Review: The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous

 

Title: The Perfect Guests

Author: Emma Rous

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: January 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy through Netgalley / Physical Copy from Library

 

Synopsis: The USA Today bestselling author of The Au Pair returns with another delicious, twisty novel--about a grand estate with many secrets, an orphan caught in a web of lies, and a young woman playing a sinister game. 

1988. Beth Soames is fourteen years old when her aunt takes her to stay at Raven Hall, a rambling manor in the isolated East Anglian fens. The Averells, the family who lives there, are warm and welcoming, and Beth becomes fast friends with their daughter, Nina. At times, Beth even feels like she's truly part of the family...until they ask her to help them with a harmless game--and nothing is ever the same.

2019. Sadie Langton is an actress struggling to make ends meet when she lands a well-paying gig to pretend to be a guest at a weekend party. She is sent a suitcase of clothing, a dossier outlining the role she is to play, and instructions. It's strange, but she needs the money, and when she sees the stunning manor she'll be staying at, she figures she's got nothing to lose.

In person, Raven Hall is even grander than she'd imagined--even with damage from a fire decades before--but the walls seem to have eyes. As day turns to night, Sadie starts to feel that there's something off about the glamorous guests who arrive, and as the party begins, it becomes chillingly apparent their unseen host is playing games with everyone...including her. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher through Netgalley. Thanks to Berkley Books for giving me the chance to read this one.

I really enjoyed the ride this took me on. It had a Rebecca vibe, as well as Clue. Two things that I'm a fan of. I enjoyed that combination. This was a very quick paced book. It was a very fast read.

I enjoyed the two timelines. Reading the 1988 story of an orphan coming to live at Raven Hall kept me glued to the page. Then I got 2019, where a struggling actress gets a job to be a part of a murder mystery game. What they both have in common is Raven Hall.

Part 2 is where everything got crazy, secrets were revealed, and things came together. How everything connected was wild.

I probably enjoyed the character of Beth a little more then I did Sadie. Beth had more of an emotional story, constantly being scared that if she didn't please Leonora, Markus, and Nina, that she'd be sent right back to the orphanage. Her aunt Caroline was pretty awful to her too.

Now, the Clue part of this story wasn't as crazy or zany as the original Clue, but I still enjoyed it.

This book was fun. I enjoyed all the twists, turns, and reveals. I'll definitely read more by Emma Rous.

 

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

You're Invited to a Murder Mystery!