214 Palmer Street (previously The Uninvited Guest) by Karen McQuestion is a cleverly written psych thriller with lots of suspense that actually lives up to the billing.
From the opening chapter when we meet Sarah, the reader knows that something is just off. But it takes a while to figure out what that is.
And then it takes even longer to figure out why that is.
The author does a great job of slowly building the suspense while allowing the reader to question events right along with Sarah. It makes for an engaging and active read, which I appreciate.
I don’t want to talk story too much, because (yeah, I’m repeating myself) I’m not a spoiler type of blogger.
But I will say that due to the awesome writing style and tight plot, I suspected everyone of something at one point or another. Even Sarah, who is supposed to be the victim, does not escape suspicion.
Is there gaslighting going on? Maybe. But between what characters? And what does 214 Palmer Street have to do with any of it?
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The chapters alternate between “Then” and “Now” and it is helpful to pay attention to each one so you can keep the action straight. Not that it’s confusing, but it does jump around to fill in the gaps of the story as Sarah puts pieces together.
There is also a mysterious “Her” narrator who has occasional chapters. You might guess who it is, but chances are that will happen pretty far into the book. It’s just another engaging aspect of the story.
Actually, in writing this review, I realize that the author does to a certain character exactly what other characters did in the story. I don’t want to say any more than that, but when you read it, you’ll recognize who I mean.
And you should read it.
Even though a couple of my suspicions were correct, I was not expecting the climax to occur the way it did. Talk about a thriller! As that suspense built, I was turning pages late into the night to find out the end result.
And that’s not something I often do.
214 Palmer Street is a solid psych thriller. I always look forward Karen McQuestion’s books. I don’t see that changing.
About the author
Karen McQuestion is an Amazon Charts bestselling author who’s written more than twenty novels and has sold over two million books worldwide. She’s also the co-host, (along with USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson), of the popular podcast, BEHIND THE BOOK.
Her publishing story has been covered by the Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, and NPR and she has appeared on ABC’s World News Now and America This Morning. McQuestion’s books share common themes of connection and kindness. She lives in Hartland, Wisconsin.
