Reviews tagging 'Murder'

The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson

45 reviews

crags617's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Murder

Moderate: Death and Misogyny

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, and Alcohol

Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse

tspice24's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Murder

calimie's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

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

3.75

Personal score: 3,7
Fun: 8, Writing: 7, Internal logic: 10, Characters: 5, Story: 7

Short book that could have been even shorter. I think I would have liked the second part to be shorter, despite it lifting up the whole book. 

It felt realistic. Absolutely worth the trouble to read. I hadn't read this author before but will read more of him.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

jselliot's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

For a short little novella, it's very well done and has satisfying halves to the story. The mid-narrative twist was a fun one, even if I have seen it before in longer books. I'll probably pick up more books by this author in the future.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Blood

Minor: Sexual assault and Alcohol

brysonsmommie84's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

35% - “The sky was the color of a bad bruise and light flakes of snow swirled in the cold air.”

The concept of reliving or even a little reminiscing over journal entries from thirty years prior was intriguing and felt like an invitation of privacy, but in the best way. I don’t know what I was expecting… it is dark, but not unpredictable. 
I loved the author’s note the end talk about being able to digest a novel in one quick setting with a cup or tea or eggnog over the holidays; whether you love the season or loath it.
This short book packs a punch and I wish more could be like this.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death

saltycoffee's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Classism

Moderate: Death of parent

taylormoore's review against another edition

dark 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Murder

Moderate: Stalking, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Alcohol

bookdragon217's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder

alexisgarcia's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail