I’m still not sure what “women’s fiction” actually means…but I am a fan of psychological thrillers, so when I read that Shari Lapena, author of The Couple Next Door (which I enjoyed), had a new book entitles An Unwanted Guest that was labeled under “women’s fiction” and mysteries/thrillers,”  I was eager to accept a copy from Penguin Group / Viking and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Without revealing too much, just think Ten Little Indians goes to the Catskills…in an entertaining, quick read. The cast of suspects, guests and proprietors of a snowbound inn over a winter weekend includes an attorney who had previously been arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife, a middle-aged husband and wife who are on the verge of separating (unbeknownst to one of them), a war correspondent with PTSD and the friend who brought her on a getaway to help her recover, a rich heir and his gorgeous fiancee…you get the idea. On the first night, one of them turns up dead…possibly an accident? But then the body count increases before the power comes back on and access to civilization is restored on Monday.

Along the way, we see what happens when people with lots of secrets are thrown together and trapped by circumstance, then put under stress with plenty of alcohol. Fans of psychological thrillers will appreciate, and although it was a bit over the top with red herrings galore, it is a fun read. Four stars.