The Uninvited Guest

by Maria Frankland

This Christmas will be when we get our marriage back on track.
After all, we’ve got several days of family togetherness with the rest of the world shut out. Right?

Wrong.


When my wife returns home with her work colleague on Christmas Eve, nothing I do or say will change her mind about having invited him to spend Christmas with us.

‘He shouldn’t be alone,’ she insists, ‘it’s the first Christmas he’s being forced to spend without his wife and son.’ She gives me a look that affirms the subject isn’t up for discussion. Then he walks into the room, making it impossible for me to take the argument further.

Before long, I feel like an outcast in my own home.

There’s no denying how well he slots in. My kids love him and even my mother, normally so hard to win over, can’t see what my problem is. But I can see straight through him.

And I’m going to prove why.

I voice my concerns to my wife but still, she doesn’t listen. And as Christmas Day dawns, something has to give. Either he’ll be leaving or I will.

One way or another.

Genres: Christmas, Thriller, Fiction, Novella, Amazon, Mystery Thriller

142 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 25, 2024

About the author

Maria Frankland has a dubious internet search history and a very worried mother-in-law. However, neither of these things can stop her writing gripping psychological thrillers in which you’ll never find a happy-ever-after.

Her novels are mostly set in Yorkshire where you’ll hear the accent through all her characters. These are people you could live next door to, or closer still… don’t say you haven’t been warned.

Maria’s novels are fast-paced, down to earth and realistic. You never know what’s around the corner…

Find out more about Maria at https://www.mariafrankland.co.uk. Whilst you’re there, you can download your free novella – The Brother-in-Law.

Reviews

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect, psychological thriller for the holidays!

The Uninvited Guest is the best holiday thriller I have read in a long time. It kept me on the edge of my seat with a constant sense of foreboding and unease. The initial twist and numerous twists along the way are unexpected. This novella is suspenseful, gripping, and extremely entertaining. I highly recommend this mysterious holiday read!

[Celeste Velocci (bookrecs_by_celeste) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun popcorn thriller with lifetime movie vibes. It was set around Christmas so it had the Christmas season element to it as well. A fast paced read and bonus points for a holiday thriller this time of year.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars

First time I’ve picked up something from this author and I’ll definitely be reading more of her books in 2025! This was such an enjoyable—if not a bit dark—holiday read. I loved the multiple points of view, which helped immerse the reader more directly into the suspense of the story, seeing events as they happened through different eyes. You’ll finish this in one sitting for sure. So if you enjoy Christmas and holiday-themed stories as much as I do, give this one a try!! I’m glad I did!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging thriller from the very beginning. The tension builds steadily, keeping me hooked as the story unfolds. The twists and turns, made it hard to put the book down. Very suspenseful and readers will always know there’s something “lingering” happening but you won’t be able to pin point exactly what’s it is. Overall, The Uninvited Guest is a compelling read that fans of domestic thrillers will thoroughly enjoy.

[Rosie Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I was most definitely hooked from the first chapter it’s a real Christmas treat #KindleUnlimited 😦😬

[Jennalee Cole · Rating 1 out of 5]

Idk how this book is so highly rated 🤣😅

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for some holiday reading that packs a punch, I turned to this novella by Maria Frankland. Having never read anything she has written, I was not sure what to expect or how it might compare to some of the other stories I have read to fill my Christmas list. Tyler is hoping to put his marriage back on track this Christmas, surrounded by his mother, two children, and wife, Fran. This is turned on its head when Fran returns home from work on Christmas Eve with her colleague, Dillon, who is set to be alone. Tyler is put out and worries about what all this means. As things heat up, alcohol is poured and soon Tyler is scolded for blowing things out of proportion. Tyler has done some research into Dillon and learns something highly troubling, which he tries to address directly with the man in question. One thing leads to another and Tyler is on the ground, having suffered a mortal head injury. Fran is sure it was an accident, as Dillon explained, and moves on, though she is ill-at-ease with everything. Months later, Fran and Dillon are beginning their new life together, but news emerges that cannot be ignored. Might Dillon's clash with Tyler be something other than an accident? All is revealed in this gripping novella that has Maria Frankland delivering quite a punch!

Christmas is the ideal reading time, no matter what genre interests you, of which I will surely be adding Maria Frankland. Not only does she pen the perfect thriller, but she is able to keep the tensions high throughout, as the mystery unravels. The narrative builds from the start, creating confusion as things unfold. Frankland creates a path on which the reader will soon discover truths and things finally make sense. Frankland's storytelling is key to the success of this piece and there is little time to wait, as the attentive reader will see. Short chapters push things along and keep the reader from getting too sure of what's to come in this great thriller.

Characters are present and evolve throughout the piece. Tyler and Fran set the scene, but Dillon's presence is essential to understanding the entire piece. The reader can see things from both Tyler and Fran's perspectives, though nothing is entirely clear until the final chapters of the story. Frankland delivers great crumbs about the three main characters, but patience is of the utmost importance to truly see who is who and how they all fit together. I enjoyed this approach, though it did leave me unsure what to believe for most of the story.

Surprises emerge from the outset, creating the perfect thriller and putting the reader on the defensive. Maria Frankland knows how to write and keeps the twists perfectly woven into the narrative. As events progress, nothing is as it seems and the reader must question any preconceived notions they bring with them. As there is little time to see the novella through to the end, the reader must hang on for dear life, hoping to make sense of it all by the final pages. I am pleased to have found this holiday novella and will be looking for more Maria Frankland in 2026!

Kudos, Madam Frankland, for a page-turner like no other!

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Uninvited Guest” by Maria Frankland was a quick, exciting read that kept me hooked from start to finish. The suspense was perfectly built, and just when I thought I had everything figured out, a twist came that completely threw me off guard. The story had me on edge, and I found myself constantly wondering what would happen next. The characters were well-developed, and the tension throughout the book made it hard to put down. Overall, it was a thrilling and satisfying read that I’d definitely recommend to fans of suspense and psychological thrillers.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the perfect Christmas thriller novella.

[Kathy Brackin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I greatly recommend this novella 🎄🙌🏻🙌🏻 so good!

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short Christmas mystery with a very unusual ending.

[Donna Mallery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all of Maria’s books. While I’m reading this Christmas themed book in December, it is far from a Merry Christmas! There’s sadness that a husband can’t let his marriage fall apart. And there’s also a tragedy. The good news is that it ends on a positive note!

[Robin Wolff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh, I loved it.
Perfectly horrifying.

Rounded up from 4.5⭐️ because why Fran?!! 😩😭

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this twisty thriller. A short novella so a fast read!

[Trina 🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really devoured this book!! Right from page one, I was hooked! So much suspense and constant tension kept me on the edge of my seat!! Loved loved this Christmas thriller novella!

[Pheadra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novella that centres around Christmas for a family who suddenly are coping with an Uninvited Guest, Dillon. But is Dillon uninvited and who exactly is he? 4 stars.

[Nita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Domestic /Psychological Thriller
Moods: Mysterious
Pace: Fast

Visually evocative writing is undoubtedly the major highlight of The Uninvited Guest.

Though the plot was completely predictable, the storytelling still manages to maintain tension and engagement and it somehow managed to give me an edge-of-the-seat experience, especially towards the end.

Beyond the suspense, the novel carries a strong and important message about domestic violence.
It underscores how deeply serious the issue is and how devastating the consequences can be when early warning signs are ignored or dismissed.

Another compelling theme the novel highlights is the importance of knowing a partner’s background in a relationship.
In the name of love, trust, and privacy, couples often avoid asking difficult questions or conducting even basic verification, comforted by the belief that “the past is past.” Frankland effectively challenges this notion, reminding readers that understanding someone’s past can often make their present behaviour and potential future far more comprehensible.

To conclude, it is a gripping domestic psychological thriller with a predictable storyline but strong execution, meaningful themes, and an impactful message.

Highly recommend it to the beginner-level mystery/thriller readers!

My rating: 3/5

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a Christmas thriller novella for a quick read so this came right up my street! 🙌🏼

Fran and her husband, Tyler, recently separated and were planning to spend Christmas Day together with their children, Archie and Lola. 🎄🎁 Tyler thought this would be a perfect time to win Fran back! 🤞🏼 Fran decided to invite her colleague, Dillon, to spend Christmas Day with her and the family but Tyler wasn’t thrilled about it. 😬 Tyler had an inking that Dillon is not all he seem to be… 🤔 Then Tyler ended up dead somehow… 😳 Four months later, Fran had a wake up call after discovered Dillon’s secrets and can she get away from him?! 😩

This novella got me completed hooked from the start to the end! 📖👀 So much suspense and constant tension kept me on the edge of my seat! 🤯

I’ve never read any of Maria’s books before and this was a first! I’ve really enjoyed reading this and I’m considering whether I should squeeze ‘Last Christmas’ book in this month! 🤭 Andddd I’m definitely going to invest in all Maria’s books - I know that there is other 26 books (2 novellas and 24 books to be exact) left to get my hands on…📚🤪

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining relationship listening 🏙😏

This kindle ebook novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account

Her and her husband and two kids are getting ready for Christmas. The wife brings home a man for Christmas Season from work. Her husband is not happy. The husband makes an issue and ends up dead. Months later they are looking to move in together. She learns the truth leading to her being injured and his arrest.😕

I would recommend this novella and author to readers of romantic family and friends adventures mystery novels 😘😚 2025 👒🤗

[kaitlynawells · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ another fun Christmas thriller! I was stuck between 3 and 4 stars, but ended up settling on 3.5 stars just because I did lose interest around 85%. It’s very gripping…. until you figure it all out. The last 15% is just wrapping up what you expected so I was ready to get it over with so I definitely rushed through it. Overall, I would recommend for a holiday season read.

[Kelli Santistevan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Christmas will be when we get our marriage back on track. After all, we’ve got several days of family togetherness with the rest of the world shut out. Right?
Wrong.

I read this book on Kindle Unlimited. I enjoyed reading this book.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tense, twisty, and impossible to put down. “The Uninvited Guest” pulls you into a web of secrets where nothing is as it seems, and every chapter sharpens the suspense. A fast, addictive thriller that keeps you guessing right to the end.

[Paige Amnotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

loving all these quick Christmas thrillers!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas thriller

The wife was messed up for this one! The husband tried to warn her! SMH! Not too surprising here. It is a quick Christmas thriller to read though.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge of seat thriller, very good. Quick read since a novella.

[Nadine Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was the perfect read on Christmas Eve!

Highly recommend this author,
Love all her books.
This was a lovely little novella.
Merry Xmas everyone and a happy new year of reading!

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short thriller novella based around Christmas time, first Christmas book of the season and definitely worth a read!

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella was kind of all over the place. I felt like it didn’t really flow. It did hold my attention though. Fran decides it’s a good idea to bring home her male coworker for Christmas. He doesn’t have his wife anymore and his son is with his grandparents. Of course the moment she brings Dillon home her husband is on high alert. We find out that Fran and her husband Tyler aren’t even together anymore, they are separated. Tyler is there for the kids but in Tyler’s mind he is going to win his wife back and having Dillon there really puts a wrench in things. Tyler is something else though. This man is there to spend the holiday with his kids and he’s spending the entire time researching his wife’s new man. Dillon isn’t who he seems but Fran and Tyler’s mom who is also there don’t think anything of it. I’m sorry but there are two young kids in the house and you’re having a stranger stay in the house with them. But wait, Dillon is no stranger. Fran has been seeing Dillon romantically. What do you mean you have your ex home for the holidays AND you bring home your new man to stay too. 😳 how uncomfortable would that be. Not to mention sleeping with your new man in the same bed you shared with your husband. The husband who is sleeping in a room under the same roof currently. Dillon and Tyler end up going outside to have a pissing contest and things escalate quickly. Dillon smashes his own head on the side of the house and proceeds to hit Tyler so hard he kills him. Of course Fran and her mother in law are distraught over all of this. They forgive Tyler because they think it was self defense and Fran and Tyler decide to get a new place together. Tyler’s wife was found dead awhile back in his house and now that Tyler has died at Fran’s house they needed a new start 🤦🏻‍♀️ While at Dillon’s house Fran goes outside and that is where the neighbor lady calls her over to the fence and tells her to stay away from Dillon, that he is dangerous. She slips her phone number to Fran and Dillon comes out questioning why they are talking to each other. Dillon starts to show his true colors when Fran starts asking questions about things, especially about a box he was bringing to the new house. Fran texts one of Dillon’s coworkers and has her call Dillon into the office so she can snoop. She finds in the box stuff about Dillon being a boxing legend or some shit. He apparently hits once and it’s over for his opponent. She calls and talks to the neighbor lady and she is convinced Dillon killed his wife and she thinks that because her and him were having an affair 😳 so damn messy. Dillon gets home while she is on the phone with his neighbor and he loses his mind and hurts Fran. Julia (the mother in law) picks the kids up from school and takes them home but feels like something is off. She goes into the house and finds Dillon standing over a beaten Fran and hits him with a golf club. The police arrive. He goes to prison. The end.

[Cheyenne Joy Mijdam · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review
The Uninvited Guest by Maria Frankland

What can I say.
WOW.
Maria Frankland did it again. And honestly, at this point I’m starting to feel personally attacked—in the best way.

This psychological thriller Christmas novella grabbed me by the throat, dragged me into a snow-covered living room, shoved a mug of fake festive cheer into my hands, and whispered, “Relax. Nothing bad is going to happen.”
Which is always a lie. Always.

Once you start, there is no outside world. No notifications. No responsibilities. Just you, the tension, and that creeping feeling that you absolutely should not trust anyone—especially not the ones smiling the hardest. Maria has this talent for sucking you straight into the story before you can even finish your internal “I’ll just read one chapter” lie.

Her writing puts me right there. Every single time. At this point, I’m convinced I’m the unofficial private investigator in all her books. But this one goes further. I wasn’t just observing—I was feeling it. The paranoia. The family dynamics. The fragile trust. The instinct to protect children. The complicated love between parents, partners, in-laws. And that suffocating pressure of the “perfect Christmas,” because apparently nothing says festive like unresolved trauma and buried secrets.

The setup looks harmless enough:
Nice house. Family together. Husband who’s counting down the seconds until Christmas arrives. Wife who’s counting down the seconds until it’s over. Kids. Grandma. Fireplace. Snow. Tree. And then—because why not—the wife brings home a guest.

And that’s when everything starts to unravel. Fast. Dark. Twisted. Emotional.
It spirals in that quiet, unsettling way where you think you’re keeping up… until you realize Maria has already sprinted three steps ahead of you and locked the door behind her.

I always try to figure it out. I need to figure it out. It’s a personality flaw. I’m in the back of my mind building theories, connecting dots, trying to be smug. And somehow Maria still manages to distract me just enough—by making every character feel real, layered, and painfully human—that I forget to play detective and just… feel everything instead.

So yeah.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ bright Christmas stars.

If you’re looking for a short, intense, Christmas-family-destroyed, cozy-but-mentally-unstable, fireplace-lit, snow-covered psychological mind f**k that you can devour in one sitting and love before it even hits your TBR pile—this is it.

Merry Christmas.
Trust no one. 🎄

[Milena Carrera☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitivamente la pasé muy mal leyendo este libro (en el buen sentido). Al inicio estás a favor de uno y luego de otro, y otra vez de otro.

La primera mitad me gustó y me entretuvo bastante porque sin demasiadas palabras logra transmitir todo lo que los personajes están sintiendo, pero poco a poco se siente que todo avanza demasiado rápido, sin nada de transición. La autora definitivamente tiró toda la narrativa por la borda. Pudo haber extendido algo más el libro, dando paso a más expectativas y descripciones en general.

El giro de la vecina me pareció muy poco realista y las actitudes de Fran también. Como que de la nada cambia de pensamientos. Y de hecho, para ser una adulta hecha y derecha, se me hizo tan inmadura: Creo que tras un año de separación, no es lógico estar enamorada ya de otro hombre y encima llevarlo a pasar navidad contigo,y
tus hijos, tu suegra y tu marido (del que estás separada) y encima mentirle a tu marido sobre tu nueva pareja diciendo que sólo "un compañero de trabajo" y más encima ENOJARTE porque él tenga dudas.

Sí, Tyler fue muy pesado y entrometido, y también hizo muy mal en abofetear a Fran (hubiera querido leer esa pelea también porque ni siquiera explican el contexto, solo se dice que Tyler había empezado a dudar de Fran). Por otro lado, tampoco comprendo cómo podés ir a vivir con el hombre que mató a tu marido y al padre de tus hijos.

En fin, eso es todo. Esta autora me llamaba mucho la atención y me quedaron muchas ganas de seguir leyéndola. Este es el primer libro que leo de ella.

Pd: Julia fue mi personaje fav.