Oh man, it's a total rush! It's packed with suspense that'll keep you on the edge of your seat, and the conversations are really sharp. Just when you think you know what's happening, boom! Another crazy twist.

The story just keeps going, super fast, and it never slows down. The people in it are really interesting, and you get pulled right into what makes them tick. It's a super exciting book that's not just thrilling, but also makes you think.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

🥂 Premise:
In Nina Manning’s latest psychological thriller, The Dinner Party, a seemingly ordinary evening among friends turns into a pressure cooker of suspicion, betrayal, and buried truths. Set over the course of one night in a sleek suburban home, the story follows six guests—each with something to hide—as the wine flows, tensions rise, and the carefully curated facade of civility begins to crack.

By dessert, someone will be dead. But the real question isn’t just who did it—it’s why.


🔪 What Sets It Apart:

- A Claustrophobic, One-Night Setting:
Manning cleverly confines the entire narrative to a single evening, creating a locked-room atmosphere without the locked room. The dinner table becomes a stage, and every course reveals a new layer of psychological warfare. Think Big Little Lies meets The Last Supper.

- Character-Driven Suspense:
Each guest arrives with a secret, and Manning drip-feeds their backstories through sharp dialogue, inner monologues, and subtle gestures. The hostess is a masterclass in performative perfection—until her mask slips. The others? A mix of old friends, new lovers, and one wildcard who was never supposed to be there.

- Themes of Social Performance and Hidden Lives:
Manning skewers the curated world of middle-class respectability. The novel explores how people weaponize politeness, how secrets fester beneath Instagram-perfect lives, and how quickly civility can unravel when the truth is served.

- Twists That Feel Earned:
Rather than relying on a single “gotcha” moment, The Dinner Party delivers a series of escalating reveals. Each twist recontextualizes what came before, making the reader question not just who’s lying—but whether anyone is telling the truth at all.

🧠 Final Thoughts:
The Dinner Party is a psychological thriller that simmers rather than explodes—until it does. Nina Manning proves once again that she understands the dark undercurrents of everyday life. This isn’t just a whodunit; it’s a dissection of friendship, envy, and the lies we tell to keep the peace.

Perfect for fans of:
Lisa Jewell, Louise Candlish, and anyone who’s ever left a dinner party wondering what was really going on behind the smiles.

Twisty, addictive, and full of shocking secrets 🍷🕵️‍♀️. The Dinner Party delivers deliciously dark domestic suspense with jaw-dropping reveals. Nina Manning builds tension expertly, weaving together lies, betrayals, and complex characters who’ll keep you second-guessing to the very end. I couldn’t stop turning the pages! Perfect for fans of claustrophobic thrillers set behind closed doors where nothing—and no one—is as they seem.

An intriguing plot with some strong pacing throughout.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Nina Manning does a fantastic job in creating a suspenseful atmosphere and had that psychological thriller that I was looking for. I was invested in what was happening and how this was told in this dinner party. The characters were so well written and worked overall in this type of book and was glad I read this.

This thriller is a pulse-pounding triumph, brimming with suspense, sharp dialogue, and jaw-dropping twists. The narrative moves like a runaway train, never losing momentum or focus. Characters are compelling and richly developed, pulling you deeper into their tangled motives. It’s an electrifying read that delivers both thrills and substance.

I went into The Dinner Party by Nina Manning with high hopes—the premise was intriguing and had all the makings of a gripping psychological thriller. Unfortunately, despite its potential, the story ultimately fell flat for me. The plot felt underdeveloped, and I never quite connected with the characters, who lacked the depth needed to make their actions feel believable or compelling. The so-called "twists" were predictable, and instead of building tension, they left me feeling one step ahead the whole time. By the time I reached the end, I was hoping for a payoff that just never came—what should have been a shocking conclusion ended up feeling rushed and underwhelming. I really wanted to like this one, but it just didn’t deliver.

I was looking forward to starting The Dinner Party but unfortunately it didn't meet my expectations. I didn't like the main characters and felt the twists were too predictable so there was no element of surprise for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

I gave this book 4 stars. It was a really good psychological thriller! I was hooked from the start! You will not be disappointed!

This book was okay—not great, not terrible. I liked the idea of it at first. Lily and her husband Stig are celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary at a super fancy restaurant that Lily saved up for. She’s excited when they get invited into the kitchen to meet the celebrity chef, Hector—but her husband doesn’t seem to care at all, which feels weird.

Lily then finds out that Stig is hiding things. He gets a text from someone named Delilah that says, “I miss you.” Lily is conflicted considering she is thinking of starting a family with him.

As the story progresses, readers learn that Stig and Hector went to the same boarding school and have known each other for years. There’s also a complication involving their parents that could have been interesting, but it just didn’t hit as hard as I hoped.

The story had a good setup, but some parts didn’t feel believable, and I didn’t really connect with the characters. It was fine—a solid three star read for me meaning while I wasn’t blown away by this, I recognize there is enough of a story that another reader could say this is their favorite book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nina Manning, and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for a review.

Note - At the time of this post (May 29, 2025) Kindle Unlimited members can read this for free!

I was quite enjoying this one until maybe three quarters of the way through. It was a fast paced and easy read, but maybe needed a bit more meat on its bones for me. It was a bit too simple and the end felt much too rushed, like the author wanted to get it over and done with. It was deeply unsatisfying and so much felt underdeveloped or unresolved.

thank you to netgalley for the e-arc. i thought about requesting this one because when i saw the cover, i immediately thought of the movie the menu and how good it was. this book had hints of what i liked about the menu but it was as if the author could have kept pushing for more.

This always felt slightly creepy. I had sympathy for Stig immediately and didn’t like the wife much at all… very gullible, self centered, all about moving up in the world. And very petty. The creepy group felt very much under hectors control and it didn’t make that much sense.

This was a solid thriller. I definitely had some theories on it and most proved to be true but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. I think fans of Freida McFadden would like this one.

I really wanted to like this book. It intrigued me from the start, and I feel like it had so much potential. Unfortunately, it really falls flat. The plot and characters are underdeveloped, "twists" are easily predicted, and the ending is extremely underwhelming.

Thank you, NetGalley & Boldwood Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC!

I quite enjoyed this book, not brilliant but readable. None of the characters were very likable. I felt the ending was short and rushed. I would read more books by this author though.

This book as an enjoyable read. Just enough character building to feel like you know the characters. I did personally the plot predictable but it didn't take away the enjoyment of the story.

Lily and Stig go out to a celebrity chef’s restaurant for their 5th wedding anniversary and are served by the chef himself. He takes a shine to them and they are invited to a dinner party at his house. A generous offer or is there a sinister motive...?
The Dinner Party is a psychological thriller set in the UK.
Lily and Stig’s marriage is not great. He is desperate for a baby but they have money worries. He is secretive about his past and she doesn’t trust him. Chef Hector provides an opportunity for social and financial support but Stig thinks his motives are dodgy.
At first I was allied with Lily, feeling sorry for her as she tries to understand her husband better and treat him for their anniversary. Halfway through we see Stig’s past and start to make connections between him and other characters and begin to understand his character more. This completely and effectively changed the direction of the book.
I fet very invested in Lily and Stig as individuals and as a couple. The writing style was engaging and I enjoyed the way the plot developed. However I thought the ending was very abrupt, leaving me with some unanswered questions.
The Dinner Party was a well plotted psychological thriller with strong lead characters.

This was a mildly entertaining mystery. The trouble I found was that both main characters were obnoxious and there were so many lies and secrets it got annoying. Few small twists, just enough to keep me reading but nothing overly shocking or exciting.

Thanks NetGalley for making this book available.
I picked it up because the synopsis sounded interesting and I'm quite a big fan of thrillers, but this ending wasn't the best, the characters weren't 100% likeable and it wasn't as addictive as other great thrillers I've read before.
I hope to read more and better work from this author in the future.