A beautifully atmospheric historical mystery set during the Irish War of Independence. When a family reunion at a remote manor turns sinister, ghosts—both literal and figurative—begin to surface. Ryan weaves suspense, politics, and the supernatural into a gripping, eerie tale. Perfect for curling up with on a cold night!

"The Winter Guest" by W. C. Ryan, narrated by Liam Hourican, takes readers back to January 1921 in Ireland, where the echoes of the Great War have given way to a new conflict: civil war. At the heart of this turbulence stands Kilcolgan House, once majestic but now a decaying fortress veiled in sea mist. Within its walls reside the Prendevilles, a noble family haunted by both literal and figurative ghosts, their existence dependent on the delicate balance of hidden truths.

When Maud Prendeville, the eldest daughter of Lord Kilcolgan, meets a tragic end during an IRA ambush gone awry, the family is shattered. The IRA claims innocence, insisting they left Maud alive, prompting Captain Tom Harkin, an IRA intelligence officer and Maud's former fiancé, to investigate. Despite being unwelcome, Harkin infiltrates the enigmatic household, tasked with uncovering the secrets that bind the Prendevilles and the town.

As Harkin navigates the house's mysteries, he confronts his own haunted past from the battlefields, grappling with personal demons that threaten to engulf him. His mission: to uncover the truth behind Maud's death before the weight of history and his eerie surroundings consume him entirely.

This historical fiction/mystery is set in 1921 Ireland. There is a civil war going on. Maud, daughter of Lord Kilcolgan , is killed during an ambush. Who murdered her?

Many thanks to Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for an audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a good historical fiction with some characters that you loved to hate who eventually got theirs in the end! I did find the whole book a bit difficult to follow but eventually figured out what was going on at the end. I will be adding W.C. Ryan to by TBR.

#TheWinterGuest
#NetGalley

I really wanted to like this, but it was hard for me to stay hooked. I'm not sure if it was story or the narrator, but I had to keep rewinding it. Not a terrible story but it didn't click with me.
Thanks for the opportunity #netgaalley

I was given a NetGalley widget for this one a year ago and I just got around to reading it and dangit it was so good. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have consumed this wildly relevant fictional tale, which felt not at all fictional, more like historical fiction, due to the times. The cover initially was what drew me in, but I'm so thankful to have stuck with it because the outcome was magical. I always love listening to audiobooks and when they sweep me off my feet, I'm just utterly captivated! I always really enjoy multi-cultural thrillers, for I embark on a journey through a land unknown to me, while still getting spooked.

So I didn't make it through this one. I think that it had to do with the narrator. I just could not get into the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. This was a fine mystery set in 1920s Ireland. It had an atmospheric feel and did a great job of setting the scene. However, I feel like it was just a meh read storywise.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for accepting my request to audibly read and review The Winter Guest.

Author: W. C. Ryan
Narrator: Liam Hourican
Published: 10/06/22
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers

I learned something, I don't care for the time period in books. I would enjoy watching The Winter Guest on PBS Masterpiece Theatre. I can't visualize the surroundings. If my issues are not a problem, this may have been written for you.

Insofar, as I could stay focused, I liked the relationship between Tom and Maud's friend (her name escapes me). He the Officer for the IRA and she the woman who sells herself. Ryan writes the lingo for the time period, and it was the highlight in a cold story. The IRA storyline was a mis, and that saddened me. Historical fiction is my first choice. Again, I couldn't connect.

The narrator was okay. I understood without any problems what he was saying. I did reread the synopsis (Something I don't like to do once I have selected a book. I try to go in blind.) and saw Ireland. I expected an identifiable perceived Irish accent.

I would gift this.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. This was solid mystery. I thought it was good character building. I did want a little more world building though.

The Winter Guest was an intriguing at atmospheric mystery set in 1920s Ireland. Maud Prendeville is murdered, and Tom Harkin, IRA intelligence officer and former fiancée of Maud’s, investigates her murder undercover. It seems as though she was shot as part of an IRA ambush, but it seen becomes clear that that wasn’t the case, and the suspects pile on.
I especially liked the way that Harkin’s PTSD from WWI was woven into the narrative, as well as the historical fiction aspects of Ireland’s political situation at the time. The novel also carries with it the sense that anyone could potentially be untrustworthy, which adds to the ominous mood throughout.
Liam Hourican’s narration offers a foreboding atmosphere that is entirely appropriate for this book. He differentiated characters well, and I was invested in his reading throughout.

I had such high hopes for this one. The premise seemed to be a ghost story set during the Irish Civil War. However it did not live up to my expectations. Was barely a ghost story and more of a murder mystery. I also got bogged down/confused by the many military characters and their complex and interweaving back stories. Perhaps it would have been easier to keep track of with a physical book. The narrator however was fine.

Would recommend more as historical fiction, than mystery/ghost story.

Murder, mystery, and a sprinkle of ghosts. I was hoping for more ghostiness and a more gothic feel. While it was t what I was expecting, it really managed to grab my attention (half way through at least).

Ireland is fighting for independence and people get caught that in the crossfire. But it’s not as it appears. A rebel is sent to investigate and strange things happen. Very enjoyable read

The The Winter Guest by W.C. Ryan was an interesting peek into Irish history after the Great War. The mystery was also intriguing. However, I was surprised to discover that this wasn’t book 2 or 3 in a series. It felt like there was important back history between the characters that I should have known and that would have helped me connect with them and the story better. I felt a bit like someone who joined a conversation already in progress and spent the remainder of the time trying to catch up with everyone else in the group.
There are red herrings scattered throughout the story to keep you questioning whether you’ve actually solved the mystery or not, but there are also enough real clues provided to make the big reveal not so shocking. I would hesitate to call this a cozy mystery, but I think it’s gentle enough for cozy mystery lovers to handle.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#TheWinterGuest #NetGalley

Though the Great War is over, the battle for independence in Ireland is raging. When Maude Prendeville, the eldest daughter of Lord Kilcolgan, is killed in the crossfire of an IRA ambush, a deadly sequence of events is set into place. The IRA column insists that they left Maude alive so IRA intelligence officer Captain Tom Harkin is sent to investigate. Harkin must battle his own demons while working the case and figure out where each family members allegiances lie. He must also contend with the ghosts in Kolcolgan House. The Winter Guest takes place in 1920 during the aftermath of WWI and the turbulence of The Troubles in Ireland. There is small paranormal element to the story, just enough to make it interesting but not too spooky. This mystery is perfect for fans of historical fiction and Agatha Christie. The narration by Liam Hourican was fantastic. His accent was perfect for this book. This mystery will keep you guessing until you reach its deadly conclusion!

Really enjoyed the story. It was set at a good pace, the ghosts would have been more enjoyable if they made a stronger appearance. I don’t k ow much of the history of Ireland, so I enjoyed learning more about their history. Loved the main character and really liked the book overall.

I have to admit, I had higher hopes for this one and it just kinda fell a little bit flat for me. I’d still recommend.

The Winter Guest is a tense and heartbreaking story set against Ireland’s post WW1 fight for independence from the British. Maud Prendeville, a member of the Anglo-Irish aristocracy, was also a heroine on the 1916 Rebellion. Suffering from PTSD as a result of her involvement in the Rebellion, she returns home to rural Kilcolgan House where she’s lived for the past five years. In 1921, she’s found dead at the gates of her home…the site of a ambush of British officers but the IRA. Why would the IRA kill a heroine of their cause and why was she will the officers in the first place? Former Captain Tom Harkin, a deeply troubled WW1 veteran and current IRA intelligence officer is sent to Kilcolgan House to investigate under the disguise of a life insurance investigator. Tom went to college with Maud’s brother Billy and served with him during the war…he was also Maud’s former fiancé as she had broken up with him after the 1916 rebellion. There is an extraordinary amount of intrigue regarding the killing, all the various factions involved in the war for independence, and the loyalists, traitors and innocent people caught up in the struggle. Tom puts his life on the line to identify the killer and seek justice for the dead.
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the story and narrator but the many characters were, at times, hard to keep track of while following the narrative.
Thanks to #netgalley for the advance copy of the audiobook.

I honestly don’t know how to review this audiobook. The material may very well be great but I hate the narrator. The muttering in an Irish accent is so hard to understand and tedious.

The Winter Guest
by W.C. Ryan
Colleen Chi-Girl's review on Oct 30, 2022
Bookshelves: 2022, audio, historical-fiction, ireland-irish, netgalley, thrillers, ww1

Thank you to W.C. Ryan, NetGalley, and the publisher, Dreamscape Media Audio, for my honest review of this ARC. * I really loved this novel.* The narrator, Liam Hourican, truly highlighted this novel with his subtle, lovely, Irish accent, which wouldn't have happened if not on an audiobook, as well as his talent and ability to read all character parts without reader confusion or aggravation (lol).

The setting is Ireland, a couple years after WWI, and times are hard for everyone. In Ireland, there's another war waging between the Irish and Brits, and it's a painful and ugly war. If you've read anything about the constant fighting (and starving of) the Irish endured, you'll understand the fear and trauma and suspense! You'll also realize that you don't know who to believe or trust, and who might turn on you or kill you.

It begins with Captain Tom Harkin, an (ex) IRA intelligence officer, who was also with the British Army, and is asked to come to his ex-fiance Maud's home, which was once a grand estate called Kilcolgan House. A crime has been committed and Tom Harkin now has his hands full staying in this home with a cast of gloomy characters, including Maud's family members, local police, other intelligence officers, past friends of his and Maud's, and so forth. The tension is palpable!

The Winter Guest will keep your head spinning and your heart pounding during this cold, cold Irish winter. Shiverrrr!