Golden Age of Detective Fiction

“The Christmas Guest” by Peter Swanson is a suspenseful and atmospheric novella set during the holiday season. The story follows Ashley Smith, an American exchange student studying in London, who is invited to spend Christmas at the secluded English countryside home of her enigmatic classmate, Emma Chapman.

As Ashley arrives at the Chapmans’ old and eerie manor, Starvewood Hall, she meets Emma’s parents, who are just as mysterious as their daughter. The holiday gathering takes a dark turn when Ashley begins to fall deeper and deeper in love with Emma Chapman’s darkly magnetic brother, Adam Chapman. Strange occurrences and a series of unnerving events heighten the tension, but Ashley, blinded by her growing obsession with Adam Chapman fails to notice anything amiss.

Throughout the novella, Swanson masterfully builds suspense, blending elements of psychological thriller and classic holiday ghost stories. The story explores themes of isolation, trust, and the hidden darkness within seemingly perfect families.

“The Christmas Guest” is a gripping and chilling read, perfect for those who enjoy a mix of holiday cheer and spine-tingling mystery.

The Review

Peter Swanson’s “The Christmas Guest” is a masterful novella that expertly blends psychological suspense with the eerie charm of classic ghost stories. This chilling tale, set in the atmospheric backdrop of the English countryside during the festive season, is a must-read for fans of both thrillers and holiday-themed mysteries.

One of the standout features of “The Christmas Guest” is Swanson’s innovative use of diary entries. These entries, penned by the protagonist, Ashley Smith, provide an intimate and immersive glimpse into her thoughts and experiences. The diary format heightens the sense of immediacy and vulnerability, drawing readers deeper into the unfolding mystery. It also serves as a clever narrative device, revealing Ashley’s increasing obsession with Adam Chapman which blind her to the unsettling events that plague her stay at the Chapman manor.

Emma Chapman, Ashley’s enigmatic classmate, is a compelling character whose veneer of innocence gradually cracks to reveal a darker, more complex persona, especially when she takes over the narrative. Emma Chapman under a new name, reflects on what happened twenty years ago when Ashley visited her ancestral home. Swanson skillfully portrays Emma’s guilt, which permeates the story and adds layers of tension and intrigue. She has grown better at camouflaging her true deadly nature and keeps everyone at arms length as a way to protect herself and the people she could potentially victimize.

Emma Chapman spends every Christmas, alone as a sort of penitent vigil, but in her re-telling of the events that happened twenty years ago, there’s is a sense of thrill and delight at her part in what happened to Ashley. She says she doesn’t think about it, ever, and has to force herself to participate in this macabre re-reading of Ashley’s diary. To delight in bringing her to life again only to cruelly forget her for the rest of the year. Emma Chapman, is a darkly twisted woman and can’t even in her new identity far, hidden away in New York City, can resist checking up on her brother, Adam.

The portrayal of Adam Chapman, Emma’s brother, is particularly chilling. Swanson crafts Adam as a classic psychopath, his calm and controlled exterior masking a disturbing and menacing nature. His interactions with Ashley are laced with a love bombing, making him a truly formidable antagonist due to his apparent lust for Emma. Adam’s character embodies the novella’s themes of hidden darkness and the façade of respectability, making him a memorable and terrifying figure.

In the twenty years since Ashley’s visit to Starvewood, Adam Chapman has crafted his methods of victimization and succeeded in masking his lust for power under a respectable facade: politician. In his wake are dozens of women just like Ashley. While Emma Chapman must contend with the ghosts of her past, nothing haunts Adam Chapman.

Swanson’s integration of ghost story elements further enhances the novella’s eerie atmosphere. The isolated, creaky old manor, with its dark corners and unsettling history, becomes a character in its own right. The ghostly occurrences and supernatural undertones are woven seamlessly into the narrative, creating a perfect balance of suspense and fear. These elements are reminiscent of classic ghost tales, adding a timeless quality to the novella.

“The Christmas Guest” is a five-star read that showcases Peter Swanson’s talent for crafting taut, psychologically rich narratives. The combination of diary entries, complex characters, and ghostly elements makes for an unforgettable reading experience. It’s a perfect holiday read for those who enjoy a touch of darkness with their Christmas cheer.