The Guest Children

The search for two missing children goes terribly wrong in this haunting and insidiously creepy ghost story debut by acclaimed showrunner Patrick Tarr.

With terror mounting in 1940 London, thousands of "Guest Children" were evacuated out of England to escape the bombings. Two of those children, Michael and Frances Hawksby, were never seen again.

Randall Sturgess wanted to do his part in the war--but stayed home instead to look after his troubled younger brother. Impoverished, shamed as a coward, and running out of work options as veterans come home, when he's asked to investigate the disappearance of the Hawksby children, he agrees.

Reluctantly leaving his brother behind, Randall follows the children's trail to a remote corner of northern Ontario, where he finds an isolated resort. There, he discovers the secretive couple who initially took in the young Hawksbys, along with their collection of strange, seemingly permanent guests. But there's still no sign of the children.

Plagued by vivid nightmares and a persistent feeling that he's being watched, Randall searches the imposing woods and lake for any trace of Michael and Frances. Randall's certain something terrible has happened to them, linked to a spectral presence he senses around the lodge and glimpses out of the corner of his eye. Appearing first in his dreams and then in waking life, strange visions call to Randall, even as his every instinct tells him to stay away-and he's increasingly convinced that if he ever wants to find the children, he must succumb to the call.

Vividly atmospheric, layered, and twisty, The Guest Children is sure to appeal to fans of Shutter Island and The Others.

Author: Patrick Tarr
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Published: 08/12/2025
Pages: 304
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 8.20h x 5.40w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9798892423120

About the Author
Patrick Tarr was born in Vancouver. He spent many years working in various roles in film production before becoming a screenwriter, winning a Writers Guild of Canada award for his first produced script before gathering a decade of experience as a staff writer, creative producer, and showrunner. For his work as head writer and executive producer on the international hit series Cardinal, Patrick was awarded the 2020 Canadian Screen Awards for Best Writing in a Dramatic Series and Best Dramatic Series. A graduate of the Canadian Film Centre, he returned as executive producer in residence for the 2022 prime-time TV program. He currently lives in the west end of Toronto with his family.