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Do You See What I See?: A Novella
Not yet published
Expected 6 Oct 26New York Times bestselling author Peter Swanson pens another fantastically creepy holiday novella, featuring a young writer sent to a seaside mansion to help a famous novelist finish his next book—only, when two dead bodies turn up, he must uncover the killer before the clock ticks down to Christmas Day.
When author Nicholas Child is dropped by his publisher, his agent sends him to spend the holidays at the Cape Cod mansion of her other client, Marco Tavares. Marco needs to finish the long-overdue follow-up to his bestselling novel, and Nicholas is going to help him.
But when Nicholas arrives at Marco’s sprawling seaside estate, which is decked out in twinkling lights and a towering Christmas tree, he finds himself in the middle of a gathering where holiday cheer is in short supply—and every visitor seems to have a motive to kill their host.
Along with Marco and his wife Nora—who are currently sleeping in separate rooms—also present is Marco’s oddball sister, near-silent grandmother, ex-girlfriend and her jealous husband, and long-suffering best friend, Billy Sousa. The most intriguing guest is named James Beers, another writer who believes that Marco’s bestselling novel was based on one of his ideas.
As Christmas Day approaches, a single boozy night culminates in two corpses, and Nicholas becomes convinced that the whole thing was a setup from the start.
With his signature slow burn and deft exploration into the dark corners of the human psyche, Swanson’s latest mystery is a master class in twists and thrills. Dive into the story here, and find Can Nicholas uncover the truth before the killer strikes again?
When author Nicholas Child is dropped by his publisher, his agent sends him to spend the holidays at the Cape Cod mansion of her other client, Marco Tavares. Marco needs to finish the long-overdue follow-up to his bestselling novel, and Nicholas is going to help him.
But when Nicholas arrives at Marco’s sprawling seaside estate, which is decked out in twinkling lights and a towering Christmas tree, he finds himself in the middle of a gathering where holiday cheer is in short supply—and every visitor seems to have a motive to kill their host.
Along with Marco and his wife Nora—who are currently sleeping in separate rooms—also present is Marco’s oddball sister, near-silent grandmother, ex-girlfriend and her jealous husband, and long-suffering best friend, Billy Sousa. The most intriguing guest is named James Beers, another writer who believes that Marco’s bestselling novel was based on one of his ideas.
As Christmas Day approaches, a single boozy night culminates in two corpses, and Nicholas becomes convinced that the whole thing was a setup from the start.
With his signature slow burn and deft exploration into the dark corners of the human psyche, Swanson’s latest mystery is a master class in twists and thrills. Dive into the story here, and find Can Nicholas uncover the truth before the killer strikes again?
Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 6, 2026
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Want to read
March 15, 2026Oh this sounds like a doozy!
I cant wait to pick up this novella!
❤️❤️❤️
I cant wait to pick up this novella!
❤️❤️❤️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There's nothing quite like diving into short, quick novellas during the holiday season! With all the preparations and limited time to wrap up our reading goals, who has the hours to spend on a full-length novel? This makes novellas the perfect gift for someone special!
Another creepy holiday novella follows young writer Nicholas Child, sent to a Cape Cod mansion to help novelist Marco Tavares finish his overdue book. The festive atmosphere is shattered when two bodies are discovered, leading Nicholas to suspect foul play among the guests, each with potential motives. As Christmas approaches, he must unravel the mystery before the killer strikes again...
What I really appreciate is the brief character list provided at the start. In a novella, there simply isn’t enough time to fully explore every character, so having a quick reference is fantastic. It’s like having a menu of characters to refer back to! Nicholas stands out as a nice guy with a mysterious past, and as the story unfolds, we learn about his complicated relationship with Marco. But the intrigue doesn’t stop there; it also reveals how the others are intertwined with Marco's story. Secrets are waiting to be uncovered, and you won’t want to miss out on the excitement!
This novella presents a thrilling locked-room murder mystery featuring a cast of intriguing characters, each with their own history. It definitely gave off those Agatha Christie vibes! Several twists caught me completely off guard and the ending had me laughing out loud! Well done and beautifully executed! Just imagine what happens when you host a Christmas gathering, and everyone has a secret to keep. It’s bound to lead to someone turning up dead!
This novella is ideal for anyone who is busy but still wants something to read. It unfolds at a slow burn yet keeps you engaged with unexpected twists along the way. It would make a perfect holiday gift! I can’t wait to see this book in print and enjoy its binding! So, get cozy and get ready to step into the role of a detective alongside characters who all have motives for murder. I just hope my Christmas table isn’t filled with enemies—maybe I should check! Ha!
Thank you, William Morrow and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Another creepy holiday novella follows young writer Nicholas Child, sent to a Cape Cod mansion to help novelist Marco Tavares finish his overdue book. The festive atmosphere is shattered when two bodies are discovered, leading Nicholas to suspect foul play among the guests, each with potential motives. As Christmas approaches, he must unravel the mystery before the killer strikes again...
What I really appreciate is the brief character list provided at the start. In a novella, there simply isn’t enough time to fully explore every character, so having a quick reference is fantastic. It’s like having a menu of characters to refer back to! Nicholas stands out as a nice guy with a mysterious past, and as the story unfolds, we learn about his complicated relationship with Marco. But the intrigue doesn’t stop there; it also reveals how the others are intertwined with Marco's story. Secrets are waiting to be uncovered, and you won’t want to miss out on the excitement!
This novella presents a thrilling locked-room murder mystery featuring a cast of intriguing characters, each with their own history. It definitely gave off those Agatha Christie vibes! Several twists caught me completely off guard and the ending had me laughing out loud! Well done and beautifully executed! Just imagine what happens when you host a Christmas gathering, and everyone has a secret to keep. It’s bound to lead to someone turning up dead!
This novella is ideal for anyone who is busy but still wants something to read. It unfolds at a slow burn yet keeps you engaged with unexpected twists along the way. It would make a perfect holiday gift! I can’t wait to see this book in print and enjoy its binding! So, get cozy and get ready to step into the role of a detective alongside characters who all have motives for murder. I just hope my Christmas table isn’t filled with enemies—maybe I should check! Ha!
Thank you, William Morrow and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 3, 2026
*3.5 stars ✨
March 11, 2026
When a young writer is sent to a seaside mansion to help a novelist finish his book, two people end up dead. Will Nicholas Child uncover who the real killer was as he writes the story of what happened?
Like all Peter Swanson’s books, this one is very clever. He is great at writing a compelling novella with enough background on the characters to keep you engaged!
Like all Peter Swanson’s books, this one is very clever. He is great at writing a compelling novella with enough background on the characters to keep you engaged!
March 22, 2026
Your classic murder mystery dinner party or is it? Told in three “acts” we are told three different versions of a Christmas dinner party.
While there were some twists at the end I felt like this followed a very typical thriller premise. It would make for a fun read during the holiday season which is when it’s set to release.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced E-ARC for an honest review.
While there were some twists at the end I felt like this followed a very typical thriller premise. It would make for a fun read during the holiday season which is when it’s set to release.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced E-ARC for an honest review.
March 9, 2026
Another Peter Swanson Christmas novella! How did we get so lucky?
Spoiler: wonderful as expected.
Spoiler: wonderful as expected.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My perfect Christmas celebration? Curling up with an utterly unputdownable, one-sitting murder mystery by Peter Swanson — and then rewatching Hans Gruber plunge from Nakatomi Plaza in Die Hard. That fall never fails to spark a little extra holiday joy. 🎄
This novella is a deliciously wicked locked-room-meets-Christmas murder mystery — sharp, fast, and laced with dark humor.
The premise is irresistible: arrogant, wildly successful Italian bestselling author Marco Tavares hosts a Christmas gathering at his home. But instead of surrounding himself with admirers, his guest list reads like a carefully curated collection of enemies.
There’s his wife, Maeve Finch — a talented, sophisticated painter who now sleeps in a separate bedroom. Their marriage feels more like a performance than a partnership. His sister Catherine has seemingly despised him since childhood. His aging grandmother, Louisa, drifts in and out of clarity, her confusion adding an unsettling fragility to the household.
Marco’s so-called best friend, Billy Sousa, has endured public humiliation at Marco’s hands more than once. His ex-girlfriend, Eve Margolis, may or may not harbor unresolved feelings — much to the visible discomfort of her husband, Ben Strickland, whose jealousy flares whenever Marco and Eve share even a glance. Then there’s James Beers, quietly resentful because Marco allegedly stole his book idea, turned it into a bestseller, and left James behind in his modest life as an accountant — all while nursing a subtle crush on Maeve.
And finally, we have our narrator, Nicholas Child — a writer hired as a consultant to help Marco finish his latest novel before its looming deadline. Nicholas is meant to stay for a month. What no one initially realizes is that he has his own secret connection to the events that unfold — and to the two deaths that shatter the evening.
Enter Detective Hedges. She asks Nicholas to recount the night’s events as though he’s telling a story. But like many writers, he’s far better on the page than in conversation. Instead of speaking, he types out three different versions of what happened. Each version peels back another layer — exposing Marco’s manipulations, long-buried grudges, and Nicholas’s deeper involvement.
Why are there two murders instead of one? Are they truly “perfect” crimes? And who, exactly, is the murderer? Swanson keeps us guessing until the final pages, when the twist lands with a sharp, satisfying sting.
I do have one lingering question — and I genuinely mean this with curiosity: what happened to Johanna? She absolutely deserves her own story. There’s something there that feels intentionally unresolved, and I would happily read more.
Overall, this is an intriguing, clever, and fast-paced crime thriller with irresistible literary flair. The book references sprinkled throughout were a gift in themselves — I actually started a list of every title mentioned and now fully intend to read them all. Consider this my enthusiastic thank-you to Peter Swanson for the bonus mystery-reading recommendations wrapped inside a mystery.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing this gripping Christmas murder novella in exchange for my honest thoughts. I devoured it in one sitting — the best kind of holiday indulgence.
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This novella is a deliciously wicked locked-room-meets-Christmas murder mystery — sharp, fast, and laced with dark humor.
The premise is irresistible: arrogant, wildly successful Italian bestselling author Marco Tavares hosts a Christmas gathering at his home. But instead of surrounding himself with admirers, his guest list reads like a carefully curated collection of enemies.
There’s his wife, Maeve Finch — a talented, sophisticated painter who now sleeps in a separate bedroom. Their marriage feels more like a performance than a partnership. His sister Catherine has seemingly despised him since childhood. His aging grandmother, Louisa, drifts in and out of clarity, her confusion adding an unsettling fragility to the household.
Marco’s so-called best friend, Billy Sousa, has endured public humiliation at Marco’s hands more than once. His ex-girlfriend, Eve Margolis, may or may not harbor unresolved feelings — much to the visible discomfort of her husband, Ben Strickland, whose jealousy flares whenever Marco and Eve share even a glance. Then there’s James Beers, quietly resentful because Marco allegedly stole his book idea, turned it into a bestseller, and left James behind in his modest life as an accountant — all while nursing a subtle crush on Maeve.
And finally, we have our narrator, Nicholas Child — a writer hired as a consultant to help Marco finish his latest novel before its looming deadline. Nicholas is meant to stay for a month. What no one initially realizes is that he has his own secret connection to the events that unfold — and to the two deaths that shatter the evening.
Enter Detective Hedges. She asks Nicholas to recount the night’s events as though he’s telling a story. But like many writers, he’s far better on the page than in conversation. Instead of speaking, he types out three different versions of what happened. Each version peels back another layer — exposing Marco’s manipulations, long-buried grudges, and Nicholas’s deeper involvement.
Why are there two murders instead of one? Are they truly “perfect” crimes? And who, exactly, is the murderer? Swanson keeps us guessing until the final pages, when the twist lands with a sharp, satisfying sting.
I do have one lingering question — and I genuinely mean this with curiosity: what happened to Johanna? She absolutely deserves her own story. There’s something there that feels intentionally unresolved, and I would happily read more.
Overall, this is an intriguing, clever, and fast-paced crime thriller with irresistible literary flair. The book references sprinkled throughout were a gift in themselves — I actually started a list of every title mentioned and now fully intend to read them all. Consider this my enthusiastic thank-you to Peter Swanson for the bonus mystery-reading recommendations wrapped inside a mystery.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing this gripping Christmas murder novella in exchange for my honest thoughts. I devoured it in one sitting — the best kind of holiday indulgence.
medium blog
March 4, 2026
My first Christmas novella of 2026! And it’s from Peter Swanson, who regularly and cleverly thrills me on a near annual basis, and who also authored a previous Christmas mini-mystery, “The Christmas Guest” in 2023.
“Do You See What I See?” is a Christie-esque locked room tale, with multiple characters and near enemies connected to the host and hostess of a holiday party in an isolated seaside mansion on Cape Cod. A narrator and another main character emerge: Nicholas Child, residing at Grey Gables since he’s been ghost-writing/co-authoring with the author/owner of the estate, trying to assist bestselling mystery writer Marco Tavares through a case of writer’s block; and Detective Hedges, who is asking Nicholas for his version of the murder that has taken place, and suggests he do it in storytelling form.
Marco, the obnoxious, remorseless, and drunken host, is the obvious murder victim, but another guest, one who had once accused Marco of plagiarism, is also found dead on the beach. Narrator Nicholas gives Hedges a typewritten story of the previous day’s events. After doing so, he writes a second version of the story that includes what he failed to disclose to the detective. The omissions? That everyone there had a motive to murder Marco, including him. But that’s not enough. There will be a third version as well.
Swanson expertly twists this story to the point that everyone is a valid suspect, and everyone but the cat might have done it and gotten away with the deed. As a novella, it was the perfect length (128 pages). A full length novel might have dragged on, but a compact form of chills, thrills, and evil minds was absolutely satisfying. 4.5 stars.
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Brigid O’Shaughnessy has green eyes (OK, she’s a cat).
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO The author is apparently familiar with the threat that Japanese knotweed is to Cape Cod’s wetlands.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
“Do You See What I See?” is a Christie-esque locked room tale, with multiple characters and near enemies connected to the host and hostess of a holiday party in an isolated seaside mansion on Cape Cod. A narrator and another main character emerge: Nicholas Child, residing at Grey Gables since he’s been ghost-writing/co-authoring with the author/owner of the estate, trying to assist bestselling mystery writer Marco Tavares through a case of writer’s block; and Detective Hedges, who is asking Nicholas for his version of the murder that has taken place, and suggests he do it in storytelling form.
Marco, the obnoxious, remorseless, and drunken host, is the obvious murder victim, but another guest, one who had once accused Marco of plagiarism, is also found dead on the beach. Narrator Nicholas gives Hedges a typewritten story of the previous day’s events. After doing so, he writes a second version of the story that includes what he failed to disclose to the detective. The omissions? That everyone there had a motive to murder Marco, including him. But that’s not enough. There will be a third version as well.
Swanson expertly twists this story to the point that everyone is a valid suspect, and everyone but the cat might have done it and gotten away with the deed. As a novella, it was the perfect length (128 pages). A full length novel might have dragged on, but a compact form of chills, thrills, and evil minds was absolutely satisfying. 4.5 stars.
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Brigid O’Shaughnessy has green eyes (OK, she’s a cat).
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO The author is apparently familiar with the threat that Japanese knotweed is to Cape Cod’s wetlands.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒎 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆, 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝒏𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒍𝒚.
Struggling writer Nicholas Child is sent to spend Christmas at the sprawling Cape Cod estate of bestselling author Marco Tavares to help him finish a long-overdue novel. Instead, Nicholas walks into what feels less like a festive holiday gathering and more like a pressure cooker disguised with twinkling lights and expensive liquor. Marco and his wife are barely speaking, an ex-lover and her suspicious husband are lurking around the house, a resentful friend is drinking his way through the tension, and another writer claims Marco stole the idea that made him famous. It’s the kind of gathering where everyone is smiling politely while quietly wondering who among them might snap first. You know, kind of like your last family get-together, perhaps?
This little novella is full of the delicious tension that this author excels at. The unease is palpable, and every offhand comment sounds like it might actually be a threat. Watching Nicholas try to figure out who he can trust is half the fun, especially once a wild, alcohol-fueled night leaves two people dead and the whole house suddenly feels like a locked room filled with motives. There’s something especially satisfying about a thriller that doesn’t rely on nonstop action but instead lets suspicion crawl slowly through every room until you realize the entire situation has been rotting from the inside all along.
And that ending...no spoilers, but when the final reveal lands, it’s one of those moments where you just sit there for a second thinking back through everything you read and realizing the author has been quietly playing chess while you were still learning the rules. I closed my Kindle, softly whispered, "what the f*ck," and immediately fought the urge to flip back to the beginning just to see how many clues I completely missed. If you love a slow-burn mystery where the tension builds, this one knows exactly what it’s doing. When you're finished with this twisted little tale, you might find yourself asking the same question the title does. Many thanks to William Morrow Books for this early copy that will publish October 6, 2026.
Struggling writer Nicholas Child is sent to spend Christmas at the sprawling Cape Cod estate of bestselling author Marco Tavares to help him finish a long-overdue novel. Instead, Nicholas walks into what feels less like a festive holiday gathering and more like a pressure cooker disguised with twinkling lights and expensive liquor. Marco and his wife are barely speaking, an ex-lover and her suspicious husband are lurking around the house, a resentful friend is drinking his way through the tension, and another writer claims Marco stole the idea that made him famous. It’s the kind of gathering where everyone is smiling politely while quietly wondering who among them might snap first. You know, kind of like your last family get-together, perhaps?
This little novella is full of the delicious tension that this author excels at. The unease is palpable, and every offhand comment sounds like it might actually be a threat. Watching Nicholas try to figure out who he can trust is half the fun, especially once a wild, alcohol-fueled night leaves two people dead and the whole house suddenly feels like a locked room filled with motives. There’s something especially satisfying about a thriller that doesn’t rely on nonstop action but instead lets suspicion crawl slowly through every room until you realize the entire situation has been rotting from the inside all along.
And that ending...no spoilers, but when the final reveal lands, it’s one of those moments where you just sit there for a second thinking back through everything you read and realizing the author has been quietly playing chess while you were still learning the rules. I closed my Kindle, softly whispered, "what the f*ck," and immediately fought the urge to flip back to the beginning just to see how many clues I completely missed. If you love a slow-burn mystery where the tension builds, this one knows exactly what it’s doing. When you're finished with this twisted little tale, you might find yourself asking the same question the title does. Many thanks to William Morrow Books for this early copy that will publish October 6, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
🐝 VERY VERY EARLY BOOK BUZZ!
Peter Swanson started my love of thrillers with “A Kind Worth Killing” so when I get an ARC of one of his books-it goes straight to the top of my TBR-even if I am reading a 128 page Christmas novella in March! ☺️
“This is a Christmas Story but it doesn’t begin at Christmas”
Author Nicholas Child had a two book deal with his Publisher. “Dark at its Rising” was about a Detective who since returning from WW1 believes that he is dead. The first book had respectable sales-but the sequel did not-and he didn’t get a second deal.
His agent offers him an opportunity that he can’t pass up! He is being sent to spend the holidays at the Seaside Cape Cod mansion of her other client, Marco Tavares, to help him finish the long-overdue follow-up to his bestselling novel, “The Girl at the Door.” (Remember when all thrillers had the word GIRL in the title?) 😆
“This is a Christmas Story but it is NOT Charles Dickens”
But when Nicholas arrives, he discovers he is there alongside many other guests-most of whom HATE the HOST-and it feels like he is being dropped into the middle of a mystery novel, or a game of Clue. There is even a room with assorted weapons hanging on the wall.
And, it’s starting to feel like a SET-UP.
“This is a Christmas story-one that starts at Christmas time.” (But it isn’t fit for the Hallmark channel)
As always, I enjoyed my time spent with the ALWAYS ENTERTAINING Peter Swanson-this is my kind of Christmas story!
IF it sounds like your kind of story as well, ADD it to your TBR for Christmas 2026!
Expected publication date: October 6, 2026
A HUGE THANK YOU to William Morrow for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley! As always, these are my candid thoughts!
Peter Swanson started my love of thrillers with “A Kind Worth Killing” so when I get an ARC of one of his books-it goes straight to the top of my TBR-even if I am reading a 128 page Christmas novella in March! ☺️
“This is a Christmas Story but it doesn’t begin at Christmas”
Author Nicholas Child had a two book deal with his Publisher. “Dark at its Rising” was about a Detective who since returning from WW1 believes that he is dead. The first book had respectable sales-but the sequel did not-and he didn’t get a second deal.
His agent offers him an opportunity that he can’t pass up! He is being sent to spend the holidays at the Seaside Cape Cod mansion of her other client, Marco Tavares, to help him finish the long-overdue follow-up to his bestselling novel, “The Girl at the Door.” (Remember when all thrillers had the word GIRL in the title?) 😆
“This is a Christmas Story but it is NOT Charles Dickens”
But when Nicholas arrives, he discovers he is there alongside many other guests-most of whom HATE the HOST-and it feels like he is being dropped into the middle of a mystery novel, or a game of Clue. There is even a room with assorted weapons hanging on the wall.
And, it’s starting to feel like a SET-UP.
“This is a Christmas story-one that starts at Christmas time.” (But it isn’t fit for the Hallmark channel)
As always, I enjoyed my time spent with the ALWAYS ENTERTAINING Peter Swanson-this is my kind of Christmas story!
IF it sounds like your kind of story as well, ADD it to your TBR for Christmas 2026!
Expected publication date: October 6, 2026
A HUGE THANK YOU to William Morrow for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley! As always, these are my candid thoughts!
March 13, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC! Release date: 10/6/26.
I’ve learned that reading Peter Swanson is always a gamble for me. His books are either a complete hit or a complete miss, and this one somehow landed right in the middle.
First, the good stuff. The Cape Cod setting was great. I’m a sucker for a New England backdrop (which you can probably tell from my recent reads). I also really appreciated the character list at the beginning. There are a lot of people for such a short book, so having that list to flip back to when I forgot who someone was actually came in handy.
I also like books that follow writers, so that part worked for me.
Now for the things that didn’t really work. I never fully understood why the editor brought him in to help in the first place. This man already has two failed novels… and that’s the person you want helping write? The reasoning just didn’t feel convincing.
I also think this would have been much better as a full-length novel instead of a novella. There just wasn’t enough time to build the mystery or develop the characters. Because of that, it somehow felt like it dragged in parts even though the book itself is short.
The mystery itself was just okay. Not bad, but nothing that really pulled me in either. If there had been more buildup, I probably would have cared a lot more about what was happening.
And yes, there’s technically a Christmas tree in the book, but I definitely wouldn’t call this a Christmas story.
Overall, it’s a quick, easy read if you want something short and light, but it’s not one I’d go out of my way to order.
I’ve learned that reading Peter Swanson is always a gamble for me. His books are either a complete hit or a complete miss, and this one somehow landed right in the middle.
First, the good stuff. The Cape Cod setting was great. I’m a sucker for a New England backdrop (which you can probably tell from my recent reads). I also really appreciated the character list at the beginning. There are a lot of people for such a short book, so having that list to flip back to when I forgot who someone was actually came in handy.
I also like books that follow writers, so that part worked for me.
Now for the things that didn’t really work. I never fully understood why the editor brought him in to help in the first place. This man already has two failed novels… and that’s the person you want helping write? The reasoning just didn’t feel convincing.
I also think this would have been much better as a full-length novel instead of a novella. There just wasn’t enough time to build the mystery or develop the characters. Because of that, it somehow felt like it dragged in parts even though the book itself is short.
The mystery itself was just okay. Not bad, but nothing that really pulled me in either. If there had been more buildup, I probably would have cared a lot more about what was happening.
And yes, there’s technically a Christmas tree in the book, but I definitely wouldn’t call this a Christmas story.
Overall, it’s a quick, easy read if you want something short and light, but it’s not one I’d go out of my way to order.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a fun and charming Christmas read by the great Peter Swanson.
Nicholas Child, a published author on the brink of becoming obsolete, has been asked to step in and help another author, Marco, with his manuscript. Nicholas has no other choice if he wants to try to stay in the world of writing- a hefty payment from his agent doesn't hurt, either. He will stay with Marco's family in December and through Christmas at a beautiful mansion.
He walks into something out of a murder mystery- for he isn't the only one staying for the holidays. Marco's wife, sister, and grandmother live at the sprawling manor. Marco's ex-girlfriend and her husband are also there for a while, and the husband does not appear to trust Marco. Added in are a man who claims Marco stole his book idea and Marco's childhood friend. No one seems to really like the the man, so it's not a surprise when Marco is dead the following morning.
And Marco isn't the only one who didn't make it through the night.
The cops arrive and Nicholas gets to tell his point of view to try and help them catch the killer before there's another body.
Fun, short, and witty- a perfect holiday read!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Nicholas Child, a published author on the brink of becoming obsolete, has been asked to step in and help another author, Marco, with his manuscript. Nicholas has no other choice if he wants to try to stay in the world of writing- a hefty payment from his agent doesn't hurt, either. He will stay with Marco's family in December and through Christmas at a beautiful mansion.
He walks into something out of a murder mystery- for he isn't the only one staying for the holidays. Marco's wife, sister, and grandmother live at the sprawling manor. Marco's ex-girlfriend and her husband are also there for a while, and the husband does not appear to trust Marco. Added in are a man who claims Marco stole his book idea and Marco's childhood friend. No one seems to really like the the man, so it's not a surprise when Marco is dead the following morning.
And Marco isn't the only one who didn't make it through the night.
The cops arrive and Nicholas gets to tell his point of view to try and help them catch the killer before there's another body.
Fun, short, and witty- a perfect holiday read!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I absolutely love a Christmas-themed whodunnit, and this one totally hit the spot (even in the middle of March). Swanson’s latest follows a writer named Nick who’s invited to spend Christmas at a remote seaside mansion to help another writer, Marco, work on his book.
What Nick doesn’t realize at first is that the house will also be filled with Marco’s closest friends and family- and every single one of them secretly loathes him. The morning after Christmas, two people are found dead. But who could have done it? Nick starts trying to piece everything together the only way he knows how- by writing his way through the mystery.
This one is short, but it really worked for me. I honestly don’t think it needed to be any longer. Swanson is so clever with his writing, and I truly suspected every single character because they all had their own motives. The way the MC walks us through three different versions of the same story felt like a trail of breadcrumbs and I just kept wanting more. It had all the elements of a classic whodunnit and kept me guessing right up until the last page.
Thank you so much William Morrow for an early copy of this one!
What Nick doesn’t realize at first is that the house will also be filled with Marco’s closest friends and family- and every single one of them secretly loathes him. The morning after Christmas, two people are found dead. But who could have done it? Nick starts trying to piece everything together the only way he knows how- by writing his way through the mystery.
This one is short, but it really worked for me. I honestly don’t think it needed to be any longer. Swanson is so clever with his writing, and I truly suspected every single character because they all had their own motives. The way the MC walks us through three different versions of the same story felt like a trail of breadcrumbs and I just kept wanting more. It had all the elements of a classic whodunnit and kept me guessing right up until the last page.
Thank you so much William Morrow for an early copy of this one!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the perfect Christmas thriller novella that can be enjoyed throughout the year! I love Peter Swanson's oeuvre, including his first seasonal novella, and this book is a great addition perfect for his fans and anyone who enjoys a great little mystery.
I love metafiction, and the way this story is structured fits into that category. The narrative is told in the first person in the framework of the narrator giving a statement to the police. On several occasions, characters mention feeling as if the wintry Cape Cod setting might be the set of a murder mystery. The closed circle of suspects makes for interesting character studies. The three chapters each present a version of the story in slightly different ways, and the revelations they bring allow for a tidy wrap-up of the mystery.
Swanson packs a lot of plot into a short piece that feels like a much longer book. I really enjoyed this one!
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
I love metafiction, and the way this story is structured fits into that category. The narrative is told in the first person in the framework of the narrator giving a statement to the police. On several occasions, characters mention feeling as if the wintry Cape Cod setting might be the set of a murder mystery. The closed circle of suspects makes for interesting character studies. The three chapters each present a version of the story in slightly different ways, and the revelations they bring allow for a tidy wrap-up of the mystery.
Swanson packs a lot of plot into a short piece that feels like a much longer book. I really enjoyed this one!
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Peter Swanson’s The Christmas Guest was the first Christmas novella Mystery or Thriller that I had read, I’ve read a few more since and any Peter Swanson is a must read asap.
Do You See What I See? sees Swanson return to a reconstructed classic trope, the locked room mystery as guests gather for the Christmas festivities at house on Cape Cod. Home to successful author Marco who is struggling with his latest manuscript, one of the guests Nicholas is a fellow author, drafted in to try and assist and inspire in any way he can. One of the occupants won’t be leaving alive, the others will be suspects,
Peter Swanson works wonders, Nicholas retells his account of what happened bringing in new details and histories of the attendees. There are reveals, questions and twists.
Swanson reconstructed mysteries aren’t usually my favourites of his work, but in this novella format it worked really well.
Recommended for fans of Peter Swanson or any readers of classic m*r der mysteries.
Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow
Do You See What I See? sees Swanson return to a reconstructed classic trope, the locked room mystery as guests gather for the Christmas festivities at house on Cape Cod. Home to successful author Marco who is struggling with his latest manuscript, one of the guests Nicholas is a fellow author, drafted in to try and assist and inspire in any way he can. One of the occupants won’t be leaving alive, the others will be suspects,
Peter Swanson works wonders, Nicholas retells his account of what happened bringing in new details and histories of the attendees. There are reveals, questions and twists.
Swanson reconstructed mysteries aren’t usually my favourites of his work, but in this novella format it worked really well.
Recommended for fans of Peter Swanson or any readers of classic m*r der mysteries.
Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This review is for an ARC copy received from the publisher through NetGalley.
Floundering author Nicholas Child is given a writing opportunity by his agent - spend Christmas at the home of a hugely successful author, Marco Tavares, who's struggling with his new book to see if they can salvage it for the looming publish date. Child agrees, and finds himself in Tavares's posh Cape Cod manse, with not just the author and his family, but several of Tavares's friends. But after an alcohol-fueled night two of the party members turn up dead, Child will have to sort through a house full of suspects to figure out what really happened.
As a quick read thriller with some original and unexpected twists, the book was spot on. Just when it seems the story is being fully revealed, the plot takes very surprising turns in directions you won't see coming. Which lead it to being a book you just have to go with the flow, because it definitely goes against any pretense of being a fair play mystery. If you're OK with that, it makes for an enjoyable read.
Floundering author Nicholas Child is given a writing opportunity by his agent - spend Christmas at the home of a hugely successful author, Marco Tavares, who's struggling with his new book to see if they can salvage it for the looming publish date. Child agrees, and finds himself in Tavares's posh Cape Cod manse, with not just the author and his family, but several of Tavares's friends. But after an alcohol-fueled night two of the party members turn up dead, Child will have to sort through a house full of suspects to figure out what really happened.
As a quick read thriller with some original and unexpected twists, the book was spot on. Just when it seems the story is being fully revealed, the plot takes very surprising turns in directions you won't see coming. Which lead it to being a book you just have to go with the flow, because it definitely goes against any pretense of being a fair play mystery. If you're OK with that, it makes for an enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy of this book.
I really love this Christmas novella for its clever structure and depth. The inclusion of a "cast list" at the very beginning is a brilliant move; by identifying the characters before the first chapter starts, the narrative never gets bogged down in clunky introductions, allowing the tension to remain front and center. Despite the shorter length, the story offers a surprising amount of depth, unfolding in layers that make the narrative feel far larger than its page count suggests.
The book consists of only three long chapters, which helps it read like a full-length novel. The constant sense of mystery is captivating and kept me turning pages until the end. Nicholas is an exceptionally well-developed protagonist for a novella, and the "story-within-a-story" approach—written from his perspective as he writes his own account—is a particularly engaging way to reveal the plot.
#DoYouSeeWhatISee #NetGalley
I really love this Christmas novella for its clever structure and depth. The inclusion of a "cast list" at the very beginning is a brilliant move; by identifying the characters before the first chapter starts, the narrative never gets bogged down in clunky introductions, allowing the tension to remain front and center. Despite the shorter length, the story offers a surprising amount of depth, unfolding in layers that make the narrative feel far larger than its page count suggests.
The book consists of only three long chapters, which helps it read like a full-length novel. The constant sense of mystery is captivating and kept me turning pages until the end. Nicholas is an exceptionally well-developed protagonist for a novella, and the "story-within-a-story" approach—written from his perspective as he writes his own account—is a particularly engaging way to reveal the plot.
#DoYouSeeWhatISee #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was provided with an Advanced Reader Copy of Do You See What I See? by Peter Swanson, and I must admit I enjoyed every minute of it. I grew up reading Agatha Christie and other mystery writers, so the “locked room mystery” aspect of this novella really appealed to me. At just 87 pages, it’s a quick read—I devoured it in one sitting.
A group of writers and their spouses gather at the home of a famous but unlikeable author. Their paths have enmeshed over the years, creating the tension of “who hated who more?”
When the author is murdered, the real secrets come out. Nicholas, seemingly unrelated to the other guests, has been invited to help the writer finish his current project. As the narrator, he tells the story by typing out statements to the police—but the story continues to evolve with each new version.
I felt the nostalgia of a classic whodunit, which reminded me why I love to read. I gave the book four stars
A group of writers and their spouses gather at the home of a famous but unlikeable author. Their paths have enmeshed over the years, creating the tension of “who hated who more?”
When the author is murdered, the real secrets come out. Nicholas, seemingly unrelated to the other guests, has been invited to help the writer finish his current project. As the narrator, he tells the story by typing out statements to the police—but the story continues to evolve with each new version.
I felt the nostalgia of a classic whodunit, which reminded me why I love to read. I gave the book four stars
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ahh Christmas! The music. The decorations. The lights. The smell of cookies and treats. Family. Friends. A dead body or two. You know, a typical holiday season.
Peter Swanson has crafted a wonderfully festive murder mystery. Do you remember when you were a kid and your parents wanted to know what happened and it took you two or three times to get to point of the story? Well, this is that story. The story must be told three times for us to get the full picture. Every time brings the picture a little more into focus. Spoiler alert: It doesn't disappoint.
So put on your favorite Christmas music. Get your favorite blanket and find a cozy spot in front of the fireplace. Get your warm drink of choice. Cozy enough? Now read “Do You See What I See?” and enjoy a good murder.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Peter Swanson has crafted a wonderfully festive murder mystery. Do you remember when you were a kid and your parents wanted to know what happened and it took you two or three times to get to point of the story? Well, this is that story. The story must be told three times for us to get the full picture. Every time brings the picture a little more into focus. Spoiler alert: It doesn't disappoint.
So put on your favorite Christmas music. Get your favorite blanket and find a cozy spot in front of the fireplace. Get your warm drink of choice. Cozy enough? Now read “Do You See What I See?” and enjoy a good murder.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a quick read by one of my favorite authors. Nick is a troubled soul who goes to help a struggling author-Marco- out with his follow up book after having a best seller. He goes to this amazing house with a cast of characters that show up for a Christmas stay. There is the wife , the ex and her husband, a former friend who he supposedly stole the idea for that best seller from , a best friend and a sister and grandma who live there. What could go wrong? Two people end up dead. The book is narrated by Nick who tells the story that led everyone to this fateful home. There is a past affair, a troubled marriage, and a troubled childhood that led everyone here. The question is who did it? We get an answer to this - I think. Definitely worth the wild ride and absolutely love the writing style and the way that his stories flow so easily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Gorgeously interesting novella. Author Nicholas Child is dropped by his publisher, so his agent sends him to spend the holidays with her other author, Marco Tavares, who is struggling with the sequel to his debut bestseller. But of course it's the holidays, and Marco's invited a wide variety of people to his Cape Cod mansion, and as it goes all of them want him dead. Then he dies, along with one of the guests. What happened that day?
The plotting is fantastic and from moment one you get the vibe of a somewhat unreliable narrator, which works well. The tension is built quite quickly and resolves satisfactorially well, with a final dramatic reveal on the last line of the novella which makes everything else click. 5 stars. Thanks to William Morrow and Netgalley for the E-ARC.
The plotting is fantastic and from moment one you get the vibe of a somewhat unreliable narrator, which works well. The tension is built quite quickly and resolves satisfactorially well, with a final dramatic reveal on the last line of the novella which makes everything else click. 5 stars. Thanks to William Morrow and Netgalley for the E-ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another Christmas novella by Peter Swanson? Count me in! Nicholas is sent to Marcos' estate over Christmas to help finish Marcos' next novel. Since his visit is over Christmas, Marcos' house is full of guests, all of whom seem to have a reason to want Marcos dead. This was a quick novella that gave me the Christmas vibes I was wanting and I could easily finish in one setting. This is told in three chapters; the last two just add more information about what you read in the first. Because of that, the pacing, to me, felt quite slow but I did enjoy my time with this Novella. I would definitely recommend it if you're wanting a quick read around Christmas!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC! Pub October 2026
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC! Pub October 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Not your typical Christmas tale! But, to be fair, he did warn us. This was my fifth book by Swanson, and that’s why I requested it from NetGalley even though I’m not a fan of short stories. Who can resist such a masterful storyteller? I got a very “Clue” vibe from this one - everyone has a reason to want him dead, but who did it? The unloving wife? The jaded failed writer? The ex girlfriend or her jealous husband? The bitter best friend? Or someone else? Amazing that such a detailed plot can be created and resolved in so few pages. ❤️🎄🔪
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for this ARC, which I highly recommend you pick up on release date: October 6, 2026!
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for this ARC, which I highly recommend you pick up on release date: October 6, 2026!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you like Christmas stories with a side of murder, this one’s for you! Do You See What I See is short, but it packs that classic Peter Swanson slow burn tension that I absolutely love. A struggling writer is sent to a glitzy Cape Cod mansion over the holidays to help a famous author finish his book, and once you meet the cast everyone is suspicious! It’s basically a dysfunctional Christmas dinner waiting to explode. When the bodies finally drop after one chaotic and boozy night, I was fully hooked. It’s quick, sharp, and quietly unsettling. I flew through it in one sitting. Perfect if you want something festive… but deeply twisted!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a really well-executed novella. It’s quick, tightly written, and doesn’t waste a single page.
The structure is what stood out most. The story is told in multiple versions, each adding new context and shifting your understanding of what really happened. I loved how each retelling changed the stakes and added another layer to the story.
Despite the shorter length, it felt complete and satisfying. Nothing felt rushed or missing, which isn’t always easy to achieve in a novella.
Overall, a smart, tightly constructed mystery that’s easy to read in one sitting and very satisfying by the end.
The structure is what stood out most. The story is told in multiple versions, each adding new context and shifting your understanding of what really happened. I loved how each retelling changed the stakes and added another layer to the story.
Despite the shorter length, it felt complete and satisfying. Nothing felt rushed or missing, which isn’t always easy to achieve in a novella.
Overall, a smart, tightly constructed mystery that’s easy to read in one sitting and very satisfying by the end.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Big thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an unbiased review.
I was excited to read this novella by Peter Swanson as I have devoured the other books of his that I have read. It’s his typical slow burn mystery with loads of building tension. And the layers - oh the layers! It’s twisted and when you’re done, feels like a full book instead of the novella.
If you’re like me, and find yourself each holiday season wanting to fit in with the cool crowd and read something “Christmasy”, but never can find one that isn’t cheesy and Hallmarky.. then this one fits the bill! The title will also make you reflect back and ask yourself the same question.
Witty, short, mysterious and twisted! Five stars from me!
I was excited to read this novella by Peter Swanson as I have devoured the other books of his that I have read. It’s his typical slow burn mystery with loads of building tension. And the layers - oh the layers! It’s twisted and when you’re done, feels like a full book instead of the novella.
If you’re like me, and find yourself each holiday season wanting to fit in with the cool crowd and read something “Christmasy”, but never can find one that isn’t cheesy and Hallmarky.. then this one fits the bill! The title will also make you reflect back and ask yourself the same question.
Witty, short, mysterious and twisted! Five stars from me!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have always loved Peter Swanson’s books and this one did not disappoint. This holiday novel pulls you into a tense, mystery set in a secluded seaside mansion where nothing feels quite right. A struggling writer heads there to help a famous author finish his book, but quickly realizes the gathering is full of secrets, grudges, and suspicious characters. When a wild night ends in two deaths, the story shifts into a gripping race to figure out what’s really going on before things get even worse. This book kept me guessing the entire time!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy.
Do You See What I See is a Christmas murder mystery novella narrated by Nick, who definitely isn’t exactly “St. Nick,” adding a fun, slightly dark twist to the story.
I read everything by Peter Swanson (including his first Christmas novella - The Christmas Guest), and while this wasn’t my favorite of his, it’s still a solid and entertaining short mystery. The novella format works well here — quick, clever, and perfect for a winter or holiday read.
Do You See What I See is a Christmas murder mystery novella narrated by Nick, who definitely isn’t exactly “St. Nick,” adding a fun, slightly dark twist to the story.
I read everything by Peter Swanson (including his first Christmas novella - The Christmas Guest), and while this wasn’t my favorite of his, it’s still a solid and entertaining short mystery. The novella format works well here — quick, clever, and perfect for a winter or holiday read.
March 6, 2026
A fast paced novella that is just so Peter Swanson. I felt engaged the whole time and enjoyed the ironic elements (told from the point of view of an author who is commenting on literary devices while using those same devices). You think you know what’s happening but you don’t. As the layers peel back you’ll rethink what you already read.
Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This mystery follows Marco, a successful but difficult mystery writer, and the complicated circle of people around him. The story is narrated by Nicolas, another writer sent by their publisher to help Marco with his next book.
As old rivalries, past relationships, and buried resentments surface, it becomes clear that Marco hasn’t always treated the people in his life very well. With layered characters and steady build of tension, this read is fun and engaging.
As old rivalries, past relationships, and buried resentments surface, it becomes clear that Marco hasn’t always treated the people in his life very well. With layered characters and steady build of tension, this read is fun and engaging.
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