Kiersten Modglin ahs recently shot up to the top of my favorite authors so I always get excited to read one of her books. This was another solid thriller that was fast paced and kept you guessing the whole time. I did gets lightly bored in the middle when they're trying to solve the clues but quickly got swept back into the story when the drama ramped up. I thought the twists were excellently revealed and fairly believable (okay, maybe a tad far fetched but I liked it). This was very different from other thrillers I've read from her and I thought this was excellent. Looking forward to her next one! Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review,

Thank you for this book The Dinner Guests in exchange for my honest review.
I was very interested to read this book based on the title and the cover. The plot reminded me of “The Guest List meets “And Then There Were None.” While there were elements of suspense that made me want to read on, overall, I was not a “sold out” fan of this book. The writing style was not my cup of tea.

The Dinner Guests certainly had an enticing premise. This was my first Kierstin Moglin book, and it will also be my last. A great premise cannot make up for poor writing, silly and often annoying character perspectives, and a story that ends up feeling absurd.

I am immensely grateful to Dreamscape Media for my audio review copy through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This story focuses on a small town neighborhood where five friends, since high school, live: two married couples, plus a divorced woman. The house down the street, which was inhabited for years by an eccentric couple, appears to have been sold. Everyone's curious about the new neighbors, who haven't yet been seen and who appear to be making extensive renovations and security upgrades. When the group suddenly receives invitation to dinner at the house, they're curious and a bit apprehensive. The dinner proves to be the beginning of what looks like a strange mystery game, but has deeper consequences.

This mystery held my attention until the end, with some twists and some interesting characters. Narration was done by three narrators, each giving the perspective of one of the three women. It's an interesting story about how choices made years ago can have an ongoing effect on each person's life. I had a few misgivings about whether one event could ever actually happen, but don't want to mention it here as it would be a spoiler.

Piper, Beth and Lakynn have been best friends since childhood. They now all live on the same quiet street and enjoy spending a lot of time together. Since the neighborhood is so quiet, when anything changes it's a big deal. For example, when the most luxurious home on their street sells, they can't help but spy on the new neighbors. Who are they? What's their story?

When the ladies traditional methods of reaching out to the new neighbors fail, they're at a loss. Are these people intentionally ignoring them? Then the construction begins; a ginormous concrete wall quickly goes up surrounding the property. And the cameras! What the actual heck?

Weeks later, out of the blue, the friends receive very formal invitations to a dinner party at the now fortified mansion. Even though the invitations arrive last minute, they can't say no. They've been itching to get into that house. Thus, that Friday night Beth and her husband Leo, Lakynn and her husband Henry, along with Piper and her love interest Shane, all walk together to the mystery dinner.

After introductions, it is clear this isn't going to be a normal evening. The couple is strange, the discussion topics are strange, the atmosphere is strange. It's a whole thing. As the dinner portion of the evening draws to a close, the friends discover there's no way out. They're forced to play a game, hoping if they win, they'll be set free.

How do I best explain the experience that I had reading The Dinner Guests? Let's just say it was like being served a well drink when you are used to drinking top shelf.

It just was not for me; at all. I had never read anything by this author before, but have heard a lot of positive reviews for her previous works. I was fully expecting to enjoy this, maybe even love it. I was actually surprised at how bad this turned out to be for me. It just seemed ridiculous. I could not get behind anything that was happening.

Let it be known that I frequently enjoy books that you have to suspend belief in certain areas, so it's not that. It was everything else, the writing, the characters, the reveals, the ending...I think maybe Modglin's work just isn't for me. I am glad I gave it a shot, but will most likely not pick up anything further from this author.

If this synopsis sounds fun to you though, you should definitely try it. Reading is completely subjective and just because something didn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't work for you.

Thank you to the publisher, Dreamscape Media, for providing me with an audio-copy to read and review. I appreciate the opportunity!

Sadly this book fell short for me. I just found the storyline unbelievable. There was alot of unnecessary outbursts/reactions amongst the characters that made me want to fast forward. The flashbacks of an earlier time finally added a little bit of depth. However the present day scenario was too farfetched. There was a nice surprising twist toward the end but that couldn’t save the book for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version. The narrator's did a good job but I just found the story... Well kind of boring. It takes place over a single night and I just didn't find it ground breaking. It was kind of cheesy and when it finally got to the whole "we can't tell them what happened that night many decades ago" I thought it was going to be something really interesting..but that side of the story was kind of just blah. The language is way too strong.

Underwhelming at best. Unrelateable characters. This particular storyline has been played out in several other books recently.

Started out interesting enough but figured it all out very early on in the book.
The audiobook narrators (full cast) were excellent.


#thedinnerguests #netgalley #audiobook

This was my first audiobook by Kiersten Modglin and I will be going back for more!

This was a well done locked room mystery! A new neighbor moves to town and hides away while renovating their home. The current neighbors are dying to know details about their newest addition when a dinner invitation arrives. Old friends from high school, everyone agrees to go and meet the strangers but soon they realize dinner is stranger than expected! Read to find out what happens in this unique and twisty who-done it thriller.
Narration was flawless and completely drew me into this story, 3 different narrators will make you feel like you are there and part of the story. A must listen for fans of psychological thrillers!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

<b><u>Rating</u></b>
3/5

★ : Hated it, would not recommend
★★ : Ambivalent. Probably should have read something else, would not recommend
★★★ : Liked this. Would recommend to some. It didn't blow my world but I enjoyed it!
★★★★ : I really liked this one. I remember it easily and is a go to for recommendations.
★★★★★ : LOVED THIS. Blew me away, probably read it again. Very few books get this honor.

<b><u>Summary</u></b>
You've just received a mysterious invitation to meet your new neighbors. Do you go? After living in a tight-knit community and raising families next to each other, a well-known family seemingly moves away and a new couple moves in. The newest changes made to the property include an imposing wall surrounding the home as well as high-tech security. Though this seems rather fishy to the group of invited neighbors, they make an effort and appear at the neighbor's home for dinner to assuage their curiosities. Everything seems to be going smoothly (aside from a screaming clock) until they try to leave. Cryptic messages are uncovered and a series of riddles and clues expose themselves. When the group realizes they are locked inside the home with their hosts nowhere in sight, they must play along in order to escape. Tensions rise as every person is brought into question, loyalties are questioned, and secrets come to light.

<b><u>Appeals:</u></b>
<i>Genre:</i> Mystery/Thriller
<i>Pace: </i> Intensifying
<i>Storyline:</i> Plot-driven and issue oriented
<i>Tone:</i> Adventurous, Mysterious
<i>Writing Style:</i> Well-paced, scene-setting
<i>Characters:</i> Predictable, bougie, flawed

<b><u>Pros</u></b>
1. This really captured the mood of an escape room. I liked the way it led through the home and even had "false" clues.
2. I enjoyed the element of added stress when it was suggested it wasn't about them at all but their children who were at home alone.
3. Interesting and novel concept (though slightly unbelievable) that got me curious
4. Binge-able

<b><u>Cons</u></b>
1. Simple
2. Predictable
3. Linear to a fault

When you read enough thrillers, you start to see the twists coming and figure out key details. This happens quite frequently now. Despite that, Kiersten Modglin managed to take the twist and in her usual fashion, keep twisting it until you have no idea which end is up but you’re loving every minute of it. This story had some predictable elements, sure, but I think they’re left as breadcrumbs. You’re supposed to be lulled into the false sense of security before the big reveal leaves you on your ass. I did not see it coming and I am so glad there’s still a few twists that I won’t figure out.

Audiobook was well done, no issues

Thank you Netgalley for this audio edition of The Dinner Guests by Kiersten Modglin.

When a close group of friends and neighbors notice that the newly sold house is getting new occupants, they are all intrigued. Calling and speculating, they look forward to knowing the people that will join their neighborhood. But after multiple attempts, it turns out that the new neighbors are not easy to meet. Until they all receive formal invitations to a dinner party at their house.

Wary but wildly curious, they all decide to attend the party, despite it's last minute nature. But nothing sits quite right with them during dinner, and after an uneasy evening, try to cut the night short. But soon the host makes their intentions of the evening quite clear...

I kept asking myself what this book was reminding me of, with it's cartoon cast of characters, hokey bait and switches, and dramatic reveals. Ah, a Scooby Doo show! And is that a bad thing? I guess it is if you didn't like Scooby Doo! It's silly, colorful, and fun, but nothing that will rock your mind or stick in your mind for that matter, lol!

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. This thriller leaves you in the dark just like the six friends. Together they have to solve puzzles to find clues to help them escape. Each clue leads them closer to the truth and then finally revealing a secret that been kept hidden. You may see the ending coming, but you will enjoy the ride.

I would definitely recommend this book to someone who enjoys locked room mysteries and dark secrets.

I want to thank NetGalley, Kiersten Modglin and Dreamscape Media for this audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are honest, my own and left voluntarily.

I love locked room mysteries, and this one sounded amazing, so I was super happy to try out "The Dinner Guests" by Kiersten Modglin.
This book was a little so-so for me. I feel like it's a really hard task for writers to implement a solid twist - there need to be some hints so the twist makes sense, but not too many so that it's easily guessed. I thought Modglin did a great job in general, but the twist was a little predictable. However, this was a great light, intriguing read.

This thriller starts off at a dinner party hosted by a new neighbor. As events unfold, via an escape-room murder mystery, revelations unfold to show that each of the group of friends has their own secret.

Quick and twisty, with a hint of predictability, this was an entertaining listen.

Quick and breezy, this revenge thriller will please Modglin fans. A recommended purchase in in all formats for collections where her previous titles are popular. (Note, the pace of narration is a bit slow for the content)

I received a digital copy of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This thriller gave me Saw vibes and I loved every minute of it! I could have used more torment, but the truth of what the friends actually did was shocking enough.

Six friends are forced to confront the secrets they thought they left in the past. They must face these secrets in the dark, trapped in their neighbors home. Just when you think there can’t be more the twists continue to come!

The different narrators made it easy to differentiate between POVs. This was helpful.

This is a fast-paced, quick listen you’ll really enjoy!

Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review!

Audio pub date: 6/30/22 (text available now on Kindle Unlimited)
Genre: thriller
In one sentence: Six friends go to dinner to find that revenge is a dish best served cold.

Kiersten Modglin is an auto-buy author for me, and I did a combination of audio/text for this read. I love how Modglin writes short, punchy mysteries that deliver a satisfying ending. If you like locked room mysteries, I think you'll like this one. Yes, there are some elements that are a little unbelievable, but I enjoyed the change to learn about this group's many many secrets. Pack this one in your beach bag for a quick thrill. Both audio and text are good choices here - I enjoyed the group of narrators.

I had high hopes for this book, set up as a locked room thriller, but sadly it just didn't live up to my expectations.

The story revolves around a group of 6 neighbors that grew up together and now live next door to each other. There is a new mysterious neighbor who had done extensive renovations and added security that has the goup all abuzz with gossip. Soon, they are invited to dinner to meet the new neighbors and at this dinner is when things start to go wrong.

I thought it the first part of the book, getting to know all the characters was pretty tedious. I didn't really like any of them and felt the dialogue didn't really flow, but it did set up the idea that there were secrets this group was hiding. Once the dinner party began I was ready for the chills to start, and there were some very chilling moments.

.
So to wrap up, this book had a lot of potential. A great premise and some suspenseful moments. But it just didn't come together for me.

A sinister dinner party with 6 friends! A lifetime of secrets. One terrifying game. Twisty domestic thriller. Locked room mystery. Different POVs. Secrets, lies and deception. Shocking twists.

What more can I say besides this is probably my favorite Kiersten Modglin book to date!! Fast paced. Keeps you guessing to the very end. Expect the unexpected! I absolutely LOVED this audiobook! The narrators totally brought this story to life! I felt like I was right there locked in with these characters.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A huge thank you to @dreamscape_media & @netgalley for this #alc in exchange for my honest review!! This one is out on audio at the end of this month and I HIGHLY recommend you listen to this one!!