האורחת המושלמת

by Emma Rous, אמה רוס, קטיה בנוביץ' (Translator)

רומן חדש ומסחרר לאמה רוס, מחברת רב המכר "האומנת"
נערה יתומה נלכדת ברשת של שקרים, אישה צעירה משחקת משחקים אסורים ובית אחוזה גדול, תמים למראה, המסתיר סוד אפל

השנה היא 1988. נערה בת 14 נשלחת מבית יתומים לאחוזת רייבן הול, שם ממתינה לה משפחה מאמצת מאירת פנים. עד מהרה מתחברת הנערה עם בתם של בני הזוג והופכת לבת משפחה. אך יום אחד היא מתבקשת על ידם להשתתף במשחק קטן של העמדת פנים, ומאז – דבר לא נותר כשהיה.

שלושים שנה לאחר מכן מוזמנת שחקנית מתחילה להשתתף באירוע יוצא דופן. לדירתה נשלחת מזוודה ובה בגדים יקרים וכן תסריט לדמות שהיא מתבקשת לגלם במקום. האירוע נערך באחוזה מפוארת, וחששה של השחקנית מתפוגג במהירות. אבל כשהלילה יורד מתברר שקבוצת האורחים במקום אינה מקרית, והסכנה אורבת בכל פינה.

אמה רוס, מחברת רב המכר העולמי האומנת, שבה עם רומן חדש וקצבי, שנקרא בנשימה אחת, וכרגיל אצל רוס – גם בו יש הכול: סודות, שקרים, כאב לב וגעגועים.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Audiobook, Contemporary

262 pages, Paperback

First published January 7, 2021

About the author

Emma grew up in England, Indonesia, Kuwait, Portugal and Fiji, and from a young age she had two ambitions: to write stories, and to look after animals. She studied veterinary medicine and zoology at the University of Cambridge, then worked as a small animal veterinary surgeon for eighteen years before starting to write fiction. Emma lives near Cambridge in England with her husband and three sons, and her rescue dog and cat.

The Au Pair was her first novel, published in eleven countries in ten languages. The Perfect Guests is her second novel, out in January 2021.

You can find out more, or follow her on social media, here:

Website: emmarous.com
Facebook: EmmaRousAuthor
Instagram: emmarousauthor

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one sit, captivating, twisty reading. You may see some twists beforehand and but some of them were still surprising that you won’t see them coming. Especially when I try to solve the complex relationships between characters I got a little lost. Several times I asked myself who was related with whom.

I have to say especially first half of the book was delightful. We’re going back and forth between the past: Beth’s arrival to Raven Hall as a companion of Averell family’s daughter Nina and the present time: a young, jobless actress Sadie Langton who suffers to make ends meet, getting a job offer she cannot refuse: role playing at a murder mystery party which will take place at the very same Raven Hall.

Beth is ready to do anything to continue living at Raven Hall because she lost her family recently. Her aunt doesn’t want to take care of her. And she starts liking Nina as her sister, also having a crush on Averell’s old friends’ son Jonah.

And in the present time: Sadie feels lucky to this well paid job but when she starts to read her character’s role play card, she realizes things written about the character exactly reflects her own life which gives her suspicions about the way she’s been invited into this murder play.
Eight chosen guests’ suspicious manners who are specifically invited to the special manor and mysterious high tension, gothic world building reminded me of Agatha Christie books. So I actually devoured the first half and witness how Beth finds herself to play a intriguing game with Averell family, replacing Nina to meet with estranged grandfather who wants to take her back to live in the US.

And in the meantime, strange things start to happen at murder mystery play. One of guests is missing and the rest of them feel nauseous, disoriented. Did somebody try to hurt them?

So it started so well but when I reach the second part just like a play’s second act, the pace went repetitive. Everybody starts making confessions abruptly without any resistance.

Twists were creative but the way of revealing of them were a little haphazard, unplanned and awkward. All those villains of the story acted like they drank truth serums and they start to confess everything without hesitation.
So thriller parts are overshadowed by unnecessary drama. Agatha Christie’s Ten Little Indians vibes at the gothic mansion lost its charm. There was so much potential about that part of the story. But unfortunately it failed for me.

I’m still rounding up 3.5 stars to 4 even though I didn’t like the second half. Some of surprising revelations and promising, hooking start and being a loyal fan of the author made me do that! It’s still easy, fast, soft, gripping reading. But I honestly think there is still some wasted potential.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this unputdownable ARC with me in exchange my honest opinions.

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[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous is a 2021 Berkley publication.

Just go with it!

I loved the Au Pair, so naturally, I was very curious to see what Emma Rous would present us with next.

1988- Raven Hall

Fourteen-year-old Beth, an orphan, is brought, by her aunt, to live with the Averell’s and their daughter, Nina, who is the same age, but is never allowed to leave home. Beth desperately wants to please her new foster parents, which means getting along with Nina, which is easier said than done, sometimes. As time passes, in a slow dawning horror, Beth realizes she has been brought to Raven Hall for another reason altogether…

Fast forward to 2019-

Sadie is an actress who has been offered a part in a Murder Mystery weekend at Raven Hall. It’s a plumb opportunity and she desperately needs the money. Things get off to an interesting start, but things rapidly go awry as shocking secrets rise to the surface, turning this into a party Sadie will never forget…

This is a well-plotted, supremely addictive psychological thriller. The downside, for some, might be the necessity to suspend belief at times, and the slightly uneven pacing. The dual timeline does require some deeper focus, but I thought the story had imagination, and a bit of originality, too. The atmosphere crackles with tension and challenges the reader with a complex puzzle that piece by piece weaves a tale of secrets and sinister machinations.

Overall, while her sophomore effort isn’t quite at strong as her debut- it’s pretty darned close! Definitely an author I’m exited about!!

4 stars

[Michael David (on hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raven Hall...a grand manor with history.

In 1988, Beth is an orphaned teenager whose aunt takes her to stay at Raven Hall with the Averells family. The parents are looking for someone who can befriend their daughter, Nina. Beth and Nina instantly hit it off and are more like sisters. Things change when Beth is asked to do a favor...a very odd favor.

In 2019, Sadie is a struggling actress who doesn’t even have enough money for this month’s rent. She finally lands a gig that offers a very nice paycheck. The gig: pretend to be a guest at a murder mystery party at an old manor named Raven Hall.

How will this all connect? You’ll have to read it to find out.

I had no idea what to expect with this, but I was intrigued. I was immediately hooked, and found the storytelling very interesting. I enjoyed how the suspense slowly built as I tried to guess what was going on, but didn’t have any clue. Then, it all basically fizzled at the 3/4 mark.

The last section of the book is very lackluster as it leads to a convoluted conclusion. I kept saying to myself, “All of THIS because of THAT?” It’s a bit far-fetched and goes into slight soap opera territory.

I haven’t read the debut novel by author Emma Rous, but I really enjoyed her writing style, and look forward to seeing how her work grows.

All in all, it’s a fast-paced and mostly enjoyable book. However, I probably won’t remember it a few months down the road.

Thank you to Berkley, Emma Rous, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Holly B · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book from the author of The Au Pair which I loved, but this one was a bit of a struggle for me to finish.

After reading the description of two timelines, a grand estate and a sinister game with guests, I couldn't wait to dive in. While I did enjoy the concept of the book, it just didn't grab me like I was hoping it would.

I was interested enough in the game that was playing out in the two timelines, that I wanted to see how it would wrap up.

She is an author that I will definitely give another chance too.

Thanks to NG and publisher for my advanced copy!


OUT JAN 12, 2021

[ScrappyMags · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shortest Summary Ever: Sadie is a wanna-be professional actress struggling to pay rent when a plum job lands in her mailbox - a murder mystery at a secluded home called Raven Hall. What could go wrong? Flashback to Beth who lived in Raven Hall as a foster child of the Averells. Beth reveals strange incidents...Sadie encounters peculiarities... are they somehow linked? What darkness lurks in the dark of Raven Hall?

Thoughts: Well... it’s twisty. It turns. But it also meanders. I loved that it was Christie-Esque in setting and plot, but where Christy weaves her tales like a fine hand knit sweater, this one contained some grays that frayed. The characters were likable and not likable, where appropriate. The story itself most certainly unique, but I felt underwhelmed, putting this into the “I liked it, but it was just ok” rating of 3 stars. It was enjoyable but nothing wowed me. Adept, but not incredible.

All my reviews available at scrappymags.com around time of publication.

Genre: Mystery.

Recommend to: it’s a “middle” mystery - not too gritty but not cozy.

Not recommended to: those who don’t want to think too much over the details

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review.

[Elyse Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack be nimble,
Jack be quick,
Jack jump over the
candlestick.

Similar as in the book *Heidi*, a young orphan girl (1980’s), is sent to be a companion for another little girl at the Raven Hall mansion.
And that’s where the similarities stop.

Years later, (2019), similar as in the book *Sarah Plain and Tall*, a young woman, answers and add.... and goes to work at Raven Hall.
And that’s where those similarities stop.

The two timeline stories connect together in this mysterious gothic twisty ‘fun & games’ novel.
The readers job is to suspend logic and reasonableness....
become more nimble....
If you do.....
“The Perfect Guests”, will be an entertaining ride...
a game of lies, secrets, deception, obsession, suspicion, revenge, even a little romance, at Raven Hall manor..... literally and figuratively.

3.5 rating
Fun!

[Bridgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stayed up until nearly five o'clock this morning finishing this book.

This is my first foray into Emma Rous' work, but I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. The Perfect Guests flawlessly weaves three separate timelines, and three separate points of view...all without muddying the story. The characters were well-developed and the setting, Raven Hall, was an interesting character in its own right.

Admittedly, I think most readers will intuit the twists easily and early on, although there was one I didn't see coming. I should have...after its big reveal, I realized there were many clues which I simply didn't recognize while reading.

The conclusion is far-fetched, but it mostly works, I think.

Bottom line, Ms. Rous is now a must-read author, as I truly enjoyed her writing.

3.75 stars rounded up.
Available January 12, 2021.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley, Edelweiss, and Berkley Publishing Group for my review copy.

[NZLisaM · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

‘Just think of it as – a little game.'

Raven Hall – A beautiful stately, yet gloomy, isolated mansion, complete with turrets, situated deep in the marshlands and fields of eastern England.

1988 – Recently orphaned 14-year-old Beth is thrilled to escape the children's home and spend the summer at Raven Hall as a companion for the owners teenage daughter. But carefree days of swimming, picnics, exploring, and fun and games soon turn into a game of a different sort. One Beth's not sure she wants to play along with.

2019 – Struggling actor Sadie is hired to take part in a trial run murder mystery weekend at Raven Hall. And she’s relishing the idea of a two-day getaway starting with a chauffeured Mercedes, vintage clothing, and a dinner party complete with a parlor game. But someone has a far deadlier game planned for an unsuspecting Sadie and the other unfortunate guests.

The Perfect Guests was an enticing blend of multi-generational sordid secrets and lies, dysfunctional families, obsession, loneliness and trickery. And at the heart of it all, lies Raven Hall, in all its magnificent, haunting, gothic glory. Beth's story made me think of Heidi crossed with VC Andrews while the present storyline gave me all the And Then There Were None spooky vibes. Both timelines were engrossing and mysterious and I connected with the two main characters right away, and quickly became invested in their individual plights. I loved the parallel of Beth and Sadie both approaching their new adventures at Raven Hall with enthusiasm and excitement but soon finding their situations uncomfortable and disconcerting.

To be honest, I was expecting something a bit darker, but the more I thought on it have decided that I was not disappointed over how it all came together in the end. I enjoyed reading it immensely, and always looked forward to picking it up. So maybe some of the reveals were a tad unbelievable and convenient, but they were surprising and the little clues and hints, and how it all wove together, were cleverly done. As you've probably guessed chapters alternated between Beth and Sadie, but there was also a third italicized unknown POV that I had no clue about, and as much as I tried to puzzle it out, things did not start to make any kind of sense until about half-way through.

For those who want a break from being scared to death, or who prefer psychological thrillers that are tense and foreboding rather than terrifying, with characters you care about, and content that packs an emotional punch, then look no further than The Perfect Guests. And since this was Virginia Andrews-esqe, pay attention YA readers, because this one's for you too.

P.S. The title couldn't be more appropriate.

I’d like to thank Edelweiss, Berkley Penguin Publishing Group, and Emma Rous for the e-ARC.

Publication Date: 12th January, 2021

[Lindsay L · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this captivating tale of deeply buried family secrets rising to the surface.

Told through two timelines, this novel unravels the mystery surrounding the family legacy of Raven Hall, an old crumbling mansion in the isolated English countryside. Raven Hall was like a character in itself, dark and powerfully atmospheric in setting - I loved it!

I was engrossed with this story from start to finish. I surprised myself with how connected I felt to the book even though I found several aspects of the plot line were quite far fetched, especially near the end. This is usually a deal breaker for me, however, I was so enthralled in the story that I remained hanging on every word with extreme curiosity in how it would all come together.

I really enjoyed the writing and characters. The pace and flow were great and the characters were memorable. I wasn’t a fan of the Present Day storyline in what brought them to Raven Hall, but I was able to “go with it” and lose myself within that aspect of the story.

Overall, this was a highly entertaining and unique novel that kept me engaged. I enjoyed this authors previous novel, The Au Pair, a tiny bit more but found this a close second.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for my review copy!

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 2019 - Eight strangers, one deadly invitation.
‘ You are cordially invited to a murder mystery at Raven Hall’ .... and Sadie Langton accepts a job with the company as one of the actors.

In 1988, Beth squeaks with excitement at her first view of Raven Hall to the irritation of Aunt Caroline. Beth has been in a children’s home following her parents death as Caroline is taking an unholy amount of time to adopt her. In the interim she’s taking her to the Hall as companion to Leonora Averell and Markus Meyer’s daughter Nina. The storyline alternates between the two time periods which works well.

First of all, I really like the majority the book. The Fenland setting for the Hall is fantastic and the area gives numerous opportunities for atmosphere and some creative aspects to the storytelling as Nina and Beth enjoy what it has to offer. The Hall is a great backdrop for the obsession, jealous machinations of some characters which leads to tragedy and a big air of mystery surrounding it. Right from the start Beth detects there’s something furtive and shifty going on, a feeling which grows. There are several prickles of unease in which are really good and add to the escalating drama and tension. There are some very strange scenes which leave you scratching your head trying to figure out the puzzle in both timelines but the murder mystery set up is bizarre from the get go. In the 1988/89 timeline outsider Jonas clearly sees that Raven Hall is not normal, it feels unstable and fragile with things built on sand and in her heart so does Beth. In places you could cut the tension with a knife, it’s exciting and also dangerous and as the book progresses disbelief suspenders are required as the plot twists are certainly imaginative! It’s called fiction for a reason!

In the second half the pace slows at times and you just have to go with it because it does offer characters and readers the chance to be reflective on what you know or think you know. I do feel it loses something as it reaches a conclusion, my hopes are for something a bit more after how great the build up is. I think it’s a bit underwhelming and far fetched, it’s Christie-esque in tone but doesn’t quite live up to Agatha’s mastery of the cozy mystery but other readers may well love it.

Overall though, despite a few negatives I do enjoy this novel. It’s a clever psychological thriller with multiple layers. I especially like the earlier timeline but I like the puzzle you’re presented with in both and trying to spot the clues.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Little Brown Book Group for the arc in return for an honest review.

[Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while) · Rating 3 out of 5]

EXCERPT: January 2019
Wendy is as good as her word, and the Raven Hall invitation is delivered to Sadie's flat the next day, along with an incredibly chic, old-fashioned suitcase with Sadie Langton printed on the luggage label. Sadie studies the front of the heavily embossed card: 'You are cordially invited to play a game at Raven Hall.' She flips it over to read the details: 'Saturday 19th January. Chauffeur to collect you 5:00 p.m. Drinks in the drawing room from 7:00 p.m. Dinner and the game to commence 7:30 p.m. in the dining hall.' Beneath this is a handwritten line in looping blue ink: 'Thank you so much for agreeing to join us - it will be a weekend to remember!'

ABOUT 'THE PERFECT GUESTS': A very quick read that hooked me almost immediately. The Perfect Guests takes place over two timelines.

1988: Beth is an orphaned teenager who is fostered out to a couple with a daughter of a similar age, Nina. They live at Raven Hall.

2019: Sadie, a struggling actress, is offered the very well paid role of a guest at a murder-mystery weekend at....Raven Hall.

The story is told from the perspectives of Beth and Sadie, and occasionally from that of another character, whose identity is not revealed until over halfway through the book.

I really liked this book initially, it swept me along, my feelings of apprehension and anticipation skyrocketing. But then it all began to get a bit untidy, repetitive, and a little loose, for lack of a better word. It started to lack cohesion, became a bit random and awkward. And the ending? Yeah, okay, I might have rated it a little higher if it were not for 'The Return to Raven Hall' - the last two chapters were just a step too far.

BUT, I will be interested to see what this author comes up with next.

⭐⭐⭐.2

#ThePerfectGuests #NetGalley

I: @emmarousaithor @littlebrownbookgroup_uk

T: @EJRous @LittleBrownUK

#contemporaryfiction #crime #domesticdrama #mystery #suspense

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Emma grew up in England, Indonesia, Kuwait, Portugal and Fiji, and from a young age she had two ambitions: to write stories, and to look after animals. She studied veterinary medicine and zoology at the University of Cambridge, then worked as a small animal veterinary surgeon for eighteen years before starting to write fiction. Emma lives near Cambridge in England with her husband and three sons, and her rescue dog and cat.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Little Brown Book Group UK for providing a digital ARC of The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delectably deceiving. deeply disturbing. Deliciously dark. Emma Rous once again stretched my mind with her mesmerizing storytelling, an atmospheric story with a Gothic vibe. 1988 Beth arrives at Raven Hall hopeful that this will be her new home. The family has a daughter Nina about the same age as her and Beth is eagerly cautious to befriend the girl. not long after arriving at the manor Beth begins to get some strange vibes, like why is it that Nina is not allowed to leave the property? 2019 struggling actress Sadie gets a part as a Party Guest at a mystery dinner. she cannot believe her luck a stunning dress, a gorgeous manner, interesting company. But it isn’t too long before Sadie figures out there is more to all of this than meets the eye. oh what a sinister tale Miss Rous has spun. Two women,one creepy manor, 30 years apart. what ties these two storylines together and what secrets is Raven Hall keeping?

I could not put this book down! I stayed up late into the night and finish this in one sitting. I was completely engrossed in this twisted mind bending tale. The story bounced between Sadie and Beth as well as now and then. I was equally engaged in both narratives. The story was extremely compelling even though the pacing was not always perfect. there was such a chilling sinister feel to the story, I was constantly waiting for something bad to happen. The ending was cleverly revealed one piece at a time keeping the tension throughout.

This book in emojis 🏚 🗝 ⛸ ☕️ 🫖 🍷 🎻 🎭

*** Big thank you to Berkley for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous is a fascinating novel that is set in the vicinity of the English fens. The story alternates between 1988 and 2019. In the eighties Beth, an orphan living in a children’s home, is selected to live at Raven Hall, an elaborate estate. She is to be a companion to the daughter of the house, Nina. The two girls soon become fast friends and all is well until it isn’t! In 2019, an eager actress, Sadie, is invited to Raven Hall, to participate in what she believes is a murder mystery evening. At this point, the night turns into something right out of the Agatha Christie mysteries. There are several invitees, all strangers to each other. The guests do not know who owns Raven Hall now or who organized the bizarre evening. Nothing will be as it seems, leaving everyone bewildered and confused. The rest will be up to the reader to investigate and solve. The Perfect Guests is an excellent choice for a winter evening, by the fire. Emma Rous has written a mystery within a mystery that will hold your attention to the very end. Highly recommended. Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Larry H · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Raven Hall has seen tragedy and its share of secrets and lies through the years. What are the mysteries it holds? This question is at the crux of Emma Rous' latest book, The Perfect Guests .

In 1988, Beth, an orphaned teenager, is invited to live with a family at Raven Hall, a sprawling English estate. For a girl who has longed for a family this is an opportunity she doesn’t want to squander, and she quickly becomes friends with their teenage daughter, Nina.

The family has secrets and quirks, however, but Beth keeps her trepidations to herself for fear of angering the family and being sent back to the children's home. But when she’s asked to participate in a lie of sorts, it sets off a chain of events which changes everything.

Thirty years later, Sadie, an unemployed actress, is offered a plum assignment. She is to play a guest at a murder-mystery party weekend held at Raven Hall, an old manor house which has been empty for years. This role has the potential to become a permanent job, and when she is sent a suitcase full of posh clothing and a dossier on her character, she’s excited for the possibilities.

But when she arrives, she quickly realizes things aren’t quite as she was promised. Is everyone playing a part? What is happening to the other guests? Why can’t she focus on what’s going on?

I was hooked on this slow-burn, dual-timeline mystery from the get-go. I loved the ominous feel of the whole thing, and while I had some suspicions about what might happen, I was really interested in how things would unfold.

I love twisty mysteries and I love being surprised. However, I felt like the conclusion of the book just kept throwing twist after twist at me—every time I thought I had grasped the plot, some other secret was revealed. (I refer to this as "But wait, there's more" syndrome.)

Still, The Perfect Guests was a very interesting read and I do like the way Rous writes. I also enjoyed her last book, The Au Pair , which had a similar narrative structure.

Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.

Check out my list of the best books of the last decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.

See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.

Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is one of those reads that lands squarely in the middle of 3 and 4 stars. I enjoyed parts of it very much and other parts were almost a drag to get through.

The story is told in dual timelines - Beth, as she arrives at Raven Hall as a teenager in the 1980s, and Sadie in 2019, who is randomly hired to play a role in a murder mystery party at Raven Hall. There is also a third, anonymous POV that randomly appears every few chapters, which I found annoying. I don't know if it was the spidery, cursive font, or the disjointed thought process, but I didn't enjoy those chapters at all. I found Beth’s chapters to be very interesting, and Sadie's not so much. I never really got into the game at Raven Hall - it seemed geared to be Agatha Christie-like, but it fell rather flat. Eventually all three timelines converge and all of Raven Hall's secrets are ultimately revealed.

I thought Rous nailed the atmospheric setting of Raven Hall - it fit the plot well and had an overall eerie feel to it. There are several twists and turns throughout the second half of the book, most of which I predicted, but there were a couple that I did not. I did think most of the “reveals” at the end were rushed and went a bit too far in the unbelievability realm.

Overall, this one was still a fairly enjoyable, quick read. Unfortunately, I just didn't care that much about Sadie's story, which I think impacted my experience. 3.5 stars rounded down to 3.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars → Delightfully twisted! THE PERFECT GUESTS is an entertaining combination of Gothic mystery and family drama that kept me glued to the pages. The timeline flips back and forth between Beth in 1988 and Sadie in 2019, with an unknown narrator woven in between.

It's the mysterious country estate of Raven Hall at the center of this book. Both main characters end up there as a pawn in a dangerous game, 31 years apart. I found the story cleverly plotted with several twisty surprises. There's a large group of secondary players, and I had fun trying to figure out how they fit together.

I enjoyed Emma Rous' first novel, THE AU PAIR, and her follow-up is just as wonderful. I'm ready for her next. :)

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Virginie Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma Rous knows how to grab my attention from the start : family secrets, weird games, an old manor... I was a fan of The Au Pair and, in The Perfect Guests, the writing and the setting were similar, so I assumed early on that I would love it.

In the end, did I love it or not? Honestly, I don't know what to say, what to think and how to rate this book. I'm still processing the convoluted, messy ending. It took about 50 pages to put every puzzle pieces together and I wasn't thinking "wow!", but "what?!?!" (picture me scratching my head).

The plot was full of twists and turns : some of them were great while others were too far-fetched. Also, the murder mystery party was totally useless... What a let down!

I'm complaining about the problems of the book, but I really liked most part of it, that's why I'm going to settle for 4 stars. With a better ending, I was planning to give it 5 stars, so it seems fair. I'm definitely going to read Emma Rous' next novels.

[Kelly (and the Book Boar) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fail #1: So I read this book and didn’t even mark that I was reading it. Then Fail #2 . . . .



Now I’m finally writing this review.

First off, as soon as I see something along these lines . . . .

You are cordially invited to play a Game at Raven Hall

My brain automatically wants to go in an Agatha Christie sort of direction. I realize that’s my problem and not the book’s, but it still is going to take a minute for me to re-center and get on track with whatever is going on. I figured that wouldn’t be a problem since I actually enjoyed The Au Pair unlike many of my friends. Sadly, however, that was not the case. This entire book amounted to . . . .



The story is told in dual timelines. In the present Sadie is a struggling actress who receives the offer she can’t refuse mentioned above. In the past Beth is an orphan who has been taken in by the current residents (and overprotective parents of Nina) at Raven Hall to be a companion for the summer. Family secrets get revealed . . . .



Between the two timelines and a bevy of underdeveloped characters, the entire thing amounted to one person’s obsession . . . with a house?????? There was soooooooo much potential to get dark and twisty here, but it simply failed to deliver for me.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating and atmospheric thriller

In 1988, fourteen-year-old Beth arrives at Raven Hall. An orphan, Beth has been chosen to keep Nina Averell, the teenage daughter who lives with her parents there, company. She becomes part of the family, almost feeling as if she belongs there. But then Nina's parents ask Beth to do something strange, forcing her to question everything, and soon nothing will ever be the same. In 2019, struggling actress Sadie Langton takes a job as part of a murder mystery dinner party. She's amazed when she arrives at the location, a beautiful manor called Raven Hall. But once the pretend party starts, Sadie realizes that something seems off--and that their "host" is toying with everyone, including her.

This was an excellent thriller that draws you in immediately and never lets go. Rous gives us an atmospheric tale, with Raven Hall and the Fens practically appearing before your eyes while reading. It doesn't get much better than a creepy book set in a weird, rambling castle, right?

THE PERFECT GUESTS alternates between Beth's story, set in the past; Sadie's, set in the present; and an unnamed voice. Trying to figure out how everyone is interconnected is part of the book's intrigue. I definitely worked some parts out early on--others were a surprise. Still, the result is a very twisty and compelling read.

Overall, this is a page-turner with a fascinating plot. I'm a fan of Emma Rous and her way of sucking the reader into her books. GUESTS sets an atmospheric scene and offers plenty for mystery fans to puzzle out. 3.75 stars, rounded up to 4 here.

I received a copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. It is available on 1/12/2021.

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[Theresa Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a mystery, this novel works, but toward the end it got so soap-opera like that it felt really insubstantial. Which is fine—we all need light things to take our minds off the challenges of the actual world, but the first part of the novel didn’t have that frothiness to it.

This is told from two different points of view: Beth in 1988, when she is thirteen and carted off to Raven Hall to be raised essentially by foster parents, and Sadie in 2019, who is offered a job at a murder mystery at Raven Hall. I liked both Beth and Sadie and cared about their struggles.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which WILL BE RELEASED JANUARY 21, 2021.

[JaymeO · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC of The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous. I loved The Au Pair and was eager to read her latest thriller.

Sadie acquires an acting job that is too good to be true. She is paid to attend a big fancy party in a mansion called Raven Hall, with hired actors playing roles similar to those in the move Clue (which happens to be my all-time favorite movie)! The attendees must act their part and one will receive a prize by solving the murder mystery by the following morning. Next we meet Beth, who is orphaned when her parents and brother are killed in a car crash. Her neglectful aunt has agreed to let her live with a rich family in order to become a companion for their own daughter, Nina. These two stories eventually overlap and the reader learns the connection. There is also a mystery narrator who makes many appearances throughout.

This book started out with so much promise. I love the murder mystery Clue-like premise. However, I cannot fathom one of the characters’ obsession with Raven Hall. This seems to be the guiding premise to this thriller and it just doesn’t make sense, even in a gothic sensibility, as no other gothic elements seem to exist. I easily predicted the twists and the plot turned a ridiculous corner towards the end. I really enjoyed the Au Pair because even though it had a soap opera feel, it felt more authentic than this book. The plot was just downright goofy towards the end with absurd reveals. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed.

2.5/5 stars

[Holly in Bookland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this! Dual timelines—you have Beth in 1988 & Sadie in 2019. Both are invited to the mysterious Raven Hall, where games can have deadly consequences. There were so many secrets, twists & turns! I loved how they were all slowly revealed, the author did a great job. I also felt she did a great job with the description of Raven Hall, it was practically a character itself. Was this a perfect 5 star read? No, but I read this in one sitting because I was very entertained.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Mackenzie - PhDiva Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This absolutely stunning follow up to Emma Rous’s debut book The Au Pair proves that she was certainly no one-hit wonder!

I love a well-executed dual timeline mystery, and Emma Rous’s The Perfect Guests knocked it out of the park. Following two different stories linked by an opulent manor named Raven Hall, this book is captivating, twisty, and brilliant!

Before I read this, my friend Berit had said it was a read-in-a-day book because it is that hard to put down. She wasn’t kidding! I did have to break for sleep and work, but every spare moment I had I was devouring this book until the very final page.

Now that I’ve read two outstanding mysteries by Rous, I think I can say that there are a few things that really define what makes her books so compelling. The first is that she chooses mysteries with a strong tie to the past, and she explores those links through time as the mystery unfolds. Expertly, she drops clues in both timelines so that neither can fully resolve without the other, though they seem separate.

Second, she writes outstanding settings. In both of her books, the house (or two houses in the case of her first book), feels more like a character than a setting. Here, Raven Hall is as important to the plot as an character, but finding out why and how is the fun part! Finally, there is always a hint of folklore and an atmospheric gothic quality. Everything always feels so vivid—I can picture it all as she describes it. With her stories, there is always a touch of lore, and I find that so compelling!

In 1988 we meet Beth, a 14 year-old who is sent by her aunt to stay at Raven Hall and be friends with their daughter Nina. Having lost her parents in a tragic accident, Beth initially feels grateful to be part of the family at Raven Hall. But she always feels a bit on edge. Like if she isn’t perfect, she’ll get sent back to her aunt who doesn’t have time or interest in keeping her. And then one day Nina falls ill and her parents ask Beth for a small favor…

In 2019, struggling actress Sadie is barely able to make ends meet month after month. So when she gets an offer to play a role for a weekend at an old manor to photograph for a mystery game experience, she leaps at the chance. When her costume arrives, she slips right into character, enjoying the luxurious fabrics of her ivory costume pieces. But soon after she arrives at Raven Hall it becomes clear that there is more going on than she realizes. And whoever the host is has set up a game they didn’t know they were playing.

Both stories are compelling in different ways, and I was puzzling over how everything would resolve. What an ending! I can’t say too much but there are lots of twists and turns that will keep you on your toes. Compelling, brilliantly crafted, and atmospheric!

Thank you to Berkley for my copy. Opinions are my own.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

I absolutely loved The Au Pair by Emma Rous, so I was extremely excited to see she had The Perfect Guests coming out. It is everything I hoped it would be PLUS more, and I loved this one too! It reminded me a lot of a game of Clue, and switches between timelines and viewpoints which were all aspects I loved. It hooked me immediately from the very first page and I didn't want to put it down, so I read it in just two sittings. I started being especially intrigued by the 2019 timeline, but I quickly became equally as invested in the 1988 timeline with Beth as well. I loved the slower burn and the way Rous slowly unravels all of the secrets, and I can tell you I was NOT expecting that ending.

The Perfect Guests is getting a high rating from me for a few different reasons and let me tell you why. The biggest reason is that I loved the overall feel of the book and how it grabbed me right away and kept my attention the entire time. Another reason is that the end took me by complete surprise and the whole book kept me guessing. There was some suspense here, but overall, it is just a great, twisty tale. I couldn't believe how well Rous weaved this story and made all of the things tie together in a way that makes your mouth drop open. And last but not least, I loved the isolated setting and how Raven Hall was basically a character in itself.

I would have loved to be IN this book despite what happens, and it really made me itch to play a game of Clue. It has both some young adult and gothic vibes and makes for a great crossover novel. I thought everything was very distinctive so there is no getting confused, and there aren't any ambiguous endings which is something I am a fan of. If you want a fun book that will hold your attention this year, I recommend checking out The Perfect Guests and Rous' previous novel if you haven't already!

Thank you to the publisher for my advance review copy via NetGalley. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

[Anissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up and it wouldn't let me put it down very long so I wound up finishing this in about a day. I very much enjoyed this and I want to talk about ALL THE THINGS but that wouldn't be cool because spoilers.

I love "group invited to a sequestered location under the guise of good time only to have sinister deeds start to go down" stories. Blame Agatha Christie. I am a complete sucker for the set up so between that and really having enjoyed Rous' debut The Au Pair , I was thrilled when I won a giveaway for The Perfect Guests. Beyond the setup, Rous gives us a storied house and a character so obsessed with it, things can't end well. The last time I came across so house obsessed a character was The Beloveds by Maureen Lindley and I have to say, Rous has sold me on the type. The way the obsession wove and wound through the story was fantastic. There are three POVs told in the past and present. Identities and connections were fun to puzzle out and I was even happier when I hadn't suspected correctly. It's always a joy when something big happens and you realize you've only reached the 75% mark in the book. The final 25% had me up late and it was worth it. Between my "Ha! There it is!" and "Wait. Oh... ok then." this story took the revelations all the way to the last word. Late-night reading is why coffee, I say. I was thrilled.

Well done all the way around by Rous. I am always excited for an author's followup after a debut and this one actually met and exceeded my hopes! That's no small thing. So, if you enjoyed The Au Pair definitely get this one, you're in for a treat. I will be waiting for Rous's next book.

I won an Advance Reader's Copy in a giveaway. Many thanks to the publisher.

[Tonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for my ARC. The Perfect Guests is a Gothic mystery told from three POVs in different timelines. The story comes together seamlessly as the mystery unfolds. All is not as it seems as motives are revealed and the inevitable truth comes to light. This is definitely more of a slow burn mystery than a fast paced thriller. The plot picks up speed towards the ending as questions are answered and truths are told.

[Chelsey (a_novel_idea11) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy a novel with multiple narrators and timelines, a strong sense of foreboding, and lots of twists, this one is definitely for you!!

1988: Beth, a young orphan, is surprised when her aunt brings her to stay with the Averells at their sprawling estate, Raven Hall. The Averells have a daughter, Nina, who is in need of a companion and it is decided Beth would be a perfect fit. At first, staying with the Averells is a dream come true. Beth and Nina get along great and have a lake and endless land to occupy their days. But when Nina repeatedly gets ill and Beth is put in morally compromising positions time and time again by the Averells, she begins to suspect something is amiss at Raven Hall.

2019: Sadie is a twenty-something, struggling actress hoping for a break and scrambling to make her next monthly rent payment. When a great paying job comes her way and doesn't even require an audition, it feels almost too good to be true. Sadie is whisked away to Raven Hall for a weekend where she will be expected to play Miss Lamb in a murder mystery for a new company trying to get the program off the ground. Once at Raven Hall, Sadie begins to fear for her safety when it becomes apparent that everyone is getting ill and the small group of participants are apparently trapped at the estate without access to a car, cell service, or any landlines.

The novel also follows a third, unidentified narrator on an unspecified timeline. This mystery narrator had previously resided at Raven Hall when tragedy struck and she was forced to move. Now, she spends her weekends circling the property, waiting to get a glimpse at the new owners and to reclaim what she feels is rightfully hers.

This novel kept me on the edge of my seat and I loved the alternating narrators and timelines. I was particularly drawn to Beth's story and the writing transported me to lazy summer days on the lake with friends. I really liked that the foreboding feeling wasn't overdone but offered a darkness to the otherwise idyllic setting.

I didn't connect with Sadie's character or storyline as much, but I did love the murder mystery premise. I also liked that her storyline didn't play out the way I would have expected as it made it a more exciting read.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, though the many twists felt a bit over the top and theatrical. I would have preferred one or two strong "WOW" moments, rather than the many unrealistic twists. Having so many big moments took away some of the shock value and just felt like too much for me by the end. That being said, the twists did work well for the storyline, many of them were entirely unpredictable, and everything tied together and was wrapped up nicely.

Thank you to Berkley and to NetGalley for a copy of this novel.

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four surprising twisty turny stars to this new novel from Emma Rous. That Raven Hall must be some house. There are multiple POVs and two timelines to juggle. The only piece I found a bit confusing was the group assembled for the mystery game. If you haven't read the book yet, my advice is not to try to hard too sort that all out immediately. As pieces of the mystery are revealed one by one, the reader gets to examine each guest in turn and discover how they fit into the overall picture. Overall, I like this one better than 'The Au Pair.' If you enjoy books where a house casts a shadow over all involved, you will like this one. Includes a Reader's Guide with additional info on the Fens and discussion questions. Should appeal to readers who enjoy Kate Morton and Laura McHugh.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Perfect Guest is a pretty good leisure read, which was sophisticated and stylish with its setting while also being thrilling.

Readers of the Au Pair will definitely enjoy this book because they give off a very similar vibe. It's always refreshing to read a book that isn't just set in the same suburban dull house, so the atmosphere really gets you pulled in.

The strongest part of this book is definitely the plot, because I was thoroughly interested in what was going to happen. But, while I wanted to be interested there were many aspects of the writing that I didn't enjoy as much. The two parts were a little bit too much for me, and I would've liked if either the book was longer or one of the perspectives was cut a little shorter so I could feel a little bit more invested in some of the characters. Because I found myself labelling the characters pretty easily, and I think either a longer look at just Sadie or Maggie would help this a lot.

I still thoroughly enjoyed The Perfect Guests, and I love the atmosphere it built along the way.

[Jeanette (Ms. Feisty) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's amusing nowadays to see authors writing about the 1980s as if it were back in the covered wagon days. "Once upon a time, a little blonde orphan girl who played the violin was taken in by a nice family who wanted a companion for their daughter..." 😃

This is a convoluted story all about a fucked up family who will do pert near anything to keep from losing Raven Hall, their beloved house in the Fens. It's cheesy as hell, but it was a pleasant enough way to while away a gloomy Sunday.

I highly recommend Emma Rous's first novel, The Au Pair, which I thought was much stronger than this one.