Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson

4 reviews

targrhaegar's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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? Yes

4.0

Poor, poor Ashley. The diary entry format is great, made me feel more connected to her, like she was a real person. Which made the second part of the book even more painful. I actually shed a few tears because I felt like one of my friends just died. The twist was completely unexpected. I really didn't think the story was going to take this turn. I thought, if anything, Emma was going to be the one to get murdered by Adam. 

I really enjoyed this book. It's amazing how such a short story made me feel so connected to its main character and feel so many emotions while reading it. Good job, Swanson. 

I really love this author. Can't get enough of his books.

The only complain I have about this story is Ashley appearing as an actual ghost at the end. She wasn't even a part of Emma's imagination. She's a real ghost. I don't particularly care for ghost stories since they're not realistic and make everything feel kind of goofy and not really creepy. But it's okay. I enjoyed the book, nonetheless.
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fragrant_stars's review

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dark mysterious relaxing sad fast-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

4.0

Quick read, cozy, with an open ending that made me kinda want more. 
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lianne_rooney's review against another edition

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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

3.5

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what_heather_loves's review

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dark mysterious sad 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? No

4.0

"Christmastime is here again. And I am waiting, as I always do, for one or more guests...All I did was throw a pebble into a still pond. The ripples did the rest. I suspect she will know all about it. As she likes to tell me, she knows everything.
What other guests might arrive? I picture a knock on the door, a flashed badge...If it happens, it happens. I suppose I am prepared."

An American student is thrilled to be invited to a fellow student's Cotswolds home for Christmas, but should have been more wary. The antithesis of cosy, festive crime, this is a chilling novella about a victim, a predator and an accomplice. Split into two parts, the first is told through historic diary entries found during a tidy and the second provides a huge twist and context - I can't say more or spoil the plot. Atmospheric engrossing and tense, I read this in two sittings, although it could be read in one, at 124 pages.
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