Guillotine

Delilah S Dawson, a New York Times bestselling author known for Bloom, presents Guillotine as a dark tale blending opulent luxury with shocking violence. The narrative follows Dez Lane, a thrift fashionista who agrees to attend an Easter reunion at the Ruskin family’s ancestral island mansion. Her goal is pragmatic rather than romantic; she seeks to meet Marie Caulfield-Ruskin, the editor-in-chief of Nouveau magazine, in hopes of securing an internship that her usual submission route cannot provide. She must endure Patrick Ruskin’s arrogance and his unwanted advances to achieve this professional foothold. Upon arrival, Dez encounters the extreme excesses of the one percent within an enormous island estate. The atmosphere shifts drastically once the ferry departs and the family gathers. The story reveals that the Ruskins have maintained a system of indentured servitude through contracts for decades. This historical context creates a volatile environment where the servants, having nothing left to lose, plot their liberation. Their strategy involves eliminating the Ruskin family entirely to secure their freedom. This book suits readers who enjoy stories about class conflict and revenge within closed-door settings. It appeals to those interested in the intersection of high fashion and horror. However, it may not suit readers seeking lighthearted romance or traditional holiday cheer. The narrative contains mature themes that require careful consideration before reading.