Shari Lapena has once again proven her prowess in the psychological thriller genre with “An Unwanted Guest,” a chilling locked-room mystery that transforms a cozy winter retreat into a nightmare of suspicion and survival. Following the massive success of “The Couple Next Door” and “A Stranger in the House,” Lapena delivers another taut, page-turning thriller that will leave readers questioning everyone’s motives until the shocking final revelation.
Set against the backdrop of Mitchell’s Inn, a charming boutique hotel nestled deep in the Catskill Mountains, the novel begins with the promise of a peaceful winter getaway. Eight guests arrive for what should be a relaxing weekend of skiing, good food, and crackling fireplaces. However, when a brutal ice storm cuts off power and communication with the outside world, their mountain paradise quickly becomes an isolated prison where trust becomes a luxury no one can afford.
Plot Dynamics and Pacing
Lapena demonstrates exceptional skill in building tension through methodical pacing. The story unfolds over a single, harrowing weekend, with each death escalating the paranoia and desperation among the survivors. The author cleverly uses the classic “Ten Little Indians” formula, but elevates it with modern psychological complexity and forensic awareness that reflects contemporary crime fiction sensibilities.
The plot structure follows a carefully orchestrated descent into chaos. What begins as seemingly accidental death—Dana Hart’s fatal fall down the grand staircase—evolves into an undeniable pattern of murder when guests continue dying under increasingly suspicious circumstances. Lapena maintains momentum through short, punchy chapters that alternate perspectives, creating an almost cinematic quality that keeps readers glued to the pages.
The revelation that connects the victims comes as a genuine surprise, rooted in a dark shared history that spans decades. The author skillfully plants subtle clues throughout the narrative without telegraphing the solution, making the final twist both shocking and inevitable in hindsight.
Character Development and Psychological Depth
One of Lapena’s greatest strengths lies in her ability to create a diverse cast of characters, each harboring secrets that gradually surface under pressure. The ensemble includes:
- David Paley, a criminal defense attorney carrying the burden of being falsely accused of murdering his wife
- Gwen and Riley, former journalism school friends whose relationship has been strained by Riley’s PTSD from war correspondence
- Matthew and Dana, an engaged couple whose perfect facade conceals underlying tensions
- Beverly and Henry Sullivan, a middle-aged couple whose marriage is crumbling beneath surface civility
Each character feels authentically flawed and human, with believable motivations that shift as revelations emerge. Lapena excels at showing how extreme circumstances strip away social pretenses, revealing the darker impulses lurking beneath civilized behavior. The psychological pressure cooker environment allows her to explore themes of guilt, redemption, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets.
Atmospheric Excellence and Setting
The isolated mountain inn serves as more than mere backdrop—it becomes a character itself. Lapena’s vivid descriptions of the storm-battered hotel, with its crackling fireplaces, creaking floors, and maze-like corridors, create an oppressive atmosphere that mirrors the growing dread among the guests. The author’s attention to sensory details—the howling wind, bitter cold, and encroaching darkness—transforms the cozy retreat into something sinister and threatening.
The complete isolation from the outside world, with no cell service, no internet, and impassable roads, creates the perfect conditions for paranoia to flourish. This setting choice allows Lapena to explore how quickly civilization’s veneer can crumble when people are stripped of their safety nets and forced to confront their deepest fears.
Writing Style and Technical Craftsmanship
Lapena’s prose is crisp and efficient, favoring clarity over literary flourishes—a choice that serves the thriller genre well. Her writing style emphasizes:
- Multiple perspectives that provide varied viewpoints without confusion
- Present tense narration that creates immediacy and urgency
- Short, punchy sentences during moments of high tension
- Realistic dialogue that reveals character while advancing the plot
The author demonstrates particular skill in managing exposition, weaving backstory and character development seamlessly into the forward momentum of the plot. She avoids the common thriller pitfall of information dumping, instead allowing revelations to emerge organically through character interactions and internal monologues.
Strengths That Elevate the Genre
Several elements distinguish “An Unwanted Guest” from typical locked-room mysteries:
The psychological realism stands out immediately. Rather than relying solely on external threats, Lapena shows how paranoia and fear can turn ordinary people into potential killers. The scenes where guests turn on each other feel genuinely terrifying because they’re rooted in recognizable human psychology.
The forensic awareness adds contemporary relevance to the classic mystery format. Characters understand concepts like DNA evidence and crime scene contamination, making their actions feel authentic for modern readers rather than relying on outdated mystery conventions.
The exploration of PTSD through Riley’s character adds emotional depth while serving the plot. Lapena handles this sensitive topic with respect, showing how trauma can distort perception and judgment without exploiting mental health issues for cheap thrills.
Areas for Critical Consideration
While “An Unwanted Guest” succeeds as an entertaining thriller, certain elements feel familiar to genre veterans. The isolated setting with dwindling numbers of survivors has been explored extensively in crime fiction, and some readers may recognize the pattern early in the story.
Additionally, the revelation of the killer’s identity, while well-executed, relies heavily on coincidence—the chance meeting between perpetrator and victim at the inn. This convenience slightly undermines the otherwise tight plotting, though it doesn’t significantly detract from the overall reading experience.
Some character motivations, particularly regarding the historical connection between key players, stretch credibility. The likelihood of such a specific convergence of circumstances requires considerable suspension of disbelief, even within the thriller genre’s accepted parameters.
Thematic Resonance
Beyond its function as pure entertainment, the novel explores deeper themes about the nature of justice, guilt, and redemption. The character of David Paley, wrongly accused of murder, serves as a counterpoint to the actual killer, highlighting how public perception and legal reality don’t always align. Lapena also examines how past traumas can shape present actions, showing the long-reaching consequences of childhood experiences.
The breakdown of social order within the isolated hotel serves as a microcosm for broader questions about civilization and morality. When stripped of external authority and safety nets, which characters maintain their humanity and which reveal their darker nature?
Comparison to Lapena’s Previous Works
“An Unwanted Guest” represents a natural evolution of Lapena’s style while maintaining the elements that made her previous novels successful. Like “The Couple Next Door,” it features ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances, but the ensemble cast allows for greater complexity than the more focused domestic setting of her debut.
The novel shares DNA with “A Stranger in the House” in its exploration of how well we really know the people around us, but expands this theme across multiple relationships rather than concentrating on a single marriage.
Final Verdict
“An Unwanted Guest” delivers exactly what thriller readers crave: a fast-paced, suspenseful mystery with memorable characters and a satisfying resolution. While it may not revolutionize the genre, it executes familiar elements with skill and style. Lapena has crafted an engrossing weekend read that will keep readers guessing while delivering genuine emotional investment in the characters’ fates.
The novel succeeds particularly well as an atmospheric thriller, creating a palpable sense of dread that lingers long after the final page. For fans of psychological suspense and locked-room mysteries, this represents time well spent in the company of a talented storyteller who understands how to balance character development with relentless pacing.
Similar Reads Worth Exploring
Readers who enjoyed “An Unwanted Guest” should consider:
- “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie – The classic template for isolated group mysteries
- “The Silent Companions” by Laura Purcell – Gothic atmosphere meets psychological terror
- “The Hunting Party” by Lucy Foley – Contemporary locked-room mystery with ensemble cast
- “The Woman in Cabin 10” by Ruth Ware – Isolated setting with unreliable narrator
- “In a Dark, Dark Wood” by Ruth Ware – Reunion weekend gone wrong
Shari Lapena has solidified her position as a reliable purveyor of intelligent psychological thrillers that respect both the genre’s conventions and the reader’s intelligence.