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3.08 AVERAGE
3.08 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you Netgalley, Liza North and Little, Brown Book Group UK | Constable for the eArc of The Weekend Guests,
The Weekend Guests is a quick, engrossing mystery thriller with some great psychological elements in the narrative. With five old Uni friends meeting up in a house in Dorset, seven adults in total and six kids. What could have been a great time catching up with each other and meeting new partners, turns into a weekend fraught with lies, old simpering grudges and someone trying to pick them off, one by one.
I really enjoyed this medium paced thriller. The characters were well built and engaging, even though they were all unlikable. I always find this an interesting dynamics because who you are rooting for at the beginning of the story, changes throughout the book. The red herrings, the twists coupled with the constant pacing of the box, keeps you engaged and guessing. The pay off is great so overall this book makes for a great read.
4 stars
The Weekend Guests is a quick, engrossing mystery thriller with some great psychological elements in the narrative. With five old Uni friends meeting up in a house in Dorset, seven adults in total and six kids. What could have been a great time catching up with each other and meeting new partners, turns into a weekend fraught with lies, old simpering grudges and someone trying to pick them off, one by one.
I really enjoyed this medium paced thriller. The characters were well built and engaging, even though they were all unlikable. I always find this an interesting dynamics because who you are rooting for at the beginning of the story, changes throughout the book. The red herrings, the twists coupled with the constant pacing of the box, keeps you engaged and guessing. The pay off is great so overall this book makes for a great read.
4 stars
A fun, fast-paced thriller with an ending I didn't expect at all
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Harper Perennial and Paperbacks via NetGalley.
The story follows five college friends—Aline, Sienna, Rob, Michael, and Brandon—who reunite at Aline’s newly renovated, cliffside home in Dorset. What begins as a weekend of nostalgia and laughter soon turns dark when unsettling postcards threaten to reveal a secret crime from their university days, sparking suspicion that one of them is betraying the group.
North skillfully weaves the past and present through a dual timeline, building intrigue as secrets unravel and tensions rise. While the initial pacing is slow, the alternating timelines create an irresistible pull, drawing readers deeper into the mystery. The suspense ramps up halfway through, shifting into a gripping exploration of loyalty and deception.
The characters are richly developed, each bringing their own complexities and flaws. Aline’s poised demeanor and Brandon’s perfect image set the tone for an opulent but ominous reunion. Rob’s abrasive personality and Sienna’s unreliability amplify the unease, while Darryl stands out as a compelling wildcard whose motivations remain shadowed until revealed. Even minor characters, like the enigmatic Phyllis and the nanny Milly, add depth to the story.
The book may start slowly, but it ultimately captivates with its well-executed plot and multi-layered characters, making it a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers.
The story follows five college friends—Aline, Sienna, Rob, Michael, and Brandon—who reunite at Aline’s newly renovated, cliffside home in Dorset. What begins as a weekend of nostalgia and laughter soon turns dark when unsettling postcards threaten to reveal a secret crime from their university days, sparking suspicion that one of them is betraying the group.
North skillfully weaves the past and present through a dual timeline, building intrigue as secrets unravel and tensions rise. While the initial pacing is slow, the alternating timelines create an irresistible pull, drawing readers deeper into the mystery. The suspense ramps up halfway through, shifting into a gripping exploration of loyalty and deception.
The characters are richly developed, each bringing their own complexities and flaws. Aline’s poised demeanor and Brandon’s perfect image set the tone for an opulent but ominous reunion. Rob’s abrasive personality and Sienna’s unreliability amplify the unease, while Darryl stands out as a compelling wildcard whose motivations remain shadowed until revealed. Even minor characters, like the enigmatic Phyllis and the nanny Milly, add depth to the story.
The book may start slowly, but it ultimately captivates with its well-executed plot and multi-layered characters, making it a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers.
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Murder
Moderate: Gun violence
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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