An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena

An Unwanted Guest is a thrilling who done it in the genre of Agatha Christie’s masterpiece And Then There Were None.

The story begins as strangers from different walks of life check into the Mitchell’s Inn in the Catskills for what is suppose to be a relaxing weekend of skiing, drinking and relaxing by a fireplace. Unfortunately as they arrive there is a terrible blizzard raging outside.

As they begin to get to know each other that first evening, the power suddenly goes out cutting them off from the outside world.  They decide to turn in for the night, only to wake up in the morning to someone screaming as one of them is found dead at the bottom of a set of stairs.  They are unsure if it was an accident or foul play.

With no way of calling the police and now with no heat in the Inn all they can do is wait for the return of the power so they can leave.  They try to keep there spirits up and continue to get to know one another. They all try to put one a brave face.

But when a second guest dies they must come to the undeniable conclusion that there is a murderer amongst them who seems to be killing them one by one.  How is it possible for this to be happening when they are strangers? And why?

As the reader, who through the inner dialogue of each character gets to know what they are thinking, it is hard to believe anyone is the murderer.  Then they find an unmade-up room with no one staying in it.  Is it possible someone is at the Inn and stalking them?

This is a wonderful murder mystery whose ending does not disappoint, and whose clues are so subtle and well placed you will want to reread the book!

Lapena, who is the author of another terrific chiller, The Couple Next Door, which I have previously reviewed on my blog, has certainly found a formula which not only surprises the reader, but keeps them coming back for more.