Thanks for the ARC. What can I say? I didn't want to put this book down once I started reading it. I did but could not wait to get back to reading it. I loved it.

The story begins with Adam and Ruth, a British couple, house-sitting in New York for a couple they befriended on a cruise, when Eden, a young woman claiming to be a friend of the homeowners shows up to stay with them.

The story has a very interesting premise and was a very captivating read for me but unfortunately midway I felt it lost it’s charm and was all over the place.

Adam is the primary narrator with a few chapters interspersed by Ruth too, Adam as the protagonist was very slow and I felt like I couldn’t really care about him.

Also halfway through a very unexpected twist and sort of an explanation came up that was quite a disappointment to me and I lost a lot of interest in the plot.

The plot is a slow burning, psychological thriller but I did not enjoy it.

Mark Edwards is one of my favorite authors and this new book of his is one of my favorites he has written. It’s so unlike any of his other novels, which is pretty cool. All his work is great, but I found this novel to be just so in its own category. I hesitate to say too much about the plot, because I don’t want to give anything away. If you love creepy, suspenseful and exciting books, you’ll love this. I read it in one afternoon- Couldn’t put it down!

I have not read a Mark Edwards book in a very long time and the description of The House Guest looked intriguing. I loved the first 50% of the book but when the plot turn took place (no spoilers here), I thought it was a bit far-fetched and quickly lost interest. Thank you for the advanced copy.

Another wonderfully, gripping book by Mark Edwards, with twists & turns. Whatever you think you know when reading, got it all worked out, you really don’t. A mystery until the very end.......

I have read most of Mark Edward's novels and find them all to be very well crafted. This latest book is no exception! It is well plotted, with interesting characters who lead us on a journey of intrigue and suspense, along with a few surprises en route. I would highly recommend this book, and would like to thank both the Publishers and Netgalley, for giving me the opportunity of reading this Arc.

This a brilliant, refreshingly different book which had me totally hooked from page one. A young ,would be ,playwright and his beautiful actress girlfriend who is on the cusp of stardom, accept the offer of a house loan , from a couple they met on a cruise . The house, in an upmarket part of New York, is ideal, both for saving them money and for its proximity to the Broadway theatre where Ruth has been cast as the lead in an exciting new play. All is well until a bedraggled young woman , Eden, shows up claiming she is a friend of their benefactors. They cast their initial doubts aside after her convincing performance and invite her to stay. Things take a downward spiral from then on, culminating in Ruth's disappearance and incarceration in a mysterious cult . We are caught up in a frantic battle to rescue her from their clutches ..I swear I didn't breathe during the final chapters! This is a fast paced, well written psychological thriller which will rob you of sleep !

A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I enjoyed this story very much and felt like I knew each character personally due to the description of them. I enjoyed the storyline. This is not my usual genre but in this instance I am extremely pleased and grateful for opening up my mind to something totally different. Thanks again.

I love Mark Edwards' twisty suspense thrillers so I was really keen to read this. It was a quick read, but that's about the only positive. Adam and Ruth are a British couple who are housesitting for friends in New York. A friend of the homeowners stops by and said that she was told she could come and stay with them anytime. I found the story quite gripping at first but it becomes so unbelievable that I was desperate for it to end.

Young British couple Adam (aspiring writer) and Ruth (actress staring in her first Broadway show) are staying at the house of an older couple, Mona and Jack who they met on a cruise. They answer the door to a young friend of Jack and Mona’s, Eden, who arrives in a torrential storm and blows into their lives as they take pity on her and allow her to stay. The young couple feel that as a friend of the homeowners what can go wrong?!
From the outset it is clear that Jack is struggling as an author to make it big and Ruth has already made a name for herself. The couple and Eden get along well and one night decide to eat and drink far too much tequila and when Adam wakes the next day Ruth and Eden are gone.
The plot is action packed and fast paced. There are some excellent characters, especially Adam who tells most of the story.
Without giving away the plot, and believe me this is an excellent unputdownable roller coaster of a read, there are twists and turns all the way. Who can you trust? Where is Ruth and who can be trusted?
Thank you to Netgalley For the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommended.

It’s a hot, humid summer in New York City. British born Adam and Ruth are housesitting for wealthy Mona and Jack Cunningham at their large Brooklyn house while they are away. They met on a cruise where Ruth was acting in a production of The Tempest, she now has a lead role in a Broadway play, her career is taking off. Adam is an aspiring writer but is not as yet successful, so there’s an unevenness to their relationship. One night there a tremendous storm, there’s a knock at the door and there, soaked to the skin is Eden. They invite her in as their kind and she’s dripping wet. She says she knows Mona and Jack well and that they’d invited her to stay if ever she’s in New York. So Adam and Ruth do just that, after all the house is huge and there’s plenty of room. What can possibly go wrong? The story is told principally by Adam with some input from Ruth.

I’m going to say very little about what unfolds as it will spoil the journey for future readers but a lot of the plot is all too possible. There are perhaps one or two occasions where it strays into the zone of the far fetched but did I enjoy it? Oh yes!!! It’s a fast paced, seat of your pants, twist and turn kind of a read. It’s well written and exciting and just as you think you’ve figured a few things out there’s another revelation and ....you’re wrong!! Although not all the characters are very likeable they are well portrayed - Adam is very likeable and real.

Overall, a thought provoking and enjoyable read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for the arc.

Reading a new Mark Edwards is always a treat. The author has a wonderful way to pull the reader into the world of his protoganist(s) . This time around, the setting in New York city and the protoganist in an English scriptwriter called Adam and his girlfriend an actress, Ruth. They are housesitting for friends when a woman arrives on their doorstep, looking for the owners of the house. As it is pouring rain, they invite Eden inside for a few moments. This is their first mistake - and will prove fatal. But will them for someone else?
The story continues in a twist manner and it is difficult for the reader to determine if we can really trust Adam. Even as we listen to the story of what is happening to Ruth, there remain elements that do not make sense and our doubt remains.
As a fan, I wouldn't consider this the best of Edward's books but it is still worth reading - delightfully creepy and twisty.
I received an ARC of this book from Amazon Publishing UK via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Mark Edwards does it again...a book I couldn’t put down!
The subject took a turn I wasn’t expecting but is one of great interest in the world today. Everybody is looking for security and a sense of belonging and it’s easy to find someone or something willing to give these things to you. But at what price?

Ruth is on the threshold of a brilliant acting career when her and her partner Adam are offered the chance to house sit in one of New Yorks's most prestigious neighborhoods. All is going well until a young girl arrives and says she is friends with the owners of the house and that they have given her an open invitation to stay whenever she is in the area. Ruth and Adam can't contact the owners but they decide the girl is honest and no threat to them so they agree to let her stay. This is the beginning of events that overtake them and do untold damage to their relationship and much more. Another great psychological thriller from the master of this genre.

Mark Edwards has a knack for creating stories that are incredibly unique. This story was unlike anything I’ve read. He also has a way of creating a scene that almost feels aesthetic. The description of Mona and Jacks’s house was beautifully written and I could picture every aspect that was described. Mark has a way to transport you into his writings.

This was a quick read for me, as most of his books are. As much as I wanted to savor it, I found the plot was ingenious thus making the book unputdownable. Adam, the protagonist was very relatable and likable, as was his girlfriend, Ruth. I find it hard to enjoy a book when you aren’t able to connect with some of the characters.

This story, in a way, reminded me of something Jordan Peele would create. Something with a deeper meaning than what is on the surface. It reminded me of the Hollywood industry and how up and comings (and a lot of others for that matter) would do almost anything to get ahead and be successful. Scientology was mentioned in the story, and it had definitely had a resemblance. This topic (cults within the rich and famous) was always an interesting topic for me.

To reiterate, The House Guest was one of the greatest reads for me, this year. As being a big fan of Mark’s, it’s great to see his literary talents broadening and his story lines coming to America. It’s nice to have a familiar setting to read and picture. This story is unique, satisfying, and downright cunning. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

This is not my first Mark Edwards read. He still writes a super suspense thriller!

Adam and Ruth are house-sitting for their friends. A young woman arrives at the door - she says that she is a friend of the house-owners and hoped that they would be home. It is pouring rain outside, so Ruth and Adam invite her (Eden) in .They talk about Jack and Mona (the house-owners) and Eden is friendly. They invite her stay.
Stay Eden does...

A wonderfully written story with plenty of suspense. A true page-turner! Recommend!

Many Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK , Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a great read.

Another brilliant book from Mark Edwards, I absolutely loved it, could not put it down! Such a chilling story with plenty of twists, definitely worth reading!

Thanks to Netgalley for a preview of this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed it & read it in a day.

Ruth & Adam are house sitting for friends of theirs in NYC.

Eden turns up on the door one there soaked from a summer storm. It is from there that things begin to change for everyone.

It is a thrilling & gripping read & has excellent twists. The characters are credible & the story line is fast moving & exciting. It is a great read & will keep you gripped.

LOVED this book, but in all honesty wasn't crazy about the ending, which is the reason for awarding four stars vs five. It was totally gripping and has all the components of a great read. Definitely recommend,

Wow! I am a huge fan of Mark Edwards and honestly believed he could not beat his Magpie series of books which I loved but wow I was surprised. This book is totally dark and twisted and with today’s newspapers full of stories of cults and secret organisations over the year this book brought it out in a fresh and scary way and makes me hope this get made into a film as I would love to see this story on the big screen. The main characters or Ruth, Adam and the mysterious Eve I found captivating and the story kept me hooked right to the last page. I’m quite sad the book had to end if I’m honest.