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The Other Guest
After a shocking death at a luxurious Italian resort, two very different women must question everything—and everyone—they love in order to untangle truth from lies in this twisty, captivating read.
One year ago, Leah’s feisty 21-year-old niece, Amy, mysteriously drowned in the beautiful lake near her family-owned resort in Northern Italy. Now, Leah’s grief has caught up with her, and she decides to return to Lake Garda for the first time since Amy’s death. What she finds upon her arrival shocks her—her sister, brother-in-law, and surviving niece, Olivia, seem to have erased all memories of Amy, and fought to have her death declared an accidental drowning, despite murky circumstances. Leah knows she must look beyond the resort’s beautiful façade and uncover what truly happened to Amy, even if her digging places both her family ties and her very life in danger.
Meanwhile, in Central England, thirtysomething Joanna is recovering from a surprising break-up when she is swept off her feet by a handsome bartender. But when she learns that he is on the run from something in his past, and that their meeting may not have been a coincidence, Joanna realized that he may just a bit too good to be true.
What follows is a propulsive cat-and mouse game set against the Italian lakeside as the two seemingly-unconnected women are caught up in a dangerous conspiracy.
One year ago, Leah’s feisty 21-year-old niece, Amy, mysteriously drowned in the beautiful lake near her family-owned resort in Northern Italy. Now, Leah’s grief has caught up with her, and she decides to return to Lake Garda for the first time since Amy’s death. What she finds upon her arrival shocks her—her sister, brother-in-law, and surviving niece, Olivia, seem to have erased all memories of Amy, and fought to have her death declared an accidental drowning, despite murky circumstances. Leah knows she must look beyond the resort’s beautiful façade and uncover what truly happened to Amy, even if her digging places both her family ties and her very life in danger.
Meanwhile, in Central England, thirtysomething Joanna is recovering from a surprising break-up when she is swept off her feet by a handsome bartender. But when she learns that he is on the run from something in his past, and that their meeting may not have been a coincidence, Joanna realized that he may just a bit too good to be true.
What follows is a propulsive cat-and mouse game set against the Italian lakeside as the two seemingly-unconnected women are caught up in a dangerous conspiracy.
384 pages, Paperback
First published July 26, 2022
188 people are currently reading
6545 people want to read
About the author
Helen Cooper
3 books310 followersHelen Cooper is from Derby, England, and now lives in Leicester. She has a MA in Creative Writing and a background in teaching English and Academic Writing. Her creative writing has been published in Mslexia and Writers’ Forum; she was shortlisted in the Bath Short Story Prize in 2014, and came third in the Leicester Writes Short Story Prize in 2018. The Downstairs Neighbour is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 383 reviews
May 17, 2022
3.5 STARS
Multi-layered family drama with an intriguing setting!
I loved the premise of two women who don't seem to be connected, but ultimately get entangled in some dangerous situations that reveal their connection.
Leah and Joanna are the two women. We don't find out their association until later, when all the puzzle pieces fall into place. I enjoyed how the author unraveled the details with surprise and a bit of shock.
It is kind of a slow-burner, but has plenty of page turning events that keep the pace going all the way through. The story is told from three points of view and we get to understand the motives behind the actions. The descriptions of the resort in Italy, made it sound picture perfect and almost had a "Stepford Wives" feel to it. I could almost feel the sunshine beaming down and see the relaxing views. Very bello!
I only wish I had cared more for the characters, though I was invested, I never felt like I really cared about any of them (and I should have). Still a solid mystery and enjoyable reading experience, so 3.5 STARS from me.
Thanks to NG/ Edelweiss and the publisher for my arc. OUT July 26, 2022
Multi-layered family drama with an intriguing setting!
I loved the premise of two women who don't seem to be connected, but ultimately get entangled in some dangerous situations that reveal their connection.
Leah and Joanna are the two women. We don't find out their association until later, when all the puzzle pieces fall into place. I enjoyed how the author unraveled the details with surprise and a bit of shock.
It is kind of a slow-burner, but has plenty of page turning events that keep the pace going all the way through. The story is told from three points of view and we get to understand the motives behind the actions. The descriptions of the resort in Italy, made it sound picture perfect and almost had a "Stepford Wives" feel to it. I could almost feel the sunshine beaming down and see the relaxing views. Very bello!
I only wish I had cared more for the characters, though I was invested, I never felt like I really cared about any of them (and I should have). Still a solid mystery and enjoyable reading experience, so 3.5 STARS from me.
Thanks to NG/ Edelweiss and the publisher for my arc. OUT July 26, 2022
December 22, 2023
My thanks to Penguin Group/Putnam, Netgalley and Helen Cooper.
I'll confess that I kind of loved this story. It was engaging throughout, and had enough p.o.v.'s that kept me intrigued.
But...that damned milquetoast ending!
The conclusion. The big reveal? Yeah, it just didn't sit right with me. I was left with a sadness. Mad actually that this was how a life was ended.
I'll confess that I kind of loved this story. It was engaging throughout, and had enough p.o.v.'s that kept me intrigued.
But...that damned milquetoast ending!
The conclusion. The big reveal? Yeah, it just didn't sit right with me. I was left with a sadness. Mad actually that this was how a life was ended.
July 25, 2022
Intriguing and engaging mystery, kept my interest throughout.
There are two main storylines here, and it takes some patience to see where the plot is going that brings the two together (and it certainly wasn't in a way I was expecting at all!)
Joanna is a British counselor who recently went through a difficult breakup with her longtime boyfriend/fiancé. She's putting her life back together, and meets handsome bartender Callum, and they hit it off.
Leah is an attorney who has been placed on leave after yelling at a client. She decides to visit her sister's resort in Italy where her 21-year-old niece Amy died the previous year. Leah has been avoiding dealing with the death and now wants closure and to say her goodbyes, although the circumstances surrounding the death are not exactly what they seem.
There's also a third point of view, that of Amy from the past as the events leading up to her death are revealed.
This is a bit of a slow burn, as things deliberately unfold and just as one timeline/storyline gets exciting, then we switch over to another. Overall, I liked the book and the plot. There are some instances that are very far fetched, but others are intriguing and interesting and kept me invested to find out what was going on. I liked Joanna, but I didn't really like Leah or any of the other characters.
The story really picks up at about 65% when the reader starts to get clued in on how all of these pieces fit together. I also really liked the ending with the meeting between the different parties, it was very touching and realistic.
In a very over saturated thriller market, this book stands out as being a bit more unique and interesting than many I've read recently.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
There are two main storylines here, and it takes some patience to see where the plot is going that brings the two together (and it certainly wasn't in a way I was expecting at all!)
Joanna is a British counselor who recently went through a difficult breakup with her longtime boyfriend/fiancé. She's putting her life back together, and meets handsome bartender Callum, and they hit it off.
Leah is an attorney who has been placed on leave after yelling at a client. She decides to visit her sister's resort in Italy where her 21-year-old niece Amy died the previous year. Leah has been avoiding dealing with the death and now wants closure and to say her goodbyes, although the circumstances surrounding the death are not exactly what they seem.
There's also a third point of view, that of Amy from the past as the events leading up to her death are revealed.
This is a bit of a slow burn, as things deliberately unfold and just as one timeline/storyline gets exciting, then we switch over to another. Overall, I liked the book and the plot. There are some instances that are very far fetched, but others are intriguing and interesting and kept me invested to find out what was going on. I liked Joanna, but I didn't really like Leah or any of the other characters.
The story really picks up at about 65% when the reader starts to get clued in on how all of these pieces fit together. I also really liked the ending with the meeting between the different parties, it was very touching and realistic.
In a very over saturated thriller market, this book stands out as being a bit more unique and interesting than many I've read recently.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
May 24, 2022
3.5 rounded up
Leah arrives in Il Mandrino, a luxury holiday village on Lake Garda owned by her sister and brother in law. A year ago Leah’s much loved niece Amy tragically drowns and she is astonished to find that all traces of Amy seem to have been airbrushed out but why?? In addition to this strangeness the dynamics in her sisters family are also odd seeming both strained and distant. Leah’s scepticism over Amy’s death is now amplified. Meanwhile in Derby, Joanna is trying to recover from a very sudden break up of a long-term relationship. She has no desire to be alone one evening and so calls in at a pub where she meets a kind and friendly barman, nothing out of the ordinary there except that a week or two later she finds herself drawn into something most unexpectedly .
There are two seemingly disparate storylines and it’s a good puzzle trying to see how they could possibly connect and for a long time I don’t see how but the author does draw it together well. The atmosphere that is created is really good especially in the Lake Garda setting (and Derby is just, well, Derby!) and the holiday village is utilised very effectively in the plot.
The dynamics are good, you feel a strange awkwardness in Italy, it feels forced in several directions and there is an undercurrent of volatility and a distinct chilliness especially from Leah‘s brother in law.
However, it’s not especially fast paced and in fact initially it’s quite slow and the plot seems to be quite busy which makes it a tad confusing on occasions. It picks up really well in the last third and from there on it becomes a fascinating and compelling read. Although the characterisation is good there is no one to particularly like or root for.
Overall, I did enjoy this but not quite as much as the authors last book however I am looking forward to the next one!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Leah arrives in Il Mandrino, a luxury holiday village on Lake Garda owned by her sister and brother in law. A year ago Leah’s much loved niece Amy tragically drowns and she is astonished to find that all traces of Amy seem to have been airbrushed out but why?? In addition to this strangeness the dynamics in her sisters family are also odd seeming both strained and distant. Leah’s scepticism over Amy’s death is now amplified. Meanwhile in Derby, Joanna is trying to recover from a very sudden break up of a long-term relationship. She has no desire to be alone one evening and so calls in at a pub where she meets a kind and friendly barman, nothing out of the ordinary there except that a week or two later she finds herself drawn into something most unexpectedly .
There are two seemingly disparate storylines and it’s a good puzzle trying to see how they could possibly connect and for a long time I don’t see how but the author does draw it together well. The atmosphere that is created is really good especially in the Lake Garda setting (and Derby is just, well, Derby!) and the holiday village is utilised very effectively in the plot.
The dynamics are good, you feel a strange awkwardness in Italy, it feels forced in several directions and there is an undercurrent of volatility and a distinct chilliness especially from Leah‘s brother in law.
However, it’s not especially fast paced and in fact initially it’s quite slow and the plot seems to be quite busy which makes it a tad confusing on occasions. It picks up really well in the last third and from there on it becomes a fascinating and compelling read. Although the characterisation is good there is no one to particularly like or root for.
Overall, I did enjoy this but not quite as much as the authors last book however I am looking forward to the next one!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
July 14, 2022
This is a Mystery/Thriller. I have mixed feelings about this book. At the beginning of this book I had a lot of trouble following and putting together what the h*** was going on. I found the middle come together, and I started to be able to follow what was going on. I still did not love the middle of this book. I loved the ending of this book. Some parts of this book I found very unbelievable. In the long run, I just found this thriller just ok. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (G.P. Putnam's Sons) or author (Helen Cooper) 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. This book is scheduled to be released on July 26-2022.
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October 21, 2023Not rating this nothing was going on the characters were annoying especially Leah the aunt who lost her daughter Amy was to slow for my taste this is a DNF for me
July 23, 2022
One of my favorite things about this new book from Helen Cooper was connecting the dots. There are two women in the present who seem to be totally unconnected. There is a tragic death that occurred months ago. As we read on, the clues lead us to suspect there is a person or persons that they have in common. Who is "The Other Guest?" I found it difficult to relate to Leah, the grieving aunt. Having a past timeline with Amy, the dead niece, narrating her last day was a compelling plot element. Joanna, a counselor and miles away from the Italian resort, was my favorite character. I also appreciated that inclusion of a reconciliation meeting that takes place between an offender and a victim's family. This is one piece that is sorely lacking in so many judicial systems. While I found this to be a fascinating read, I must say that I liked Cooper's previous book, The Downstairs Neighbor, better. This is my second book in less than a week featuring Italy as a vacation destination. Really makes me want to visit in real life.
Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
July 19, 2022
I don’t know how I feel about this. I went into it excited and ended disappointed. I didn’t like the characters and the story was all over the place. It read like one of those Lifetime movies. This was one cat and mouse game no one won.
After Leah’s twenty-one year old niece drowns in a lake near their family Italian resort she is devastated. One year later her loss still feels fresh. She decides to return to her family’s resort and is dumbfounded when her family seems to have removed all traces of her niece. Leah suspects something is fishy and is determined to figure out they are covering up.
Simultaneously in England, Joanna is heartbroken after she splits with her boyfriend. When she meets charismatic bartender she thinks her luck has changed. However, she quickly realizes this guy is not what he seems. This stranger connects these two women in ways they never thought possible.
The Other Guest is available July 26,2022.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
After Leah’s twenty-one year old niece drowns in a lake near their family Italian resort she is devastated. One year later her loss still feels fresh. She decides to return to her family’s resort and is dumbfounded when her family seems to have removed all traces of her niece. Leah suspects something is fishy and is determined to figure out they are covering up.
Simultaneously in England, Joanna is heartbroken after she splits with her boyfriend. When she meets charismatic bartender she thinks her luck has changed. However, she quickly realizes this guy is not what he seems. This stranger connects these two women in ways they never thought possible.
The Other Guest is available July 26,2022.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
June 25, 2023
Two women trying to put their lives back together after loss. A fractured family after a death. And the young woman who set in motion the events that transpired.
Leah Hannell is visiting her sister’s family at their luxury resort in Lake Garda, Italy for the first time since the death of her niece, Amy, after a forced temporary leave of absence from her job. When she learns that the circumstances surrounding Amy’s death are anything but clear, Leah decides to investigate what really happened despite active attempts to dissuade her.
Joanna Greenfield lives in Derby, England and is the head of counseling services at a university. Learning how to live alone following the break up of her 16 year long relationship, she meets an enchanting man, Callum, one night at her local bar who is a compassionate sounding board for the very closed off woman. When, in the middle of the night, she receives a phone call from the hospital telling her he has been in an accident, Joanna decides on the spur of the moment to help this handsome and engaging stranger.
Told in two separate story lines as well as a scattering of Amy’s experiences in the days leading up to her death, I was baffled for awhile how they could be connected, but was impressed with the plot when it finally dawned on me. The characters were deep, well-rounded and each had their own voice. With the overlying themes of guilt, familial loyalty and transformation, Helen Cooper did a magnificent job describing the passion of loss and the guilt that can overwhelm a person. The only thing I didn’t quite like was how things were left at the very end, but overall I highly enjoyed it and finished it in one day. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Trigger warning: rape is discussed (not described in detail)
Leah Hannell is visiting her sister’s family at their luxury resort in Lake Garda, Italy for the first time since the death of her niece, Amy, after a forced temporary leave of absence from her job. When she learns that the circumstances surrounding Amy’s death are anything but clear, Leah decides to investigate what really happened despite active attempts to dissuade her.
Joanna Greenfield lives in Derby, England and is the head of counseling services at a university. Learning how to live alone following the break up of her 16 year long relationship, she meets an enchanting man, Callum, one night at her local bar who is a compassionate sounding board for the very closed off woman. When, in the middle of the night, she receives a phone call from the hospital telling her he has been in an accident, Joanna decides on the spur of the moment to help this handsome and engaging stranger.
Told in two separate story lines as well as a scattering of Amy’s experiences in the days leading up to her death, I was baffled for awhile how they could be connected, but was impressed with the plot when it finally dawned on me. The characters were deep, well-rounded and each had their own voice. With the overlying themes of guilt, familial loyalty and transformation, Helen Cooper did a magnificent job describing the passion of loss and the guilt that can overwhelm a person. The only thing I didn’t quite like was how things were left at the very end, but overall I highly enjoyed it and finished it in one day. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Trigger warning: rape is discussed (not described in detail)
November 13, 2022
Secrets are deadly in this character driven, slow burn thriller. Guilt is a heavy burden as true villains come to light. Was Amy murdered, or was she a victim of unfortunate circumstances? This story is presented as a puzzle that eventually comes together exposing the dark and dangerous side of humanity. I enjoyed putting the pieces together and was satisfied and surprised with the outcome. The mystery is atmospheric, suspenseful and entertaining. This is the first book I have read from this author, but definitely won’t be the last. Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for my copy.
September 14, 2022
3.25⭐
Featuring ~ multiple POV's ~ 1st person (Amy) & 3 person (Joanna & Leah), dual timeline, mystery
Joanna is fresh off a break up when she meets Callum. They've only had one date when he is involved in an accident. He doesn't have any next of kin and somehow Joanna is thrown into helping him heal by moving him in with her. What's up with this guy though, does he have an ulterior motive for wanting to be close to Joanna?
Leah is finally feeling like she is able to visit her family's resort a year after her niece, Amy, died there. She's not liking what she sees when she gets there and starts an investigation of her own to try to find out what really happened to Amy. I liked this part of the story.
This one was slow going for me. We knew that Joanna and Leah's lives would collide somehow, but it took a while to get there. I am so happy there was Amy's POV, so we had a better understanding of what happened to her. All in all a decent read.
I was able to listen to the final version on audio as well, so I went back and forth reading and listening. Sofia Zervudachi did a fine job narrating for 11 hours and 39 minutes, easy to follow at 2x.
*Thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, the author and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Featuring ~ multiple POV's ~ 1st person (Amy) & 3 person (Joanna & Leah), dual timeline, mystery
Joanna is fresh off a break up when she meets Callum. They've only had one date when he is involved in an accident. He doesn't have any next of kin and somehow Joanna is thrown into helping him heal by moving him in with her. What's up with this guy though, does he have an ulterior motive for wanting to be close to Joanna?
Leah is finally feeling like she is able to visit her family's resort a year after her niece, Amy, died there. She's not liking what she sees when she gets there and starts an investigation of her own to try to find out what really happened to Amy. I liked this part of the story.
This one was slow going for me. We knew that Joanna and Leah's lives would collide somehow, but it took a while to get there. I am so happy there was Amy's POV, so we had a better understanding of what happened to her. All in all a decent read.
I was able to listen to the final version on audio as well, so I went back and forth reading and listening. Sofia Zervudachi did a fine job narrating for 11 hours and 39 minutes, easy to follow at 2x.
*Thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, the author and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
August 17, 2022
As soon as I read the premise of this book, I knew I had to read it. Set in Northern Italy at an opulent resort, it had the makings of an unforgettable and intense domestic suspense. Unfortunately, it fell quite a bit short of that.
Let us start with what I liked about Helen Cooper’s sophomore novel. Overall, I thought her character development was good, all the characters felt multi-dimensional and I could see them existing off the page. I also liked the ambience created, particularly at the Italian resort, that although bright and luxurious, was veiled in darkness. There was an overall sense of foreboding that I think Cooper nails.
My issues revolve primarily around the plot. I am not sure if it was the pacing of the plot line, or the overall writing style, but the first two-thirds of the story felt slow and hard to connect with. Once I reached the mid-way point, it began to take shape and my interest picked up. There were a few interesting twists and turns, but ultimately, the ending fell flat for me.
While I went back and forth between print and audio for this one, I did prefer the audio narration. Read by Sofia Zervudachi, it was clear and concise and very easy to follow along with. If you would like to give this one a read, I suggest doing it via audio.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for my ARC of this book, and to PRH Audio for my ALC, in exchange for my honest review.
Let us start with what I liked about Helen Cooper’s sophomore novel. Overall, I thought her character development was good, all the characters felt multi-dimensional and I could see them existing off the page. I also liked the ambience created, particularly at the Italian resort, that although bright and luxurious, was veiled in darkness. There was an overall sense of foreboding that I think Cooper nails.
My issues revolve primarily around the plot. I am not sure if it was the pacing of the plot line, or the overall writing style, but the first two-thirds of the story felt slow and hard to connect with. Once I reached the mid-way point, it began to take shape and my interest picked up. There were a few interesting twists and turns, but ultimately, the ending fell flat for me.
While I went back and forth between print and audio for this one, I did prefer the audio narration. Read by Sofia Zervudachi, it was clear and concise and very easy to follow along with. If you would like to give this one a read, I suggest doing it via audio.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for my ARC of this book, and to PRH Audio for my ALC, in exchange for my honest review.
June 16, 2022
Reading Helen Cooper's book The Other Guest is like solving a puzzle. Pieces slowly come together for an outstanding conclusion. The story is about three women, Leah, Joanna, and Amy told in alternating timelines. For Leah and Joanna to move forward with their lives, these women must distinguish the truth from a web of lies.
Leah is still grieving the loss of her beautiful niece Amy, a 21-year-old who drowned in a lake in Northern Italy. Leah returns to Lake Garda to confront her grief. As Leah searches for answers to Amy's death it soon becomes apparent that the truth could put Leah's own life at risk.
Joanna is still struggling after a recent breakup when she meets Callum, a handsome male bartender. Soon after meeting Callum, Joanna discovers Callum is on the run and hiding a secret past. But what is Callum hiding?
The Other Guest is a slow burn, but once you are familiar with the authors writing style the story moves along nicely. I especially liked the way Helen Cooper ended the book. The last few chapters make it a very satisfying read. (3.5 bumped up to 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐)
The Other Guest by Helen Cooper is available on July 26th. I look forward to reading more from the mega-talented Helen Cooper.
Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam, G.P. Putnam Sons, for allowing me to review this twisty book. Your kindness is appreciated.
Leah is still grieving the loss of her beautiful niece Amy, a 21-year-old who drowned in a lake in Northern Italy. Leah returns to Lake Garda to confront her grief. As Leah searches for answers to Amy's death it soon becomes apparent that the truth could put Leah's own life at risk.
Joanna is still struggling after a recent breakup when she meets Callum, a handsome male bartender. Soon after meeting Callum, Joanna discovers Callum is on the run and hiding a secret past. But what is Callum hiding?
The Other Guest is a slow burn, but once you are familiar with the authors writing style the story moves along nicely. I especially liked the way Helen Cooper ended the book. The last few chapters make it a very satisfying read. (3.5 bumped up to 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐)
The Other Guest by Helen Cooper is available on July 26th. I look forward to reading more from the mega-talented Helen Cooper.
Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam, G.P. Putnam Sons, for allowing me to review this twisty book. Your kindness is appreciated.
April 17, 2022
I ended up liking this book, though I had trouble getting into it for the first quarter or so. The story is told from 3 POVs: Amy (in past tense), who we know has died in a suspicious drowning accident; Leah, Amy’s aunt who is grieving and looking for answers; and Joanna, a young woman who initially is seemingly unrelated to the other storylines and is reeling from a surprise breakup with her long term boyfriend. The storylines eventually converge in a satisfying way.
I had a bit of trouble connecting to any of the characters. I felt that much of what happened could have been solved by the characters talking to each other rather than jumping to conclusions. That being said, they (for the most part) grew on me a bit as the book continued. I couldn’t figure out what Joanna’s storyline had to do with anything else but once it was revealed I was surprised that I hadn’t made the connection earlier.
I thought the ending of the book was very satisfying. There were a couple red herrings along the way. All of the loose ends were tied up nicely but not in a way that seemed too “happily ever after”.
Overall, this was a decent read with a good mystery. I’d give it 3.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I had a bit of trouble connecting to any of the characters. I felt that much of what happened could have been solved by the characters talking to each other rather than jumping to conclusions. That being said, they (for the most part) grew on me a bit as the book continued. I couldn’t figure out what Joanna’s storyline had to do with anything else but once it was revealed I was surprised that I hadn’t made the connection earlier.
I thought the ending of the book was very satisfying. There were a couple red herrings along the way. All of the loose ends were tied up nicely but not in a way that seemed too “happily ever after”.
Overall, this was a decent read with a good mystery. I’d give it 3.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 20, 2022
The Other Guest by Helen Cooper is a slow-burn mystery. Till about 70% into the story, I felt like reading two stories in parallel. Joanna is a student counselor working at the university and recovering from a broken relationship and then there is Leah whose niece died in a tragic accident a year ago and she is recovering from the trauma of that loss. So there we go, following the lives of these two women who do not seem to have anything in common, Joanna is forming a friendship with a new guy in her life, and Leah is hell-bent on tracing the final moments of her niece’s life at the family-owned resort regardless of the danger and warning signs being thrown at her.
The story develops slowly as we see how these random lives get interconnected and the author has developed the plot excellently though, I wonder if she left the twisty surprise a little too late. I do love a slow burn mystery, but here at most times in the story, the thrill of the chase or a big reveal waiting to be unraveled never materializes, so in effect, the reading was easy but I never did get engaged into the plot.
The Other Guest had several characters each of them having a fair amount of growing up to do and I loved how Il Mandrino, the resort becomes an integral element of the story. The setting of the resort was good, and it provided a claustrophobic experience. The grief and trauma of losing a loved one were conveyed in excellent fashion, each one of them suffering in private unable to share the pain that haunts all of them in equal measures.
The writing by the author is captivating though I would have loved to feel more of a ‘gripping and thrilling’ effect in the untangling of the mystery. Surely, I am looking forward to reading other works by the author.
3.5 stars!
Many thanks to Net Galley, Hodder & Stoughton, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
This review is published in my blog Rain'n'Books, ##Goodreads, ##Amazon India, ##Book Bub, ##Medium.com, ##Facebook, ##Twitter.
The story develops slowly as we see how these random lives get interconnected and the author has developed the plot excellently though, I wonder if she left the twisty surprise a little too late. I do love a slow burn mystery, but here at most times in the story, the thrill of the chase or a big reveal waiting to be unraveled never materializes, so in effect, the reading was easy but I never did get engaged into the plot.
The Other Guest had several characters each of them having a fair amount of growing up to do and I loved how Il Mandrino, the resort becomes an integral element of the story. The setting of the resort was good, and it provided a claustrophobic experience. The grief and trauma of losing a loved one were conveyed in excellent fashion, each one of them suffering in private unable to share the pain that haunts all of them in equal measures.
The writing by the author is captivating though I would have loved to feel more of a ‘gripping and thrilling’ effect in the untangling of the mystery. Surely, I am looking forward to reading other works by the author.
3.5 stars!
Many thanks to Net Galley, Hodder & Stoughton, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
This review is published in my blog Rain'n'Books, ##Goodreads, ##Amazon India, ##Book Bub, ##Medium.com, ##Facebook, ##Twitter.
May 18, 2022
The Other Guest is about a untimely death of Amy who authorities have written it off as an accidental drowning. Leah sets out to find out the truth about her niece. Then we have Joanne and that’s a whole other story within the book. The 2 main characters had me confused at times and for that reason, I’m only giving it 3 stars. I must’ve missed the link between the 2 women but how did I do that? Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
July 21, 2022
Review coming soon.
March 14, 2022
Leah’s family owns a beautiful vacation resort in Northern Italy. One year ago tragedy struck when Leah’s young niece, Amy, drowned in a nearby lake. How this happened is completely unknown. Fast forward 1 year and Leah is now returning the resort for the first time since Amy died. Leah finds her family has literally removed all memories of Amy and have made sure her death was ruled accidental. Leah is now determined to dig deeper and find out the truth about Amy.
Joanna is living in England, upset about a recent break-up. She falls for a bartender that clearly has a checkered past. Will it catch up with him? Is Joanna somehow connected with Leah and Amy??
This was my first book by Helen Cooper and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The dual points of view and how they intertwined together was excellent. The story has plenty of twists to keep you hooked and entertained. I could not predict the ending, but I really enjoyed it. Helen Cooper is clearly a skilled writer and I would be happy to read her future books.
Many thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons 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.
Joanna is living in England, upset about a recent break-up. She falls for a bartender that clearly has a checkered past. Will it catch up with him? Is Joanna somehow connected with Leah and Amy??
This was my first book by Helen Cooper and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The dual points of view and how they intertwined together was excellent. The story has plenty of twists to keep you hooked and entertained. I could not predict the ending, but I really enjoyed it. Helen Cooper is clearly a skilled writer and I would be happy to read her future books.
Many thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons 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.
April 1, 2024
With this being my first read from this author, I wasn't quite sure what to expect.
The two timelines being so vastly different did feel a little disjointed.
The reader follows both Leah in Lake Garda, Italy, as well as Joanne in Derby, England.
Whilst trying to remember each POV chapter took some getting used to, the plot was still engaging.
The description of the Italian resort was some of the strongest elements of this novel, I do also agree that each individual narrative would have made for an interesting novel in its own right.
Jumping between lost some suspense, which explains why it didn't quite work for me.
The two timelines being so vastly different did feel a little disjointed.
The reader follows both Leah in Lake Garda, Italy, as well as Joanne in Derby, England.
Whilst trying to remember each POV chapter took some getting used to, the plot was still engaging.
The description of the Italian resort was some of the strongest elements of this novel, I do also agree that each individual narrative would have made for an interesting novel in its own right.
Jumping between lost some suspense, which explains why it didn't quite work for me.
June 16, 2022
The two separate story-lines of "The Other Guest" were both compelling in their own right. For several chapters I just couldn't imagine how the stories were connected. The light finally dawned for me at almost the halfway mark. Clever.
The twin settings of Derby, England and Lake Garda, Italy were very distinct, so made it easy to discern which story-line you were reading. The characters were vividly portrayed - and sympathetic, so I was invested in their fates.
With themes of guilt, familial loyalty, megalomania, and keeping up appearances, this novel is ingeniously plotted and I was absolutely immersed throughout the entire book. The ending chapters were suspenseful and riveting.
Highly, highly, recommended to those readers who enjoy intelligently plotted thrillers.
The twin settings of Derby, England and Lake Garda, Italy were very distinct, so made it easy to discern which story-line you were reading. The characters were vividly portrayed - and sympathetic, so I was invested in their fates.
With themes of guilt, familial loyalty, megalomania, and keeping up appearances, this novel is ingeniously plotted and I was absolutely immersed throughout the entire book. The ending chapters were suspenseful and riveting.
Highly, highly, recommended to those readers who enjoy intelligently plotted thrillers.
June 14, 2022
The synopsis describes this book as a cat and mouse game. I didn't get that vibe at all from reading this, mostly because it was such a slow burn. While I tend to enjoy a slow burn, this was so slow it became tedious.
The characterization was decent, but there was no action until the 60% mark. That's just too long to wait for suspense. By that point, I had mentally checked out of this book and didn't care anymore.
After the action did start, I didn't find any of to be satisfying and the conclusion wasn't worth the long build up IMO. Unfortunately this book lacked all the things that made Helen Cooper's previous book The Downstairs Neighbor great and memorable, and I'm bummed about it.
That being said, there were still certain aspects of the story I liked. The characterization was very well-rounded and the characters did show a lot of personal growth throughout the course of the story.
The main star of the show, though, was Il Mandrino itself. The luxury resort, the employees, the family running it-It all had a creepy Stepford Wives vibe to it that I really enjoyed. I wish that aspect had been fleshed out more and made to be even more ominous.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The characterization was decent, but there was no action until the 60% mark. That's just too long to wait for suspense. By that point, I had mentally checked out of this book and didn't care anymore.
After the action did start, I didn't find any of to be satisfying and the conclusion wasn't worth the long build up IMO. Unfortunately this book lacked all the things that made Helen Cooper's previous book The Downstairs Neighbor great and memorable, and I'm bummed about it.
That being said, there were still certain aspects of the story I liked. The characterization was very well-rounded and the characters did show a lot of personal growth throughout the course of the story.
The main star of the show, though, was Il Mandrino itself. The luxury resort, the employees, the family running it-It all had a creepy Stepford Wives vibe to it that I really enjoyed. I wish that aspect had been fleshed out more and made to be even more ominous.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 30, 2023
3.5 / 5
This book is not bad but it’s not good. It’s alright. It’s not shouting out of the roof tops how much a banger this is but it’s not a book to avoid. It’s bog standard.
To give context the book follows two story lines: one about a woman called Joanna who just got out of a long relationship she shared with Luke. She meets a man called Callum and kick off (this is a man who ticks all of her boxes) but she soon catches on the subtle lies which begins to mount up. The second story line follows Leah, who’s finding/ figuring out how her niece Amy had died on a coast in Italy and whether there was more to what meets the eye. The pace of the two plots did vary, Leah’s one started off very slow whilst Joanna had a lot more going on.
Not going to lie, for 200 pages it felt like two different stories. Although from Joanna perspective I started to suspect what was going on 180 pages, but I couldn’t see the link to Leah’s story (if that makes sense). Every time Leah is mentioned a second perspective of Amy before her death is presented and I struggled to understand how it all relates. But it’s not until 250 pages where it clicks and makes sense. I wished for more connectivity between the two plots. It felt like it did grasp on straws and the connection between the two plots was forced
The writing is ok, it’s easy to follow and it’s not super descriptive but it felt plain. Like getting a ham sandwich it’s nothing special just ham and two pieces of bread together. Its nothing magical as you can’t possibly muck up a ham sandwich.
Unfortunately it’s a general rating of 3.5 stars as it’s a plot I must likely will forget. I think this would make a good holiday read if anyone is planning on taking a break, because it just has enough to keep you hooked to read abit more.
This book is not bad but it’s not good. It’s alright. It’s not shouting out of the roof tops how much a banger this is but it’s not a book to avoid. It’s bog standard.
To give context the book follows two story lines: one about a woman called Joanna who just got out of a long relationship she shared with Luke. She meets a man called Callum and kick off (this is a man who ticks all of her boxes) but she soon catches on the subtle lies which begins to mount up. The second story line follows Leah, who’s finding/ figuring out how her niece Amy had died on a coast in Italy and whether there was more to what meets the eye. The pace of the two plots did vary, Leah’s one started off very slow whilst Joanna had a lot more going on.
Not going to lie, for 200 pages it felt like two different stories. Although from Joanna perspective I started to suspect what was going on 180 pages, but I couldn’t see the link to Leah’s story (if that makes sense). Every time Leah is mentioned a second perspective of Amy before her death is presented and I struggled to understand how it all relates. But it’s not until 250 pages where it clicks and makes sense. I wished for more connectivity between the two plots. It felt like it did grasp on straws and the connection between the two plots was forced
The writing is ok, it’s easy to follow and it’s not super descriptive but it felt plain. Like getting a ham sandwich it’s nothing special just ham and two pieces of bread together. Its nothing magical as you can’t possibly muck up a ham sandwich.
Unfortunately it’s a general rating of 3.5 stars as it’s a plot I must likely will forget. I think this would make a good holiday read if anyone is planning on taking a break, because it just has enough to keep you hooked to read abit more.
August 7, 2022
Helen Cooper follows up her debut novel, THE DOWNSTAIRS NEIGHBOR, with THE OTHER GUEST, a twisty thriller composed of three parallel storylines.
The first introduces readers to Joanna Greenfield, the Head of Counseling Services at the University of Derby in England. She lives with her cat and is recovering from her breakup with Luke, who she had been with for 16 years. It isn’t long before she meets Callum Foley, a bartender, and they go on a first date.
Then, out of the blue, Joanna receives a phone call from the hospital telling her that Callum listed her as his emergency contact. In a state of confusion, she rushes to his bedside in the middle of the night. Joanna feels out of place and guilty sitting next to Callum as he regains consciousness from being hit by a car. She has been dealing with the attempted suicide of a student who attends her school and has flashbacks to the meetings she conducted with the young man’s father. Sitting in a hospital ICU does not help her anxiety attacks.
When Callum is upgraded to stable condition, the doctor insists that if he wants to be released from the hospital, it must be to a place where he has help. Joanna feels compelled, out of compassion and the guilt that haunts her, to open her home to him. He accepts. When they talk, Callum is cagey with his answers to her questions. Joanna is certain that he’s lying and trying to avoid talking about himself. What is he hiding, and can she keep his presence in her house a secret?
Joanna works with Luke’s sister, Mandy, who is always trying to get them back together. This keeps Joanna on edge and constantly on the defensive. More than a relationship breakup, they canceled their wedding, and Luke is already dating someone else. She bumps into him from time to time and is always uncomfortable in his presence. So when she receives a text from him asking if they can talk, her anxiety level soars.
The second storyline is set in Lake Garda, Italy, and deals with the death of 21-year-old Amy Wynne, who drives the third storyline. Amy drowned in the lake where her family owns an exclusive resort, known to the very rich as Il Mandarino Luxury Holiday Village. Her loved ones facilitate having her death certified as an accident, despite some abnormalities that don’t quite add up to this conclusion. Leah Hannell, a London attorney who was very close to her niece, buries Amy and decides to return to the pristine resort. When she arrives, she notices that Amy’s photographs are no longer on display. Her sister, brother-in-law and surviving niece, Olivia, never mention Amy anymore, acting as if she never existed. What could they be hiding?
The chapters that belong to Amy give readers a glimpse into her personality and her final thoughts. They are short and to the point, painting a picture of a young, unhappy woman who calls a dear friend on the night she died to say goodbye. Francesca is in a tizzy about this, so she tracks down Leah to let her know about texts she received from Amy. The shadow of suicide creeps slowly into the mystery, but none of this is making any sense to Leah.
As the narrative unfolds, readers are completely drawn to the parallel stories. Laced with secrets and lies, THE OTHER GUEST is a potpourri of tension, red herrings and clues to please anyone’s appetite for the suspense of a well-plotted mystery novel. The connection between Joanna and Leah comes late in the story, but it’s a welcome surprise. The prose is finely honed, and the characters are fully formed. Each one is given a healthy inner life, as a well as interesting and gripping outer experiences. Readers will find themselves immersed in the plot and will be eager to find the answers to the mysteries that arise.
Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum
The first introduces readers to Joanna Greenfield, the Head of Counseling Services at the University of Derby in England. She lives with her cat and is recovering from her breakup with Luke, who she had been with for 16 years. It isn’t long before she meets Callum Foley, a bartender, and they go on a first date.
Then, out of the blue, Joanna receives a phone call from the hospital telling her that Callum listed her as his emergency contact. In a state of confusion, she rushes to his bedside in the middle of the night. Joanna feels out of place and guilty sitting next to Callum as he regains consciousness from being hit by a car. She has been dealing with the attempted suicide of a student who attends her school and has flashbacks to the meetings she conducted with the young man’s father. Sitting in a hospital ICU does not help her anxiety attacks.
When Callum is upgraded to stable condition, the doctor insists that if he wants to be released from the hospital, it must be to a place where he has help. Joanna feels compelled, out of compassion and the guilt that haunts her, to open her home to him. He accepts. When they talk, Callum is cagey with his answers to her questions. Joanna is certain that he’s lying and trying to avoid talking about himself. What is he hiding, and can she keep his presence in her house a secret?
Joanna works with Luke’s sister, Mandy, who is always trying to get them back together. This keeps Joanna on edge and constantly on the defensive. More than a relationship breakup, they canceled their wedding, and Luke is already dating someone else. She bumps into him from time to time and is always uncomfortable in his presence. So when she receives a text from him asking if they can talk, her anxiety level soars.
The second storyline is set in Lake Garda, Italy, and deals with the death of 21-year-old Amy Wynne, who drives the third storyline. Amy drowned in the lake where her family owns an exclusive resort, known to the very rich as Il Mandarino Luxury Holiday Village. Her loved ones facilitate having her death certified as an accident, despite some abnormalities that don’t quite add up to this conclusion. Leah Hannell, a London attorney who was very close to her niece, buries Amy and decides to return to the pristine resort. When she arrives, she notices that Amy’s photographs are no longer on display. Her sister, brother-in-law and surviving niece, Olivia, never mention Amy anymore, acting as if she never existed. What could they be hiding?
The chapters that belong to Amy give readers a glimpse into her personality and her final thoughts. They are short and to the point, painting a picture of a young, unhappy woman who calls a dear friend on the night she died to say goodbye. Francesca is in a tizzy about this, so she tracks down Leah to let her know about texts she received from Amy. The shadow of suicide creeps slowly into the mystery, but none of this is making any sense to Leah.
As the narrative unfolds, readers are completely drawn to the parallel stories. Laced with secrets and lies, THE OTHER GUEST is a potpourri of tension, red herrings and clues to please anyone’s appetite for the suspense of a well-plotted mystery novel. The connection between Joanna and Leah comes late in the story, but it’s a welcome surprise. The prose is finely honed, and the characters are fully formed. Each one is given a healthy inner life, as a well as interesting and gripping outer experiences. Readers will find themselves immersed in the plot and will be eager to find the answers to the mysteries that arise.
Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum
January 24, 2023
The first half of The Other Guest was such a slow burn for me but then things start to pick up when Nate gets plowed down by a car 🤷🏼♀️. Sorry, it took some broken bones to get things going in the interest department. I did enjoy getting to the end of this story but there were some hefty hangups, besides that fact that the entire premise is super far fetched. (These criticisms below are not in order)
A family owns a posh resort in Italy. Already far fetched 🤣.
One daughter drowns in a lake and the second daughter decides to do the same?
Olivia’s dad never actually has any discussion with his daughter but he assumes one killed the other because of a tiff on a camera.
Same dad gets psychoish with his SIS instead of just talking to her.
One character leaves the country to run someone over with a car because she was angry?
Somehow, our main perp knows Aunt Leah is going to Italy and will want to look into Amy’s death? The same perp somehow know’s Amy’s friend and her family’s private housekeeper even though, he (a foreigner on a week long biz trip) was holed up in his private villa and by his own admission was “never there.” The dude sells watches for hell’s sake yet, somehow he is making things happen like the mafia.
No really likable characters. I know we were supposed to like the two main characters, Leah and Joanna but, I don’t think we would find our way to each other in a bar. Maybe a passing hello but that’s about as much friendly chemistry I was feeling with either of them. The rest of the characters were 🙄.
A normal, every day joe gets himself mixed up with a womanizing asshole and finds himself chasing after a girl, who drowns in front of him but doesn’t try to save her? All he wanted was her phone. Could he not think through this?
The womanizing asshole’s offense was some groping but someone dies over it and then a massive coverup ensues? I mean, not that I am wishing someone got the full monty from this loser but come on.
And again, two unrelated characters solve the mystery of Amy’s death when police couldn’t. I swear, this is an ongoing theme. I mean, why do we even have police?
What did I like? It was interesting enough that I listened to the end. Btw, that end was a little disappointing and nothing about this book was anything but depressing.
I think I am downgrading my own 3 stars to 2 after reading my own musings. 😁
2.5 stars for some intrigue and desire to finish to see what happens.
A family owns a posh resort in Italy. Already far fetched 🤣.
One daughter drowns in a lake and the second daughter decides to do the same?
Olivia’s dad never actually has any discussion with his daughter but he assumes one killed the other because of a tiff on a camera.
Same dad gets psychoish with his SIS instead of just talking to her.
One character leaves the country to run someone over with a car because she was angry?
Somehow, our main perp knows Aunt Leah is going to Italy and will want to look into Amy’s death? The same perp somehow know’s Amy’s friend and her family’s private housekeeper even though, he (a foreigner on a week long biz trip) was holed up in his private villa and by his own admission was “never there.” The dude sells watches for hell’s sake yet, somehow he is making things happen like the mafia.
No really likable characters. I know we were supposed to like the two main characters, Leah and Joanna but, I don’t think we would find our way to each other in a bar. Maybe a passing hello but that’s about as much friendly chemistry I was feeling with either of them. The rest of the characters were 🙄.
A normal, every day joe gets himself mixed up with a womanizing asshole and finds himself chasing after a girl, who drowns in front of him but doesn’t try to save her? All he wanted was her phone. Could he not think through this?
The womanizing asshole’s offense was some groping but someone dies over it and then a massive coverup ensues? I mean, not that I am wishing someone got the full monty from this loser but come on.
And again, two unrelated characters solve the mystery of Amy’s death when police couldn’t. I swear, this is an ongoing theme. I mean, why do we even have police?
What did I like? It was interesting enough that I listened to the end. Btw, that end was a little disappointing and nothing about this book was anything but depressing.
I think I am downgrading my own 3 stars to 2 after reading my own musings. 😁
2.5 stars for some intrigue and desire to finish to see what happens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2022
The Other Guest, has bestseller written all over it.
Helen Cooper, is a natural storyteller and knows how to engage with her readers at first sentence. Never in my life have I been so sure of a book on the first page as I was while reading The Other Guest.
The narration of the storyline was executed with perfection, the characters were all layered and multi-dimensional. The amount of detail that went into this book shows on every page. Not once was I bored or even counting pages to the next chapter. I could not get enough!
I will be recommending The Other Guest for years to come!
Five Stars
Helen Cooper, is a natural storyteller and knows how to engage with her readers at first sentence. Never in my life have I been so sure of a book on the first page as I was while reading The Other Guest.
The narration of the storyline was executed with perfection, the characters were all layered and multi-dimensional. The amount of detail that went into this book shows on every page. Not once was I bored or even counting pages to the next chapter. I could not get enough!
I will be recommending The Other Guest for years to come!
Five Stars
February 25, 2022
Against the backdrop of an Italian luxury resort, twenty-one-year-old Amy, daughter of the resort's owners, dies. A police inquiry decides her fate: it was an accidental downing, brought on by a storm.
But Leah, her aunt, feels something's amiss, and when she leaves England to visit her family at the Il Mandarino resort, she finds that her sister, brother-in-law, and surviving niece are acting strangely. It's like Amy never existed, or at least they're moving on with life as though their daughter and sister didn't meet a terrible fate. But Leah's not buying it, and is determined to uncover what happened to Amy that night, even if it means putting everyone in danger.
Meanwhile, back in England, Joanna is reeling from a sudden breakup when she meets Callum, a handsome bartender. But when Callum is seriously injured in a brutal hit and run, Joanna starts to uncover clues that tell her that Callum might be anything other than her knight in shining armor.
I found Helen Cooper's (The Downstairs Neighbor) second novel to be a captivating read. It reads a little slower than I usually like in a thriller, and at first it's hard to see how Leah's and Joanna's seemingly disjointed narratives fit together (though I enjoyed trying to figure it out), but I thought it worked nicely as family drama. So if you're more into the slow burn and the act of investigation afterwards (though there is a sense of menace at times), this is something you'd want to check out.
Special thanks to Penguin/Putnam, for giving me an opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review through NetGalley.
But Leah, her aunt, feels something's amiss, and when she leaves England to visit her family at the Il Mandarino resort, she finds that her sister, brother-in-law, and surviving niece are acting strangely. It's like Amy never existed, or at least they're moving on with life as though their daughter and sister didn't meet a terrible fate. But Leah's not buying it, and is determined to uncover what happened to Amy that night, even if it means putting everyone in danger.
Meanwhile, back in England, Joanna is reeling from a sudden breakup when she meets Callum, a handsome bartender. But when Callum is seriously injured in a brutal hit and run, Joanna starts to uncover clues that tell her that Callum might be anything other than her knight in shining armor.
I found Helen Cooper's (The Downstairs Neighbor) second novel to be a captivating read. It reads a little slower than I usually like in a thriller, and at first it's hard to see how Leah's and Joanna's seemingly disjointed narratives fit together (though I enjoyed trying to figure it out), but I thought it worked nicely as family drama. So if you're more into the slow burn and the act of investigation afterwards (though there is a sense of menace at times), this is something you'd want to check out.
Special thanks to Penguin/Putnam, for giving me an opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review through NetGalley.
June 21, 2022
A big thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to read and review this book. I haven't read a book by Helen Cooper before so had no expectations.
However, having read the blurb, was very interested to give this book a try, as seemed right up my street and was really glad I did. Superb psychological thriller
Great characters, great location, great writing, and clearly a great author. Am sure this book will do really well and an author I would definitely look to read more of.
A super summer read!!
However, having read the blurb, was very interested to give this book a try, as seemed right up my street and was really glad I did. Superb psychological thriller
Great characters, great location, great writing, and clearly a great author. Am sure this book will do really well and an author I would definitely look to read more of.
A super summer read!!
October 24, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Rating: 3 Stars
Publication Date: July 26, 2022
Number of Pages: 384
"The Other Guest” is a first time read by Helen Cooper, new author to this reader. The story is told from three point of views and the author did a nice job with building up the suspense and twists that would keep you interested in the story. Although I had to get used to some of the characters…some unlikeable, did not retract from the intrigue and the stunning ending of this novel. The story has much suspense, action and twists that makes for a good mystery read but it also was bit slow going until about a quarter way into the read. Conclusion…I enjoyed this and eventually the characters and ended up reading this in one sitting. Recommend reading.
Rating: 3 Stars
Publication Date: July 26, 2022
Number of Pages: 384
"The Other Guest” is a first time read by Helen Cooper, new author to this reader. The story is told from three point of views and the author did a nice job with building up the suspense and twists that would keep you interested in the story. Although I had to get used to some of the characters…some unlikeable, did not retract from the intrigue and the stunning ending of this novel. The story has much suspense, action and twists that makes for a good mystery read but it also was bit slow going until about a quarter way into the read. Conclusion…I enjoyed this and eventually the characters and ended up reading this in one sitting. Recommend reading.
August 17, 2022
Helen Cooper, I adore you !
The Other Guest, is a book that will sit with you long after you conclude. The amount of time and editing that must have went into this book shows. Nothing was rushed or repetitive. I was never bored or had the urge to take a break. I picked this book up and did not put it down until I finished.
The story line was executed with perfection, the characters were fascinating and multi dimensional. I was completely and totally obsessed with this book from start to finish and I am unable to stop raving about it!!
Do you hear me loud and clear? BUY THE BOOK!!!
I read A LOT of psychological thrillers, I love them beyond measure but at times when you read as many as I do, you tend to have read the same story over and over with minor changes. Vengeful wife, cheating husbands, etc. The Other Guest, breaks the mold and has a completely unique plot . I can predict most books usually by midpoint. However, this book packs a twist that I could never anticipate coming.
Five Stars, without a doubt.
Big thank you to Helen Cooper, G.P. Putnam's Sons and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review The Other Guest in exchange for an honest review.
The Other Guest, is a book that will sit with you long after you conclude. The amount of time and editing that must have went into this book shows. Nothing was rushed or repetitive. I was never bored or had the urge to take a break. I picked this book up and did not put it down until I finished.
The story line was executed with perfection, the characters were fascinating and multi dimensional. I was completely and totally obsessed with this book from start to finish and I am unable to stop raving about it!!
Do you hear me loud and clear? BUY THE BOOK!!!
I read A LOT of psychological thrillers, I love them beyond measure but at times when you read as many as I do, you tend to have read the same story over and over with minor changes. Vengeful wife, cheating husbands, etc. The Other Guest, breaks the mold and has a completely unique plot . I can predict most books usually by midpoint. However, this book packs a twist that I could never anticipate coming.
Five Stars, without a doubt.
Big thank you to Helen Cooper, G.P. Putnam's Sons and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review The Other Guest in exchange for an honest review.
July 25, 2022
I loved the way the other told the story from so many different POV! It keeps you engaged seeing things through so many different eyes but not knowing are they were connected is what keeps you from being able to put the book down.
Thank you Netgalley, the author and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my review!
Thank you Netgalley, the author and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my review!
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