery and plot to REALLY thicken! 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

embrianedavis's review against another edition

dark medium-paced
cogsofencouragement's profile picture

cogsofencouragement's review against another edition

5.0
dark fast-paced
The Christmas season is perfect for novellas and this is excellent. 
jenage's profile picture

jenage's review against another edition

3.5
dark mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

durbeyfielde's review against another edition

3.75
dark mysterious reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

nattie19's review against another edition

4.25
dark mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

itbeginswithbooks's review against another edition

3.0
dark mysterious sad 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