The Ninth Guest

Previously published at The Octopus

We believed he had died from an overdose. There was no reason to suspect otherwise . . .

When Elspeth is invited to her ex-husband Richard's fiftieth birthday party, she's expecting a star-studded event for the famous British film director, full of A-listers and hangers-on. But she arrives to find just seven other carefully selected guests in attendance.

A surreal evening ensues, orchestrated by the charming yet manipulative host, culminating in what will surely become a night to remember . . .

Because by morning, Richard will be dead, and every guest a suspect.

Praise for The Ninth Guest:

'Very intriguing' Heat, Book of the Week

'Tess Little is a modern Agatha Christie, setting up her nine suspects, locking them in a sprawling Los Angeles mansion, and knocking them down one by one' Tanen Jones, author of The Better Liar

'A unique locked-room mystery . . . Perfect for fans of Lucy Foley' Wendy Walker, bestselling author of Don't Look for Me

“A novel you will easily devour in just a few sittings, it's unexpected and immensely gripping, leaving you with lots to consider.”

Dark, compelling Hollywood intrigue and a diverse cast of well-drawn characters make The Ninth Guest a unique locked-room mystery that readers will simply devour! It's perfect for fans of Lucy Foley -- Wendy Walker, bestselling author of DON'T LOOK FOR ME
Tess Little is a modern Agatha Christie, setting up her nine suspects, locking them in a sprawling Los Angeles mansion, and knocking them down one by one over the course of a decadent, stomach-turning dinner party. The Ninth Guest kept me guessing until the very last -- Tanen Jones, author of THE BETTER LIAR
With a knowing satirical eye, Tess Little skillfully weaves a page-turner full of satisfying twists and turns -- Kyle McCarthy, author of EVERYONE KNOWS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU
With skewering intensity and taut, unsettling prose, Tess Little plunges us into the kaleidoscopic glamour of Hollywood, where the eccentric birthday party of a brilliant, sadistic director forces the eruption of long-buried pain. Timely, smart and satisfying -- Paula McLain, bestselling author of THE PARIS WIFE
Elspeth's emotional journey both grips and gratifies. Little is a writer to watch Publisher's Weekly
Selcouth

Tess Little is a writer, historian, and Fellow of All Souls College, University of Oxford. She was born in Norwich in 1992 and studied history at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. She is currently working towards her doctorate, on transnational connections in 1970s feminist activism, having spent the last few years interviewing activists and visiting archives across the UK, France, and the US. Her short stories and non-fiction have appeared in Words and Women: Two, The Mays Anthology, The Belleville Park Pages, The White Review, and on posters outside a London tube station.

Previously published at The Octopus We believed he had died from an overdose. There was no reason to suspect otherwise . . . When Elspeth is invited to her ex-husband Richard's fiftieth birthday party, she's expecting a star-studded event for the famous British film director, full of A-listers and hangers-on. But she arrives to find just seven other carefully selected guests in attendance.A surreal evening ensues, orchestrated by the charming yet manipulative host, culminating in what will surely become a night to remember . . . Because by morning, Richard will be dead, and every guest a suspect. Praise for The Ninth Guest: 'Very intriguing' Heat , Book of the Week'Tess Little is a modern Agatha Christie, setting up her nine suspects, locking them in a sprawling Los Angeles mansion, and knocking them down one by one' Tanen Jones, author of The Better Liar 'A unique locked-room mystery . . . Perfect for fans of Lucy Foley' Wendy Walker, bestselling author of Don't Look for Me

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