The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson

I requested this book from the library based on the title and the cover. It is a short story and fast read about a young woman from America who is studying in England. She has been invited to the home of a friend... a friend-ish type and she is writing about it in her diary. Through her eyes, we get to know Emma's family, especially her twin brother Adam. But, even though Emma's family is wealthy, it is not all sunshine and roses. And our diary writer may or may not make it out of the book alive.

Three and a half stars

This book came out September 28, 2023

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson

If you're a classic mystery fan, you'll probably figure out a couple of the twists in this book. The author very fairly clues most of the mystery but the twists do feel more modern.
Malcolm Kershaw (Goodreads has this at book #1 in a series which is odd given the end; but that could be worked around) is a bookstore owner. Many years ago, he published a blog about eight fictional mysteries that contained what could be argued were perfect murders. They weren't that perfect since detectives usually solved the case but there were often extenuating circumstances. In the present day, there is an FBI agent who thinks that someone is using Malcolm's list as a checklist for murder. Malcolm, as the co-owner of a store that specializes in mysteries, is intrigued and decides to help out where he can. But getting involved in this mystery only pulls to the present the demons of his past.
It was nice to know the stories (I had read or watched almost all of them) but I don't think you need to have in order to enjoy this book.

Three stars
This book came out March 3rd, 2020
Borrowed this as an ebook from the library
Opinions are my own