Do You See What I See? review: Peter Swanson's fiendish Christmas thriller
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If you’re looking for that perfect Christmas stocking filler for your crime mystery fans, then this murderously clever novella from Peter Swanson, one of America’s best psychological thriller writers, should be top of your list.
Rightly labelled the grand master of misdirection, award-winning Massachusetts-based Swanson’s awesome literary brain loves nothing better than to defy readers’ expectations and this stunning and ingeniously plotted thriller is a festive feast of devilish deceits.
Through a reading journey of just 151 pages, this master of suspense manages to string together more twists and turns than a marathon game of snakes and ladders as we join a rather rancid Cape Cod Christmas gathering where both guests and family are far from feeling festive.
After being dropped by his publisher, struggling mystery writer Nicholas Child is commissioned by his agent to help one of her more successful authors finish the overdue follow-up to his breakout bestseller.
In the week before Christmas, he travels to Grey Gables, the sprawling Cape Cod estate of Marco Tavares who has hit a writer’s block after the success of a number one bestseller. But what Nicholas discovers is a house decked out in twinkling lights and a towering Christmas tree yet short on festive cheer and full of secrets. There are also some very strange people in the house – not least Marco’s family members – and every one of them seems to have a grudge against their host.
As Christmas Day approaches, a single boozy night culminates in two shocking deaths, and Nicholas becomes convinced that the whole thing was a setup from the start. And as he tries to write his account of what happened, a perfectly fiendish puzzle starts to emerge… can Nicholas uncover the truth before the killer strikes again?
Do You See What I See? is a thriller-chiller to relish as Swanson employs his wonderfully addictive sense of mischief and brain-teasing machinations to a brilliantly conceived and plotted short story which delivers all the classic mystery tropes but then subverts them in the most delightful and entertaining manner.
Perspective and storytelling narratives are cleverly manipulated as this tantalising, slow-burn Christmas cracker delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche whilst springing a series of breathtaking twists and turns on unsuspecting readers. Expect a tension-packed countdown to a fabulous finale which is best consumed by firelight with a stiff drink to hand!