American art student Ashley Smith studying in London in 1989, is surprised when she is invited to spend Christmas with fellow student, Emma Chapman, at her family’s country house, Starvewood Hall, in the Cotswalds.. They are more acquaintances than close friends, but nevertheless she is delighted to accept rather than spend Christmas alone in London. There she meets Emma’s handsome brother Adam and is enchanted by him, although she later learns he is a suspect in the murder of a young woman he was dating in the village. Emma is adamant he is not guilty and reassures Ashley that she is safe at Starvewood Hall, although she is later scared by a strange person lurking in the nearby woods.

Thirty years later, a woman is reading a diary of the events that occurred at Starvewood Hall that Christmas. It’s a deliciously dark and evil tale and one that will eventually come back to bite the perpetrators. At 140 pages, it’s a quick and gripping gothic novella, perfect for a wintery Christmas read.

This novel presents a narrative that showcases the author's skill in crafting intricate stories with multiple timelines. The writing is notably sophisticated and engaging, drawing readers into a layered narrative.

However, the book may divide readers. While some may appreciate the unconventional storytelling and find it intellectually stimulating, others might be disappointed by the narrative's direction and resolution. It's a tale that challenges traditional storytelling norms, which could either be a refreshing change or a point of contention for readers.

In conclusion, this novel is an ambitious exploration of narrative techniques, displaying the author's writing prowess. It offers a captivating experience, but its unique approach may not resonate with everyone, making it a matter of personal taste.

The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson
I give this book 4.25 stars.

Ashley Smith is invited to spend Christmas with her classmate's family including her friend's twin brother Adam at their Cotswolds Manor House.
But is there something strange about the old house, both stately and rundown? What could the motives of the mysterious Chapman family be? And what holiday horrors might be lying in wait?

A Christmassy novella with a difference ……
It’s a thriller! It starts with a Christmas Carol quote to get you in the festive mood.
l really enjoyed the diary entry sections.
A short gothic story wrapped up with family and secrets and tied off with a twist.
Can Christmas be creepy………with this author it can!
With thanks to Netgalley,Peter Swanson and Faber and Faber for my chance to read and review this

This is a cleverly delivered story of events taking place 30 years earlier and their repercussions. It opens in the present with a woman - alone on Christmas day - pottering around her house going through old boxes, when she comes across an old diary. She flicks through to a section she knows well wondering (though) if she's prepared to go back and revisit that 'murderous year'.

The next part of the plot unfolds through diary entries, starting in mid December 1989 when a young American (essentially orphaned) woman studying in England is offered the chance to go and stay with a friend and their family over Christmas rather than spend it alone in London.

The diary entries offer a real sense of their author. She's enamoured by her friend's brother Adam, horrified by her friend's parents' disdain for their children, and charmed by the house and village. (And having recently been to the Cotswolds I could certainly relate!)

She soon learns a young woman (who she resembles) has been murdered and Adam is a suspect, though it seems improbably to her he'd do such a thing.

I've read a few of Swanson's books and he certainly delivers on the surprise element here; the twist taking place halfway through the book when we return to the present. And... I can't say much more than that lest I give things away.

I should mention this is only about 140 pages long so we don't get to spend as much time as I would have liked on some elements but this is a quick read and easily devoured in a sitting. There's not a lot of blood and grime but a bit more evil than your usual Christmas-themed cosy crime novel.

The Christmas Guest is an enjoyable gothic thriller - the perfect quick read for a cozy Christmas afternoon. Peter Swanson perfectly captures the mood of a Cluedo board, and what starts as a Christie-esque mystery devolves into a Stephen King night of horrors. This would be the perfect Christmas gift for someone who appreciated the macabre. Loved it.

Very quick easy novella that I blasted through in a single evening. While I felt the characters were a little flat and unmemorable, I enjoyed the atmosphere of this spooky countryside thriller. Gothic and unsettling.

Well that was a lovely early Christmas gift from Peter Swanson. I have to admit that I did not read the synopsis before requesting this one and I went in completely blind. I did not even realise that it was a novella 😆 I just saw Peter Swanson and knew that I wanted it.

What we have here is a story of American student, Ashley Smith who is thrilled to be invited to spend Christmas in the Cotswolds in England with a fellow student and their family. It is everything she imagined a family Christmas would be in England, until it isn’t. A big house, cozy fires, snow and visits to the local pub where everyone knows everyone.told through diary entries, it was a fun read.

A great short story with a Gothic feel and a crazy twist as you would expect from this author. Add it to your TBR this holiday season.

Thanks to Faber and Faber for the advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on September 28th.

It started off well but then got a bit boring during the middle and didn’t recover for me. The diary aspect was fun but then it started feeling like we are being told instead of shown. I just wasn’t invested anymore by the end.

I really wanted to love this book, but I guess it just wasn’t for me. I didn’t vibe with the writing style at all, I felt like it was too cheesy for me. I love the idea of a diary style story, but this wasn’t really gripping. I didn’t care about any of the characters or what they were going through… I guess this book just wasn’t for me, but I will definitely try this author’s other books!

#TheChristmasGuest #NetGalley
Ashley Smith, an American art student in London for her junior year, was planning on spending Christmas alone, but a last-minute invitation from fellow student Emma Chapman brings her to Starvewood Hall, country residence of the Chapman family. The Cotswold manor house, festooned in pine boughs and crammed with guests for Christmas week, is a dream come true for Ashley. She is mesmerized by the cozy, firelit house, the large family, and the charming village of Clevemoor, but also by Adam Chapman, Emma’s aloof and handsome brother. But Adam is being investigated by the local police over the recent brutal slaying of a girl from the village, and there is a mysterious stranger who haunts the woodland path between Starvewood Hall and the local pub. Ashley begins to wonder what kind of story she is actually inhabiting. Is she in a grand romance? A gothic tale? Or has she wandered into something far more sinister and terrifying than she’d ever imagined? Over thirty years later the events of that horrific week are revisited, along with a diary from that time. What began in a small English village in 1989 reaches its ghostly conclusion in modern-day New York, many Christmas seasons later.
It was really really good.
Thanks to NetGalley and Faber and Faber for giving me an advance copy.

I have to admit I'm not a big reader of novellas but when I saw this was by Peter Swanson, I was interested in reading it.
This author has been a bit hit or miss for me in the past but I'm happy to say that this was an enjoyable read for me.
I liked how the story was told through diary entries and as it is a novella the plot progressed fast.
The plot is full of intrigue and mystery, gothic vibes are there throughout. I liked the setting and felt this did add to the story.
I have to say though I am glad this was a novella and not a full length novel, as I feel like the plot would have been too drawn out with little pay off. Also all the characters are unlikeable so if I had to spend any more time with them it would have ruined my interest in the story.
Overall I found this to be a quick, enjoyable read that I would recommend.

A brilliant short read that had me drawn in right from the start! The chapters are short and keep you drawn in. Thanks for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

"The Christmas Guest" by Peter Swanson turned out to be a delightful surprise for me, primarily because I hadn't initially realised it was a novella. This oversight on my part didn't hinder my reading experience; in fact, it added an element of pleasant surprise as I zoomed through the pages.
One of the standout features of this novella is its swift and engaging narrative. Swanson masterfully crafts a storyline that moves with such speed and fluidity that it held my attention from the very first page. It's a testament to his storytelling prowess that I found myself effortlessly immersed in the plot, eagerly turning pages to uncover what would happen next.
What truly sets "The Christmas Guest" apart is the unexpected twist that is expertly woven into the narrative. This twist not only caught me off guard but also left me utterly astounded. I couldn't help but reflect on it long after I had finished the book, and it's a testament to Swanson's skill in crafting a compelling and thought-provoking story.
Despite being a novella, the length of this book felt just right. Swanson manages to pack in all the necessary elements to create a fully fleshed-out story without unnecessary filler. This concise yet impactful storytelling approach added to the overall enjoyment of the read.
As I closed the final pages of "The Christmas Guest," I couldn't help but feel thoroughly satisfied with the experience. It's a testament to Peter Swanson's talent as an author that he can create such a captivating and memorable story in a novella format. If you're in search of a quick but highly enjoyable read with a twist that will keep you pondering long after the last page, then "The Christmas Guest" is a perfect choice. I really wish I could enjoy this book for the first time all over again!

The Christmas Guest is a perfect read for the Christmas season, you are instantly grabbed by this novella from Peter Swanson. A woman remembers a Christmas where she and a friend return to her family home, a perfect country house mystery for the Christmas season.

A good Christmas short story very well written and I was involved in the storyline from the beginning.

Not exactly a page turner for me personally but a good solid read with well described characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Faber & Faber for this ARC.

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for this wonderful Christmas novella. I was really let down by Peter's long-awaited and most recent release "The Kind Worth Saving", but "The Christmas Guest" put him back on my must read list. The setting of the Cotswold at Christmas time might give you cozy vibes, but this book is anything but!
Our story centers on Ashley Smith, an American exchange student, attending college in London. Ashley is an orphan, and is planning on staying in London during the holidays, but her friend, Emma Chapman, unexpectedly invites her to stay at her family's manor, Starvewood Hall. Ashley falls in love with the manor, and even starts to develop feelings for Emma's twin brother, Adam. She also starts to expect something more sinister at play within the Chapman family, as Adam is expected of murdering a girl who looks eerily similar to her. Soon, Ashley finds herself starring in a Gothic nightmare... Or is she just imagining things? You'll have to check out this quick, nerve-wracking novella when it comes out on September 29th to find out if there are any sinister forces at play or just an over-active mind.

The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson

What a great book to get to read to get you into the Christmas spirit!

Ashley Smith, an American student studying in London, is invited for Christmas break to a country Estate by, Emma Chapman, one of her fellow students. Ashley is so excited to be going to a real country estate, just like the ones she has read about in books but how this holiday ends is nothing to get excited about.

I love Peter Swanson’s books! I have read almost everyone of his books and they are all five star ratings.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Faber and Faber for a copy of this eBook in exchange for an honest review

The Christmas Guest is a short Christmas-themed thriller by bestselling author, Peter Swanson. Swanson has crafted another masterpiece in this which is a testament to why he is a favorite author of mine and one who I regularly recommend. I’ve read his entire catalogue and he never fails to disappoint. While this one took a little to get fully immersed in and I wasn’t a huge fan of the diary format, I know from experience that Swanson’s ability to shock, astound and twist is well worth the wait and the patience and perseverance yet again paid off in this one. The final half of the book delivers up a chilling, dark and haunting twist that will leave you shook.

Swanson’s writing style is effortless to read and his capacity to build suspense over time offering up intrigue and mystery enough to keep you reading more. The Christmas theme in this one added an interesting tone. The Christmas Guest is a short and quick read that proves Swanson’s mastery of the thriller genre making it a must-read for fans and newcomers.

If you had asked me a year ago if I'd want to read a Christmas short thriller, I'd probably say 'Not really'.

What changed? Freida McFadden and Daniel Hurst delivered excellent seasonal shorts last year, and CJ Tudor and CL Taylor released great short story collections.

The Christmas Gift is told in part through a diary, telling of an American student, Ashley Smith, in London, she'd be alone for Christmas if not for her English friend's invitation. An invitation to spend Christmas with her family in their grand country house.

There's a lot of story here, a lot of detail and high quality character writing. I loved Ashley's romantic projections imagining she's living in a Gothic thriller m*rder mystery. It felt like a short novel rather than a novella.

I read it in September during the mini-heatwave and was longing for the wintry country house Christmas portrayed.

Peter Swanson fans will love it, it's a good original Christmas thriller very well told.

Thank to Netgalley and Faber and Faber Ltd

So much is packed into this chilling, gothic feel novella. The country manor house descritions added to the atmospheric and suspenseful tale. It is told in part through diary entries which totally captured the personality of Ashley. Overall, a well constructed tale that was absorbing as well as entertaining. Fabulous twist. Recommended. Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.