The House Guest is another diabolical cat-and-mouse thriller from USA Today bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan—but which character is the cat, and which character is the mouse?
After every divorce, one spouse gets all the friends. What does the other one get? If they’re smart, they get the benefits. Alyssa Macallan is terrified when she’s dumped by her wealthy and powerful husband. With a devastating divorce looming, she begins to suspect her toxic and manipulative soon-to-be-ex is scheming to ruin her—leaving her alone and penniless. And when the FBI shows up at her door, Alyssa knows she really needs a friend.
And then she gets one. A seductive new friend, one who’s running from a dangerous relationship of her own. Alyssa offers Bree Lorrance the safety of her guest house, and the two become confidantes. Then Bree makes a heart-stoppingly tempting offer. Maybe Alyssa and Bree can solve each others’ problems.
But no one is what they seem. And the fates and fortunes of these two women twist and turn until the shocking truth emerges: You can’t always get what you want. But sometimes you get what you deserve.
- Publisher : Forge Books
- Narrated by : Stephanie Willing
- Published : February 7, 2023
- Listening Length : 10 hours and 46 minutes
- Hardcover : 336 pages
This psychological thriller quickly grabbed my attention and had me playing amateur sleuth from the get-go. I was doubting this person and that, and sure, I had the mystery solved early on. In some ways I did, since I was rapidly guessing every possible scenario.
Alyssa finds herself lost and lonely after her wealthy husband leaves her with basically no explanation. Sad and alone, she heads to a bar and ends up meeting Bree, a lady with her own problems. As the two get to know each other, Alyssa ends up impulsively inviting Bree to stay in her guest house.
But that’s just the beginning. The story takes off in this direction, and that. The FBI shows up asking questions regarding Alyssa’s husband. And Bree shares concerns that Alyssa is anxious to help her fix.
This story snagged me early on and had me listening to it every spare minute.
If you’re after a fast-moving mystery full of twists and turns, you’ll want to consider The House Guest. But don’t give it the reality check, just sit back and enjoy the ride. For me, the narrator, Stephanie Willing, did a great job of making that happen.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillianaudio for my gifted ALC.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN is the USA Today bestselling author of 14 psychological thrillers, winning the most prestigious awards in the genre: five Agathas, five Anthonys, and the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award. She is also on-air investigative reporter for Boston’s WHDH-TV, with 37 EMMYs and dozens more journalism honors. National book critics call her “a superb and gifted storyteller”; she’s the only author to win the Agatha in four categories: Best First, Best Novel, Best Short Story and Best Non-Fiction. Her newest is the page-turning standalone thriller The House Guest–a story of psychological manipulation that explores the dark heart of marriage and friendship—it’s Gaslight meets Thelma & Louise. Bestselling author Lisa Scottoline says, “Ryan is one of my favorite authors and The House Guest shows why,” EMMY-winning host Tamron Hall says, “The House Guest kept me on the edge of my seat…” and the Publishers Weekly rave review says, “Ryan is a master of suspense!” and the Library Journal starred review calls it “Binge-worthy.”
Hank is a founder of MWA University, host of CRIME TIME on A Mighty Blaze, and co-host of First Chapter Fun and The Back Room. Visit Hank online at HankPhillippiRyan.com, on Twitter @HankPRyan, on Instagram @hankpryan and Facebook at HankPhillippiRyanAuthor.
Get to Know This Wonderful Author ~ TEDx Talk
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