Horror Book Preview: The Night Guests by Marina Scott

 

Ghosts, charlatans, and dark secrets, Marina Scott’s THE NIGHT GUESTS has it all. Set in the early 1900s, the novel appears to be a perfect read for those who enjoy a spooky tale and compelling characters. 

But is THE NIGHT GUESTS a good read, or do you need to add this to your DNF pile?

Let’s find out. 

THE NIGHT GUESTS Plot Summary

The year is 1903, and the setting is Omaha. Nina Wilson is thrust into a myriad of problems when her father passes away and leaves her in debt. Taking care of her grieving mother and the household barely keeps her on the precipice of sanity. 

When she meets and invites a medium called Leroy Marshall into her house so that he can help her mother get closure, she finds her house has awakened to something otherworldly. 

Can Nina find her way out of these problems?

Release Date: November 2025

THE NIGHT GUESTS-- My Take on the Preview

The story dives right into the prime plot. No prologues, no lengthy description of the town. We meet Nina, who has been invited to attend a seance by Leroy Marshall. Along with her mother, off she goes, and though she finds Leroy charming, she can’t help but feel something is off about him. 

Nina is twenty-five, yet unmarried. After her father passed away and the debt was revealed, her engagement was broken off. She is deeply concerned for her mother, but that becomes the least of her problems when she notices a drenched boy at the party. Apparently, she is the only one who sees him before he vanishes. 

Leroy Marshall has all the guests write a letter and seal the envelope. Then one by one, he picks an envelope and, without reading the contents, seems to know exactly who wants to contact whom. 

Nina is slightly cynical about this, but it doesn’t help that she hears whispers and the touch of someone who isn’t present there. 

When Leroy guesses who her mother wants to contact, the mother collapses. In the next chapter, Nina discusses her plight with the only maid left- Tilda. 

They decide to sell the silver spoons as Nina’s mother would not miss it. Nina is always hungry and misses the lifestyle she once had. She longs to go to the big city and hopes to find a job as a teacher or governess. Tilda reminds her that life in the big city isn’t as easy as it seems. 

Nina eventually makes her way to the shop, and the preview ends with her feeling humiliated to have to sell silver to pay bills. 

Nina’s character is highly relatable. The author manages to capture the essence of someone who suddenly has the world pulled from under their feet. 

Nina is a delightful character so far. She is responsible, caring, and seems to have a fight in her to survive this unkind world. 

Leroy’s entry seems curious. Clearly, he is going to add drama into Nina’s life, but will he be helpful or make her life even more complicated? Based on Nina’s thoughts about him, it may very well be the latter. 

THE NIGHT GUESTS--READ OR SKIP?

READ this one for sure! 

Marina Scott weaves an interesting tale where the simplistic world in a bygone era is far from simple. It is when people’s naivety was taken advantage of and where women’s status depended on how quickly they married. 

You will quickly find yourself entering a world where society is more interested in being nosy in others’ affairs than in the privacy demanded by the modern world. 

The characters are definitely relatable, and the story screams mystery and supernatural elements. 

You can get the book here