the setup…
Nicholas Child is a writer who had success with his first novel but hasn’t been able to match that debut. Dropped by his publisher, his agent provides him a financial opportunity to help out another client. Best selling author Marco Tavares is struggling with his long overdue next book and Nicholas is hired to help him. It’s Christmas and Nicholas is staying at Marco’s Cape Cod estate in Truro. They’re not alone as his wife, artist Maeve Finch, will be there along with his sister, grandmother and three other guests. After an alcohol filled night, two people end up dead the next morning. Nicholas feels like he’s in a whodunnit with a host of suspects, a story he might have written himself.
the heart of the story…
Nicholas is our narrator and he’s trying to figure out the culprits. Just as I think I know what’s going on, there’s a surprise curveball…and then another one!
the narration…
Graham Halstead sounded like a novelist telling his own story. I loved his interpretation and performance. He sold everything.
the bottom line…
Oh, this is a clever one! Bravo Mr. Swanson for pulling off a thriller with Christmas in the background and making this short story feel like a big tome. I was prepared for a twist but this was beyond next level.
Book Info
- Release Date: October 6, 2026
- Narrator: Graham Halstead
- Audio Length: 3 hours, 34 minutes
- Publisher: William Morrow
Listen to a Sample!
Fab review, Jo, glad you enjoyed it as I’ve got a NetGalley copy of the ebook!
Thanks, Nicki💜 You’ll enjoy this in any format.
Sounds like a fun read! Nice review Jonetta!
Thank you, Jodie💜
I’m on hold for the print copy of this from my library, but now I’m kinda wishing they had the audio version available too! 🙂
You’ll enjoy this in any format, Rebecca💜
Great review! I just finished this one and my review is next week. I think I was too distracted to enjoy it as much as you did.
Anne – Books of My Heart
Thanks, Anne💜 It helped that I finished most of it in one sitting.
Christmas-set thrillers are such perfect seasonal listening — all that cozy atmosphere with something darker humming underneath. I love your note that Graham Halstead sounded like a novelist telling his own story, which makes me wonder whether his narration leaned more into the Christmas setting or the tension. At just under three and a half hours, it sounds like the ideal one-sitting December listen.
Thank you, Abhay!
Nice review, Jo. I have enjoyed previous books by Peter Swanson and am still pending for this one. It sounds like a good story and I’m looking forward to it.