I received this book for free from Library, Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous Narrator: Elizabeth Knowelden, Candice Moll, Steve West
Length: 8 Hours 25 Minutes
Published by Penguin on January 12, 2021
Genres: Fiction, Gothic, Thrillers, Suspense, Women
Pages: 304
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: Library, Publisher
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The USA Today bestselling author of The Au Pair returns with another delicious, twisty novel--about a grand estate with many secrets, an orphan caught in a web of lies, and a young woman playing a sinister game.
1988. Beth Soames is fourteen years old when her aunt takes her to stay at Raven Hall, a rambling manor in the isolated East Anglian fens. The Averells, the family who lives there, are warm and welcoming, and Beth becomes fast friends with their daughter, Nina. At times, Beth even feels like she's truly part of the family...until they ask her to help them with a harmless game--and nothing is ever the same.
2019. Sadie Langton is an actress struggling to make ends meet when she lands a well-paying gig to pretend to be a guest at a weekend party. She is sent a suitcase of clothing, a dossier outlining the role she is to play, and instructions. It's strange, but she needs the money, and when she sees the stunning manor she'll be staying at, she figures she's got nothing to lose.
In person, Raven Hall is even grander than she'd imagined--even with damage from a fire decades before--but the walls seem to have eyes. As day turns to night, Sadie starts to feel that there's something off about the glamorous guests who arrive, and as the party begins, it becomes chillingly apparent their unseen host is playing games with everyone...including her.
Why Did I Listen To The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous?
Who doesn’t like a good adult thriller or mystery? As I work to expand my palate with the genres I read, I find that I am pleasantly surprised by the different genres I pick up. The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous falls within the mystery-thriller genre. And honestly? I picked it up because the synopsis caught my attention. It sounded creepy and twisted and so, like the perfect audiobook to hold my attention through some upcoming busy times. When it came my time to borrow this audiobook via the library, I was genuinely so excited. Also, the positive reviews for The Au Pair convinced me I needed to try out something by Emma Rous.
What’s The Story Here?
The Perfect Guests basically is about this place called Raven Hall. It’s central to the three narratives and timelines taking place within Emma Rous’ story. So, there is a dual timeline. One takes place in 1988 and features 14 year old Beth Soames, who is an orphan. Beth is dropped off at Raven Hall by her aunt to be a companion to one of the residents – a young girl named Nina. Beth gets along so well with Averell family and she’s starting to be happy again. Until the family asks her to do something shady, which she does to make them happy. However, she’s not feeling so good about it.
The other timeline is set in 2019 and narrated by Sophie Langton who is an actress. Sophie is invited to pretend to be a guest at a murder mystery party hosted at Raven Hall. She’s excited for the work and takes it. She gets a suitcase, instructions, and a dossier on her character. The other guests also begin to arrive and Sophie can tell that something is off at Raven Hall.
Then there’s a third timeline where we don’t find out who the narrator is until later in the book. This narrator’s timeline takes place before Beth’s and it is very apparent that this narrator has a connection to Raven Hall that runs deep.
How Did I Like The Perfect Guests?
Honestly, The Perfect Guests is the kind of thriller/mystery that I really like. Women are at the forefront. It feels a little bit gothic – particularly with Raven Hall. Actually, the setting is perfection. I felt like this was a really atmospheric read. There’s some well written obsession in this book. I loved how the two dual timelines connected and felt like it was really well done. It made sense and the pacing of the reveals was on point.
How’s The Narration?
The audiobook of The Perfect Guests has three narrators – Elizabeth Knowelden, Candice Moll, and Steve West. Steve West narrators the timeline where we aren’t too sure who the narrator is. I could not tell you which timeline Knowelden and Moll narrated. What I can tell you is this is a thoroughly enjoyable listen. This audiobook is easy to follow and stay engaged with. It’s a great listen for driving or data entry. I highly recommend if you do read The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous that you pick up the audiobook version.
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