A great read
Set in the lockdown of 2020
With plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning the pages
And an ending I didn’t see coming
Thanks NetGalley

Twist..
Hosting a quiz night online during a period of lockdown should be a fun and enjoyable event and for six friends that is what it usually is - but when one of them takes a decision to incorporate some rather personal questions everything changes. In fact, it turns fatal. Secrets and scandal may out in this suspenseful twist on a standard mystery with a deftly drawn cast and a plot populated with surprising turns.

In lockdown 6 friends gather remotely online for the Friday night quiz (something I can relate to) but when the host asks some pointed questions things turn deadly... The friends decide to keep the truth of what happened from the police which only adds to the tension of the story.
Dark secrets long held prove motive for this group and as they struggle to come to terms with what happened loyalty and trust are questioned
A great mystery which keeps you guessing

I read another similar story. Bunch of people doing ZOOM during the lockdown and someone ends up murdered. Kind of slow for me, but I did skim through it. Lots of twists and weird things with this group.

Rating: ★★★★☆

"The Missing Guest" is a compelling thriller that explores the dark secrets and hidden truths that emerge when the safety of one's home is suddenly compromised. In a time of lockdown and isolation, six friends gather virtually every Friday night for a quiz, but their usual routine takes a chilling turn when Barton Hinton, the host, introduces a set of personal questions that lead to a series of deadly consequences.

The characters in the story are well-developed, each harboring their own secrets and complexities. As the plot unfolds, their relationships and individual motivations become central to the narrative. The author skillfully portrays the tension and mistrust that gradually build among the group as they grapple with the aftermath of the fatal events that occurred during the quiz.

The plot is filled with suspense, and the author masterfully weaves a web of mystery and intrigue. The gradual revelation of information keeps readers engaged, as they, along with the characters, try to piece together the truth. The decision of the friends to hide the truth from the police adds an additional layer of tension and raises questions about loyalty and trust.

"The Missing Guest" effectively explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the consequences of keeping secrets. It underscores how seemingly ordinary individuals can be driven to extreme actions when pushed to their limits. The narrative is well-paced, and the gradual uncovering of the mystery keeps readers guessing until the final revelation.

One minor drawback is that some readers may find certain aspects of the plot a bit implausible or reliant on coincidences. However, this does not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.

In conclusion, "The Missing Guest" is a gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. If you enjoy stories that delve into the complexities of human relationships, secrets, and the moral dilemmas faced by its characters, this book is worth a read. It's a suspenseful tale of friends turned potential suspects, and it will leave you pondering the lengths people will go to protect their darkest secrets.

Reading books based during lockdown makes them instantly more relatable to me. This relatability added to the suspense of the novel.