Tis’ the season for holiday-themed reading! Peter Swanson’s novella, The Christmas Guest, has all of the necessary elements for a holiday story — an old manor house in the Cotswolds, a large family gathering for Christmas, and a murder mystery. (Haha!) Ashley Smith is an American art student studying in London. She accepts an invitation by a fellow student, Emma Chapman, to spend the holiday break with her family at their country manor house. The setting is idyllic as she settles into her private room in the mansion, surrounded by Christmas decorations, cozy fireplaces, and even a pub in the nearby village. Ashley starts to develop a crush on Emma’s brother, Adam. The story takes a mysterious turn when Ashley learns that Adam is suspected of the recent murder of a local woman.

Ashley’s holiday in the Cotswolds is recounted in her diary thirty years later. The Christmas Guest is a good novella that ticks all the boxes for what I enjoy in a holiday-themed murder mystery. It also embodies the qualities of a Peter Swanson book that I like — suspense, well-executed twists, and a surprise ending. I borrowed the audiobook from my local library with the Hoopla app. Esther Wane did a great job narrating, but I wasn’t a big fan of the narration production. The story is primarily told through diary entries, which added an old-fashioned and distant feel to the recording. I appreciate the producers’ efforts to create a unique audiobook experience. Overall, it was an enjoyable holiday read.

Feel free to take a peek at my review for another Peter Swanson novel, which I’ve linked below.

Before She Knew Him

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