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Do You See What I See?: A Novella – A Chilling Holiday Mystery Novella of a Celebrity Writer's Christmas Party Gone Wrong
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10 copies available
U.S. only
New 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
August 3, 2026
‘I spy your humble home
I see the tea towels fly
In a blinding flash
I see the years go by.
Do you see what I see?’
Grey Gables - is the Cape Cod home of best selling mystery writer Marco Tavares and his artist wife Maeve Finch. Marco has huge success with ‘The Girl at the Door’ but is struggling with his latest novel. His agent Linda Barkin proposes that fellow mystery author Nicholas Child, our narrator, heads to the Cape at Christmas to help him sort out the hot mess of his latest literary effort. As the other guests assemble along with the Tavares household, one guest remarks that it looks like they’re inside a murder mystery or a play. This guest might be right as the least emotion that some might feel is jealousy. It’s certainly the right setting, a beautiful house, snow, Christmas lights, food and wine but is there a festive spirit or something else lurking beneath the glitzy, sparkly surface?
First of all, the atmosphere that Peter Swanson creates is perfect for this tale. The Cape setting, the sea, the wintery conditions, a mixed bag of house guests, all with barely subsumed strong emotions and away we go.
It’s a clever premise and I really enjoy the Three Acts
or parts as it keeps my attention and as each one is unveiled, there are some good unexpected revelations, particularly in Part Three which is the most riveting. It’s twisty, hard to put down and easy to read, keeping me both interested and entertained. It’s a classic whodunnit with suspicion passing from one character to the next but kudos for the end!
The characterisation is good, few are likeable, most are flawed, often deeply so, or liars or cold manipulators or maybe all of those things!
I love the literary element which is cleverly used especially that of Daphne du Maurier, one of my favourite authors, having read everything she has written.
Overall, a perfect Christmas murder mystery novella and one I shall purchase both for myself and as gifts.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Faber and Faber for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
I see the tea towels fly
In a blinding flash
I see the years go by.
Do you see what I see?’
Grey Gables - is the Cape Cod home of best selling mystery writer Marco Tavares and his artist wife Maeve Finch. Marco has huge success with ‘The Girl at the Door’ but is struggling with his latest novel. His agent Linda Barkin proposes that fellow mystery author Nicholas Child, our narrator, heads to the Cape at Christmas to help him sort out the hot mess of his latest literary effort. As the other guests assemble along with the Tavares household, one guest remarks that it looks like they’re inside a murder mystery or a play. This guest might be right as the least emotion that some might feel is jealousy. It’s certainly the right setting, a beautiful house, snow, Christmas lights, food and wine but is there a festive spirit or something else lurking beneath the glitzy, sparkly surface?
First of all, the atmosphere that Peter Swanson creates is perfect for this tale. The Cape setting, the sea, the wintery conditions, a mixed bag of house guests, all with barely subsumed strong emotions and away we go.
It’s a clever premise and I really enjoy the Three Acts
or parts as it keeps my attention and as each one is unveiled, there are some good unexpected revelations, particularly in Part Three which is the most riveting. It’s twisty, hard to put down and easy to read, keeping me both interested and entertained. It’s a classic whodunnit with suspicion passing from one character to the next but kudos for the end!
The characterisation is good, few are likeable, most are flawed, often deeply so, or liars or cold manipulators or maybe all of those things!
I love the literary element which is cleverly used especially that of Daphne du Maurier, one of my favourite authors, having read everything she has written.
Overall, a perfect Christmas murder mystery novella and one I shall purchase both for myself and as gifts.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Faber and Faber for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
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!
❤️❤️❤️
August 30, 2026
Loved it! 👏👏👏
There are a number of things I like that an author does. One is writing himself as one of the characters (that would be you Anthony Horowitz) and another is to write a clever story. I found the second like in Peter Swanson's "Christmas" themed book.
A down on his writing ability author, Nicholas Child, is hired to help a struggling somewhat famous author, Marco Tavares, who can't seem to get it together for his current novel. Marco is a devilish man, one who can often turn your stomach and his wife, Nora,( who falls into that category) along with others who have been invited to a Christmas gathering at the Tavares' home present a motley crew of internal animosity.
These are are a strange compendium of people having their reason for the Marco hate. As Christmas is a time of celebration, (and lots of drinking), this holiday is no exception except that when Christmas Day arrives there are two dead bodies, To Nicholas, it seems like "maybe" this was all a setup to "off" Marco, but also perhaps a well deserved "ciao" to a despicable man.
Who could have it have been? As the suspicion shifts from Nora, Marco's sister, Billy Sousa ( friend!!!), a grandmother, Marco's ex girlfriend and her husband, and of course our storyteller, Nicholas, we are left with a super story of murder and perhaps a bit of "joy to the world" that Marco is a "dearly" departed soul.
There are a number of things I like that an author does. One is writing himself as one of the characters (that would be you Anthony Horowitz) and another is to write a clever story. I found the second like in Peter Swanson's "Christmas" themed book.
A down on his writing ability author, Nicholas Child, is hired to help a struggling somewhat famous author, Marco Tavares, who can't seem to get it together for his current novel. Marco is a devilish man, one who can often turn your stomach and his wife, Nora,( who falls into that category) along with others who have been invited to a Christmas gathering at the Tavares' home present a motley crew of internal animosity.
These are are a strange compendium of people having their reason for the Marco hate. As Christmas is a time of celebration, (and lots of drinking), this holiday is no exception except that when Christmas Day arrives there are two dead bodies, To Nicholas, it seems like "maybe" this was all a setup to "off" Marco, but also perhaps a well deserved "ciao" to a despicable man.
Who could have it have been? As the suspicion shifts from Nora, Marco's sister, Billy Sousa ( friend!!!), a grandmother, Marco's ex girlfriend and her husband, and of course our storyteller, Nicholas, we are left with a super story of murder and perhaps a bit of "joy to the world" that Marco is a "dearly" departed soul.
August 16, 2026
Another fun Christmas novella from a favourite thriller writer Peter Swanson.
We meet Nick, a struggling writer. His agent asks him to go and stay with a famous author who is not getting very far with his next novel. Nick is one of many people staying in this house over Christmas. There is a festive atmosphere with the fire and decorations but things turn dark quickly and one of them won’t see the next day.
I loved that the story is told in 3 parts, with the reader learning more about the characters with each part. Of course things are never quite as they appear when it comes to this author. It is fun story that would be perfect to read at Christmas time. An Agatha Christie style murder mystery with a large cast of characters with hidden agendas.
Thanks to William Morrow for allowing me to read this book early. Publishes on October 6th.
We meet Nick, a struggling writer. His agent asks him to go and stay with a famous author who is not getting very far with his next novel. Nick is one of many people staying in this house over Christmas. There is a festive atmosphere with the fire and decorations but things turn dark quickly and one of them won’t see the next day.
I loved that the story is told in 3 parts, with the reader learning more about the characters with each part. Of course things are never quite as they appear when it comes to this author. It is fun story that would be perfect to read at Christmas time. An Agatha Christie style murder mystery with a large cast of characters with hidden agendas.
Thanks to William Morrow for allowing me to read this book early. Publishes on October 6th.
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 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 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!
June 30, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
There’s a heatwave outside, so what better way to escape the 35ºC+ temperatures than by diving into Do You See What I See, Peter Swanson’s latest chilling Christmas novella?
Nicholas Child, a not-so-successful writer, is hired to help Marco Tavares finish his next novel, an author struggling with his latest project after the huge success of his previous book. To do so, Nicholas must travel to Marco’s Cape Cod mansion during the Christmas season. Once there, he discovers he’s not the only one invited to spend the holidays, and that every guest has a motive for wanting one of them dead. Soon enough, two bodies are discovered, and Nicholas will have to help the police by doing what he does best: writing a story detailing everything that happened.
Where does a story begin? That question is posed right at the start, and through three distinct sections we slowly get the answer. In classic Swanson fashion, this delivers a clever mystery with a nod to the Golden Age classics, one that gradually peels back its many layers until the very last sentence. I was hooked from the very first page, and this is one of those rare cases where I wouldn’t have minded a full-length novel with these characters.
A short Christmas novella that will delight mystery readers—and proves to be the perfect read for any season.
There’s a heatwave outside, so what better way to escape the 35ºC+ temperatures than by diving into Do You See What I See, Peter Swanson’s latest chilling Christmas novella?
Nicholas Child, a not-so-successful writer, is hired to help Marco Tavares finish his next novel, an author struggling with his latest project after the huge success of his previous book. To do so, Nicholas must travel to Marco’s Cape Cod mansion during the Christmas season. Once there, he discovers he’s not the only one invited to spend the holidays, and that every guest has a motive for wanting one of them dead. Soon enough, two bodies are discovered, and Nicholas will have to help the police by doing what he does best: writing a story detailing everything that happened.
Where does a story begin? That question is posed right at the start, and through three distinct sections we slowly get the answer. In classic Swanson fashion, this delivers a clever mystery with a nod to the Golden Age classics, one that gradually peels back its many layers until the very last sentence. I was hooked from the very first page, and this is one of those rare cases where I wouldn’t have minded a full-length novel with these characters.
A short Christmas novella that will delight mystery readers—and proves to be the perfect read for any season.
April 6, 2026
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
A dinner party at a Cape Cod beach house. All the guests have good reason and motive to murder their host. And… it’s Christmas?! Sign me up!
This was a delight. It hits classic murder mystery beats without feeling tropey, and a big part of that is the cast. Every guest is a fully loaded suspect, which is hard enough to pull off in a full-length novel, let alone a stocking stuffer–sized novella.
The festive atmosphere really works too. Cozy. Claustrophobic. Tense. Twinkle lights. Simmering resentment. Copious amounts of booze. Actually, murder aside, this feels like every Christmas I’ve ever had. Why do I love the holidays? I digress.
Swanson packs a full, layered mystery into a small space without it ever feeling rushed. Honestly, my only complaint is that I didn’t wait until December. This deserves a fireplace and a hot toddy. 🎄🥃
A dinner party at a Cape Cod beach house. All the guests have good reason and motive to murder their host. And… it’s Christmas?! Sign me up!
This was a delight. It hits classic murder mystery beats without feeling tropey, and a big part of that is the cast. Every guest is a fully loaded suspect, which is hard enough to pull off in a full-length novel, let alone a stocking stuffer–sized novella.
The festive atmosphere really works too. Cozy. Claustrophobic. Tense. Twinkle lights. Simmering resentment. Copious amounts of booze. Actually, murder aside, this feels like every Christmas I’ve ever had. Why do I love the holidays? I digress.
Swanson packs a full, layered mystery into a small space without it ever feeling rushed. Honestly, my only complaint is that I didn’t wait until December. This deserves a fireplace and a hot toddy. 🎄🥃
April 19, 2026
This is the perfect novella to read by the fire after dinner on a Christmas evening. It’s currently April and I’m excited to see this when it comes out in the colder months.
I would love more of these or if they became a collection of holiday mysteries!
I also love the character list at the beginning while we don’t have as much time to get to know everyone. The format of Nick recounting the events of the evening was different and I think it worked well.
I’d definitely pick up another one and recommend this one.
Thank you to NetGalley for this early copy!
I would love more of these or if they became a collection of holiday mysteries!
I also love the character list at the beginning while we don’t have as much time to get to know everyone. The format of Nick recounting the events of the evening was different and I think it worked well.
I’d definitely pick up another one and recommend this one.
Thank you to NetGalley for this early copy!
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
It was “fine” lol. First off if you’re putting off reading this because it’s a Christmas book it’s not really a Christmas book, some of the timeline is around Christmas but even then it’s not Hallmark Christmas vibes or anything relating to snowmen & drinking hot cocoa.
Overall the book was good. Well written, the writing was fluid & easy to read. The plot was interesting & then when you figure out the backstory (starts out present tense & then the main character goes back in time to piece everything & everyone together) it adds some interesting elements. What didn’t do it for me is there wasn’t any buildup or real excitement/suspense. Sure there was some murder in it & some clever aspects but it was just meh, not awful but not memorable. If it was a heartbeat it was pretty flat. I guess for a short story I’m surprised at how much it lacked in excitement. It took about half the book to where it kind of got to ‘the point’ & then the remaining was pretty much going back in time to make the present make sense. Often times the ending makes up for what the book might be lacking but even the ending of this was just a finality. No big wow moment, but more of a ‘yeah this person was a killer, I bet you never guessed, hope you liked the show, bye’😑.
3-1/2 stars because it wasn’t boring & I do enjoy Swanson’s writing, but you won’t find me making a point to suggest anyone read it either. I’m glad it was a short book 😉
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher William Morrow for the ARC, always appreciative for the opportunity!
Overall the book was good. Well written, the writing was fluid & easy to read. The plot was interesting & then when you figure out the backstory (starts out present tense & then the main character goes back in time to piece everything & everyone together) it adds some interesting elements. What didn’t do it for me is there wasn’t any buildup or real excitement/suspense. Sure there was some murder in it & some clever aspects but it was just meh, not awful but not memorable. If it was a heartbeat it was pretty flat. I guess for a short story I’m surprised at how much it lacked in excitement. It took about half the book to where it kind of got to ‘the point’ & then the remaining was pretty much going back in time to make the present make sense. Often times the ending makes up for what the book might be lacking but even the ending of this was just a finality. No big wow moment, but more of a ‘yeah this person was a killer, I bet you never guessed, hope you liked the show, bye’😑.
3-1/2 stars because it wasn’t boring & I do enjoy Swanson’s writing, but you won’t find me making a point to suggest anyone read it either. I’m glad it was a short book 😉
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher William Morrow for the ARC, always appreciative for the opportunity!
July 28, 2026
I enjoyed this one a lot—4+ stars! After a few recent reads that just didn’t work for me (my opinion, of course!), this was exactly what I needed. I’ll read anything by Peter Swanson, so I was excited to be approved for his newest novella through NetGalley before its Oct. 6 release.
Nicholas Child is a struggling writer who gets the opportunity of a lifetime: assisting a New York Times bestselling author while spending Christmas on Cape Cod (a setting I can never resist!). The story unfolds in three different versions, as Nicholas recounts the events of one unforgettable night by typing his police statements as a narrative.
It’s a clever, fast-paced mystery with strong Agatha Christie vibes, and I loved the unique structure. Even though I had an inkling about the twist before the reveal, it didn’t lessen my enjoyment. This is a quick, satisfying read that reminded me why Peter Swanson remains one of my go-to authors. Highly recommended for mystery fans looking for an atmospheric, twisty novella.
Nicholas Child is a struggling writer who gets the opportunity of a lifetime: assisting a New York Times bestselling author while spending Christmas on Cape Cod (a setting I can never resist!). The story unfolds in three different versions, as Nicholas recounts the events of one unforgettable night by typing his police statements as a narrative.
It’s a clever, fast-paced mystery with strong Agatha Christie vibes, and I loved the unique structure. Even though I had an inkling about the twist before the reveal, it didn’t lessen my enjoyment. This is a quick, satisfying read that reminded me why Peter Swanson remains one of my go-to authors. Highly recommended for mystery fans looking for an atmospheric, twisty novella.
March 27, 2026
This unfolded beautifully. I loved the retelling of three stories of the same event. Even though it’s murder mystery it was a lovely cozy one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Do You See What I See? by Peter Swanson (Oct. 2026) [reading in August]
128-page Kindle Ebook
Genre: Novella, Mystery Thriller, Holiday > Christmas, Contemporary Literary Fiction
Movie Rating Equivalent: R for adult content
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½📚⛄️🎄
Featuring: Graphics, Bibliography for Peter Swanson, Character List, Writers, Family Dynamics, Published Authors, Literary Agent, Truro, Massachusetts; Book About Books, Boston, Massachusetts; House Guests, Writers Workshops, Cat, Murder Investigation, Motive, Provincetown, Massachusetts; Author's Note [TK]
I first read Peter Swanson in the spring of 2021 with my thriller book club (Every Vow You Break). While it wasn't their first Swanson novel, it was mine, and we actually had the luxury of having a discussion with the author the following summer for Nine Lives. Months before that discussion, though, I had already read his entire catalog! I was hooked with the first book and just couldn't stop, so naturally, he became an automatic-read author for me.
I’ve devoured every book he has released since. Even though his short stories tend to lean more toward literary fiction, I still love them, and this is easily one of the best short stories I've read by him (The Honeymoon Trap has officially been dethroned!). Don't even ask me for my favorite novel by him, because I'd have to give you a whole list.
So, naturally, I was thrilled when I saw he had a new Christmas story novella coming out, and he did not disappoint. This story is written in the classic mystery style which I love. They always tend to be a bit of a slow burn, but this story actually starts off with a bit of a bang! I was hooked right away. There was a brief little lull, but I was distracted writing down all the book titles, so I didn't mind at all. Then—boom—an awesome, amazing ending that I will be thinking about all night because I am still completely flabbergasted and still chewing on it.
Recommend to others: Definitely put this one on your Christmas reading list!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from William Morrow via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Songs for the Soundtrack: "Do You Hear What I Hear?" by Whitney Houston, "Silver And Gold" by Burl Ives, "White Christmas" by Louis Armstrong, "Christmas Is Here" by Donna Summer, "Dead Flowers" by The Rolling Stones, "Miss You" by The Rolling Stones, "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" by Dean Martin, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by Bing Crosby, "Danny Boy" by Bing Crosby, "Onward, Christian Soldiers" by Ray Stevens, "What Child Is This?/The Holly and the Ivy" by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald's Christmas by Ella Fitzgerald
Books and Authors Mentioned: Ripley Under Ground by Patricia Highsmith, Tied Up In Tinsel by Ngaio Marsh, Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie, The Corpse in the Snowman by Nicholas Blake, The Scapegoat by Daphne du Maurier, Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Trent's Last Case by Edmund Clerihew Bentley, Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh, The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, Krampus by Todd Casey, Michael Dougherty, and Zach Shields; The Shining by Stanley Kubrick and Diane Johnson [based on] The Shining by Stephen King; Clue by Jonathan Lynn [based on] Cluedo by Anthony E. Pratt; The Beast Must Die by Michael Winder [based on] "There Shall Be No Darkness" by James Blish; Dressed to Kill by Brian De Palma, Tough Guys Don't Dance by Norman Mailer (screenplay) [based on] Tough Guys Don't Dance (novel) by Norman Mailer; Chuck Palahniuk, The Last Good Kiss by James Crumley, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark by Sam Egan, John Paragon, Cassandra Peterson; The Scapegoat by Charles Sturridge [based on] The Scapegoat by Daphne du Maurier; The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson, Lee Krasner: A Biography by Gail Levin, The Blue Hammer by Ross Macdonald, Colonel Sun by Kingsley Amis writing as Robert Markham; Same Time, Next Year by Bernard Slade; Dan Brown, Murder, She Wrote by Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson, and William Link; How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
128-page Kindle Ebook
Genre: Novella, Mystery Thriller, Holiday > Christmas, Contemporary Literary Fiction
Movie Rating Equivalent: R for adult content
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½📚⛄️🎄
Featuring: Graphics, Bibliography for Peter Swanson, Character List, Writers, Family Dynamics, Published Authors, Literary Agent, Truro, Massachusetts; Book About Books, Boston, Massachusetts; House Guests, Writers Workshops, Cat, Murder Investigation, Motive, Provincetown, Massachusetts; Author's Note [TK]
I first read Peter Swanson in the spring of 2021 with my thriller book club (Every Vow You Break). While it wasn't their first Swanson novel, it was mine, and we actually had the luxury of having a discussion with the author the following summer for Nine Lives. Months before that discussion, though, I had already read his entire catalog! I was hooked with the first book and just couldn't stop, so naturally, he became an automatic-read author for me.
I’ve devoured every book he has released since. Even though his short stories tend to lean more toward literary fiction, I still love them, and this is easily one of the best short stories I've read by him (The Honeymoon Trap has officially been dethroned!). Don't even ask me for my favorite novel by him, because I'd have to give you a whole list.
So, naturally, I was thrilled when I saw he had a new Christmas story novella coming out, and he did not disappoint. This story is written in the classic mystery style which I love. They always tend to be a bit of a slow burn, but this story actually starts off with a bit of a bang! I was hooked right away. There was a brief little lull, but I was distracted writing down all the book titles, so I didn't mind at all. Then—boom—an awesome, amazing ending that I will be thinking about all night because I am still completely flabbergasted and still chewing on it.
Recommend to others: Definitely put this one on your Christmas reading list!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from William Morrow via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Songs for the Soundtrack: "Do You Hear What I Hear?" by Whitney Houston, "Silver And Gold" by Burl Ives, "White Christmas" by Louis Armstrong, "Christmas Is Here" by Donna Summer, "Dead Flowers" by The Rolling Stones, "Miss You" by The Rolling Stones, "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" by Dean Martin, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by Bing Crosby, "Danny Boy" by Bing Crosby, "Onward, Christian Soldiers" by Ray Stevens, "What Child Is This?/The Holly and the Ivy" by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald's Christmas by Ella Fitzgerald
Books and Authors Mentioned: Ripley Under Ground by Patricia Highsmith, Tied Up In Tinsel by Ngaio Marsh, Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie, The Corpse in the Snowman by Nicholas Blake, The Scapegoat by Daphne du Maurier, Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Trent's Last Case by Edmund Clerihew Bentley, Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh, The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, Krampus by Todd Casey, Michael Dougherty, and Zach Shields; The Shining by Stanley Kubrick and Diane Johnson [based on] The Shining by Stephen King; Clue by Jonathan Lynn [based on] Cluedo by Anthony E. Pratt; The Beast Must Die by Michael Winder [based on] "There Shall Be No Darkness" by James Blish; Dressed to Kill by Brian De Palma, Tough Guys Don't Dance by Norman Mailer (screenplay) [based on] Tough Guys Don't Dance (novel) by Norman Mailer; Chuck Palahniuk, The Last Good Kiss by James Crumley, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark by Sam Egan, John Paragon, Cassandra Peterson; The Scapegoat by Charles Sturridge [based on] The Scapegoat by Daphne du Maurier; The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson, Lee Krasner: A Biography by Gail Levin, The Blue Hammer by Ross Macdonald, Colonel Sun by Kingsley Amis writing as Robert Markham; Same Time, Next Year by Bernard Slade; Dan Brown, Murder, She Wrote by Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson, and William Link; How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Actual rating: 4.25 stars.
Before I get into the review, a quick thank you to both NetGalley and the publishers over at Harper Collins for allowing me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. In Do You See What I See? we follow Nicholas who is a writer recently 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 help finishing his follow up to his hit thriller. But when Nicholas visits, Christmas cheer is in short supply and every visitor seems to have a motive to kill their host. As Christmas approaches, a single boozy night ends in two corpses leaving Nicholas to wonder if the whole thing was a setup from the start. Do You See What I See? comes out on October 6th and is available for preorder now.
This has been the smashing success of this year's Christmas in July. If I didn't have to wake up early this morning for work, I would have finished this in one sitting. It was so compelling. Which is a bit weird given that we miss out on the most action packed moments of the whole situation. We never see the murder or confront the murderer. And yet somehow I was hooked. I think Nicholas as a narrator makes a lot of sense for the story and he adds a layer of suspicion to the narration following the murders. We spend pretty much the entire novel not knowing who the murderer is, but we are led to believe a certain character may have been the one to handle the knife. And while I don't love sort of ambiguous endings, this one made sense and gave the reader enough of a nod that they can reasonably say who the murderer probably was. I was actually laughing at the final page of the novel because of how the sort of reveal was done. I liked the settings we followed the characters into, but it did lack some of the Christmas charm I was expecting.
The main drawback for this one is the length. At least for me. I know it appeals to a lot of readers to have this quick little Christmas Mystery stories, but I found I had a lot of questions and I wanted more time with certain characters (or should we call them suspects?). I once complained that a 750 page book wasn't long enough for me so we're not surprised that I found a novella to be too short. It just needed to be said. I also wish we had gotten a little more festive in the Cape Cod mansion. The characters did drink eggnog and there was a Christmas tree. But none of the scenes really gave a festive vibe. I know it's a Mystery, but humor me here.
Overall, this was the perfect way to end Christmas in July 2026. I think this is great for any Mystery lover in your life and also works well for Christmas fans. I can only hope for more Christmas Mystery novellas from this author.
Before I get into the review, a quick thank you to both NetGalley and the publishers over at Harper Collins for allowing me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. In Do You See What I See? we follow Nicholas who is a writer recently 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 help finishing his follow up to his hit thriller. But when Nicholas visits, Christmas cheer is in short supply and every visitor seems to have a motive to kill their host. As Christmas approaches, a single boozy night ends in two corpses leaving Nicholas to wonder if the whole thing was a setup from the start. Do You See What I See? comes out on October 6th and is available for preorder now.
This has been the smashing success of this year's Christmas in July. If I didn't have to wake up early this morning for work, I would have finished this in one sitting. It was so compelling. Which is a bit weird given that we miss out on the most action packed moments of the whole situation. We never see the murder or confront the murderer. And yet somehow I was hooked. I think Nicholas as a narrator makes a lot of sense for the story and he adds a layer of suspicion to the narration following the murders. We spend pretty much the entire novel not knowing who the murderer is, but we are led to believe a certain character may have been the one to handle the knife. And while I don't love sort of ambiguous endings, this one made sense and gave the reader enough of a nod that they can reasonably say who the murderer probably was. I was actually laughing at the final page of the novel because of how the sort of reveal was done. I liked the settings we followed the characters into, but it did lack some of the Christmas charm I was expecting.
The main drawback for this one is the length. At least for me. I know it appeals to a lot of readers to have this quick little Christmas Mystery stories, but I found I had a lot of questions and I wanted more time with certain characters (or should we call them suspects?). I once complained that a 750 page book wasn't long enough for me so we're not surprised that I found a novella to be too short. It just needed to be said. I also wish we had gotten a little more festive in the Cape Cod mansion. The characters did drink eggnog and there was a Christmas tree. But none of the scenes really gave a festive vibe. I know it's a Mystery, but humor me here.
Overall, this was the perfect way to end Christmas in July 2026. I think this is great for any Mystery lover in your life and also works well for Christmas fans. I can only hope for more Christmas Mystery novellas from this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Title: Do You See What I See
Author: Peter Swanson
Publisher: William Marrow
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: October 6, 2026
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Story described as
A Chilling Holiday Mystery Novella of a Celebrity Writer's Christmas Party Gone Wrong
Nicholas ‘Nick’ Child is an author whose novel “Dark at Its Rising” featuring Detective Adam Noone a recurring character has the promised of a two-book deal. However, he just found out he has been dropped by his publisher. His agent Linda Barkin decides the answer just might be helping her other client, Marco Tavares, who has writer’s block. Nick can spend the holidays at Marco’s Cape Cod mansion and work with him.
Nick agrees and when he arrives, he finds the seaside estate in all its Christmas glory.
Additional there are others guest for this festive occasion. He was expecting ~ Marco’s wife Maeve Finch, an artist, his sister Cat, as well as his grandmother. Maeve tells Nicholas that additional guest will be arriving ~ Eve Margolis (who just happens to be an ex-girlfriend) and her husband Ben ( who happens to be very jealous), also Billy Sousa an unemployed high school friend as well as James Beers-who is also an author and believes Marco plagiarizes his story idea for “The Girl at the Door” that turned out to be best-seller.
Total of nine will be having Christmas dinner. Although what appears to be a festive evening also seems like a murder mystery in the making ~negative feelings, a host who has a wall of murder weapons in his office, plus it is a dark and snowy night!
Sure enough, two are found dead! Might one be Marco?
If so, did Maeve do it?
This was actual a fun read- true not my typical reaction to one of his thrillers.
It truly wasn’t a chilling thriller as I laughed a little at the end as to whodunit!
Yep! It was Great!
This is my ninth Peter Swanson novel. I read “The Christmas Guest” a few years ago and I was sure this was going to be a great Christmas thriller as well! Swanson is one of my favorite authors- I call myself a fan and ready for his next chilling thriller!
Hmm wonder if there just might be more from Nick?
I want to thank NetGalley and William Marrow for granting my wish for this great Advanced Reader’s E-Proof!
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 6, 2065.
Author: Peter Swanson
Publisher: William Marrow
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: October 6, 2026
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Story described as
A Chilling Holiday Mystery Novella of a Celebrity Writer's Christmas Party Gone Wrong
Nicholas ‘Nick’ Child is an author whose novel “Dark at Its Rising” featuring Detective Adam Noone a recurring character has the promised of a two-book deal. However, he just found out he has been dropped by his publisher. His agent Linda Barkin decides the answer just might be helping her other client, Marco Tavares, who has writer’s block. Nick can spend the holidays at Marco’s Cape Cod mansion and work with him.
Nick agrees and when he arrives, he finds the seaside estate in all its Christmas glory.
Additional there are others guest for this festive occasion. He was expecting ~ Marco’s wife Maeve Finch, an artist, his sister Cat, as well as his grandmother. Maeve tells Nicholas that additional guest will be arriving ~ Eve Margolis (who just happens to be an ex-girlfriend) and her husband Ben ( who happens to be very jealous), also Billy Sousa an unemployed high school friend as well as James Beers-who is also an author and believes Marco plagiarizes his story idea for “The Girl at the Door” that turned out to be best-seller.
Total of nine will be having Christmas dinner. Although what appears to be a festive evening also seems like a murder mystery in the making ~negative feelings, a host who has a wall of murder weapons in his office, plus it is a dark and snowy night!
Sure enough, two are found dead! Might one be Marco?
If so, did Maeve do it?
This was actual a fun read- true not my typical reaction to one of his thrillers.
It truly wasn’t a chilling thriller as I laughed a little at the end as to whodunit!
Yep! It was Great!
This is my ninth Peter Swanson novel. I read “The Christmas Guest” a few years ago and I was sure this was going to be a great Christmas thriller as well! Swanson is one of my favorite authors- I call myself a fan and ready for his next chilling thriller!
Hmm wonder if there just might be more from Nick?
I want to thank NetGalley and William Marrow for granting my wish for this great Advanced Reader’s E-Proof!
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 6, 2065.
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
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)
Thankful for the ARC provided by NetGalley
As a fan of Peter Swanson’s work, I was excited to pick up this ARC novella, and Do You See What I See? delivered exactly what I was hoping for: a quick, clever mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.
I immediately appreciated the cast list at the beginning of the story. For a novella with multiple characters and interconnected relationships, it made it easy to settle into the world of Grey Gables, a secluded seaside estate where mystery writer Nicholas finds himself assisting another author with a new project.
What starts as an intriguing literary setup quickly turns into something much darker when a body is discovered on the beach and in a writer’s office. From there, the story takes an unexpected turn as different versions of the same crime begin to emerge. I loved this concept. The structure felt fresh and creative, and I found myself constantly questioning which version of events, if any, was actually true.
The atmosphere was one of my favorite parts of the novella. The isolated coastal setting, complicated relationships, old romances, and shifting loyalties created a strong sense of unease despite the story’s short length. I especially enjoyed trying to unravel how all the characters were connected and whether their fascination with Maeve was influencing the events unfolding around them.
While I would have loved a little more room for character development, that’s often the trade-off with a novella. Even so, the story remained engaging throughout and packed quite a bit of mystery into a small page count.
The ending is definitely ambiguous, which I know can be divisive, but for me, it fits the story's tone perfectly. If you enjoy mysteries that leave room for interpretation and discussion long after you’ve finished reading, this one is worth picking up.
Overall, this was a fun, atmospheric, and inventive mystery novella that showcases Peter Swanson’s talent for keeping readers off balance.
Thankful for the ARC provided by NetGalley
As a fan of Peter Swanson’s work, I was excited to pick up this ARC novella, and Do You See What I See? delivered exactly what I was hoping for: a quick, clever mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.
I immediately appreciated the cast list at the beginning of the story. For a novella with multiple characters and interconnected relationships, it made it easy to settle into the world of Grey Gables, a secluded seaside estate where mystery writer Nicholas finds himself assisting another author with a new project.
What starts as an intriguing literary setup quickly turns into something much darker when a body is discovered on the beach and in a writer’s office. From there, the story takes an unexpected turn as different versions of the same crime begin to emerge. I loved this concept. The structure felt fresh and creative, and I found myself constantly questioning which version of events, if any, was actually true.
The atmosphere was one of my favorite parts of the novella. The isolated coastal setting, complicated relationships, old romances, and shifting loyalties created a strong sense of unease despite the story’s short length. I especially enjoyed trying to unravel how all the characters were connected and whether their fascination with Maeve was influencing the events unfolding around them.
While I would have loved a little more room for character development, that’s often the trade-off with a novella. Even so, the story remained engaging throughout and packed quite a bit of mystery into a small page count.
The ending is definitely ambiguous, which I know can be divisive, but for me, it fits the story's tone perfectly. If you enjoy mysteries that leave room for interpretation and discussion long after you’ve finished reading, this one is worth picking up.
Overall, this was a fun, atmospheric, and inventive mystery novella that showcases Peter Swanson’s talent for keeping readers off balance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Peter Swanson's mysteries are my jam! Although I've read a pile of mysteries with the premise of a gathering turned deadly at an author's estate, that came up short, I didn't hesitate for a moment to request this one as Swanson's style tends to deliver no matter the premise. I tried to wait as long as I could because this has an autumn release date and is a holiday story, but I didn't make it very long. 🤷🏻♀️An early review it is! 🎄🎁
Nicholas Child might be a published author, but his current prospects aren't looking up. He meets with his agent who has an odd request. She wants him to spend the Christmas holidays at Cape Cod with Marco Tavares at his sprawling seaside mansion to see if the disastrous follow up to his successful thriller is salvageable. Nicholas agrees with some reluctance and soon finds himself at an uncomfortable holiday gathering. The visitors all seem to hate the host which is all the more confusing when an alcohol-soaked night leads to two corpses come morning. As an author Nicholas recognizes a setup when he sees it, but is the danger over? And he has a feeling perhaps he was cast in a role....killer? victim? patsy? Past and present collide opening up possibilities.
I could not put this down the more I read the more I wanted to read. The characters seem pretty easy to understand at first, but as the story develops, they become more realistic and flawed. There are little human touches throughout that grounded what could've been a very surface experience adding a sprinkling of depth which isn't typical in murder mystery novellas, so it stood out. I may have to order a gorgeous hardback of this for my keeper shelf when it hits because every year, I set all my Christmas themed mysteries facing outward as decor to the delight or distress of visitors. (I'm a reader through and through 😆🎄)
If you enjoy a bloody mystery alongside the festive tunes, treats, and trimmings of the holiday season this is one worth checking out.
Thank you to William Morrow for providing an ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Nicholas Child might be a published author, but his current prospects aren't looking up. He meets with his agent who has an odd request. She wants him to spend the Christmas holidays at Cape Cod with Marco Tavares at his sprawling seaside mansion to see if the disastrous follow up to his successful thriller is salvageable. Nicholas agrees with some reluctance and soon finds himself at an uncomfortable holiday gathering. The visitors all seem to hate the host which is all the more confusing when an alcohol-soaked night leads to two corpses come morning. As an author Nicholas recognizes a setup when he sees it, but is the danger over? And he has a feeling perhaps he was cast in a role....killer? victim? patsy? Past and present collide opening up possibilities.
I could not put this down the more I read the more I wanted to read. The characters seem pretty easy to understand at first, but as the story develops, they become more realistic and flawed. There are little human touches throughout that grounded what could've been a very surface experience adding a sprinkling of depth which isn't typical in murder mystery novellas, so it stood out. I may have to order a gorgeous hardback of this for my keeper shelf when it hits because every year, I set all my Christmas themed mysteries facing outward as decor to the delight or distress of visitors. (I'm a reader through and through 😆🎄)
If you enjoy a bloody mystery alongside the festive tunes, treats, and trimmings of the holiday season this is one worth checking out.
Thank you to William Morrow for providing an ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Do You See What I See is a wonderfully clever, festive mystery that leans into all the best parts of a Christmas whodunnit — a snow‑dusted setting, a house full of secrets, and a narrator who’s just unreliable enough to make things interesting. Nicholas Child, a struggling mystery writer, arrives at Grey Gables to help finish the long‑overdue sequel to a breakout bestseller, and from the moment he steps through the door, it’s clear he’s walked into a story far stranger than the one he was hired to write.
Grey Gables is a delightfully atmospheric backdrop: cozy on the surface, but threaded with tension, half‑truths, and guests who seem to be performing innocence rather than embodying it. The author plays with that dynamic beautifully. Every conversation feels slightly off, every interaction tinged with suspicion, and Nicholas — earnest, observant, and just a little overwhelmed — becomes the perfect lens through which to watch the puzzle take shape.
When two shocking deaths occur, the tone shifts from playful unease to genuine intrigue. Nicholas’s attempt to write his own account of what happened adds a clever meta layer to the story, blurring the line between witness and storyteller. The puzzle that emerges is fiendish in the best way: twisty without being convoluted, surprising without feeling unfair, and threaded with enough character‑driven tension to keep the pages turning.
The writing is warm, witty, and quietly sharp, capturing both the charm of a Cape Cod Christmas and the darker undercurrents running beneath the festivities. It’s the kind of mystery that feels cozy to read but never complacent — a story that invites you to settle in with a blanket and a mug of something warm, only to pull the rug out from under you just when you think you’ve solved it.
Clever, festive, and satisfyingly twisty, Do You See What I See is a perfect holiday mystery for readers who love their Christmas stories with secrets, suspects, and a narrator who might be in deeper than he realises.
With thanks to Peter Swanson, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Grey Gables is a delightfully atmospheric backdrop: cozy on the surface, but threaded with tension, half‑truths, and guests who seem to be performing innocence rather than embodying it. The author plays with that dynamic beautifully. Every conversation feels slightly off, every interaction tinged with suspicion, and Nicholas — earnest, observant, and just a little overwhelmed — becomes the perfect lens through which to watch the puzzle take shape.
When two shocking deaths occur, the tone shifts from playful unease to genuine intrigue. Nicholas’s attempt to write his own account of what happened adds a clever meta layer to the story, blurring the line between witness and storyteller. The puzzle that emerges is fiendish in the best way: twisty without being convoluted, surprising without feeling unfair, and threaded with enough character‑driven tension to keep the pages turning.
The writing is warm, witty, and quietly sharp, capturing both the charm of a Cape Cod Christmas and the darker undercurrents running beneath the festivities. It’s the kind of mystery that feels cozy to read but never complacent — a story that invites you to settle in with a blanket and a mug of something warm, only to pull the rug out from under you just when you think you’ve solved it.
Clever, festive, and satisfyingly twisty, Do You See What I See is a perfect holiday mystery for readers who love their Christmas stories with secrets, suspects, and a narrator who might be in deeper than he realises.
With thanks to Peter Swanson, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love a good old-fashioned mystery: a suspicious mansion, a collection of people who absolutely should not be left unsupervised together, questionable motives, and, of course, a murder. Peter Swanson clearly loves them too. The difference is, he knows exactly what we’re expecting…and then has a little fun messing with us.
Do You See What I See? takes the classic whodunit and gives it a fresh, wonderfully devious makeover. There’s definitely a nod to the greats, think Agatha Christie, but Swanson isn’t content to simply dust off the formula and put it back on the shelf. He pokes at it, twists it, and occasionally seems to smirk at the reader while doing so.
What makes this so much fun is the way Swanson plays with perspective and competing versions of events. Just when you think you’ve got the mystery figured out, he essentially says, “Oh, you thought THAT was what happened?” And suddenly you’re back to square one, reconsidering everyone and everything.
I particularly enjoyed how the story makes you question the very mechanics of a mystery. Who is telling the truth? Whose version do we believe? And how much of what we’ve been told can we actually trust? It’s the literary equivalent of being handed a map, following it confidently for several miles, and then discovering someone has quietly turned the map upside down.
The best part is that Swanson manages to honor the classic mystery while still making it feel playful and contemporary. It’s clever without being showy, twisty without feeling like it’s trying too hard, and just plain entertaining.
Five stars for taking a familiar formula, giving it a wicked little shake, and proving that the classic whodunit still has plenty of tricks left up its sleeve. Just don’t trust anyone. Including, possibly, the person telling you the story.
Do You See What I See? takes the classic whodunit and gives it a fresh, wonderfully devious makeover. There’s definitely a nod to the greats, think Agatha Christie, but Swanson isn’t content to simply dust off the formula and put it back on the shelf. He pokes at it, twists it, and occasionally seems to smirk at the reader while doing so.
What makes this so much fun is the way Swanson plays with perspective and competing versions of events. Just when you think you’ve got the mystery figured out, he essentially says, “Oh, you thought THAT was what happened?” And suddenly you’re back to square one, reconsidering everyone and everything.
I particularly enjoyed how the story makes you question the very mechanics of a mystery. Who is telling the truth? Whose version do we believe? And how much of what we’ve been told can we actually trust? It’s the literary equivalent of being handed a map, following it confidently for several miles, and then discovering someone has quietly turned the map upside down.
The best part is that Swanson manages to honor the classic mystery while still making it feel playful and contemporary. It’s clever without being showy, twisty without feeling like it’s trying too hard, and just plain entertaining.
Five stars for taking a familiar formula, giving it a wicked little shake, and proving that the classic whodunit still has plenty of tricks left up its sleeve. Just don’t trust anyone. Including, possibly, the person telling you the story.
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!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a delicious little locked room holiday chaos situation and I absolutely devoured it like a Christmas cookie I was definitely not supposed to eat before dinner.
We’re dropped into a snowy Cape Cod mansion where everyone is a little too well dressed, a little too tense, and definitely hiding something behind that festive sparkle. There’s a writer trying to figure out his next move, a famous novelist with way too many secrets, and a guest list that feels like it was curated by someone who enjoys emotional damage. Naturally, things spiral into murder because of course they do, it’s the holidays.
What I really loved is how every single person in that house felt like a potential suspect. You are constantly side eyeing everyone like hmm… suspicious behavior, actually. And just when you think you’ve got it figured out, the story casually goes nope, try again bestie.
It also has that fun meta storytelling vibe where the truth keeps shifting depending on who is telling it, which made it feel like you’re piecing together gossip at a family gathering except the stakes are extremely deadly and nobody is safe. Very festive.
The setting deserves its own applause too. It’s cozy in that fake way where everything looks warm and twinkly but you can absolutely feel the chaos bubbling underneath. Like Christmas lights over a crime scene. Very merry, very unwell.
Honestly, this is exactly the kind of mystery I want during the holidays. A little bit of humor, a lot of suspicion, and that satisfying feeling of watching everything unravel in a way that makes you go ohhhh so THAT’S what was happening.
Solid 4 stars from me for pure entertainment value and festive murder energy.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
We’re dropped into a snowy Cape Cod mansion where everyone is a little too well dressed, a little too tense, and definitely hiding something behind that festive sparkle. There’s a writer trying to figure out his next move, a famous novelist with way too many secrets, and a guest list that feels like it was curated by someone who enjoys emotional damage. Naturally, things spiral into murder because of course they do, it’s the holidays.
What I really loved is how every single person in that house felt like a potential suspect. You are constantly side eyeing everyone like hmm… suspicious behavior, actually. And just when you think you’ve got it figured out, the story casually goes nope, try again bestie.
It also has that fun meta storytelling vibe where the truth keeps shifting depending on who is telling it, which made it feel like you’re piecing together gossip at a family gathering except the stakes are extremely deadly and nobody is safe. Very festive.
The setting deserves its own applause too. It’s cozy in that fake way where everything looks warm and twinkly but you can absolutely feel the chaos bubbling underneath. Like Christmas lights over a crime scene. Very merry, very unwell.
Honestly, this is exactly the kind of mystery I want during the holidays. A little bit of humor, a lot of suspicion, and that satisfying feeling of watching everything unravel in a way that makes you go ohhhh so THAT’S what was happening.
Solid 4 stars from me for pure entertainment value and festive murder energy.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
Do You See What I See?
I really like mysteries and thrillers set during Christmas because you don't associate murder and mayhem during the holiday season (unless you're me).
Murder and mayhem can happen any time.
** Minor seasonal spoilers ahead **
This is about a young writer named Nicholas trying to regain his former literary success when he's asked to ghostwriter a famous writer's upcoming book, which has stalled.
He's invited to the author's seaside home and meets a cast of characters, all who have a grudge against the famous author.
When the author is murdered and a potential suspect has taken his own life, the case is resolved.
Or is it?
Nick gives readers his version of the events, purposely leaving out clues until the very end when his ties to the victim and the suspects are explained.
I'm not really a fan of these types of mysteries where everyone is a suspect and has a grudge against the deceased, mainly because I've read so many thrillers lately with this premise.
I also found it hard to deal with all the coincidences and how Nick is familiar with the author and his widow.
I understand publishing is a small industry with an even smaller social circle but Nick's previous relationship with Maeve was hard to suspend disbelief for.
I didn't think the final twist was twisty - I guessed it.
I do like the author's writing style; it flows smoothly.
For a novella, it provided a decent amount of character development for Nicholas and the supporting characters in order to form an opinion about them.
I didn't like or dislike Nicholas. I just didn't care.
I wanted to figure out whodunnit and I did.
I really like mysteries and thrillers set during Christmas because you don't associate murder and mayhem during the holiday season (unless you're me).
Murder and mayhem can happen any time.
** Minor seasonal spoilers ahead **
This is about a young writer named Nicholas trying to regain his former literary success when he's asked to ghostwriter a famous writer's upcoming book, which has stalled.
He's invited to the author's seaside home and meets a cast of characters, all who have a grudge against the famous author.
When the author is murdered and a potential suspect has taken his own life, the case is resolved.
Or is it?
Nick gives readers his version of the events, purposely leaving out clues until the very end when his ties to the victim and the suspects are explained.
I'm not really a fan of these types of mysteries where everyone is a suspect and has a grudge against the deceased, mainly because I've read so many thrillers lately with this premise.
I also found it hard to deal with all the coincidences and how Nick is familiar with the author and his widow.
I understand publishing is a small industry with an even smaller social circle but Nick's previous relationship with Maeve was hard to suspend disbelief for.
I didn't think the final twist was twisty - I guessed it.
I do like the author's writing style; it flows smoothly.
For a novella, it provided a decent amount of character development for Nicholas and the supporting characters in order to form an opinion about them.
I didn't like or dislike Nicholas. I just didn't care.
I wanted to figure out whodunnit and I did.
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.
July 18, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC.
3.5 stars
This Christmas novella would be for perfect sitting in front of a fire and paired with some quiet Christmas music playing in the background. Nicholas Child, a struggling writer himself, is sent by his agent to help another writer fix his next book that is due soon. He arrives right before Christmas and is planning to stay awhile with Marco Tavares and his family. Marco and his wife Maeve are hosting a Christmas get-together that fills the mansion with people for the weekend. There is a lot of alcohol and awkwardness. After a particularly difficult dinner party in which someone storms off, two people are found dead the next morning. It seems like every person person invited to the mansion had a reason to murder. Now Nicholas is trying to figure out who the murderer is.
This book is Nicholas's explanation to the detectives of what happened at the mansion. It's told in three parts, as three different versions. I liked that part to it, although sometimes it felt a tiny bit repetitive. I still liked the setup. The story was a slow burner, nothing really happened for a good chunk of the book. The pace could have been better. I did not like the characters, especially as the story kept going. The more we learned about them, the more I disliked them. I also didn't love the ending. I did like the whole Christmas vibe it had though. Overall, the novella would be a good quick read for Christmas time.
3.5 stars
This Christmas novella would be for perfect sitting in front of a fire and paired with some quiet Christmas music playing in the background. Nicholas Child, a struggling writer himself, is sent by his agent to help another writer fix his next book that is due soon. He arrives right before Christmas and is planning to stay awhile with Marco Tavares and his family. Marco and his wife Maeve are hosting a Christmas get-together that fills the mansion with people for the weekend. There is a lot of alcohol and awkwardness. After a particularly difficult dinner party in which someone storms off, two people are found dead the next morning. It seems like every person person invited to the mansion had a reason to murder. Now Nicholas is trying to figure out who the murderer is.
This book is Nicholas's explanation to the detectives of what happened at the mansion. It's told in three parts, as three different versions. I liked that part to it, although sometimes it felt a tiny bit repetitive. I still liked the setup. The story was a slow burner, nothing really happened for a good chunk of the book. The pace could have been better. I did not like the characters, especially as the story kept going. The more we learned about them, the more I disliked them. I also didn't love the ending. I did like the whole Christmas vibe it had though. Overall, the novella would be a good quick read for Christmas time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bestselling writer Marco Tavares is blocked. Another writer, Nicholas Child, is called in to help. But the two men have history, so is this wise? Marco made a lot of money from his last book, while Nicholas has published two (fairly unsuccessful) books, and no longer has a publisher. The arrangement was the idea of their Agent, probably unaware of their past. So, just before Christmas. Nicholas sets off for the Cape Cod home of Marco and his artist wife Maeve Finch (who probably hates Marco and for whom Nicholas has long held a flame). The other guests (who all have reasons to hate Marco) arrive. The classic murder-mystery scene is set.
In fact it is set three times, as we get three different versions, all with slightly varied revelations. It is very well written, with well developed characters (or should I say characters as well developed as they need be?) and good scene setting. It is a bit Meta, in the sense that Nicholas (who is the narrator) is addressing and explaining directly to Detective Hedges, who is effectively the reader. I think the title is well chosen for a Christmas story but is also Meta in this one. I started off writing this review with 3 stars in mind, but as I wrote it I realised it was cleverer than I had given it credit, so I’ve gone up one!
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
In fact it is set three times, as we get three different versions, all with slightly varied revelations. It is very well written, with well developed characters (or should I say characters as well developed as they need be?) and good scene setting. It is a bit Meta, in the sense that Nicholas (who is the narrator) is addressing and explaining directly to Detective Hedges, who is effectively the reader. I think the title is well chosen for a Christmas story but is also Meta in this one. I started off writing this review with 3 stars in mind, but as I wrote it I realised it was cleverer than I had given it credit, so I’ve gone up one!
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
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