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 🙄.

Two women and two sides to the story. Whose do you trust? The gripping new thriller from besteslling author Heidi Perks. A domestic suspense novel set partially in Italy and partially in Derby, UK. Chapters alternate between three women. Leah, Joanna, and Amy each tell their stories in turn and we root for each one. A cleverly-plotted thriller in a luxurious and sun-drenched setting, where two seemingly-unconnected stories come together in a totally unexpected way. A great holiday readLaila and her husband James have arrived in Greece at a luxury resort for a make or break holiday. After several years of failed IVF treatment, James has said that he can no longer go through the painful process, leaving Laila’s dreams of motherhood in tatters. Both of them know that they have spent the last five years drifting apart, so this break from reality is desperately needed. I also didn't feel the characters had much depth to them. Therefore, I was unable to connect with them. There's also a third point of view, that of Amy from the past as the events leading up to her death are revealed. Powerfully displays how we often think secrets are the best way to protect those we love, but they often cause more damage than good.”– San Francisco Book Review

This is my second experience of Heidi Perks' work, having previously read and enjoyed "The Whispers". Unfortunately, "The Other Guest" was not as much to my liking. Although this appears to be positioned as a mystery thriller, I would say that it is actually far more akin to a family drama for the most part.

Toys

Laila thinks she knows the truth of what happened. But in telling Em what she's seen, she stands to lose everything she holds dear. I am not the biggest fan of whodunit's (mostly because the ones I read are not done well) however I did really get into this. Laila and her husband arrive for a week's holiday in Greece in desperate need of a reset. Laila, who has gone through multiple rounds of IVF with no result is using this trip to heal her relationship with her husband James who in turn is hiding a deep trauma. This holiday that is supposed to be a fresh start for them turns out to be the worst decision they made as a murder takes place and questions everything Laila has ever know. 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." 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. 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.