Having read all of Mackintosh’s previous work, I was looking forward to this one. It did not disappoint.

A body is found in a lake in Wales, and there’s no shortage of suspects. The victim had been widely disliked - even hated - by many people, and seemingly with good reason.

I found the book intriguing and gripping, and highly recommend it to fans of well-written crime fiction which contain twists and turns until the end.

Did I like the book?
Secrets, a dead body, a gorgeous lake, a party, too many guests and two coppers to try and understand what happened? Hell yes!

Did I enjoy reading it?
I probably butchered all the Welsh included in the book: names, places, you name it, I killed it in my brain every time. I apologize to Clare and everyone who speaks and reads Welsh! Still, there is a reason why Clare is one of my favorite authors, and it’s her outstanding writing. Yes, The Last Party is different, it’s the first in a series, the emphasis is on the police procedural side rather than the psychological aspect… And yet, I wasn’t reading another cop book. I was reading about life. Lives. Clare has a knack for bringing her character to life and making you care. I’ve never felt as invested in books as I am in each of hers.

What did I feel?

DC Ffion Morgan is a very interesting character! In the wide landscape of police procedurals, it can be hard to find ones place, but I don’t worry about Ffion, she’ll find her readers for sure. Swimming in grey waters, witty and real in every way, I didn’t find myself comparing her to other police officers in books and I can’t wait to meet her again in the next novel. Also, I do have a little thing for Leo…

Clare’s blend of plot and characterization mirrors life so brilliantly that you’re constantly discovering something. You get to know everyone bit by bit, just as you would get to know them in real life. Many authors use multiple POVs, switches, scatter clues and bits for their readers, but no one does it better than Clare. The layers she adds with every chapter brings out her expertise on human psychology and behavior. I love reading something I don’t quite understand because I’m either missing one or several pieces of the puzzle or I just don’t get the why, to be skilfully led to the answer through a rollercoaster of surprises and twists. Oh, and did I mention humor and a lot of red herrings? The Last Party was my kind of party, and I enjoyed it tremendously!

How would I describe it?
Better than champagne!

Anything else to add?
The author definitely does justice to the Welsh country, culture, and language.

Sincere thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review book.

Firstly I must admit that when I receive an ARC by Claire Mackintosh it does go straight to the top of my 'to be read' list. This felt different to the authors usual style, but what is there not to love about this book, I loved the characters which are varied and many. The characters are revealed to you in one way only to have them revealed a little bit more in depth as you progress through the book...exactly as you would get to know a person in real life. No one is how they first appear and there are plenty of 'Ahhhh" moments. So I did guess one of the twists as I am from Yorkshire and this happened quite a lot there too ... (no spoilers), but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book

The setting in rural North Wales gives a strong sense of place to the story and I can't recall ever reading another book set in North Wales. It is described, with perfection - , beautiful one minute, misty and gloomy the next. I especially liked how the author included the odd Welsh word, I strongly believe it is important to keep an ancient language alive. It is fair to say that this story had more twists and turns than a Welsh rural lane and I struggled to put it down...desperate to know what would be revealed next.

The two main characters have plenty of traction so it will be interesting to see how these 2 develop in subsequent books. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, if you are in a reading slump, this would be the perfect book to pick you up and hook you in.

This author is one that I never read the description of the book as, as long as it’s got her name on it, I want to read it. Needless to say I was slightly surprised to find that this novel is the first book in a series featuring DC Ffion Morgan. Not that it isn’t a good thing as it is, just caught me out as had been expecting another standalone novel.

Ffion is an interesting character as it’s obvious from the start she has something to hide. With someone in her capacity, it had my mind whirling around as to what that could be. She is teamed up with Leo of which neither are happy to be working alongside each other and this makes the story even more enthralling. I enjoyed getting to know both characters and it’s made me eager to read more.

The small setting worked really well and also gives the reader lots of options as to who could have killed the victim, Rhys. There’s plenty of reasons why many of the residents would want him dead as the further Ffion and Leo dig, the more we find about the man and in all honesty, I found my empathy fading the more I learned about him.

The Last Party is a murder mystery that will have you gripped with all the twists and turns that the story takes. There were plenty of surprises in store and just as you think you have it sussed, the author throws in another curve ball that kept me turning the pages. I thought this was a really good start to a new series and I hope it isn’t too long before the next one is out. A page turner that’s packed full of suspense!

Clare is one of my all time favourite authors. Her first novel is still one the best I’ve ever read! This one is first in a series, based in Wales. Clare writing is so effortless to read, I was hooked from the first page. Her characters are well researched and well written. This is another class act and I can’t wait for the next one.

I have loved all of Clare Mackintosh's books so far and could not wait to read this one. This book did not disappoint and kept me turning the pages until the small hours. I could not put this book down. A brilliant read with the usual twists that keep you guessing right until the last page. Well done Clare.

Clare Mackintosh writes page turning and hugely enjoyable thrillers and The Last Party is definitely another one.

The story starts on New Years Day when the body of a local is found but in a village where everyone has a secret or three it is difficult to identify the murderer.

The pacing of the book is superb and the interaction between the main characters helps drive the story along whilst keeping this reader thoroughly entertained. The twists and turns also come thick and fast.

The Last Party is definitely highly recommended

Claire Mackintosh is an amazing author and of my favourites, so unfortunately I find this review a little tricky to write.
This is not a bad book at all, with its twisty-turny plot it kept me guessing right til the end. My issue is with the length of the book. Unfortunately I think it spent far too much time building the plot, and it did become cumbersome. Compared with Claire’s other five star books, I’m so sorry that I can’t give this one the same.

Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Clare Mackintosh does not disappoint in this whodunit? From the start you are drawn in to each of the characters lives and tensions really do run high. I was blown away by the ending and didn't know how it could all come together. I would highly recommend any of Clare's books but this one is a different level

ON MY GOODNESS
don't know where to start
what a rollercoaster
there are twists and turns a plenty
good writing
good characteristics
everyone interwines in someway
Ffion Morgan and Leo Brady the chemistry, they are fantastically brought to life
Can you guess who did it - no
Is it worth a read, you get ya .

Based on the Welsh boarder with England this introduction to Ffion is brilliant. Her 'wild' reputation makes her an unlikely candidate for the local PC but when she gets paired up with the Cheshire police to solve a local murder Ffi has to find a way to keep personal and professional separate.

I really enjoyed meeting all the characters, learning about their history and potential motives along the way.

This is another brilliant read from Mackintosh, which is only made better by knowing its the start of a series!

This is my fifth book by Clare Mackintosh and all were four star reads, with the exception being Hostage, which was five stars. The Last Party is the start of a series...I don't usually go for books in a series but it's Clare Mackintosh so I over looked that part. Let me say this is one not to miss and I cannot wait for the next one to come along.

What I liked most about this story is the fact that there are plenty of people who wanted the victim dead, and for good reason. Rhys Lloyd is not a nice man and almost everyone in the village has a reason to loath Rhys and wish him ill. I did not figure out the culprit until it was revealed and that is the best scenario for this reader. Lots of red herrings for both the reader and the police investigation kept me turning pages and of course I loved being a fly on the wall to all the village gossip and rumours! There was a twist revealed about two thirds of the way in and I had that figured out pretty early on but it in no way ruined this incredible whodunnit. Clare Mackintosh is the master.

On New Year's day, in a lake on the border between England and Wales, a body surfaces. It is that of Rhys, an opera singer and the local celebrity. DC Ffion Morgan is sent to investigate and when she gets there she finds that the police officer already there is the man she slept with the night before, Worse they have to work together to solve the case.

This was a most enjoyable read. There is much humour in it and plenty of red herrings to waylay the incautious reader. I loved how almost everyone had a motive to do away with Rhys and there were plenty of twists and turns. It's always good to find a new police series and I look forward to finding out how this one develops. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I have read and enjoyed Clare Mackintosh before and this is no exception. Suitably complex cast of characters -most pretty unlikable - great setting and some great twists to the tale. Ending completely unexpected which is always good! Would recommend!

Ffion lives and works in the police force in a small community in North Wales. When the body of the celebrity owner of a new luxury holiday home complex is washed up in the lake crossing the border of Wales and England, DC Ffion Morgan is forced to work with a colleague from over the border DC Leo Brady. The victim initially seems much loved – surely no one would want to harm him - but as the book continues, we find out that perhaps his public life was not quite what it seemed.
I really enjoyed this book. It is yet another change of genre for Clare Mackintosh, yet one in which she excels yet again. Although there were a lot of characters, I felt I got to know each one well and was definitely routing for some of them more than others. Although everyone in the community seemed to know everything about everyone else – you were only a local if you had three generations in the graveyard – there were many secrets that were uncovered following the death at the party.
Highly recommended and I can’t wait for the next book in this series!

My thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book publishing Uk for a copy of “ The Last Party “ for an honest review.
For me , any book by Claire Mackintosh is a must read.I was lucky enough as with her last brilliant publication “,Hostage” to get invited to read this for a review.
Her books are so well written, and varied in subject matter. You really get to know all the characters, and I loved the setting of this in Welsh lodges next to the water.
I thought it was really clever how we kept going back in time to the events leading up to the last party, and I truly didn’t guess the ending, which I found very satisfying.
Another 5 star rating for her latest book , which I’ll be recommending at work ,and I’ll wait impatiently for the next !

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.

'The Last Party' has just become my favourite book by Mackintosh, what a read! I found myself instantly hooked with the plot, the location and the characters. Very quickly, I became immersed in this world and I know it is a cliche, but I really could not put this down. The plot is a slow burn and yet full of excitement and adrenaline at the same time, plus Mackintosh throws in a few twists that added to the enthralment.

Mackintosh writes this from multiple character perspectives and present day and flashback chapters. I adored this, it really helped me understand the characters. Plus it meant Mackintosh teasing secrets yet to be unveiled. Everything about the plot was just exquisite. I have touched on the location but the setting of Wales works perfectly for this book, Mackintosh has really put herself and her own experience into the location. Added to this the descriptions are simply stunning.

Then we come to Ffion Morgan and what a character she is. Getting to know her was a pure joy and I fell in love with her and her story. Ffion is easy to like, easy to get to know and I was rooting for her, what more could you want. I cannot wait for another DC Morgan book. Mackintosh's other characters are perfect as well, they all have secrets and they all have reasons to like them and dislike them. All of them came together to make for the ultimate cast.

'The Last Party' is quite simply an exquisite book and one that I will be recommending for a very long time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sphere for an advance copy.

This is another fabulous book by Clare MacKintosh. It’s atmospheric, dark and very well written.
The plot is intriguing with plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the final page.
It’s a great read and one that I’d definitely recommend.

The Last Party by Claire Mackintosh is a fascinating read and is potentially one of the author’s best books yet, in my opinion. The storyline gives the reader an insight into how many people who attended the party, before the victim died, could be suspect in his or her’s death. It is a true mystery crime thriller with plenty of suspects and dubious characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and read it late into the night.
Highly recommended

Imagine the excitement when I was invited to read and review Clare’s latest novel! After reading and loving her debut “I Let You Go”, I have read everything she has written.

“The Last Party” is the first in a series that will feature Ffion Morgan, living in a small Welsh village and working as a detective. In this initial story, Ffion wakes up in a stranger’s bed on New Year’s Day and makes good her getaway without waking the man up. She returns to her mum’s house, where she lives with her younger sister, and hears about a body being found in a nearby lake. 5 holidays lodges have recently been built lakeside and a party was thrown there to welcome the villagers and see in the new year. Now one partygoer is dead in the water…..
I couldn’t put this book down and already thinking about the sequel. Would highly recommend to Clare’s readers and anyone who enjoys a great “whodunnit” story. You will not be disappointed.