I enjoyed this it did take me while to get into it there was lots of characters and the it jumps from past to present but once it got going it definitely got going. There was definitely a sense of mystery throughout which I always love. I will be recommending this book thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy.

The Weekend Guests by Liza North
Rating: 3/5
Release Date: 29 August 2024

Here's a rewritten and expanded version of the review:

“The Weekend Guests” explores the compelling premise of university friends reuniting years later, only to have their shared secret threaten to unravel their lives. The author employs a dual timeline structure, skilfully weaving between past and present to gradually reveal the layers of mystery surrounding the characters' shared history.

The narrative's strength lies in its effective use of this dual timeline approach. The transitions between the university days and the present are smooth, allowing readers to piece together the puzzle of events that led to the current situation. This technique builds intrigue and keeps readers engaged as they discover how the past has shaped the characters' present circumstances.

However, the novel struggles with its large cast of characters. While a diverse ensemble can add depth to a story, in this case, it leads to a lack of distinct personalities. Many characters blend into the background, failing to leave a lasting impression. More than one character could have been omitted without significantly impacting the plot, which suggests a need for tighter character focus. This over-saturation of personalities dilutes the emotional investment readers might otherwise have in the protagonists' journeys.

Character development is another area where the book falls short. The main characters, while interesting in concept, don't undergo significant growth or change throughout the story. Their motivations and reactions often feel static, missing opportunities for deeper exploration of how their shared secret has affected their lives and relationships over the years.

The mystery element of the plot, while intriguing, lacks the suspense and tension typically associated with the genre. The pacing is steady but fails to build to a truly gripping climax. For seasoned mystery readers, this might feel underwhelming. However, this simpler approach to mystery could be appealing to newcomers to the genre, offering a gentler introduction to mystery storytelling without overwhelming complexity.

Despite these shortcomings, the book does have its merits. The central premise is inherently interesting, tapping into universal themes of friendship, secrets, and the long-term consequences of our actions. The exploration of how a shared secret can bond people together while simultaneously driving them apart is thought-provoking and relatable.

The author's writing style is clear and accessible, making for an easy read. Descriptive passages effectively set the scene, particularly in contrasting the carefree university environment with the more complex adult world the characters now inhabit.

In conclusion, “The Weekend Guests” presents an intriguing concept but doesn't fully capitalise on its potential. While the dual timeline narrative is well-executed, the lack of character development and suspense prevents the story from reaching greater heights. It's a suitable read for those new to the mystery genre or readers who prefer a more laid-back approach to suspense. However, those seeking complex character arcs or heart-pounding tension might find it lacking.

For future works, the author could benefit from focusing on a smaller, more developed cast of characters and working on building suspense throughout the narrative. With these improvements, they could transform their clear writing style and interesting premises into more compelling and memorable mysteries.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK | Constable, and the author, Liza North, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I was pleasantly surprised by The Weekend Guests. After realising early on that the narrative was shifting back and forth between the weekend guests in the present, and their time at university, I almost DNF'd purely because the last few university-set thrillers I've read have done absolutely nothing for me (I guess dark academia is not my genre!).

But I'm so glad I stayed the course, as it developed into something much richer as a reading experience, delivering some real surprises along the way (especially through the character of the neighbour, creepy PhD student Darryl). I also enjoyed the repetition of a specific theme (can't say more as this would be a massive spoiler), which was cleverly done.

Highly recommended for fans of Lucy Foley (especially those who enjoy the way she deals with wealth and privilige in her books) or Ruth Ware.

I liked the premise of this one, but struggled with the narrative. Too many characters, not delveloped enough so I was frequently confused. Some parts were better than others, but I did find mtself skipping some pages as I just couldnt engage with it.

Friends from university with a secret meet again years later and all comes tumbling down.

The book has quite a few characters and doesn’t really make them stand out enough, I can think of two characters who could have been left out.

It was a good dual timeline and this was written effectively. This book lacks character development and suspense but is a very simple mystery that would be good for new readers to the genre.

A tangled web.
A vast array of characters which took me a little while to get to grips with plus the fact the story went back and forth to then and now.
Just enough twists to keep me interested. Overall a decent read.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.