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Ten Perfect Guests
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Expected 8 Sep 26Win a free print copy of this book!
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50 copies available
U.S. only
Ten special guests.
One secluded island.
No way out.
When celebrated and enigmatic artist Victor D'Arcangelo dies unexpectedly, his nearest and dearest receive an irresistible attend his weekend memorial—or forfeit their inheritance.
But once they arrive, the paradise begins to feel more like a prison. Someone knows their secrets. Someone wants revenge.
As the weekend spirals into chaos, one question hangs in the sultry, tropical Who, if anyone, will survive?
This time, the masterpiece may be murder.
One secluded island.
No way out.
When celebrated and enigmatic artist Victor D'Arcangelo dies unexpectedly, his nearest and dearest receive an irresistible attend his weekend memorial—or forfeit their inheritance.
But once they arrive, the paradise begins to feel more like a prison. Someone knows their secrets. Someone wants revenge.
As the weekend spirals into chaos, one question hangs in the sultry, tropical Who, if anyone, will survive?
This time, the masterpiece may be murder.
416 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 8, 2026
About the author
Jonathan Santlofer
37 books349 followersJonathan Santlofer is the author of five novels and a highly respected artist whose work has been written about and reviewed in the New York Times, Art in America, Artforum, and Arts, and appears in many public, private, and corporate collections. He serves on the board of Yaddo, one of the oldest artist communities in the country. Santlofer lives and works in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
Did Not Finish
May 28, 2026DNF @ 50%. While I enjoy the characters, literally nothing has happened in terms of plot at this point. They've arrived at the island. They've been snarky. They've squabbled. Someone has been slapped. And now they're playing a game. I just don't have time for this.
Read
July 10, 2026If you like Agatha Christie’s And There There Were None or Evelyn Clarke’s The Ending Writes Itself, this is likely a good book for you!
10 guests - all self absorbed, all hoping for an inheritance they likely don’t deserve, and all sentenced to a terrible trip. The epitome of rich people behaving poorly (or maybe no-longer-so-rich as the case may be). It was clearly a deliberate choice to make all the characters unlikable and boy was Jonathan Santlofer successful at that! The characters were well developed, and while I didn’t like any one of them, I was absolutely fascinated by their dynamics and interactions.
I also like the way different elements of the art world were interwoven with the plot - not just artists, collectors, and sellers, but also different elements art assistants touch, the impact of selling paintings at auction, and especially the posing of the dead bodies. It all was a well researched and delightful thread throughout the book.
However, the story ultimately feel a little short of expectations for me. The pacing was slow and I never really built a sense of suspense or mystery (it didn’t help I guessed the killer from very early on). By no means a bad book, just not the most compelling to me personally.
Thanks to Jonathan Santlofer, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
10 guests - all self absorbed, all hoping for an inheritance they likely don’t deserve, and all sentenced to a terrible trip. The epitome of rich people behaving poorly (or maybe no-longer-so-rich as the case may be). It was clearly a deliberate choice to make all the characters unlikable and boy was Jonathan Santlofer successful at that! The characters were well developed, and while I didn’t like any one of them, I was absolutely fascinated by their dynamics and interactions.
I also like the way different elements of the art world were interwoven with the plot - not just artists, collectors, and sellers, but also different elements art assistants touch, the impact of selling paintings at auction, and especially the posing of the dead bodies. It all was a well researched and delightful thread throughout the book.
However, the story ultimately feel a little short of expectations for me. The pacing was slow and I never really built a sense of suspense or mystery (it didn’t help I guessed the killer from very early on). By no means a bad book, just not the most compelling to me personally.
Thanks to Jonathan Santlofer, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 18, 2026
ARC from NetGalley
So… I went into this book expecting a thriller/murder mystery, what I wasn’t expecting was how weirdly focused the writing was on everyone’s bodies. The ‘attractive’ women have it constantly pointed out how attractive they are and the one ‘heavier’ woman also has her body constantly commented on, and the author makes a point about how uncomfortable this woman feels in her clothes - like dude just let it go. ‘In the bathroom, she studied her reflection: a nondescript women of middle age, hard to describe, impossible to remember’ - this is a crime of a sentence which could only have been written by a male author! Each women feels like a constant stereotype.
The men don’t escape either - their bodies are also constantly commented upon. The constant commenting on people’s bodies and weight is super jarring and honestly feels like weak writing, like come on find something else to write about.
The whole cast of characters is mostly unlikable, but that feels intentional.
Other than that I actually enjoyed the plot and I found the incorporation of famous art into the murder scenes a fun addition!
There is also a part where a gun is described in kilometres…. I’m assuming it should have been 22 grams?
So… I went into this book expecting a thriller/murder mystery, what I wasn’t expecting was how weirdly focused the writing was on everyone’s bodies. The ‘attractive’ women have it constantly pointed out how attractive they are and the one ‘heavier’ woman also has her body constantly commented on, and the author makes a point about how uncomfortable this woman feels in her clothes - like dude just let it go. ‘In the bathroom, she studied her reflection: a nondescript women of middle age, hard to describe, impossible to remember’ - this is a crime of a sentence which could only have been written by a male author! Each women feels like a constant stereotype.
The men don’t escape either - their bodies are also constantly commented upon. The constant commenting on people’s bodies and weight is super jarring and honestly feels like weak writing, like come on find something else to write about.
The whole cast of characters is mostly unlikable, but that feels intentional.
Other than that I actually enjoyed the plot and I found the incorporation of famous art into the murder scenes a fun addition!
There is also a part where a gun is described in kilometres…. I’m assuming it should have been 22 grams?
Read
August 13, 202610 guests gather on a remote island to hear the reading of a will - one by one bodies begin to pile up … the art world as the authors expert about is the setting and the characters …
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"Ten Perfect Guests" by Jonathan Santlofer is a dark mystery reminiscent of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. I admit, I am a sucker for locked-room mysteries and the vacation-gone-wrong trope, so the premise had me intrigued.
One tropical island. Ten guests. One gathering turns deadly. When the celebrated artist Victor D'Arcangelo dies unexpectedly, ten of his nearest and dearest are summoned to a weekend memorial on a secluded island that is off the grid. They must attend or forfeit their inheritance. Each guest has their own reasons for attending and their own agenda. Once they arrive, paradise turns into a nightmare. They are trapped on the island and picked off one by one. As the body count increases, tensions and tempers rise, and they turn on each other.
The book is atmospheric and gritty, and there is a gradual buildup of tension. The story is told from multiple third-person perspectives, presenting different personalities and motivations. The chapters are short, moving between characters, which makes for a quick read. Each guest has their own backstory, most of them unlikeable, self-centered, and egotistical. Each one has secrets and has done horrible things in the past.
Despite the large cast, I had no trouble keeping track of the characters. And yes, some of them were stereotyped. I liked the inclusion of the transcripts, how art imitates life through the staging of the murder scenes, and the way the ins and outs of the art world permeate the story.
The author creates an excellent sense of setting and Christie-esque atmosphere. The isolation, danger, bugs, crocodiles, overgrown grass, and heat are almost palpable. There’s a strong sense of claustrophobia. The distrust and quarrels add to the atmosphere.
Unfortunately, the execution doesn't quite live up to the concept. The biggest issue I had with this book was the writing style and the pacing. The writing didn't flow smoothly at times, making it harder to get lost in the story. The first half of the book is especially slow, weighed down by exposition and character introductions. Also, there was too much drinking and drug use to my taste.
Overall, I enjoyed the book despite its flaws. The author introduces some interesting twists in the story, and I didn't guess who was behind the deaths, which is always a plus in a mystery. Although the execution isn't perfect, the mystery itself kept me engaged. I recommend it to readers who enjoy locked-room mysteries and Christie-inspired stories.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review on my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2026...
One tropical island. Ten guests. One gathering turns deadly. When the celebrated artist Victor D'Arcangelo dies unexpectedly, ten of his nearest and dearest are summoned to a weekend memorial on a secluded island that is off the grid. They must attend or forfeit their inheritance. Each guest has their own reasons for attending and their own agenda. Once they arrive, paradise turns into a nightmare. They are trapped on the island and picked off one by one. As the body count increases, tensions and tempers rise, and they turn on each other.
The book is atmospheric and gritty, and there is a gradual buildup of tension. The story is told from multiple third-person perspectives, presenting different personalities and motivations. The chapters are short, moving between characters, which makes for a quick read. Each guest has their own backstory, most of them unlikeable, self-centered, and egotistical. Each one has secrets and has done horrible things in the past.
Despite the large cast, I had no trouble keeping track of the characters. And yes, some of them were stereotyped. I liked the inclusion of the transcripts, how art imitates life through the staging of the murder scenes, and the way the ins and outs of the art world permeate the story.
The author creates an excellent sense of setting and Christie-esque atmosphere. The isolation, danger, bugs, crocodiles, overgrown grass, and heat are almost palpable. There’s a strong sense of claustrophobia. The distrust and quarrels add to the atmosphere.
Unfortunately, the execution doesn't quite live up to the concept. The biggest issue I had with this book was the writing style and the pacing. The writing didn't flow smoothly at times, making it harder to get lost in the story. The first half of the book is especially slow, weighed down by exposition and character introductions. Also, there was too much drinking and drug use to my taste.
Overall, I enjoyed the book despite its flaws. The author introduces some interesting twists in the story, and I didn't guess who was behind the deaths, which is always a plus in a mystery. Although the execution isn't perfect, the mystery itself kept me engaged. I recommend it to readers who enjoy locked-room mysteries and Christie-inspired stories.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review on my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2026...
August 21, 2026
The description of Ten Perfect Guests had all the ingredients for a fantastic thriller. An island setting with no escape, multiple people and personalities to weave into the drama and mystery, plenty of potential motives, and a simple premise: come to the island, or forfeit your inheritance.
The story starts by introducing each of our guests, and I actually really enjoyed this. I loved getting pieces of information from each character while inside their thoughts and slowly beginning to connect everything together. It felt like the setup for the perfect string board, attaching plots, relationships, secrets, and motives as they emerged. What I didn’t expect was to spend roughly the first 40% of the book waiting to actually get to the island, or how much I would end up disliking a large portion of the characters and their internal thoughts. 😂
While the writing style didn’t work particularly well for my personal tastes, the book is well written nonetheless. At no point did I feel lost, like I was missing necessary information, or like the author didn’t trust the reader to navigate the large cast and piece things together independently.
One thing that did increasingly bother me was how much attention was given to women’s bodies, weight, and perceived attractiveness. Once or twice probably wouldn’t have registered much for me, but similar descriptions appeared repeatedly, men staring at women’s breasts or cleavage, commentary about characters’ weight, whether someone was still considered beautiful, or whether someone had “let themselves go.” After a while, it became distracting and took me out of the story.
I also think Ten Perfect Guests could have been considerably shorter without sacrificing much valuable information or storyline. The opening chapters caught my attention, and the final third picked things back up, but a good chunk of the middle lost its momentum for me. For a premise built around trapping ten people together on an isolated island, I wanted the story to get us there much sooner and really capitalize on that claustrophobic setup.
The narration was totally fine. Even with a single narrator handling such a large cast, the character voices remained consistent and distinct enough that I didn’t struggle to keep track of who was speaking.
Ultimately, there were pieces of Ten Perfect Guests that I really enjoyed, particularly the structure of its multiple perspectives and the opportunity to piece together everyone’s connections and secrets. I just wish the story had reached the island sooner, tightened up the middle, and spent more time delivering on the tension promised by such a fantastic premise.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an advance listening copy in exchange for my honest review.
The story starts by introducing each of our guests, and I actually really enjoyed this. I loved getting pieces of information from each character while inside their thoughts and slowly beginning to connect everything together. It felt like the setup for the perfect string board, attaching plots, relationships, secrets, and motives as they emerged. What I didn’t expect was to spend roughly the first 40% of the book waiting to actually get to the island, or how much I would end up disliking a large portion of the characters and their internal thoughts. 😂
While the writing style didn’t work particularly well for my personal tastes, the book is well written nonetheless. At no point did I feel lost, like I was missing necessary information, or like the author didn’t trust the reader to navigate the large cast and piece things together independently.
One thing that did increasingly bother me was how much attention was given to women’s bodies, weight, and perceived attractiveness. Once or twice probably wouldn’t have registered much for me, but similar descriptions appeared repeatedly, men staring at women’s breasts or cleavage, commentary about characters’ weight, whether someone was still considered beautiful, or whether someone had “let themselves go.” After a while, it became distracting and took me out of the story.
I also think Ten Perfect Guests could have been considerably shorter without sacrificing much valuable information or storyline. The opening chapters caught my attention, and the final third picked things back up, but a good chunk of the middle lost its momentum for me. For a premise built around trapping ten people together on an isolated island, I wanted the story to get us there much sooner and really capitalize on that claustrophobic setup.
The narration was totally fine. Even with a single narrator handling such a large cast, the character voices remained consistent and distinct enough that I didn’t struggle to keep track of who was speaking.
Ultimately, there were pieces of Ten Perfect Guests that I really enjoyed, particularly the structure of its multiple perspectives and the opportunity to piece together everyone’s connections and secrets. I just wish the story had reached the island sooner, tightened up the middle, and spent more time delivering on the tension promised by such a fantastic premise.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an advance listening copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC.
Ten Perfect Guests delivers exactly the kind of premise that immediately grabs my attention: ten people trapped on a remote island, a mysterious inheritance, plenty of secrets, and guests beginning to die one by one. As a fan of locked-room mysteries, I couldn't wait to dive in. The story follows ten individuals who have all been invited to an isolated island after the death of a famous artist. Each believes they're there to learn about their inheritance, but instead they're forced to confront the ways they've wronged the deceased. Once the bodies begin piling up, everyone becomes both a suspect and a potential victim.
The atmosphere was easily one of the book's strongest elements. The isolated island setting created the perfect backdrop for a classic whodunit, and I enjoyed the clear nods to Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. The connections to the art world also added an interesting layer that helped the story stand out. That said, the first half was much slower than I expected. There were a lot of characters to meet and backstories to establish, but it took quite a while before I felt fully invested in the mystery. Once Part Two began, however, the pacing improved significantly. The tension increased, the suspense finally kicked in, and I found myself much more eager to keep turning the pages.
While I guessed several aspects of the mystery fairly early, I still enjoyed watching everything unfold. The final twist was satisfying, and I liked the way the ending pulled everything together, even if the journey there wasn't quite as gripping as I'd hoped. Ten Perfect Guests is an entertaining locked-room mystery with an atmospheric setting, plenty of secrets, and an enjoyable homage to classic Christie-style mysteries. Although the slow beginning kept it from being a higher-rated read for me, I think fans of character-driven whodunits and isolated island thrillers will still have a great time with this one.
Ten Perfect Guests delivers exactly the kind of premise that immediately grabs my attention: ten people trapped on a remote island, a mysterious inheritance, plenty of secrets, and guests beginning to die one by one. As a fan of locked-room mysteries, I couldn't wait to dive in. The story follows ten individuals who have all been invited to an isolated island after the death of a famous artist. Each believes they're there to learn about their inheritance, but instead they're forced to confront the ways they've wronged the deceased. Once the bodies begin piling up, everyone becomes both a suspect and a potential victim.
The atmosphere was easily one of the book's strongest elements. The isolated island setting created the perfect backdrop for a classic whodunit, and I enjoyed the clear nods to Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. The connections to the art world also added an interesting layer that helped the story stand out. That said, the first half was much slower than I expected. There were a lot of characters to meet and backstories to establish, but it took quite a while before I felt fully invested in the mystery. Once Part Two began, however, the pacing improved significantly. The tension increased, the suspense finally kicked in, and I found myself much more eager to keep turning the pages.
While I guessed several aspects of the mystery fairly early, I still enjoyed watching everything unfold. The final twist was satisfying, and I liked the way the ending pulled everything together, even if the journey there wasn't quite as gripping as I'd hoped. Ten Perfect Guests is an entertaining locked-room mystery with an atmospheric setting, plenty of secrets, and an enjoyable homage to classic Christie-style mysteries. Although the slow beginning kept it from being a higher-rated read for me, I think fans of character-driven whodunits and isolated island thrillers will still have a great time with this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ten Perfect Guests is a thriller designed to keep you guessing at who is actually worthy of the reading of the will that our famous artist has left. Come to our secluded island, stay the weekend, and hear what things you may have been given once the will is read. We have characters that all have their place, such as, an acclaimed artist (deceased), an ex wife, current wife, son, and several employees all vying to get their piece of the pie. When you put them all together in a will, and send them off to a beautiful island, things get tense quickly. As soon as they settle into their lovely tropical house, the air grows thick with tension as we see all the players start to wonder if this was for fun or a plot to make them all pay in one way or another. These characters are all hiding something, and the secrets and whispers are something that just might kill them.
I loved the twists and turns of the group being summoned to this island for their inheritance. Of course someone behind the scenes is not who they claim to be, as we quickly see when things start to take a chaotic turn. I enjoyed reading the backstories of our characters, and how they were all woven into this action packed thriller. I will say that the writing was excellent, as the author had me really not liking any of the characters very much, which was the intent, I am sure. As the book goes on, you get a very deep sense of the classic Agatha Christie classic mystery (which he does give a nod to her & her writing in the acknowledgments portion).
I enjoyed reading this thriller, and would love to read more from this author. The suspense was strong, the characters all had a villainous quality to them, and the story came together like a puzzle at the conclusion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this book for review and consideration. All opinions are my own.
I loved the twists and turns of the group being summoned to this island for their inheritance. Of course someone behind the scenes is not who they claim to be, as we quickly see when things start to take a chaotic turn. I enjoyed reading the backstories of our characters, and how they were all woven into this action packed thriller. I will say that the writing was excellent, as the author had me really not liking any of the characters very much, which was the intent, I am sure. As the book goes on, you get a very deep sense of the classic Agatha Christie classic mystery (which he does give a nod to her & her writing in the acknowledgments portion).
I enjoyed reading this thriller, and would love to read more from this author. The suspense was strong, the characters all had a villainous quality to them, and the story came together like a puzzle at the conclusion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this book for review and consideration. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an advance electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When celebrated artist Victor D'Arcangelo dies unexpectedly, ten people connected to his life are invited to an extravagant memorial weekend on a remote island. The catch? Attend the event or forfeit your inheritance. With no way to leave and no contact with the outside world, the weekend quickly becomes anything but a simple memorial.
The premise immediately grabbed my attention. I'm always drawn to isolated island mysteries, and this one had all the ingredients for an entertaining locked-room mystery.
For me, though, the execution didn't quite match the promise of the premise. The first half of the book moved at a very slow pace, and it took quite a while before the story found its footing. I also wasn't a fan of the structure. With more than 110 very short chapters - some only a page or two on my Kindle. The constant stops and starts made it difficult for the story to build momentum.
I also found it hard to connect with the cast. With ten guests at the center of the story, none of them really stood out to me, and I never became particularly invested in any of them. That made it difficult to feel much tension or emotional investment as the story unfolded.
The mystery itself was enjoyable enough, but it felt like a familiar take on a classic isolated island setup rather than one that brought something especially new to the genre.
Overall, this was a perfectly fine mystery that just left me wanting a little more. The premise was strong, but the slow pacing, fragmented chapter structure, and lack of memorable characters kept it from being a standout read for me. Fans of locked-room mysteries and secluded island settings may still find plenty to enjoy.
When celebrated artist Victor D'Arcangelo dies unexpectedly, ten people connected to his life are invited to an extravagant memorial weekend on a remote island. The catch? Attend the event or forfeit your inheritance. With no way to leave and no contact with the outside world, the weekend quickly becomes anything but a simple memorial.
The premise immediately grabbed my attention. I'm always drawn to isolated island mysteries, and this one had all the ingredients for an entertaining locked-room mystery.
For me, though, the execution didn't quite match the promise of the premise. The first half of the book moved at a very slow pace, and it took quite a while before the story found its footing. I also wasn't a fan of the structure. With more than 110 very short chapters - some only a page or two on my Kindle. The constant stops and starts made it difficult for the story to build momentum.
I also found it hard to connect with the cast. With ten guests at the center of the story, none of them really stood out to me, and I never became particularly invested in any of them. That made it difficult to feel much tension or emotional investment as the story unfolded.
The mystery itself was enjoyable enough, but it felt like a familiar take on a classic isolated island setup rather than one that brought something especially new to the genre.
Overall, this was a perfectly fine mystery that just left me wanting a little more. The premise was strong, but the slow pacing, fragmented chapter structure, and lack of memorable characters kept it from being a standout read for me. Fans of locked-room mysteries and secluded island settings may still find plenty to enjoy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ten people are lured to a lonely island for a weekend. They have no communication with the outside world, no way off the island. We learn that each person is responsible for one death—or more than one. Then, the murders start. Is the murderer among them, or some shadowy figure who has descended upon them like the wrath of god? They must find out if any of them are going to survive the weekend.
Does this sound familiar? It ought to. It’s the plot of And Then There Were None, one of Agatha Christie’s most famous novels. It’s also the plot of Jonathan Santlofer’s Ten Perfect Guests.
Well, if you’re going to steal, steal from the best.
On the other hand, if you’re going to monkey with a classic, you’d better have something up your sleeve.
Santlofer tries. Instead of a cold misty island off the coast of Devon, he plunks the murderees down on a Caribbean island that has all the charm of Lord of the Flies. The group, rather than strangers to each other are all connected, some intimately, through a famous, extremely wealthy artist whose will they believe is going to be read during said weekend getaway,
And they are all hungry as hyenas for money.
They’re not the most likable crew. Which is not a failing in and of itself. The characters are deftly drawn denizens of the art world with which Santlofer, an artist of some note himself, is thoroughly familiar. But if these characters are typical of the art world, I can see why he switched to novels.
In the end, I don’t think the Christie novel is a good choice to try to update. Does anyone believe there’s such a thing as an isolated island in today’s world of instant communication? It’s a valiant effort, it’s readable, but it just left me longing for the original.
Does this sound familiar? It ought to. It’s the plot of And Then There Were None, one of Agatha Christie’s most famous novels. It’s also the plot of Jonathan Santlofer’s Ten Perfect Guests.
Well, if you’re going to steal, steal from the best.
On the other hand, if you’re going to monkey with a classic, you’d better have something up your sleeve.
Santlofer tries. Instead of a cold misty island off the coast of Devon, he plunks the murderees down on a Caribbean island that has all the charm of Lord of the Flies. The group, rather than strangers to each other are all connected, some intimately, through a famous, extremely wealthy artist whose will they believe is going to be read during said weekend getaway,
And they are all hungry as hyenas for money.
They’re not the most likable crew. Which is not a failing in and of itself. The characters are deftly drawn denizens of the art world with which Santlofer, an artist of some note himself, is thoroughly familiar. But if these characters are typical of the art world, I can see why he switched to novels.
In the end, I don’t think the Christie novel is a good choice to try to update. Does anyone believe there’s such a thing as an isolated island in today’s world of instant communication? It’s a valiant effort, it’s readable, but it just left me longing for the original.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ten Perfect Guests
Ten people received an evite to spend a weekend in a luxurious hotel on a tropical island from a famous artist, Victor D’Arcangelo. He had died recently and this was to be a memorial. First class plane tickets were provided as was a trip on a luxury yacht. The participants were told they would receive an inheritance when they returned to the US.
Among the guests were his son, his estranged wife, his ex wife, a pharma heiress and her husband, his brother, his US art dealer and his European art dealer, a daughter born out of wedlock and an art critic who had helped Victor launch his career.
When they reached the island they were met by D’Arcangelo’s assistant. The assistant set them up in their rooms, gave them instructions and then left them with the order: discuss whether they had been helpful or harmful to the artist.
There was squabbling among the guests as they learned of the relationship of each of them to the deceased artist. We learn that each of them had hurt D’Arcangelo. Then the guests started dying mysteriously. Someone was out for revenge. By the time the yacht returned, only one guest was still alive. It is only a few years later that the real murderer is discovered.
The characters in this book all had something to hide. Not one of them was,likable including the deceased artist. The author exposes their misdeeds one by one. The reader will surprised at the very end when we learn who is the real murder.
I enjoyed the book and was anxious to find out why the guests were dying. I received this ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ten people received an evite to spend a weekend in a luxurious hotel on a tropical island from a famous artist, Victor D’Arcangelo. He had died recently and this was to be a memorial. First class plane tickets were provided as was a trip on a luxury yacht. The participants were told they would receive an inheritance when they returned to the US.
Among the guests were his son, his estranged wife, his ex wife, a pharma heiress and her husband, his brother, his US art dealer and his European art dealer, a daughter born out of wedlock and an art critic who had helped Victor launch his career.
When they reached the island they were met by D’Arcangelo’s assistant. The assistant set them up in their rooms, gave them instructions and then left them with the order: discuss whether they had been helpful or harmful to the artist.
There was squabbling among the guests as they learned of the relationship of each of them to the deceased artist. We learn that each of them had hurt D’Arcangelo. Then the guests started dying mysteriously. Someone was out for revenge. By the time the yacht returned, only one guest was still alive. It is only a few years later that the real murderer is discovered.
The characters in this book all had something to hide. Not one of them was,likable including the deceased artist. The author exposes their misdeeds one by one. The reader will surprised at the very end when we learn who is the real murder.
I enjoyed the book and was anxious to find out why the guests were dying. I received this ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
en Perfect Guests • Jonathan Santlofer
One phrase: rich people trapped on murder island 🎨🔪
Ten guests. One secluded island. No way out.
After artist Victor D’Arcangelo dies, his nearest and dearest are invited to his weekend memorial with one tiny catch: attend, or lose the inheritance.
Naturally, paradise quickly turns into prison.
This has major And Then There Were None energy, with a group of selfish, messy, deeply unlikable guests all hoping for money they probably do not deserve. I did not like any of them, but I was fascinated by their dynamics and watching them unravel.
My favorite part was how the art world was woven into the mystery. Artists, collectors, auctions, assistants, and even the posing of the bodies all added a unique layer.
That said, this fell a little short for me. The pacing was slower than I wanted, and I did not feel as much suspense as I hoped, especially since I guessed the killer early.
Still, not a bad read, just not the most compelling thriller for me personally.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
🏝 secluded island
🔒 locked room mystery
🎨 art world drama
💰 inheritance trap
🔪 murder mystery
👀 secrets and revenge
🍸 rich people behaving badly
🧩 unlikable characters
📚 Read this if you like:
Agatha Christie style mysteries, secluded island thrillers, inheritance drama, art world secrets, unlikable casts, and murder plots where everyone has something to hide.
A solid premise with great art world details, but slower suspense than I wanted.
#TenPerfectGuests #JonathanSantlofer #LockedRoomMystery #ThrillerBooks #BookReview
One phrase: rich people trapped on murder island 🎨🔪
Ten guests. One secluded island. No way out.
After artist Victor D’Arcangelo dies, his nearest and dearest are invited to his weekend memorial with one tiny catch: attend, or lose the inheritance.
Naturally, paradise quickly turns into prison.
This has major And Then There Were None energy, with a group of selfish, messy, deeply unlikable guests all hoping for money they probably do not deserve. I did not like any of them, but I was fascinated by their dynamics and watching them unravel.
My favorite part was how the art world was woven into the mystery. Artists, collectors, auctions, assistants, and even the posing of the bodies all added a unique layer.
That said, this fell a little short for me. The pacing was slower than I wanted, and I did not feel as much suspense as I hoped, especially since I guessed the killer early.
Still, not a bad read, just not the most compelling thriller for me personally.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
🏝 secluded island
🔒 locked room mystery
🎨 art world drama
💰 inheritance trap
🔪 murder mystery
👀 secrets and revenge
🍸 rich people behaving badly
🧩 unlikable characters
📚 Read this if you like:
Agatha Christie style mysteries, secluded island thrillers, inheritance drama, art world secrets, unlikable casts, and murder plots where everyone has something to hide.
A solid premise with great art world details, but slower suspense than I wanted.
#TenPerfectGuests #JonathanSantlofer #LockedRoomMystery #ThrillerBooks #BookReview
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ten Perfect Guests is a deliciously tense, sun‑drenched thriller that takes the classic “strangers trapped together” setup and turns it into something sharp, stylish, and irresistibly addictive. From the moment Victor D’Arcangelo’s chosen few step onto the secluded island, there’s a simmering sense of unease beneath all the luxury and tropical heat. You can practically feel the air thicken as secrets start to surface.
What I loved most is how quickly paradise curdles into something claustrophobic. The memorial‑turned‑inheritance‑test is the perfect catalyst for suspicion, resentment, and old wounds to flare. Every guest has something to hide, and the narrative plays with that beautifully — shifting alliances, whispered accusations, and the creeping realisation that someone among them wants revenge.
The pacing is tight, the atmosphere lush and unsettling, and the tension builds with the precision of a well‑hung gallery piece. As the weekend spirals into chaos, the story leans fully into its locked‑room energy, delivering twist after twist without ever losing its sense of fun.
A stylish, compulsively readable mystery where the setting is as vivid as the secrets. Fans of glamorous‑gone‑wrong thrillers will devour this one. The final reveal lands with satisfying flair — a true masterpiece of murder.
With thanks to Jonathan Santlofer, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
What I loved most is how quickly paradise curdles into something claustrophobic. The memorial‑turned‑inheritance‑test is the perfect catalyst for suspicion, resentment, and old wounds to flare. Every guest has something to hide, and the narrative plays with that beautifully — shifting alliances, whispered accusations, and the creeping realisation that someone among them wants revenge.
The pacing is tight, the atmosphere lush and unsettling, and the tension builds with the precision of a well‑hung gallery piece. As the weekend spirals into chaos, the story leans fully into its locked‑room energy, delivering twist after twist without ever losing its sense of fun.
A stylish, compulsively readable mystery where the setting is as vivid as the secrets. Fans of glamorous‑gone‑wrong thrillers will devour this one. The final reveal lands with satisfying flair — a true masterpiece of murder.
With thanks to Jonathan Santlofer, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
July 31, 2026
3.5 ⭐️!
I think this book was a solid murder mystery/suspense novel. It’s definitely character driven as the first 50% of the book is spent jumping from one character’s point of view to the next, their journey to the island, and how they each interact with one another. As a result, not much happens plot wise up until that 50% mark.
The ten guests are anything but perfect. Instead, they’re either wealthy or want to be wealthy and honestly entirely dramatic and insufferable (but that’s kind of the point). Rachel was so whiny, and I won’t lie, I’m glad she was gone earlier than some of the others. This book really hit its mark when the characters actually started to drop dead (which is sad for them but thankfully this is just a work of fiction)!
I was hoping for more of a plot twist at the end when the true murderer was revealed (idk why but I really wanted it to be a certain character [I won’t say who as to not spoil] unless that would have been too predictable?). Anyways, this book definitely kept me entertained and I had a great time reading it!
Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for the advanced copy! Ten Perfect Guests releases on September 8, so be sure to check it out!
I think this book was a solid murder mystery/suspense novel. It’s definitely character driven as the first 50% of the book is spent jumping from one character’s point of view to the next, their journey to the island, and how they each interact with one another. As a result, not much happens plot wise up until that 50% mark.
The ten guests are anything but perfect. Instead, they’re either wealthy or want to be wealthy and honestly entirely dramatic and insufferable (but that’s kind of the point). Rachel was so whiny, and I won’t lie, I’m glad she was gone earlier than some of the others. This book really hit its mark when the characters actually started to drop dead (which is sad for them but thankfully this is just a work of fiction)!
I was hoping for more of a plot twist at the end when the true murderer was revealed (idk why but I really wanted it to be a certain character [I won’t say who as to not spoil] unless that would have been too predictable?). Anyways, this book definitely kept me entertained and I had a great time reading it!
Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for the advanced copy! Ten Perfect Guests releases on September 8, so be sure to check it out!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for this ARC in exchange of an honest review.
2.5 (rounded up to 3) ⭐️⭐️⭐️
„Ten Perfect Guests“ is a locked room thriller that takes place on a secluded island. When Victor D'Arcangelo, a celebrated artist, passed away suddenly ten people from his closest circle have received an invitation to attend his weekend memorial on the island.
This book is definitely more slow paced in the first half and introduces the characters in-depth. While this made it easier to keep up with their relationships to each other, it did not really catch my attention as expected. I experienced some of the characters as too cliché, as the German Hans Schwegler, who is called a „Nazi“ multiple times. Furthermore, he uses several incorrect German phrases or phrases uncommon for a native speaker making his character feel unauthentic.
Nevertheless, I really liked some of the other characters a lot, like Echo or Rachel, who I experienced as refreshing, original characters I have never met in other books before. While the first 50% of the book started slow, the last 30% were really fast paced, what I really enjoyed. If you like character driven, locked room stories in the Whodunit format, you will absolutely adore this story.
2.5 (rounded up to 3) ⭐️⭐️⭐️
„Ten Perfect Guests“ is a locked room thriller that takes place on a secluded island. When Victor D'Arcangelo, a celebrated artist, passed away suddenly ten people from his closest circle have received an invitation to attend his weekend memorial on the island.
This book is definitely more slow paced in the first half and introduces the characters in-depth. While this made it easier to keep up with their relationships to each other, it did not really catch my attention as expected. I experienced some of the characters as too cliché, as the German Hans Schwegler, who is called a „Nazi“ multiple times. Furthermore, he uses several incorrect German phrases or phrases uncommon for a native speaker making his character feel unauthentic.
Nevertheless, I really liked some of the other characters a lot, like Echo or Rachel, who I experienced as refreshing, original characters I have never met in other books before. While the first 50% of the book started slow, the last 30% were really fast paced, what I really enjoyed. If you like character driven, locked room stories in the Whodunit format, you will absolutely adore this story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Brilliance Audio for providing an advance copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
⭐⭐⭐
Ten perfect guests.
One secluded island.
No way out.
When celebrated and enigmatic artist Victor D’Arcangelo dies unexpectedly, his nearest and dearest receive an irresistible summons: attend his weekend memorial―or forfeit their inheritance.
But once they arrive, the paradise begins to feel more like a prison. Someone knows their secrets. Someone wants revenge.
As the weekend spirals into chaos, one question hangs in the sultry, tropical air: Who, if anyone, will survive?
This time, the masterpiece may be murder.
This book was quite slow for me unfortunately. It felt like nothing really happened until at least half way through the book. A lot of the beginning seemed to be the guests arriving at the island and being snarky to each other.
There was also a lot of mention about how attractive they all were frequently which was a bit repetitive.
Once the story got going it was enjoyable and quite exciting but I felt it just took too long to get started.
The narrator was good and I can see this being popular with some people but unfortunately it just wasn't for me.
⭐⭐⭐
Ten perfect guests.
One secluded island.
No way out.
When celebrated and enigmatic artist Victor D’Arcangelo dies unexpectedly, his nearest and dearest receive an irresistible summons: attend his weekend memorial―or forfeit their inheritance.
But once they arrive, the paradise begins to feel more like a prison. Someone knows their secrets. Someone wants revenge.
As the weekend spirals into chaos, one question hangs in the sultry, tropical air: Who, if anyone, will survive?
This time, the masterpiece may be murder.
This book was quite slow for me unfortunately. It felt like nothing really happened until at least half way through the book. A lot of the beginning seemed to be the guests arriving at the island and being snarky to each other.
There was also a lot of mention about how attractive they all were frequently which was a bit repetitive.
Once the story got going it was enjoyable and quite exciting but I felt it just took too long to get started.
The narrator was good and I can see this being popular with some people but unfortunately it just wasn't for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley & SourceBooks for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I had a hard time getting through this book. The premise was really interesting, but the first half of the book really dragged for me, then the ending felt rushed as the author/characters tried to explain what happened. Throughout, I got tripped up on some of the choppy dialogue and the sentences with weird syntax. As I understand it though, these issues will be fixed before publication.
I know the point of the book was to showcase 10 unlikable rich people, but I found zero redeeming qualities that made me either root for them or mourn their deaths. (This is also due to the whiplash I got from the deaths happening so fast after many, many chapters of filler.)
Overall, this wasn't totally bad. It kind of reminded me of "And Then There Were None" in concept, but the execution was honestly disappointing to me. That being said, I don't regret reading it. Some of the descriptions and action scenes were very vivid and enjoyable. However, I couldn't see myself rereading this or recommending it to a friend.
I had a hard time getting through this book. The premise was really interesting, but the first half of the book really dragged for me, then the ending felt rushed as the author/characters tried to explain what happened. Throughout, I got tripped up on some of the choppy dialogue and the sentences with weird syntax. As I understand it though, these issues will be fixed before publication.
I know the point of the book was to showcase 10 unlikable rich people, but I found zero redeeming qualities that made me either root for them or mourn their deaths. (This is also due to the whiplash I got from the deaths happening so fast after many, many chapters of filler.)
Overall, this wasn't totally bad. It kind of reminded me of "And Then There Were None" in concept, but the execution was honestly disappointing to me. That being said, I don't regret reading it. Some of the descriptions and action scenes were very vivid and enjoyable. However, I couldn't see myself rereading this or recommending it to a friend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
https://www.instagram.com/p/Da1q9lhN_...
Special thank you to NetGalley and sourcebooks landmark for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 📚✨
#tenperfectguests #netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ 4/5 Stars
🕵️♀️❄️ If Agatha Christie and Knives Out had a chilling modern-day love child, this would be it. 🔪🏡
Ten Perfect Guests throws ten strangers into a snowed-in mansion, where everyone has secrets and absolutely no one can be trusted. 😮💨 Every chapter ends with a “just one more page” moment, and the eerie atmosphere is one of the book’s biggest strengths—the mansion itself feels like it’s silently judging everyone. 🌨️🕯️
That said, with such a large cast, some of the guests blur together for a while, making it a little hard to keep everyone straight. 🤯 And while the ending was satisfying, I did manage to predict parts of the mystery before the big reveal. 👀
Overall, though, this was a twisty, addictive read that kept me guessing (and accusing everyone 😂). If you love locked-room mysteries, unreliable characters, and constantly changing suspects, this is definitely one to add to your TBR! 📚✨
Special thank you to NetGalley and sourcebooks landmark for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 📚✨
#tenperfectguests #netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ 4/5 Stars
🕵️♀️❄️ If Agatha Christie and Knives Out had a chilling modern-day love child, this would be it. 🔪🏡
Ten Perfect Guests throws ten strangers into a snowed-in mansion, where everyone has secrets and absolutely no one can be trusted. 😮💨 Every chapter ends with a “just one more page” moment, and the eerie atmosphere is one of the book’s biggest strengths—the mansion itself feels like it’s silently judging everyone. 🌨️🕯️
That said, with such a large cast, some of the guests blur together for a while, making it a little hard to keep everyone straight. 🤯 And while the ending was satisfying, I did manage to predict parts of the mystery before the big reveal. 👀
Overall, though, this was a twisty, addictive read that kept me guessing (and accusing everyone 😂). If you love locked-room mysteries, unreliable characters, and constantly changing suspects, this is definitely one to add to your TBR! 📚✨
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this one. Ten Perfect Guests delivers exactly what I look for in a classic locked-room mystery. A group of family members and associates are summoned to a secluded island for the reading of a famous artist's will, but it quickly becomes clear that everyone is hiding something, and not everyone is leaving the island alive.
The atmosphere was one of the book's strongest elements. The isolated setting created a constant sense of tension, and I loved trying to figure out who could be trusted. The cast is full of flawed, morally gray characters, which made everyone a believable suspect. The story unfolds through secrets, betrayals, and unexpected twists that kept me guessing until the end.
The pacing starts a little slower while introducing the large cast, but once the pieces are in place, the suspense builds steadily. If you enjoy mysteries with an Agatha Christie feel, complicated family dynamics, and plenty of red herrings, this is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The atmosphere was one of the book's strongest elements. The isolated setting created a constant sense of tension, and I loved trying to figure out who could be trusted. The cast is full of flawed, morally gray characters, which made everyone a believable suspect. The story unfolds through secrets, betrayals, and unexpected twists that kept me guessing until the end.
The pacing starts a little slower while introducing the large cast, but once the pieces are in place, the suspense builds steadily. If you enjoy mysteries with an Agatha Christie feel, complicated family dynamics, and plenty of red herrings, this is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ten guests: they all have tragic flaws.
Each character’s personality is thoroughly captured which gives you a good idea of who’s who. They’re all hoping for an inheritance they feel they are entitled to from a wealthy artist, Victor D’Archangelo, who just died.
It outlines two gallery owners, a collector, an art critic, two wives, one with a husband, a son, daughter and brother. All have profited immensely over time from D’Archangelo but for various reasons, they said yes to an invitation on a remote island as they wanted more. Sadly, none of the guests really cared for him. Most have attitudes that are dreadful.
The writing flows well and chapters are relatively short. It makes you want to read on to find out what’s next with these unlikeable elites. However, at times it goes on too long with extra details especially toward the end when you just want it to conclude. Yet, it’s intriguing for those who want to pick up hidden secrets surrounding all aspects of art.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for this ARC with an expected release date of September 8, 2026. The thoughts I share are my own.
Each character’s personality is thoroughly captured which gives you a good idea of who’s who. They’re all hoping for an inheritance they feel they are entitled to from a wealthy artist, Victor D’Archangelo, who just died.
It outlines two gallery owners, a collector, an art critic, two wives, one with a husband, a son, daughter and brother. All have profited immensely over time from D’Archangelo but for various reasons, they said yes to an invitation on a remote island as they wanted more. Sadly, none of the guests really cared for him. Most have attitudes that are dreadful.
The writing flows well and chapters are relatively short. It makes you want to read on to find out what’s next with these unlikeable elites. However, at times it goes on too long with extra details especially toward the end when you just want it to conclude. Yet, it’s intriguing for those who want to pick up hidden secrets surrounding all aspects of art.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for this ARC with an expected release date of September 8, 2026. The thoughts I share are my own.
July 26, 2026
Got this as an eARC on NetGalley. Decent murder mystery about 10 people who are invited to an island memorial for a deceased artist, and if they refuse to attend, they lose their claim on the inheritance. They are left to fend for themselves for a weekend, and havoc is wreaked, as it were. The story started slow, but picked up once they got to the island, and in the end, I ended up being entertained. It gave Agatha Christie’s ‘And Then There Were None’ vibes, but admittedly wasn’t nearly as good as the original. That is a tough act to follow though. I had an inkling of what the twist was going to be about halfway through, but definitely second guessed myself several times, and wasn’t sure I had it right until the end. Since basically none of the characters have a redeeming quality between them and you kind of want them all to get theirs, their demises end up being oddly satisfying. 🤣 For fans of murder mysteries, this should go on your TBR.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC!
Ten Perfect Guests, written by Jonathan Santlofer, reads like a mystery. The premise of the book is that a rich artist dies and, before his death, has instructed these particular guests to visit an isolated tropical island to claim their inheritance. The group is made up of an eclectic mix, each feeling that they owe something to the deceased. As the journey to the island progresses, strange things begin to happen, proving the island less than hospitable. Because so much time elapses over the course of the book, it is divided into parts, which makes the time structure feel more purposeful. The action doesn’t really start until about the 40% mark, as there is a lot of character development. I didn’t mind this because each character was complex, as were their relationships with one another. If you like a slow-burn mystery akin to Agatha Christie, you’ll enjoy Ten Perfect Guests.
Ten Perfect Guests, written by Jonathan Santlofer, reads like a mystery. The premise of the book is that a rich artist dies and, before his death, has instructed these particular guests to visit an isolated tropical island to claim their inheritance. The group is made up of an eclectic mix, each feeling that they owe something to the deceased. As the journey to the island progresses, strange things begin to happen, proving the island less than hospitable. Because so much time elapses over the course of the book, it is divided into parts, which makes the time structure feel more purposeful. The action doesn’t really start until about the 40% mark, as there is a lot of character development. I didn’t mind this because each character was complex, as were their relationships with one another. If you like a slow-burn mystery akin to Agatha Christie, you’ll enjoy Ten Perfect Guests.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ten Perfect Guests is a locked‑room thriller set on a remote island, where ten guests gather after the death of Victor D’Arcangelo. They’re told if they show up for the weekend they may receive an inheritance. From there, things spiral quickly with secrets, tensions, murder. It’s the classic remote‑island mystery setup with unlikeable characters and plenty of hidden motives.
The pacing is definitely slow in the beginning, so it takes a bit to settle into the story. I loved the art‑world backdrop, which gives the group’s connections a unique twist and adds an extra layer. The multiple POVs also work well allowing you to learn about each character’s personality and motivations. It’s an enjoyable read, especially if you’re someone who loves inheritance‑drama mysteries where everyone has something to hide.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.
The pacing is definitely slow in the beginning, so it takes a bit to settle into the story. I loved the art‑world backdrop, which gives the group’s connections a unique twist and adds an extra layer. The multiple POVs also work well allowing you to learn about each character’s personality and motivations. It’s an enjoyable read, especially if you’re someone who loves inheritance‑drama mysteries where everyone has something to hide.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I always love an isolated island mystery, so the premise of this one really caught my attention. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite live up to the premise for me.
The first half dragged quite a bit, and with over 110 very short chapters, the constant stopping and starting made it hard for the story to build momentum. Then, once things finally started happening, everything felt rushed, especially the ending.
I also had a hard time connecting with the characters. I know they’re meant to be unlikeable, but I didn’t find much that made me care about any of them or their fate. The mystery itself was decent, and there were some really vivid descriptions and action scenes that I enjoyed.
Overall, it wasn’t a bad read, but I liked the premise much more than the execution. It just left me wanting a little more.
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC in exchange for an honest review .
May 29, 2026
⛴️🏝️Your wealthy relative passes away and you stand to inherit a LOT of money. There’s just one catch: you have to attend his memorial. On a ship. With everyone else who stands to gain from his death.
☠️Paradise suddenly doesn’t seem to be all that it seems…
🔪The pacing is brilliant throughout, with short, sharp chapters. Each character had their own distinct voice, which is very clever, especially with the third person narrative. I also love the addition of some phrases and dialogue being written in different languages - does anyone else love it when authors do this?
📼Part three was especially strong; I loved the inclusion of the transcripts which added another layer to the mystery and made everything feel more real and unsettling.
🔑The final section is really cleverly written - but I can’t go in to it too much without giving away a key part of the plot!
☠️Paradise suddenly doesn’t seem to be all that it seems…
🔪The pacing is brilliant throughout, with short, sharp chapters. Each character had their own distinct voice, which is very clever, especially with the third person narrative. I also love the addition of some phrases and dialogue being written in different languages - does anyone else love it when authors do this?
📼Part three was especially strong; I loved the inclusion of the transcripts which added another layer to the mystery and made everything feel more real and unsettling.
🔑The final section is really cleverly written - but I can’t go in to it too much without giving away a key part of the plot!
June 29, 2026
As a requirement for their inheritance, 10 guests attend a remote island for a deceased artist's memorial. Each guest was somehow connected to the artist through his lifetime. What starts off as a the promise of weekend in paradise, soon turns deadly.
I unfortunately found this book to be quite slow at parts, which took away from it feeling like a "thriller". The first half to third of the book really drags on. I did find the last quarter or so to be more exciting and thrilling, but it felt quite rushed.
There are also a lot of characters. At the beginning, it was a bit confusing as the book kept jumping between characters. It took me a bit to figure out who was who. The characters were quite insufferable, which I think was probably the author's intention.
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I unfortunately found this book to be quite slow at parts, which took away from it feeling like a "thriller". The first half to third of the book really drags on. I did find the last quarter or so to be more exciting and thrilling, but it felt quite rushed.
There are also a lot of characters. At the beginning, it was a bit confusing as the book kept jumping between characters. It took me a bit to figure out who was who. The characters were quite insufferable, which I think was probably the author's intention.
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 21, 2026
Thank you @netgalley for this advanced copy. In turn I give an honest review.
The story takes far too long to build momentum after establishing the initial premise. It took almost 40% to even get up and running. The ten guests feel like shallow stereotypes rather than fully realized, complex individuals. I would compare this a lot to Agatha Christie - murder on the orient express. None of these people were likeable. I wasn’t cheering for anyone.
The pacing of the book also felt very off and choppy at times. The chapters are quick but the parts of the book are so uneven. Why even have part 2 or 3. Seems odd. Can probably get rid of that.
The ending. It kind of fell flat. I guess this book wasn’t for me!
If you like Agatha Christie this one pays homage to at least her writing style
The story takes far too long to build momentum after establishing the initial premise. It took almost 40% to even get up and running. The ten guests feel like shallow stereotypes rather than fully realized, complex individuals. I would compare this a lot to Agatha Christie - murder on the orient express. None of these people were likeable. I wasn’t cheering for anyone.
The pacing of the book also felt very off and choppy at times. The chapters are quick but the parts of the book are so uneven. Why even have part 2 or 3. Seems odd. Can probably get rid of that.
The ending. It kind of fell flat. I guess this book wasn’t for me!
If you like Agatha Christie this one pays homage to at least her writing style
July 10, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and SourceBooks for the ARC.
This took a very long time to get going. Hardly anything at all happened by the 50% point, and it’s very easy to get the characters mixed up as they are all pretty awful. I don’t suppose it much matters once they start getting bumped off. Once it got going, it felt rushed. The twists get thrown in as separate sections set later in time, and I’m not entirely sure that worked. I didn’t care who was responsible or how they set it all up. Horrible people doing horrible things for money. This style of story has been done a lot in recent years, and others did it better.
This took a very long time to get going. Hardly anything at all happened by the 50% point, and it’s very easy to get the characters mixed up as they are all pretty awful. I don’t suppose it much matters once they start getting bumped off. Once it got going, it felt rushed. The twists get thrown in as separate sections set later in time, and I’m not entirely sure that worked. I didn’t care who was responsible or how they set it all up. Horrible people doing horrible things for money. This style of story has been done a lot in recent years, and others did it better.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Ten annoying people are invited (commanded) to a remote memorial weekend honoring a dead artist they all had dealings with and hopes of a nice inheritance. The only way they will find out if they have a payout is if they show up and stay the weekend. Because they are greedy or have ulterior motives they stay only to find the island is secluded, swampy and full of danger. My only issue was I was not invested in any of the characters and didn't care if any of them made it out. Fans of SUCCESSION , Agatha Christie's TEN LITTLE INDIANS or reality tv will enjoy this. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a really fun, fast-paced murder mystery. I’m a sucker for a locked-room/island mystery, and the whole “everyone has secrets and no one can leave” setup immediately pulled me in. I loved the tropical setting, the art world angle, and trying to figure out who could be trusted. The characters were definitely not the most likable bunch, but I think that added to the fun because everyone had something to hide. The pacing was a little slow in the beginning while introducing everyone, but once things started happening, I was fully invested. Overall, a very entertaining thriller with lots of twists, drama, and a classic mystery feel.
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