An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena @PamelaDormanBks #bookreview #thriller
Title: An Unwanted Guest
Author: Shari Lapena
Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books
Publication Date: August 7, 2018
Page Count: 304
My rating: 4 stars
About the book:
The twisty new thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of The Couple Next Door and A Stranger in the House
A weekend retreat at a cozy mountain lodge is supposed to be the perfect getaway . . . but when the storm hits, no one is getting away
It’s winter in the Catskills and Mitchell’s Inn, nestled deep in the woods, is the perfect setting for a relaxing–maybe even romantic–weekend away. It boasts spacious old rooms with huge woodburning fireplaces, a well-stocked wine cellar, and opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or just curling up with a good murder mystery.
So when the weather takes a turn for the worse, and a blizzard cuts off the electricity–and all contact with the outside world–the guests settle in for the long haul.
Soon, though, one of the guests turns up dead–it looks like an accident. But when a second guest dies, they start to panic.
Within the snowed-in paradise, something–or someone–is picking off the guests one by one. And there’s nothing they can do but hunker down and hope they can survive the storm.
While the story within the pages of An Unwanted Guest isn’t exactly a new one it is an addictive read. I’ve seen this plot several times over the years with strangers coming together and the murders begin but it never really gets old.
Mitchell’s Inn is located deep within the woods in the Catskills making a wonderful getaway destination. This particular weekend several guests are scheduled to arrive just as a snow storm is taking place.
After everyone is settled in they find themselves truly cut off from the rest of the world due to the weather but a few could definitely use the cozy time. No one ever thought the weekend would turn into the devastation that it did all beginning with the first body found at the stairs in what looks like an accident at first glance.
The beginning of this one is a bit jumbled as introductions are made to the various players in the deadly game of chance. However, once getting to know everyone and the action truly begins the fear and paranoia sets in and just oozes off the pages of the story. Any one of the guests or staff could be a killer so the reader needs to sort through the twists and turns to get to the satisfying conclusion.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Edelweiss.
Find this book online:
Goodreads / Amazon
About the author:
Shari Lapena worked as a lawyer and as an English teacher before turning to writing fiction. A Stranger in the House, as well as Lapena’s suspense debut, The Couple Next Door, were both New York Times and international bestsellers.
Carries Book Reviews 
I managed to get a copy of this just before it was archived. Gretchen review. I am looking forward to reading this. 😎
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Thanks Sandy! 🙂
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That was ‘great’ review. 😕
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Hehe no problem, you could always pretend it was German or something since I’m terrible with languages… 🙂
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Wonderful review. I am looking forward to reading this. I love your line, “paranoia sets in and just oozes off the pages”. Must get to this one.
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Haha thanks, it really does though since they are all trapped and pointing fingers. 🙂
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This one sounds very interesting
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It definitely was, lots of tension and suspicion. 🙂
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My kind of book
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🙂
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Awesome review Carrie! I just requested it.🤞🏻
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It was a download over at EW when I picked it up. Those tend to get me in trouble when I can skip the whole click and wait process. LOL
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Ha! I just realized I got it as well from EW.🤦🏻♀️
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I’ve learned that any Penguin related check there first before requesting because a lot end up downloads. 🙂
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Good to know!
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Hey, speaking of downloads… Were you reading the Delphi triology? I just found the third book read now on NG. *happy dance*
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I read the first book and liked it, but somehow I missed the second one.
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Ah ok, I’ve really liked this series and was surprised they made grabbing book 3 easy this time.
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This one sounds really good. The premise reminds me of Mark Edwards, The Retreat. Glad you enjoyed this read, Carrie. Great review!
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Thanks Diana! I’ve read some others that were similar and there’s been lots of movies with the same idea but it never gets old trying to figure out the killer. Professor Plum in the study with the knife! 🙂
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Enjoyed your review Carrie. It’s true that this mystery concept isn’t new, but it can still be executed well. I’ve heard good things about this one. Thx for reviewing. ( :
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Thank you! Even with seeing that type of story before it’s always fresh trying to figure out just who the culprit will be. 🙂
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I’m glad to know this book is an addictive read 😊 can’t wait to read it! Great review Carrie!
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Thanks Jasmine! 🙂
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