THE PERFECT HOSTS

A gender-reveal celebration gone horribly wrong exposes hidden violence both past and present.

On their Nightjar, Wyoming, ranch in the shadows of the Tetons, wealthy Madeline and Wes Drake are throwing the party of the year to announce the gender of their soon-to-be-born child. They have spared no expense: From the decor to the food, from the rodeo and the “pearls versus pistols” theme, to the plan to explode an old truck to ignite pink or blue powder, this is a party people will be talking about for months to come. So it is, but not for the right reasons. After Madeleine and Wes shoot the truck, a second explosion booms unexpectedly from the nearby barn, killing Madeleine’s best friend and midwife, Johanna, and injuring several more of the society guests. When ATF special agent Jamie Saldano arrives to investigate, several things immediately feel off. Among them: Madeleine’s estranged stepsister, Lucy, who turns up after the explosion and seems unwelcome; Johanna’s volatile husband, Dalton, who had previously accused his wife of cheating; Mellie, a young cater-waitress who has been carrying on an affair with Wes. To make matters even more complicated, Jamie has history in Nightjar: His sister went missing from there nearly 30 years ago and was never found. As all these people and their secrets converge on Lone Tree Ranch, everyone has an angle to play, and it may be luck that determines who will survive. Gudenkauf excels at establishing character and atmosphere, and a sense of dread permeates every scene on this isolated (albeit beautiful and lavishly appointed) horse ranch. Intrigue is thick among the small cast of characters, and the final plot twist, though not exactly game-changing, is nonetheless satisfying.

A beautifully rendered setting elevates this domestic thriller.