Christopher Bollen's Havoc delivers a wickedly delightful dysfunctional hotel page turner. The story is set in the posh but faded grandeur of the Royal Karnak Palace Hotel, nestled alongside the Nile in Luxor, Egypt, the hotel lies within spitting distance of ancient antiquities. Which play a role in the story. The novel explores the interactions between guests and employees, all shaped by their psychological dysfunctions. Maggie Burkhardt, 81, left Milwaukee to live in Europe’s fine old hotels after the deaths of her beloved husband and daughter. She’s stayed in eighteen European hotels, but mysteriously fled her last stop in Switzerland in the middle of the night, leaving behind a cloud of suspicion about her possible involvement in a guest’s murder. Everyone assumes Maggie is a sweet, kindly widow enjoying her final years. But Maggie is anything but. An unreliable narrator, she insists her purpose in life is “to change people’s lives for the better.” In reality, she has no qualms about inserting herself into others’ lives, especially when she believes they’re on the wrong path. Set during the waning days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the novel is steeped in an all-pervasive sense of isolation and paranoia. Maggie often mentions her reliance on “risperidone” (a popular antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder), debating whether to take one—or double up. As events unfold, Maggie’s true nature and motivations become increasingly clear. Maggie’s life takes a sharp turn when new mother Tess Seeger and her eight-year-old son, Otto, check into the hotel without a husband in tow. Ever the busybody, Maggie begins snooping into their lives, hoping to uncover and fix perceived dysfunctions. But her meddling sets off a dangerous chain of events. Otto, far from an innocent child, proves to be a cunning and worthy adversary. Blackmail and the destruction of personal belongings are just a few tools in his arsenal. A twisted game of cat and mouse ensues, with escalating stakes and Otto often a step ahead in their battle of wits. The last third of the novel is fast-paced and wow. There is some definite twists. This addictive psychological thrillers. I would definitely recommend this.
Thank you to NetGalley for the audioarc to preview.

A wicked and absolutely delightful psychological thriller about an elderly woman on vacation at an Egyptian hotel during COVID. The narrator does a fantastic job of depicting the main character and I was completely drawn into the story. This a slow burning, dark character study. I found it both captivating and entertaining. Readers will not see the ending coming. For fans of the Silent Patient.

Thanks to Harper Audio & NetGalley for providing an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Some have complained that this book is nasty - did y'all read the flyleaf?

Maggie Burkhardt finds herself in Egypt during the height of the COVID pandemic after having to flee another hotel under cover of night (we hear more about that later). Now ensconced in the Royal Karnak Palace in Luxor, she feels she has found a home after a year: she knows the staff, and she continues to practice her special brand of meddling, in which she "helps along" other people's relationships to their natural conclusions or other life-altering turnabouts. In the midst of one such machination, she is caught by a newcomer to the Royal Karnak - Otto, a spindly but precocious 8 year old, just arrived from France with his young mom. Otto is wise beyond his years (honestly more astute than any real life 8 year old could ever be, so prepare to suspend your disbelief), and what follows is a tense and disturbing game of cat-and-mouse that could make Hitchcock jealous.

One could see the "twist" concerning Maggie's late daughter from far off (I could anyway, although there were a few different scenarios I was mulling over), but I was confused by the ending. I suspect the author is deliberately vague so as to make us wonder <spoiler>if Maggie has concocted this entire conflict in her head or if it has really happened? Either way, Maggie's goose is well and truly cooked at the end of things./<spoiler>

This was a great book, well-plotted and tense to the point of discomfort, so it won't be for everyone. Maggi-Meg Reed surprised me with her ability to do a convincing 81 year old schemer AND a creepy child (not to mention a few capable Egyptian accents) while still maintaining a dignified narration. Chef's kiss

What a weirdly disturbing book. I figured out parts of it, but the ending surprised me, eve though I had pieced some things together. It was atmospheric and I could see the ratty old hotel as well as feel the exhaustion of the dry heat. It was an interesting read...

Christopher Bollen's "Havoc" is a gripping psychological thriller that masterfully weaves tension and intrigue into a dark narrative set against the atmospheric backdrop of a luxurious Egyptian hotel. With razor-sharp prose and an unsettling premise centered around an 81-year-old widow and a mysterious eight-year-old boy, Bollen creates a compelling exploration of manipulation and psychological gamesmanship. The novel's strength lies in its complex characters, unexpected plot twists, and the author's ability to maintain a constant sense of unease that keeps readers thoroughly engaged. While not perfect, "Havoc" delivers a provocative and intense reading experience that will appeal to fans of psychological suspense, offering a nuanced and haunting story that lingers in the mind long after the final page. A solid four-star read that showcases Bollen's exceptional storytelling skills and deep understanding of human psychology.

Not many likable characters in this book - least of all the main character. I wanted/expected to enjoy this more than I did. It had my interest enough to keep listening but I was happy to get it finished. 2.5 stars, rounded up.