Here's to a very scary Christmas! Told in diary entries from the past and narrated during the present time, this novella packs a lot into it's short form. For your Christmas cheer: how about a little murder? I read this in one sitting and it was so entertaining.
The atmospheric setting added to the mystique and there was tons of suspense for such a short read.
I loved Swanson’s note - like a sneak peek inside his brain on why he wrote The Christmas Guest. I was impressed with the character development and would read more little books by Swanson.

I am usually not the biggest novella fan but this one worked for me! It was a great seasonal themed read (which I always love). It was a very intriguing and gripping story that kept your attention! I will be surely recommend this one to people as a thrilling holiday read!

Perfect one sitting Christmas read! Can’t wait to gift this next year! Typically we only get hallmark at Christmas - this is a welcome change!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Every Peter Swanson book I read is more disappointing than the last. At least this one was short.

I've never read a thriller novella before but I really enjoyed this one. It was short but still did a great job of telling the story in detail and giving you plenty of twists to keep you guessing. I also loved the Christmas English country house setting.

I read this book during the holidays and found it a delightful, quick read. The pacing is excellent and hooks you into the story immediately. It took twists and turns I wasn’t expecting and was spooky without being too scary or unsettling.

short and still twisty!

This was a nice change up to all the Christmas romance... I would love to see more Christmas mysteries! Especially novellas...

And of course Peter Swanson is an auto buy for me.

This was such a refreshingly different Christmas read. I got sucked in right away and read this twisty novella in a single sitting. It was such a great change from all the holiday romances and surprised me in all the best ways. Ashley Smith has no family to spend the holidays with. So when her classmate Emma Chapman invites her to spend Christmas at Starvewood Hall, she immediately accepts. After all, what could be more delightful than Christmas at an English manor? But soon after she arrives, Ashley begins to suspect everything isn't all jolly and cheer. There is a sinister figure lurking in the woods and an unsolved murder hanging over the family. It would be impossible to say more without spoiling the surprises, but there are several twists that keep the reader intrigued. This short spooky tale is perfect to read in one sitting during Christmas time!

Many Thanks to Peter Swanson, William Morrow, and NetGalley for the opportunity.

Swanson's Christmas novella is a clever and fast-paced murder mystery with a gothic feel. There are a few unexpected twists that will keep you engaged from start to finish. If you've enjoyed Swanson's previous work, you'll definitely want to give this one a try.

I just really did not like this book. It had nothing of the Christmas spirit. I finished it hopin it woul get better - not!

Ashley Smith is studying art in London and is alone for the holidays. Her classmate Emma invites her to stay with her at her family home, Starwood Hall. Ashley quickly finds herself falling for Emma's brother Adam, who . is the prime suspect in the murder of a local woman. .Lots of twists and turns. You think it is romance and then it is a murder mystery. It is told through Ashley's point of view through her diaries years later.

This was a good read - I really enjoyed this book. I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it early and will definitely be recommending it to multiple people who enjoy these types of novels. I enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the writing by this author. I'm excited to see what the author comes out with next as I'll definitely be reading it! Thank you to the publisher for my early copy of this book!

This was such a good Christmas mystery. I just loved it. I did not see the twists coming. I loved the build up in the story. The way the story is laid out just pulled me in and made me need to know all the things. I also loved the cover of this one. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was a quick read. I unfortunately figured out the plot before the reveal so I was a little disappointed but overall it was an enjoyable read.

This was a very creepy and successful novella!

Ashley Smith is an American girl studying art in London for her junior year. She has no family after the death of her mother. Not having many choices, Ashley is prepared to spend the holidays alone when a classmate, Emma Chapman invites her to stay at her family home, Starwood Hall.

Ashley is more excited about the trip after meeting Ashley's twin brother, Adam. The days spent in Starwood Hall are full of family, games, food, and the local bars. Ashley finds herself falling for Adam. He is charismatic and spending time in his company is exciting to Ashley until she discovers that Adam is the prime suspect in the murder of a local woman who looks like her.

In the blink of an eye, this goes from being a romance to becoming a horror novel.

The Christmas Guest is an atmospheric novella with engaging characters and I couldn't wait to see how it all ended.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by William Morrow via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this and didn’t see the twist coming too far in advance. The explanation for how things worked out did go on a little bit too long however. A fun read particularly around Christmas time.
3.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this e-arc.

Peter Swanson surprised me with The Christmas Guest. I didn’t think he could top his other works, but he took this book to a new level of suspense and plot twists that will have you spinning in your reading chair!

This novella it is a refreshing break from sweet Christmas stories. Typical for the author twisted plot and interesting characters guarantee the reader a memorable time with this book.
Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for the copy.

I think this was a solid novella by Peter Swanson. It made me want to try other books by him, as I have had bad luck in the past. Novellas can be hard for me to dissect because I love alot of plot development in my story lines, but Peter definitely packed in a punch!

I loved the switch in POVs. I wasn't connected to the characters, but this was a nice palette cleanser to have as one of the last books I read in 2023.

Does Peter Swanson ever disappoint? This was the only "holiday" read I finished during the 2023 season and it was classic Swanson, with its shadowy tale and twists. I saw another reviewer refer to it as a tale that puts you in a "jolly murderous spirit"--funny and true! Thoroughly enjoyed this one, and it fit the mood of this year's season quite well.

My thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to preview this title in exchange for my honest review.