The Guests
The Guests by Agnes Ravatn, published by Orenda Books on January 18, 2024, is a psychological suspense novel that explores the complexities of deception and desire. In this 276-page edition, readers follow married couple Karin and Kai as they escape their hectic lives for a luxurious holiday home in the Norwegian fjords. However, their retreat quickly turns into a confrontation with their own insecurities and the consequences of a seemingly harmless lie, leading them into a web of deceit.
As the story unfolds, the idyllic setting contrasts sharply with the growing tension between the couple and their neighbors. The narrative delves into themes of envy and aspiration, all while maintaining an undercurrent of dark humor. The minimalist yet striking atmosphere of the ultra-modern house amplifies the psychological drama, making The Guests a compelling exploration of the human condition amidst the backdrop of suspense and mystery.
Official synopsis Publisher
A young couple are entangled in a nightmare spiral of lies when they pretend to be someone else …Exquisitely dark psychological suspense by the international bestselling author of The Bird Tribunal
‘A delightfully insightful and wicked little read … Like the cabin, it’s so minimalist and stark and at the same time so compelling’ Elizabeth Haynes
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It started with a lie…
Married couple Karin and Kai are looking for a pleasant escape from their busy lives, and reluctantly accept an offer to stay in a luxurious holiday home in the Norwegian fjords.
Instead of finding a relaxing retreat, however, their trip becomes a reminder of everything lacking in their own lives, and in a less-than-friendly meeting with their new neighbours, Karin tells a little white lie…
Against the backdrop of the glistening water and within the claustrophobic walls of the ultra-modern house, Karin’s insecurities blossom, and her lie grows ever bigger, entangling her and her husband in a nightmare spiral of deceits with absolutely no means of escape…
Simmering with suspense and dark humour, The Guests is a gripping psychological drama about envy and aspiration … and something more menacing, hiding just below that glittering surface…
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Praise for Agnes Ravatn
**Shortlisted for the Dublin Literary Award**
**A BBC Book at Bedtime**
**Shortlisted for the Petrona Award for Best Scandinavian Crime Fiction**
**Winner of an English PEN Translation Award**
‘A clever, quirky mystery, full of twists and reminiscent of Agatha Christie at her best’ The Times
‘Ravatn, one of Norway’s premier crime writers, manages to conjure up an extra level of chilling atmosphere that will make you want to put the heating on’ The Sun
‘An unrelenting atmosphere of doom fails to prepare readers for the surprising resolution’ Publishers Weekly
‘Unfolds in an austere style that perfectly captures the bleakly beautiful landscape of Norway’s far north’ Irish Times
‘Reminiscent of Patricia Highsmith and I can’t offer higher praise than that. Agnes Ravatn is an author to watch’ Philip Ardagh
‘A tense and riveting read’ Financial Times
‘Crackling, fraught and hugely compulsive slice of Nordic Noir tremendously impressive’ Big Issue
‘Intriguing … enrapturing’ Sarah Hilary
‘A masterclass in suspense and delayed terror’ Rod Reynolds
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