The Guest by B. A. Paris (Audiobook)

 

Iris and Gabriel are returning from a much-needed holiday. Gabriel, a GP, is struggling after recent events. He's lost his father and his dog in recent months. His grief has been compounded by tragedy, he stumbled across a dying teenager and comforted him as he died. It was hoped that the holiday would give the couple a chance to come to terms with what had happened. As they arrive home they discover that a close friend has left her husband and made herself at home in their house, sleeping in their bed, and even wearing Iris' clothes.

Back in October 2022, I read my first B. A. Paris novel, The Prisoner. I enjoyed the novel but felt very let down by the ending. This wasn't enough to put me off reading any more by this author but didn't cause me to rush to pick up another book. The opportunity to try an audiobook seemed ideal. I'm pleased to say that I found The Guest far more to my liking.

We are introduced to Iris and Gabriel at the beginning as they return from their holiday. Middle-aged, relatively well off (he's a GP, she's a self-styled interior designer) and their only child has flown the nest. Things should be perfect but we quickly learn that recent events have taken their toll on Gabriel.

The much hoped-for reset in their lives is halted when they return home to discover a close friend, Laure, has left her husband, Pierre, and fled Paris to England. Knowing Iris and Gabriel were away she took the opportunity to stay in their house while she tried to come to terms with her husband's revelations - that he's had an affair and fathered a child.

The story is told from Iris' perspective and narrator Emily Joyce does an excellent job at portraying a calm and collected manner but also voicing the little frustrations at realising Laure has moved herself into the master bedroom and even helped herself to clothes. The perfect set-up for a cuckoo-in-the-nest style thriller.

Both Iris and Gabriel want to be supportive since Laure and Pierre are friends they've known for years. It is easy to grasp their disbelief in the situation and the irritation that neither Laure nor Pierre seemed to be interested in finding a solution. The resentment begins to grow and fester as Laure makes no effort to leave their home. At this stage I began to wonder if there was more to Laure's reluctance to speak to her husband, particularly as Pierre was ignoring calls and messages from Gabriel. Was there something more sinister afoot?

Luckily Iris makes a new friend in the village when she strikes up a conversation with Esme. This gives Iris a sounding board, someone she can vent her annoyance to. Through this friendship, we are introduced to Jacob, Esme's gardener. The relationship between Esme and Jacob seems to be over-familiar which makes Iris wary, particularly when she discovers that Laure and Jacob are lovers. We also learn that Jacob has links to the teen who died in the quarry. Your suspicion grows when you realise that Gabriel hasn't been entirely truthful about what happened in the quarry.

There are so many strands to this story, I was amazed at how well they were all woven together. It is easy to like and sympathise with some characters and dislike and doubt others. These all add up to a story that keeps you hooked, has you guessing and then turns everything you thought you knew on its head.

The Guest by B. A. Paris will be published on 20th February 2024 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for a review copy.