Member Reviews

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the complimentary copy of The Other Guest by Heidi Perks.

Laila has arrived on a Greek island with her husband and is immediately drawn to another family on holiday. A terrible accident happens and Laila intertwines herself in the family's life. As she and the investigation into the accident unfolds, Laila starts to question her husband and what is he hiding. The story is written in two timelines, past and present and from the perspective of the various characters. Some of the characters are not who they've shown themselves to be.

I really enjoyed the book, and look forward to reading more from Heidi Perks.

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Hmmmm....I've given this three stars because Heidi's writing kept me reading but the characters were quite annoying and the plot itself was not as strong as some of her other books.

This would make a great holiday read or a snuggle in front of the fire read as you could devour it in one sitting which I think would add to the suspense.

Fabulous writing but sadly it fell a bit flat for me.

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This story is a little unusual in that it's told from several points of view, which at times seemed a little slow paced to me. Not quite as exciting a read as I had expected and not the type of 'thriller' i would usually read. Nonetheless a reasonable storyline.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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**"The Other Guest" by Heidi Perks** is a captivating psychological thriller that delves into themes of friendship, betrayal, and the hidden depths of human relationships. The story unfolds in a luxurious coastal retreat, where a group of friends gathers for a seemingly idyllic getaway. However, the atmosphere quickly darkens when one guest goes missing, setting off a chain of events that unravels long-buried secrets.

Perks’s writing is sharp and engaging, creating a tense atmosphere that keeps readers on edge. The characters are well-developed, each with their own motives and complexities, making it difficult to discern who can be trusted. The dual perspectives of the narrative allow for a deeper exploration of the friendships and rivalries within the group, heightening the suspense as the truth comes to light.

The novel effectively explores themes of jealousy, guilt, and the facade of perfection that often masks deeper issues. As the characters confront their pasts and the implications of their actions, readers are drawn into a web of intrigue that questions the very nature of loyalty and trust.

The pacing is well-executed, with twists and turns that keep the plot engaging and unpredictable. Perks expertly balances moments of tension with introspective character development, making for a compelling read.

Overall, **"The Other Guest"** is a gripping and thought-provoking thriller that will appeal to fans of psychological fiction. Heidi Perks has crafted a story that explores the fragility of relationships and the dark sides of human nature, making it a must-read for those who enjoy a well-crafted mystery.

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I had high hopes for this book based on its title, cover, and thriller label, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to any of those expectations.

The cover is misleading since the central characters never actually swim in the water, and the title seems oddly chosen—perhaps a typo or a poor fit for the story. As for the thriller aspect, it fell short.

The plot dragged and never gained momentum, the characters were difficult to connect with, and the ending left many unresolved issues. Despite finishing it quickly, the overall experience felt rather disappointing.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing the ARC.

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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



✨ Psychological Thriller
✨ Family Drama



✨Laila is more the main character in this story with her husband James. They were having a problem already but Laila felt like there is something wrong even more to their surroundings.
Written on different timelines and varieties of POV.
The obsession of Laila wasn’t up to my taste in the story but it was a lovely read.



✨Thankyou for the opportunity to read this book for a honest review.




✨Shaye.Reads

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I struggled to relate to the characters in the book (and do we need yet another thriller where the main character is obsessed with a having a baby?!) and it felt repetitive and not very plausible throughout.

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Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
James and Laila have gone on holiday to a luxury resort. Both have their problems and these are uncovered very gradually through the story which is written along 3 timelines and from different POV. I wasn't keen on the swapping within the holiday, from arrival and from discovery of the body, when linked to the different POV it seemed muddled, I would have preferred progression through the holiday. I didn't particularly like self-obsessed Laila, but one doesn't have to like a character for a book to be good but the IVF storyline was too repetitive and uninteresting. There are twists within the story but I didn't find it suspenseful or thrilling, the lies and half-truths became irritating after a few chapters. I didn't think it was one of this author's best.

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A slow paced thriller perfect for people watchers and suitable for a good beach read.
The hotel setting is true to life and as events unfold, the tension grips you.
The characters were interesting but I would’ve liked to have known more about each one especially Em and Layla.
The plot is suspenseful though and although I would’ve preferred a quicker pace, I had to read until the end!

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Wow............ this is an edge of your seat fast passed thriller that will keep you up all night you will not be able too put it down

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I enjoyed this read and would love to read more from Heidi Perks. I only wish I could have gotten to it sooner. Would recommend!

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I have read other books by this author and unfortunately this one didn’t work for me. This is a slow paced family drama and not a twisty thriller. The narrative was dull and repetitive. I did like the authors writing style

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There’s people watching, being nosey and then just out right stalking, while on holiday one family ends up suffering from loss but who saw what really happened who was watching and why.

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Read in one day tucked under a blanket. Really felt drawn to the main character and was expecting a completely different ending. Clever and addictive. Totally recommend.

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The perfect beach holiday read, particularly for any of us who has indulged in a bit of people-watching around the communal pool every once in a while. There were plenty of intriguing characters and the plot was paced well throughout. I enjoyed it.

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After 5 unsuccessful rounds of IVF, Laila's husband has booked them a holiday at a luxurious Greek island resort for a much needed rest.

Laila loves a bit of people watching and finds herself studying the family with two teenage boys in particular.

When a guest is found dead one morning, Laila thinks she has a good idea what happened, but how can she convince the police when she wasn't supposed to be there?

As the details emerge, it turns out there is a lot more to what's going on than her initial impressions, and even her husband is hiding something.

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Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. A good engaging and fast paced thriller, it’s told from multiple points of view and held my attention right to the end.

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A really good read, loved the split narratives. Fascinating characters that keep you guessing. Highly recommended.

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I loved this book so much doubt was woven through the narrative masterfully. The multiple POVs drip fed you half truths and motives. This made you question everything you were told look at everyone differently. The fast paced storyline meant you could never catch your breath I think the ending was pitched perfectly and there is enough holes in the evidence giving scope for a sequel.

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A thrilling and engaging thriller based around loss, longing and revenge. I read this in just a few sittings and would recommend to any thriller lover!

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