Perfect Hosts

THIS ITEM IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER ONLY AND WILL BE RELEASED ON 04 NOVEMBER 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 ...

Cordelia 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.

About the author. Heather Gudenkauf lives in Iowa with her family and a very spoiled German Shorthaired Pointer named Lolo. Having been born with a profound unilateral hearing loss, Heather tended to use books as a retreat. In her free time, Heather enjoys spending time with her family, reading, swimming, and hiking. She is currently working on her next novel.

Don't miss your chance to see author Heather Gudenkauf as part of the 2025 Des Moines Book Festival on Saturday, March 22 at 4:30PM at the Franklin Events Center!