Lots of characters in this story. I had to make notes of who was who, but a great read as always from this author.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC

What a brilliant first outing for the new detective series from Clare Mackintosh.

Dark, atmospheric with twists and turns when you least expect them, I loved Ffion, the feisty welsh detective, together with a fabulous fictional welsh town. I was gripped all the way through and as ever, Clare did not disappoint with her surprise ending! It perfectly paves the way for the next installment and leaves a lot of ‘what would you do…’ questions!!

As ever the writing style makes it easy to romp through. I would thoroughly recommend- thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review, five stars from me!

This was a really enjoyable book with a fantastic location and description of the scenery. It had a great bunch of characters and I believe it is the first in a new series. Can’t wait to read the next one

This is the first of Clare Mackintosh's books I've read, and also her first Crime series novel.

New Year's Day, and a body is found in the lake at a controversial luxury development.

Introducing DC Ffion Morgan, set in Wales, the Anglo-Welsh history, tensions and banter are never far from the surface, and to an extent provide a unique angle.

The victim had more than his fair share of grievances, and the town has plenty of secrets.

It's a good, solid murder mystery, and the characters and locality are strong.

Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK

A good murder mystery set in the beautiful surroundings of Wales. A man murdered and several people with enough motive to do it! I liked how the author slowly reveals details of the characters backgrounds, how they interweave and provide reason why Rhys Lloyd was not very well liked! I also loved the interaction between two of the main characters, Fionn and Leo, who worked together to solve the case. Both with their own troubles and vulnerabilities which made them very likable and able to empathise with.
A good read which kept me invested in finding out who and why had decided to kill Rhys Lloyd.

My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
This is the first book I have read by this Author but on this evidence it won't be the last. A quality story that gripped me from the first page until the surprise ending, and that was just one of plenty plot twists and surprises throughout. Atmospheric clever tense at times totally believable and unputdownable. Character driven with superb characterisation throughout especially our delightful Detective duo, more of them soon please. Ffion in particular was brilliant, ballsy brave smart, funny sometimes laugh out loud so but with an underlying sadness.
Completely and utterly recommended.

The Last Party is another great read from Clare Mackintosh. It centres around the discovery of a body in a lake on New Year's Day. It is a great story as we delve into just why many people would have wanted the victim dead. I loved the characters of DC Ffion Morgan and DC Leo Brady and can't wait to read more books featuring them in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

I’ve read and enjoyed all of Clare’s other novels, so I was very excited to get an advance copy of The Last Party. It’s the first novel in a new series set in Wales.

Thanks to Little, Brown Book Group and NetGalley for my copy.

The cover is lovely and bright and I would definitely pick it up if I saw it on a bookshelf.

The story is set in a village, where a controversial development of luxury lodges has been built. The Shore overlooks a beautiful lake and the locals aren’t very impressed with the new residents. After a New Year’s Eve party, the lodge residents decide to have a dip in the lake and discover the body of a man.
DC Ffion Morgan is tasked with identifying the body and finds herself investigating the murder of a local celebrity and investor in The Shore. A man she knows all too well.

There are quite a lot of characters in this book and they are very well developed, with a mix of personalities. I found Ashleigh the Instagram influencer all too accurate! 😂
I really liked Ffion’s character, she’s a complex person but independent and strong willed.
I had a real soft spot for Leo and I’m hoping that he will feature in the next book.

It seemed like everyone had a motive for murder and I suspected every character! The story really kept me guessing the whole way through and I wasn’t 100% sure whodunnit.

The setting of the story was very well described and I could just picture the lodges nestled beside the imposing lake. The characters were also a strong point of the story and I was never confused about who was who.

It’s a well paced novel and keeps you guessing. The chapters alternate between different time periods and characters but it’s easy to follow.

Overall, this is another great novel from Clare Mackintosh. I’m pleased it’s a series and really looking forward to the next instalment.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

This is the first instalment of the Detective Ffion Morgan series, and it kicked off with a bang. In a lovely setting in North Wales lies a big lake. Half is Welsh and half is English. There’s many locals who live there, but there is also an area called The Shore which was partly set up for the wealthy by former local, Rhys Lloyd. Rhys isn’t very well liked at all by many people who live there. So when he turns up dead, there’s a queue of people who could have killed him.

This was a great story, with great writing. The descriptives used throughout were excellent, and really sold North Wales to me. I really liked the characters, but Ffion was my favourite as she was straight talking yet vulnerable. She was a diverse character, and I’m pleased we’ll see more of her in the future. An excellent read with many twists and turns.

After a murder takes place at a New Year’s Eve party an entire village comes under suspicion because everyone has something to hide, even DC Ffion Morgan who is investigating the case.

This book will really keep you guessing until the end. I loved that it slowly revealed information about the characters, flipping between past and present and told from different perspectives. The twists and turns were brilliantly written.

The setting is perfect with the contrast of the local village and the luxury holiday homes. The scenery of the lake and surrounding area really adds to the atmosphere.

It is not your typical murder mystery which makes it really stand out in the genre. DC Ffion Morgan is a fantastic character and I enjoyed that she has secrets of her own. I am sure you will find this book hard to put down! A great start to a new series from Clare Mackintosh.

I love books by this author so was really pleased to read this one. For me, this was a slow read all the way through, I did find my self skimming some parts because I felt the book was so long.

The storyline was ok, and the descriptions of the setting were really good. This book just had something missing for me that Clare’s previous books had, which I loved.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Last Party by Clare Mackintosh is a Party you do not want to miss. It’s the first book in a new series with DC Ffion Morgan.as the lead character.
The book is set on the shores of Lyn Drych, Mirror Lake, nestled under Pen y Ddraig mountain, and near the village of Cwm Coed. The lake is on the borders of North Wales and England. A local man Rhys Lloyd who to all intents and purposes is a wealthy singer, , but whose popularity is on the wane, and his business partner Jonty Charlton have developed luxury lodges on the shores of the lake much to the chagrin on the local villagers. On New Years Eve the owners of the lodges throw a party to which some of the local villagers attend. Sometime later the body of Rhys Lloyd is washed up on the lake shore, murder is suspected. Investigating for North Wales Police is DC Ffion Morgan and for Cheshire MCU DC Leo Brady. Both Ffion and Leo have personal baggage and a bit of history together.
The character development is excellent you can visualise both Ffion and Leo and become immersed in them, both characters have so much depth. The other people involved in the story are equally believable, some you feel empathy for others nothing but distaste. The narrative fairly fizzes along moving seamlessly between the present and past making the story absorbing and believable There are secrets and lies aplenty for most of the residents of the lodges and the village, Ffion and Leo also have their own secrets. The book has everything, not just crime with plenty of twists and turns, there is also a lot of emotional content and a smidgeon of humour which makes the story so engaging. I for one can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I’ve read all of Clare Mackintosh books but this is one of my favourites, highly recommended. My thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown for this ARC in return for my opinion

Clare Macintosh is a QUEEN!! I don’t even need to read the synopsis anymore to know I need to read Clare’s latest book.

This has been one of my most anticipated books Of the year. It definitely hasn’t disappointed. I adore the Welshness that oozes from the pages of this one. I have really felt connected because of this element. I have definitely been unable to put this one down.

This is the beginning of what is going to be a fantastic series. I have loved this one from beginning to end. I knew as soon as this landed tht I was going to drop everything and delve into the pages of this one.

The descriptions in this one, really do take you to the setting. I have felt connected to the characters and this is a book I have devoured in just one sitting.

Macintosh has created a perfect atmosphere with this book. It’s as though you are familiar with everything taking place. I definitely cannot wait for more in this series.

Ffion is a wonderful character. She is likeable and realistic. I love how feisty and sassy she is. However, she does have her own secrets to protect which adds another element to this book.

This is a superb multilayered plot. The characters are interesting and the multi perspective really allows the reader to get a full sense of what is taking place in this one.

The banter between Ffion and Leo is relatable and provides the reader with some entertainment. This is completely unpredictable and flows perfectly.

I have read and loved all of Macintosh’s books. This is definitely a favourite, the characters are interesting and unique. The plot is filled with enough mystery to keep you guessing and Macintosh has another gem to add to the collection.

This is an absolute must read. I have loved everything about this book. This is definitely one for the TBR.

Thanks to Netgalley and LittleBrownBookGroupUK for my early copy of this excellent book that is published today. I really love the writing style of Clare Mackintosh which has real depth and great humour. Ffion and Leo are great characters and I was invested in the murder-mystery storyline from the first page! Jumping between timelines and the point of view of a number of characters, this is a really great book, with a great setting in Wales. I highly recommend for any reader!

As locals gather for the traditional New Year’s Day swim, a body is found in the lake. The dead man is Cwm Coed’s prodigal son made good. After a high-profile career as an opera singer, he came back to his small Welsh home town with a scheme to bring luxury villas to the foreshore of the lake. But he promised a high-quality development in harmony with the Welsh countryside, not the breeze-block huts he has delivered. Even the authentic Welsh names that should have been assigned to each lodge have been dropped as they are deemed too difficult to pronounce for their intended English celebrity buyers.
The lake marks the border between England and Wales so police from both Cheshire and North Wales are sent to investigate. DC Leo Brady and DC Ffion Morgan think they are chalk and cheese, but the reader soon sees they are two blocks of the same very hard and crumbly cheese. Both are strong and sardonic, yet guilt-ridden and hurt, and they develop a distinctly chalky relationship that is a joy to read.
The main timeline moves forward from the murder and is told alternately by Leo and Ffion. The other timeline works back and forth from the New Year’s Eve party the victim attended and is told from the viewpoints of several lodge owners and locals. Often the same scene is viewed from different perspectives. This structure is difficult to achieve without being repetitive, but Clare Mackintosh pulls it off with aplomb.
A writer at the height of her powers, she lays a trail of backstory breadcrumbs for the reader to eagerly hoover up. Most of my guesses proved to be right in the end but I loved the sense of anticipation while the story kept me dangling.
A great plot with a fully fleshed out supporting cast and dynamic culture-clash duo at the helm. There’s humour, pace and a vividly drawn setting. It’s good to see Wales, where I used to live, looking so sexy.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

I love Clare MacKintosh’s books and this one is great! Police officers Ffon and Leo are thrown together on a case in a somewhat awkward situation. It’s a great opening and I love these characters, especially Ffon’s humour which at times made me laugh aloud. The plot moves at a good pace and there are several surprises which makes this a thrilling read. I hope it’s the first in a series.

I've been saving The Last Party as a birthday treat to myself and boy does it not disappoint. Clare Mackintosh is the queen of the last line twist and fills her novels with breadcrumbs and trails to take you off wildly in the wrong direction. It's done in such a subtle way that once the truth starts to be revealed, you'll wonder why you didn't twig it in the first place!

The Last Party features two lead detectives investigating the murder of a wealthy celebrity on the England - Wales border. With multiple timelines and plenty of supporting characters, there are plenty of suspects and motives, including DI Ffion Morgan. As readers we're very comfortable with strong female detectives, fighting to uphold the law whatever it takes - but is that the case here?

The Last Party is a great start to a new series from one of my favourite authors.

It's the party to end all parties... but not everyone is here to celebrate.

The Last Party is set on Llyn Drych, better known as Mirror Lake, at the base of Pen y Ddraig mountain, nestled beside the village of Cwm Coed on the English/Welsh border. Around the lake, luxury lodges have been built by Rhys Lloyd and his business partner Jonty Charlton, and the first phase of 'The Shore' development is already proving a success with the new owners, so Rhys has decided to throw a New Years Eve party to celebrate and has extended the welcome to the villagers but, on the stroke of midnight, Rhys is found dead in the middle of the lake, by morning DCs Ffion Morgan and Leo Brady are investigating a murder and, as they uncover the reputation of this failing opera singer, the suspect list is growing.

In a village with this many secrets, murder is just the beginning.

This latest thriller by Mackintosh is different to her previous books, as this is the first in the Ffion Morgan series so, as expected, it's a bit more of a slow burner as we meet all the new characters that will take this series forward, however this doesn't mean that we aren't subjected to the well known twists that Mackintosh likes to throw into the mix to completely mess with our minds along the way and this one has plenty. Many of the villagers in this tight knit community have secrets, Ffion Morgan included, and the topics of these secrets are very sensitive but are dealt with by the author with compassion and integrity. The story begins on New Years Day, then back tracks to the months leading up to the party and the days following, told by various different characters. I loved the instant friendship that the author has carved out for Ffion and Leo and am looking forward to seeing how that develops in future books in the series, and spending more time in that beautiful Welsh setting.

I'd like to thank Little Brown Book Group UK and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

Ffion investigates the murder of Rhys Lloyd, who died at the party held to celebrate the opening of the new lakeside holiday homes. She is helped by Leo, from the English side. Ffion has known these people for years, but now has to interview them as suspects. The property tycoon Rhys has a lot of enemies, so many people had a motive, with Ffion herself hiding secrets.
I love the quirky character of Ffion, and the Welsh detail. Great twists and superb writing. So looking forward to the next one! Love Clare's writing!

It's new years eve and the party to end all parties. You're a local celebrity and you've got a bright future ahead of you with your singing career and adding more luxery holiday homes for the wealthy to the 5 you've already built in the town you grew up in, what could possibly go wrong? Well by midnight you'd be dead in the lake.
The last party is a story following the murder of a local celebrity Rhys Lloyd (this is not a spoiler its in the blurb) in the samll Welsh town of Cwm Coed and uncovering who could have possibly wanted him dead and why. DC Morgan has grown up in the area and knows everyone and in turn they know her and now it's her job to uncover who in the town is a murderer whilst trying to keep her own secrets under wraps. Soon it becomes more of a case of who didn't want him dead rather then who did.
I loved the way that Clare really managed to get the feeling of such a small town where everyone knows everyone and their business and the challenges and conflicts that can arise from this not only when dealing with such a serious crime but also whilst growing up in such a place. I also loved the welsh words/phrases incorporated in the book (of course as I'm welsh) but don't panic they are translated for those who don't understand. Every character that we are introduced to seems to have something that they want to hide which is great as it keeps the reader on their toes and wanting to find out more. Also just when you think all has been revealed and that things will be wrapped up, BAM another twist is there ready to hit you in the face!
The story is told from multiple viewpoints (which I personally really enjoy as you get to see and understand situations from different viewpoints) but the two main characters who tell the tale are DC Ffion Morgan and DC Leo Brady who are in charge of the case from different police forces due to the area of the murder crossing the borders of Wales and England. Throughout the book we get to see how their relationship develops and how they start to trust working with other despite their rather unusual meeting and initial tensions.
Thankfully this is the first in a series of books following DC Morgan so it won't be the last we see of her and I already cannot wait for the next installment! We'll done on another great book Clare! Everyone should go and get this book, you won't need disappointed!