Scan barcode
A review by leandrathetbrzero
The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.0
I was recommended to read this as a great short Christmas thriller. Compared to other “holiday” mysteries/romances we see published around this time of year that aren’t actually holiday-related, one strong element in this book is the Christmas/wintry setting. We read diary entries in the lead up to a Cotswold Christmas, complete with wintry descriptions and celebratory events. There are strange happenings, all seemingly connected to a murder that happened previously.
Unfortunately, I found the twist in this book to be a bit middle of the road. I have seen the major trope/reveal in this before more than once and that definitely impacts the punch that is meant to come (that trope being:evil sociopathic twin with a weirdly sympathetic sibling ). I’m sure it’s exciting for those who don’t see it coming, as they aren’t familiar with it, but I was personally very aware of what was coming early on.
Also: I really didn't like the forced tone of the diary entries, as if Swanson is trying too hard to sound like a young 19-year-old American woman visiting the UK. I didn't understand, for instance, why we had to have a young woman narrator instead of a young man. Maybe it would have sounded more realistic, since he doesn't seem to know what a 19-year-old woman would sound like. This is my first experience with this author, so I don't know if he is just known for not writing women well, but Ashley was written as a boy-obsessed, childlike character, and it was very strange.
Unfortunately, I found the twist in this book to be a bit middle of the road. I have seen the major trope/reveal in this before more than once and that definitely impacts the punch that is meant to come (that trope being:
Also: I really didn't like the forced tone of the diary entries, as if Swanson is trying too hard to sound like a young 19-year-old American woman visiting the UK. I didn't understand, for instance, why we had to have a young woman narrator instead of a young man. Maybe it would have sounded more realistic, since he doesn't seem to know what a 19-year-old woman would sound like. This is my first experience with this author, so I don't know if he is just known for not writing women well, but Ashley was written as a boy-obsessed, childlike character, and it was very strange.