An Inviting Premise….
An inviting premise draws you in to this splendid whodunnit set within the wonderfully atmospheric, Gothic feels of Raven Hall. A well drawn and well crafted cast of characters, an intriguing storyline with secrets old and new. The dual timeline works well and the layers of mystery and twists and turns within are all very enjoyable. Engaging reading,

I’ve tried with this one but just couldn’t get into it, so disappointed with myself as I hate to leave a book unfinished but this one doesn’t seem to be for me, I can’t explain why but I’m just not taken to it.

In 2019 - Eight strangers, one deadly invitation.
‘ You are cordially invited to a murder mystery at Raven Hall’ .... and Sadie Langton accepts a job with the company as one of the actors.

In 1988, Beth squeaks with excitement at her first view of Raven Hall to the irritation of Aunt Caroline. Beth has been in a children’s home following her parents death as Caroline is taking an unholy amount of time to adopt her. In the interim she’s taking her to the Hall as companion to Leonora Averell and Markus Meyer’s daughter Nina. The storyline alternates between the two time periods which works well.

First of all, I really like the majority the book. The Fenland setting for the Hall is fantastic and the area gives numerous opportunities for atmosphere and some creative aspects to the storytelling as Nina and Beth enjoy what it has to offer. The Hall is a great backdrop for the obsession, jealous machinations of some characters which leads to tragedy and a big air of mystery surrounding it. Right from the start Beth detects there’s something furtive and shifty going on, a feeling which grows. There are several prickles of unease in which are really good and add to the escalating drama and tension. There are some very strange scenes which leave you scratching your head trying to figure out the puzzle in both timelines but the murder mystery set up is bizarre from the get go. In the 1988/89 timeline outsider Jonas clearly sees that Raven Hall is not normal, it feels unstable and fragile with things built on sand and in her heart so does Beth. In places you could cut the tension with a knife, it’s exciting and also dangerous and as the book progresses disbelief suspenders are required as the plot twists are certainly imaginative! It’s called fiction for a reason!

In the second half the pace slows at times and you just have to go with it because it does offer characters and readers the chance to be reflective on what you know or think you know. I do feel it loses something as it reaches a conclusion, my hopes are for something a bit more after how great the build up is. I think it’s a bit underwhelming and far fetched, it’s Christie-esque in tone but doesn’t quite live up to Agatha’s mastery of the cozy mystery but other readers may well love it.

Overall though, despite a few negatives I do enjoy this novel. It’s a clever psychological thriller with multiple layers. I especially like the earlier timeline but I like the puzzle you’re presented with in both and trying to spot the clues.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Little Brown Book Group for the arc in return for an honest review.

"The Perfect guests" is a story of an evening of murder mystery taking part in a remote stately home in the Fens. At the same time we follow a story of a girl living in the same house forty or so years earlier. There are dark secrets coming to life concerning the past of the house and its inhabitants. Sadly. although the book was a quick read it, the plot was too unrealistic for me, and the murder mystery part was only used to explain past, as there was no real substance to it.

Unfortunately this book did not work for me, it lacked intrigue and the plot was unbelievable and at times very confusing. I’m afraid I won’t be recommending this one.

I very nearly gave up with reading this as it just wasn't holding my attention & I found myself getting confused as so much was happening, but I'm glad I persisted as although the first half half was extremely slow & tedious, it picked up into a fast paced thriller/family drama.

Very well executed & played out across two timelines. Full of secrets, lies & revenge, this was a dark, twisty read which I enjoyed.

Many thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in return for my honest review

𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 3½ ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴

I really wanted to like this book, since the blurb is fascinating, but I could not get in it.

The twists felt unbelievable and almost forced, I did not enjoy this as much as I had hoped

#ThePerfectGuests #NetGalley
Mind blowing story.
Welcome to Raven Hall. Would you like to play a murderous game? If yes, you're at the right place.
After years of abandonment, Raven Hall has been restored to its former glory. For one night only, it is playing host to an evening of murder mystery. The guests have gathered. The roles have been cast. But someone is playing a sinister game, one with devastating consequences. And as the guests are about to discover, the truth is much darker than fiction.
Eight strangers.
One killer.
Can you guess?
Raven Hall is waiting for you.
Go and play.
I loved this book from starting to ending. This is her best work.
Thanks to NetGalley and Piatkus for giving me an advanced copy of this book.

2.5 stars

I appear to be in the minority with this one,of not really getting on with it.
Each twist just seemed more unbelievable than the last,and the whole thing was just a bit over the top for my liking.