A review by i_love_big_books
The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I have a hit/miss relationship with this author's books. I loved The Kind Worth Killing and want to read it again before reading the sequel but I didn't like some of his others at all. This novella hooked me in and it has a pretty decent mystery at its core which I enjoyed. 
It is told in diary entries being read by the protagonist who prefers to be alone for Christmas because of the events of decades ago that the diary contains. She is taken back to her days as a Christmas guest at her friend's house and the happenings there. 

The twist, when it came, was quite unexpected though I was left with a few questions at the end!