Publication Date: November 4, 2025
A couple’s gender reveal party turns deadly and everyone is a suspect in this gripping thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest.
Is it a boy or a girl? They would die to know…
Madeline and Wes Drake have invited two hundred of their closest friends and family to their sprawling horse ranch for the most anticipated event of the year: a “pistols and pearls” gender reveal party so sensational it is sure to make headlines. But the party descends into chaos when the celebratory explosive misfires, leaving one woman dead and a trail of secrets.
As the aftershocks of the bloody party ripple across the small town, Agent Jamie Saldano is brought on the scene to investigate. Battling his own demons from the past, Saldano unearths a web of deceit spun around the Drakes. The appearance of some unexpected houseguests only deepens the mystery. And as tensions mount, it becomes clear that the explosion wasn’t just an unlucky accident. But who was the target, and why? As the shadow of a killer looms, the happy parents-to-be must unravel the truth before it’s too late.
A gender reveal party goes horribly wrong, leaving one dead and others injured.
Author Heather Gudenkauf amps up the psychological thrills in The Perfect Hosts. Full of hidden secrets, the storyline delivers multiple twists to keep readers guessing.
Special Agent Jamie Saldano never expected to return to Nightjar, Wyoming, after 27 years, but an explosion involving a high-profile family requires his expertise. The ensuing investigation forces him to revisit memories of the past.
On the surface, Madeline and Wes Drake seem to have everything. However, the explosion creates a shifting suspect list as more incidents occur. Is someone plotting against the Drakes, or is there something more sinister bubbling under the surface?
With well-developed characters, the story moves along seamlessly. Although the author leaves a tiny cliffhanger, the conclusion effectively ties up the loose ends.
The Perfect Hosts delivers an action-packed thriller designed to put loyalty to the test.
Heather Gudenkauf is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Weight of Silence and Not a Sound. Heather lives in Iowa with her family.
