Locked room mystery type story set in the Isle of Skye in Scotland. British police officer Nicola, her partner Matthew and son George have come to this Isle to see the northern lights and have a bit of vacation. When there is a mix-up with their hotel reservation and a heavy snow starts to fall they find themselves checking into a small bed and breakfast called The Loch House; but it's not the quaint cottage of their dreams. To begin with the hostess is dressed like she is a reject from "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane" and her husband is a hulking figure with dirty clothes. She immediately tells Nicola and a few other guests her rules: No cell phones and no one can go in or out after nine pm. Nicola would like to leave but they are tired after their long journey and the storm is raging outside. Along with Nicola and her family are two single women Bea and Sandil, a young couple who are expecting a child and a man named Bruce who says he is a fellow police officer.

The author does a good job of describing the cold snow coming down and the feeling of being trapped in the dusty, old house with the very odd couple who own it. I like the way the author found little ways to describe things that would be unsettling like the elderly woman saying people think she is twenty years old and the insistence that bad people could show up at any time. In addition to narration by Nicola and Matthew we get chapters from a young girl who is hidden in the house and chapters from a couple of podcasters who are talking about a cult and a murder that happened many years earlier. When 6 year old George disappears inside the house, Nicola becomes frantic after searching everywhere and not finding him. As we find out the connections between the podcast and The Loch House, tensions ramp up among the guests and the owners and we fear for the safety of everyone particularly little George. I enjoyed the twists and the oppressive atmosphere throughout the story but thought the podcast parts were kind of lacking; podcasts would usually be a bit longer than a paragraph or two and it seemed a clumsy way to introduce some of the information. The book has an overall creepy vibe that I enjoyed and I liked the various twists. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC in exchange for a review.

When you think of booking a short break on the Isle of Skye, Loch House would make very few "must visit" lists. For Nicola, her son George, and partner Matt, it's far from what they expected. Matt plans to propose, while Nicola has totally different ideas on where their relationship is heading. But a heavy snow storm and Matt getting the dates of his booking wrong at a different hotel see them have little option than to check in to Loch House, the only place with vacancies.
Other guests seem to feel equally as uncomfortable in the old-fashioned verging on derelict guest house, and the owners added rules seem particularly harsh. After all, "no phones, no going out after 9pm, windows that don't open and doors that only lock from the inside" are not the usual demands made of hotel guests EVER!
So why are these guest house owners so inflexible? It seems Loch House has a bloody history, and that weekend is the tenth anniversary of that event. Even so, history rarely repeats itself - or does it?
The Last Guest House is a locked room mystery combined with a psychological thriller and the story of the guests' stay there that weekend runs alongside a subplot featuring true crime podcasters trying to unravel the bloody murder mystery of the house a decade ago. As it happens, the podcasters are in for a surprise too, their "investigations" being tied into the goings on at the house in more ways than expected.
A great cast of characters - Dorothy & Henry (the owners of Loch House) are uncomfortably odd and stuck in the past, but maybe they have good reason to be so. My favourite character is young George, showing such empathy and loyalty to the surprise resident of the house.

Told from varying viewpoints - to call them opposing would be an understatement - the story is slow to take off, and the podcast snippets sometimes feel jarring, but eventually it all becomes clear. And, sadly, the history of Loch House is heart-breaking, the actions of the owners (though questionable) suddenly make sense, and the podcasters finally crack the case... but at what cost?

Thanks go to Embla Books and Netgalley for my copy; I really enjoyed this and will gladly check out more by this author.

I think this would be nice for a person looking for a mystery. Unfortunately I was expecting a thriller and was disappointed.

Wow!
This is an incredibly creepy and fast paced thriller that had me completely hooked. When Nicola, Matt and her son George end up at The Loch House they have no idea what awaits them. Absolutely outstanding.

A much-needed getaway to the Isle of Skye becomes a very different proposition from what DC Nicola McKenna is expecting when she and her partner find out that their hotel is double booked.

Although they manage to find alternative accommodation at a guesthouse, with its complicated and bizarre rules it really does turn out to be the guesthouse from hell. Not to mention, it's the anniversary of a horrific event at that site. Then, the snow that starts falling outside turns this very much into a locked room situation...

I didn't actually expect this book to be such a horror story (my bad), but it is quite effective in its creepiness. And it has a number of elements that readers of such books will undoubtedly enjoy, one of the key words being cult! The use of the podcast segments is clever, and the use of multiple POV is also done well, though Matt is not a likeable character for my taste!

Well Caroline has done it again! This is one creepy read set up in the Isle of Skye.

Nicola, the police officer has gone to recharge her batteries with her partner to a lovely hotel, but when she gets there they are doubled booked. They find a guest house as an alternative, but all isn’t as it seems. Put it this way, I’d have been out of that door quicker than anything.

Whilst I enjoyed this book, I do prefer crime, as that doesn’t spook me as much! 🤣🤣🤣

My thanks to Caroline, the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.

This was a super fun ride ! Fast faced, easy read that was entertaining from the first page. The characters aren't all too likeable in my opinion but I was still rooting for the main character. I hope to hear more from this author !

After reading many Caroline Mitchell books I had high hopes for The Last Guest House. Well it didn’t disappoint. So many twists and turns had my head spinning. The dual storylines of the true crimes podcast and the dwellings of a house of many faces was fantastic and tied together fabulously. The cult aspect and little girl being hidden away was a lot to take in but it was enthralling all the same. A great read that was hard to put down.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc

This read had a lot of interesting elements, but they didn't quite come together for me as well as I would hope. We have a great cast of weird characters, a detective MC, and an isolated setting. This should have been a slam dunk. Unfortunately, I didn't love some of the narrative structure choices which really knocked the whole reading experience down a bit for me. Obviously mileage may vary with my complaints, but the parts that did work for me were great so it all evened out to just an okay read at the end.

I did not enjoy the true crime podcast element at all. I'm not a big true crime enthusiast on a normal day, but I have enjoyed books in the past that use these podcasts as framing devices for the plot. In this case, it felt very removed from the main plot. The podcast hosts were not characters at The Loch House nor was anyone listening to the podcast. Instead, it felt like an easy way for the reader to be told background information or to flesh out information in a way that wasn't just having the characters give pages of exposition. Since it was so removed from the main plot, every time we switched to a podcast transcript, it took me out of the story. I do think we needed the information in the podcast for the ending reveals to really come out, but I wanted it to be integrated into the story in a more natural fashion.

The setting was by far and away my favorite part of this read. Mitchell wastes no time getting us to The Loch House but still manages to give us so much atmosphere to really set the scene. The descriptions were absolutely wonderful and I loved how they really toed the line of being quirky but also sinister. As the narrative goes on, we get to revisit similar areas or pieces of the setting but they come across as completely different because of the plot reveals. Mitchell really uses the isolated setting to her advantage and it often feels like a separate entity that our characters are battling against.

The cast of characters - especially the strange owners of The Loch House, were such a fun group to follow for this read. We do get both Alex and her boyfriend's POVs, but I wish this was more of a full-cast of POVs type of book. These characters were so interesting and the right amount of over the top that I wanted to spend more time with each of them. I didn't love our MC Alex as much as I was expecting too. I found her characterization was a bit off for me and she seemed to oscillate between two main personalities, neither of which I felt particularly interested in. There is a bit of domestic suspense with her relationship, but even that felt like it wasn't used to bring as much tension to this read as I was expecting. There was significant domestic violence in her past that is brought up but it didn't really add anything to the character for me as is.

The ending reveal was interesting, but the way it played out on page felt like it really deflated the moment. We do find out what is going on with The Loch House and why everyone there is so strange and I did like the reveal from a plot perspective. However, when it comes to the big finale scene, we skip over seeing the action on page and instead have like a 30 min fast forward moment only for our characters to then flash backwards and recount the events that happened. It felt really strange to read, especially for the moment where all this building tension was boiling over.

Overall, this was an okay read that I enjoyed some parts of but not all parts. I felt like this just fell into the "not for me" category and I didn't have any significant plot holes or other complaints.

Thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for the ARC. Expected publication date is April 9, 2024

What a deliciously dark story this was, it has two different storylines and while I wasn't sure how they would join, they were both interesting in their ways.

Nicola, her son George and her partner Matt had not meant to be staying at the guest house they ended up in. It was a surprise that Matt had organised, everything that could go wrong did. Instead of a lovely warm hotel, they are in a dark, gloomy guest house where the owner has a series of rules. The owners are as creepy as their house. Other guests are staying and each of them is not exactly pleased with the rules, but as the snow is now coming down thick and fast they have no choice but to stay put and abide by the rules.

The author does such a good job of describing the house, and the owners and also giving a back story to this creepy house. It is the 10th anniversary of a murder and once those staying there find this out there is some tension and edginess. The author has created a locked room mystery within the house and the setting of the Isle of Skye adds even more remoteness to the scenario.

I did mention two storylines, one is the main bulk of the story and the focus with Nicola trying to put things together and Matt getting annoyed that she cannot leave her "police head" on holiday mode. The other is a podcast, short sections that are dropped in between the main story. This one left me puzzled and it was not until much later in the book when it suddenly dawned on me what and how it was connected. It caught me completely unaware!

The author definitely knows how to gradually increase tension and suspicion and she does this with great effect with her characters. There is a sense of distrust and because each of the chapters is from the perspective of alternating people you are never quite sure who can be trusted. I do like this way of telling things as you get little snippets of a character's darkest secrets or motives.

This is a wonderfully paced story that increases its pace and keeps me turning the pages. I wanted to know and found that the answers were gradually given but more questions arose. There is a dramatic conclusion and it was a satisfying one as well. Great for readers who like a tense, atmospheric, locked-room mystery and thriller story. Addictive and creepy and one I would definitely recommend.

Nicola a Police officer, with partner Matt decide to take a well-earned break with her six-year-old son George. They are on the island of Skye to see the Northen Lights. But when they get to the hotel, the soon discover that they have come to the island on the wrong weekend. The hotel is fully booked because of a wedding and so is most of the surrounding places to stay, except for The Loch house and there is a snowstorm on the way,
They decide to go there. It’s only for one night Nicola says to partner Matt. But when they get there, they find the place severely outdated, and the wallpaper is peeling off the walls. But the weather is closing in, so they haven’t got a choice. When they meet their hosts, they found them quite weird, and they have set a group of house rules for them to stay. Which the couple are not happy about as one of them is no phones. The hosts take them. It’s a small price to pay for one night. But Nicola feels something is not right about the place. It feels like that there is something sinister at play and a feeling of being watched.
Caroline Mitchell is one of my go to authors and her latest offering ‘The last guest House is a riveting read.
This is a mix of a thriller/ horror, lock room mystery, set in a snowstorm. It was full of tension and suspense and found it to be quite different to others that I have read. I also like the mix of the story with the episodes of the podcasts in the storyline. It added a bit more depth and direction. I couldn’t put this down because I kept wanting to read more and so much, I read this to the small hours of the morning. This is a fab read. 5 stars from me.

My first time reading Caroline Mitchell and I wasn't a fan of the writing style. The pacing was too slow for me and I hate podcast/interview chapters, and this had a lot. The story was moving along fairly slowly, then came to a screeching halt for a conversation between two women on a true crime podcast that had no relevance to the story overall. By the time it picked back up at the guest house I'd lost my rhythm. This happened several times. Mitchell is a well liked author who I was interested to try but her work wasn't for me.

"The Last Guest House" by Caroline Mitchell, set in the Isle of Skye, presents an intriguing premise and attempts to weave a complex narrative around a series of suspenseful events. The novel, featuring DC Nicola McKenna in a supposedly restful getaway turned into a fraught experience at The Loch House, aimed to blend elements of suspense and thrill in a unique setting.

However, my reading experience was a mixed bag. While the book sets up a promising storyline filled with potential twists and suspense, it fell short in certain aspects. The plot, in several instances, appeared forced and somewhat unbelievable, detracting from the immersive experience typically expected from thrillers.

Character development was another area where the book didn't fully deliver for me. I found it challenging to establish a connection with the characters, including the protagonist. A lack of depth or relatability in character portrayal can sometimes create a barrier in fully engaging with the story, which was my experience with this novel.

While there were parts of the book that were okay and certain elements of suspense that were handled well, overall, the book didn’t quite hit the mark for me, warranting a three-star rating. It might appeal to readers who enjoy a straightforward thriller and are less concerned with plausibility or deep character connections.

Try it for yourself and see what you think.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Vein Of Menace..
An idyllic idea of a weekend on the Isle of Skye turns terrifying for DC Nicola McKenna and her partner. With their original hotel double booked, their start to the weekend is not the best - but, when they arrive at the only hotel with available rooms things are about to get much, much worse. Something is definitely not right at The Loch House - but what? With an intriguing premise that plays out well, a plot populated with an underlying vein of slow burn menace and a deftly drawn and credible cast, this is an edge of seat tale bubbling with suspense.

I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.

This creepy crime thriller follows DI Alex McKenna who is on a getaway trip with her boyfriend and her son on the Isle of Skye.

After a mix-up with the hotel booking, they must find another hotel to stay in to escape the snowstorm, the receptionist helps them obtain a reservation at The Loch House.

When they arrive, they are set several rules and start to wonder if they should have made the decision to stay. After discovering the history of the house, a one-night stay seems like a dangerous mission to stay alive.

What is the history of the house? Will they survive the night?

This creepy thriller is a mixture between a mystery and a horror, with the terrifying back story of the house and the uncertainty of what will happen to the people staying at the hotel. The owners of the hotel, also add to the creepiness of the storyline and you start to wonder which of the characters you can trust.

There is another shocking storyline entwined, which also adds to the eeriness of the mystery.
In between the chapters there are excerpts from a True Crime broadcast which adds to the background and helps understand more about the past of The Loch House.

Overall, a creepy crime thriller where an overnight stay at The Loch House, may turn deadly.

A fun and suspenseful thriller with a lot to unpack! So there are multiple stories connecting this one together but I really loved the setting. A dark and mysterious hotel with a sordid past, a snowy night and people who are all clearly keeping secrets. The story was fast pace and engaging, leaving me wanting more and more.

Thank you to Netgallery and the publisher for this ARC. The publication date is the 16th April. This is the perfect for suspense/thriller fans it was action packed with many twists and turns that kept me guessing to very end! 😊

Overall, a suspenseful and cracking thriller that’s not to be missed! 😊

Nicola, her son and partner arrive on the Isle of Skye. They’ve come to see the northern lights and were booked into a luxury hotel. However after an issue with the booking, they have no choice but to accept a room at the only guest house with a vacancy, The Loch House. With the winter weather worsening, they finally make it to the guest house but here starts the beginning of their nightmare. And as the snow continues to fall, Nicola wonders if they will ever leave here alive. I found this book really hard to put down. With a compelling plot line, it’s a fast paced thriller that will have you hooked to the end. Thank you to NetGalley, Embla Books and the author for the chance to review.

Lots of interesting elements, and I appreciate the attempt, but wasn’t personally a fan of the parallel story telling via true crime podcast.

Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and Embla books,and the fantastic author Caroline Mitchell for an early copy of her book to read.


Nicola has a son George and her partner Matt,who's relationship isnt going well take a trip to the Isle of Skye.when they arrive the place they booked told them it was the following week they drove in bad snowy weather no where to stay the only available room was in the Loch house which has a terrible past,on arrival they didnt expect so many rules..no phones..no going out after nine but why? it soon becomes apparent why..my rating is 3.5 rounded to four.a creepy mystery read.still enjoy her crime reads abit more..enjoy reading her books and looking forward to reading more.


To be reviewed on goodreads and Amazon uk.