Review of uncorrected eBook file

Director Richard Bryant launched the acting career of Elspeth Bell; she became his wife, the mother of his daughter, Lillie, and, ultimately, his ex-wife. Yet, she’s come across the country to attend his fiftieth birthday party.

To her surprise . . . and discomfort . . . there are only seven guests [and Persephone] at the intimate party in Richard’s massive Los Angeles mansion. The evening is an uncomfortable mixture of innuendo, disparaging remarks, and pernicious, withering commentary.

And, somehow, when morning comes, Richard is dead.

Naturally, all of the guests fall under suspicion. Why did Richard invite these eight people? And is one of them a killer?

A cast of truly unlikable people populates this intriguing character-driven tale of power, influence, and domination. The mystery surrounding Richard’s death is a thread running throughout the story, but the narrative is less about the murder and more about the people who may or may not have committed that murder. And each of those characters manages to lie convincingly and hold their own secrets close to the vest. Nothing is quite as it seems in this captivating tale.

A great deal of the narrative is remembrances, introspective recollections, and anamnesis that provide the necessary backstory while revealing the unforeseen aspects of Richard’s life. These parts of the story are also, by their very nature, static, and do nothing to move the story forward.

Told primarily from Elspeth’s point of view, the unfolding narrative has an unfortunate tendency to take sudden jumps into the past without any indication of this for the reader. These flashbacks slowly build the backstory and reveal some of the party guests' secrets. But, even though they make for a captivating tale, readers may find the sudden shift between past and present quite disconcerting.

Some readers may find the denouement rather anti-climactic, but there is a resolution that does not leave plot points dangling and the unsettledness that underlies the narrative keeps those pages turning. [As does Persephone, who manages to create her own story within a story . . . an octopus as a pet. Hhhmm . . . .]

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Books and NetGalley
#TheLastGuest #NetGalley

I went into this book hoping I would love it but unfortunately it was EXCESSIVELY detailed and I just could not get over the amount of information as well as the jumbled skipping around I never knew what would come next. Not a fan.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. I did not enjoy this book. There were too many people not to like (all of them) and it was probably due to my own bias and prejudices ( infidelity, domestic violence, alcoholism, IV DRUG USE). Penelope was the most interesting character and was the one reason I stuck with the book. It was a mystery but very convoluted. Written in more than one timeline, using flashbacks to the time of the murder, made it difficult for me to follow. The writing was good and thus, I give it 3 stars, even though I personally did not like it.

Everything about the premise of this book caught my attention: the glamorous setting, the Agatha Christie-esque plot, the octopus. However, the story itself wasn't as intriguing. It starts off slow, with a lot of overly descriptive narration and bland characters. I kept reading, hoping it would pick up, but eventually I lost interest.

Elsbeth, a retired actress, has come to LA to attend a fiftieth birthday party for her ex-husband. When she arrives at his home she learns there are only seven other guests, all of whom with one exception, were part of his last film. During the course of the evening a catered dinner was served strangely and everyone appears to be drinking excessively. In the morning when Elsbeth wakes up on the floor she sees that her ex is dead. There is much more than this simple introduction to the plot. The present (basically the night of the death and the investigation) and her life with him are covered thoroughly as is her speculation about his pet octopus. It begins slowly and suddenly the reader (me) finds themself reading a bit more and a bit more until they’ve finished the novel in one sitting. Thanks to Net Galley and Ballantine for an ARC for an honest review.

"The Last Guest" felt like a promising thriller, but it was kind of a dark slog. Drug use, marital abuse, murder?, lies.....it's a lot.

The Last Guest by Tess Little is a suspenseful murder mystery with nods to Agatha Christie. A locked room, a birthday part with guests who didn’t particularly like the host, an ex-wife and an unexpected octopus make for an unusual set up. However, right from the start you want more details. But, you are left with more questions than answers.

I would be remiss if I did not mention more about the octopus, Persephone. Such interesting details. You will want an octopus of your own, or maybe not.

This book is full of flawed characters who have secrets galore. Just when you think you have something figured out you find out you were mistaken, The characterization, plotting and storytelling are simply masterful, Little has produced an outstanding murder mystery.. You will be shocked when all is not as it seemed. Carve out some time as you will not be able to stop reading once you get started.

I was provided a free advance reader copy from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books in exchange for my honest review on Net Galley. The opinions shared in this review are my own.

Have you ever seen that show Hollywood on Netflix? I have always wanted to visit the past just to visit old school Hollywood. This was weird, fun, unorthodox, and like watching old school Hollywood in action. I haven't read many books by Agatha Christie, but from all the comparisons with her books to this one, I may have to start.

I felt strong Agatha Christie vibes as I was reading this excellent closed room mystery telling the story of a Hollywood director’s murder and the long list of suspects that were present during his last party. A great story!

Eek! I was so excited to receive The Last Guest as I was previously denied and had to request a "wish for it" . I was unable to hide my excitement when it was gifted to me! I mean come on, look at this cover!

After reading the description I instantly knew I had to get my hands on this book!

At times I would describe the plot as a bit slow, the characters under developed and more of a slow burn.

I thought the octopus was a cool spin and it definitely grabbed my attention!

I would not be able to say this was a suspenseful novel but as many of you will notice while reading, it definitely has an Agatha Christie vibe that is definitely enjoyable. I am not sure this book was for me, as I more or less tend to gravitate toward nail biting suspense, but that does not mean its not for everyone! This is an easy beach read that flows nicely.

This one is hard, because I was expecting so much more and it started so good, but sort of fizzled and wasn’t what I expected. Overall, it was okay, but it was hard to get through and just tedious to finish. I think it could’ve been so much more, especially being a locked room thriller, which I love, but it didn’t feel like much of a thriller. Don’t know if I would recommend this to many, as I just don’t think it provided what I was hoping for, but could be my mood!

There are many novels that feature a murder mystery with a typical cadre of nefarious suspects. There are fewer books that delve into the characters so deftly. In Tess Little's "The Last Guest," the action unfolds primarily in the Hollywood Hills mansion of famed director, Richard Bryant. Richard has organized a 50th birthday for himself and has invited eight guests to share in the festivities. By the morning, Richard is dead and the eight guests are all murder suspects.

The novel is cleverly divided into three acts instead of chapters and is told through the point of view of Elspeth Bell, Richard's ex-wife. As Richard takes Elspeth around to introduce her to the other guests, she notes that "There were smiles both warm and empty and, I noticed a smatter of annoyance at my presence..." Richard's mansion is replete with architectural drama including a two story aquarium which is home to his pet octopus, Persephone, who he is unnaturally obsessed with. Elspeth is clearly very uncomfortable in these surroundings and regrets accepting the invitation.

For long stretches of this novel, there are flashbacks to the past and we learn that many of the suspects had clashed with Richard at some point in their lives and had a motive to kill him. Little is deft at shifting attention among the characters sprinkling in sharp dialogue that is extremely well written. This is what elevates the book above the typical murder mystery.

"The Last Guest" will linger in your mind, long after you turn the last page. There are many intriguing moments throughout the book, especially learning that Persephone can sneak out of her aquarium through a drain pipe. Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.

I was so excited to read this book, and I had high hopes for a twist at the end. I enjoyed the book and the back and forth between present time and the past. However, I was a bit disappointed with the ending. I was hoping the "murderer" would have been more twisting and exciting. I found it anticlimactic and was hoping for something deeper and more surprising..

A thrill to the end. Spellbinding, Edge of your seat tale you won’t want to put down! This one has it all.

An old-fashioned dinner party murder mystery with a modern twist, an eerily mysterious octopus and a plot that kept me guessing to the end made this book a fascinating read! The character development was stellar and kept me turning those pages. I was completely absorbed in this smart and disturbing whodunit.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for access to this arc.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you so much NetGalley, Ballantine Books and author for this amazing granted wish!

Guest are enjoying themselves while at a glamorous birthday dinner, at a big mansion in Hollywood Hills.
But suddenly the guest finds themselves in a whirlwind when the famous host Richard Bryant turns up dead!
Actress Elspeth Bell, Richards ex wife and eight other guests even Richards pet octopus Persephone become suspects. But why were these other guests even invited? As this mystery and murder starts to unravel and dark stories from Richard's past surface, colliding with Elspeth's memories of their marriage begin to surface she starts to wonder who is behind this?

When I seen locked room mystery... I had to try to at least get approved!

This engaging story will grab you and keep you scanning the pages!
A classic whodunit with great characters and a story that will leave you with your jaw on the for!
I know I was drawn and engaged to these characters. What I enjoyed the most would be this story.
Its so interesting, compelling, intriguing, terrific. I could go on!
The plot was done so very well. I couldn't have been have happier with this book!
I enjoyed it alot! And I'm looking forward to reading more from Tess Little!

Will post to my Goodreads and Bookstagram account closer to pub date! :)

The reviews I'm reading on this one describe it as bogged down and centered on the most boring person, but, for myself, I couldn't disagree more. I think, and maybe this is the effect of the octopus, it's breathtaking.

I liked the idea of this book, but found it to feel a little “done” or unoriginal when I got into it. Not bad but not necessarily memorable either.

This quirky, spooky book is Mulholland Drive meets Agatha Christie, with a cameo by My Octopus Friend.

This is a moody, languid story, not so much a traditional locked room mystery (although it has all the required elements) - but more of a character study and an examination of a Hollywood marriage. Richard, a famous and demanding film director, has a party for his birthday, inviting only an odd and select group of guests, including his ex-wife, Elspeth. As a tragedy unfolds, we learn bit by bit about Elspeth’s marriage, Richards aggressive style of working, and the circle of suspects, all of whom were affected deeply by Richard both personally and professionally.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes stories about Hollywood; weird, moody movies; and octopi. Yes. Octopi. Because an octopus plays a significant role.

The book is a bit slow getting where it is going, but I really enjoyed the feel of the writing and the issues it examined. I think it could have had a bit of a stronger ending to the whodunit, however, I loved the very last line. 375 stars.

Thanks to Random House, Ballantine, he author and NetGalley for this unique read.