Rich privileged people rent a place for a New Year's party in the Scottish 'out in the sticks'. Someone dies. Or, rather, is killed. A snowstorms sets in so guests and staff are stranded. All around drama galore!
***
Apart from the fact that there are indeed very few characters to like, and that's probably intentional, the story is full of drama and dark secrets and fake smiles. Psychologists would have a field day with each of these characters.
The book really held me in its grip because even though we know someone dies, we won't find out who died and who did the killing until the end. So, really, 80% of the book is a build up to the fateful event where all characters are dissected, their relationship dynamics revealed and dirty laundry aired. Brilliant stuff, indeed. Any suspicions I had, were wrong, so that was great as well.