The Christmas Guest: A Novella Hardcover – October 17, 2023

If you’re in the mood for a quick, easy, and spine-chilling read for the holiday season, then we highly recommend The Christmas Guest by New York Times bestselling author Peter Swanson.Christmas is the season of spreading love and happiness with our family, friends, and loved ones. But not all holiday seasons are bright and shining. There are times when darker stories lurk in the background, adding an element of mystery and spookiness to the festivities.The Christmas GuestSet in the 1980s, the story follows American art student Ashley Smith, who is spending Christmas alone in London until she receives a last-minute invitation from her fellow student, Emma Chapman. The invitation brings her to Starvewood Hall in the Cotswolds, the country residence of the Chapman family, where she finds herself surrounded by a cozy, firelit house, a large family, and a charming village.Adam Chapman, Emma’s aloof and handsome brother, catches Ashley’s attention. However, things start taking a mysterious turn when Adam becomes the subject of a local police investigation over the brutal killing of a girl from the village. To make matters worse, there’s a stranger haunting the woodland path between Starvewood Hall and the local pub. Ashley begins to wonder what kind of story she is actually inhabiting. Is she in a grand romance? A gothic tale? Or has she wandered into something far more sinister and terrifying than she’d ever imagined?Swanson masterfully weaves the story from the events of that horrific week to modern-day New York, where the events of the past are revisited. The narrative is tied together by a diary from Ashley’s time at Starvewood Hall, which is discovered years later.The Christmas Guest is a well-crafted story that does not rely on cheap thrills or gore to create tension and fear. Instead, Swanson creates an atmosphere of unease and uncertainty that makes for a truly engaging read. It is a subtle blend of mystery, suspense, and romance that will keep readers engrossed from start to finish.Peter Swanson’s The Christmas Guest is an excellent short read for the holiday season. It is a perfect novella for those who want a quick, spooky fix in-between longer novels. The story is excellently crafted, with well-drawn characters and a carefully constructed plot that builds up to a haunting and unsettling conclusion.

A satisfying story told in a new (for Swanson) way. I don't put spoilers in my reviews, so I'll just say there are major surprises packed in this book and Swanson's method for telling this tale is refreshing and different from his other books (though, in a way, it did remind of how he wrote A Talent for Murder). It's fun to see him experimenting. This book is a very fast read.

What is your favorite holiday tradition? For me, decorating, enjoying festive music, and savoring delicious holiday dishes are a few of my most cherished traditions, ones that I absolutely must partake in every year to capture that true Christmas spirit. Recently, I've developed a deep affection for reading holiday-themed books. They provide me with a means to momentarily escape the hustle and bustle of the season, offering a quiet sanctuary amidst the joyful chaos. I savor the opportunity to carve out some personal time each year, immersing myself in the enchantment of a holiday-themed read. This year, I was thrilled to discover that Peter Swanson, one of my favorite thriller authors, had published a short Christmas novella. Naturally, I set aside some time to sit down and immerse myself in it.The book's beginning unfolds with the charming setup of a Hallmark holiday movie. Ashley Smith, a college student initially planning to spend Christmas in solitude, receives an invitation from her friend Emma Chapman to join the Chapman family at their country residence, Starvewood Hall. The grandeur of Starvewood Hall, adorned with pine boughs and bustling with Christmas week guests, epitomizes a fantasy Christmas setting. Ashley finds herself captivated by the warm, firelit atmosphere of the house, the lively family, and the picturesque village of Clevemoor. Her heart flutters even more at the sight of Adam Chapman, Emma's enigmatic and handsome brother, hinting at the possibility of a romantic fairy tale Christmas.The enchanting scene takes an unexpected twist as Adam becomes the subject of a local police investigation into the recent brutal murder of a village girl. In the world of Peter Swanson's thriller, one can't help but expect the unexpected! Toss in an enigmatic stranger who lurks along the woodland path between Starvewood Hall and the local pub, and an air of mystery begins to overshadow the idyllic romance that Ashley initially envisioned. Will this Christmas prove to be a dream or a nightmare? The answers lie within the pages, waiting to be discovered.I've always had a soft spot for Christmas stories that bring an element of mystery or darkness into the mix. The tale of Scrooge and his encounters with ghosts always captivated me more than the typical joyful and heartwarming narratives that define the holiday season. Peter Swanson's The Christmas Guest is an intriguing departure from the norm. It cleverly straddles the line between wish-fulfillment fantasy and murder mystery, blending these two contrasting elements in a way that keeps readers on their toes.Spanning under 100 pages, this novella is designed to be devoured in a single sitting. While it may not allow for extensive character development or the intricate twists characteristic of Swanson's longer works, it is a perfect diversional read amid the bustling holiday season. I recommend trying it as you cozy up by the fireplace with a cup of cocoa in hand. It's a snug and manageable read that I easily devoured in one go.

This was a very creepy and successful novella!Ashley Smith is an American girl studying art in London for her junior year. She has no family after the death of her mother. Not having many choices, Ashley is prepared to spend the holidays alone when a classmate, Emma Chapman invites her to stay at her family home, Starwood Hall.Ashley is more excited about the trip after meeting Ashley's twin brother, Adam. The days spent in Starwood Hall are full of family, games, food, and the local bars. Ashley finds herself falling for Adam. He is charismatic and spending time in his company is exciting to Ashley until she discovers that Adam is the prime suspect in the murder of a local woman who looks like her.In the blink of an eye, this goes from being a romance to becoming a horror novel.The Christmas Guest is an atmospheric novella with engaging characters and I couldn't wait to see how it all ended.Cliffhanger: No4/5 Fangs

Enjoyed the quick story told in a very interesting way. I only wish the ending had given us a better detailed story of the killer.

Erneut ein sehr gutes Buch aus der Feder von Peter Swanson, dessen Romane man allesamt uneingeschränkt empfehlen kann. Hier geht es um eine in London studierende Amerikanerin, die über Weihnachten von einer Kommilitonin eingeladen wird, das Weihnachtsfest mit ihr und ihrer Familie zu verbringen. Ein ungeklärter Mord trübt das Weihnachtsvergnügen ein wenig, zumal der Bruder der Kommilitonin der Hauptverdächtige ist. Schon bald nimmt die Geschichte eine grandiose Wendung. Wie immer erzählt Swanson flott und hochspannend. Meisterhaft zeichnet er auch hier wieder verstörende Charaktere, die das Böse inkarnieren.

the title was promising but the book was a disappointment…

Nice short thriller, it's an interesting read.

This was an enjoyable creepy Christmas novella set in the picturesque English countryside and filled with atmospheric and gothic vibes throughout.The story is set in two parts, the first part being in the form of a diary written by an American student who currently resides in the UK while she attends art college. The entries follow her time at her friends home on the lead up to a very tragic incident that takes place on Christmas Eve.The second part provides insight into what happened and all the dark secrets that have been kept buried for so many years. This is where all the twists emerge leaving you with goosebumps after discovering disturbing revelations.There are lots of suspicious characters and activity along the way making the experience more ominous and sinister.Sometimes I struggle with novellas because I feel like it can be difficult to tell a really good story in such a small amount of pages but it was really well executed. There's 125 pages in this book and every single one has been carefully put together to make a really entertaining and cosy read.Definitely the type of story that had me wanting more, but the ending was satisfying so it made up for it!A very quick and fast paced read that I ended up finishing in less than 2 hours!