Skip to main content

Member Reviews

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

Nadine Walsh is putting on the neighbourhood garden party of the year for the 60th birthday of her mother, famous author Marilyn Millay.

Unfortunately her birthday also falls on the anniversary of her sister Collen's death 30 years ago so holds bittersweet memories for Nadine as it was her that found Colleens body.

Add to that two troubled teenage children, a neighbourhood where everyone has a shared history and hidden secrets everywhere somethings have a habit of coming out as secrets can't be kept forever.

I really enjoyed this and was kept guessing all the way to the end who the 'death at the party' would be. The only thing that made me mark it four was that it all unravelled over a day. This was a lot to take on and yes probably why Nadine is a stressed wreck but personally it was too much for me.

Still a highly recommended read.

Was this review helpful?

The start of the novel there is a murder then you go back to the strat of the day where Nadine is preparing for the garden party. A slow paced book could get on to this one.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book, kept me entertained until the end and also had a few twists I wasn’t expecting! Highly recommend

Was this review helpful?

What a story. It was very enjoyable and the characters very interesting. It kept you guessing but not in the usual way because you knew who was the killer but just not who the victim was. A very different read but in a good way

Was this review helpful?

This is such a fantastic written story I loved all the twists and turns it was like being on a rollercoaster I didn't want this story too end but such an amazing ending I never guessed I love a good thriller that keeps me on my

Was this review helpful?

I received this book in exchange for an honest review - for a full review check out my YouTube or Goodreads account

Was this review helpful?

If you like your domestic thrillers keeping you on the edge of your seat, you'll love this. A party. Canapes, Champagne. Music. Family and friends. And a body in the basement!

Was this review helpful?

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The book opens with the murder scene - and the perpetrator, Nadine, is fully exposed. What is not known is the name of the victim. The narrative then reverts to the beginning of the day of the party and the activities of Nadine in preparation for the event. These are interspersed with tales of times gone by, family secrets, accidents and tragedies that have brought Nadine to this point in her life. There are a few potential suspects for the murder victim and I think the author does a reasonable job at keeping the actual victim hidden until the latest moment.

I think the tag line "the planning took months, the murder just moments" is a bit misleading as from my reading the only planning was for the actual party rather than the murder

It is an easy book to read, I polished it off in just a few hours but I wouldn't say that i was enthralled or that the tension the author created had me on the edge of my seat. In contrast I think it was a very tame denouement of events both past and present focused that leads to the final act.

It isn't the sort of book that would make me hunt for more by the same author overall just a little disappointing. I am fixing on a 3 star rating but it really only just gets to that value

Was this review helpful?

What a twisty little mystery this was! It was like watching an episode of a hugely dramatic soap opera. I loved it. Fast paced and gripping

Was this review helpful?

Given that the story is set over the course of one day, what seems like a tight timeline isn't, as we discover through stories and reminiscences throughout that this tragedy has been long in the making. It's a good tale that takes some time to deliver, despite opening with the last moments of the deceased. Stick with it though, it's worth it.

Was this review helpful?

I throughly enjoyed this read, this was my first book by the author and it did not disappoint. I am looking forward to the next release!

Was this review helpful?

This was a bit of a slow burn for me but the last 10-15% of the booked picked up pace. Even though it takes place over the course of one day, I did feel like it was quite drawn out in places. Sometimes I found myself skipping a head a bit to get to the next piece of key information.
I liked how it was told in reverse - the little glimpse into what would happen by the end of the story kept me guessing throughout and it was good how it all came together in the end.

Was this review helpful?

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy

Was this review helpful?

'A Death at the Party' by Amy Stuart is thriller books at their best.

Nadine Walsh is determined to make her summer garden party the event of the year. Everyone deserves a celebration after the year they've had. A chance to forget. As she prepares to welcome her guests, however, Nadine can't help but be distracted. Her husband is of little help to her. Her two grown children are consumed with their own concerns. But it's Nadine's own secrets that threaten to destroy her perfect party. By the end of the night, Nadine will be standing over a dead body in the basement. But which of her guests will she have murdered? And why?

This is a fast paced and addictive thriller. You will be hooked from the first page to the last.

The story for this book is so well plotted and there are twists at every corner that keep you guessing until the end.

I had no idea what would happen at the end and I did not even guess it.

This is a book that you may read in one setting as it is really hard to put down.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley in allowing me to read in return for a review.

Was this review helpful?

An unexpectedly compelling and addictive narrative. Despite my initial reservations about the affluent North American setting, the captivating writing style and well-crafted plot proved to be irresistible, drawing me into the story. As Nadine orchestrates a birthday celebration for her accomplished author mother, haunting memories from 30 years ago resurface. With each passing moment, additional secrets come to light, ultimately culminating in the untimely death of one of the guests.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Reading the novel in first person gives this thriller an interesting twist. You are drawn in to the family life and internal dilemmas from page 1. If you enjoyed any of the ‘Still..’ series you’ll love A Death At The Party.

Was this review helpful?

I was on the fence with this one. The book started really well but it went down hill from there and I felt that it was very slow with not much happening to keep me hooked.

Was this review helpful?

Not bad but just not brilliant either. It was interesting to have a completely different perspective in that you knew from the start who the killer was you just didn't know who the victim was. I did struggle with this and found it a little slow and tedious in parts and not really caring that much about any of the characters. There was some enjoyable parts but it wasn't a page turner for me.

Was this review helpful?

DNF at 10% - I just couldn't get into it after several attempts. The main character was extremely unlikable. It's a shame because the synopsis was right up my street.

Was this review helpful?

Death at a Party

Centered around one day, and with a strong start of Nadine standing over a body at her famous mothers 60th birthday party…. I spent the next 90% of the book relatively bored which is a shame I really wanted to enjoy. The last chapter saved it a little but I was very close to not finishing it.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

Was this review helpful?