The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson is a deliciously twisty holiday-themed mystery novella. In 1989, Ashley Smith, an American art student studying abroad in London, is invited by fellow student Emma Chapman to spend the holidays at Emma’s family estate, Starvewood Hall. At first, Ashley is charmed by the cozily decorated manor with roaring fires, the quaint local village, and the presence of Emma’s handsome brother, Adam. But it turns out that Adam is wanted for questioning by the local police in connection with the death of a teenage girl. And there’s talk of someone unknown stalking the path between the local pub and Starvewood Hall. Slowly Ashley realizes that her perfect holiday getaway might actually be more dangerous than she bargained for.  (Holiday)