Title: The Unexpected Guest
Author: Charles Osborne
First published September 6, 1999
188 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780002326902 (ISBN10: 0002326906)
Rating: 4.09
Overview
In A Matter of Magic by Patricia C. Wrede, Kim’s life takes a thrilling turn when she’s hired to rob a traveling magician’s wagon.
But when the magician catches her in the act, he offers her an unusual opportunity: to become his apprentice. Kim soon finds herself navigating through a world of magic, murder, and political intrigue, all while trying to learn the art of magic and become a proper lady.
Wrede’s novel is a fast-paced adventure filled with mystery and romance, set in the intricate backdrop of Regency England.
About the Author
Meet Charles Thomas Osborne, a multi-talented individual with expertise in journalism, theatre and opera criticism, poetry and novel writing. He served as the assistant editor of The London Magazine during 1958-1966 and later on as the literature director of the Arts Council of Great Britain from 1971-1986.
For five years, from 1986-1991, he held the position of chief theatre critic at the Daily Telegraph in London. Interestingly, he is the only author authorized by the Agatha Christie Estate to create adapted works under her name.
(source: wikipedia)
Editoral Review
The Unexpected Guest by Charles Osborne promises to be a thrilling murder mystery that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. Charles Osborne is a renowned author of mystery novels and has previously adapted Agatha Christie’s works into popular stage plays, making him an expert in the genre.
First published on September 6, 1999, this book is set against the backdrop of a wintry landscape in Wales, which creates an eerie atmosphere that immerses the readers into the twisting plot. The story follows a stranger who arrives at the front door of a remote Welsh country house where he is welcomed by an invisible host.
The stranger is soon discovered to be the last person who anyone would want to be visiting them, as he is revealed to be a cold-blooded killer who has fled the scene of a murder. Together with the help of the house’s inhabitants, they all attempt to unravel the mystery surrounding the murderer and the motives behind the killing.
The plot is constructed in such a way that the suspense and tension are maintained throughout the book. Osborne makes good use of the isolated setting, which enhances the reader’s sense of unease as the characters grapple with the complexities of the case.
The characters are interesting and well-delineated. Each character has specific attributes that make them unique and memorable, with their individual quirks and vices that contribute to the deliciously sinister atmosphere of the house.
Osborne demonstrates his mastery for mystery novels with his writing, which is elegant and eloquent while remaining accessible to all readers. His prose is both poetic and gripping, which is a testament to his craft.
However, the novel’s pacing is somewhat sluggish in some sections, which detracts from the pacing of the plot, but this does not dampen the book’s overall impact. The Unexpected Guest provides insight into the human psyche, exploring the darker facets of our nature with compassion and nuance.
It’s a highly engaging book that immerses the reader into a world of murder, deception, and intrigue. This book drips with suspense, but it does not rely on jumping scares to evoke fear in the reader.
The story is compelling enough to keep the reader interested. In conclusion, The Unexpected Guest is a must-read novel for lovers of mystery and literary fiction.
It’s a heartfelt book that creeps under the reader’s skin and exhilarates their senses. Osborne has created a masterful piece of work that demonstrates his commitment to his craft as a writer.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the complexities of the human mind while staying hooked to the story. I give it four out of five stars.
