3.5 stars
This is the first Clare Mackintosh book that I've read and sadly it had a few issues for me.
Pacing was a major problem, in that it was just far too slow for at least about 60% of it.
There were also a large number of characters to keep track of, which could be confusing for some and is something that I'm always a bit weary of.
But the fact that it kept going back and forth in time and then reliving the event through the eyes of different people, was rather frustrating for me.
I like a page turner when it comes to my thrillers and I almost wanted to abandon this book completely after a few of these back and forths in time.
I did, however, really like the location and the twists and turns once it got going.
I also see that many others really loved this book but it just wasn't for me.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have enjoyed previous books by this author so was looking forward to this one. However, it was not for me. Too many characters and the story just seemed to go on forever. I don’t usually give books 1 star as I usually DNF, but I wanted to keep going as I’ve enjoyed previous books, as mentioned.

Not since Agatha Christie wrote Murder On The Orient Express has there been a book with so many suspects, any of whom could have easily carried out this murder. This story has an equally shocking conclusion which left me flicking back through the pages for any clue that this person was the murderer. I was totally blown away. I loved the dynamic between Ffion and Leo and hope this is the start of a beautiful partnership, both personally and professionally. In the meantime I'll be catching up on the author's back catalogue.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

This book really wasn’t for me. I didn’t care so much about the murder and didn’t realise it would end up being a series. I have no desire to well following these characters around for more murders….

One of my favourite author and I did not disappoint in the book. I liked every single book wait and turn. I never ever thought of the real killer until the very end when the clues were dropping.

Amazing read

She has done it again. A fantastic mystery that kept me guessing. I cannot wait to read more from the author and this series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.

A good read
A party no one will forget
It will keep you guessing from the first page to the last
Plenty of twist and turns
Thanks NetGalley

Ffion Morgan appears to have the best policing job in the world. Driving through the beautiful welsh hills in her Triumph and working all alone. That is until Rhys opens The Shore over on the English border. Rhys may be a superstar to some but to others he’s a demon. One fatal New Years swim washes up a body and Ffion has to work with the English DCI Leo to solve the case. Their relationship is addictive and the scenery of Wales stunning. I for one would love to own a holiday home at the shore as long as Ffion has no more murders to solve. Can’t wait to read book 2 now.

Claire Mackintosh is an auto buy author for me so I bought this not knowing anything about the story but after loving her previous books I thought that it would be a guaranteed great read. Whilst I quite enjoyed it, it wasn’t anywhere near as good as her previous books.

The book is a who done it set on the border of England and Wales. A well known singer is murdered and it’s down to a local pair of detectives to find out the killer. As with most of these stories the victim Isn’t well liked so there are a vast range of suspects.

In my opinion the story dragged for the first 60 percent but really picked up and became fast paced for the last 40 percent. I liked the relationship between the two main detectives and I liked how things played out. For me it just wasn’t memorable, the first half dragged and some of the characters weren’t strong. It’s worth a read but it doesn’t stand out compared to other thrillers that I’ve previously read.

Yet another book by Clare Mackintosh that hits the mark. She never fails to disappoint.

This book was full of twists and turns and ifs and buts, that kept me guessing as the book progressed.

I loved the interactions between Ffion and Leo and how their relationship developed and do hope this continues further.

I will be waiting patiently for DC Morgan's second book to be published.

You’re guaranteed a top drawer read with anything by Clare Macintosh - this lives up to expectations. Fab cast of characters, and enough keeping secrets of their own to keep you guessing all the way to the bitter end!

Excellent book - this was a fantastically written novel with a gripping plot. I couldn't put it down and was constantly guessing what the next twist would be. Highly recommend - you won't be disappointed!

Clare Mackintosh is a great author of crime, so when I saw this, I was super excited to read it.
I could not put this down I just wanted to know what happened. fast paced and addictive.

Great for fans of Agatha Christie and Janet Hallett.

Admittedly I am a huge fan of Clare Mackintosh and so I was absolutely delighted to have opportunity to read an advanced copy of her latest book ‘ The Last Party.’ Thank you NetGalley and Sphere publishing. This story is part one of two which I am delighted about because the characters really stayed with me. You know one of those books you read and you are sad when it ends because you miss the characters and wonder what they have been doing? So a follow up will be great. As the title suggests this story centres around a party which is the last one for someone. The unfolding mystery as the murder is solved was addictive. I just couldn’t put this book down or for the life of me figure out who had committed the crime. I enjoy a book that keeps me guessing until the end with plenty of twists and turns along the way. Could not recommend this book highly enough.

The Last Party by Clare Mackintosh.
On New Year's Eve, Rhys Lloyd has a house full of guests.
His lakeside holiday homes are a success, and he's generously invited the village to drink champagne with their wealthy new neighbours. This will be the party to end all parties. But not everyone is there to celebrate. By midnight, Rhys will be floating dead in the freezing waters of the lake. On New Year's Day, DC Ffion Morgan has a village full of suspects.
The tiny community is her home, so the suspects are her neighbours, friends and family - and Ffion has her own secrets to protect. With a lie uncovered at every turn, soon the question isn't who wanted Rhys dead . . . but who finally killed him. In a village with this many secrets, a murder is just the beginning DC Ffion Morgan Book 2 is available to pre-order now.
A brilliant read. Clare Mackintosh has done it again. Another twist read. 5*.

Once again she blown me away.

Is there nothing she cant do.

Cant wait for more, brilliant read from start to finish.

Another triumph from Clare Mackintosh! A body washes up on New Years Day on the idyllic lake, which is the backdrop to this intriguing mystery of whodunnit. One side of the lake is in England with the other side being in Wales - and the dead man, Welsh by birth had developed his dead father’s land for luxury chalet holiday homes sold to the English. Everyone seemed to have a motive to kill him and the beauty of the writing leads the reader down one alley, then another. The story unfolds like an onion with layers and overlaps. The two main characters are from English and Welsh police forces and their working relationship is challenging but realistic. I really enjoyed reading this and will recommend it to all my friends.

The Last Party by Clare Mackintosh was another one of my favourite books I have read this year. Like all her books I was gripped from the beginning till the end But, this one is special its a start of a brand new series (Yes!)
and a psychological thriller and is set in the atmospheric location of Llyn Drych, (Mirror Lake) which is nestled beside the village of Cwm Coed under the shadow of Pen y Ddraig mountain, which is on the border between Wales and England. Plus with a new exciting character DC Ffion Morgan which I loved, I am looking forward reading the book within this new series,

I highly recommend this new book. I loved it,

I love this this is the first in the series and not that last we will have heard from Ffion!

Really enjoyed this book and the way each of the many characters had its own story that intertwined with the other characters.

Really love that it’s set in Wales, the writing of the landscape is perfect.

Im delighted this is the first in a new series as I'm sure it is going to be a runaway success. The main character DC Ffion Morgan is superb. Her investigation into the death of celebrity Rhys Lloyd includes suspects who she knows quite well. The plot throughout had me guessing at every turn. The characters were intriguing and well depicted. So many secrets to be uncovered. A fantastic read and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series