I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of Mark’s latest book The House Guest. An enjoyable read set in New York, his first book with a plot outside the UK. The story develops quickly from the first page, and just does not stop, as do the characters and their relationships. I’m reluctant to comment on the storyline or any specific example as I really do not want to introduce a seed of a spoiler as this book is slightly different to many of Mark’s others. I recommend reading without any knowledge of its destination. Overall it probably pushed the boundaries too much for my liking, but as with all of Mark’s books it is well written, easy to read and read and read. I like to find new authors and after discovering Mark I’ve read all of his books including his earlier ones co-authored with Louise Voss, all of which I’ve enjoyed.

Wow! As I looked to the right, Mark Edwards threw me a left punch. Pow! Zing! Bam! Yes friends, I was blindsided! I admit, I totally 💯 did not see that end coming!

This was not my first read of Edwards, I’m a fan of his work, but don’t let that sway you. Just trust me when I say - The House Guest does not disappoint! Let’s just say if you’re into chaos, cults and sheer coo-coo cocoa puffs craziness- this book is up your alley!! 5 stars❤️

I'm a big fan of Mark Edwards but this book didn't live up to its predecessors for me. I really enjoyed the first half of the novel but found it strayed into a weirdness that just didn't really capture me towards the end.

Another excellent read from Mark Edwards. Weird plot but great reading. It had me going in All directions on who was the good character. The ending was a bit far fetched but I’m glad it ended the way it did. Thank you Net Galley and Amazon U.K. for an early copy.

I sadly didn't like this one. I love the vast majority of books by Mark Edwards but this was just not a hit for me. Too predictable and didn't hold my attention like I wanted it to.

Thank you to the author, Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a quick read, with the first 30% showing a lot of promise and hooking me in - and then the remaining 70% getting more and more improbable, stretching the bounds of credulity and just plain strange and icky. Unfortunately, there were also quite a few inconsistencies, e.g. a person handcuffed with their hands behind their back handing something to someone in the next sentence, and several gaping plot holes. All in all, a great premise, but sadly lacking in the execution.

This is my first book by Mark Edwards , so I would like to give a big thank you to NetGalley, Amazon UK Publishing, and Mark Edwards for the ARC.

The synopsis really hooked me in and I had numerous scenarios racing through my head about where this book was going to go. I found it fast paced and was gripped at the beginning, but as the story unfolded there were too many threads going on at once and some of them were too far fetched to be believable in my opinion.

Elaborating what actually didn’t work for me would be a complete spoiler, but having read a few other reviews on this book and some of his back list, it seems to be something that has appeared in some of his other books and given the high ratings on all this authors books it is something that readers love.

All in all an intriguing and fast paced book that will keep you on your toes and your mind ticking over on how it will play out.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy. A fast read that started out strong and made me think I knew what the book would be about (I’m kinda sad it wasn’t that though)-a mysterious houseguest that appears at the house and seems too good to be true...and then the book changes into something completely different. Unique but a little far fetched, and in a weird way predictable despite the difference in book subject.

It took me a little bit to get into this, but after a few chapters, it really takes off. It's an interesting idea but, for me, the execution fell a little flat.

3.5 stars. Mark Edwards is always reliable for a fast-paced story you can get completely sucked into, and this is not exception. I was totally hooked, as Adam's girlfriend, Ruth, disappeared with the mysterious stranger who showed up at the house they were house-sitting at. The twisty investigation that follows, as Adam searches for the cult that may be trying to recruit Ruth, was totally addictive. I did find it a bit frustrating that we never really found out what the cult was really about, and how they manage to go about making members super famous and successful. Not my favorite ever Mark Edwards book, but a solidly enjoyable story.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this novel. Another great book from Edwards. I have read most of his work and it just keeps getting better. Full of suspense and turns. Highly recommend this.

This one was a slow burn but it just kept growing! It was a very chilling psychological thriller. It was a fast entertaining read.

A perfect summer. A perfect stranger. A perfect nightmare.

When British twenty-somethings Ruth and Adam are offered the chance to spend the summer housesitting in New York, they can’t say no. Young, in love and on the cusp of professional success, they feel as if luck is finally on their side.

So the moment that Eden turns up on the doorstep, drenched from a summer storm, it seems only right to share a bit of that good fortune. Beautiful and charismatic, Eden claims to be a friend of the homeowners, who told her she could stay whenever she was in New York.

They know you’re not supposed to talk to strangers, let alone invite them into your home
but after all, Eden’s only a stranger until they get to know her.

As suspicions creep in that Eden may not be who she claims to be, they begin to wonder if they’ve made a terrible mistake…

The House Guest is told in three parts and all from Adam's perspective, it's a stark reminder that we should never take anyone's word as gospel, however convincing they may be, stranger danger is a very real thing and should not be ignored.

Mark Edwards is one of a few authors whose books I will read without even checking out the blurb first, because he knows how to write a great thriller, his books are gripping, he has a very vivid imagination, sometimes a very sick one, but that's what makes his books so good. The House Guest has short, concise chapters which I love and I flew through this book in less than 48 hours, it's characters are realistic, although not particularly endearing, but that made the story more appealing. It's an action packed, edgy read with lots of twists along the way. Mark Edwards, you've done it again!

I'd like to thank Mark Edwards, Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and on Amazon on publication day.

I want to thank NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and author Mark Edwards for providing me with an ARC of this novel.

This was a phenomenal thriller and I found I couldn’t put it down! This was the first I’ve read from this author, but I will definitely be picking up Here To Stay and Follow You Home. This story grabbed me from the very first page all of the way until the end. I felt totally satisfied with the ending, and this is chock full of twists and turns. Adam and Ruth’s experience will make you re-think house sitting for your friends, that’s for sure!

Thank you again to those named above for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

I really enjoyed all the twists in this one, who is this stranger in the house (let’s not go into why Adam and Ruth are so trusting and let strangers into the house).

There were glimpses quite early on that Eden was not who she seemed to be and a fair few twists and turns along the way (Callum had me fooled to begin with so I was surprised to find out his true identity). I just can’t decide how I feel about the ending though….

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this novel in exchange for a review.

I absolutely love Mark Edwards so I was delighted to receive an arc of this book to review. Ruth and Adam are housesitting in New York for an 'artistic' couple who are off on a retreat. Whilst they are living there, a strange woman Eden appears at the door and stupidly they let her in! Eden hangs about for a week and after an extremely drunken night, Adam wakes up with the hangover from hell. He soon discovers that Ruth and Eden have disappeared. All hell breaks lose after this as he tries to find Ruth!
I really enjoyed this book, it has plenty of twists and surprises. However the reason the women disappeared just seemed improbable. I can't say any more or I will give away the whole premise of the story, it is purely a personal thing with me, I just found it unlikely. Mark Edwards always writes fantastic books which leave you with a bit of a question and this one is great too. Can't wait for his next one.

Creepy, fast-paced

A British couple are house-sitting in New York when a woman knocks on the door and claims she is a friend of the owners of the house. It is raining and she is drenched, so the couple invite her in…But is this uninvited guest really who she claims she is?

The beginning was intriguing and held my interest for a while, but then the story became predictable and flat. If the story was happening in the 60s or 70s, it would have been more believable and entertaining. But inviting a stranger in the house that is not even your own?

I love Mark Edwards’ books and his style of writing. The Retreat was a 5 star read for me and I’m going to continue reading his works regardless. This one just wasn’t for me.

Thanks to Mark Edwards, Amazon Publishing and the NetGalley for providing me with a copy.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Somewhat predictable, but very intriguing read. The author has a way of throwing a few twists in when you least expect it. Will read other books from this author.

Mark Edwards has done it again! Yet another book that is a sit on the edge of your seat read! You will instantly be drawn in to the characters as you enjoy plot twists and turns along the way!

Don't talk to strangers, guys! Like ever! This is so not where I saw this book going!

I really thought The House Guest was going to be similar to Here to Stay by Mark Edwards. Or I thought she was going to like hold them hostage or ... or... I don't know! But I didn't think it was going to be... this! And maybe because it was so unexpected I am having a hard time processing how I feel about it.

Overall, Mark Edwards is a great writer and this book was a quick trip down a very strange road! It definitely kept me flipping pages trying to figure out what-on-earth would happen next? Felt like I fell down a rabbit hole!

My main qualm was that I didn't exactly click with the female characters in this book. I felt for Adam and the weird situations he found himself in. Though I think if I was in his position I would have questioned my sanity...

I definitely liked the premise of rich people being in some type of secret cult. Doesn't it just feel like that sometimes? No matter how much we hear that they're just like us (come on, they're not just like us) they must have some weird secret that makes them so wealthy. They must be in some type of cult! (Or secret society like in Leigh Bardugo's Ninth House). I'm a believer!

MY RATING:
Characters: 3
Story: 4.5
Rating: 4 stars!

YOU need this book if you like a quick action-y read!

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!