New York Times bestselling author B. A. Paris captivated psychological thriller readers everywhere with Behind Closed Doors. Now she invites you into another home full of heart-pounding secrets, in The Guest.
Some secrets never leave.
Iris and Gabriel have just arrived home from a make-or-break holiday. But a shock awaits them. One of their closest friends, Laure, is in their house. The atmosphere quickly becomes tense as she oversteps again and sleeping in their bed, wearing Iris’ clothes, even rearranging the furniture.
Laure has walked out on her husband—and their good friend—Pierre, over his confession of an affair and a secret child. Iris and Gabriel want to be supportive of their friends, but as Laure’s mood becomes increasingly unpredictable, her presence takes its toll.
Iris and Gabriel’s only respite comes in the form of a couple new to town. But with them comes their gardener, who has a checkered past. Soon, secrets from all their pasts will unravel, some more dangerous than they could have known.
Book Info: 305 pages. Published 20 Feb 2024
My Thoughts:
You can always rely on BA Paris to deliver a story full of shocking twists, unsavoury characters, uncomfortable situations and thought-provoking scenarios and The Guest has all these and more.
The story centres around Gabriel and Iris. A married couple who live in a beautiful house in the countryside. Gabriel is a GP (doctor) and Iris is an interior designer who return home from a holiday to find Laure at their house. Laure and her husband Pierre are their best friends who live in France. They met years ago on holiday and have keys to each others homes.
Laure is distraught, she’s left Pierre after discovering he has had an affair and asks if she can stay with Iris and Gabriel whilst she works out what to do for a week or so. However, that week or so becomes weeks and weeks and she’s slowly and surely wearing out her welcome, especially when her behaviour becomes rather questionable and creepy like wearing Iris’ clothes and rearranging their furniture and kitchen cupboards.
Things then take a rather sinister turn when Esme and Hugh move into the neighbourhood, together with a young man called Joseph who is their gardener.
However it’s the fact that no-one can get hold of Pierre during this time that warning bells are ringing. Why isn’t he in touch? When is Laure leaving? Who is Joseph and what is he hiding? So many questions!
If you enjoy slow burning, atmospheric, creepy psychological thrillers, then I would definitely recommend THE GUEST.
