The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson
3.5 Stars
My Review
The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson is a compact Christmas-time thriller told in two distinct parts. The first chapter unfolds through the diary of a young woman spending the holidays at her so-called friend’s countryside home. It’s atmospheric and slow-burning, laying the groundwork for the unsettling events to come. While I found this opening section a bit slow, I understood the need to build the setting and establish the relationships that ultimately drive the story.
The second chapter, told from the perspective of the person reading the diary, is where the tension really sharpens. The shift in point of view adds intrigue, momentum, and that classic Swanson twisty feel. It makes the entire story more gripping and gives the novella a satisfying sense of unease.
This was my first time reading a book by Peter Swanson, and I was genuinely impressed by his crisp, engaging writing style. Even in such a short format, he builds atmosphere and suspense with ease, and it made me excited to read more of his work.
Overall, I thought the concept was clever—combining Christmas coziness with creeping dread—and I actually wish it had been a full-length thriller. There’s so much potential to dive deeper into the characters, their motivations, and the unsettling dynamics revealed in the journal.
“Thank God for alcohol since I kind of hate flying. Except for the part where it takes you someplace entirely new. That part I love.”
Peter Swanson
Other Books by the Author
Some of Peter Swanson’s other acclaimed works include A Talent For Murder, Kill Your Darlings, and many more.
Literary Pairing
The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley is a group of Oxford friends who gather at a remote Scottish estate for their annual New Year’s getaway. Still, old resentments simmer beneath the holiday cheer. When a blizzard traps them in the lodge, tensions explode—and by New Year’s Day, one of them is dead. In this icy, isolated thriller, everyone’s invited…and everyone’s a suspect.
Shelf To Table
Gingerbread Cookies: A classic holiday treat, made with a cozy blend of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves that fills the kitchen with the scent of Christmas. Slightly crisp on the edges and soft in the center, these cookies offer a perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
“Chance of romance: nonexistent. Chance of gothic thriller murder mystery: growing by the minute.”
Peter Swanson