The bride ‧ The plus one ‧ The best man ‧ The wedding planner ‧ The bridesmaid ‧ The body
On an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives together as one. The groom: handsome and charming, a rising television star. The bride: smart and ambitious, a magazine publisher. It’s a wedding for a magazine, or for a celebrity: the designer dress, the remote location, the luxe party favors, the boutique whiskey. The cell phone service may be spotty and the waves may be rough, but every detail has been expertly planned and will be expertly executed.
But perfection is for plans, and people are all too human. As the champagne is popped and the festivities begin, resentments and petty jealousies begin to mingle with the reminiscences and well wishes. The groomsmen begin the drinking game from their school days. The bridesmaid not-so-accidentally ruins her dress. The bride’s oldest (male) friend gives an uncomfortably caring toast.
And then someone turns up dead. Who didn’t wish the happy couple well? And perhaps more important, why?
The Guest List Review
One of my reading goals is to read more thrillers. I really do love a good mystery so I’m hoping to add more to my list of books to read.
After hearing about The Guest List, I immediately added it to my list of books to read. Also, I love Reese Witherspoon and it happens to be one of her book club picks.
The Guest List is about a wedding taking place on a remote island off the coast of Ireland. During the wedding festivities a body is found and a mystery is revealed.
The characters in The Guest List are interesting. I really can’t decide whether I like them or not. Each character has a distinct personality and a past that truly drives their decisions. I think they definitely drive the story, but I am not enamored by them.
Even though my feelings on the characters are mixed, I love the different perspectives. I think it really helps to build some suspense and keeps the story moving. It also reminds me of And Then There Were None, which is my favourite mystery/thriller.
Out of the characters, I enjoyed Aiofe and Oliva’s chapters the most. But each character’s perspective is easy to follow and leaves you with a desire to know more about them.
I think where this book falls flat for me is the overall plot. While I haven’t read a lot of thrillers, I still want a great mystery. I want a heart pounding, page turning, keeps me on my toes kind of plot. But this isn’t one of those.
While there is suspense, the ending is a bit of a let down. I definitely didn’t predict the ending but it also didn’t wow me. Plus, the ending feels so rushed that there’s no time to really understand what actually happened.
Overall, The Guest List is a solid thriller. It has interesting characters, as well as an intriguing and mysterious setting. While the ‘whodunnit’ isn’t anything spectacular, it’s still an enjoyable read.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Favourite Quote
But that’s nostalgia for you, the tyranny of those memories of childhood that feel so golden, so perfect.
About the Author
Lucy Foley studied English literature at Durham University and University College London and worked for several years as a fiction editor in the publishing industry. She is the author of The Book of Lost and Found and The Invitation. She lives in London.
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Let’s Chat in the Comments!
Have you read The Guest List? What are your thoughts? Share your favourite thriller books with me in the comments below!
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I recently read this and I liked the multiple POVs and sense of mystery, but I did also have issues. The characters were so unlikable! Nice review, Victoria.
The characters definitely were unlikable! It’s hard to find qualities in them that are good. Glad we have similar thoughts on the book!