Emma Rous has a way of writing a thriller that leaves you in awe over all the many twists and turns, and better yet surprises, that one did not think could keep coming even down to the last page. She shocked me with The Au Pair, but she has left me speechless with THE PERFECT GUESTS. This is my favorite psychological thriller that I have read in the last year! Really, this one kept surprising me leaving the story going in directions that one will be taken back thinking, wow, that is amazing storytelling. Rous is the mastermind of stunning thrillers!

Beth is fourteen in 1988, living as an orphan. She is taken to Raven Hall by her aunt to stay with the family, the Averells, and becomes fast friends with Nina their daughter who is the same age. You find yourself asking why? Their daughter is really lonely is the reason they give her. All is well until they ask her to play a harmless game. Then things turn weird and Beth has questions. Who can she ask?

In 2019, Sadie is a struggling actress who gets an invitation to act in a game of mystery to be played at the Raven Hall, the manor with a history. She accepts as the pay is good. She is sent a suitcase full of clothes for the weekend to portray the character for the weekend. What an easy, fun dream job. She arrives and can see she is glad to stay for the weekend. But then another guest arrives, and things start seeming strange. In the end, it is a night that will change many lives forever. In ways, no one can see coming.  

Once you think you figured it out, think it is over, think again! One, the whole idea of a mystery party is great. A Clue like feel that you want to play yourself. Then the feel of the story changes in ways you have to read to find out. I’m not spoiling THE PERFECT GUESTS astonishing ending! Emma Rous will have you doing a double-take so to say as you think you know what will come next. I cannot wait to read her next smashing novel. I am putting her on my list of favorite authors!