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Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of this title.

A Christmas setting can add an extra layer of tension to a thriller, but this one never came together for me. The story moves between Marguerite’s perspective in the past and multiple perspectives in the present, gradually revealing how the past connects to the events unfolding at the house. There were a few well-executed twists along the way, and I appreciated how the different timelines slowly filled in the bigger picture.
My biggest issue was that the story was slow from beginning to end. I also struggled to connect with the characters. None of them were particularly likable, and the triplets were so unpleasant, even toward each other, that it was difficult to become invested in their relationships. Noah came across as awkward and bumbling throughout, while Cliff was an especially difficult character for me. Although he is thirty-one, the way he was written often made him seem much younger, and I found that characterization distracting.
I also felt like several subplots didn’t add much to the overall story. Noah’s relationship with his stepsister, Ruby, along with the smaller storylines involving Alistair and Dylan, felt more like filler than meaningful additions to the mystery. Instead of building tension or developing the characters in a satisfying way, they slowed the story even further.
There were moments where the mystery pulled me back in, particularly when some of the twists were revealed, but they weren’t enough to overcome the slow pacing or my lack of investment in the characters. The ending also felt rushed and ultimately unsatisfying, leaving me wishing the story had spent less time on unnecessary detours and more time delivering a stronger payoff.
If you like dual timelines, dysfunctional families, and Christmas-set thrillers, then you may enjoy this book. #NetGalley #TheChristmasGuest