Do You See What I See?

by Peter Swanson

William Morrow
October 6, 2026

New York Times bestselling author Peter Swanson pens another fantastically creepy holiday novella, featuring a young writer sent to a seaside mansion to help a famous novelist finish his next book—only, when two dead bodies turn up, he must uncover the killer before the clock ticks down to Christmas Day.

When author Nicholas Child is dropped by his publisher, his agent sends him to spend the holidays at the Cape Cod mansion of her other client, Marco Tavares. Marco needs to finish the long-overdue follow-up to his bestselling novel, and Nicholas is going to help him.

But when Nicholas arrives at Marco’s sprawling seaside estate, which is decked out in twinkling lights and a towering Christmas tree, he finds himself in the middle of a gathering where holiday cheer is in short supply—and every visitor seems to have a motive to kill their host.

Along with Marco and his wife Nora—who are currently sleeping in separate rooms—also present is Marco’s oddball sister, near-silent grandmother, ex-girlfriend and her jealous husband, and long-suffering best friend, Billy Sousa. The most intriguing guest is named James Beers, another writer who believes that Marco’s bestselling novel was based on one of his ideas.

As Christmas Day approaches, a single boozy night culminates in two corpses, and Nicholas becomes convinced that the whole thing was a setup from the start.

With his signature slow burn and deft exploration into the dark corners of the human psyche, Swanson’s latest mystery is a master class in twists and thrills. Dive into the story here, and find out: Can Nicholas uncover the truth before the killer strikes again?

Foreign Sales:
Faber / UK

Praise for Peter Swanson:

“A topsy-turvy story that speeds toward its grim destination. The author’s devoted fans
will not be disappointed by this tale of karmic comeuppance.”
Wall Street Journal on A Talent for Murder

“Brilliant. . . This is a masterpiece of misdirection.”

Publishers Weekly (starred review) on A Talent for Murder

“An ingenious puzzle.”

New York Times Book Review on Nine Lives

“Hitchcockian chills and thrills abound.'

O, the Oprah Magazine on Every Vow You Break

“Engagingly original… Swanson has a bent for revenge and murder.”

USA Today on Eight Perfect Murders