The House Guest

Well written, unputdownable, and original.  A chilling story that captured my attention and did not let go!  I thought the character development was amazing!  The plot original, tense, and chilling!  Highly, highly recommend!  Preorder today, do not want to miss this one!  
Will make sure I buzz it up on all the different platforms!

The House Guest was an amazing read by I must say a brilliant author. Every book I have read is a page turner.The house guest is about a couple who house sits for a couple who has went on retreat. The house guest turns this couple lives upside down! I love the suspense I could not stop reading! I absolutely love the ending of the story. Showing exactly how everything unfolds! It's a MUST read.

Mark Edwards is one of my favourite writers and his latest novel did not disappoint!  Ruth and Adam get the opportunity to house-sit in New York while also pursuing their dreams of success and fame.  A girl called Eden turns up to the house one day claiming to be a friend of the house owners who told her she could stay in the house anytime.  Ruth and Adam let Eden stay and start to become friends with her, but is she really who she claims to be or have they made a big mistake inviting her into the house and into their lives?  What follows is a tense, chilling tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat and shock and surprise you.  It is full of twists and turns and a lot of suspense, and will thrill you right to the end.  Mark is such a talented writer and comes up with clever and gripping thrillers and interesting characters.  I can't wait for his next book!

Amazing psychological thriller. Kept me on my toes. Tons of suspense and twists and turns. Finished it in a day. Mark is a very talented author. Can't wait to read more from him.

Always happy to get a new novel from thus author. I was excited to see it here on Net Galley. 
Love his writing style and he just sucks you right in. Was a solid 4 star read from me. Interesting topic without giving anything away was another great book.



Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for an early release of this book.

Adam and Ruth are house sitting for a wealthy couple, Mona and Jack. About a week before the couple's return a young woman, Eden,knocks on the door during a rainstorm, claiming she is a friend of the owners and is allowed to stay at their house anytime. And so,Adam and Ruth,totally charmed by this enigmatic woman, let her stay. Everything goes well,until all three of them get really drunk and Adam wakes up next day all alone,no Ruth and no Eden. Stranger still, when Jack and Mona come back home they claim that they have no idea who Eden is. 
I was so hooked by this premise despite it being pretty unrealistic. Like,there is no phone at the place where Jack and Mona were staying even though it is a retreat for rich people. I cannot imagine not having any contact with the outside world and I don't have a business or an empire to run. And how Ruth and Adam just let Eden stay so casually like it is not a big deal at all only because she is charming. I don't open the door to strangers at all so that part had me very sceptical. But,these things aside, the mystery hooked me. I was desperate to know what was going on and who Eden really is. Buuuut then I found out and was hugely disappointed. Unfortunately this book had one of my least favorite topics to read or watch movies and TV shows about. Can't tell you what that is in case of spoilers though. And so the rest of the book was not enjoyable to me whatsoever. 2.5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've been unable to read this book, couldn't get it to my kindle app and so have give.n up 
.  Sorry!

Since the kindle copy could now be sent to my device. I would read and review it accordingly. The star was because I couldn't read the book, nothing to do with the author's writing.

Just putting this out there: For those who use Netgalley the PDF format may require you to use a different format to open. I used Adobe Digital PC Windows version but you will need an app to open the file. For those on the cell you can try apps like Aldiko which also should work no problem.
Once you get beyond the initial format issues you'll love this as I did because it's non stop action!
Ruth and Adam are house sitters for a wealthy NYC couple named Jack and Mona.
Seems easy enough until we learn that each characters has hidden issues and disturbing secrets.
Eden winds up in the middle of a hot mess as she claims she was allowed to stay at the home via the home owners permission.
Much like a squatter this woman just takes over the place.
Eden -Oh Eden!
What have you done!
My friends this woman is also a 'recruiter' with a mean streak.
Mark Edwards - You are the man!!
Look even the detective has issues here and low and behold many wind up dead.
But it can't be all that bad or can it?
Callum is on the prowl so be careful..as he searches for Gabriel.
This seems like a cult of sorts so watch your backs as you enter this crazy world.
Everything you want in a thriller is here : sex trafficking, madness, cults, danger, darkness, the absurd...psycho's.
"Protect one. Protect all."
I'm out...because that 'pen' thing scared the crap out of me...
More precisely this was an energetic, fast paced, edge of your seat thriller and I loved every minute of it.
Thank you to Mark, the pub, NetGalley, and all those who made this ARC possible.

it seems like a dream come true. Couple Ruth and Adam are offered the chance to housesit in New York City and they jump at the incredible opportunity. When Eden shows up on their doorstep in New York, she informs them she has been offered the house whenever she needs it. Ruth and Adam don’t feel they can turn the girl away, but is she really who she says she is. Edwards has made a real name for himself in the UK as a purveyor of thriller fiction. Americans will find much to like in Edwards who provides good solid scares

I absolutely want to read this book but am unable to download the pdf file. Will it be available to download via kindle? Thank you in advance!
Cindy Bokma

Thank you to Mark Edwards, Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for this ARC.

Unfortunately, this format is not compatible with my Kindle and I am unable to read this for a review. I am giving this a three star review, as I have read other books by Mark Edwards that I enjoyed.

Please make this format available on Kindle, or even as a PDF or EPUB.

A perfect summer. A perfect stranger. A perfect nightmare.
Yes, yes, yes. All true.
The House Guest is the chilling new psychological thriller .
No, not true. I didn't find it chilling at all.
However, this was a quick and easy read for me. It did have some twists that I didn't expect and it was well written. The characters were ok, I quite liked Adam but I didn't invest too much in any of them.
The plot worked though and like I said, it was an easy read. I did like it..

I would have loved to have read this book, I"m a fan of Mark Edwards! However, the Netgalley edition is not Kindle compatible. I rated it 4 stars, because I wanted to leave some form of feedback and I love his previous works.

Can't read this as the format is not compatible with Kindle - it opens as a word doc but is a corrupted file? I really like Mark Edwards' books so if this could be fixed I'd be delighted to read!

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon for this advanced reader's copy. I'm a huge fan of Mark Edwards so I'm disappointed that I'm unable to access this book due to its format. Please make the file compatible with my Kindle. I'm giving this 3 stars as I don't want to give this author a poor review but can't give it any higher since I can't read the book.

The House Guest by author Mark Edward is a fast, quick read! I wasn’t entirely disappointed in this, I did enjoy many parts. 

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The House Guest by Mark Edwards is an intriguing psychological drama with a storyline that keeps you hooked!

It’s fast paced with little thrills happening all the time, so this keeps you turning the pages. The characters are reasonably well developed, even the minor ones, so you get a great overall impression of all the events taking place without having to go into too back backstory for an explanation.

I enjoyed the “twist” in the middle of the book, which took the story in a different direction and then that last paragraph: just the perfect ending!

I’ve never read this author before, but he is now definitely on my authors-to-automatically-read list.

#netgalley #thehouseguest #markedwards #amazonpublishing

Action packed and such a fun read. I was completely enthralled with the story. Everyone be reading this will be captivated.

The inner monologue from the main character was canned to the point of being comical. But, I mean, it read pretty fast, so that's not all bad.

Another fab book from the genius that is Mark Edwards. Full of enough excitement & twists to keep you wanting more, leading to an ending that you don't even get an inkling of. Thankyou to Netgalley for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Protect one, protect all.

Looking back through the many Mark Edwards books I've read over the years, most of which I've rated 4 stars (with the occasional 3 sprinkled in), I'd definitely say The House Guest falls near the bottom of the group.

Although this story is written in Edwards' speedy, fun, action-packed style...which I love...the plot simply didn't hold my interest. At the beginning, I was ALL in. I mean, how creepy to invite a stranger into your home, thinking they're a friend of friends...only to find out that isn't the case at all?

I actually can't say much more than that, in fear of giving away spoilers, but the direction the story took was very meh for me. So many times, while reading, I found myself whispering, "Why would he DO that?" or "What was she thinking?" The actions of the characters seemed forced, which is something I'm so unfamiliar with in Edwards' book, is was discombobulating.

I did, however, appreciate all the research he did about NYC and living in the United States...the hard work paid off.

While this wasn't my favorite, it's still a mostly fun read, and one I'd recommend, especially if you've never read Mark Edwards novels before. You can purchase your very own copy on June 3, 2020.

**My sincere thanks the publisher for my review copy.

Ruth and Adam, a British couple, are thrilled to be able to house sit for new friends in New York City for the summer. One rainy day, a stranger appears on their doorstep, drenched from the heavy downpour outside.  The woman, Eden, is surprised not to see the homeowners, Mona and Jack, who she intended to visit.  Because she is friends with the homeowners, Ruth and Jack they should invite her in and allow her to stay, after all, she is a friend of friends.  However, things take a turn one Friday night.  Who is Eden really? 

I always enjoy Mark Edwards’ books. The pace is always good, it keeps you interested and wanting to know more, and had a satisfying conclusion.  If you like thrillers or other titles of Edwards, give this one a try! 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Woooahhh! I loved loved this book so much. There was so much high intensity, paranoia, murder, characters to hate and characters to side with, darkness, and a house sitting plot all wrapped up in one twisted package!
There were so many twists and turns and nothing predicatable!
Mark Edwards, you did it again! AND HOLY CANNOLI that ending!
Thank you Netgalley, the author and the publisher for my free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

*If you have this in your TBR, read it now! Dont wait! I promise you its going to rock your world!

'House Guest' is the new novel by one of the best psychological thriller writers about, Mark Edwards.
Ruth and Adam are summer house sitting in New York, for Jack and Mona a couple they met on a cruise. Young and in love they are having a wonderful time stopping at the house but things start to change when Eden turns up on the doorstep. Eden claims to be a friend of Jack and Mona and tells Ruth and Adam that she was invited to stay in the house whenever she was in New York. With a storm in progress Eden is asked to stay to shelter the weather.
Everything is working out well and Eden is getting on well with the young couple but suspicions are raised that she may not be who she claims to be and that they have made a terrible mistake.

This is an excellent psychological thriller with great characters, good paced plot and lots and lots of suspense. 

I would like to thank both Net Galley and Amazon Publishing UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I have read five or six Mark Edwards books in the last few months and this one is probably somewhere in the bottom middle.

I found the premise intriguing...a couple is housesitting for friends and a young woman shows up, claiming to be friends with the owners. She knows enough to be convincing and commences with havoc wreaking. 

What's not to like, right?

Except...it felt a little inconsistent and a little lightweight.

I enjoyed it enough and read it in a day, it was easy to zing through and the beginning completely grabbed me but it felt a little rushed. I'm sorry to say this because I am a HUGE fan.

I am, however, incredibly grateful to Mark Edwards, Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

Review:

Mark Edwards has a gift for writing brilliant psychological thrillers that most people would dream to have!  His newest book due out on June 3rd is no exception. 

This one takes us to the states while Adam and Ruth are house sitting for friends. Edwards details are perfection and as he weaves his fabulous tale and the story starts to come together you realize that this thriller is spectacular! His perfectly placed plot twists makes this a page turning thriller I highly recommend and if you haven’t read any of Edwards previous novels you should!

This was a very captivating thriller! It had me hooked from the beginning. The storyline of the stranger showing up at the door and claiming to be a friend of the owners and being allowed to stay whenever, seemed a bit unrealistic to me. I am excited though to see where the story went and what twists and turns were to come. The book kept me in suspense. I wish the twist of Eden was a bit different but overall I enjoyed the book. Thank you so much for the chance to read this book, netgalley!

A chilling psychological thriller that starts off with a slow burn and keeps building. 

Adam and Ruth are house sitting in NY for a couple that they met on a cruise. It is an opportunity for Ruth because she is wanting to work on Broadway as an actress. Adam is a writer trying to find his big break in NY as well. They are an ordinary, realistic couple with a flawed relationship due to their struggles of wanting to be successful.

When Eden, a young woman, shows up at the front door dripping wet on the last week of house sitting and says she is friends with the homeowners and that they have given her an open invitation to stay whenever she is in the area, the couple are unsure what to do. Ruth and Adam can't contact the owners to get approval because they are away on a retreat so they decide the girl is honest looking and agree to let her stay. This is the start to a series of events that are soon to do damage to their relationship, their work, their life and more. A clever and gripping thriller with interesting characters. Somewhat predictable but Mark Edwards always manages to pull a punch or two that is entertaining and satisfying.

Can't get enough of Mark Edwards books! They just get better and better. Chilling book with unpredictable turn half way through. Not in my wildest dreams I would imagine what was about to happen when the unexpected guest turned up on their doorstep. What a ride.. Brilliant.

Yet another fabulous book by Mark Edwards. I just couldn't put it down, as much as I told myself that I had to, I just kept reading it. In many ways this is a typical Mark Edwards book (if you are new to his books, then I recommend that you look at this page https://www.markedwardsauthor.com/new-readers-guide/), but there are some twists. The main twist is that the book isn't set in the UK. It's really good to see Mark setting a book somewhere else and I hope we will see many more set in different locations around this world as I can enjoy (as much as I hope Mark does) the challenge of his style of books being set outside the usual comfort zone. 

Unlike with some books I have read recently, Mark always does such a good job of getting you to identify with the characters. Even if they are from a completely different walk of life, he creates characters and situations which you can relate to. This allows you to sink further into the story and, even if there are aspect of the story which are more unbelievable (it is fiction after all), you are in so deep by then, that all you want to know is what happens to the characters... what could happen to you.

I love Mark Edwards’ books so much! Of course I went blind without reading the blurb or any other reviews, additional comments and I invented a new happy dance between Macarena, line dancing, Criss Cross’ “Jump! Jump!” moves to celebrate my ARC!

And of course I had a great time with this unputdownable page turner. It’s one of my easiest reads with action-packed, fast paced, high tension, riveting chapters.  It gives you the vibes of Netflix’s Osho documentary “Wild Wild Country” meets Sinner’s second season meets “Eyes Wide Shut”! Yes you got the picture! Welcome to the secret society.

Adam and Ruth, a couple, an actress and an astonishing writer in Williamsburg for home-sitting the friends’ house they’ve met on the cruise. They reminded me of the couple of “Divorce” hmm sorry “Marriage Story’s Charlie and Nicole” but this time, Adam is struggling writer who couldn’t accomplish his dreams (not yet) as Ruth slowly climbs the career ladders after her indie movie’s unexpected success. 

As they home-sit the couple’s house (Jack and Mona), a young woman named Eden appears at their door step, soaking wet, insisting that she is friend of the couple, adding she is always staying at their place when she is in NY. So without second guessing, our puffy hearted, naïve British couple believe in her story and welcome her.  
What could go so bad? She seems friendly, talkative, respecting their boundaries. And Adam is so stressful after he gets rejected several times for his writing gigs, befriending her, going to the swimming, hanging out at the pubs, taking selfies.

But the very same night, house’s real owners’ arrival, they had tequila shot party goes wild and emotional ends with dancing in the rain, meaningless giggles, hugging ceremony. And the next day, Adam realizes Eden disappeared into thin air and Ruth is also nowhere to be seen. And the worst part is as soon as Jack and Mona come back, they insist that they don’t know anyone named Eden! And they start to think, Adam lies about Eden and he is involved of disappearance of his own girlfriend.

So where did Ruth go? Did Eden kidnap her? Is Adam drugged at that night? Who is the bearded, old man spying on them at the night time?

There are too many twists, surprising realizations and tension building moments made you sit on the edge and biting your ipad, kindle or hardcopy to destroy your gums. 

Ending was also, quirky and weird. Only minor thing that bothered me was there were so many unlikeable and irritating characters on the book. ( including Ruth) As a writer I could only empathize with Adam. At least he acted decent and faithful from the beginning.

Overall: Exciting, dazzling, heart throbbing, thought-provoking, mind numbing reading. I’m rounding up my 3.5 stars to 4 ( I cut it for small plot holes and weird characterization)

I love this author’s work and I keep going blind to happily read whatever he creates.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Amazon UK for sharing this nail biter ARC in exchange my honest review.

What would you do if you were house sitting for a wealthy couple, you met on a cruise, in a gorgeous house in Brooklyn, and a very harmless looking girl shows up on the steps, in the rain? Then, she claims to be long time friends of the owners, who have offered her a room if ever she was in town. Do you leave the girl on the steps, soaking wet, on the stoop? Or, see her as kind, harmless, and wet, and let her come in and stay? 

That is EXACTLY what our protagonist does. Without ruining the story, that is the premise, and what makes this novel a psychological marvel. 

I am currently really fond of thrillers. This didn't disappoint. I was entertained, and finished this one in an afternoon.I took to snuggling up, hiding with my Yorkie, under the covers too scared to see where this was going. 

If you love a spooky thriller, I can attest, this is a great addition to your library. He is a very talented writer, who doesn't bounce around and confuse the reader with unnecessary subplots. It was well put together, and enjoyable from the beginning. 

*Thank you NetGalley, The Publisher, and Mark Edwards for giving me a free copy in exchage of my honest review.

I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. The only other book I have read by this author is his book called The Retreat and I couldn’t put that one down, it was a great read but this one I had a hard time with. The first half of the book kept my interest but then the plot went into a different direction and I had a hard time finishing, still overall a decent read and I look forward to reading more of his books.

Thanks for the ARC. What can I say? I didn't  want to put this book down once I started reading it. I did but could not wait to get back to reading it. I loved it.

The story begins with Adam and Ruth, a British couple, house-sitting in New York for a couple they befriended on a cruise, when Eden, a young woman claiming to be a friend of the homeowners shows up to stay with them.

The story has a very interesting premise and was a very captivating read for me but unfortunately midway I felt it lost it’s charm and was all over the place.

Adam is the primary narrator with a few chapters interspersed by Ruth too, Adam as the protagonist was very slow and I felt like I couldn’t really care about him.

Also halfway through a very unexpected twist and sort of an explanation came up that was quite a disappointment to me and I lost a lot of interest in the plot.

The plot is a slow burning, psychological thriller but I did not enjoy it.

Mark Edwards is one of my favorite authors and this new book of his is one of my favorites he has written. It’s so unlike any of his other novels, which is pretty cool. All his work is great, but I found this novel to be just so in its own category. I hesitate to say too much about the plot, because I don’t want to give anything away. If you love creepy, suspenseful and exciting books, you’ll love this. I read it in one afternoon- Couldn’t put it down!

I have not read a Mark Edwards book in a very long time and the description of The House Guest looked intriguing.  I loved the first 50% of the book but when the plot turn took place (no spoilers here), I thought it was a bit far-fetched and quickly lost interest.  Thank you for the advanced copy.

Another great book from Mark Edwards.
Lots of twists in book and a great ending I wasnt expecting.Kept me gripped through out!!
Throughly enjoyed after reading all his other books.
If you’re after a good thriller...Mark Edwards is your guy!
Highly recommended!

Another wonderfully, gripping book by Mark Edwards, with twists & turns. Whatever you think you know when reading, got it all worked out, you really don’t.  A mystery until the very end.......

This was my first read by Mark Edwards. I had a few on my TBR but started with this one since who doesn't love an ARC? I was in a little bit of a reading slump when I started The House Guest and wow did it get me out of it. This book had me hooked the entire read. Multiple twists and turns. My stomach still is anxious while I am reminiscing on my read and writing this. 100% I recommend this to everyone especially thriller lovers. Now I am out the door to go pick up some more books by this wonderful author

I have read most of Mark Edward's novels and find them all to be very well crafted. This latest book is no exception! It is well plotted, with interesting characters who lead us on a journey of intrigue and suspense, along with a few surprises en route. I would highly recommend this book, and would like to thank both the Publishers and Netgalley, for giving me the opportunity of reading this Arc.

This  a brilliant, refreshingly different book which had me totally hooked from page one. A young ,would be ,playwright and his beautiful actress girlfriend who is on the cusp of stardom, accept the offer of a house loan , from a couple they met on a cruise . The house, in an upmarket part of New York, is ideal, both for saving them money and for its proximity to the Broadway theatre where Ruth has been cast as the lead in an exciting new play. All is well until a bedraggled young woman , Eden, shows up claiming she is a friend of their benefactors. They cast their initial doubts aside after her convincing performance and invite her to stay. Things take a downward spiral from then on, culminating in Ruth's disappearance and incarceration in a mysterious cult . We are caught up in a frantic battle to rescue her from their clutches ..I swear I didn't breathe during the final chapters!  This is a fast paced, well written psychological thriller which will rob you of sleep !

A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I enjoyed this story very much and felt like I knew each character personally due to the description of them. I enjoyed the storyline. This is not my usual genre but in this instance I am extremely pleased and grateful for opening up my mind to something totally different. Thanks again.

I love Mark Edwards' twisty suspense thrillers so I was really keen to read this. It was a quick read, but that's about the only positive. Adam and Ruth are a British couple who are housesitting for friends in New York. A friend of the homeowners stops by and said that she was told she could come and stay with them anytime. I found the story quite gripping at first but it becomes so unbelievable that I was desperate for it to end.

Young British couple Adam (aspiring writer) and Ruth (actress staring in her first Broadway show) are staying at the house of an older couple, Mona and Jack who they met on a cruise. They answer the door to a young friend of Jack and Mona’s, Eden, who arrives in a torrential storm and blows into their lives as they take pity on her and allow her to stay. The young couple feel that as a friend of the homeowners what can go wrong?! 
From the outset it is clear that Jack is struggling as an author to make it big and Ruth has already made a name for herself. The couple and Eden get along well and one night decide to eat and drink far too much tequila and when Adam wakes the next day Ruth and Eden are gone.
The plot is action packed and fast paced. There are some excellent characters, especially Adam who tells most of the story.  
Without giving away the plot, and believe me this is an excellent unputdownable roller coaster of a read, there are twists and turns all the way. Who can you trust? Where is Ruth and who can be trusted?
Thank you to Netgalley For the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommended.

It’s a hot, humid summer in New York City. British born Adam and Ruth are housesitting for  wealthy Mona and Jack Cunningham at their large Brooklyn house while they are away. They met on a cruise where Ruth was acting in a production of The Tempest, she now has a lead role in a Broadway play, her career is taking off. Adam is an aspiring writer but is not as yet successful, so there’s an unevenness to their relationship. One night there a tremendous storm, there’s a knock at the door and there, soaked to the skin is Eden. They invite her in as their kind and she’s dripping wet. She says she knows Mona and Jack well and that they’d invited her to stay if ever she’s in New York. So Adam and Ruth do just that, after all the house is huge and there’s plenty of room. What can possibly go wrong? The story is told principally by Adam with some input from Ruth. 

I’m going to say very little about what unfolds as it will spoil the journey  for future readers but a lot of the plot is all too possible. There are perhaps one or two occasions where it strays into the zone of the far fetched but did I enjoy it? Oh yes!!! It’s a fast paced, seat of your pants, twist and turn kind of a read. It’s well written and exciting and just as you think you’ve figured a few things out there’s another revelation and ....you’re wrong!! Although not all the characters are very likeable they are well portrayed - Adam is very likeable and real. 

Overall, a thought provoking and enjoyable read. 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for the arc.

Rating: 4 🔪
Author: Mark Edwards
Publisher: Amazon Publishing
Release Date: 3rd June 2020
(Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for the free early copy!)
Synopsis:
A perfect summer. A perfect stranger. A perfect nightmare.
When British twenty-somethings Ruth and Adam are offered the chance to spend the summer housesitting in New York, they can’t say no. Young, in love and on the cusp of professional success, they feel as if luck is finally on their side.
So the moment that Eden turns up on the doorstep, drenched from a summer storm, it seems only right to share a bit of that good fortune. Beautiful and charismatic, Eden claims to be a friend of the homeowners, who told her she could stay whenever she was in New York.
They know you’re not supposed to talk to strangers—let alone invite them into your home—but after all, Eden’s only a stranger until they get to know her.
As suspicions creep in that Eden may not be who she claims to be, they begin to wonder if they’ve made a terrible mistake…
The House Guest is the chilling new psychological thriller from the three million copy bestselling author of Here to Stay and Follow You Home.

My Thoughts:
This is my first ever Mark Edwards and wow what a first impression. I'll definitely be grabbing his other titles after this. So, what can I say? Mark Edwards has a great skill at writing a masterful psychological thriller. The book starts slowly, but not in a boring way... it's a slow, burning, suspenseful build up drawing the reader along expecting "something" to happen at any moment, not knowing where it will come from or what to expect... it's phenomenal. Then when the "something" happens it takes a while before the full severity of the "something" is revealed, but once it is - BANG!! - your socks are officially knocked off, 'what the heck' is all I could think. 
The characters are wonderful. Adam and Ruth are really relatable, realistic characters with a beautifully flawed relationship and insecurities like everyone else. I found them such down to earth and lovable characters. I love characters that have human flaws and insecurities that make them seem more realistic, more interesting and more rounded. Edwards definitely puts all these qualities into his characters and even lesser characters such as 'Greybeard' and even Eden have these qualities too. 
The book is a delight to read and does the slow-burn really REALLY well. I couldn't recommend it enough, and I can't wait to try more of Mark Edwards books in the near future.

Reading a new Mark Edwards is always a treat. The author has a wonderful way to pull the reader into the world of his protoganist(s) . This time around, the setting in New York city and the protoganist in an English scriptwriter called Adam and his girlfriend an actress, Ruth. They are housesitting for friends when a woman arrives on their doorstep, looking for the owners of the house. As it is pouring rain, they invite Eden inside for a few moments. This is their first mistake - and will prove fatal. But will them for someone else?
The story continues in a twist manner and it is difficult for the reader to determine if we can really trust Adam. Even as we listen to the story of what is happening to Ruth, there remain elements that do not make sense and our doubt remains. 
As a fan, I wouldn't consider this the best of Edward's books but it is still worth reading - delightfully creepy and twisty. 
I received an ARC of this book from Amazon Publishing UK via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

It was nice to read a Mark Edwards’ novel that’s set somewhere other than the UK, especially as I have recently visited New York. I was gripped from the start and finished it in a matter of day. As always I loved that the short chapters switch between each characters story, constantly leaving you in suspense and wanting to read the next chapter to get back to their story again. I had figured out that Krugman must have something to do with the cult, but this didn’t spoil the story for me at all. There were plenty of other twists and turns to keep me guessing. 

The connection with Mark Edwards’ book The Retreat towards the end was a nice touch, again linking all his stories together in an imaginary world. The Retreat was actually the first book of his that I read.
 
Also like his letter at the end of his books and the fact that a couple of characters are named after readers who have won a competition. 

All in all another brilliant novel from one of my favourite authors.

Mark Edwards does it again...a book I couldn’t put down! 
The subject took a turn I wasn’t expecting but is one of great interest in the world today.  Everybody is looking for security and a sense of belonging and it’s easy to find someone or something willing to give these things to you.  But at what price?

Ruth is on the threshold of a brilliant acting career when her and her partner Adam are offered the chance to house sit in one of New Yorks's most prestigious neighborhoods. All is going well until a young girl arrives and says she is friends with the owners of the house and that they have given her an open invitation to stay whenever she is in the area. Ruth and Adam can't contact the owners but they decide the girl is honest and no threat to them so they agree to let her stay. This is the beginning of events that overtake them and do untold damage to their relationship and much more. Another great psychological thriller from the master of this genre.

Mark Edwards has a knack for creating stories that are incredibly unique. This story was unlike anything I’ve read. He also has a way of creating a scene that almost feels aesthetic. The description of Mona and Jacks’s house was beautifully written and I could picture every aspect that was described. Mark has a way to transport you into his writings. 

This was a quick read for me, as most of his books are. As much as I wanted to savor it, I found the plot was ingenious thus making the book unputdownable. Adam, the protagonist was very relatable and likable, as was his girlfriend, Ruth. I find it hard to enjoy a book when you aren’t able to connect with some of the characters. 

This story, in a way, reminded me of something Jordan Peele would create. Something with a deeper meaning than what is on the surface. It reminded me of the Hollywood industry and how up and comings (and a lot of others for that matter) would do almost anything to get ahead and be successful. Scientology was mentioned in the story, and it had definitely had a resemblance. This topic (cults within the rich and famous) was always an interesting topic for me. 

To reiterate, The House Guest was one of the greatest reads for me, this year. As being a big fan of Mark’s, it’s great to see his literary talents broadening and his story lines coming to America. It’s nice to have a familiar setting to read and picture. This story is unique, satisfying, and downright cunning. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

This is not my first Mark Edwards read. He still writes a super suspense thriller!

Adam and Ruth are house-sitting for their friends. A young woman arrives at the door - she says that she is a friend of the house-owners and hoped that they would be home. It is pouring rain outside,  so Ruth and Adam invite her (Eden) in .They talk about Jack and Mona (the house-owners) and Eden is friendly. They invite her stay.
Stay Eden does...

A wonderfully written story with plenty of suspense. A true page-turner! Recommend!

Many Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK , Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a great read.

Another brilliant book from Mark Edwards, I absolutely loved it, could not put it down! Such a chilling story with plenty of twists, definitely worth reading!

Thanks to Netgalley for a preview of this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed it & read it in a day. 

Ruth & Adam are house sitting for friends of theirs in NYC. 

Eden turns up on the door one there soaked from a summer storm.  It is from there that things begin to change for everyone. 

It is a thrilling & gripping read & has excellent twists. The characters are credible & the story line is fast moving & exciting. It is a great read & will keep you gripped.

LOVED this book, but in all honesty wasn't crazy about the ending, which is the reason for awarding four stars vs five.  It was totally gripping and has all the components of a great read.  Definitely recommend,

Wow! I am a huge fan of Mark Edwards and honestly believed he could not beat his Magpie series of books which I loved but wow I was surprised. This book is totally dark and twisted and with today’s newspapers full of stories of cults and secret organisations over the year this book brought it out in a fresh and scary way and makes me hope this get made into a film as I would love to see this story on the big screen. The main characters or Ruth, Adam and the mysterious Eve I found captivating and the story kept me hooked right to the last page. I’m quite sad the book had to end if I’m honest.

"A perfect summer. A perfect stranger. A perfect nightmare.

When British twenty-somethings Ruth and Adam are offered the chance to spend the summer housesitting in New York, they can’t say no. Young, in love and on the cusp of professional success, they feel as if luck is finally on their side.

So the moment that Eden turns up on the doorstep, drenched from a summer storm, it seems only right to share a bit of that good fortune. Beautiful and charismatic, Eden claims to be a friend of the homeowners, who told her she could stay whenever she was in New York.

They know you’re not supposed to talk to strangers—let alone invite them into your home—but after all, Eden’s only a stranger until they get to know her.

As suspicions creep in that Eden may not be who she claims to be, they begin to wonder if they’ve made a terrible mistake…"


This book took me on quite a ride! I have read several Mark Edward’s novels in the past, and I can safely say I am a fan. I enjoyed the story from the very beginning and I was fairly sure I knew where it was heading, but a third if the way through it went in a completely different direction than I was anticipating! The first of many plot twists. It got pretty dark and shocking at times, and I was 100% there for it! Edward's writes characters that are so believable and relatable that I could really feel the paranoia, desperation and frustration that Adam was going through. It really was a case of Trust No One! 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It kept me guessing all the way until the end and the twists just kept coming. 

If you have not read Mark Edwards before and want to try one on his other books out while waiting for The House Guest to go on sale, I recommend last years Here To stay and my personal favourite Because She Loved Me.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Amaon publishing for sending me the ARC in exchange for an honest review

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* So this was a really good thriller BUT I read this book in two days and omfg I found myself so annoyed with so many characters!!!! just like ahh!! I felt like I was watching a scary movie where the whole time youre just screaming at them like NO STOP THAT. DONT DO TH-. OH YOU DID IT. NOW LOOK WHAT YOU DID. WHY. And I mean it wasn't really unrealistic bc that stuff DOES happen but just !!!!!!! tbh tho wasn't bad, was going to give 4 but id consider reading it again eventually and would recommend for sure.

The House Guest by Mark Edwards Thanks @netgalley @markedwardsauthor and @amazonpublishing for my arc
Publication date 3rd June 2020
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Mark Edwards couldn’t possibly get any better in my eyes but he’s done it again! The House Guest is another incredible modern day nightmare. No fear of spoilers here, I went into those book blind, going by the author alone, thinking it was going to great. And it really is. Fantastic. I highly recommend you read everything by this author. 🖤

This book was an interesting ride....not necessarily a bad one but not one of my favorite Mark Edwards books either..  This book took so many turns that I did not see coming that I found myself putting this down quite a few times.  We meet Ruth and Adam who are house sitting for a couple they met on a cruise, Mona and Jack.  One night a blonde girl, Eden, shows up on their doorstep claiming to know Mona and Jack.  She stays with them for a week while getting close to both Adam and Ruth.  The night before Jack and Mona are to return the three take shot after shot of tequila and when Adam finally wakes up both women are missing.  This book takes you through twists and turns as Adam tries to find out what happened to his girlfriend and how to find her.  It shows a dark underground world that I have never been shown before in a book.  I think I would have enjoyed the book more if I knew where this book was going to end up going.  I am trying not to give everything away because it is a major spoiler.  

Thank you to netgalley and Amazon Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.  I am truly grateful.

I've quickly become a fan of Mark Edwards' books. He does a great job of taking an idea about something that people have questions about and spinning it into a great story.

Adam and Ruth are house-sitting for a couple in New York City that they met on a recent cruise. Both from the UK, Ruth is an aspiring actress and Adam is an aspiring writer. While house-sitting, Eden shows up at their door looking for the couple that lives there who are due back in a few days. They invite her in and let her stay until Mona and Jack return. It's impossible to say too much about this book without giving away the plot and twists, but it pulls you in to some serious conspiracy theories that are out there.

I finished The House Guest by Mark Edwards. Thanks to @netgalley and @amazonpublishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Because of everything going on, my mind has been scattered and it has taken longer than usual to finish this book, but I finished nonetheless. A British couple are housesitting in New York. Adam is a struggling writer and Ruth is a rising actress. One day, a stranger named Eden shows up at the door claiming to know the homeowners. Ruth and Adam offer her a place to stay and the three bond together until things get dangerously weird and it becomes clear Eden may not be who she claims to be. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
I enjoyed this book, although there were times when I did find myself unable to suspend disbelief. Some events were far-fetched and I couldn’t wrap my head around them. I loved the fact the author researched New York and the different sites here so well. As a native New Yorker myself, I really enjoyed the city atmosphere he created through his writing. I would never guess he was British himself! The first half of the book was a slow burn, but then the second half was action-packed and moved quickly.⁣⁣

This book makes me jumpy! The story is very well written and I am literally holding my breath the whole entire time. The suspense and thrill are just really high.

I was thrilled to be approved to read a copy of The House Guest as I've been a fan of the author for a while. Fast paced and well thought out plot. A real page turner! Loved the book!

I have read all Mark Edwards books so I was very excited to receive an ARC copy of this through Netgalley. As usual he didn't disappoint.

Up and coming actress Ruth and writer boyfriend Adam become friends with Jack and Mona after meeting on a cruise. Ruth is about to star in her first Broadway production and Jack and Mona need house sitters for their New York home while they are on a retreat. What could be more perfect? 

One rainy night Jack and Mona's friend Eden turns up to visit not realising they are on a retreat. Feeling sorry for her Adam and Ruth invite her in to stay anyway. After all the weather is terrible and she is a friend of Jack and Mona's, or is she? After some strange events and a boozy night Adam wakes up to find Eden and Ruth missing. Where have they gone and can he track them down? This is where the story really takes off.

I don't want to add any spoilers as I didn't know where this was going but it did have the usual twists and turns that Mark likes to add. The end had me second guessing myself as much as Adam.

Highly recomended 5 stars.

In The House Guest by Mark Edwards, Brits Adam and Ruth are thrilled to be housesitting a beautiful home in NYC for the summer. Ruth is an up and coming actress with a lead in a hot Broadway play. Adam is a less successful playwright. They both view this time in NYC as the moment they will hit it big. Ruth in acting and Adam in writing.

Until one rainy night when a young woman Eden knocks on the door. She is visiting NYC and the homeowners invited her to stay with them anytime. But they aren't home. Like good neighbors, Ruth and Adam invite her in and offer to let her stay. Like almost everyone, Eden has a story and she just needed to get away from an abusive ex. She is so grateful for a place to land with these two strangers, Ruth and Adam.

Eden assimilates into the household, but she has her oddities witnessed mostly by Adam and missed by Ruth. When Ruth disappears, Adam is hell-bent on finding her no matter what. Ruth's disappearance leaves Adam wondering how well does he know this impromptu houseguest and how well does he know the couple who welcomed them into their home?

The House Guest is a fantastic read. I was totally hooked and didn't want to put the book down. The characters are realistic and the twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat. Highly recommended.

The House Guest Review 
Title : The House Guest 
Author: Mark Edwards 
Genre: Thriller 
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 

“A perfect summer. A perfect stranger. A perfect nightmare.
When British twenty-somethings Ruth and Adam are offered the chance to spend the summer housesitting in New York, they can’t say no. Young, in love and on the cusp of professional success, they feel as if luck is finally on their side.
So the moment that Eden turns up on the doorstep, drenched from a summer storm, it seems only right to share a bit of that good fortune. Beautiful and charismatic, Eden claims to be a friend of the homeowners, who told her she could stay whenever she was in New York.
As suspicions creep in that Eden may not be who she claims to be, they begin to wonder if they’ve made a terrible mistake…”

This is my first Mark Edwards book & I must say it def won’t be my last. I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. This is the second cult book that I’ve read and it’s very intriguing. 
Downside of this book is that I felt like I was needing and wanting more. That there could’ve been more in the middle to make it more mouth opening! But overall I really enjoyed it and def recommend the read!

I have read a few Mark Edwards books, and I always find them really gripping. This book also started off really well, but went downhill halfway through. The plot became unrealistic and the ending was almost rushed. Anyways towards the end even I was rushing to finish the book as I just wanted to get it over with. Maybe I didn’t enjoy the book because the plot was just not my cup of tea. Whatever the reason, this book did not live up to my expectations. 
I like Mark Edwards’s writing style and I did enjoy the first part of the book, so will give it 3 stars.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK for an advanced copy of this ebook and giving me a chance to review this book!

Another great Mark Edwards book! I love his writing and loved the reference to The Retreat at the end of the book! Sweetmeat! This book kept me hooked from the beginning and threw in a twist I didn’t see coming at the very end.

Wow I have just finished this book and I’m blown away. I love all of Mark Edwards books and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. It drew me in from the first page and was hard to put down. 

The characters are so well developed and each bit of the story is revealed with perfect timing. The pace is quick but not rushed and the setting is well described. 

I was so engrossed in the book that I felt I was an observer to everything that was happening. 

A truly fantastic book that would also make a epic film. 

Thank you to the author and publishers for the complimentary early copy of this book.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Mark Edwards novel. In short, I will be reading more of his work. 
What starts as a story of a mysterious, rain drenched woman showing up on a doorstep eventually turns into a hunt for a missing person who may or may not have been kidnapped by a strange cult. I could definitely see references to real life events, like NXIVM, and TV shows, like Servant. Now, this is a conundrum like the chicken and the egg because I don't know which came first. 
Regardless, the book is solid. Mark's writing is very easy and clear to read. Some books have too much focus on the coaster that's on the table which holds a glass of whiskey with one ice cube and that whiskey is the same color as the character's sweater which explains the mood of the dog....my point is that he moves the plot quickly without sacrificing the atmosphere and environment. I never felt like it was a chore to get through. Each chapter ended with a cliffhanger which made me continue reading.
Three stars - I liked it - Time to look for more!

Adam and Ruth are British 20 somethings when they meet an older couple Mona and Jack and develop a quick friendship. Ruth is an actress with a career that seems poised to take off, Jack is a writer still struggling to be heard. When the older couple learns Ruth is rehearsing for a Broadway play they offer their hoke in return for the younger couple housesitting. 
One night shortly before Mona and Jack are due  to return a young woman  named Eden shows up at the door, drenched  from the rainstorm claiming to be friends of the older couple and had an open invitation to stay when she was in town. 
Adam and Ruth invite her to stay and the three are enjoying each other’s company though Adam sees glimpses that disturb him of Edens’ temper. On the night before the owners return, Eden brings home food and tequila and the three of them drink far too much. When Adam wakes up he discovers that he is all alone. Both Ruth and Eden have disappeared. When Jack and Mona arrive they have no idea who Eden is and believe Ruth left in her own. Jack begins looking for Ruth on his own as no one seems to believe Eden was real Who was this enigmatic young woman who had been staying with them? How did she know so much   
Jack is determined to find the answers and bring Ruth home. 
This was a really fast paced story that kept my attention throughout. While I have trouble accepting that anyone is as trusting as these two were my skepticism did not detract from the story 
Mark Edwards always writes a good. Engaging thriller that keeps you turning pages. 
Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. This is scheduled for release on June 2. It is shaping up to be a great season for beach reads.

#TheGuestHouse #NetGalley
Mark's finest work till date. A good read. 
When British twenty-somethings Ruth and Adam are offered the chance to spend the summer housesitting in New York, they can’t say no. Young, in love and on the cusp of professional success, they feel as if luck is finally on their side.So the moment that Eden turns up on the doorstep, drenched from a summer storm, it seems only right to share a bit of that good fortune. Beautiful and charismatic, Eden claims to be a friend of the homeowners, who told her she could stay whenever she was in New York.They know you’re not supposed to talk to strangers—let alone invite them into your home—but after all, Eden’s only a stranger until they get to know her. 
Mark's characters are inspired from real life and so is the story. I would definitely recommend this novel to everyone who loves thrillers.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for giving me an advance copy of this book.

I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of Mark's latest book. I love all of Mark Edward's books and this one does not dissapoint.
This is such an amazing read. I was pulled straight into the book and it just doesn't let go. I couldn't bring myself to put it down.
Amazing plot and characters. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Well done Mark 😊

Rating: 3.2 / 5

Right, so...let's talk about this.

But...how to begin...

When you think one thing is one thing and then it turns out to be another thing and that particular thing just gets crazier and crazier and slightly ridiculous, then it's hard to judge that thing, isn't it? After all, not only is it so far detached from your expectations, but the extent to which it goes off on its own tangent of weirdness is...well, either off-putting or brilliant. For me, unfortunately, it was more the former than the latter.

Adam and Ruth are your typical couple trying to get by in New York. Adam is a writer and Ruth's an actress rehearsing for her first show on Broadway, and our two young characters find themselves house-sitting in a charming setting while their friends, Jack and Mona, are on vacation in Mexico. One night, enter Eden, a mysterious lady friend of Jack and Mona with nowhere to stay. Gullible Adam and Ruth let her into the house and into their lives, only to have things mysteriously/obviously go wrong.

Premise-wise, this could go in a lot of different ways, since it's just the setup and it doesn't really tell you anything about what to expect. Offhand, I'd even say that it's a great premise to start with, all based off the rule of "never trust strangers and never invite them into your house". BUT, where Edwards chooses to go with this is...slightly problematic, from my point of view.

Now, I really don't want to give any spoilers for this, but at the same time it's kind of hard to talk about what I didn't like without mentioning that. Um...okay, to be vague, let's just say that the initial "big reveal" and direction that goes is like a snowball rolling down a hill--it gets bigger and bigger and more far-fetched, to the point that it crushes all the reader's suspension of disbelief and general caring by the time it reaches the bottom.

In other words, it started off good, but then as the author just kept going and going and building on whatever momentum they had, things get too ridiculous to really be believable or hold any amount of suspense for the reader. Therefore, by the end, my reaction was to roll my eyes more than keep them wide open in anticipation or anything.

In conclusion, it was a good attempt at suspense and mystery and had a good idea going for it at the beginning, but the author went too far and tried too hard with an idea that I just couldn't buy into. Credit given that I was able to read it all the way through though, eye-rolls and all.

Well, this book definitely took a plot turn that I definitely didn’t see coming. It’s the story of Adam and Ruth, a young couple house sitting in New York for a couple they met and bonded with on a cruise. One day, a young woman named Eden comes to the house and explains that she’s close to the owners, and that they told her that she could stay at their home whenever she needs to. That sounds perfectly safe and harmless, right?

I will not discuss the plot any further, but this is pretty much a non-stop roller coaster of a book that packs action, surprises, and plot twists. I was pleasantly surprised because even though I’ve loved some books by author Mark Edwards, the last one I read was one I had to stop before the end due to my low interest level. He keeps the pace fast, forcing you to be engaged as one thing after another happens. Some people mentioned that the ending is a bit silly, and I can see that, but I was glued to reading this from start to finish. A definite page turner. 

Thank you to Mark Edwards, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for an ARC.

Spoiler alert.. The protagonist, Adam, is the best part of this book. His reactions to the plight at the center of the story are believable and make him a sympathetic character. The author, Mark Edwards, took great care to keep Adam the good guy at the center of the story. However, the rest of the characters came across as unbelievable, in both their reactions and their motivations. At the central, there is Ruth, an up and coming actress who is on her way to becoming famous. She is one moment, gullible, and the next, completely aware of the plot against her. Then, there is Eden: The house guest. The way she was written was confusing. She was supposed to be alluring and plotting, yet, she came across as clueless. There is a cult, crooked cop, murderers, a megalomaniac cult leader, and his followers. Most of these characters came across as caricatures. They were all tough and beautiful. There was a secret cult at the center of this story, yet Adam and his cohorts were able to figure it out in less than a few days. I was hoping for more intrigue, but even with the twists thrown in, I had to fight to keep interested.

When Jack and Mona offer up and coming actress, Ruth and her boyfriend Adam the chance to house sit for them whilst they are at a retreat the young couple are thrilled and jump at the chance.  One rainy evening a young woman called Eden arrives on their doorstep claiming to be a friend of Jack and Mona’s making a surprise visit.  Not being able to contact their Landlords to confirm Eden’s identity the couple decide to allow her to stay for a few days, a decision they will ultimately regret ,when after a night of heavy drinking, Eden and Ruth disappear without a trace, and upon their return Jack and Mona have no clue who Eden is.

As always with this author nothing is ever as it seems.  Many twists and turns to keep the reader entertained.

Many thanks to the publishers and netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars 

A perfect summer. A perfect stranger. A perfect nightmare.

A perfect time for me to say: Don't be so quick to answer your door to a stranger.  Have we learned nothing from reading books? But I digress...

Ruth and Adam are house-sitting in New York when a young woman shows up dripping wet in the middle of a rainstorm. She tells them she is there to visit the owners of the home who told her she could stop by whenever she wanted. 

Children are taught not to talk to strangers, apparently this duo was never told not to let a stranger into a home....

Twists, turns, revelations, a cult (did I say cult? they're not a cult their friends - very special, creepy friends) and a couple of "huh?" moments and an ending that well....hmm....still trying to figure out how I feel about that one.  But this was a fast fun read that was outlandish and crazy at times but highly entertaining. 

So, in short, entertaining, fast read, and educational - it reinforced not opening the door to strangers, advised me to stay away from creepy pens and proved Mark Edwards creates interesting and original story-lines.

Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and Netgalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mark Edwards has done it again in delivering an outstanding read which you will want to read in one sitting. Adam and Ruth are house sitting in New York for a prestigious couple that they met on a cruise, while house sitting a mysterious stranger called Eden turns up claiming she is good friends with the owners of the house and was hoping to surprise them, charming at first Adam and Ruth offer Eden to stay in the house until the owners return, it soon appears that Eden is not all that she claims to be, does she even know the owners and are Adam and Ruth in danger? Have they made a terrible mistake? 

I throughly enjoyed this addictive thriller and readers alike will struggle to put it down. Mark Edwards is one of my all time favourite authors! 

A big thank you to netgalley for a copy of this wonderful book in exchange for my honest review.

A really chilling read. Couldn’t put this book down. Full of suspense and very well written. The characters were all well brought to life by the great writing and the plot was an interesting one. An excellent read to keep you on the edge of your seat

I love Mark Edwards' writing, so I snatched up The House Guest without even reading the description. And, while it wasn't my favorite Edwards book, it didn't disappoint me either. 

The pacing of this book is fantastic. The narration alternates between our 2 main characters, Adam and Ruth, and Edwards always knows just when to change from one character's perspective to the other's. Just when I'm on the edge of my seat to see what will happen next with Adam, we switch to Ruth. 

I enjoyed the main characters in this book, Adam, Ruth, and the house guest Eden. The beginning of the book is especially captivating, and the ending is just right. There was one central theme that I didn't really love, but I can't say more without giving away the story. That theme, plus the fact that there were a few places that left me saying "but WHY would he/she do that" is why this book is 3 stars for me.

I hope you love it and check out other Mark Edwards book! Thank you to NetGalley, Mark Edwards, and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Another amazing novel by Mark Edwards. This book, like many others of his are so intriguing because they are a type of horror that can happen to everyday people. 
Meet Adam and Ruth, a happy couple who are working on their careers. Ruth, and actress finally starting to get noticed for bigger roles; and Adam, a screenwriter who is waiting for a big break. They are lucky enough to meet a wealthy couple on a cruise and get a chance to housesit for them in New York. 
One day a stranger shows up who claims to know the owners and they let her stay for with them until the owners are due to return.
Things just go downhill from there. This book works at a steady pace to make you feel uneasy about things happening, but like the characters, you just think, coincidence and move forward. 
Then things happen that cannot be explained away, people go missing, others die, and you have to keep your balance wondering what happened!
As someone who loves Psychology and the study of human behavior, this book was fascinating to read about the cult mindset. Mark Edwards really did his research while writing because it was so on point and relating to studies and articles surrounding these groups of people.
The end of this book was an incredible twist that I was not expecting! I especially love the connections to his previous books and could see expanding further. 
Thank you @netgalley @markedwards and @amazonpublishing for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

WOW!!! This was an awesome book. I can not say too much without giving spoilers. I could not put this book down. I could see this book turning into a movie. It had me guessing throughout the whole book. This is the first book I have read by this author. Based on this book I will check out other books by this author. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery and thrillers.

Adam and Ruth are house sitting and an unexpected knock at the door on a rainy night brings Eden into their world. They are not sure about her but she seems to know the house owners so well. 
Then after a drunken Friday night Ruth and Eden disappear and Adam is left reeling. He cant find either of them. Then he is befriended by the grey bearded man and drawn into what is a hunt for Ruth and a secret cult. 
Quite a good book. Enjoyed it snd I didn’t guess any part. Which I think makes a great book

Fantastic! The premise of this book is brilliant- a young British couple housesitting for another couple they know in New York.  One night a  young woman turns up at their door claiming to know the couple who own the house... this is where it starts. It doesn’t take long to build the story up and at that point you are sucked right into it, wanting to know every twist and turn and just when you think that’s it - another one comes.. I will Definately be recommending this to the users of the library.

The House Guest, by Mark Edwards, is a fun escapist romp!  I enjoyed the change of scenery, as this is Edwards’ first book set outside of the UK, wholly in New York City.  It is a smart, witty tale of an average bloke, writer Adam, married to a talented actress, Ruth, who invite a “stranger” into the home they are house-sitting.  Our hero, Adam, is a regular guy who becomes inadvertently sucked into a dangerous situation.  And the mystery then ensues. As in some previous Edwards’ novels, the protagonist Adam is portrayed as an “Everyman” bumbling through the investigation of the events that transpire in this book. The story is told in first person as Adam’s narrative so we experience the thoughts, calculations and doubts of the central character, which I believe is more engaging for the reader. The plot is funny, if a bit overreaching at times, and a cast of quirky characters plays out the story line and the final act, much like a 19th century farce.  There are twists, turns and plenty of action.  And without spoiling the ending, I sense that Edwards leaves room for a follow-up novel in the future!
I am a solid fan of Mark Edwards’ writing, beginning with his Magpie series, and I look forward to more of his solo novels.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and Net Galley for the digital ARC

What a creepy setting, a couple is house sitting for a couple they met while on a cruise.  One rainy night, someone shows up claiming she is a friend of the homeowners and she is invited to stay.  This is a page turner, it is twisty but somewhere in the middle it falls apart and it becomes another story to me. I was expecting a twist but not this. I think there should be a disclaimer warning. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley! This is my honest review.

I can't help but love every book from Mark Edwards! He has become one of my favourite thrillers authors and I always look forward to a new release. The House Guest like many of his other books blew me away. Whilst a little different to the books I've read of Mark's before, it was still absolutely brilliant. Well paced, tense and just enough twists and turns. Just a fantastic book that I would recommend to anyone.

Absolutely fantastic! I found myself drawn into the story from the get go. The storyline is an interesting one, and had me wondering what would happen next.

Mark Edwards does it again! The beauty of a Mark Edwards novel is that you never see it coming. I read A LOT of mysteries. And he always catches me off guard with that last twist. The House Guest is no different. Ruth and Adam, 2 Brits visiting and working in NYC, are housesitting for acquaintances they met on a cruise. One day a vibrant woman shows up in their doorstep claiming to know the owners of the house and manages to insert herself in their lives. I cant give away much more but know this. You will never, EVER guess where this is going.

I was really excited to read this because Mark Edwards is one of my mom's favorite authors and she always spoke highly of him and his books.
However, I must admit this one was rather dull and slow-paced, especially for a story of this kind. 
The whole development seem stale and a bit too absurd for my tastes.
I'll give this author another chance, but this book was a no-no for me.

House sitting and someone who claims to know the owners of the house shows up... what do you do? I enjoyed reading and trying to figure out what was going on, who all was involved,  and how were they going to get out of the situation.

Adam and Ruth are house sitting in New York for a couple they met on a cruise. One evening a girl arrives in the pouring rain saying that she has been invited to stay by the home owners,they believe her and invite her to stay. This decision has terrifying consequence for Adam and Ruth and they will have cause to regret it.
A psychological thriller with twist and turns that keeps you hooked.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another brilliant book by Mark Edwards. I don’t know how he manages to keep bringing them out and all are as good as the ones before. I read it in 24 hours, it was so gripping I couldn’t put it down. A chilling read that really makes you think, how a simple thing like inviting someone into your home can go so badly wrong.. If you haven’t read any of Marks other books then make sure you do as you are in for a treat. Please don’t make us wait too long for the next book!!!

This author never disappoints. With each book, his style gets better and better. Everyone knows I love a good ‘who dunnit’ book, and this one was right up there with my favourites. As always with this author’s work, I was hooked for the first line and stayed that way til the very end where my mind was blown. Didn’t see it coming! And you won’t either.

The characters had an array of interesting personalities, all having their quirks and flaws. I love Adam and Ruth from the beginning. They had kind hearts and a loving nature. Adam is fiercely loyal and protective. Eden was the quirkiest one and a fabulous character to include. Then there is Mona and Jack who again had their own fascinating characteristics and personas. They were all fabulous along with the secondary, background characters. Not one was the same and you can picture them; what they look like, where they are, their emotions and their thoughts.

The storyline was thoughtful, descriptive, spot on, on point and so many other words and phrases that are the same. I honestly can’t praise this enough. It is very descriptive, so you’ll feel like you’re part of the story with these colourful characters and their crazy journey.

The writing style is always grand and spectacular and if anything, it’s even better than ever.

Bravo! Looking forward to the next one.

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Great storyline and that ending! This had me coming and going on who was good and who wasn't. Quite a few real good twists and turns.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc. I'm new to Mark Edward's books but will be going down the list he provided in the acknowledgements.

Yet another fabulous book by Mark Edwards.
Mark writes about normal people who could be you or I where strange things happen to them. 
Adam and Ruth are staying in New York where Ruth is rehearsing for a play she is in...then on a dark rainy night there’s a knock on the door and things will never be quite the same again.
The story is original and gripping the characters are well described and it’s easy to get into their heads and way of thinking.
The books twists and turns and keeps you turning the pages and wanting to know exactly how things will turn out.
Loved it
Fast paced and gripping
A must read

Wow! Another mind blowing book by the brilliant Mark Edwards! I was drawn in right from the start and was glued to my seat throughout. 

As always, I had my suspicions which turned out to be wrong. Mark is very good at surprising his readers and keeping us guessing. Just when you think you have it all figured out, he throws another spanner in the works! 

The pace of the story is perfect. Easy to follow but there was always something going on to keep me interested. I did not expect the story to go in the direction that it did and was totally surprised by how it ends! 

As expected, it was fantastic!

DNF /DNR

Can't read this book right now, it was requested on mistake, so i'm letting it go, but huge thanks to net galley for providing it to me.

I have to admit, I was not sure what to expect from The House Guest.  I have not read anything from Mark Edwards before, and I have not seen much as far as reviews for this book. Nevertheless, I was intrigued by the plot and can safely say that this is one of my favorite books of 2020 so far!

We meet Ruth and Adam, British couple who are offered the chance of a lifetime to spend the summer house-sitting in New York City for a couple they met on a cruise.  Ruth has landed the lead in a new play on Broadway, and Adam is a budding writer so the summer in New York City (rent-free) is a dream.

One night towards the end of their stay, a beautiful girl named Eden shows up on their doorstep, claiming to be friends with the homeowners, who said she could stay whenever she came to visit.  Rather than send Eden back into the pouring rain, Ruth and Adam invite her to stay.  But as the days go by, Adam wonders if he made a huge mistake by letting a stranger stay with them.  

Mark Edwards hit this one out of the park.  First off, his writing is exceptional -- I truly felt like I was sitting with Adam in Central Park during a specific passage.  The plot was different than anything I've ever read before, and while a few plot points were a bit fantastical, they also had an air of practicality to them.  As I read, I thought "this could actually happen."  Overall, this was a fast-paced thriller that I could not wait to read!

As always I can commend and admire anyone with the talent to write a novel and get it published. This book started out very well, and it was a slowly brewing page turner. Somewhere along the way, it became "skim the pages to get to the end" book. The story seemed like so many others in its premise. I don't want to give away the main plot, because others may enjoy reading it. My library will buy it, because it will appear to a particular kind of light reading patrons. I require a little less predictability to really enjoy and recommend a book. I did finish it, and usually I do not when I lose interest.

Woah. Scarey, chilling, amazing, tense, thrilling. What more is there to say. Make this your next read

Another fast paced thriller from Mark Edwards.

The main characters are built up well and ensures you are invested in them for the long haul.

When a new character is introduced it is done in a way that adds to the suspense and keeps you reading.

Read if you like a good crime thriller.

Another great book from Mark and fortunately I was able to read this in advance of its official release date. I finished it within a day; it was so easy to read and drew me in so I couldn’t sleep without knowing the ending. I loved how all the characters were somehow connected and didn’t expect the story to go the way it did, but it was so addictive! I also liked the link between this book and another, but will let you figure out that one!

Mark Edwards is on a roll currently with his writing! The House Guest has everything that a psychological thriller should have; lots of suspense and some truly shady characters! Believable ordinary characters put in extraordinary situations is Mark's forte and his latest book does not disappoint! It is fast paced story with some excellent twists and turns which keep you guessing right up until the end. I managed to read this book over a few days as I so wanted to find out what happened! Thank you NetGalley so much for allowing me the opportunity to read this book early. I'm just sad that I don't have a Mark Edwards' book to take away on holiday with me this year! I'm certainly looking forward to helping Mark celebrate it's release with one of his legendary Facebook parties though!! Pre order today is my advice.

I do enjoy Mark Edwards' style of writing. The House Guest took me a wee while to get into though - who in their right mind lets someone stay who only says they know the owners of the house that you're looking after while they're away? However, that minor niggle aside, I was soon swept into the story. I'm not sure how Mark manages to write so many novels and yet still make them both feel different and so like him at the same time. If you like Mark Edwards' previous books you'll like this one. If you've never read one of his books, what are you waiting for?

Mark is such a good writer and I have read quite a few of his books, none of his books are the same its amazing how he comes up with these ideas so I enjoyed every minute of this book,  it was exciting all the way through and I found it difficult to put down,  the storyline keeps you on your toes all the way through  you will not be disappointed, when you read the first Chapter hopefully it will have you gripped as it did me.

Adam and Ruth are house sitting for a couple they met on a cruise. Ruth is an actress and Adam is an aspiring writer. 
The night is cold and rainy. A knock at the door reveals a young blonde woman. She says she's a friend of the owners and has come to visit. Her name is Eden. Unbeknownst to Adan and Ruth this is the night that what they know of their lives will forever be changed.
A remarkable read. Engrossing to the very end. And the ending is definitely a killer!
Great characters and a storyline to die for!
Excellent!

I loved this book, it was so gripping from beginning to end.
To start with I did think that Adam needed to grow a backbone but continuing throughout the book he grew on me.
I did think that on a number of occasions that I had got the characters and situation sussed out in my head but then the who direction of the story changed, it got me thinking again to the change and had me questioning several different people and theories.
It was a great read and definitely one I would read again.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house, and the author for allowing me an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

I liked this. Solid 4/5 stars. 
So a couple comes from their home in England and stays at an acquaintances home in New York. A couple they met only once while on a cruise.  The New Yorkers are on a new-age retreat in the SW US and is out of touch. Then a strange but very friendly girl shows up on the porch during a rain storm claiming to have known the New York couple and took a chance and just showed up to surprise them only to find the English couple there. The English woman is a beautiful up-and-coming actress. The actress disappears and her boyfriend is left to look for her. With the help of another stranger - a man who has been watching the house. 
That's where my review ends because to tell anymore would be to give it away. And I want you to be as surprised as I was. So I thought initially, the wet strange woman was an old lover of either the English man or the New York man. I. Was. Wrong. 
I will be looking to see if the author has written any other books that I might like.

Mark Edwards does not disappointed in this amazing thriller that will leave all his readers breathless !! I loved it !! This is simply a must read !!

Wow! Creepy doesn't even begin to describe this! I absolutely love Mark's books, they always contain an element of "what if" - making me look behind me when I hear footsteps behind me or the doorbell rings. This one was no exception. Absolute page turner and the book took directions I didn't expect. Brilliant.

The first part of this book I found intriguing. Eden showing up to a house late at night dripping wet through. Ruth and Adam the house sitters let her in due to the fact Eden knows the owners ( Jack and Mona) who have gone away for the summer. They let Eden stay until her friends get back. That's when things start to ramp up a gear. 
As soon as I found out the topic of this novel ( 30% in )  I thought I wasnt going to enjoy it anymore. It's not something I would read about or have any interest in . I persevered with it and I'm glad I did. 
The main character Adam seemed abit of a wet lettuce throughout the story. I didnt warm to him at all. I did like Eden though. Thought she had balls .
The style of writing was easy to read. Afew twists towards the end that I wouldn't have guessed. Would definitely recommend this 
Thankyou to netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

I've read a few of Mark Edwards's books before and they often have a common theme--the idea that you're not as safe at home as you might think. This book kind of has the same vibe, but writ large. Because not only is it not actually Ruth and Adam's home, but it's also not their city (or country). It gives the whole thing an uneasy energy, as the characters try to navigate something they don't understand in a foreign place. All in all, I don't think it was my favorite book by Edwards, but it was a fast, compelling read.

A bit slow in the beginning and then more than a bit unbelievable as it went forward. However, I did read the entire book and I did want to know what happened. In the end the author ties up the book by bringing all the answers together in a dialogue between the main characters. The author also left it open to have a second book thereby making this a series. I like Mark Edwards writing and will read some of his other novels. I was give an copy of this book by Netgalley.

I adore Mark Edwards writing! Every book I’ve read I’ve loved. There is always a slightly creepy edge to his books whether it’s a hint of paranormal or a dark thriller. 

This one was no exception and as always I thoroughly enjoyed it. From the start with gripping chapters which continues throughout, there was hints of action too which was great and the dark theme throughout has an element of a blockbuster movie to it! 

To see this on screen would be fantastic as it’s definitely worthy of it! I love the pace and the intrigued that’s instilled early on in the book. I was suspicious of one character but was way off! As always Mark Edwards slaps that suspicion away and your left with your jaw on the floor! 

Absolutely fantastic one again!

Once again another marvellous mark Edward's book. After being introduced to him through netgalley and reading 'Here To Stay' and being completely hooked from the beginning to the end I couldnt pass up the opportunity to read this one. 

This book was just as compelling and thought provoking as the last one I read. The scary thing with Mark's books is that they are very real things that you can imagine happening. And things that probably do happen under the radar. They arent radical thoughts that you know would never happen. I think this is what makes his books even scarier but all the harder to put down. 

I will look forward to my next installment from Mark in the very near future.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 enjoyable stars 

Like many other readers, I started reading this without knowing the blurb; when Mark Edwards brings out a new book, I have to read it!

Mark never disappoints - easy to read writing style, short snappy chapters, a few twists and turns.

The premise has been done before but in this book you never know who to trust or what will happen next.

Yes it gets a bit silly at the end, it felt a tad rushed in the finale however I recommend you read this book.

I love The authors previous books so was excited to read this and was not disappointed. There are loads of twists and turns which keeps you guessing and makes the story really exciting and could not put it down. The characters are introduced really well and are likeable. Would highly recommend

When two people from England open the door to see a young woman drenched with rain and invite her in, they have no idea that their lives are about to change. The young woman insists she's friends with the couple they are house sitting for, they have no reason to suspect that this isn't true. After only a week the lives of all three will forever change. 

This started out good. I would say the first 30% of the book were the best. After that, the story took off in a direction that isn't my cup of tea, to say it nicely. Without giving anything away, it was just a subject that doesn't interest me. It went down hill from there and became too over the top for me.

*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Adam and Ruth are homesitting for a wealthy couple that they met a few months ago on a cruise.
A week before the couple is about to return, a young woman knocks on the door, claiming she is the homeowners' friend. She is drenched with rain and seems harmless, so Adam and Ruth don't think twice about inviting her in.
Little do they know that this was a terrible mistake.

When I saw The House Guest was available to request on NetGalley, I jumped at the opportunity blindly, without even reading the blurb.
Mark Edwards is an author you simply can't go wrong with, and this book was no exception. He delivered another gripping, unputdownable page-turner.
The story, told from Adam's perspective, takes us on a suspenseful and thrilling ride. 
Mark Edwards knows how to keep the tension, and his stories never fail to keep you hooked. I read this book in one sitting.
However, I was hesitating between 4 and 5 stars.
My only reservation is that, like his previous novels, this one didn't grab me by the throat from the very first page, and some aspects felt a little far-fetched. I also had a feeling that the story was lacking something, but I can't put my finger on what it was. Overall, it was a highly gripping and fast-paced book that is bound to keep you madly turning the pages.
I highly recommend it to anyone, and if you haven't read anything by Mark Edwards yet, I urge you to check him out, you won't be disappointed.

The House Guest by Mark Edwards was a captivating and page turning story. Adam and Ruth are a British couple house sitting for friends they met on a cruise, Mona and Jack. Ruth is an up and coming actress, rehearsing for a Broadway gig and Adam is a unpublished writer. They are a few days into their stay when young Eden knocks on the door, claiming to be a friend of Mona and Jack's and hoping to surprise them. Ruth and Adam realize that when Eden learns her friends are not home, she has no where to stay. Mona and Jack are without phones on their retreat, but Eden seems to have knowledge about Jack and Mona, so she seems legitimate. Eden is a welcome addition to the house, and after a few nights, she treats Ruth and Adam to take out dinner and a tequila night. Adam wakes up the next day, sicker than he's ever been, and with no memory of the night. He assumes Ruth has gone to rehearsal and Eden is simply not home. After hours goes by and Ruth doesn't return, Adam begins to ask around. Soon, he realizes that Eden is not a friend, and had a reason to find and take Ruth. Adam, with the help of a man claiming to be the father of another girl taken by Eden, and Wanda, an expert on cults, the three have to figure out where these women keep disappearing to.

This book was amazing. The cult aspect was the cherry on top, as I was very interested in NXIVM. Edwards' writing is gripping, and easy to follow but does not lack detail. All my questions were answered by the end of the book, and the ending was great. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read and review.

This book was a wild ride. 
The premise is an English couple house-sitting in NYC for their American friends when a beautiful stranger appears on their doorstep in the middle of a deluge (made me think of the scene with Elish Cuthbert from The Girl Next Door, but at night). 

What starts as as a really intriguing premise straight out of a lifetime movie takes a turn halfway through. The first 25% of the book I was invested. I thought there was going to be scandal and intrigue; I prepared myself for a femme fatale/ pyscho stalker Lifetime Movie book with some Gone Girl vibes. The book, split into three parts, just gets more convoluted and the plot more cartoonish with each new part. It tries to be too much all at once and it left me rolling my eyes and picturing an evil villain twirling his mustache and laughing Dr Evil style. At the 70% mark I was exasperated and not enjoying the ride. The reveal about Eden's motivations had be rolling my eyes. At 80% I wanted to DNF (but being my first ARC I wanted to see it through); it did not get better.

It's a very quick read and will appeal to people who like layered action like a fast-paced criminal drama tv show. For me, it lacked the nuance of a complicated antagonist nor was I a fan of the secret. And all of a sudden in chapter 15 a new POV is introduced. The book does include a few welcome plot twists. Ultimately, I didn't really care about any of the characters, but if I had to choose one, I thought Eden was interesting. 

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this psychological thriller by Mark Edwards.  I found it exciting and I was always looking forward to picking it up to read more of it.  I enjoyed reading about the different characters and finding out who was behind the main plot of the story.  I highly recommend this book and I gave it 4 stars.  Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.   This was my first book by Mark Edwards, but I will definitely be reading more of his work.

OMG this is most definitely one of the best books I've read by one of my favorite authors.  This book will keep you on the edge of your seat and totally wanting more after you have finished it! If I could give it more then 5 stars I totally would.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC. 

This book is the culmination of the clichéd plot points often encountered in books regarding cults.

Psychological thrillers work well if the reader can connect himself with the narrator. But here the characters remain two dimensional. There are just cut out pieces of regular people.

You could just read the book. Nothing special!?!?

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon publishing for the ARC version of this book. 
This is my first book by Mark Edwards and I am certain I will read some of his other work for sure!

The greatest thing about this book was the brisk and rapid storytelling that doesn't leave you with even a one ounce of boring. 
Every sentence is swift and re-telling form of art that holds you and even though you know that only awful things are to come you cannot stop reading and you cannot put the book down. 

I was guessing almost until the end who the actual bad guys/girls are, if Adam - the main storyteller is going to wake up and find himself on an alien planet or something equally crazy! 😂

Mark's way of describing the events gets you thinking that you are certain you know what will happen or maybe just doubting your criminality mind a little bit. But then the twists come one after another and you are entirely stricken by the turn of the events because you realize that the finale should have happened just in a way that it did - but then again it would also be 'normal' if it have ended entirely different. 

That's the strong point of the book - the author could have finished the book in various different ways that would made more sense maybe for a such book but I liked how well it have all played out and how the author played with all these ideas we read about every day in a very alluring manner - people and their good and bad sides are revealed, their true or false remorse, the idea that humans always try to be a part of something bigger, that childhood as always plays such a huge part in forming us and that goodness might be hidden always and everywhere are all the reasons you should put this book on your authors to automatically read.

3.5 stars

SPOILERS SPOILERS


This was a fun read. Lots of twists and turns in the plot.
The good guy became the bad guy,and the bad guy came good sort of thing.
There was always another lie uncovered and you didn't know who to trust.
Follow that up with a cracking ending and it's all good.
Except... a few things bugged me.
Namely the speed in which they expected Ruth to be brainwashed and join the cult.
You'd think a bit longer than a few days.
Also,the head of cult lost it way too quick to be running anything along these lines.
Small niggles... but ones that kept with me all through the book

Another great book from Mark Edwards. Its such an honor to be asked to read his work before its published. This book starts slow but quickly escalates into a thrill ride. The characters are relatable and interesting. The storyline has just enough ups and downs, twists and turns to keep you engaged. I haven't read a single book from Mark that I didn't like.

This book was a slow burn for me.  I didn’t love it, but it in the end, it was a decent thriller.   I’m not sure if I found that characters too annoying to give the book a fair chance; I spent a lot of it shaking my head and criticizing their decisions.  I’ve heard wonderful things about the author, so I am going to give his other books a try.

 
Adam and Ruth, a British couple, agree to housesit in New York for a couple they meet on a cruise.  During their sitting, a stranger by the name of Eden shows up and says she is a friend of the homeowner.  They told her she could stay at their place whenever she was in the area.   Against what seems to be common sense, they invite Eden to stay with them.   Cue creepy music…. This is when things go sideways.

I really enjoyed this book. Not like anything I've read before in terms of the actual story which was refreshing. Keeps you guessing with who is linked to who and how. I also really liked how the book ended. Was it a cliff hanger, or wasnt it!? Who knows! I will be looking for more Mark Edwards books to read following on from this and would definitely recommend.

Wow what a book, I have just read this as an ARC. It is the best I have read in this genre. The way it's written is so smooth and flowing. Some of the characters you like turn out to be awful people and the some of the characters you don't like turn out to be heroes. It's brilliant. There are twist and turns in every chapter. One minute I'm smiling the next I gasp with shock at the next twist that I in no way saw coming.
Fantastic book and I will definitely be reading another of Marks books.

I absolutely LOVE Mark Edwards' books!!!  He has such a knack for bringing characters to life and gaining a reader's attention immediately.  I was constantly trying to guess what was going to happen next but was consistently wrong. Overall, a great read!!

Fantastic! Absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller. 
This book is not what you think it’s going to be, you think you know.....then it blows you out of the water and sets you on a different path completely! Very fast paced, excellent array of characters and it keeps you questioning to the end. This was a fast read as I was gripped and struggled to put it down! 
A 5⭐️ rating from me and please add it to your reading pile as you won’t regret it!!

I loved this book, only the 2nd I have read from this Author and it won't be my last! 

The two main characters Adam & Ruth house sit  in New York for friends who they met on a cruise. A stranger appears at the door soaked and looking for the owners. Adam & Ruth invite her in. And that's where the drama starts! 

The characters are written into the story in a well believed manner, you can sympathise with the individual situations they all having going on in their lives. 

As you get deeper into the book there seems to be a twist every chapter that left me thinking surely not! No way! But in a good way! I would never have expected the book to turn out the way it did, it was fast paced and surprising, everything this genre should be. 

Well done Mark! Looking forward to the next one!

This was the first Mark Edwards book I have read, but it certainly won’t be the last. It was fast paced and intriguing throughout. A British couple meet an American couple on a cruise.  The American couple will be going away to some sort of retreat and are looking for a couple to look after their home. In steps British couple Adam and Ruth who are delighted to look after a fabulous house in a trendy area while Ruth starts her acting stint on Broadway. 

Adam is a writer and (as expected from a writer) he becomes the only infallible character in the book.  One night a girl called Eve knocks at the door, hoping to be greeted by the owners who have invited her to stay there anytime at all (according to Eve). Finding out they are away, she starts to leave, only to be encouraged by Adam who invites her to stay. 

One fateful evening when they are partying on Tequila, Ruth and Eve disappear, leaving Adam with the worst hangover of his life.  So starts a journey into the unknown for Adam as he meets characters and situations far beyond his experiences to date.  

The book is a fast read and difficult to put down once started. The end of the book is expected in one way as you hope for a positive ending, and surprising in others.  It’s an excellent read, very satisfying.