I had never heard of Peter Swanson before I got an advance copy of this novella from NetGalley, but now that I’ve read it, I’ll be looking out for all his other books.

This short but gripping tale has all the trappings of the traditional Christmas mystery: country manor house (it takes place mostly in England), cozy pubs, family, snow, some romance, and, of course, murder. It’s hard to summarize without giving away too much, but let’s just say that an American studying in London is invited to a classmate’s home for Christmas, and sinister things begin to happen.

It’s very well-written and packs a nice jolt midway through. Although it didn’t end as I expected, it was a great day’s read and, as I said, I’ll be reading more Peter Swanson in the future.

This is not your average Christmas mystery - Peter Swanson collects tropes from far and wide, spinning a cozy holiday story into a sinister gothic thriller.. The story follows an American student living in London, whose classmate invites her to join in the family's annual Christmas holiday at a storied English manor. Strange happenings soon strike, and the protagonist begins to question her safety. The Christmas Guest is a quick, bite-size thriller that lacks true depth but nonetheless packs a punch. I was truly thrown by the twist unveiled in the second half, which always raises a mystery in my esteem. If you like your holiday novels low on the cheeriness and high on the suspense, this clever take on a traditional story will add some spice to the winter season.

Thanks to Net Galley , publisher William Morrow for this early read of The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson. I always enjoy his books and looking forward to read a short. Christmas story.Ashley Smith is the main character who keeps a journal. I was confused at the first part of the book but as the second part begins the twists and background for Ashley’s visit to Starvewood with a friend for Christmas. A girl was murdered that looked just like Ashley, many assuming it was Adam her friends twin brother! A classic twist and turn murder mystery for the holidays. I will give it as a gift for someone who enjoys a quick mysterious read!

I always enjoy Peter Swanson's books, however, this one took a little plodding through - but, it was worth it in the end! I gave it 3 stars only because this "novella" took awhile to get through because there wasn't a lot of action happening until Part 2.

Swanson is very hit or miss for me, but this was a hit. It's a great, quick Christmas mystery tale, in the proper English tradition (think P. D. James' Christmas stories, but with a modern twist).

It can be hard to find a good short story that feels complete, but doesn't feel rushed or too light on details, but Peter Swanson has pulled it off. This one also hits the sweet spot of being suspenseful and creepy without a lot of graphic violence. With its Christmas setting and Halloween vibes, the October release date is perfect and it's short enough that I'll probably re-read it.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advanced readers copy.

Anything Peter Swanson writes is phenomenal and this is no different! Oh, I loved the two different timelines! It was such a great Christmas themed mystery! I would highly recommend this novella to thriller and traditional mystery readers alike!

This short Peter Swanson novella was actually an enjoyable read. Better then his last one, shesh...it was not good lol

The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson is not a cozy Christmas mystery, although it does have several of the same elements. Old family estate, small village, visits to the pub. However, don't be fooled. The Christmas Guest is a creepy Christmas thriller. American Ashley, a freshman at college in London, is thrilled to be invited to stay with her new friend Emma and her family over the Christmas break. She is ready for her real life Christmas romance. At first it seems like that is exactly what she is getting. Emma's twin brother is charming and handsome and seems to be falling for Ashley in a big way. But then Ashley sees a sinister figure in the woods.
I won't give away the ending except to say that there are several twists and turns. It was a great spooky Christmas ghost story - the perfect antidote to the many saccharine-sweet books that come out every December.

This was not at all what I was expecting!. I apparently didn't read the blurb because I thought this was going to be a happy story. Nope. Definitely not. Murder, deception, lies. Didn't get very far before the story turned weird so skipped ahead a good bit, tried again, skipped some more and decided definitely not for me. Sorry. Guess if I'd been in the mood, maybe. Definitely a DNF.

One of the worst books i’ve read in years. I finished it, but only because it was short. Really badly written, sorry to slag the author but it was not literature.

First line: Since I have no family of my own, I am yearly asked by friends and colleagues to their homes for the Christmas holidays.

Summary: American student, Ashley Smith, is studying abroad in London. It is Christmas and she is alone. Her mother died a few years before and never knew her father. She imagines a quiet holiday in the big city until she is invited by a new friend to her family’s home in the Cotswolds. Excited with the prospects of having a truly English Christmas she quickly accepts. Upon arrival she is instantly impressed with the house, the village and especially her friend’s brother. As the days pass she falls into the family routine and deeper into her crush for Adam. But when she hears that Adam is a suspect of a recent killing she doesn’t know what to believe about him. Has she been fooled by this handsome English boy or is there someone else lurking in the woods around Starvewood Hall?

My Thoughts: This was a hard book for me to review. I was waffling between 3 and 4 stars. I did not like the first half of the book with the diary entries. I know that the main character is a nineteen year old girl but it was just annoying to read at points. It did feel very juvenile which I applaud the author for achieving since that was the goal but I did not like it too much. However, the second half throws everything on its head. I loved this bit with the twists and background for the first half of the story. And then when you discover the reason behind the title it gave me goosebumps. Part of it felt a little corny but I was in for it at this point. This would definitely be a perfect read for a cold night at Christmastime. It could easily be read in one sitting with a cup of tea and a warm blanket.

A young woman plans to spend her Christmas alone but receives an offer from a friend to come to her home - which is huge.
A romance is included in what seems to be an idyllic family and village. However, she discovers that the man is involved in a serious crime.
The novella turns into a gothic mystery. It is full of twists and turns and is short enough to read in one sitting.

I assume psychopaths enjoy the Christmas season too.

This short novella is told mainly through flashback diary entries.
Unknown narrator, unknown victims, unknown consequences, it’s all there.
Peter Swanson does his signature twists and turns to make even Christmas creepy.

The Christmas Guest is the antidote to all the feel good Christmas books that come out October through December. Enjoy.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Peter Swanson and I love Christmas stories, so this gothic novella was perfect for me! Although it was short, it was well developed and full of tense family drama with a great twist. Highly recommend for a quick holiday read.

Ashley, an American student studying in London, is content on spending the Christmas holiday alone. At the last minute she is invited to spend Christmas with her classmate Emma Chapman and her family at their estate. Ashley is immediately smitten with Emma's brother Adam but realizes not all is happy in the Chapman family.
This gothic Christmas novella may be short, but it is full of family loyalty, hidden agendas, and a great twist half-way through.

When American student Ashley is invited to spend the Christmas holiday with her classmate's family at Starvehood Hall, she is overjoyed. Her previous plans had been to spend the holiday alone, in London, as she has no family of her own left.
As Ashley spends time at the Chapman home with Emma and her brother Adam, she begins to wonder if there was a ulterior motive for bringing her her. There is a lot of tension in the family... could she be here to serve as a bit of a buffer? How wonderful that she and Emma are becoming such good friends, after the rocky was they started. And even better, is there a romance starting between her and Adam?

This creepy novella has family drama, loyalty, treachery and was a delightful read.

Quick, fun read. I kind of wanted it to be longer, but it was still pretty good as it was. Perfect for Christmas season, but also any other time of year! I mean, I read it in April, and it made me yearn for December.