A gulp-it-down-in-one-sitting novel, The Winter Guest, from Sunday Times bestselling author, Sarah Moss, is an enthralling story about how the past will always come to find you in the end.
''I found it intoxicating'' - Sarah Winman, author of Still Life
''Deliciously twisty. Destined to be one of those Christmas Eve classics'' - Rachel Joyce, author of The Homemade God
''Pure pleasure from start to finish'' - Katherine Rundell, author of The Golden Mole
Tell me the worst thing you''ve ever done.
On Christmas Eve, in a hotel on Ireland''s west coast, a man and a woman meet for the first time. As a snowstorm gathers outside windows twinkling with fairy lights, they share a meal, pour wine, propose a toast.
Janice and Gerry may be strangers to one another, but they each have a confession to make.
As the blizzard howls, the night will take an unexpected turn, and their conversation will have consequences far beyond the candlelit table . . .
''A perfectly measured serving of expert storytelling with a deliciously dark twist. I inhaled it in a single sitting. This is classic Sarah Moss'' - Jan Carson, author of Few and Far Between
Readers love The Winter Guest:
''Powerful, provocative and a classic in the making. One of my best reads of 2026''
''The Winter Guest then is a perfect novel for a cold winters evening, preferably beside a warm fire''
''This is a must read. Hands down, you will not read anything better going into the Christmas season''
''Sarah Moss has crafted a perfect tale spun out beside a hotel fireside in the snow-swept darkness of an Irish Christmas''
''This short novella by Sarah Moss was a delectable feast''
''The writing is beautiful and will transport you to a stormy winters night''
FAQs
"What is The Winter Guest by Sarah Moss about?
It’s set on Christmas Eve in a hotel on Ireland’s west coast. Two strangers, Janice and Gerry, meet over a candlelit dinner as a snowstorm builds outside. Each has a confession to make, and the conversation takes a dark, unexpected turn.
How long is The Winter Guest?
The Winter Guest is a 128-page novella, short enough to read in one or two sittings. It was published in hardback by Picador on 1 October 2026, and makes a good wintry gift.
What is Chapters Bookstore’s returns policy?
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Does Chapters Bookstore sell second-hand books?
Yes. We stock over 20,000 second-hand books across every genre, available online or in store. You can also trade in your own books for a Chapters digital gift card."
- Publisher Name:Pan Macmillan
- Product Format:Hardback
- ISBN: 9781037412172
- Author:Moss, Sarah
- Publication Date:2026-10-01
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