What do you think?
Rate this book
The Dinner Guests
Six friends.
A lifetime of secrets.
One terrifying game.
When a group of friends receives unexpected invitations to a dinner party, they see it as a chance to finally meet the bizarre and reclusive new neighbor whose home is enshrouded in layers of security.
As the drinks are poured and dinner is served, the group begins to realize things are not what they seem. What starts out as an innocent night of fun soon becomes a seemingly calculated game filled with cryptic messages and chilling revelations.
With no way out, the guests are forced to play along in hopes of escape. Friendships fray, loyalties are tested, and the secrets they've kept from each other are revealed one by one.
Six friends walk into the house that night.
Will six friends make it out?
A lifetime of secrets.
One terrifying game.
When a group of friends receives unexpected invitations to a dinner party, they see it as a chance to finally meet the bizarre and reclusive new neighbor whose home is enshrouded in layers of security.
As the drinks are poured and dinner is served, the group begins to realize things are not what they seem. What starts out as an innocent night of fun soon becomes a seemingly calculated game filled with cryptic messages and chilling revelations.
With no way out, the guests are forced to play along in hopes of escape. Friendships fray, loyalties are tested, and the secrets they've kept from each other are revealed one by one.
Six friends walk into the house that night.
Will six friends make it out?
Audiobook
First published May 1, 2022
1436 people are currently reading
7127 people want to read
About the author
Kiersten Modglin
57 books14.3k followersKIERSTEN MODGLIN is a #1 bestselling author of psychological thrillers. Her books have sold over two million copies and been translated into multiple languages. Kiersten is a member of International Thriller Writers, Novelists, Inc., and the Alliance of Independent Authors. She is a KDP Select All-Star and a recipient of ThrillerFix's Best Psychological Thriller Award, Suspense Magazine's Best Book of 2021 Award, a 2022 Silver Falchion for Best Suspense, and a 2022 Silver Falchion for Best Overall Book of 2021. Kiersten grew up in rural western Kentucky and later relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where she now lives with her family. Kiersten's readers across the world lovingly refer to her as "KMod." A binge-watching expert, psychology fanatic, and indoor enthusiast, Kiersten enjoys rainy days spent with her favorite people and evenings with her nose in a book.
CONNECT WITH KIERSTEN:
➜ WEBSITE: kierstenmodglinauthor.com
➜ NEWSLETTER: kierstenmodglinauthor.com/nlsignup
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/kierstenmodglinauthor
➜ KMOD SQUAD: facebook.com/groups/kmodsquad
➜ INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/kierstenmodglinauthor
➜ THREADS: threads.net/@kierstenmodglinauthor
➜ TIKTOK: tiktok.com/@kierstenmodglinauthor
➜ TEXT ALERTS: kierstenmodglinauthor.com/textalerts
Kiersten Modglin may be coming to a city near you! Check out her “events” tab to see all the signings she’s attending in the near future:
➜ kierstenmodglinauthor.com/events
CONNECT WITH KIERSTEN:
➜ WEBSITE: kierstenmodglinauthor.com
➜ NEWSLETTER: kierstenmodglinauthor.com/nlsignup
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/kierstenmodglinauthor
➜ KMOD SQUAD: facebook.com/groups/kmodsquad
➜ INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/kierstenmodglinauthor
➜ THREADS: threads.net/@kierstenmodglinauthor
➜ TIKTOK: tiktok.com/@kierstenmodglinauthor
➜ TEXT ALERTS: kierstenmodglinauthor.com/textalerts
Kiersten Modglin may be coming to a city near you! Check out her “events” tab to see all the signings she’s attending in the near future:
➜ kierstenmodglinauthor.com/events
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 980 reviews
July 14, 2024
Piper, Beth and Lakynn have been best friends since childhood. They now all live on the same quiet street and enjoy spending a lot of time together.
Since the neighborhood is so quiet, when anything changes it's a big deal. For example, when the most luxurious home on their street sells, they can't help but spy on the new neighbors. Who are they? What's their story?
When the ladies traditional methods of reaching out to the new neighbors fail, they're at a loss. Are these people intentionally ignoring them?
Then the construction begins; a ginormous concrete wall quickly goes up surrounding the property. And the cameras! What the actual heck?
Weeks later, out of the blue, the friends receive very formal invitations to a dinner party at the now fortified mansion. Even though the invitations arrive last minute, they can't say no. They've been itching to get into that house.
Thus, that Friday night Beth and her husband Leo, Lakynn and her husband Henry, along with Piper and her love interest Shane, all walk together to the mystery dinner.
After introductions, it is clear this isn't going to be a normal evening. The couple is strange, the discussion topics are strange, the atmosphere is strange. It's a whole thing.
As the dinner portion of the evening draws to a close, the friends discover there's no way out. They're forced to play a game, hoping if they win, they'll be set free.
How do I best explain the experience that I had reading The Dinner Guests?
Let's just say it was like being served a well drink when you are used to drinking top shelf.
It just was not for me; at all. I had never read anything by this author before, but have heard a lot of positive reviews for her previous works. I was fully expecting to enjoy this, maybe even love it.
I was actually surprised at how bad this turned out to be for me. It just seemed ridiculous. I could not get behind anything that was happening.
Let it be known that I frequently enjoy books where you must suspend belief in certain areas, so it definitely was not the unbelievable storyline that caused me not to like this one. It was everything else, the writing, the characters, the reveals, the ending...
I think maybe Modglin's work just isn't for me. I am glad I gave it a shot, but will most likely not pick up anything further from this author.
If this synopsis sounds fun to you though, you should definitely try it. Reading is completely subjective and just because something didn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't work for you.
Thank you to the publisher, Dreamscape Media, for providing me with an audio-copy to read and review. I appreciate the opportunity!
Since the neighborhood is so quiet, when anything changes it's a big deal. For example, when the most luxurious home on their street sells, they can't help but spy on the new neighbors. Who are they? What's their story?
When the ladies traditional methods of reaching out to the new neighbors fail, they're at a loss. Are these people intentionally ignoring them?
Then the construction begins; a ginormous concrete wall quickly goes up surrounding the property. And the cameras! What the actual heck?
Weeks later, out of the blue, the friends receive very formal invitations to a dinner party at the now fortified mansion. Even though the invitations arrive last minute, they can't say no. They've been itching to get into that house.
Thus, that Friday night Beth and her husband Leo, Lakynn and her husband Henry, along with Piper and her love interest Shane, all walk together to the mystery dinner.
After introductions, it is clear this isn't going to be a normal evening. The couple is strange, the discussion topics are strange, the atmosphere is strange. It's a whole thing.
As the dinner portion of the evening draws to a close, the friends discover there's no way out. They're forced to play a game, hoping if they win, they'll be set free.
How do I best explain the experience that I had reading The Dinner Guests?
Let's just say it was like being served a well drink when you are used to drinking top shelf.
It just was not for me; at all. I had never read anything by this author before, but have heard a lot of positive reviews for her previous works. I was fully expecting to enjoy this, maybe even love it.
I was actually surprised at how bad this turned out to be for me. It just seemed ridiculous. I could not get behind anything that was happening.
Let it be known that I frequently enjoy books where you must suspend belief in certain areas, so it definitely was not the unbelievable storyline that caused me not to like this one. It was everything else, the writing, the characters, the reveals, the ending...
I think maybe Modglin's work just isn't for me. I am glad I gave it a shot, but will most likely not pick up anything further from this author.
If this synopsis sounds fun to you though, you should definitely try it. Reading is completely subjective and just because something didn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't work for you.
Thank you to the publisher, Dreamscape Media, for providing me with an audio-copy to read and review. I appreciate the opportunity!
October 2, 2022
and remember kids: it's okay to murder someone to avoid getting house arrest from your parents, as long as you do nice things with the rest of your life, like baking a cake for your neighbors once! :)
June 26, 2022
Welcome to the Neighborhood!
Six friends have been invited to dinner at their mysterious new neighbor’s home. Some of them have been best friends since they were children, how they pulled off getting homes in the same neighborhood is beyond me, but they did and their interest in their new neighbor has been piqued.
They gather and hope to enjoy their meal and hopefully make new friends with their neighbors. But something isn't quite right. Things feel off. This was not the evening they were expecting. When they make their excuses to leave, they find that they can't. There is a game they need to play. Their friendship and themselves will be trusted.
This was a fun fast paced read which was enjoyable from beginning to end. There were some parts where I had to suspend some disbelief a little. As the night plays out, readers learn more about the dinner guests, and some things we learn, well they are interesting.
I must admit that I was all over the place with trying to figure out how I wanted to rate this. This book started out on the strong side and as the book progressed, I went from enjoying it immensely to just liking it. So, I settled on a 3/3.5 rounded down.
This book was never dull, and it had a nice pace. This played out like one of those fun made for TV movies. It is entertaining, a whodunit of sorts, and drama galore as the secrets began to be exposed.
I listed to the audio book and thought it was very well done. I enjoyed the narrators and the story. This was a fun listen and I look forward to what the author writes next.
#TheDinnerGuests #NetGalley
Thank you to Dreamscape Media 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
Six friends have been invited to dinner at their mysterious new neighbor’s home. Some of them have been best friends since they were children, how they pulled off getting homes in the same neighborhood is beyond me, but they did and their interest in their new neighbor has been piqued.
They gather and hope to enjoy their meal and hopefully make new friends with their neighbors. But something isn't quite right. Things feel off. This was not the evening they were expecting. When they make their excuses to leave, they find that they can't. There is a game they need to play. Their friendship and themselves will be trusted.
This was a fun fast paced read which was enjoyable from beginning to end. There were some parts where I had to suspend some disbelief a little. As the night plays out, readers learn more about the dinner guests, and some things we learn, well they are interesting.
I must admit that I was all over the place with trying to figure out how I wanted to rate this. This book started out on the strong side and as the book progressed, I went from enjoying it immensely to just liking it. So, I settled on a 3/3.5 rounded down.
This book was never dull, and it had a nice pace. This played out like one of those fun made for TV movies. It is entertaining, a whodunit of sorts, and drama galore as the secrets began to be exposed.
I listed to the audio book and thought it was very well done. I enjoyed the narrators and the story. This was a fun listen and I look forward to what the author writes next.
#TheDinnerGuests #NetGalley
Thank you to Dreamscape Media 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
May 14, 2022
A strange dinner party invitation from the mysterious new neighbor that no one knows anything about. What could go wrong? When six friends accept the invite to an eccentric house with equally eccentric hosts, they'll soon realize this dinner party is more than they bargained for when long held secrets and lies from the past start spilling into the present.
This is a quick and fun read! Part mystery dinner theater/part escape room, this story is filled with secrets, mayhem and tension. Kiersten Modglin is queen of the twist, and there are several twists in this story-one of which left me in shock.
Where this book went into 4 star territory for me was the ending. There were a few things that were too convenient to be believable. The ending was a bit too neat/tidy and a bit too happily ever after for my taste. IDK...why do I always side with the villain? I guess that says more about me than the writer.
This is probably my favorite book by Modglin so far. (Although all her books are good, and it's hard to choose!) I definitely recommend this book if like escape rooms/twisty domestic thrillers.
This is a quick and fun read! Part mystery dinner theater/part escape room, this story is filled with secrets, mayhem and tension. Kiersten Modglin is queen of the twist, and there are several twists in this story-one of which left me in shock.
Where this book went into 4 star territory for me was the ending. There were a few things that were too convenient to be believable. The ending was a bit too neat/tidy and a bit too happily ever after for my taste. IDK...why do I always side with the villain? I guess that says more about me than the writer.
This is probably my favorite book by Modglin so far. (Although all her books are good, and it's hard to choose!) I definitely recommend this book if like escape rooms/twisty domestic thrillers.
April 21, 2022
When I say there is something just so right about an escape room/closed room mystery this book explains perfectly why that’s true. Kiersten Modglin always writes excellent, fast moving, twisty stories and this was no exception. Six friends are neighbors and they’re all curious about the two new neighbors who have moved in and installed crazy fencing and security to their new house. When they get rather weird dinner invitations they’re intrigued enough to go and nothing is as they expected it to be. The characters were interesting although I have to say Shane was my favorite. His reactions to finding out what was really going on were right on and priceless.
August 31, 2022
I love a good escape room vibe, since escape rooms are extremely fun. It makes my hearth thump, feeling the adrenaline and I was reminded of that enticing reaction when reading this book. The plot was engaging and different enough to be memorable. The twist was possible to guess but I didn’t mind. The ending was good so all in all I was very satisfied.
July 4, 2022
I've become a Kirsten Modglin fangirl! She's a dependable, fast-paced, suspenseful, thrilling author, and this audiobook is no exception. Twisted fun from beginning to end!
This book centers on a group of adult friends in a local wealthy suburb who receive a dinner invitation from a mysterious new neighbor. At the dinner party, it becomes clear that each neighbor in attendance has a secret -- or perhaps they all share the same secret. And the dinner party won't end until all is confessed and revealed.
Modglin excels at juicy fast-paced plotting and somewhat wicked characters. Her books are unputdownable, with great initial setups, and frequently over the top. This book, like some of her others, has a fairly unbelievable twist, but if you can strap yourself in to enjoy a little melodrama, you are in for a lot of fun. The narration of the audiobook is well-done, and even with the wild and crazy ending, I thoroughly enjoyed this group of characters and the adventures that unfolded. I'll keep reading every book this author puts out without even reading the blurb first, because she is always incredibly entertaining.
Thanks to Modglin, the publisher, and NetGalley for this really fun audiobook listen.
This book centers on a group of adult friends in a local wealthy suburb who receive a dinner invitation from a mysterious new neighbor. At the dinner party, it becomes clear that each neighbor in attendance has a secret -- or perhaps they all share the same secret. And the dinner party won't end until all is confessed and revealed.
Modglin excels at juicy fast-paced plotting and somewhat wicked characters. Her books are unputdownable, with great initial setups, and frequently over the top. This book, like some of her others, has a fairly unbelievable twist, but if you can strap yourself in to enjoy a little melodrama, you are in for a lot of fun. The narration of the audiobook is well-done, and even with the wild and crazy ending, I thoroughly enjoyed this group of characters and the adventures that unfolded. I'll keep reading every book this author puts out without even reading the blurb first, because she is always incredibly entertaining.
Thanks to Modglin, the publisher, and NetGalley for this really fun audiobook listen.
June 1, 2022
Kiersten Modglin once again writes a twisted tale of revenge that leaves readers hanging by the edge of their seats! One of the main reasons I love her work so much is because she ALWAYS writes the perfect, most shocking twists! I didn’t see this one coming and was smiling from ear to ear because I found it to be so good. If you’re looking for a book that you can read in one sitting; one where you will be SHOCKED and thrilled at the same time, then I highly recommend this one and all of her others. She’s the only author I’ve managed to read multiple books of in the span of a year.
I’ll be keeping my review rather short because I don’t have a ton to say but I will recommend it to readers who like locked room, claustrophobic thrillers with a killer twist!
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙:
• Locked Room Mysteries
• Shocking Twists
• Fast paced, edge of your seat thrillers
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’ll be keeping my review rather short because I don’t have a ton to say but I will recommend it to readers who like locked room, claustrophobic thrillers with a killer twist!
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙:
• Locked Room Mysteries
• Shocking Twists
• Fast paced, edge of your seat thrillers
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
October 3, 2022
didn't enjoy not even for a moment. buddy read this with the bestest everest<3
June 30, 2022
4.25 ⭐
I know that when new neighbors move into my neighborhood I go into stalker mode 👀🕵, who are they? where are they from? where do they work? do they like to read? do they play golf? do they have any children? JK, or am I?? 🤣
Who are these new people that have moved into the quiet neighborhood? That's what Lakynn, Henry, Bethany, Leo, Piper and Shane want to know. When an invitation to a dinner party arrives in the mail these friends are eager to meet them, but soon realize maybe it wasn't such a good idea. Hosts Penn and Etta give off an interesting and mysterious vibe.
5 of the 6 have been friends since elementary school. With that many years of friendship there must be a few secrets this group doesn't want to get out. You'll just have to wait until the end for them to be revealed.
I love that it was told in the POV's of Lakynn, Bethany and Piper. Melissa Moran, Nancy Wu, and Allyson Ryan did a wonderful job narrating, even their male voices were great. They sounded properly frantic when necessary. 6 hours and 16 minutes ~ quick and easy listen at 2x while puttering around the house.
This was an exciting escape room thriller, with a couple of nice twists, that'll have you on the edge of your seat as they try to solve the riddles in order to get out.
*Thanks to Dreamscape Media LLC, Kiersten Modglin and NetGalley for the advance audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
More reviews here ➡ Heather Adores Books
I know that when new neighbors move into my neighborhood I go into stalker mode 👀🕵, who are they? where are they from? where do they work? do they like to read? do they play golf? do they have any children? JK, or am I?? 🤣
Who are these new people that have moved into the quiet neighborhood? That's what Lakynn, Henry, Bethany, Leo, Piper and Shane want to know. When an invitation to a dinner party arrives in the mail these friends are eager to meet them, but soon realize maybe it wasn't such a good idea. Hosts Penn and Etta give off an interesting and mysterious vibe.
5 of the 6 have been friends since elementary school. With that many years of friendship there must be a few secrets this group doesn't want to get out. You'll just have to wait until the end for them to be revealed.
I love that it was told in the POV's of Lakynn, Bethany and Piper. Melissa Moran, Nancy Wu, and Allyson Ryan did a wonderful job narrating, even their male voices were great. They sounded properly frantic when necessary. 6 hours and 16 minutes ~ quick and easy listen at 2x while puttering around the house.
This was an exciting escape room thriller, with a couple of nice twists, that'll have you on the edge of your seat as they try to solve the riddles in order to get out.
*Thanks to Dreamscape Media LLC, Kiersten Modglin and NetGalley for the advance audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
More reviews here ➡ Heather Adores Books
December 18, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
sᴜᴘᴇʀ ʙɪɴɢᴇᴀʙʟᴇ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍᴜʟᴛɪᴘʟᴇ ᴘᴏᴠs. ɪ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴀ ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀɪᴏᴜs ᴅɪɴɴᴇʀ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴏᴍɪɴᴏᴜs ɪɴᴛᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴs! ɪ ᴡᴀs ɪɴᴛʀɪɢᴜᴇᴅ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡʜᴏʟᴇ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅɪɴɢ ᴡᴀsɴ’ᴛ ᴀs sᴀᴛɪsғʏɪɴɢ. ɪ ᴡɪsʜ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴀs ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀ ᴅᴇᴠᴇʟᴏᴘᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴀs ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀ ʜᴀɴᴅғᴜʟ ᴏғ ᴍᴀɪɴ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀs ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ ᴘʟᴏᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʜᴀᴅ ᴀ ʙɪɢɢᴇʀ ɪᴍᴘᴀᴄᴛ ɪғ ɪ ᴡᴀs ᴍᴏʀᴇ ɪɴᴠᴇsᴛᴇᴅ. ʜᴏᴡᴇᴠᴇʀ, ᴛʜɪs ᴘʟᴏᴛ ᴠɪsᴜᴀʟʟʏ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴀ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ᴍᴏᴠɪᴇ! ᴛʜᴇ ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀɪᴏᴜs ᴅɪɴɴᴇʀ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ ɪsɴ’ᴛ ᴀɴʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ɴᴇᴡ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛʜɪs ᴏɴᴇ ᴜɴғᴏʟᴅᴇᴅ ғᴇʟᴛ ғʀᴇsʜ.
sᴜᴘᴇʀ ʙɪɴɢᴇᴀʙʟᴇ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍᴜʟᴛɪᴘʟᴇ ᴘᴏᴠs. ɪ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴀ ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀɪᴏᴜs ᴅɪɴɴᴇʀ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴏᴍɪɴᴏᴜs ɪɴᴛᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴs! ɪ ᴡᴀs ɪɴᴛʀɪɢᴜᴇᴅ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡʜᴏʟᴇ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅɪɴɢ ᴡᴀsɴ’ᴛ ᴀs sᴀᴛɪsғʏɪɴɢ. ɪ ᴡɪsʜ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴀs ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀ ᴅᴇᴠᴇʟᴏᴘᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴀs ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀ ʜᴀɴᴅғᴜʟ ᴏғ ᴍᴀɪɴ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀs ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ ᴘʟᴏᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʜᴀᴅ ᴀ ʙɪɢɢᴇʀ ɪᴍᴘᴀᴄᴛ ɪғ ɪ ᴡᴀs ᴍᴏʀᴇ ɪɴᴠᴇsᴛᴇᴅ. ʜᴏᴡᴇᴠᴇʀ, ᴛʜɪs ᴘʟᴏᴛ ᴠɪsᴜᴀʟʟʏ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴀ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ᴍᴏᴠɪᴇ! ᴛʜᴇ ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀɪᴏᴜs ᴅɪɴɴᴇʀ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ ɪsɴ’ᴛ ᴀɴʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ɴᴇᴡ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛʜɪs ᴏɴᴇ ᴜɴғᴏʟᴅᴇᴅ ғᴇʟᴛ ғʀᴇsʜ.
September 19, 2022
Highly entertaining but only because it was so ridiculous and unbelievable and info dumpy. I don't know where Modglin comes up with these ideas, or why I keep reading her books, but I do.
May 12, 2022
three narrators parade their paranoia
regarding the new neighbors in their
tight-knit cul-de-sac... but no gossip
could ever have spared them from
an invitation to the spider's house.
regarding the new neighbors in their
tight-knit cul-de-sac... but no gossip
could ever have spared them from
an invitation to the spider's house.
June 22, 2022
I loved this one! I listened to the audiobook which was entertaining. I loved the “escape room” vibes it gave and could not predict where it was going!
Six friends receive a dinner invitation to their new neighbors house whom they haven’t met. They are excited as its the perfect occasion to get to know these strange individuals. As the night progresses and dinner is served the group realizes that things aren’t what they seem.
Their hosts have disappeared and they are locked inside their house. They are forced to play their game; solve their riddles hoping it leads to freedom. Secrets that were thought to have been buried are released and that’s when it gets really good!
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Six friends receive a dinner invitation to their new neighbors house whom they haven’t met. They are excited as its the perfect occasion to get to know these strange individuals. As the night progresses and dinner is served the group realizes that things aren’t what they seem.
Their hosts have disappeared and they are locked inside their house. They are forced to play their game; solve their riddles hoping it leads to freedom. Secrets that were thought to have been buried are released and that’s when it gets really good!
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
June 11, 2022
I Know What You Did Last Summer meets And Then There Were None.
Oh wow, what a thriller! The Dinner Guests is escape room themed and believe me, it's a totally involuntary group experience. It was a fun ride with ALL the secrets, a cul-de-sac full of guilt, and forced confessions. It was craziness right up until the end where it gets a little sappy given the previous intensity (in my opinion). But who doesn't love some life-coaching quotes. Overall, an engaging book from one of my auto-buy authors.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an advance listening copy of the audiobook edition. The audiobook is an easy 6 hours, 16 minutes long and has multiple narrators: Melissa Moran, Nancy Wu, and Allyson Ryan. The audiobook releases June 30, 2022.
Oh wow, what a thriller! The Dinner Guests is escape room themed and believe me, it's a totally involuntary group experience. It was a fun ride with ALL the secrets, a cul-de-sac full of guilt, and forced confessions. It was craziness right up until the end where it gets a little sappy given the previous intensity (in my opinion). But who doesn't love some life-coaching quotes. Overall, an engaging book from one of my auto-buy authors.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an advance listening copy of the audiobook edition. The audiobook is an easy 6 hours, 16 minutes long and has multiple narrators: Melissa Moran, Nancy Wu, and Allyson Ryan. The audiobook releases June 30, 2022.
April 1, 2022
Modglin fans will be thrilled with The Dinner Guests, her upcoming psychological suspense.
Filled with twists that will shock you and tension that glues you to the page, the story plays out in a group setting focused on friends who get some new, mysterious neighbors. Their friendships and relationships are tested as the stakes are raised and the suspense never lets up.
The Dinner Guests is a fast-paced, sharp, entertaining story filled with intrigue that will keep you guessing until the final page.
Filled with twists that will shock you and tension that glues you to the page, the story plays out in a group setting focused on friends who get some new, mysterious neighbors. Their friendships and relationships are tested as the stakes are raised and the suspense never lets up.
The Dinner Guests is a fast-paced, sharp, entertaining story filled with intrigue that will keep you guessing until the final page.
June 16, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for the early peek at this one.
I listened to 21% of this book before I decided to quit reading. It was hard to suspend disbelief for the insulated, overattentive neighbors in this setting, and the shift in perspectives was unclear because the characters all seemed to share the same voice and motivation. Surely--not every neighbor has elaborate strategies for meeting the "new" people in a house on their street? I mean, the housing market has made sure of that for most Americans over the past decade!
Usually I can get past clunky setups to get into the mystery, but after 7 or 8 chapters I felt like there was still too much ominous vocabulary assigned to "the house" without any evidence except that I'm sure I wouldn't want to live next to the people who were telling this story.
File Under: Can We Skip to the Good Part?
I listened to 21% of this book before I decided to quit reading. It was hard to suspend disbelief for the insulated, overattentive neighbors in this setting, and the shift in perspectives was unclear because the characters all seemed to share the same voice and motivation. Surely--not every neighbor has elaborate strategies for meeting the "new" people in a house on their street? I mean, the housing market has made sure of that for most Americans over the past decade!
Usually I can get past clunky setups to get into the mystery, but after 7 or 8 chapters I felt like there was still too much ominous vocabulary assigned to "the house" without any evidence except that I'm sure I wouldn't want to live next to the people who were telling this story.
File Under: Can We Skip to the Good Part?
April 20, 2022
Colour Me Colourful & Call Me Starbursts! 😳😯😳🤯😱🤯
Seriously KMod! How the SKITTLES do you do it?! This was a bobcat mind pretzel chocolate twist! I know, I know, I say this every single time but this is her best yet and my utmost favourite! 😍 things turned from strange, to weird & then downright unreal very fast! Let me tell you that you better put any and all plans on hold when you're about to break into this because NOTHING will get done (I will say with no shame or regrets that I used Skip tonight to get dinner out of the way!)
A quaint little neighbourhood & town where six friends know each other for years. Piper, Shane, Bethany & her husband Leo, & Lakynn and her husband Henry. A new couple moves into the biggest home on the block & are very secretive for a few months that no one ever sees until an invite is issues to the six through the mail to come to dinner. But a tasty dinner turns sinister quick when they realize they can't leave. Secrets, lies, deceit and deception are about to unravel and will anyone make it out alive?
I can't... I just... WHAT?! That ENDING! Seriously the literary psychological goddess has STRUCK again! They say lightening can't strike twice - clearly they haven't matched up against or met KMod because I assure you, she keeps doing it. This satisfied me more than a deep dish pizza after a day of intermittent fasting! An absolute diamond! Someone send me a BP monitor because my heart rate hasn't come down! Spine tingles galore!
Thank you so much to Kiersten Modglin personally for this DARC.
Release Date: May 1, 2022
I give this beyond 5 / 5 Bouquets! 💐
Seriously KMod! How the SKITTLES do you do it?! This was a bobcat mind pretzel chocolate twist! I know, I know, I say this every single time but this is her best yet and my utmost favourite! 😍 things turned from strange, to weird & then downright unreal very fast! Let me tell you that you better put any and all plans on hold when you're about to break into this because NOTHING will get done (I will say with no shame or regrets that I used Skip tonight to get dinner out of the way!)
A quaint little neighbourhood & town where six friends know each other for years. Piper, Shane, Bethany & her husband Leo, & Lakynn and her husband Henry. A new couple moves into the biggest home on the block & are very secretive for a few months that no one ever sees until an invite is issues to the six through the mail to come to dinner. But a tasty dinner turns sinister quick when they realize they can't leave. Secrets, lies, deceit and deception are about to unravel and will anyone make it out alive?
I can't... I just... WHAT?! That ENDING! Seriously the literary psychological goddess has STRUCK again! They say lightening can't strike twice - clearly they haven't matched up against or met KMod because I assure you, she keeps doing it. This satisfied me more than a deep dish pizza after a day of intermittent fasting! An absolute diamond! Someone send me a BP monitor because my heart rate hasn't come down! Spine tingles galore!
Thank you so much to Kiersten Modglin personally for this DARC.
Release Date: May 1, 2022
I give this beyond 5 / 5 Bouquets! 💐
July 1, 2023
3 1/2 Stars Another fast paced, twisty read.
April 17, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Oh. My. God.
What an absolute mind F 🤯. I love it when we get a two for one, let alone one that’s sinister and suspenseful as this one. 🤯🤯
Listen if you start this book make sure you have a full day of doing absolutely nothing because this book will devour you and all your senses of what’s going on around you. You will not be able to sleep if you start with a late night session with this bad boy. It is insanely twisty and troubling to not only read it but have the NEED to continue to read it. Non-stop. “Just one more chapter”.
This book will stay with you long after you've finished it, and in the most delicious way.
Oh. My. God.
What an absolute mind F 🤯. I love it when we get a two for one, let alone one that’s sinister and suspenseful as this one. 🤯🤯
Listen if you start this book make sure you have a full day of doing absolutely nothing because this book will devour you and all your senses of what’s going on around you. You will not be able to sleep if you start with a late night session with this bad boy. It is insanely twisty and troubling to not only read it but have the NEED to continue to read it. Non-stop. “Just one more chapter”.
This book will stay with you long after you've finished it, and in the most delicious way.
June 18, 2022
2.5 rounded down.
I apologize in advanced for this review if it seems scattered, but I lost a few IQ points reading this book.
I do it to myself. I
I voluntarily read K Mod books knowing what I am getting myself into.
I just get sucked in because all of the "Back of the Book Summaries" sound so good, they are 5-6 hours audio time and so mindless to read.
I get frustrated with the outlandish amount of twist and the idiot characters.
A common theme I pick up with her characters are they are grown people and continue to act like juniors in high school. (See my review of Widow Falls, case in point)
This one was a new kind of dumb though.
Neighbors are all invited over to the new people's house that was suddenly abandoned by the sweet elderly couple. The house underwent massive construction-including a cement wall...? Crazy amount of security...?
Okay whatever, they are invited by a weird letter to a dinner party. K-Mod drops little hints that each of the characters is hiding something--which you should expect in a book that is labeled "thriller".
Anyway once they arrive at dinner things go south.
Ultimately the couples are "trapped" in the house by their new neighbors. The major twist of the book was SO easy to guess. As soon as KMOD goes into the couple's "past" chapters I knew exactly what was going on.
After the big twist, of course you know you are going to get a few more, which I suffered through only to arrive at the ending which was so dumb and allowed K Mod to get on a soap box for a 8 minute spill about how your past doesn't define you. (Eye roll)
-Can I just insert here she even had the audacity to write the cliche line of, "We entered the woods and when we returned we were not the same." uhhhh
-Also the ending without trying to spoil: Umm is this guy a cat?He surely would have died numerous times. Are we suppose to believe that after OD ing, blacking out, being dragged through the forest, left for dead, wakes up , then survives another menacing blow to the head, concussion, stuffed in the trunk of the car, dragged onto a boat (oh yeah, no one around to see that either) dropped in the middle of the lake and was able to swim to shore???THEN when he makes it to the police they don't believe him? No investigation? Not even a phone call to "check" out his story? Okay BUT THEN, the Aunt and Uncle totally forgiving his "attempted murderers" WHAT???
Yup, there goes my chance of solving tomorrow's worldle I lost all brain function for the next 24 hours.
Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audioGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 30, 2022.
I apologize in advanced for this review if it seems scattered, but I lost a few IQ points reading this book.
I do it to myself. I
I voluntarily read K Mod books knowing what I am getting myself into.
I just get sucked in because all of the "Back of the Book Summaries" sound so good, they are 5-6 hours audio time and so mindless to read.
I get frustrated with the outlandish amount of twist and the idiot characters.
A common theme I pick up with her characters are they are grown people and continue to act like juniors in high school. (See my review of Widow Falls, case in point)
This one was a new kind of dumb though.
Neighbors are all invited over to the new people's house that was suddenly abandoned by the sweet elderly couple. The house underwent massive construction-including a cement wall...? Crazy amount of security...?
Okay whatever, they are invited by a weird letter to a dinner party. K-Mod drops little hints that each of the characters is hiding something--which you should expect in a book that is labeled "thriller".
Anyway once they arrive at dinner things go south.
Ultimately the couples are "trapped" in the house by their new neighbors. The major twist of the book was SO easy to guess. As soon as KMOD goes into the couple's "past" chapters I knew exactly what was going on.
After the big twist, of course you know you are going to get a few more, which I suffered through only to arrive at the ending which was so dumb and allowed K Mod to get on a soap box for a 8 minute spill about how your past doesn't define you. (Eye roll)
-Can I just insert here she even had the audacity to write the cliche line of, "We entered the woods and when we returned we were not the same." uhhhh
-Also the ending without trying to spoil: Umm is this guy a cat?He surely would have died numerous times. Are we suppose to believe that after OD ing, blacking out, being dragged through the forest, left for dead, wakes up , then survives another menacing blow to the head, concussion, stuffed in the trunk of the car, dragged onto a boat (oh yeah, no one around to see that either) dropped in the middle of the lake and was able to swim to shore???THEN when he makes it to the police they don't believe him? No investigation? Not even a phone call to "check" out his story? Okay BUT THEN, the Aunt and Uncle totally forgiving his "attempted murderers" WHAT???
Yup, there goes my chance of solving tomorrow's worldle I lost all brain function for the next 24 hours.
Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audioGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 30, 2022.
May 22, 2022
This started out a bit cartoonish with the dinner theater/murder mystery thing. I just kept picturing Evan Peters as Patrick March in AHS Hotel as Penn 😂 in a Munsters style home, created by someone who was high playing The Sims.
But once it got past that, the story was absolutely nuts! It kept giving. I love this author. Idk how she comes up with this stuff!
But once it got past that, the story was absolutely nuts! It kept giving. I love this author. Idk how she comes up with this stuff!
March 3, 2023
I do love a twisted story about a friend group who has a secret from the past that is rearing its head in the present.
When The Harringtons move onto the street they invite their neighbors over for a dinner party. But after dinner is served the guests realize they are locked inside and finding their way out means unlocking years of secrets and lies.
This books has dual timelines, three POVs and multiple narrators for the audiobook which I very much enjoyed. This definitely has a vibe to it. I loved that movie so I was here for it, but it did lead me to figure a few things out. That said, I still enjoyed the ride.
I'm a new, and fast fan, of Kiersten Modglin and am excited to continue to work my way through her books! A quick, bingeable book.
When The Harringtons move onto the street they invite their neighbors over for a dinner party. But after dinner is served the guests realize they are locked inside and finding their way out means unlocking years of secrets and lies.
This books has dual timelines, three POVs and multiple narrators for the audiobook which I very much enjoyed. This definitely has a vibe to it. I loved that movie so I was here for it, but it did lead me to figure a few things out. That said, I still enjoyed the ride.
I'm a new, and fast fan, of Kiersten Modglin and am excited to continue to work my way through her books! A quick, bingeable book.
April 18, 2022
If you like twisty, fast paced, locked room style mysteries this one was so fun! I loved the premise, a group of lifelong friends trapped together at the dinner party from hell and I just knew there would be so many secrets. There definitely were and I didn’t see most of them coming, KMod is really clever and always executes well timed twists that leave you reeling. You get multiple perspectives that jump back and forth each chapter and little tidbits relating to everyone’s secrets, this tactic never fails to keep me engaged and turning the pages. As always I binge read this one, once I start one of the authors books I hate to stop and this was no exception. I’ve never failed to recommend one of her books and that’s still true here, this one is wicked and sly.
March 26, 2023
Crazy mixture of twists and secrets that I managed to squeeze in one sitting! Told from multiple POV of a group of friends that have been besties since school and now all live on the same street.
When new neighbours move in they are all keen to catch a glimpse but it’s a month or so before they all receive a luring invite to a dinner party over at the Harringtons - the mysterious new neighbours!
This is where the fun begins - think riddles , escape rooms and the only thing that can set them free is the truth! What did they all do decades ago that has led them to this night? How many layers of lies are certain people willing to peel?
When new neighbours move in they are all keen to catch a glimpse but it’s a month or so before they all receive a luring invite to a dinner party over at the Harringtons - the mysterious new neighbours!
This is where the fun begins - think riddles , escape rooms and the only thing that can set them free is the truth! What did they all do decades ago that has led them to this night? How many layers of lies are certain people willing to peel?
January 29, 2023
Brilliant! Another successful, psychological thriller by the queen of twists, KMod!
Kiersten Modglin has very quickly become one of my favourite, auto buy authors. Her books draw you in from the beginning with clever twists, suspenseful and atmospheric writing and colourful yet relatable characters.
“The moving trucks came without warning.”
That first sentence, was the beginning of a wild ride.
Do you enjoy locked room tropes? I love them! If you do, trust me, you need to read this! You can thank me later
Kiersten Modglin has very quickly become one of my favourite, auto buy authors. Her books draw you in from the beginning with clever twists, suspenseful and atmospheric writing and colourful yet relatable characters.
“The moving trucks came without warning.”
That first sentence, was the beginning of a wild ride.
Do you enjoy locked room tropes? I love them! If you do, trust me, you need to read this! You can thank me later
May 7, 2022
Really enjoyed this one. A little more tame with the twists than is typically for Kiersten Modglin, but I liked that here because it kept to the story. Really enjoyed the conflict, the different POVs, and the reveals that came throughout this book. Not sure how she keeps turning out all these great reads, but I'm here for them.
January 28, 2025
At first, the start of the book felt really slow, but as I got closer to the end, I actually started to enjoy it.
June 19, 2022
AUDIO BOOK REVIEW
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Kiersten Modglin always delivers a quick read filled with twists! Her audiobooks have excellent narrators and her book covers are stunning!
This thriller is filled with the secrets and twists that #kmod is so well-known for.
Everyone is curious about new neighbors, right? This set of friends finds out how devious theirs are when they are invited to dinner. At least they had a good meal before their lives were shattered and their own dark secrets revealed.
Thank you to the publisher and author for providing this complimentary audio arc through NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion.
#dinnerguests #kierstenmodglin #dreamscapemedia #modsquad #honestreview #netgalley #audiobookreview #bookstagrammer #lovebooks #compulsivereader
#thrillerfiction #readallday #readallnight #readwithme
#bookaddict #thrillersofinstagram #lovetoreadbooks #cantstopreading #ireviewbooks #ilovereading
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Kiersten Modglin always delivers a quick read filled with twists! Her audiobooks have excellent narrators and her book covers are stunning!
This thriller is filled with the secrets and twists that #kmod is so well-known for.
Everyone is curious about new neighbors, right? This set of friends finds out how devious theirs are when they are invited to dinner. At least they had a good meal before their lives were shattered and their own dark secrets revealed.
Thank you to the publisher and author for providing this complimentary audio arc through NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion.
#dinnerguests #kierstenmodglin #dreamscapemedia #modsquad #honestreview #netgalley #audiobookreview #bookstagrammer #lovebooks #compulsivereader
#thrillerfiction #readallday #readallnight #readwithme
#bookaddict #thrillersofinstagram #lovetoreadbooks #cantstopreading #ireviewbooks #ilovereading
September 18, 2024
"The Dinner Guest" left me hungry for more.
A more compelling, realistic, and believable plotline.
Character development was shallow and the ending was predictable.
I listened to the audiobook read by Melissa Moran, Nancy Wu, and Allyson Ryan.
Full-cast narrations are always a treat and all narrators did a superb job with the narration.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 980 reviews