A must read…this author gets better and better!

A fan of Ruth Kelly since her debut, I expected this book to be good…but I didn’t realise it would be THIS GOOD! Sometimes, I think, authors come along with something that’s not quite up to previous standards when they are writing one after another. Whereas here, it’s the opposite of that. Each of Kelly’s books has been original and – for me – of a stunning standard whilst getting better and better! Her versatility, originality, yet personal style, shines through every time.

The After Party has many, many strengths and I was glued to my Kindle when I could be. I confess to falling asleep reading it (because I was tired and should’ve stopped but didn’t want to…clearly my body took over) and waking up finding my Kindle on the floor! Given the choice, this would have been a sit down and devour in one go type of book. Did I have that time? No… Nevertheless, I didn’t take long to finish it, picking this over TV for a couple of evenings. Having said that, I think you can always tell a good book when you want to know the ending, but stop just short to put off the actual finishing of it as you don’t want it to be over.

So, what exactly is so good about it? EVERYTHING! For example, the setting – Kelly’s knowledge of Amsterdam is evident and it’s so immersive I felt like I was there even though I haven’t ever visited. Characterisation is strong, with defining things about each main character and even the lesser shown ones. Plus, the modern and up-to-date elements (trying to word carefully to avoid spoilers) that are written so carefully that, again, you are pulled right in as though you are there.

Overall, it’s a mystery that keeps you guessing almost until the end; this was something that I loved as I was toying with my thoughts about who (I won’t say anything else, you need to read it to see what I mean…) and going forwards and backwards in my suspicions all the way through.
I also had a massive shock, due to a completely wrong guess, although this was followed by something that I had guessed right…but I had even doubted myself on this! Do I think most readers will guess? No = brilliant as the shocks and the twists give further validation for why this book NEEDS TO BE READ!

An entertaining twisty thriller which is the perfect easy holiday read. Keeps you guessing all the way through, well written as we have come to expect from this author. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the review copy.

Many thanks to netgalley, the author and the publisher for approving my request to read this book.

The Afterparty is a taut thriller in which we met Becca who is feeling increasingly lonely and isolated after moving to Amsterdam with her husband Nathan as he is fulfilling his dream of opening a restaurant.

On new years eve Becca's childhood friend Georgie gets in touch as she's passing through Amsterdam on her travels. They set off to see the new year in and then stumble across a house party which they manage to talk their way in to.

The next morning Becca discovers that Georgie is missing and tries desperately to unravel the mystery behind it.

I enjoyed this book and found myself increasingly intrigued as the story developed. I would recommend this book if you enjoy this particular genre.

Review of ‘The Afterparty’ by Ruth Kelly, due to be published on 20 November 2025 by Pan Macmillan.

Becca is feeling lonely and isolated ever since she gave up her life to move with her husband Nathan to Amsterdam to fulfil his dream of owning a restaurant.

When Becca’s childhood friend, Georgie, gets in touch on New Years Eve, Becca tentatively agrees to go out, seeing as Nathan is prioritising business meetings over her. When Georgie goes missing on their night out, the fingers of suspicion are pointed at Becca and what she knows.

The story has great character development, good back stories and strong female protagonists. It’s dark, twisty and surprising, you think you know what’s coming and then a curveball gets thrown in that upends everything. A really good thriller and recommended read.

Ruth Kelly is such an acomplished thriller writer and this is another wild ride. She really ramps up the tension and paranoia and I just loved this novel. A really well written thriller.

Lonely and increasingly paranoid since their relocation to Amsterdam from the UK, Becca has been struggling to deal with her husband's preoccupation with his forthcoming restaurant venture and his attractive business partner, Katya.

So, when her one time best friend Georgie suddenly shows up on her doorstep and insists on dragging her out to celebrate New Year's Eve, Becca allows herself to get carried away and accompany Georgie as she blags her way into a party organised for Amsterdam's elite.

But once there, Becca is roofied, and Georgie cannot be found afterwards, leaving her friend as the primary suspect behind her disappearance. Nobody else seems to care, so Becca is desperate to find Georgie - but how?

Kelly takes the reader on a wild journey with this one, offering plenty of twists and turns along the way. Atmospheric and very dark, this one will be a hit with thriller lovers.

What a storyteller Ruth Kelly is... I was hooked from the start! She is a master at creating suspense and mystery! The twists didn’t stop coming!

I was gripped from onset and the tension was excellent! This is psychological crime writing at its very best.

It was a dark, well-plotted thriller and intriguing! All the characters are well-fleshed and it was truly unputdownable Can’t wait for the next book by this author!

HUGE 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars from me!

Bit of a slow burner but absolutely loved it once it got going. Great character development and twists

From the very first couple of pages, you know Becca is an afterthought. From her husband’s new restaurant taking up all of his time, to miscarriage she doesn’t even tell him about because he has no time for her, you’ll be rooting for her to be put first.

Old glamorous best friend, Georgie, that ghosted her when she was younger arrives and this might be it, instead we have Georgie disappearing again from Becca’s life but in a much more sinister way.

This book is a very slow burn to start, you’ll trust no one and at the end you’ll wonder if you missed any clues. It’s a fun ride for sure and the setting of the canals of Amsterdam are truly beautiful as the mystery unfolds.

Really enjoyable, a wintery read for sure.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this eARC in return for an honest review which this is.

A great read with lots of twists and turns. Will look forward to this authors future books. Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.