The Unexpected Guest: A Review

The story started when Michael Starkwedder, an engineer, was trying to get some help after running his car into a ditch due to a thick fog. While searching for some help, he came across a house. When he knocked on the door, and there's nobody answering to his call, he entered the house as he saw that the french windows were open. To his surprise, he saw the lifeless body of Richard Warwick, a hot-tempered man, sitting on a wheelchair, with Laura, his wife, standing across the room with a gun on her hand. when Michael asked Laura who killed Richard, Laura immediately took the blame. But Michael was not convinced that she did the killing. So instead of calling the police, the two made a cover-up story to protect Laura. They thought of setting up MacGreggor, the father of the boy that Richard ran over several years ago, to be the killer.

As soon as the investigation rolled, as headed by Inspector Thomas and Sergeant Cadwallader, they found out that MacGreggor was already dead so him being the killer was impossible. With the turn of events, the history of the family came up that;s why every member of the family became the suspect to the killing. As the ending neared, Jan, the mentally-challenged Richard's half brother, stole one of the police's gun, while shouting that he was the one who shot Richard. He shot one of the police then he shot himself to death. As the police thought that the case is already solved since Jan admitted the crime, Michael is not convinced with it. To end the story, Michael confessed to Laura that Jan was not the killer but him since he is MacGreggor and he came to give his revenge. Laura run after him as he escape himself from the tragic scene.

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The Unexpected Guest was originally a theatrical story way back in 1958. I could say that the story is a murder mystery since it started when Michael Starkwedder, who happens to be the "unexpected guest," discovered the murder of Richard Warwick. The story offered a lot of mysteries like, "Who killed Richard Warwick?" "What are the secrets lying in the corners of the house of the Warwicks?" "Why did Michael Starkwedder is trying to protect Laura Warwick?" These are just some of the questions that are in need to be answered.

Since I am a fan of mystery and suspense-thriller books, I found this book interesting. The story is very straightforward and the plot is simply constructed. This novel talks about how family relationships can change with just some turn around of events. Behind those love for each family member, there's hatred that is slowly building up, waiting to be burst out. As the story escalates, feelings of love and hate will collide.

Rating: ★★★☆☆