3.5 stars

The blurb of this one doesn’t give a lot away, but it was enough to have me intrigued! An exclusive black-tie birthday party. A sprawling mansion. A body falling from a balcony. One of the guests is dead, and another is a killer - but who is the hunter, and who is the prey?

The party in question is a sweet 16th for Sophie, but it quickly becomes clear that it’s more about her father, Ethan, showing off his newly renovated (and now very modern) home to friends and his ex-wife, Kim. His much younger new wife, Dani, is also front and centre, adding to the tension.

The book opens just after the party, and we immediately know a guest has died — but not who. From there, the story rewinds, gradually building toward the moment of the incident.

There are lots of short chapters and multiple points of view, including Dani, Kim, Mikayla (Sophie’s best friend), and Orlaith (the nanny to Dani and Ethan’s baby). Initially, I found it a little hard to keep track of who was who and how everyone was connected — it felt a bit messy. But by about 20% in, the relationships became clearer and my enjoyment picked up significantly.

Interestingly, none of the POV characters are particularly likeable — but as the story progresses, you start to understand that most of them have their own motivations, and perhaps even reasons for what happens.

That said, while I appreciated the different perspectives, four POVs plus a time jump felt like a lot to manage in a relatively short book. If I stopped reading mid-chapter, I sometimes found it hard to reorient myself — unless it was Orlaith’s chapter, thanks to her distinctive Irish voice.

There were a few twists I didn’t see coming, which I appreciated, but they didn’t completely surprise or shock me. I also found the ending a little anti-climactic — the final reveal felt rushed, and the actual death that the story hinges on didn’t quite land with the dramatic impact I expected.

ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

At 44% in I was fully hooked. The different POVs kept things fresh, and the characters are just the right mix of quirky and suspicious. At this point, I had my ideas as to who were the dodgy ones.

By 75%, I thought I’d figured it out but I was still completely glued to the story. The way the characters’ lives weave together is really well done, and the flashbacks slotted in perfectly without slowing the pace. Super easy to read, but layered enough to keep me fully invested.

Finished it and loved it. I saw one of the twists coming, but the rest still caught me off guard. Everything tied up nicely, though I’ll admit I was slightly annoyed that one unhinged female character didn’t get the comeuppance she absolutely deserved.

Solid 4.5 stars. Twisty, sharp, and addictive, would highly recommend.

What a great read.
Dark i a coffees hope girl is persued by tall dark handsome and rich Ethan a successful psychiatrist. Within months they marry and move into his house. A 150 year old castle which he had renovated to very modern standards. After she has a baby girl she starts to have problems coping so an Irish nanny is brought in to help. Ethan also has an ex wife an alcohol ic and a 16yr old daughter. At a lavish party for his older daughters 16th things start to go wrong. He is always there being a caring husband but is he really? This story has a great many twists and turns but the last one is quite unexpected.

✨This book gave me Big Little Lies meets Sweet Sixteen vibes!! Kelsey Cox delivers juicy drama, secrets galore and a seriously eerie mansion setting. I loved the shifting POVs, everyone seems to have something to hide! Nobody’s innocent, everyone is lying and I was hooked from page one!

If you're a fan of character-driven mysteries with a touch of gothic suspense, Party of Liars is a must-read. ✨

This is a mystery. More like a whodunit. How do you know who to trust in party of liars? Read and find out.

Imagine agreeing to a bougie black-tie birthday bash in a mansion that screams “murder me softly”—and then acting shocked when someone swan-dives off a balcony mid-prosecco. This book? It’s a psychological cage match with every POV elbowing the others for dominance, and not a single one of these maniacs can be trusted—not even the plants probably. By chapter five, I had three suspects, two existential crises, and a strong desire to never RSVP to anything ever again. Cox serves up betrayal, secrets, and champagne-soaked chaos with the flair of a deranged maître d’—and I ate every unhinged twist like hors d’oeuvres at the world’s most dysfunctional dinner party.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7585523270

A total page turner! Essentially a murder mystery based around events taking place over the course of a single evening, which the truth revealed in snippets through the eyes of the various attendees at a very glamorous party. Very well paced, well drawn, realistic characters, and a little touch of the supernatural thrown in as well. Very much enjoyed it.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

This story centres around a party for a sixteen year old although it is very much for the adults and not the handful of teenagers invited. We start the book knowing there is a death and this isn't revealed until the very end. Fingers are pointed in every direction and most seem to have a reason to be suspects. I dont think any character was likeable. I felt sorry for Dani and Kim in the end. The male characters where all horrible. However I did enjoy it. I didn't guess the outcome and as it changed pov at each new chapter, this kept it interesting.
There's a nice twist at the end too.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox - out July 3rd.

This was a twisty, multi-POV mystery that definitely kept me guessing. The variety of perspectives helped keep the pace moving and added lots of intrigue. I didn’t find any of the characters particularly likable, which made it hard to connect with them on an emotional level, but the mystery itself was compelling enough to keep me invested.

The final third of the book was especially strong - tense, unpredictable, and I truly wasn’t sure which direction things would go. I loved that we didn’t even know who the victim or the killer was for much of the story - that added a fresh angle and extra suspense.

One of my favourite aspects was the setting. I’ve just returned from Texas, having visited Austin and Dallas, so it was fun to recognise the places being mentioned. The scene-setting throughout was fantastic, and the house at the centre of the story was so vividly described it felt like a character in its own right. I’d love to see it come to life on screen.

Overall, this was an atmospheric and intriguing read - perfect for fans of layered mysteries with a strong sense of place.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

This book kicked off with a big sweet sixteen for Sophie, but let’s be real—it felt more like her dad flexing his insanely over-the-top mansion than anything meaningful for her. There were hints of paranormal stuff, but they never really went anywhere, so it ended up feeling kind of pointless. It took me a while to get into it. The characters were fine, none where particularly nice people or very likeable and I didn’t connect with any of them in a big way. What really bugged me though? Mikayla’s storyline. She went through something serious, and the book just brushed it.
Maybe this book just wasn't for me.

This book brings a whole new meaning to the phrase “that was one hell of a party”!

The characters were relatable and deep. I especially liked Kim - complex, interesting and likeable.

The books was cleverly written with each chapter being narrated by one of the main characters.

I did feel the book was just a tiny bit drawn out in the middle but the pace picked up with speed thereon in.

I thought I had guessed the end - but was very happy to find out that I hadn’t quite!

A good twisty read.

*Party of Liars* unfolds over one tense, glittering night—Sophie’s 16th birthday, hosted by her father in a lavish hilltop mansion with a dark reputation. The guests arrive buzzing with curiosity, eager to see the newly renovated estate, infamous for ghost stories and whispered legends of “The Mother,” a sinister presence said to haunt its halls.

What truly sets this novel apart is its structure: the story is told through multiple points of view, each from a different female character. This choice feels deliberate and powerful, as the novel explores deep and resonant themes—motherhood, female friendship, betrayal, and the raw anger that comes from being silenced or controlled. There’s a constant undercurrent of tension, not just from the supernatural, but from the emotional weight these women carry as protectors, rebels, and survivors.

The characters are richly drawn—some are easy to root for, others raise red flags, and a few might infuriate you. But the brilliance lies in how the narrative gives each of them space to be understood. By the end, whether you love them or loathe them, you’ll see them with nuance and empathy. Their intertwined relationships and hidden motivations give the story incredible depth.

As the night spirals out of control, one thing becomes certain: someone won’t make it to morning. The question of who dies—and why—is cleverly shrouded, with every character carrying secrets and possible motives. The suspense lingers with every page.

Though the timeline spans just a single evening, the novel never drags. If anything, its intensity builds steadily, creating a slow-burn mystery that still feels electric. I couldn’t stop reading—each chapter pulled me further into the tangled web of lies, fear, and fierce emotion. Complex, emotionally rich, and haunting in more ways than one, *Party of Liars* is a gripping, unforgettable read.

Set against the backdrop of a stunning hilltop mansion, the story unfolds at a gathering for a16th birthday party. With an ex-wife living close by, a new wife adjusting to motherhood, a troubled teenager, and a party brimming with tension, one thing becomes abundantly clear: what could possibly go wrong?

The characters are layered and compelling. Kim, the ex-wife struggles with alcohol and is portrayed with authenticity, it shows a personal battle and a source of familial strain. The nanny adds a touch of levity, curiosity and mystery, with her seemingly endless tales, while Dani, the new wife, is a captivating figure whose paranoia about being watched adds a chilling undercurrent to the story. These characters are well drawn, each contributing to the tension and web of lies and secrets.

The plot is well-constructed, with excellent pacing that builds suspense steadily. From the outset, the reader is aware of an accident, though its details remain a mystery until the final chapters. This narrative device works brilliantly, drawing the reader deeper into the tangled relationships and precarious dynamics of the household. The gradual unveiling keeps the pages turning, ensuring that the climax is both satisfying and impactful.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

I loved this brilliant book and couldn't put it down. The story was very clever, and kept me guessing to the end, but the ending was very satisfying. The characters are all believable and actually sound like real people. I will definitely recommend this book.

This book was a wild ride for sure! I was gripped from the very beginning. It has literally every component you would want from a thriller! The premise of this novel seems simple and straightforward but it is everything but. It has secrets, lies and has you feeling every emotion.

I cant wait to read everything this author writes!

5⭐️ for sure.

📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Kelsey Cox and Hodder & Stoughton📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚

Thank you to Net Galley and Kelsey Cox for an ARC of, “Party of Liars”.

I enjoyed how the story unfolds through different perspectives, with every character bringing their motives and suspicions to light. The characters are very complex, each with lies and secrets which continue to add depth to the story as it progresses.
The tension builds brilliantly, and I loved the eerie atmosphere and description of the house itself. It was so refined, I really felt like I could visualise it.
I couldnt turn the pages quick enough, and despite having suspicions throughout, the final reveal still managed to surprise me.

A black tie birthday party in a mansion

A body falls from a balcony

With one guest dead, and another a killer - who's lying??

Brilliant

This sounded like a good quick read. A death, and the events leading up to it. I've read hundreds of these books. Mostly they're entertaining.

This one though, far exceeded my expectations.
The secrets and lies that were discovered were great. Extra surprises all the way through the book.
I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
Add to that the slightly sinister myth of The Mother and you've a cracking read.
It should be on everyone's holiday reading list, because it's definitely one you want to devote a chunk of time to.

A party where a lot of secrets come out! I raced through this book, the short chapters making it easier to read. I loved the characters, especially Danni and Sophie, the relationship between the two of them stood out. A fantastic storyline with many secrets that will keep you reading late into the night ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ethan and Dani Matthews have organised a 16th birthday party for Ethan’s daughter, Sophie, in their beautiful – but possibly haunted - hilltop house. Dani, who has recently had a daughter, Charlotte, has been diagnosed with postpartum depression after fearing that she’s being watched (the house on one side is all glass) and finding that things in the house have moved or disappeared. Are these things really happening or is Dani delusional? To help her cope they’re hired a nanny and during the party Dani feels increasingly unsettled – is the nanny who she says she is, does Ethan’s ex-wife Kim wish her ill, what about the guests at the party – are they really friends or is one of them a sinister stalker?

I absolutely LOVED this – the best psychological thriller I’ve read for a very long time. The characterisation and the plotting are, I thought, excellent. There are a lot of strands here – different characters– you know there’s been an accident at the party but until nearly the very end you don’t know who it was or who was involved or why – but it’s all tied up brilliantly. Wow.