THE PERFECT HOSTS is a twisty, completely original novel from Heather Gudenkauf that begins at a gender reveal party.

Madeline and Wes Drake represent one of the wealthiest and best-known families in their small Wyoming town, which is located at the foot of the Grand Tetons on their property, Lone Tree Ranch. They have gone all out for this party, including a fully catered meal under covered tent and entertainment to be provided by Reba McEntire. There are nearly 200 guests, not all of whom are close friends. Some are not fully welcomed and could be considered enemies and rivals of the Drakes, which makes the outcome of this gathering much more interesting.

"THE PERFECT HOSTS is a unique and compelling story with enough characters and plotlines to keep the truth and eventual solution to the deadly puzzle a secret right up to the novel’s decisive moments."

With chapters told from the perspectives of different characters, THE PERFECT HOSTS presents a tragic and ultimately complex event that will keep readers engaged and guessing right up to the finale. Wes fires a shot into a nearby vehicle that is supposed to emit pink smoke and reveal the baby’s female gender. Simultaneously, their barn, which is a mere football field away, blows up and ultimately burns down. The crude bomb, similar to a military IED, causes much damage and injury to many of the guests and leaves everyone in shock and disarray.

Emergency medical and law enforcement personnel respond quickly to attend to the injured and put out the fires. Regrettably, there is a fatality, and it ends up being Johanna Monaghan, Madeline’s best friend and midwife to their child. Madeline's back is injured by shrapnel from the explosion, so she is taken to the nearest trauma center in Jackson. Another attendee at the party, a young waitress named Mellie Bauer, accompanies Madeline as it turns out she is also pregnant.

One of the responders is Agent Jamie Saldano. He was fated to be there not only because of his knowledge of explosives, but because he grew up in this area and left shortly after when his older sister went missing. He keeps his identity and past a secret, but it is inevitable that those in such a small town will find out the truth. The response might not be what Jamie had anticipated.

Johanna’s husband, Dalton, must be restrained after a violent confrontation with the Drakes. He accuses Wes of having an affair with his wife. Dalton also rises to the top of the suspect list as he has a military background that would include the ability to create a bomb like the one that exploded at the party.

Add to the mix the unexpected arrival of Madeline’s stepsister Lucy, with whom she is not on good terms, and we have yet another relationship that could be tied to this tragedy. Jamie has much to sort through, and not every character is being honest. When the culprit's identity is discovered, the situation will get quite precarious and make solving this case nearly impossible.

THE PERFECT HOSTS is a unique and compelling story with enough characters and plotlines to keep the truth and eventual solution to the deadly puzzle a secret right up to the novel’s decisive moments.