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The Guest Book
WELCOME TO THE ANCHORAGE, FOR A HONEYMOON YOU'LL NEVER FORGET . . .
Charles and Grace wanted a quiet staycation honeymoon, but when their train terminates early due to a storm up ahead, they wonder if they made the wrong decision. Forced to take shelter in the nearest seaside town, Saltwater, they discover that there is only one guesthouse left. Unlike the rest of Saltwater, The Anchorage is entirely deserted.
That night, with the storm howling relentlessly, Grace is woken by a child crying. She is haunted by the sound, until Charles convinces her it was only her imagination. But the next day, she finds a warning scrawled in the guest Leave now. Do not trust them .
As the storm rages on, phone lines are down, transport links cut off. Grace is desperate to leave, but Charles remains unaffected by the eerie stillness of the house. Is it just Grace's imagination or do the owners, and Charles, have something to hide?
THANK YOU FOR STAYING AT THE ANCHORAGE. W E HOPE YOU'LL BE BACK SOON...
Perfect for fans of Harriet Tyce, Lisa Jewell and Ruth Ware.
_________________
READERS LOVE THE GUEST BOOK :
'An excellent electrifying thriller... Dark and pacy. I loved it'
'A scary thriller, perfect for the winter months... A terrific read!'
'I had to read this in one sitting and still wanted more. The ending is amazing'
'So well written, the story jumps straight in from the first page and doesn't let up until the very end. 'Atmospheric, claustrophobic and creepy. A great read for this time of year when the nights are drawing in'
Charles and Grace wanted a quiet staycation honeymoon, but when their train terminates early due to a storm up ahead, they wonder if they made the wrong decision. Forced to take shelter in the nearest seaside town, Saltwater, they discover that there is only one guesthouse left. Unlike the rest of Saltwater, The Anchorage is entirely deserted.
That night, with the storm howling relentlessly, Grace is woken by a child crying. She is haunted by the sound, until Charles convinces her it was only her imagination. But the next day, she finds a warning scrawled in the guest Leave now. Do not trust them .
As the storm rages on, phone lines are down, transport links cut off. Grace is desperate to leave, but Charles remains unaffected by the eerie stillness of the house. Is it just Grace's imagination or do the owners, and Charles, have something to hide?
THANK YOU FOR STAYING AT THE ANCHORAGE. W E HOPE YOU'LL BE BACK SOON...
Perfect for fans of Harriet Tyce, Lisa Jewell and Ruth Ware.
_________________
READERS LOVE THE GUEST BOOK :
'An excellent electrifying thriller... Dark and pacy. I loved it'
'A scary thriller, perfect for the winter months... A terrific read!'
'I had to read this in one sitting and still wanted more. The ending is amazing'
'So well written, the story jumps straight in from the first page and doesn't let up until the very end. 'Atmospheric, claustrophobic and creepy. A great read for this time of year when the nights are drawing in'
ebook
First published December 31, 2020
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About the author
C.L. Pattison
4 books109 followersC. L. Pattison spent twenty years as an entertainment journalist, before embarking on a frontline career in the police force. She lives on the south coast of England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
April 17, 2021
2-3 stars
Charles and Grace McKenna are honeymooners and on board a train bound for s luxury hotel in St Ives when s terrible storm brings down a tree blocking the line. They are forced to evacuate and find themselves in Saltwater where Charles stayed as a teenager. A lack of accommodation takes them to The Anchorage where his family used to stay. Then it was vibrant and welcoming and now not so much though owners Michael and Pamela Jeffreys do offer them a much needed room. The story is told in three narratives but principally by Charles and Grace.
The book starts quite well with a good atmosphere created by the weather in coastal town and there is a distinct whiff of something very off and possibly rotten in the guest house with the Jeffrey’s strange behaviour adding to the strange vibe. You sense there is a story there and there are more unsettling off notes. It’s easy to read, there are some moments of tension, the occasional chill and a cloak of secrecy.
However, the gothic potential of the novel fizzles out in my opinion. Part of the problem lies with the format which breaks any tension and secondly the characters are not well developed. You certainly don’t feel a honeymooners spark between the couple and to me their relationship feels as if it could flatline at any given moment. Charles is so full of contradictions, his behaviour if not by omission should have sent Grace running for the hills, if only she could. As for Grace, she’s bland, lacks much personality, she’s like a watery watercolour picture that’s a bit insipid. However, on a positive note the alternate points of view are good at illuminating their views and thoughts on their respective partners. We get hints of an incident in Turkey some months ago and it gets to the point where I don’t care anymore as it prevaricates so long, dangling it in the storytelling in the hope our breath is bated waiting for the truth. The style of writing is flat, unemotional and thus the mysterious vibe isn’t maximised. To compensate there are so many things that happen so it feels overblown and melodramatic, a bit like an over egged pudding that fails to rise and achieve the yummy taste suggested by the ingredients. After a while, it ceases to engage me and I have no idea what to make of the unresolved ending. Sometimes I like to make up my own mind but this one just leaves me baffled and honestly, I don’t buy into it.
Overall, yes it does have twists, yes it does have some atmosphere, yes the Cornish setting is good but no, it doesn’t fulfil its obvious potential and that’s s real shame. Also, wondering about the title as the guest book is only a very small part of the whole????
With thanks to NetGalley and to Random House UK, Vintage for the arc in return for an honest review and apologies I didn’t enjoy it more.
Charles and Grace McKenna are honeymooners and on board a train bound for s luxury hotel in St Ives when s terrible storm brings down a tree blocking the line. They are forced to evacuate and find themselves in Saltwater where Charles stayed as a teenager. A lack of accommodation takes them to The Anchorage where his family used to stay. Then it was vibrant and welcoming and now not so much though owners Michael and Pamela Jeffreys do offer them a much needed room. The story is told in three narratives but principally by Charles and Grace.
The book starts quite well with a good atmosphere created by the weather in coastal town and there is a distinct whiff of something very off and possibly rotten in the guest house with the Jeffrey’s strange behaviour adding to the strange vibe. You sense there is a story there and there are more unsettling off notes. It’s easy to read, there are some moments of tension, the occasional chill and a cloak of secrecy.
However, the gothic potential of the novel fizzles out in my opinion. Part of the problem lies with the format which breaks any tension and secondly the characters are not well developed. You certainly don’t feel a honeymooners spark between the couple and to me their relationship feels as if it could flatline at any given moment. Charles is so full of contradictions, his behaviour if not by omission should have sent Grace running for the hills, if only she could. As for Grace, she’s bland, lacks much personality, she’s like a watery watercolour picture that’s a bit insipid. However, on a positive note the alternate points of view are good at illuminating their views and thoughts on their respective partners. We get hints of an incident in Turkey some months ago and it gets to the point where I don’t care anymore as it prevaricates so long, dangling it in the storytelling in the hope our breath is bated waiting for the truth. The style of writing is flat, unemotional and thus the mysterious vibe isn’t maximised. To compensate there are so many things that happen so it feels overblown and melodramatic, a bit like an over egged pudding that fails to rise and achieve the yummy taste suggested by the ingredients. After a while, it ceases to engage me and I have no idea what to make of the unresolved ending. Sometimes I like to make up my own mind but this one just leaves me baffled and honestly, I don’t buy into it.
Overall, yes it does have twists, yes it does have some atmosphere, yes the Cornish setting is good but no, it doesn’t fulfil its obvious potential and that’s s real shame. Also, wondering about the title as the guest book is only a very small part of the whole????
With thanks to NetGalley and to Random House UK, Vintage for the arc in return for an honest review and apologies I didn’t enjoy it more.
April 17, 2021
I just couldn’t connect with this book. Charles and Grace are having a staycation honeymoon, they are on the train to a fabulous 5 star hotel at St Ives. But a powerful storm wreaks havoc with those plans. Their train is forced to stop as a massive tree has fallen across the line. Luckily they are not far from Saltwater station so they trudge back along with the other passengers. Grace is limping, still recovering from an accident in Turkey a few months ago so they bring up the rear and find that all the accommodation options are taken. But Charles has fond memories of childhood/teenage holidays at Saltwater and leads Grace to the Anchorage guesthouse where his family used to stay. This one was not on the list of options handed out by railway staff! Hmmm.
As soon as they arrive Grace is already unhappy with the gloomy brooding atmosphere of the place and the owners are not helping. They seem somehow wooden and unwelcoming. Charles is loving it though as he remembers Pamela and Michael Jeffrey fondly. Soon, Grace is hearing and seeing things and things go bump in the night in an effort to ramp up the creepiness. It didn’t work for me. Not much actually happened other than a lot of contrived creepiness. Grace seems haunted and Charles is an odd one, he comes across as a bit of a cipher. The Jeffreys are made out to be creepy and the house haunted. And of course the landline is down and the cell phone tower is too so there not only trapped in the town but incommunicado.
The weather was probably the best character in the book! The townspeople were very closed but negative about the Anchorage and Grace had convinced herself it was haunted while Charles thinks Grace is having a breakdown. Predictable much. Naturally it all comes to a head on a dark and stormy night! There were constant cryptic reference to “what happened in Turkey”. When it was finally revealed it was a simple accident so I don’t know why all the foreshadowing about it. Towards the end of course there is a rash of revelations that explain everything neatly. Oh and the very end, the little twist - I I really hated it and took off another star for that ending! All in all I can’t recommend this book. Thanks to Netgalley for providing the ARC to review. My opinions are my own.
As soon as they arrive Grace is already unhappy with the gloomy brooding atmosphere of the place and the owners are not helping. They seem somehow wooden and unwelcoming. Charles is loving it though as he remembers Pamela and Michael Jeffrey fondly. Soon, Grace is hearing and seeing things and things go bump in the night in an effort to ramp up the creepiness. It didn’t work for me. Not much actually happened other than a lot of contrived creepiness. Grace seems haunted and Charles is an odd one, he comes across as a bit of a cipher. The Jeffreys are made out to be creepy and the house haunted. And of course the landline is down and the cell phone tower is too so there not only trapped in the town but incommunicado.
The weather was probably the best character in the book! The townspeople were very closed but negative about the Anchorage and Grace had convinced herself it was haunted while Charles thinks Grace is having a breakdown. Predictable much. Naturally it all comes to a head on a dark and stormy night! There were constant cryptic reference to “what happened in Turkey”. When it was finally revealed it was a simple accident so I don’t know why all the foreshadowing about it. Towards the end of course there is a rash of revelations that explain everything neatly. Oh and the very end, the little twist - I I really hated it and took off another star for that ending! All in all I can’t recommend this book. Thanks to Netgalley for providing the ARC to review. My opinions are my own.
January 9, 2021
Spine tingling, goosebumps, chill on the back of my neck... I experienced all these when reading The Guest Book! This is a dark, twisty psychological thriller that leads you down a very deep rabbit hole. You won’t care what’s going on around you, your attention is going to be focused on these pages until the shocking end.
January 9, 2021
This isn't your run-of-the-mill psychological thriller. It's a haunting, twisty, well-written tale about a honeymooning couple forced to take refuge in a spooky seaside guesthouse during a raging storm. I read it over the course of a weekend and the tension built, page by page, until it finally exploded in an ending that I definitely didn't see coming. A perfect winter read that plays on your mind even after you've finished reading it.
January 9, 2021
Supremely chilling and brilliantly atmospheric, this psychological thriller takes a seemingly innocuous experience - a stay in a Cornish guesthouse - and fills it with menace, suspicion and plenty of things that go bump in the night. The perfect lockdown read.
November 27, 2020
You ever wish for a book that you read in one sitting because you can't put it down? Then this is the one for you!
Grace & Charles are on their way to St Ives for a honeymoon and a storm hits. With no trains, or other means of travel available they have to stay at an old B&B. And yes, creepiness begins!
So well written, the story jumps straight in from the first page and doesn't let up until the very end. Very well plotted, not slow (my pet hate) and it didn't feel rushed either.
I also liked how you got alternating chapters between Grace & Charles.
Atmospheric, claustrophobic and creepy. A great read for this time of year when the nights are drawing in and the weather is nasty outside.
Thanks to Vintage and NetGalley for the ARC i received in exchange for an honest review
Grace & Charles are on their way to St Ives for a honeymoon and a storm hits. With no trains, or other means of travel available they have to stay at an old B&B. And yes, creepiness begins!
So well written, the story jumps straight in from the first page and doesn't let up until the very end. Very well plotted, not slow (my pet hate) and it didn't feel rushed either.
I also liked how you got alternating chapters between Grace & Charles.
Atmospheric, claustrophobic and creepy. A great read for this time of year when the nights are drawing in and the weather is nasty outside.
Thanks to Vintage and NetGalley for the ARC i received in exchange for an honest review
January 10, 2021
Without doubt the best book I've read this year! Okay, I know it's early in the year yet, but it was fantastic. A great story marred by one or two typos. Really great plot and characters. Will try more by C L Pattison.
April 12, 2021
Oh my goodness - I was a bit worried at the start as was a bit confused and it was a bit slow to start. But about a third of the way in, boy does it get good. I had to read this in one sitting and still wanted more. The ending is a blinder - amazing.
Well thought out, well constructed - great read. One of my best reads of 2020. Read it you wont regret it. - it is a must read if you like thrillers.
I was given an advance copy by netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review which I have done.
Well thought out, well constructed - great read. One of my best reads of 2020. Read it you wont regret it. - it is a must read if you like thrillers.
I was given an advance copy by netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review which I have done.
January 15, 2021
Brilliant, suspenseful and fast paced. Interesting and inventive plot.
I really enjoyed the pace of this book, as well as the plot. It didn’t have any unnecessary “padding”, which is why I gave it five stars, just the plot, character development and storyline, all which unfolded at a quick and timely pace. The plot was inventive and one which I didn’t guess. There were a few different threads running at the same time in this story, all quite unbeknown to me until the end. I’d like to read more from this author.
I really enjoyed the pace of this book, as well as the plot. It didn’t have any unnecessary “padding”, which is why I gave it five stars, just the plot, character development and storyline, all which unfolded at a quick and timely pace. The plot was inventive and one which I didn’t guess. There were a few different threads running at the same time in this story, all quite unbeknown to me until the end. I’d like to read more from this author.
January 10, 2021
Read it in a day
Started reading it this morning, just finished it this evening. really good story, would recommend it, I couldn't put it down.
Started reading it this morning, just finished it this evening. really good story, would recommend it, I couldn't put it down.
March 22, 2021
4.58 Stars
Thank you, Random House UK Vintage, CL. Pattison and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of “The Guest Book” in exchange for an honest review.
In The Guest Book, we follow three narrators as they share with us how Saltwater and a cozy little guest house, The Anchorage, impacted their lives.
Two of the narrators are Grace and Charles, newlyweds who find themselves at this quaint little town due to a storm. As fate would have it, Charles had vacationed there with his family in his teens and convinces his wife to stay at the same B&B he visited many summers. For Charles, this is a nostalgic stay. For Grace, however, it soon turns into a nightmare as she starts to hear children crying in the night, footsteps in empty hallways and sea chanties in the dead of night.
This book had me on the edge of my seat, flirting with the supernatural. The characters were so well developed, you could feel the emotions Grace was going through and every second you asked yourself if any of the narrators were reliable.
I loved the use of the third narrator, who was a mystery but told a very eerie story of an accident that happened to them in an undetermined timeline. The author uses “Grace” and “Charles” as headings for the chapters they narrate and no names, for the other chapters. This was an incredible way to build suspense and invite the reader to figure out what is going on and who could that person be
Another thing I really enjoyed was being transported to the seashore Cornish town of Saltwater. The whole atmosphere was well constructed and I felt like I was there – even more so, I want to go there! The eerie vibe of The Anchorage was also masterfully built.
I really enjoyed the plot twists, how the author played fair with her clues and how much she made me care for Grace. The was a visceral scene in the book that brought me to tears, in a good way.
I highly recommend this book and have marked May 27th on my calendar to get my hands on a physical copy.
#theguestbook #Netgalley
Thank you, Random House UK Vintage, CL. Pattison and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of “The Guest Book” in exchange for an honest review.
In The Guest Book, we follow three narrators as they share with us how Saltwater and a cozy little guest house, The Anchorage, impacted their lives.
Two of the narrators are Grace and Charles, newlyweds who find themselves at this quaint little town due to a storm. As fate would have it, Charles had vacationed there with his family in his teens and convinces his wife to stay at the same B&B he visited many summers. For Charles, this is a nostalgic stay. For Grace, however, it soon turns into a nightmare as she starts to hear children crying in the night, footsteps in empty hallways and sea chanties in the dead of night.
This book had me on the edge of my seat, flirting with the supernatural. The characters were so well developed, you could feel the emotions Grace was going through and every second you asked yourself if any of the narrators were reliable.
I loved the use of the third narrator, who was a mystery but told a very eerie story of an accident that happened to them in an undetermined timeline. The author uses “Grace” and “Charles” as headings for the chapters they narrate and no names, for the other chapters. This was an incredible way to build suspense and invite the reader to figure out what is going on and who could that person be
Another thing I really enjoyed was being transported to the seashore Cornish town of Saltwater. The whole atmosphere was well constructed and I felt like I was there – even more so, I want to go there! The eerie vibe of The Anchorage was also masterfully built.
I really enjoyed the plot twists, how the author played fair with her clues and how much she made me care for Grace. The was a visceral scene in the book that brought me to tears, in a good way.
I highly recommend this book and have marked May 27th on my calendar to get my hands on a physical copy.
#theguestbook #Netgalley
January 13, 2021
Really enjoyed this and the ending have me goosebumps!
An intriguing and gripping story with a triathlon don't see coming.
I really enjoyed this and there were so many moments that have me chills.it was a clever thriller which I would definitely recommend.
An intriguing and gripping story with a triathlon don't see coming.
I really enjoyed this and there were so many moments that have me chills.it was a clever thriller which I would definitely recommend.
February 1, 2021
Great read couldn’t put it down
Loved it. The ending was unsurprising and I did suspect that Charles had something to do with the Jeffery’s I like the fact it’s still a mystery there is more to reveal. Loved the end character perspective chilling and cleverly written
Loved it. The ending was unsurprising and I did suspect that Charles had something to do with the Jeffery’s I like the fact it’s still a mystery there is more to reveal. Loved the end character perspective chilling and cleverly written
January 20, 2021
Brilliant book. Really enjoyed it.
January 6, 2021
Thank you to C. L. Pattison, Random House UK Vintage and Netgalley.
3.5 stars
Newly-weds Grace and Charles are on a train to St Ives for their luxurious honeymoon. However, due to a tree on the line, the couple are forced to take refuge in the village of Saltwater, Charles' childhood holiday destination and stay in an old guest house that Charles used to stay in. Strange things start to happen and Grace starts to question everything, including her husband.
Pattison does a very good job of building the tension, suspense and paranoia in the story. I felt the despair that Grace did as she grew to realise she was trapped in the village and that everyone was against her. I also did not expect the ending AT ALL. There were no clues whatsoever, so I was incredibly surprised.
However, I found the story slightly slow at the beginning, though it did pick up in the last half of the book. Grace is incredibly whiny and Charles is a complete creep, so I didn't overly like the characters, but I don't think it was necessarily important to like them. I also didn't really like the ending - too much was explained retroactively rather than revealed at the time so there was no real spark or danger, which was disappointing.
I also wonder why it is called The Guest Book, when really a guest book has very little to do with the story. I think it should be called The Guest House. Is there any reason why it isn't?
3.5 stars
Newly-weds Grace and Charles are on a train to St Ives for their luxurious honeymoon. However, due to a tree on the line, the couple are forced to take refuge in the village of Saltwater, Charles' childhood holiday destination and stay in an old guest house that Charles used to stay in. Strange things start to happen and Grace starts to question everything, including her husband.
Pattison does a very good job of building the tension, suspense and paranoia in the story. I felt the despair that Grace did as she grew to realise she was trapped in the village and that everyone was against her. I also did not expect the ending AT ALL. There were no clues whatsoever, so I was incredibly surprised.
However, I found the story slightly slow at the beginning, though it did pick up in the last half of the book. Grace is incredibly whiny and Charles is a complete creep, so I didn't overly like the characters, but I don't think it was necessarily important to like them. I also didn't really like the ending - too much was explained retroactively rather than revealed at the time so there was no real spark or danger, which was disappointing.
I also wonder why it is called The Guest Book, when really a guest book has very little to do with the story. I think it should be called The Guest House. Is there any reason why it isn't?
January 2, 2021
Thankyou to Random House UK, Vintage for providing me with a copy of The Guest House, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Grace and Charles are headed for their honeymoon when their travel plans are disrupted by a storm bringing a tree down on the train line. Needing to get out of the storm and find a place to stay, they find every hotel in the own fully booked, except for one. The Anchorage. Charles used to stay at the very same B&B when he was a child and remembers the hosts, so they check in. But Grace is not at all comfortable. The phone lines are down, there’s no wi-fi and she knows she’s hearing strange noises in the night. As Grace becomes more and more desperate to leave, Charles seems in no hurry to part with his childhood holiday destination.
A haunting tale with some brilliant twists and turns. I really didn’t see the reveals coming at the end and the mystery was more heartbreaking than I thought it would be. There were a few things I was becoming frustrated about, because it didn’t seem they were going to be cleared up at all but most of them were, right at the end! Told in alternating chapters from Grace and Charles, and interspersed with chapters from an unknown narrator, this was a well paced thriller with plenty of creepiness!
Grace and Charles are headed for their honeymoon when their travel plans are disrupted by a storm bringing a tree down on the train line. Needing to get out of the storm and find a place to stay, they find every hotel in the own fully booked, except for one. The Anchorage. Charles used to stay at the very same B&B when he was a child and remembers the hosts, so they check in. But Grace is not at all comfortable. The phone lines are down, there’s no wi-fi and she knows she’s hearing strange noises in the night. As Grace becomes more and more desperate to leave, Charles seems in no hurry to part with his childhood holiday destination.
A haunting tale with some brilliant twists and turns. I really didn’t see the reveals coming at the end and the mystery was more heartbreaking than I thought it would be. There were a few things I was becoming frustrated about, because it didn’t seem they were going to be cleared up at all but most of them were, right at the end! Told in alternating chapters from Grace and Charles, and interspersed with chapters from an unknown narrator, this was a well paced thriller with plenty of creepiness!
January 9, 2021
Grace and Charles are on the way of their dream honeymoon but destiny got different plans. Due to the weather, they had to stay in Saltwater. All the guest houses are booked so they have to stay at Anchorage, which is not what Grace had in her mind, she is more than unhappy but Charles is reliving his childhood/teenage visits here. Anchorage is not what it seems, the hosts are also hiding something.
First of all Why it is named The Guest Book? There was just a tiny part of the guest book. I struggled in connecting with everything. Grace and Charles as a married couple didn't make sense to me. I didn't find any chemistry between them except what the author was telling. Charles as an individual character is so shady and unlikeable. Grace was a bit sane but I am done with mystery books using characters who are drunk or facing PTSD or other disorders for the sake of developing the whole story. It is the same pattern in almost all of the books.
I found the pace too slow and writing wasn't my cup of tea too. It is that kind of book which was too hard. I liked the final twist and it is the only thing I enjoyed.
First of all Why it is named The Guest Book? There was just a tiny part of the guest book. I struggled in connecting with everything. Grace and Charles as a married couple didn't make sense to me. I didn't find any chemistry between them except what the author was telling. Charles as an individual character is so shady and unlikeable. Grace was a bit sane but I am done with mystery books using characters who are drunk or facing PTSD or other disorders for the sake of developing the whole story. It is the same pattern in almost all of the books.
I found the pace too slow and writing wasn't my cup of tea too. It is that kind of book which was too hard. I liked the final twist and it is the only thing I enjoyed.
May 19, 2021
This would have been the perfect book to read in late autumn as it has a definite Halloween vibe. The eerie and atmospheric old house, the storm, and of course the isolation make it a "bump in the night" kind of read.
The writing evoked a heart-clenching suspense. You wonder whether Grace's suspicions about the old place are unfounded. You wonder if the 'atmosphere' is created by paranormal or human forces.
This is a book that fills the reader with unease and suspicion.
A ghost story yes, but a crime story too. An entertaining novel that lovers of domestic suspense will surely savor. Recommended for reading on a dark and stormy night...
The writing evoked a heart-clenching suspense. You wonder whether Grace's suspicions about the old place are unfounded. You wonder if the 'atmosphere' is created by paranormal or human forces.
This is a book that fills the reader with unease and suspicion.
A ghost story yes, but a crime story too. An entertaining novel that lovers of domestic suspense will surely savor. Recommended for reading on a dark and stormy night...
May 29, 2021
Review published in: https://diagnosisbookaholic.blogspot....
3,5 ⭐️
I’ve had The Guest Book eARC for several months but as I read them in order of publication I did not start it until a couple days ago, so I went in blind without reading the synopsis again and I was not expecting those gothic vibes.
The book started off pretty well with a really unsettling atmosphere when a couple of newlyweds get stranded in the coastal town of Saltwater when they’re on their way to their honeymoon. The storm, the strange vibes of the town and the weird behavior of owners of the B&B where they end up, were pretty disturbing. Add that Grace and Charles seems to be hiding a secret of their own and you had everything for it to be a fantastic read.
Although I liked it it didn’t deliver everything it promised. First of all, why is the title The Guest Book when said guest book plays such a small part in the whole plot? Halfway through the story stalled a bit. Things didn’t seem to go anywhere and one of the things I dislike most in this kind of stories started happening. Why does the husband always trust more the opinion of strangers than that of his own wife?
Anyway, despite all this I was really enjoying it and could not wait to find out who or what was behind the strange happenings in The Anchorage. Until the end. What was that? It was completely disjointed! There’s nothing I hate more that when we’re just told the resolution without any involvement from the characters. I think the same thing could have been done in a different way and be much more organic. And to top it off, the last twist was not that surprising and left things hanging open a little bit.
A good story with a fantastic atmosphere that started off really good but fizzled out as it moved toward the resolution, and that sucks cause it showed so much promise.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK Vintage for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
3,5 ⭐️
I’ve had The Guest Book eARC for several months but as I read them in order of publication I did not start it until a couple days ago, so I went in blind without reading the synopsis again and I was not expecting those gothic vibes.
The book started off pretty well with a really unsettling atmosphere when a couple of newlyweds get stranded in the coastal town of Saltwater when they’re on their way to their honeymoon. The storm, the strange vibes of the town and the weird behavior of owners of the B&B where they end up, were pretty disturbing. Add that Grace and Charles seems to be hiding a secret of their own and you had everything for it to be a fantastic read.
Although I liked it it didn’t deliver everything it promised. First of all, why is the title The Guest Book when said guest book plays such a small part in the whole plot? Halfway through the story stalled a bit. Things didn’t seem to go anywhere and one of the things I dislike most in this kind of stories started happening. Why does the husband always trust more the opinion of strangers than that of his own wife?
Anyway, despite all this I was really enjoying it and could not wait to find out who or what was behind the strange happenings in The Anchorage. Until the end. What was that? It was completely disjointed! There’s nothing I hate more that when we’re just told the resolution without any involvement from the characters. I think the same thing could have been done in a different way and be much more organic. And to top it off, the last twist was not that surprising and left things hanging open a little bit.
A good story with a fantastic atmosphere that started off really good but fizzled out as it moved toward the resolution, and that sucks cause it showed so much promise.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK Vintage for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2021
Charles and Grace wanted a quiet staycation honeymoon, but when their train terminates early due to a storm up ahead, they wonder if they had made the wrong decision. Forced to take shelter in the nearest seaside town, Stillwater, they discover their fellow passengers have filled all the recommended B&B's to the brim. There's only one guesthouse left. Unlike the rest of Stillwater, The Anchorage is entirely deserted.
This is a dark and creepy read. Grace and Charles are heading to St Ives on their honeymoon but their journey is cut short due to the weather. They stop in Stillwater, a place Charles is familiar with as he used to holiday there with his parents. The only place they could get a room was at The Anchorage where Charles also stayed with his parents. On their first night Grace hears a child crying, but there's no children staying in the guesthouse. the book is descriptively written. It's told from Charles, Grace and a mystery persons perspectives. Grace did annoy me with her constant moaning. This is quite a haunting tale.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #RandomHouseUK #Vintage and the author #CLPattison for my ARC of #TheGuestBook in exchange for an honest review.
This is a dark and creepy read. Grace and Charles are heading to St Ives on their honeymoon but their journey is cut short due to the weather. They stop in Stillwater, a place Charles is familiar with as he used to holiday there with his parents. The only place they could get a room was at The Anchorage where Charles also stayed with his parents. On their first night Grace hears a child crying, but there's no children staying in the guesthouse. the book is descriptively written. It's told from Charles, Grace and a mystery persons perspectives. Grace did annoy me with her constant moaning. This is quite a haunting tale.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #RandomHouseUK #Vintage and the author #CLPattison for my ARC of #TheGuestBook in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2021
loved this creepy thriller. Like other readers it gave me goosebumps while I was reading it. I found I just couldn’t put it down and just had to finish it quickly. So glad that the ending was great as sometimes books like this one just fizzle out at the end but, this one didn’t. I could picture guest house in my mind’s eye and the strange couple that ran it. Even the locals were creepy and slightly strange. Brilliant. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
March 29, 2021
**Note: A big thanks to Random House UK Vintage, C.L. Pattison and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of “The Guest Book” in exchange for an honest review.**
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Book in One Sentence
C.L. Pattison's The Guest Book offers the readers to delve into the hidden mysteries of a guest house and how it uncovers the dark realities of human psychology.
Introduction
The book begins with a newly married couple - Grace and Charles - on their way to honeymoon. While on the train, a storm hits and they, along with other passengers, are stranded in a little town called Saltwater. Subsequently, we come to know that Charles used to spend his childhood there before his family moved out and he became distant from the lifestyle of the old town gradually. Charles becomes nostalgic over time. They are forced to take up residence in the old guest house named The Anchorage, where Charles used to come with his family as a child. Steadily, we see the dark secrets coming to light that makes the guest house such an unpopular destination for the locals of Saltwater.
Themes
# Psychological Thriller
From the very beginning, we can sense the underlying tone of something sinister. There was much foreshadowing in the process and we see how there is a hint of pathetic fallacy (in this case, the weather outside is acting as a reflection of the internal turmoil faced by Grace). The psychological narratives play an important role in giving structure to the story and develop the dimensions of the characters.
# Horror
It is no surprise that there is a horror element present in the story. From the very beginning, you can sense its potential. However, until you have read the very last page of the story, you are left guessing about the reality - is it really horror or it is just the working of the complex mind? Although we, as readers, are compelled to give the former a nod, we cannot be certain until the very end as Grace's narrative is sometimes explained from Charles' perspectives, which seems more logical and settling. We also get a sneak peek at Grace's past and why her narratives can be tampered with due to her underlying trauma. All in all, it keeps us guessing which side to believe and how it plays a major role in her narration. However, we are still aware of the underlying horror element treading the entire novel. How much of it is justified is only highlighted at the very end of the story.
# Romance
The story starts with a newly wedded couple on their honeymoon and how it comes crashing down with the uncontrollable irony of nature and fate. Although romance is not in the story full-force, we also see how love can be both protective and harmful. Veracity differs from person to person. Even with such a subtle tone, love plays a major role in the story.
# Narration
The narration is tricky and at the same time, foreshadows the crux of the story. We know the two known narrators - Charles and Grace. However, there is a third narrator - someone, who is not disclosed until the very end. We are left confused and keep guessing the identity of the narrator until the very end. The identity does get and uncovered at the very end when the climax happens.
The Ending
As stated earlier, the timing of the climax is at the end. It is definitely not a complaint as the rising action builds up quite steadily throughout the story. The ending is perplexing and shocking at the same time. As a reader and lover of mystery thrillers, I had thought of a lot of scenarios for the ending but kudos to the author for coming up with an unexpected one.
Significance of the Title
The book does justice to the title of the book. The guest book in the story plays an important role in determining the plot of the story. It also foreshadows some of the incidents that are revealed later in the novel. Although it appears once in the story and has been referred to a handful number of times later, the weight it provides to the plot does not go unnoticed.
Final Take
All in all, The Guest Book is a chilling as well as an engaging read. The novel takes you to a place of the supernatural, where dark secrets are hovering all around you. The story was going at a steady pace and by the time I was halfway through it, I could not put it down until the very end. It is a haunting tale, full of twists and turns.
---
Book in One Sentence
C.L. Pattison's The Guest Book offers the readers to delve into the hidden mysteries of a guest house and how it uncovers the dark realities of human psychology.
Introduction
The book begins with a newly married couple - Grace and Charles - on their way to honeymoon. While on the train, a storm hits and they, along with other passengers, are stranded in a little town called Saltwater. Subsequently, we come to know that Charles used to spend his childhood there before his family moved out and he became distant from the lifestyle of the old town gradually. Charles becomes nostalgic over time. They are forced to take up residence in the old guest house named The Anchorage, where Charles used to come with his family as a child. Steadily, we see the dark secrets coming to light that makes the guest house such an unpopular destination for the locals of Saltwater.
Themes
# Psychological Thriller
From the very beginning, we can sense the underlying tone of something sinister. There was much foreshadowing in the process and we see how there is a hint of pathetic fallacy (in this case, the weather outside is acting as a reflection of the internal turmoil faced by Grace). The psychological narratives play an important role in giving structure to the story and develop the dimensions of the characters.
# Horror
It is no surprise that there is a horror element present in the story. From the very beginning, you can sense its potential. However, until you have read the very last page of the story, you are left guessing about the reality - is it really horror or it is just the working of the complex mind? Although we, as readers, are compelled to give the former a nod, we cannot be certain until the very end as Grace's narrative is sometimes explained from Charles' perspectives, which seems more logical and settling. We also get a sneak peek at Grace's past and why her narratives can be tampered with due to her underlying trauma. All in all, it keeps us guessing which side to believe and how it plays a major role in her narration. However, we are still aware of the underlying horror element treading the entire novel. How much of it is justified is only highlighted at the very end of the story.
# Romance
The story starts with a newly wedded couple on their honeymoon and how it comes crashing down with the uncontrollable irony of nature and fate. Although romance is not in the story full-force, we also see how love can be both protective and harmful. Veracity differs from person to person. Even with such a subtle tone, love plays a major role in the story.
# Narration
The narration is tricky and at the same time, foreshadows the crux of the story. We know the two known narrators - Charles and Grace. However, there is a third narrator - someone, who is not disclosed until the very end. We are left confused and keep guessing the identity of the narrator until the very end. The identity does get and uncovered at the very end when the climax happens.
The Ending
As stated earlier, the timing of the climax is at the end. It is definitely not a complaint as the rising action builds up quite steadily throughout the story. The ending is perplexing and shocking at the same time. As a reader and lover of mystery thrillers, I had thought of a lot of scenarios for the ending but kudos to the author for coming up with an unexpected one.
Significance of the Title
The book does justice to the title of the book. The guest book in the story plays an important role in determining the plot of the story. It also foreshadows some of the incidents that are revealed later in the novel. Although it appears once in the story and has been referred to a handful number of times later, the weight it provides to the plot does not go unnoticed.
Final Take
All in all, The Guest Book is a chilling as well as an engaging read. The novel takes you to a place of the supernatural, where dark secrets are hovering all around you. The story was going at a steady pace and by the time I was halfway through it, I could not put it down until the very end. It is a haunting tale, full of twists and turns.
May 26, 2021
Gosh. What a read. Not read anything quite like it for a while but it was really good. And creepy. Love these type of dark Gothic reads and really fancy going to stay at Saltwatee but not at the Anchorage!!! Well recommended.
January 22, 2021
This was my first book I've read by this author, then I found their other novel I'd bought over a year ago (on my kindle) that I hadn't yet read 🤦♀️
Haunting, creepy, edge of your seat tension that builds to a crescendo at the end, that I didn't see coming at all. A well written, unputdownable psychological thriller.
Newly weds Grace & Charles are off for their honeymoon, but it seems the weather has other plans in store for them. Finding themselves having to stay in the village of Saltwater, Cornwall until the storms pass, they book themselves into the only guesthouse that hasn't been fully booked by all the stranded holiday makers.
The Anchorage is run by seemingly odd couple Pamela & Michael, but what is their secret? Charles remembers holidaying there as a child, what is he hiding & who's child does Grace hear crying in the night?
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
Haunting, creepy, edge of your seat tension that builds to a crescendo at the end, that I didn't see coming at all. A well written, unputdownable psychological thriller.
Newly weds Grace & Charles are off for their honeymoon, but it seems the weather has other plans in store for them. Finding themselves having to stay in the village of Saltwater, Cornwall until the storms pass, they book themselves into the only guesthouse that hasn't been fully booked by all the stranded holiday makers.
The Anchorage is run by seemingly odd couple Pamela & Michael, but what is their secret? Charles remembers holidaying there as a child, what is he hiding & who's child does Grace hear crying in the night?
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2021
A nice page turner with twists
I enjoyed this book, strange house, stranger behaviour. Atmospheric with a bit of supernatural thrown in. A perfect holiday book
I enjoyed this book, strange house, stranger behaviour. Atmospheric with a bit of supernatural thrown in. A perfect holiday book
October 23, 2025
Net iets minder dan 4 sterren, mooi boek en heel goed geschreven, het probleem is dat ik niet echt van thrillers hou. Ja😔
Ik moet ook zeggen dat ik het einde, zeker het laatste hoofdstuk, niet helemaal begreep. Maar ja, ik ben moe😔
Ik moet ook zeggen dat ik het einde, zeker het laatste hoofdstuk, niet helemaal begreep. Maar ja, ik ben moe😔
March 17, 2021
This is a creepy book so I feel it will appeal to psychological thriller lovers as well as supernatural fans. The whole tone is set from the beginning as a shadow feels as though it’s been cast over The Anchorage in Saltwater. It has this claustrophobic feel that only tightens its grip as the story unravels.
I loved the opening. Honeymooners, Charles and Grace start with hope. Hope of a long happy marriage and a wonderfully luxurious honeymoon in a top hotel but soon, things get in their way. In fact, it feels as though they’re doomed. The seaside town of Saltwater comes across as gloomy and dangerous.
I totally enjoyed immersing myself into the main characters narratives, especially Grace’s. I found her intriguing and thought her injured leg added so much more to the story. There’s nothing like feeling vulnerable when you’re frightened witless! It’s definitely not a book to read under low light in a storm if you’re easily scared. But... I love creepy books so this one suited me fine. ‘The Guest Book’ delivered scares in abundance and I found it to be totally gripping. Loved it!
I loved the opening. Honeymooners, Charles and Grace start with hope. Hope of a long happy marriage and a wonderfully luxurious honeymoon in a top hotel but soon, things get in their way. In fact, it feels as though they’re doomed. The seaside town of Saltwater comes across as gloomy and dangerous.
I totally enjoyed immersing myself into the main characters narratives, especially Grace’s. I found her intriguing and thought her injured leg added so much more to the story. There’s nothing like feeling vulnerable when you’re frightened witless! It’s definitely not a book to read under low light in a storm if you’re easily scared. But... I love creepy books so this one suited me fine. ‘The Guest Book’ delivered scares in abundance and I found it to be totally gripping. Loved it!
January 9, 2021
My first DNF of the year ... I didn’t like the characters, Grace does a great job of being a wishy washy weak female, despite being described as anything but.
Charles just comes across as a creep and got on my nerves.
The story just drags on with no excitement , Didn’t care enough about them to wait and find out what the mystery was .. gave up at 30%
Charles just comes across as a creep and got on my nerves.
The story just drags on with no excitement , Didn’t care enough about them to wait and find out what the mystery was .. gave up at 30%
January 15, 2021
Initially disappointed as I thought it was going to be set in St Ives. But what a story. Gothic and really quite creepy. Told in turns from the pov of each of the newly weds. He enjoys going back to a hotel he stayed in as a child. She doesn't. Theit histories unravel with a clever ending.
September 9, 2021
There's no one factor to keep you reading or interested in this book. The characters all in the first person and there's no feeling about them at all. The characters are very dull and boring. The plot is also very slow and tedious. 5 chapters into the book and nothing has happened yet
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