Reviews with content warning for Injury/Injury detail - The Christmas Guest

Reviews tagging 'Injury/Injury detail'

The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson

11 reviews

kwichris's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

I've not read a novella prior to this one, but I very much appreciate when an author can do in 100 pages what it takes many to do in several times that amount. The characters here are developed through two varied perspectives, which in it of itself makes this a unique read. While I won't ruin the very good twist, the story comes from both first person perspective in the future and the writings in a diary from the past. This was just a refreshing take on a murder mystery, around the holidays no less, that brought up some poignant food for thought by the end. The choices we make, good or bad, we've got to live with them; they can haunt you or you can find a way to use them to begin anew or fix what was broken. The choice is up to you.

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alexisgarcia's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

the only other peter swanson book i’ve read, i dnf’d (despite doing that like twice a year) but i wanted to read something for the holiday. i honestly thought this was simple but pretty good and definitely full of the christmas spirit.

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sammy_salmon's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

While I was reading this I was thinking to myself “this is ok”, then I thought “this is pretty good”, but by the end I thought “this is excellent.”

Five stars for an exceptional plot and clever delivery. Loved it.

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oceanwriter's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book hadn’t been on my radar at all but I was in the mood for a short Christmas read and this one sounded intriguing.

Having no place to go for Christmas Ashley is invited to her friend Emma’s family home for the holidays. Ashley hopes for a magical trip to the English country and maybe even find some romance. She instantly has eyes for Emma’s brother, Adam, and comes to think he might be attracted to her as well. As for the rest of Emma’s family, she’s put off and intimidated by them.

Choosing to make the best of things, she keeps her focus on Emma and Adam, but things grow tense when people around town start talking about how much she looks like a girl who had been murdered earlier that year. Making matters worse, she finds out that Adam is the prime suspect despite his alibi.

While the plot was intriguing, I couldn’t start Ashley, making the section of the book with her journal entries excruciating after a whole. If not for the mystery and short length of the book I might not have continued, but I’m glad I kept reading. The second part of the book picks up immensely and answers a lot of questions. A good mystery to read/listen to in one sitting.

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