The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous

The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

January 12, 2021

NetGalley

Berkley Publishing

Mystery, thriller

304 pages

July 9, 2020

ISBN: 9780593201602

DDC: 823.92

1/10/2021-1/14/2021

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

This was a gripping suspense that used multiple narrators with alternating timelines. There is also an unexpected and unidentified narrator who interjects on occasion to had to the mystery. It is a complex story with many characters which at times can get confusing.

In July 1988, Beth Soames loses her parents in a tragic car accident while they were taking her brother to the hospital. Consequently, Beth was placed into a children's home as her Aunt Caroline traveled for work and unable to care for her. One day Aunt Caroline arrives to take Beth to live with Lenora and Markus Averelle at Raven Hall where they have a 14 year old daughter the same age. It seems Nina only has one friend named Jonas who comes to visit on his bike to go swimming. They feel Beth would be a great companion for Nina who they have secluded at Raven Hall, a manor in the isolated East Anglian fens. Beth is pleased to have the opportunity to live with a family and tries to befriend Nina who gives her weird vibes. There are many questions Beth wants to ask, like why isn't Nina allowed to go to school or leave Raven Hall?

Many years later, Sadie Langton is a struggling actress in 2019 who is intrigued when she receives an invitation to play a "party guest" Miss Lamb at a mystery dinner party at the infamous Raven Hall which has seen better days. As the guests arrive, Sadie becomes amused with the other "characters" like Lady Nightingale, Professor Everett Owl and Miss Genevieve Mouse. Aside from the odd characters, the game clues seem to be specific to each guest and not their supposed character. Suddenly, the games begins to feel freaky and personal with fear and paranoia spreading when bizarre things occur.
Apparently there was a tragedy which closed Raven Hall after someone died and the father moved abroad. The house was left abandoned and the guests are to determine who killed Lord Nightingale in his study.

I was unable to put the book the down as I was so drawn into the chaotic, eerie mystery which involved family deaths, secrets, lies, and history that throws the reader off guard when it all comes together.


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