The Agatha Award-winning author of Quiet Neighbors returns with a twisty mystery featuring Finnie Doyle and Paddy Lamb, who have just left city life in Edinburgh for the little town of Simmerton. But only days after moving into their new cottage, Finnie begins hearing strange sounds, and she and Paddy witness the bloody aftermath of a brutal murder—which changes everything.
Strangers at the Gate literally drips with Gothic, oppressive atmosphere as McPherson layers one ominous moment onto the next ... Lord Almighty, this is a wild ride of a story. I can say with assurance that you’ll never see the end coming. Just when you think you’ve seen or heard the craziest thing, McPherson surpasses herself ... this is her finest work yet. This contemporary-set thriller has a unique vibrancy to its prose and a powerful voice in narrator Finn Lamb. It’s certainly one of the strongest novels—on every level, from plotting, characters, and atmosphere to dialogue and construction—I’ve read this year. And this is the perfect time to dive into this chilly, creepy mystery. Be sure to wrap up tight with a blanket and have a steaming cup at hand to combat the cold of Simmerton before you begin—it’s always more fun when you can savor the shivers in secure comfort.
McPherson ramps up the tension with ever more creative revelations and twists that will have readers eager to see what on earth is coming next. It’s a fascinating study of what can happen when we suppress our instincts or aren’t sure who to trust, and a delightfully torturous day-by-day recounting of the aftermath of a life-changing lie: everyone seems suspicious, using the proper verb tense is suddenly crucial and eccentricity begins to feel a lot more sinister. Fans of McPherson’s award-winning work...will relish whipping right through Strangers at the Gate, guessing and gasping all the way.
Finnie Lamb is a stalwart character who brings a quiet religious tone in the face of death to this enthralling stand-alone from McPherson, also the author of the Dandy Gilver series.
