BOOK LAUNCH: THE HOUSE GUEST by Jennifer Pashley

An aspiring chef finds she has bitten off more than she can chew when her gig as a private cook to a bestselling author turns deadly...
About this Event

Set against the backdrop of Cape Cod’s wealth and privilege, THE HOUSE GUEST offers a sharp, intoxicating look at the lives, marriages, and appetites of the rich – delivering both psychological suspense and a deeply satisfying dose of schadenfreude.

We're thrilled to welcome Jennifer Pashley to The Twisted Spine in conversation with Dennis Michel (@ScaredStraightReads) on July 7!

About THE HOUSE GUEST

An aspiring chef finds she has bitten off more than she can chew when her gig as a private cook to a bestselling author turns deadly in this propulsive, whip-smart suspense novel.
“Emma Cline’sThe Guest meets Freida McFadden’sThe Housemaid in this sexy, edgy, singular story.”—Ashley Winstead, author of The Future Saints
Brett Novak is a young upstart chef, with real, raw talent—if only she could catch a break. After getting dumped by her married girlfriend and losing the perfect job offer, Brett accepts a temporary position as a live-in, personal chef of a reclusive, bestselling author, Carson Smart, who resides in a mansion on a secluded beach in Cape Cod.
Carson immediately seduces her, but things get complicated when Carson’s wife, Vera, arrives home from her trip, and the love/hate relationship between the two spouses erupts, leaving Brett caught in the middle. Brett, starved for attention, craves Carson’s affection and yet is oddly drawn to Vera’s seductive and destructive charms.
As Brett becomes an unwitting pawn and weapon, she questions how far husband and wife will go to wound the other. With nowhere else to turn, she has no choice but to stay—even as her hold on reality begins to slip. Can she survive her employers’ dark appetites?

About the speakers:

Jennifer Pashley is the award-winning author of two short story collections, States, and The Conjurer, as well as the novels The Scamp and The Watcher. Her stories have appeared widely in journals like Mississippi Review, PANK, and SmokeLong Quarterly, and she has been awarded the Red Hen Prize for Fiction, the Mississippi Review Prize for fiction, and the Carve Magazine Esoteric Award for LGBT Fiction. She lives in Syracuse, New York.

Dennis Michel, known online as ScaredStraightReads, is a New York City–based book influencer, content creator, and host of the #ScaredStraightReads Book Club. A respected voice in the Bookstagram community, he shares thoughtful book reviews, hosts engaging author interviews, and connects readers through giveaways and interactive discussions. While his content spans a variety of genres, including contemporary fiction, horror, and romance, he is especially recognized for his enthusiasm for thrillers and mysteries, making him a trusted source for readers seeking their next suspenseful read.

Event guidelines:

Each ticket includes either a hardcover copy THE HOUSE GUEST or a $15 Twisted Spine gift card.

Limited additional copies of the books will be available for purchase at the event.

A signing will follow the discussion.

If you have any questions about the guidelines or to request accessibility accommodations, please contact [email protected].