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The Guest House
The baby is coming. There's no way to call for help. And there's no way out.
With a few weeks to go until their first baby is due, Jamie and Victoria head off for a weekend break in a small countryside guesthouse.
The next morning, Jamie and Victoria awake to find the guesthouse has been emptied. Both their mobile phones and their car keys have disappeared, the owners are nowhere to be seen, and all the doors are locked. Even though it's a few weeks early, Victoria knows the contractions are starting. And there's no way out...
A riveting psychological thriller for fans of Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley, The Guest House will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
With a few weeks to go until their first baby is due, Jamie and Victoria head off for a weekend break in a small countryside guesthouse.
The next morning, Jamie and Victoria awake to find the guesthouse has been emptied. Both their mobile phones and their car keys have disappeared, the owners are nowhere to be seen, and all the doors are locked. Even though it's a few weeks early, Victoria knows the contractions are starting. And there's no way out...
A riveting psychological thriller for fans of Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley, The Guest House will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 23, 2022
389 people are currently reading
20740 people want to read
About the author
Robin Morgan-Bentley
92 books137 followersRobin Morgan-Bentley was born and grew up in London. After studying Modern and Medieval Languages at Cambridge University, he went on to work for Google before moving to Audible, where he has been working since 2014.
His debut thriller, The Wreckage, was nominated for the CWA Dagger John Creasey New Blood Award, the CrimeFest Specsavers Debut Crime Award and Capital Crime’s Debut Book of the Year Award. His next thriller, The Guest House, will be released in September 2022.
Robin lives in Buckinghamshire with his husband and son.
His debut thriller, The Wreckage, was nominated for the CWA Dagger John Creasey New Blood Award, the CrimeFest Specsavers Debut Crime Award and Capital Crime’s Debut Book of the Year Award. His next thriller, The Guest House, will be released in September 2022.
Robin lives in Buckinghamshire with his husband and son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 895 reviews
October 28, 2022
Ding ding ding: we have big winner!
This is so much more than I expected : a psychological, thought provoking, unconventional, argumentative, heart shattering thriller that is also mind blowing, twisty, intelligent, surprising! You easily connect with the characters, pick a side, feeling their sorrows, hearing their inner turmoils, guilt feelings, angers, resentments!
This is so far: one of my best reads of the year! Don’t you dare this book get rooted at your tremendous tbrs! Go blind, explore, burn your grey little cells to find out what happened, form theories, share them with your loved ones even though they didn’t read a page of it, encourage them to read it so they will be thankful to you forever!
I will do my best to keep things to myself for not ruining your future reading journey!
I can only summarize this plot:
A couple: Jamie ( running start up called “KnowScam”- fraud prevention company), suffering from cerebral palsy and his wife Victoria( musician, hardly finding proper gigs) decides to take a weekend off as they are expecting their baby after several failed attempts and IVF treatments later. Victoria chooses a small countryside guesthouse which is close where she grew up. They meet with older couple ex police officer and ex midwife who lost turn son in the past.
When Victoria’s contractions start earlier than they expected, they try to find a way to take her to the hospital but the couple realizes they’re locked in their guest house. Jamie cannot find his car keys and the owners of the house seem like nowhere to be seen.
Then we move forward to one month to see they returned back to their old lives and they seem like grieving their child and they also get threats via post cards, letters mentioning they’re involved into a serious crime. Both of them seem like suffering from guilt, pain. Their marriage is about to crumble into pieces.
What happened at that guest house? Did they lose their child? If they why they act like they’re hiding something terrible? Did somebody die? Did the old couple try to take their baby?
I already spilled a lot! I’m shutting my mouth! Please just read it, read it and read it! Enjoy the heart throbbing, shocking ride!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
This is so much more than I expected : a psychological, thought provoking, unconventional, argumentative, heart shattering thriller that is also mind blowing, twisty, intelligent, surprising! You easily connect with the characters, pick a side, feeling their sorrows, hearing their inner turmoils, guilt feelings, angers, resentments!
This is so far: one of my best reads of the year! Don’t you dare this book get rooted at your tremendous tbrs! Go blind, explore, burn your grey little cells to find out what happened, form theories, share them with your loved ones even though they didn’t read a page of it, encourage them to read it so they will be thankful to you forever!
I will do my best to keep things to myself for not ruining your future reading journey!
I can only summarize this plot:
A couple: Jamie ( running start up called “KnowScam”- fraud prevention company), suffering from cerebral palsy and his wife Victoria( musician, hardly finding proper gigs) decides to take a weekend off as they are expecting their baby after several failed attempts and IVF treatments later. Victoria chooses a small countryside guesthouse which is close where she grew up. They meet with older couple ex police officer and ex midwife who lost turn son in the past.
When Victoria’s contractions start earlier than they expected, they try to find a way to take her to the hospital but the couple realizes they’re locked in their guest house. Jamie cannot find his car keys and the owners of the house seem like nowhere to be seen.
Then we move forward to one month to see they returned back to their old lives and they seem like grieving their child and they also get threats via post cards, letters mentioning they’re involved into a serious crime. Both of them seem like suffering from guilt, pain. Their marriage is about to crumble into pieces.
What happened at that guest house? Did they lose their child? If they why they act like they’re hiding something terrible? Did somebody die? Did the old couple try to take their baby?
I already spilled a lot! I’m shutting my mouth! Please just read it, read it and read it! Enjoy the heart throbbing, shocking ride!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
July 5, 2022
I’m going to start this review with a quote from this book because this is exactly how I feel about this novel;
“We’re still coming to terms with everything and not really in a state to talk so much about it, but obviously wanted you to be the first to know”.
Once again I feel as though I read a different book than everyone else!! I’m giving it 4* for a good premise that just didn’t work for me and 2* for the ending of the book which was just so OTT that it was completely unbelievable. So I’m rounding up to 3*. There isn’t too much to say without giving away the twists.
Jamie and Victoria have been trying very hard to have a baby. She has gone through IVF and they had just about given up – then SURPRISE – she’s pregnant!
Fast forward to a few weeks before Victoria’s due date and she suddenly wants to go on a short trip to a “Guest House” in nowhere land!! Jamie is a very patient husband and he goes along with pretty much anything that Victoria wants – so OFF THEY GO INTO CRAZY LAND!!
The first half of the book kept me entertained and I wasn’t sure where it was going so I kept reading. By 60% I was really not enjoying it but I decided to finish it and hope for a great ending!
So I’m going to go with this format:
PROS:
Good premise
Some taut tension filled scenes which propelled the story forward
CONS
The characters are FLAT. I didn’t like any of them.
Jaime, who has cerebral palsy, and who is meant to be the hero in the story, felt clueless most of the time and seemed unable to make decisions when needed.
Victoria is one of the most devious and emotionless women/mothers that I’ve ever come across in a novel.
The plot is disturbing and OTT in terms of believability.
The ending was o.k., I could not see this happening in real life – NO WAY!
If you want to read this for entertainment, then I hope you enjoy it. I cannot in all honesty recommend this one.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
“We’re still coming to terms with everything and not really in a state to talk so much about it, but obviously wanted you to be the first to know”.
Once again I feel as though I read a different book than everyone else!! I’m giving it 4* for a good premise that just didn’t work for me and 2* for the ending of the book which was just so OTT that it was completely unbelievable. So I’m rounding up to 3*. There isn’t too much to say without giving away the twists.
Jamie and Victoria have been trying very hard to have a baby. She has gone through IVF and they had just about given up – then SURPRISE – she’s pregnant!
Fast forward to a few weeks before Victoria’s due date and she suddenly wants to go on a short trip to a “Guest House” in nowhere land!! Jamie is a very patient husband and he goes along with pretty much anything that Victoria wants – so OFF THEY GO INTO CRAZY LAND!!
The first half of the book kept me entertained and I wasn’t sure where it was going so I kept reading. By 60% I was really not enjoying it but I decided to finish it and hope for a great ending!
So I’m going to go with this format:
PROS:
Good premise
Some taut tension filled scenes which propelled the story forward
CONS
The characters are FLAT. I didn’t like any of them.
Jaime, who has cerebral palsy, and who is meant to be the hero in the story, felt clueless most of the time and seemed unable to make decisions when needed.
Victoria is one of the most devious and emotionless women/mothers that I’ve ever come across in a novel.
The plot is disturbing and OTT in terms of believability.
The ending was o.k., I could not see this happening in real life – NO WAY!
If you want to read this for entertainment, then I hope you enjoy it. I cannot in all honesty recommend this one.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
March 8, 2022
The Guest House
4* for sheer entertainment value!
Jamie and Victoria arrive at a remote guest house in the North Pennines. Victoria is heavily pregnant and yes, of course, the worst happens and she goes into labour. Even worse, it appears they're locked in at the guest house with their phones and car keys gone. Where are Barry and Fiona the owners??? The story is told in alternating points of view, principally by Jamie and Victoria which works well with their stress and pain vividly depicted.
This novel takes a deep dive into the weird and strange almost from the start. You feel the couple's panic and desperation but that's just the tip of a very strange iceberg, if an iceberg can be strange??!! You are brimming with questions from the start as a huge sense of fear overhangs the couple. There are some sections that are very tense and we are also treated to some lively and entertaining scenes. There are some where I'd just love to behave as Victoria did, if I dared!! You tell it how it is Victoria! It makes me smile.
There are some good cliff hangers regularly interspersed throughout and one or two lead to a sharp intake of breathe with revelations that just keep on coming. It does indeed stray into bonkers land but as it's highly entertaining making you read on in amazement, then for me thats a win! Sometimes this is exactly what I'm in the mood for!
Yes, certain characters take what can only be describes as irrational decisions but it certainly makes for delicious reading! There's a good final twist - I like that!
PS Victoria's mother - so glad she's hers and not mine!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Orion Publishing for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
4* for sheer entertainment value!
Jamie and Victoria arrive at a remote guest house in the North Pennines. Victoria is heavily pregnant and yes, of course, the worst happens and she goes into labour. Even worse, it appears they're locked in at the guest house with their phones and car keys gone. Where are Barry and Fiona the owners??? The story is told in alternating points of view, principally by Jamie and Victoria which works well with their stress and pain vividly depicted.
This novel takes a deep dive into the weird and strange almost from the start. You feel the couple's panic and desperation but that's just the tip of a very strange iceberg, if an iceberg can be strange??!! You are brimming with questions from the start as a huge sense of fear overhangs the couple. There are some sections that are very tense and we are also treated to some lively and entertaining scenes. There are some where I'd just love to behave as Victoria did, if I dared!! You tell it how it is Victoria! It makes me smile.
There are some good cliff hangers regularly interspersed throughout and one or two lead to a sharp intake of breathe with revelations that just keep on coming. It does indeed stray into bonkers land but as it's highly entertaining making you read on in amazement, then for me thats a win! Sometimes this is exactly what I'm in the mood for!
Yes, certain characters take what can only be describes as irrational decisions but it certainly makes for delicious reading! There's a good final twist - I like that!
PS Victoria's mother - so glad she's hers and not mine!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Orion Publishing for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
September 28, 2022
In general I liked this book and the twists it provided.
After years of infertility, Jamie and Victoria are finally expecting their first baby. They decide to spend a couple of nights away in the remote countryside at a guest house before the baby is born. When they awaken in the morning, their phones are missing and they are locked in. Then Victoria goes into labor. What happens next is horrifying and unbelievable...
I liked most of this book, and was captivated by the narrative. It is chilling and creepy and shocking. As the story progressed, it got more horrifying and unbelievable, until for me it tipped over into Over the Top territory. There is a great jaw dropping twist, and then...without giving away spoilers, I started hating one of the characters and it never got better because I couldn't make my brain make sense of the choices made. The ending requires a lot of suspension of disbelief, but overall it is an entertaining story despite its OTT moments.
One of the great things about this book is the disability representation. Jamie has cerebral palsy and it is portrayed realistically and as a fact of his life, not as a plot device.
If you can handle OTT and some implausibility, this is a worthwhile read. It's definitely unique and quick to get through because you'll want to know what on earth is going on and why!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
After years of infertility, Jamie and Victoria are finally expecting their first baby. They decide to spend a couple of nights away in the remote countryside at a guest house before the baby is born. When they awaken in the morning, their phones are missing and they are locked in. Then Victoria goes into labor. What happens next is horrifying and unbelievable...
I liked most of this book, and was captivated by the narrative. It is chilling and creepy and shocking. As the story progressed, it got more horrifying and unbelievable, until for me it tipped over into Over the Top territory. There is a great jaw dropping twist, and then...without giving away spoilers, I started hating one of the characters and it never got better because I couldn't make my brain make sense of the choices made. The ending requires a lot of suspension of disbelief, but overall it is an entertaining story despite its OTT moments.
One of the great things about this book is the disability representation. Jamie has cerebral palsy and it is portrayed realistically and as a fact of his life, not as a plot device.
If you can handle OTT and some implausibility, this is a worthwhile read. It's definitely unique and quick to get through because you'll want to know what on earth is going on and why!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
August 5, 2022
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This book gripped me right away, I was so wrapped up in the suspense I didn't even realize I was holding my breath in anticipation while reading it. The narrative is addictive and I was anxious to see what would happen next. The story is told in alternating chapters, which I liked very much. It is a dual timeline story that takes place about a month apart.
You do have to suspend belief a little bit here and I don't usually go for that type of thriller as I like it to be realistic BUT this was so utterly entertaining with clever plot twists that I am able to overlook it. It is definitely what I would call an edge-of-your-seat type of book with a dark and sinister feel. I liked the creepy epilogue too!
If you enjoy locked room type of thrillers, that are very fast-paced, where the pages practically turn themselves I highly recommend you pick this one up, it was a wild adrenalin-fueled ride and I loved every minute of it.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Robin Morgan-Bentley for the giving of the ARC.
#TheGuestHouse #NetGalley
This book gripped me right away, I was so wrapped up in the suspense I didn't even realize I was holding my breath in anticipation while reading it. The narrative is addictive and I was anxious to see what would happen next. The story is told in alternating chapters, which I liked very much. It is a dual timeline story that takes place about a month apart.
You do have to suspend belief a little bit here and I don't usually go for that type of thriller as I like it to be realistic BUT this was so utterly entertaining with clever plot twists that I am able to overlook it. It is definitely what I would call an edge-of-your-seat type of book with a dark and sinister feel. I liked the creepy epilogue too!
If you enjoy locked room type of thrillers, that are very fast-paced, where the pages practically turn themselves I highly recommend you pick this one up, it was a wild adrenalin-fueled ride and I loved every minute of it.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Robin Morgan-Bentley for the giving of the ARC.
#TheGuestHouse #NetGalley
August 9, 2023
My thanks to Poisoned Pen Press, Robin Morgan-Bentley and Netgalley.
I kind of had a love/hate relationship with this story.
Everyone eventually got on my last nerve.
I started off questioning how this couple ended up at The Guest House, and throughout the book I kept wondering.
That question is what kept me reading.
I can't really say that I loved this book, although I liked it well enough! The ending was satisfying as anything. It answered questions and made me want to read more from this author.
I kind of had a love/hate relationship with this story.
Everyone eventually got on my last nerve.
I started off questioning how this couple ended up at The Guest House, and throughout the book I kept wondering.
That question is what kept me reading.
I can't really say that I loved this book, although I liked it well enough! The ending was satisfying as anything. It answered questions and made me want to read more from this author.
September 8, 2022
The baby is coming
Jamie and Victoria decide to go for a weekend away before the birth of their son, Danny. They are staying in a guest house and when they wake up their keys and phones are missing and so are the owners. What is worse is that Victoria is having contractions. They need to leave, to get to a hospital but they are trapped, and the baby is coming!!!
I thought I had this book figured out and I also felt this was a 3.5 star read and then that REVEAL happened. Talk about giving me whiplash! I did not see that coming at all! I love when a book can shock me. This one did and I enjoyed how entertaining this book was. There are twists and turns along the way with quite a few revelations.
Told in alternating POV's this one was wacky and full of devious and not so stable people. Bring it on! This book was entertaining, and I chalk it up to a guilty pleasure.
Shocking, dramatic, and full of secrets.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Jamie and Victoria decide to go for a weekend away before the birth of their son, Danny. They are staying in a guest house and when they wake up their keys and phones are missing and so are the owners. What is worse is that Victoria is having contractions. They need to leave, to get to a hospital but they are trapped, and the baby is coming!!!
I thought I had this book figured out and I also felt this was a 3.5 star read and then that REVEAL happened. Talk about giving me whiplash! I did not see that coming at all! I love when a book can shock me. This one did and I enjoyed how entertaining this book was. There are twists and turns along the way with quite a few revelations.
Told in alternating POV's this one was wacky and full of devious and not so stable people. Bring it on! This book was entertaining, and I chalk it up to a guilty pleasure.
Shocking, dramatic, and full of secrets.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
March 3, 2023
This is a Psychological Thriller. The beginning of this book was slow to get going, but once I got into the story I was pulled into it. There was something in this book that made my TTC journey and my twin boys NICU stay memories flash back. I have never been trigger while reading any books, but this one got me. I do not think there was anything super triggering in this book it was a lot of the stuff in this book I could connect with. One of my twin boys has CP because he stopped breathing just before the doctor got him out during the c-section. He falls a lot when he gets tired, and he is slower than kids his age. Lucky, his twin will tell everyone to stop and wait for him. I feel this book did a good job showing CP. The ending of this book was just wonderful, and I did not see it ending like it did. I really enjoyed seeing this story unfold even if it took me a little bit longer to read because I had to put it down a couple of times when the flashbacks of things from my past became too much. I really loved the character that had CP. This book takes you on a wild ride, but I also think it also brings awareness to CP. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Poisoned Pen Press) or author (Robin Morgan-Bentley) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
September 16, 2022
The Guest House is a compulsively readable thriller but veers into OTT territory for much of the book.
Victoria and Jamie spend a weekend away at a remote guest house weeks before their baby is due. The morning after they arrive, Victoria wakes to discover she is going into labour. The owners of the house are MIA but, for some unknown reason, they have locked up all the doors and windows. And the couples’ cell phones and car keys have also mysteriously vanished.
What follows is a wild story with two timelines that go far beyond suspension of disbelief. But, no matter how outrageous the plot, I still felt compelled to read it and see how everything turned out. Four stars for the writing style and two for the ridiculous plot. Making it a solid three stars for me.
I did like that there was disability representation. The author wrote it coming from his own experience. It was nice that it wasn’t used as a plot device to frighten readers as so many other thrillers do when it comes to disabilities.
If you do not mind implausible thrillers, then you might enjoy this one.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://booksandwheels.com
Victoria and Jamie spend a weekend away at a remote guest house weeks before their baby is due. The morning after they arrive, Victoria wakes to discover she is going into labour. The owners of the house are MIA but, for some unknown reason, they have locked up all the doors and windows. And the couples’ cell phones and car keys have also mysteriously vanished.
What follows is a wild story with two timelines that go far beyond suspension of disbelief. But, no matter how outrageous the plot, I still felt compelled to read it and see how everything turned out. Four stars for the writing style and two for the ridiculous plot. Making it a solid three stars for me.
I did like that there was disability representation. The author wrote it coming from his own experience. It was nice that it wasn’t used as a plot device to frighten readers as so many other thrillers do when it comes to disabilities.
If you do not mind implausible thrillers, then you might enjoy this one.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://booksandwheels.com
April 28, 2022
Thanks to netgally and Orion publishing for this appreciated ARC
I needed to get my hands on this book after reading some great reviews, and boy this novel blew me away! What an absolutely brilliant thriller. It had me on the edge of my seat, reading at every opportunity. The story was revealed one chapter at a time, going back and forth between the past and present. The suspense increased and I was fully invested and didn’t want it to end. The author did such a great job with the characters. I could feel their heartbreak when the drama unfolded, squeezing my heart since I could relate to being afraid of anything happening to my own son. I understood why Victoria had such a hard time after the worst event of her life had shattered her world. The sorrow tore her apart, and I loved how Jamie was there to pick her up again. Jamie had so many qualities that I liked, and I absolutely believed in him, wanting to applaud when his courage reawakened.
I will never forget the story, and would love to read more of the authors book.
I can warmly recommend it to anyone looking for their next thrilling read.
I needed to get my hands on this book after reading some great reviews, and boy this novel blew me away! What an absolutely brilliant thriller. It had me on the edge of my seat, reading at every opportunity. The story was revealed one chapter at a time, going back and forth between the past and present. The suspense increased and I was fully invested and didn’t want it to end. The author did such a great job with the characters. I could feel their heartbreak when the drama unfolded, squeezing my heart since I could relate to being afraid of anything happening to my own son. I understood why Victoria had such a hard time after the worst event of her life had shattered her world. The sorrow tore her apart, and I loved how Jamie was there to pick her up again. Jamie had so many qualities that I liked, and I absolutely believed in him, wanting to applaud when his courage reawakened.
I will never forget the story, and would love to read more of the authors book.
I can warmly recommend it to anyone looking for their next thrilling read.
April 20, 2022
Firstly I would like to Thank netgalley and poisoned pen press for a copy of this book,and the author for a fantastic read.
This story got me hooked from the start,it was chilling,excited to find out what was going to happen next,quite a thrilling read. This book starts with Victoria and Jamie are expecting a baby,they have failed attempts at IVF.and finally she is pregnant,they go on a break before the baby arrives to a guesthouse where they meet the owners Barry and Fiona,Jamie is uncomfortable in front of Barry.But why?There is a few twists in this read.Highly recommend this Thriller.
This story got me hooked from the start,it was chilling,excited to find out what was going to happen next,quite a thrilling read. This book starts with Victoria and Jamie are expecting a baby,they have failed attempts at IVF.and finally she is pregnant,they go on a break before the baby arrives to a guesthouse where they meet the owners Barry and Fiona,Jamie is uncomfortable in front of Barry.But why?There is a few twists in this read.Highly recommend this Thriller.
September 5, 2022
This book was creepy, atmospheric and unique. It started of strong and had me hooked pretty much from beginning to end. I had no clue where it was going but I was there for the ride. I rooted for the characters and thought the plot twist was decent.
The Guest House is available September 13, 2022.
Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
The Guest House is available September 13, 2022.
Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
September 21, 2022
Allow me to quote the American classic Billy Madison and say . . . .
Sometimes my addiction to all things house covers really bites me right in the keister.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
Sometimes my addiction to all things house covers really bites me right in the keister.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
February 11, 2022
A tense thriller with a killer twist!
Morgan-Bentley has hit on a chilling scenario that kept me rapt and tearing through the pages. His writing is vivid and utterly engaging with shrewd character observations that really brought Victoria and Jamie’s nightmare to life. The dual timelines ramped up the tension and intrigue, gradually revealing what had actually happened and setting the scene for a killer twist. Highly recommended!
Morgan-Bentley has hit on a chilling scenario that kept me rapt and tearing through the pages. His writing is vivid and utterly engaging with shrewd character observations that really brought Victoria and Jamie’s nightmare to life. The dual timelines ramped up the tension and intrigue, gradually revealing what had actually happened and setting the scene for a killer twist. Highly recommended!
September 2, 2022
A weekend getaway prior to the imminent birth of their first child is the basis of The Guest House by Robin Morgan-Bentley. Parents to be Victoria and Jamie awake in the Northern England cottage to find their hosts gone and the doors locked, with their phones and car keys missing. The narrative then jumps a month forward in time as we discover the impact it has on their current lives and what happened via flashback memories. Typical of psychological thrillers, there are many twists and turns but it’s all somewhat lacklustre and the characters insipid. Despite its promising premise, this tale fails to deliver much tension and the saccharine ending makes for only a disappointing two star rating. With thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and the author, for an uncorrected advanced reader copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.
June 19, 2022
Let’s meet Victoria and Jamie who are expecting their first baby. They decide to get away for a few days and rent a guest house. While there, Victoria goes into labor but the doors are locked, they can’t find the keys and their mobile phones are no where to be found. Told in alternating chapters, I found myself second guessing what I had just read because it was fast forwarding then backtracking. But this book kept me on my toes! So many twists kept coming and coming. The ending was mind blowing!!Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published September 2022.
July 14, 2022
Disclosure here: I read to about the 1/3 point, realized this wasn't quite what I thought I was getting in for, and skipped to the final chapters to find out the end. I did quite like the idea of how it wrapped up, but I struggled with the journey. This read more like a domestic thriller than the isolation thriller or locked room mystery I thought I was getting. So basically - just not for me, but probably fine if you know what you're signing up for
August 25, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars
Not the story I was expecting, but I ended up really enjoying this interesting mystery!
After years of struggling with fertility, Victoria and her husband, Jamie, are expecting. Victoria is due in just a few weeks, and as a last trip to relax before the baby arrives, they head up to a guest house in the mountains. Victoria suddenly goes into labor, and as they leave for the hospital, all of the doors to the house are locked and their car keys are hidden. The owners seemed a bit odd, but why are they keeping them hostage? As the story jumps between past and present, events transpire, and we learn the backstory that lead the characters to this unique situation. Something doesn’t quite add up. Who are these people that own the guest house? What happens to the baby? Just how strong is Victoria and Jamie’s marriage?
The book had a bit of a slow start, but once it got going I was hooked and couldn’t wait to find out what happened. The writing was a bit dramatic, and I didn’t feel attached to any of the characters. However, there was a good plot twist that was shocking. The reveal had complexity to it, and when some hidden details were uncovered, it all made sense. The ending was clever and also left you to imagine what happens next. Overall, I thought this was an intense but fun mystery!
Not the story I was expecting, but I ended up really enjoying this interesting mystery!
After years of struggling with fertility, Victoria and her husband, Jamie, are expecting. Victoria is due in just a few weeks, and as a last trip to relax before the baby arrives, they head up to a guest house in the mountains. Victoria suddenly goes into labor, and as they leave for the hospital, all of the doors to the house are locked and their car keys are hidden. The owners seemed a bit odd, but why are they keeping them hostage? As the story jumps between past and present, events transpire, and we learn the backstory that lead the characters to this unique situation. Something doesn’t quite add up. Who are these people that own the guest house? What happens to the baby? Just how strong is Victoria and Jamie’s marriage?
The book had a bit of a slow start, but once it got going I was hooked and couldn’t wait to find out what happened. The writing was a bit dramatic, and I didn’t feel attached to any of the characters. However, there was a good plot twist that was shocking. The reveal had complexity to it, and when some hidden details were uncovered, it all made sense. The ending was clever and also left you to imagine what happens next. Overall, I thought this was an intense but fun mystery!
June 12, 2022
With a few weeks to go until her first baby is due, Jamie and Victoria head off for a weekend break in a small countryside guesthouse. The next morning, Jamie and Victoria awake to find the guesthouse has been emptied. Both their mobile phones and their car keys have disappeared, the owners are no place to be seen, and all the doors are locked. Even though it's only a few weeks early, Victoria knows the contractions are starting. And there's no way out....
I was quickly pulled into this story. You know the inevitable is going to happen when it involves a remote location, this time it's the North Pennines. The characters are complex and unlikeable. The story has a dual timeline, the time spent in the guesthouse and after their visit. The plotline is unpredictable, the ending I never saw coming. I liked the authors writing style. This is a gripping and shocking read with a few surprises along the way.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #OrionPublishingGroupUK and the author #RobinMorganBentley for my ARC of #TheGuestHouse in exchange for an honest review.
I was quickly pulled into this story. You know the inevitable is going to happen when it involves a remote location, this time it's the North Pennines. The characters are complex and unlikeable. The story has a dual timeline, the time spent in the guesthouse and after their visit. The plotline is unpredictable, the ending I never saw coming. I liked the authors writing style. This is a gripping and shocking read with a few surprises along the way.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #OrionPublishingGroupUK and the author #RobinMorganBentley for my ARC of #TheGuestHouse in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2022
Honestly, I do not even know what to say about this book!
It just seemed so convoluted, and repetitive, with such weird timing and pacing, I mean I guess the idea was good, but gosh, the execution was not to my liking at all.
I also take an issue with the primary two personas' character-defying bits being cerebral palsy and big, red curly hair. I mean... nothing else about them is with mentioning? And it was repeated multiple times throughout the whole book, it really got on my nerves.
I did finish this book in a couple of hours, but it was because I skimmed through so much.. not worth my time and even with that, I got the whole picture easily.
The best part is the book cover, honestly.
Just a big no from me.
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC!
It just seemed so convoluted, and repetitive, with such weird timing and pacing, I mean I guess the idea was good, but gosh, the execution was not to my liking at all.
I also take an issue with the primary two personas' character-defying bits being cerebral palsy and big, red curly hair. I mean... nothing else about them is with mentioning? And it was repeated multiple times throughout the whole book, it really got on my nerves.
I did finish this book in a couple of hours, but it was because I skimmed through so much.. not worth my time and even with that, I got the whole picture easily.
The best part is the book cover, honestly.
Just a big no from me.
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC!
September 5, 2023
This was such an unexpected surprise. I didn't know what to expect when I started this thriller. Immediately there was a strong sense of intensity and foreboding. My interest was peaked, trying to figure out where the story was going. Even though the initial twist was slightly predictable, the events that followed were shocking and heart-wrenching. Although some occurrences were a bit over the top, my interest and enjoyment never waned. The final twist shook me to the core. I was riveted by every minute of this entertaining, twisted story of loss, betrayal, and deception. Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for my copy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 26, 2022
WOW! Okay! Well, that was something else. I was drawn in by the pretty cover and when I first started, I wasn’t really sure about it. I kept going and it got cracky!
Victoria and Jamie are expecting their first child. They’ve gone through rounds of IVF and luckily they accidentally conceived on their own after many failed attempts.
Like a bunch of idiots, they decide to go on a babymoon. It’s like a honeymoon but before a baby instead. It isn’t called this in the book but that’s what it is and I can’t think of anything dumber to do that late in your pregnancy. Come on! You need to be packing and doing your final nesting or whatever.
Regardless, they went. It’s different than advertised. Not a cute rustic guesthouse with restaurants nearby and luxurious amenities. It’s meemaw and peepaw running some ratchet guest room situation. This is why I only stay at verified hotels. I don’t want to end up eating some old lady’s leftover chili for dinner on vacation.
Things go downhill quickly when Victoria goes into labor. They’re locked in, they can’t find their keys or phones. What is happening?!?! Whatever you’re thinking it is, it’s not that, it’s way whackier and I had a great time with it. Stick with it through the first few chapters while you figure out what’s going on and it’s solid.
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the chance to read and review!
Victoria and Jamie are expecting their first child. They’ve gone through rounds of IVF and luckily they accidentally conceived on their own after many failed attempts.
Like a bunch of idiots, they decide to go on a babymoon. It’s like a honeymoon but before a baby instead. It isn’t called this in the book but that’s what it is and I can’t think of anything dumber to do that late in your pregnancy. Come on! You need to be packing and doing your final nesting or whatever.
Regardless, they went. It’s different than advertised. Not a cute rustic guesthouse with restaurants nearby and luxurious amenities. It’s meemaw and peepaw running some ratchet guest room situation. This is why I only stay at verified hotels. I don’t want to end up eating some old lady’s leftover chili for dinner on vacation.
Things go downhill quickly when Victoria goes into labor. They’re locked in, they can’t find their keys or phones. What is happening?!?! Whatever you’re thinking it is, it’s not that, it’s way whackier and I had a great time with it. Stick with it through the first few chapters while you figure out what’s going on and it’s solid.
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the chance to read and review!
May 18, 2022
My Rating System: 1⭐️ ticked no boxes COMPLETE FAIL
Jamie and wife Victoria are expecting their first child and head off (three weeks before the due date) on a last minute escape before the baby comes. They decide to go to a small guesthouse in the middle of no where and now the baby is coming (of course)!!
Jamie goes to pack up their belongings to take Victoria to the local hospital (which is an hour away) and the keys are missing, all the doors and windows are locked and their mobile phones are nowhere to be found. Also where are the guesthouse owners - nothing is as it seems and it’s about to get a whole lot worse…
OMG really…. Sorry but there is so much wrong with that synopsis - three weeks out from your pregnancy you head off into the wilderness with a hospital an hour away. Sure… I get it bend your mind around fiction… psychological thriller fiction but come on… no one does that unless you are the dumbest person alive. 🤰🥴
Jamie also has cerebral palsy which is written really well and he does well to get around. However, for a moment let’s put ourselves in Jamie’s shoes do we think… Great idea I will drive out into the middle of nowhere with my heavily pregnant wife, who is about to pop and I have a disability that prevents me from fighting off dangers if required. NOPE I don’t buy it - not at all. 👎
Jamie is a good guy but written like a dumb dumb and I think thats kind of unfair. Victoria seems off and this Guesthouse - really - why not just have a 5 ⭐️star spa weekend when you are preggers and in need of some R&R. Now of course there are reasons for this odd choice - I wont go into them because that would mean spoilers but seriously - unbelievable to say the least. 🤦♀️
The chapters and sentences went on and on forever and the repetitious nature of why things were happening, what they should do and how curly Jamie’s hair was is just too much. Get to the point already!!! 🤯
Also SO sick of hearing about Jamie’s super awesome best friend who used to be in a relationship with his wife…. Like eeew no… just no… why would you insist on being with the same woman and marrying her after your best mate used to date her… sleep with her… knows her intimately… YUCK sorry but thats just gross… then spend heaps of time together as a group… suuuuuuuure… BIG FAT NO from me. 🤢
THE ENDING… the best part about it was that it was over… but Jesus what a Goliath event getting to it and how convoluted and unrealistic… again I know its fiction and I know we need to bend our minds which I am capable and happy to do but no… this was too much… this was not even in the realm of being realistic or plausible. 😳
Overall, I couldn’t go for this one at all… I was desperate for it to finish and I speed read it so it would be. I am an outlier once again but sorry everyone gotta speak my truth here and say this was an absolute dunce for me. 🙅♀️
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy for my honest review.
Jamie and wife Victoria are expecting their first child and head off (three weeks before the due date) on a last minute escape before the baby comes. They decide to go to a small guesthouse in the middle of no where and now the baby is coming (of course)!!
Jamie goes to pack up their belongings to take Victoria to the local hospital (which is an hour away) and the keys are missing, all the doors and windows are locked and their mobile phones are nowhere to be found. Also where are the guesthouse owners - nothing is as it seems and it’s about to get a whole lot worse…
OMG really…. Sorry but there is so much wrong with that synopsis - three weeks out from your pregnancy you head off into the wilderness with a hospital an hour away. Sure… I get it bend your mind around fiction… psychological thriller fiction but come on… no one does that unless you are the dumbest person alive. 🤰🥴
Jamie also has cerebral palsy which is written really well and he does well to get around. However, for a moment let’s put ourselves in Jamie’s shoes do we think… Great idea I will drive out into the middle of nowhere with my heavily pregnant wife, who is about to pop and I have a disability that prevents me from fighting off dangers if required. NOPE I don’t buy it - not at all. 👎
Jamie is a good guy but written like a dumb dumb and I think thats kind of unfair. Victoria seems off and this Guesthouse - really - why not just have a 5 ⭐️star spa weekend when you are preggers and in need of some R&R. Now of course there are reasons for this odd choice - I wont go into them because that would mean spoilers but seriously - unbelievable to say the least. 🤦♀️
The chapters and sentences went on and on forever and the repetitious nature of why things were happening, what they should do and how curly Jamie’s hair was is just too much. Get to the point already!!! 🤯
Also SO sick of hearing about Jamie’s super awesome best friend who used to be in a relationship with his wife…. Like eeew no… just no… why would you insist on being with the same woman and marrying her after your best mate used to date her… sleep with her… knows her intimately… YUCK sorry but thats just gross… then spend heaps of time together as a group… suuuuuuuure… BIG FAT NO from me. 🤢
THE ENDING… the best part about it was that it was over… but Jesus what a Goliath event getting to it and how convoluted and unrealistic… again I know its fiction and I know we need to bend our minds which I am capable and happy to do but no… this was too much… this was not even in the realm of being realistic or plausible. 😳
Overall, I couldn’t go for this one at all… I was desperate for it to finish and I speed read it so it would be. I am an outlier once again but sorry everyone gotta speak my truth here and say this was an absolute dunce for me. 🙅♀️
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy for my honest review.
July 23, 2022
Robin Morgan Bentley's The Guest House has many unexpected twists. It is a quick read with some jaw-dropping scenes.
Synopsis:
Jamie and Victoria are expecting a baby soon. The couple takes a trip to a bed and breakfast to spend time together before the baby is born. All appears well until Victoria goes into labor. As Jamie rushes to take Victoria to the hospital, he discovers they are locked inside the guest house. The keys to their car and phones are missing. There is no way out. What will happen next?
To fully enjoy The Guest House readers must suspend belief and follow along with the story. At times the book tests the boundaries of realism, but there are some very clever plot twists that make it fascinating. There are wonderful creepy elements that kept me flipping pages.
The Guest House by Robin Morgan-Bentley is available on September 13th.
Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press, for sharing this unique domestic thriller with me. I appreciate your kindness. I look forward to reading more from Robin Morgan-Bentley.
Synopsis:
Jamie and Victoria are expecting a baby soon. The couple takes a trip to a bed and breakfast to spend time together before the baby is born. All appears well until Victoria goes into labor. As Jamie rushes to take Victoria to the hospital, he discovers they are locked inside the guest house. The keys to their car and phones are missing. There is no way out. What will happen next?
To fully enjoy The Guest House readers must suspend belief and follow along with the story. At times the book tests the boundaries of realism, but there are some very clever plot twists that make it fascinating. There are wonderful creepy elements that kept me flipping pages.
The Guest House by Robin Morgan-Bentley is available on September 13th.
Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press, for sharing this unique domestic thriller with me. I appreciate your kindness. I look forward to reading more from Robin Morgan-Bentley.
April 22, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press Publishing for the opportunity to read this arc.
Wow! What a suspenseful story! You feel so sucked in and can't wait to find out what actually happened. I loved the dual timelines, it delivered the suspense needed to tell such a great thrilling story.
Highly recommend if your looking for a great thriller!
Wow! What a suspenseful story! You feel so sucked in and can't wait to find out what actually happened. I loved the dual timelines, it delivered the suspense needed to tell such a great thrilling story.
Highly recommend if your looking for a great thriller!
August 23, 2022
I think I'm just being a picky reader this summer because so many books are not sticking with me. However, Robin Morgan-Bentley's upcoming domestic thriller, THE GUEST HOUSE, is a unique, yet predictable domestic thriller. When Victoria and her husband Jamie book a secluded guest house outside of London before she gives birth, the couple scrambles to find her after realizing that they're trapped. It doesn't help when Victoria begins to show signs of being ready to give birth. What does the couple do?
The synopsis is very purposely vague, so do not read more into the story. There's a few unique twists and turns in this book, but ultimately it left me wanting more. It was very fast paced, so you can easily read this in one sitting. Perfect for the pool or the beach, you can read this quickly and easily. If you read a lot of thrillers and are looking for something more substantial, this may not be your thriller. If you want something twisty and easy and want something surface level deep, this is your book.
NOTE: trigger warning below. Mini spoiler.
The book deals with the harm and disappearance of a newborn child. If you are a parent, go in knowing that this comes up.
The synopsis is very purposely vague, so do not read more into the story. There's a few unique twists and turns in this book, but ultimately it left me wanting more. It was very fast paced, so you can easily read this in one sitting. Perfect for the pool or the beach, you can read this quickly and easily. If you read a lot of thrillers and are looking for something more substantial, this may not be your thriller. If you want something twisty and easy and want something surface level deep, this is your book.
NOTE: trigger warning below. Mini spoiler.
The book deals with the harm and disappearance of a newborn child. If you are a parent, go in knowing that this comes up.
April 29, 2022
Jamie and Victoria are expecting their first child to be born in the near future. They decide to make a last trip together before becoming parents. They head off to the North Pennines to a small guesthouse in a very remote area. They are greeted on arrival by the guesthouse managers Barry and Fiona. They are served dinner and shown to their room to retire for the night. The next day Jamie and Victoria wake up to find the hosts are gone and so are their car keys and cell phones? Also the doors are all locked. What is going on here?
Wow, this was an intense thriller! The writing was superb and the setting descriptions were perfectly detailed. You could really picture the guesthouse and surroundings. I could not put this book down and I read it in one day. THE GUEST HOUSE checked all the boxes for me, I loved it and highly recommend it. 5 STARS!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
Wow, this was an intense thriller! The writing was superb and the setting descriptions were perfectly detailed. You could really picture the guesthouse and surroundings. I could not put this book down and I read it in one day. THE GUEST HOUSE checked all the boxes for me, I loved it and highly recommend it. 5 STARS!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
July 11, 2022
Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press and Robin Morgan-Bentley for my copy of The Guest House. It was about Jamie and Victoria, a couple headed to the countryside for a break. When they wake up in the morning, the owners are gone, the doors are locked, and their things are missing. Their baby is coming, there's no way to call for help, and there's no way out. Jumping forward in time, the couple is back in their own lives and seem to be grieving. They are also receiving threats, and their marriage is about to crumble. What happened at the guest house?
Thoughts: This story was full of suspense and I loved it! It was such a great format and I liked the time change between the guest house and the future. There are lots of twists, turns, and trigger warnings, especially for new parents. The details of the story were believable and claustrophobic, and I really couldn't wait to see what happened. It was both a slow burn and fast at times, and even though the ending was predictable, it was a great way to pass the time. 4-stars!
Thoughts: This story was full of suspense and I loved it! It was such a great format and I liked the time change between the guest house and the future. There are lots of twists, turns, and trigger warnings, especially for new parents. The details of the story were believable and claustrophobic, and I really couldn't wait to see what happened. It was both a slow burn and fast at times, and even though the ending was predictable, it was a great way to pass the time. 4-stars!
August 22, 2022
When I learned that the male character, Jamie has cerebral palsy like myself, I became more intrigued about the story. Characters who share the same diagnosis as I are rare, which is why I am very happy every time I come across books like this one. This was almost a five star read if not only for that revelation about his wife Victoria.
I would still recommend it particularly to people with cerebral palsy who yearn to see a fictional version of themselves, who is portrayed as the hero of the story.
Thank you, Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I would still recommend it particularly to people with cerebral palsy who yearn to see a fictional version of themselves, who is portrayed as the hero of the story.
Thank you, Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 14, 2022
I went into this book with no expectations and I liked the book a lot. The story itself is so heartbreaking at some points…really I felt so bad for the characters but at the same time after finishing the book I hated two of them. I don‘t want to spoil anything about this book, all I can say that it‘s a good book and that you‘ll be thinking about a lot of things after finishing it. You try to sympathize with all characters involved…but at the end it‘s such a good book. I loved it and am so glad that I was able to read this ARC.
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