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The House Guest
How foolish of Carmel and Rufus to invite me into their beautiful home.
They have no idea I don't plan to leave. Or that I intend to destroy their sickeningly perfect lives.
It’s time for Carmel to pay for my sister’s death. And now I’ve seen the cracks in their marriage, I know exactly how I’m going to do it.
And yet, the longer I stay, the more I worry I may have made the biggest mistake of my life.
Because there’s something strange going on in this creepy, old house.
Secrets lurk behind every door and I’m beginning to suspect Carmel and Rufus are not the people they pretend to be…
They have no idea I don't plan to leave. Or that I intend to destroy their sickeningly perfect lives.
It’s time for Carmel to pay for my sister’s death. And now I’ve seen the cracks in their marriage, I know exactly how I’m going to do it.
And yet, the longer I stay, the more I worry I may have made the biggest mistake of my life.
Because there’s something strange going on in this creepy, old house.
Secrets lurk behind every door and I’m beginning to suspect Carmel and Rufus are not the people they pretend to be…
Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2023
354 people are currently reading
659 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Wills
16 books417 followers***Book bloggers join my ARC team and never miss getting your hands on a review copy of my latest books. You can sign up here: bit.ly/bloggersalert ***
AJ Wills writes standalone psychological thrillers with twisty plots.
He’s a former journalist who wrote in his spare time, before and after work for ten years, until he was finally able to fulfil his lifelong dream of becoming a fulltime author in May 2021.
He’s never looked back and now runs a small independent publishing company, Cherry Tree Publishing with his wife, AJ McDine, also a thriller writer.
He said: “I've always loved thrillers, but psychological thrillers hold a special interest for me because they're about the scary, insane, disturbing things that happen to ordinary people - and we can all relate to them on some level.”
He lives in Kent in the south east of England.
You can download AJ Wills’s psychological thriller, His Lost Wife, for free by visiting bit.ly/hislostwife
You can find out more about him on his website: ajwillsauthor.com, his Facebook page AuthorAJWills or on his Instagram account ajwills_author
Of course, you can always contact him directly at adrian@ajwillsauthor.com, where he loves to answer messages from genuine readers.
And don't forget to follow him on BookBub for his new releases: bit.ly/BookBubAJWills
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
April 9, 2025
My letter grade for this book is "E":
* Eye-rolling
* Engaging
* Excellent Ending
* Expert Audiobook Narration by Nicky Griffiths
It was the book's Excellent Ending and Expert narration that Elevated my star rating from "1" to "3".
October 3, 2023
WOW WOW WOW what can I say!
Marcella is down on her luck, she’s lost her job and broken up with her boyfriend and will soon lose her home. Unlike Carmel Van Der Proust who appears to have it all. Fancy house, perfect husband and plenty of money. Marcella comes up with a plan to wheedle her way into their home by spinning them a lie to get her in there. Has she made a massive mistake though? Is she safe? What is actually going on in that house? And what is the gruesome secret from the past connected to that house ?
This is my favourite book by AJ Wills so far! A twisted edge of your seat, page turning, psychological thriller. Had me gripped from start to finish. I loved the 2 different timelines to the story which perfectly pieced the story together. Brilliantly written. Thank you AJ Wills for keeping me entertained throughout this book. Congratulations on such a fantastic story.
Marcella is down on her luck, she’s lost her job and broken up with her boyfriend and will soon lose her home. Unlike Carmel Van Der Proust who appears to have it all. Fancy house, perfect husband and plenty of money. Marcella comes up with a plan to wheedle her way into their home by spinning them a lie to get her in there. Has she made a massive mistake though? Is she safe? What is actually going on in that house? And what is the gruesome secret from the past connected to that house ?
This is my favourite book by AJ Wills so far! A twisted edge of your seat, page turning, psychological thriller. Had me gripped from start to finish. I loved the 2 different timelines to the story which perfectly pieced the story together. Brilliantly written. Thank you AJ Wills for keeping me entertained throughout this book. Congratulations on such a fantastic story.
October 5, 2023
Somehow this book comes up under another A. j. Wills listing here. So more reviews are there. Not sure what happened. ANYwho….. I really love his books. I’ve read several and will read more. He has a great style of writing that is both relaxing and interesting. I really hate to give it 3 stars, but I was just too traumatized by this novel. I have forgotten the prologue, so it was a real shocker near the end. I also was equally traumatized at Marcella’s personality. I won’t say the book wasn’t interesting, and I’m so glad he got several raving reviews. I just have to go with how I feel about this one, and I’ll reach out to his, hopefully, less traumatizing novels. So sorry A. J.!
September 18, 2023
This is a gripping on the edge of the seat, storyline, and plot that
had me captured from the very start.
What revelations and twists and turns there are, they just come when you least expect them.
It's a very well written storyline and plot with great characters.
It's one of those books that you want to read until finished, and it keeps you guessing as you read and ends with one great unexpected twist.
I absolutely thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I look forward to the next one.
This is a definite for anyone who likes a good psychological thriller.
My thanks to the author for the advanced copy.
This is my honest and unbiased review.
had me captured from the very start.
What revelations and twists and turns there are, they just come when you least expect them.
It's a very well written storyline and plot with great characters.
It's one of those books that you want to read until finished, and it keeps you guessing as you read and ends with one great unexpected twist.
I absolutely thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I look forward to the next one.
This is a definite for anyone who likes a good psychological thriller.
My thanks to the author for the advanced copy.
This is my honest and unbiased review.
October 12, 2023
A couple hire a so-called blogger to promote the husbands talents as an artist in building/designing modern homes. Red flags go up, Carmel isn't keen on Marsella, but the husband seems to like her, more than he should. A fast paced, good plot and some twists to keep you reading.
November 9, 2023
As the saying goes, Buckle up your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy ride! And that is exactly what you get from the first page of this book until the end. It gives new meaning to the term nothing is as it seems. Mr. Wills drops a few hints along the way about one of the characters, but it's never enough to really put your finger on until the latter half of the story. And then it's like "How did I not completely figure this out?" The ending is mind-blowing and a bit frightening if I'm completely honest. Try not to have anything at all on your schedule other than reading when you start this book because there's no way you are going to want to put it down. I read way later in the night than I should have, but I just couldn't stop. Needless to say, I highly recommend this book and anything else written by AJ Wills. He has yet to disappoint me.
I received a review copy from the author at my request and this is my honest opinion.
I received a review copy from the author at my request and this is my honest opinion.
May 18, 2024
A good psychological thriller, nothing is as it seems. It does keep you hooked throughout, and you definitely do not travel on a straight path with this one! Lots of twisty bits that keep you entertained.
Happy Reading.
Happy Reading.
November 4, 2023
The slight humor throughout the story and the twists and turns kept me reading to the end. An entertaining read.
October 21, 2023
Brilliant
On my what a tangled rollacoster of a storey unfolds slowly drawing you in keeping guessing,marvellous plot and believable characters
On my what a tangled rollacoster of a storey unfolds slowly drawing you in keeping guessing,marvellous plot and believable characters
November 13, 2023
A good story. It’s premise is just a bit over the top. Marcella lost her job and lost her man. What better time to start something daring? She sees a tv interview about a gorgeous redo of an old farmhouse. She recognizes the woman owner. She’s the one who sentenced Marcella’s twin Hannah to an asylum. Marcella plots up a revenge story. She poses as a YouTube blogger and convinces the couple to allow her to live in the house and document them.
Okay. First of all when questioned, she admits this is her first documentary, and she doesn’t have a channel yet. Okaaaay. So why did they do readily agree to have her live with them? There’s women missing in the county so we the reader think maybe once she contacted them, perhaps they are luring her there. Perhaps they are the abductors. This is all within the first few chapters so I’m not spoiling.
It just kind of meanders through the middle as a week or two passes. In fact, it’s hard to abstain from kind of laughing at some of the plot line. Pretty predictable. Then in the last third of the book things pick up and we get some action through to the end. The big twist will be forseen by those of us who read a lot of thrillers, but all in all not a bad way to spend an afternoon reading this.
Okay. First of all when questioned, she admits this is her first documentary, and she doesn’t have a channel yet. Okaaaay. So why did they do readily agree to have her live with them? There’s women missing in the county so we the reader think maybe once she contacted them, perhaps they are luring her there. Perhaps they are the abductors. This is all within the first few chapters so I’m not spoiling.
It just kind of meanders through the middle as a week or two passes. In fact, it’s hard to abstain from kind of laughing at some of the plot line. Pretty predictable. Then in the last third of the book things pick up and we get some action through to the end. The big twist will be forseen by those of us who read a lot of thrillers, but all in all not a bad way to spend an afternoon reading this.
September 24, 2023
Excellent book! Fast paced with All well written character & twisty read.
Poor Marcella she's just lost her job & found out that her boyfriend left her On the same day. She is angry and desperate because she has nothing left & she saw an opportunity to get what she deserved At Carmel & Rufus' renovated Farm house. The home of the person who made her life worse. She pretends to be a YouTuber & lives there. Without knowing what would happen to her & The dark history of the Farm house.
Told in dual timeline with Marcella in present day & 1920s With the dark history of the Shadowbrook farmhouse.
I really enjoyed the different povs although I have to think hard to find out what's going on here And I love the ending where it's all tense & all the dark events from Shadowbrook in the past are revealed. I highly recommend this book & thank you so much AJ Wills for give me ARC copy Ebook
Poor Marcella she's just lost her job & found out that her boyfriend left her On the same day. She is angry and desperate because she has nothing left & she saw an opportunity to get what she deserved At Carmel & Rufus' renovated Farm house. The home of the person who made her life worse. She pretends to be a YouTuber & lives there. Without knowing what would happen to her & The dark history of the Farm house.
Told in dual timeline with Marcella in present day & 1920s With the dark history of the Shadowbrook farmhouse.
I really enjoyed the different povs although I have to think hard to find out what's going on here And I love the ending where it's all tense & all the dark events from Shadowbrook in the past are revealed. I highly recommend this book & thank you so much AJ Wills for give me ARC copy Ebook
September 17, 2023
Wow! An intense, fast-paced, and twisty read. I absolutely enjoyed the story. It was well written, told in dual timeline. I was flipping through the pages, trying to figure out the plot. I was unable to figure it out. I read in one day. The ending was brilliantly executed and unexpected. The author puts so much depth in his characters, and the twists and turns in the book are fantastic. I highly recommend it.
September 22, 2023
I enjoyed this one - we get a dual timeline, both sides held my interest and it's easy to tell them apart. The characters are well thought out, and the plot takes you on a twisted ride throughout. Thanks to the author for the arc ebook.
December 27, 2025
there was a lot going on in this book & all the plots they tried to throw in there just didn’t mesh or even get fully fleshed out/resolved
• also we knew from the jump Marcela was crazy, that was a given; her thought processes - her victim mentality & conceited traits - the conversations with her sister, who we were told was in hospital, so clearly she’s either a figment of her imagination to cope, a ghost or Marcela is nuts (ding ding ding!!!)
• she also had the survival skills of a piece of toast… let’s think about it - who would allow a young woman to live in their home to film a documentary, even though they don’t know anything about her, she mentions it’ll be her very first documentary & icing on the cake, she doesn’t even have a YouTube channel yet… but they agree to this? knowing that there are women going missing around her area left & right & Marcela is aware of this, you’d think a lightbulb would click that it isn’t a smart idea — even if you ignore that (which as a reader, you can’t ignore that major clue that we were just made aware the couple and it has to be both bc they mention 2 people there during the abduction scene, are the serial killers), she made it very clear to the couple that she has no family or boyfriend and nobody would miss her… ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!
• oh & the ending… i get what they were trying to do but like… great story premise, it just didn’t land
a quick read but not a very good read
• also we knew from the jump Marcela was crazy, that was a given; her thought processes - her victim mentality & conceited traits - the conversations with her sister, who we were told was in hospital, so clearly she’s either a figment of her imagination to cope, a ghost or Marcela is nuts (ding ding ding!!!)
• she also had the survival skills of a piece of toast… let’s think about it - who would allow a young woman to live in their home to film a documentary, even though they don’t know anything about her, she mentions it’ll be her very first documentary & icing on the cake, she doesn’t even have a YouTube channel yet… but they agree to this? knowing that there are women going missing around her area left & right & Marcela is aware of this, you’d think a lightbulb would click that it isn’t a smart idea — even if you ignore that (which as a reader, you can’t ignore that major clue that we were just made aware the couple and it has to be both bc they mention 2 people there during the abduction scene, are the serial killers), she made it very clear to the couple that she has no family or boyfriend and nobody would miss her… ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!
• oh & the ending… i get what they were trying to do but like… great story premise, it just didn’t land
a quick read but not a very good read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2023
*3.75
Very good book! I was really slow which was embarassing to say the least, but it was very good. I had the unfortunate timing of not reading for a week and then picking up the book when it was a flashback to the 1920s, and i was truly lost. I kept reading and was like ohhh the two plots are connected but i was confused for a solid day and a half, but that’s on mean.
This book was both really predictable in some aspects, and completely unpredictable as well.
My own stupidity made me realize Hannah wasn’t real. After not reading for awhile, i was like who the hell is hannah??? turns out, in the summary, it tells the reader she’s already dead. So when Marcella was talking to Hannah under her bed i originally thought SHE was hannah, but i was wrong. I was partially right but not entirely.
The rest of the book was like that. I would guess some stuff and be on the right track, and then something would happen and i’d be like “ohhhh that’s crazy”
Good writing. Very suspenseful, i will most likely read more of Wills’ books in the future.
What was the last chapter? She made up another story about hannah and is now babysitting even though she hates kids? huh? what was that about. Maybe i was just confused because i speed read it before going into school. Anyway. That’s all.
Very good book! I was really slow which was embarassing to say the least, but it was very good. I had the unfortunate timing of not reading for a week and then picking up the book when it was a flashback to the 1920s, and i was truly lost. I kept reading and was like ohhh the two plots are connected but i was confused for a solid day and a half, but that’s on mean.
This book was both really predictable in some aspects, and completely unpredictable as well.
My own stupidity made me realize Hannah wasn’t real. After not reading for awhile, i was like who the hell is hannah??? turns out, in the summary, it tells the reader she’s already dead. So when Marcella was talking to Hannah under her bed i originally thought SHE was hannah, but i was wrong. I was partially right but not entirely.
The rest of the book was like that. I would guess some stuff and be on the right track, and then something would happen and i’d be like “ohhhh that’s crazy”
Good writing. Very suspenseful, i will most likely read more of Wills’ books in the future.
What was the last chapter? She made up another story about hannah and is now babysitting even though she hates kids? huh? what was that about. Maybe i was just confused because i speed read it before going into school. Anyway. That’s all.
July 11, 2025
My name is Johnny Jones from England. I want to share my testimony on how I and my wife were able to adopt our lovely kid from Pastor Paul who we met online. I and my wife love kids so much and we have always thought of adopting 1. When I saw various testimony about Pastor Paul how he had given out children for adoption, I thought it was all fake. But something in me kept on pushing and insisted that I reach out to him. I followed my instinct and reached out to him and told him that I am interested in adopting a child. We did all the necessary paperwork and they gave my kid to their reliable agent to bring for me. This is their email address: Christchurchorphanage@gmail.com and their website is: Christchurchorphanage.blogspot.com I and my wife are saying a big thanks to you Pastor Paul. Contact them now and I assure you that all your heart desires shall be granted unto you and you will smile.
October 19, 2024
I’ve read the Phantom child by this author so I thought I’d love this one as well. I’m not sure why, but this book just fell completely flat for me.
Spoiler part
Marcella was out for revenge and gets a huge shock. The woman she’s seeking revenge on (Carmel) is a serial killer with her husband who joins bc he’s too afraid not to. Marcella escapes and is back at her ex’s. He gives her some money to live off of (a few thousand when she said they struggled to make rent together?) Then you find out that her twin had died at birth, so what really was she doing at Carmel’s house and why was she seeking to destroy this woman? She obviously was talking to her dead sister so we understood she was crazy early on. But then it ends with that interview. I’m kinda like wtf on everything as a whole.
Spoiler part
Marcella was out for revenge and gets a huge shock. The woman she’s seeking revenge on (Carmel) is a serial killer with her husband who joins bc he’s too afraid not to. Marcella escapes and is back at her ex’s. He gives her some money to live off of (a few thousand when she said they struggled to make rent together?) Then you find out that her twin had died at birth, so what really was she doing at Carmel’s house and why was she seeking to destroy this woman? She obviously was talking to her dead sister so we understood she was crazy early on. But then it ends with that interview. I’m kinda like wtf on everything as a whole.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2025
Ludicrous and offensive. we are expected to believe an architect and psychotherapist couple allow a complete stranger to move in on the basis of her telling them she wants to make a film about their house. Then, What do you know. They turn out to be a Fred and rose west and the book degenerates into sexual abuse and kidnap and murder of women
Total crap, utter trash, misogynistic and appalling comment on the state of modern publishing
Total crap, utter trash, misogynistic and appalling comment on the state of modern publishing
August 6, 2025
Lots of Twists
Marcella is an interesting character whose own problems don't become apparent until near the end of the book. The ending is a cliff hanger that makes one wonder about her new experiences in the next book. I don't generally like cliff hangers, but this one makes me want to read more about the character.
Marcella is an interesting character whose own problems don't become apparent until near the end of the book. The ending is a cliff hanger that makes one wonder about her new experiences in the next book. I don't generally like cliff hangers, but this one makes me want to read more about the character.
March 9, 2025
Five stars plus.
I love the books by AJ Wills and this one is a real page turner. The characters were so good and I had to keep reading to see the outcome. I definitely recommend this book.
I love the books by AJ Wills and this one is a real page turner. The characters were so good and I had to keep reading to see the outcome. I definitely recommend this book.
April 11, 2025
Well that turned into a cracker of a story! Who doesn't like cellars and a bit of torture! This had me on the edge of my seat, no meant feat with a spiral fractured humerus.
Thank you for taking my mind off it, and enabling me to concentrate on Audiobooks again.
Thank you for taking my mind off it, and enabling me to concentrate on Audiobooks again.
October 20, 2023
Started off well
The book started off well. Good story. The ending seemed like it was wrapped up too quickly or not enough explanation.
The book started off well. Good story. The ending seemed like it was wrapped up too quickly or not enough explanation.
November 2, 2023
Good read
Pretty good. Kept me interested, but not really intrigued. Will definitely try more from this author. Finished it in two days.
Pretty good. Kept me interested, but not really intrigued. Will definitely try more from this author. Finished it in two days.
November 3, 2023
The House Guest
This was a very good psychological thriller.I enjoyed all the twists and turns and was surprised by the ending.I will definitely read more books by this author.
This was a very good psychological thriller.I enjoyed all the twists and turns and was surprised by the ending.I will definitely read more books by this author.
November 5, 2023
3.5***
Delusions. The mind is a unique story teller. It can make a story so real that we actaually make it so. A good study of the mind undone.
Delusions. The mind is a unique story teller. It can make a story so real that we actaually make it so. A good study of the mind undone.
November 16, 2023
Just when you think...''OMG just another so predictable psychological thriller!!!'' it comes the last chapter and the rating goes 5+ !!! Absolutely brilliant !!!
November 28, 2023
excellent
A real surprise because I did not know the author. Lots of twists but well worth the read. 4 stars
A real surprise because I did not know the author. Lots of twists but well worth the read. 4 stars
December 23, 2023
I enjoyed this book, I didn't see where it was going with the story line until about 3/4 of the way through.
March 19, 2024
One star off because it was too slow for me in the middle and I didn’t love the dialogue. But the ending…WOW
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews