The Guest List is a mystery novel written in the tradition of Agatha Christie and a series of subsequent cozy-mystery writers.   The setting is on an isolated island off the coast of Ireland.    The events are part wedding for the central characters.   Friends, family, and associates are invited and have to be transported by a private boat to the Island.    It is hosted and catered by a lodge, the only occupants of the island.  Although everything is planned carefully, things start to go awry with excess drinking and some poor behavior, then someone is found murdered.

As in her previous book The Hunting Party, each chapter is narrated by one of the key characters, which adds to the limited perspective, but also adds character insights and background information for the reader.

Many clues are provided and it is up to us to piece together “whodunit.”   Some of the clues seem to be superfluous, but the key is the motive to the crime, so all clues provide some understanding of the murder.   Each chapter provides some twists and the whole narrative is atmospheric and a bit creepy.

“Actually, I know this place better than they think. It is more familiar to me in some ways than any other place I have known in my life. And I’m not worried about it being haunted. I have my own ghosts. I carry them with me wherever I go.”

I enjoyed this book.   My rating – 4.5 out of 5.0 stars4.5

An audio excerpt: