Shari Lapena’s latest, An Unwanted Guest, pairs the tension of an Agatha Christie-style whodunit with the introspection of a psychological thriller. With an even pace, a claustrophobic setting, and a dozen narrators each with their own secrets, this tale is an echo of the classic locked room murder mysteries.

While the mystery itself grabbed my attention from the synopsis, the execution of this story fell flat for me. The sheer number of narrators and their repetitive inner monologues made for a detached read. The third person omniscient narrator that hopped from character to character every few paragraphs made for a stilted read that I failed to become invested in. Lapena’s writing style with this one was amateur and clunky. Overall I was left with the impression of a disjointed narrative that outweighed the interesting mystery and a whole cast of characters that came across as flat and stereotypical.

That said, this tale didn’t lack for atmosphere and tension. The winter-laden Catskills made for a beautiful, chilling setting, and Lapena’s descriptions made the frigid temperatures palpable. For all the issues with the style and prose, the author’s books make for consistently quick, easy reads, and she included a trademark twist at the end. While An Unwanted Guest didn’t meet my expectations, it made for a few hours of entertainment, and I will still be picking up Lapena’s next release.

Recommended for fans of Agatha Christie-style locked room murder mysteries.