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The Wedding Party
For a bride-to-be and her fiancé, secrets and lies make this a killer celebration in this psychological suspense. Carrie and Oliver. A couple completely in love and the hosts of a wedding to remember at Colorado’s legendary Stanley Hotel. This is Carrie’s fairy tale come true. Her fiancé, Oliver, is Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome; successful; and utterly devoted to her. Now family and friends have gathered to celebrate. It’s sure to be a wild night as the drinks flow freely and the fun begins. But the morning after is murder. FBI agent Andi Castle was just supposed to be a plus-one. This should have been a calming weekend getaway from what she does catch killers. Instead, Andi’s on the hunt again. The hotel is on lockdown. Secrets are being unearthed. And no one is above Andi’s suspicions. But which secrets are worth killing for? Andi’s forced to find the answers fast…before someone else dies.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2024
1193 people are currently reading
10949 people want to read
About the author
L.R. Jones
6 books131 followersaka Lisa Renee Jones
L.R. Jones is a pseudonym for New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones, whose dark, edgy fiction includes the highly acclaimed novels The Poet, A Perfect Lie, and the Lilah Love series. Prior to publishing, Lisa owned a multistate staffing agency recognized by the Austin Business Journal. Lisa was listed as #7 in Entrepreneur magazine’s list of growing women-owned businesses. She lives in Colorado with her husband, a cat who always has something to say, and a golden retriever who’s afraid of her own bark. For more information, visit www.lisareneejones.com.
L.R. Jones is a pseudonym for New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones, whose dark, edgy fiction includes the highly acclaimed novels The Poet, A Perfect Lie, and the Lilah Love series. Prior to publishing, Lisa owned a multistate staffing agency recognized by the Austin Business Journal. Lisa was listed as #7 in Entrepreneur magazine’s list of growing women-owned businesses. She lives in Colorado with her husband, a cat who always has something to say, and a golden retriever who’s afraid of her own bark. For more information, visit www.lisareneejones.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 598 reviews
January 17, 2024
Calling time of death at 10:18 a.m.
I managed to get to 45% then couldn't do it anymore. The feeb was killing me with her Columbo routine. Too much repetition and just terrible writing. Not recommended.
I managed to get to 45% then couldn't do it anymore. The feeb was killing me with her Columbo routine. Too much repetition and just terrible writing. Not recommended.
January 9, 2024
This is one wedding party I would not want to be at, although the venue would be interesting. This was a fast paced, page turner, with short chapters that left you needing more. I couldn’t help but keep reading into the night.
A joint bachelor/ bachelorette party at the infamous Stanley House. A haunted house and also where Stephen King wrote The Shining. FBI agent Andi Castle has just solved a major case and agrees to be a plus one just to get away. But it seems that murder follows her, as the morning after the big party, the from to be is found dead, and the bride to be is covered in his blood.
I loved the character of Andi, and her father, the rouge police officer. Their banter and humour gave the story a great twist.
Thanks to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published on February 20th
A joint bachelor/ bachelorette party at the infamous Stanley House. A haunted house and also where Stephen King wrote The Shining. FBI agent Andi Castle has just solved a major case and agrees to be a plus one just to get away. But it seems that murder follows her, as the morning after the big party, the from to be is found dead, and the bride to be is covered in his blood.
I loved the character of Andi, and her father, the rouge police officer. Their banter and humour gave the story a great twist.
Thanks to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published on February 20th
July 21, 2025
Thank you to the author L. R. Jones, publishers Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of THE WEDDING PARTY. All views are mine.
"𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤”— 𝑠ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑠 𝑎 𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑎—“ 𝑔𝑢𝑦𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟. 𝐵𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒 𝑚𝑒, 𝑖𝑡’𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑜. 𝐼 𝑠𝑎𝑤 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝐵𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑛, 𝑡𝑜𝑜. 𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝐼’𝑚 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛’𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑇𝑒𝑥-𝑀𝑒𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟." Loc.249
Jones's THE WEDDING PARTY is a book about a wedding guest staying in one of the most iconic hotels in the American west– who also happens to be a badass female criminal profiler and investigator, who, it turns out, is the most capable person for the job when an irreplaceable member of the wedding party turns up murdered. Jones punctuates the tension with hilarious banter and subtle humor, like the dynamic between the two investigators. This one wasn't quite my style, but I recommend it for fans of popcorn thrillers and Olivia Worley.
“𝐴𝑚 𝐼 𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢?”
𝐼 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑠𝑎𝑦 𝑛𝑜, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 ... “𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑏𝑒ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒.”
𝐻𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑠. “𝐵𝑒ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑚𝑦 𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒. 𝑆𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑠. 𝐴𝑙𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑖𝑡’𝑠 𝑚𝑦 𝑎𝑙𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒. 𝐴𝑠 𝑎 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑢𝑠, 𝐼’𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑙. 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑘 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑒𝑟. 𝐷𝑜𝑛’𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑦, 𝐼’𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑖𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑛. 𝐼’𝑚 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝐻𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑙𝑒𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑦.” Loc.3002
This book for me is definitely a case of Booksta Made Me Do It! It gets good reviews over there, but mixed on Goodreads. I don't think Booksta had it right on this one! Jones's writing and story management are both subpar. This book is a popcorn thriller. Unfortunately, I'd probably get more out of it if I put butter on it and ate it lol.
Three (or less) things I loved:
1. I just can't believe this takes place at The Stanley lol. I used to give the ghost tours there!
2. Love the "I'm Your Huckleberry" t-shirt, which becomes an identifying character trait for Brody. This is one of the better points of character development in the book.
Three (or more) things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. The prose is rough. Sentences are choppy, word choices are odd, narrative voice is inconsistent.
2. For an inspector, she displays a shocking lack of understanding of human nature. The fmc isn't the only problematic character. The women in this are not great.
3. That is not how "bait and switch" works. The only thing worse than using an unnecessary idiom is using one in error.
4. It doesn't matter who's talking to whom, the dialogue is unbelievable, unnatural.
5. Wow, this book just stigmatized the hell out of recovering addicts.
6. The "my daddy killed someone while I was on the phone, but look at me, I'm fine!" thing is unspeakably wrong.
7. These characters are obsessed with weight and appearance but not in any kind of self-aware way that could be said to heighten this literature.
8. This plot is convoluted. I have no clear idea of what I just read. Worse than that though, I wasn't invested enough at any point to do the work to figure out what I was reading.
Rating: 👕👕 / 5 great t-shirts
Recommend? No.
Finished: Feb 22 '24
Format: Digital arc, Kindle, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
🍿 thrillers
👰♂️ weddings gone wrong
🧌 the patriarchy
🍕 so much food
"𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤”— 𝑠ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑠 𝑎 𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑎—“ 𝑔𝑢𝑦𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟. 𝐵𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒 𝑚𝑒, 𝑖𝑡’𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑜. 𝐼 𝑠𝑎𝑤 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝐵𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑛, 𝑡𝑜𝑜. 𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝐼’𝑚 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛’𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑇𝑒𝑥-𝑀𝑒𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟." Loc.249
Jones's THE WEDDING PARTY is a book about a wedding guest staying in one of the most iconic hotels in the American west– who also happens to be a badass female criminal profiler and investigator, who, it turns out, is the most capable person for the job when an irreplaceable member of the wedding party turns up murdered. Jones punctuates the tension with hilarious banter and subtle humor, like the dynamic between the two investigators. This one wasn't quite my style, but I recommend it for fans of popcorn thrillers and Olivia Worley.
“𝐴𝑚 𝐼 𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢?”
𝐼 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑠𝑎𝑦 𝑛𝑜, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 ... “𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑏𝑒ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒.”
𝐻𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑠. “𝐵𝑒ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑚𝑦 𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒. 𝑆𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑠. 𝐴𝑙𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑖𝑡’𝑠 𝑚𝑦 𝑎𝑙𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒. 𝐴𝑠 𝑎 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑢𝑠, 𝐼’𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑙. 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑘 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑒𝑟. 𝐷𝑜𝑛’𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑦, 𝐼’𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑖𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑛. 𝐼’𝑚 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝐻𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑙𝑒𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑦.” Loc.3002
This book for me is definitely a case of Booksta Made Me Do It! It gets good reviews over there, but mixed on Goodreads. I don't think Booksta had it right on this one! Jones's writing and story management are both subpar. This book is a popcorn thriller. Unfortunately, I'd probably get more out of it if I put butter on it and ate it lol.
Three (or less) things I loved:
1. I just can't believe this takes place at The Stanley lol. I used to give the ghost tours there!
2. Love the "I'm Your Huckleberry" t-shirt, which becomes an identifying character trait for Brody. This is one of the better points of character development in the book.
Three (or more) things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. The prose is rough. Sentences are choppy, word choices are odd, narrative voice is inconsistent.
2. For an inspector, she displays a shocking lack of understanding of human nature. The fmc isn't the only problematic character. The women in this are not great.
3. That is not how "bait and switch" works. The only thing worse than using an unnecessary idiom is using one in error.
4. It doesn't matter who's talking to whom, the dialogue is unbelievable, unnatural.
5. Wow, this book just stigmatized the hell out of recovering addicts.
6. The "my daddy killed someone while I was on the phone, but look at me, I'm fine!" thing is unspeakably wrong.
7. These characters are obsessed with weight and appearance but not in any kind of self-aware way that could be said to heighten this literature.
8. This plot is convoluted. I have no clear idea of what I just read. Worse than that though, I wasn't invested enough at any point to do the work to figure out what I was reading.
Rating: 👕👕 / 5 great t-shirts
Recommend? No.
Finished: Feb 22 '24
Format: Digital arc, Kindle, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
🍿 thrillers
👰♂️ weddings gone wrong
🧌 the patriarchy
🍕 so much food
September 17, 2023
I’m DNF’ing this book at 31% and skipping to the end because this is some of the worst writing I’ve ever read. This reads like the author watched five episodes of The X-Files and The Silence of the Lambs twice and thinks she knows how FBI agents act. Absolutely absurd.
• Describing women as “bimbos” in the first few pages of the book. Women talking about how fat they are and need to lose weight. A divorced character saying how she’s “a desperate chick who needs someone to tell me I’m beautiful.” Why are you writing women in this way?!
• Character dialogue is so cringe and unrealistic. An ER nurse describing a patient’s mother’s pain in almost poetic prose. “Her pain just bled right from her heart and soul to ours…” PLEASE. Characters having long winded conversations jumping from topic to topic. It’s awful.
• Characters talking about men that “write like girls.” Be serious.
• One female character says of another female character “She says she’s gay, but I don’t believe her.”
• This FBI agent caught a serial killer literally called The Spider Man. You can’t name a serial killer after a superhero character, PICK A DIFFERENT NAME.
• Giving a character the last name Castle because then her father is compared to Frank Castle/The Punisher. BE SERIOUS. This is so lazy.
• Andi being recruited out of college to the FBI? It doesn’t work like that!
• Every five sentences it’s mentioned that Andi is an FBI agent. It’s all anyone talks about.
• Inconsistent writing where characters are saying “father” one sentence and “pops” the next. Then Andi saying “Like my daddy before me…” Who talks like that?
• Andi, this supposed amazing FBI agent, downloading a confidential file on her laptop over a hotel’s public WiFi. Come on.
• Constantly mentioned how Andi (in case you forgot, Andi is an FBI agent) deals with “monsters.” “She thinks a ghost touched her, and that is so not in my wheelhouse. Call the Ghostbusters, not the FBI, for this kind of playdate. We do monsters, not ghosts.” Literally the most cringe writing I’ve ever read. She’s also just openly talking about her job with total strangers.
• Literally lets a character into an active crime scene despite previously ordering EMTs and cops to not let her know or see anything.
• Skipped to the end and turns out Andi is just like her father/pops/daddy! Turns out the killer was the obvious one all along and they’re apprehended in one short chapter!
• Andi calls her dad and he answers the phone with “Daughter, why are you calling me so early?” And then the next sentence calls her “Sugar Bear.” I can’t.
The writing, dialogue, characters, it’s awful.
• Describing women as “bimbos” in the first few pages of the book. Women talking about how fat they are and need to lose weight. A divorced character saying how she’s “a desperate chick who needs someone to tell me I’m beautiful.” Why are you writing women in this way?!
• Character dialogue is so cringe and unrealistic. An ER nurse describing a patient’s mother’s pain in almost poetic prose. “Her pain just bled right from her heart and soul to ours…” PLEASE. Characters having long winded conversations jumping from topic to topic. It’s awful.
• Characters talking about men that “write like girls.” Be serious.
• One female character says of another female character “She says she’s gay, but I don’t believe her.”
• This FBI agent caught a serial killer literally called The Spider Man. You can’t name a serial killer after a superhero character, PICK A DIFFERENT NAME.
• Giving a character the last name Castle because then her father is compared to Frank Castle/The Punisher. BE SERIOUS. This is so lazy.
• Andi being recruited out of college to the FBI? It doesn’t work like that!
• Every five sentences it’s mentioned that Andi is an FBI agent. It’s all anyone talks about.
• Inconsistent writing where characters are saying “father” one sentence and “pops” the next. Then Andi saying “Like my daddy before me…” Who talks like that?
• Andi, this supposed amazing FBI agent, downloading a confidential file on her laptop over a hotel’s public WiFi. Come on.
• Constantly mentioned how Andi (in case you forgot, Andi is an FBI agent) deals with “monsters.” “She thinks a ghost touched her, and that is so not in my wheelhouse. Call the Ghostbusters, not the FBI, for this kind of playdate. We do monsters, not ghosts.” Literally the most cringe writing I’ve ever read. She’s also just openly talking about her job with total strangers.
• Literally lets a character into an active crime scene despite previously ordering EMTs and cops to not let her know or see anything.
• Skipped to the end and turns out Andi is just like her father/pops/daddy! Turns out the killer was the obvious one all along and they’re apprehended in one short chapter!
• Andi calls her dad and he answers the phone with “Daughter, why are you calling me so early?” And then the next sentence calls her “Sugar Bear.” I can’t.
The writing, dialogue, characters, it’s awful.
October 16, 2023
This was a really good mystery where I didn’t figure out who the culprit was until the end. It centers on Andi, who is an FBI agent taking a weekend break at a joint bachelor/bachelorette party along with a friend. Carrie and Oliver are the engaged couple and they seemingly have everything going for them. When there is a murder, it becomes clear that there are secrets that someone would kill to keep hidden. Andi ends up getting involved, whether she likes it or not. I was worried this would be yet another locked room mystery, of which I’ve read so much lately, but it’s not like that at all.
Andi is a likable character- I initially thought that the dynamic with her dad was weird but it made more sense as I continued reading. The mystery in the book was sound- I kept going back and forth on who I thought did it, and the author threw in some very believable red herrings. The setting of the historic Stanley Hotel was a neat idea and added a level of creepiness to the whole tone of the story.
Overall, this was a really interesting read with a strong protagonist and a great mystery. I’d recommend to those who like mysteries and psychological thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Andi is a likable character- I initially thought that the dynamic with her dad was weird but it made more sense as I continued reading. The mystery in the book was sound- I kept going back and forth on who I thought did it, and the author threw in some very believable red herrings. The setting of the historic Stanley Hotel was a neat idea and added a level of creepiness to the whole tone of the story.
Overall, this was a really interesting read with a strong protagonist and a great mystery. I’d recommend to those who like mysteries and psychological thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 14, 2023
This book was rather frustrating, mainly because I don’t think that it is ready for this point in the publication process. It really needs to spend some more time with an editor. For example, clothing changing colors during the same scene, or changing types. The whole book is ripe with inconsistencies that it is just very frustrating as a reader. I understand that this version is an ARC, however, this reads more like a beta version.
Then perhaps a bigger issue is the cringe worthiness in the writing. Calling an elderly lady, a bimbo right at the start was the first red flag and this was minor compared to the others. There was talk about how the petite main character had “pudding pads” on her hips and how she could always stand to lose a few pounds. Then there was the character who was portrayed as having her life over because she was newly divorced at 32. Another one that stood out was the main character not believing that her fiancée’s assistant was gay because she was attractive. And all of this was in the first 15% of the book. It was a lot to take in, and just too much for me.
I wanted to like this book, but it just wasn’t the right book for me and I did not finish it.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Then perhaps a bigger issue is the cringe worthiness in the writing. Calling an elderly lady, a bimbo right at the start was the first red flag and this was minor compared to the others. There was talk about how the petite main character had “pudding pads” on her hips and how she could always stand to lose a few pounds. Then there was the character who was portrayed as having her life over because she was newly divorced at 32. Another one that stood out was the main character not believing that her fiancée’s assistant was gay because she was attractive. And all of this was in the first 15% of the book. It was a lot to take in, and just too much for me.
I wanted to like this book, but it just wasn’t the right book for me and I did not finish it.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2024
This was one of those fun mysteries that really kept me guessing right up until the very end. You get two POVs, Andi an FBI agent who is attending events with an old friend of hers and Carrie, the bride to be. I loved Andi as a character and thought she was so interesting and layered, I could easily see her carrying a series because there was so much about her to like. The author used some dark humor throughout which I always like and things were pretty fast paced with me guessing and second guessing my opinion every chapter. Lots of suspects to choose from with plenty of secrets to uncover and when all was revealed I was satisfied.
October 11, 2023
I enjoyed this thriller, but I didn’t love it. While it captured my attention and kept me guessing all throughout, it sadly fell short during the final twist at the end.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars
February 18, 2024
The Wedding Party is a psychological suspense thriller.
It alternates between two female POVs. Bride to be and nurse Carrie. And FBI agent Andi Castle.
Carrie and her soon to be husband Oliver host a Bachelor/Bachelorette weekend at a famous haunted hotel. Andi goes to the event with her friend Lana (Lana is Carrie's co-worker).
There is a mystery that occurs during the weekend. And it was super fun to try to figure it out (as well as a bunch of other unanswered questions).
I love that we get two female narrators. I enjoy reading about FBI Profilers. And I really enjoyed Andi as a character. I also found Carrie to be very intriguing.
Overall this was a quick enjoyable read full of very fun reveals.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
It alternates between two female POVs. Bride to be and nurse Carrie. And FBI agent Andi Castle.
Carrie and her soon to be husband Oliver host a Bachelor/Bachelorette weekend at a famous haunted hotel. Andi goes to the event with her friend Lana (Lana is Carrie's co-worker).
There is a mystery that occurs during the weekend. And it was super fun to try to figure it out (as well as a bunch of other unanswered questions).
I love that we get two female narrators. I enjoy reading about FBI Profilers. And I really enjoyed Andi as a character. I also found Carrie to be very intriguing.
Overall this was a quick enjoyable read full of very fun reveals.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
February 15, 2024
3.5⭐️ rounded up
Carrie and Oliver are due to get married, and they decide to host a joint bachelor/bachelorette party at the infamous Stanley Hotel. The men and women split into two separate parties at some point during the night. Soon, Oliver is found stabbed to death in his bedroom. After being invited as a plus one by a friend of the bride, FBI agent Andi Castle finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation.
I found this one a little slow and, at times, pretty repetitive. I felt like the story kept going round and round in circles before things finally started to happen. I thought the ending, and the big reveal were a bit rushed. Almost as if the author had been coming to the end of writing and suddenly remembered that the case still needed to be solved.
However, having said all of that, I didn't love the book, but I certainly didn't hate it. And if this becomes a series, I wouldn't be opposed to reading the next book.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Carrie and Oliver are due to get married, and they decide to host a joint bachelor/bachelorette party at the infamous Stanley Hotel. The men and women split into two separate parties at some point during the night. Soon, Oliver is found stabbed to death in his bedroom. After being invited as a plus one by a friend of the bride, FBI agent Andi Castle finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation.
I found this one a little slow and, at times, pretty repetitive. I felt like the story kept going round and round in circles before things finally started to happen. I thought the ending, and the big reveal were a bit rushed. Almost as if the author had been coming to the end of writing and suddenly remembered that the case still needed to be solved.
However, having said all of that, I didn't love the book, but I certainly didn't hate it. And if this becomes a series, I wouldn't be opposed to reading the next book.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2024
3 Stars
Your typical whodunit mystery.
Someone gets murdered at a bachelor/bachelorette party.
The party takes place at the hotel where The Shining was filmed.
A detective happens to be part of the party and starts the investigation.
The povs were the bride to be and the detective.
The bride has sudden memory loss after the murder.
I found it good but very predictable.
Your typical whodunit mystery.
Someone gets murdered at a bachelor/bachelorette party.
The party takes place at the hotel where The Shining was filmed.
A detective happens to be part of the party and starts the investigation.
The povs were the bride to be and the detective.
The bride has sudden memory loss after the murder.
I found it good but very predictable.
February 13, 2024
I was given the chance to read an early copy of "The Wedding Party" by the author, and I jumped at it as I have become a fan of her work after reading her last book. The location of the story - The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, CO - is not only breathtaking but also has a rich history. Interestingly, during my stay with my husband, we were woken in the middle of the night by a wedding party, wandering the halls hoping to see ghosts. The hotel's unique and intriguing history makes it a perfect setting for a mystery.
Initially, I found it challenging to keep track of all the characters as Oliver and Carrie have a co-ed bachelor/bachelorette party with a large group of friends. The story dives deep into Carrie's past, which becomes more fascinating as the story progresses. Even though she was adopted into a nice family, being abandoned as a baby left emotional scars.
I loved the references to Stephen King, such as the use of the location where he wrote "The Shining" and naming the bride Carrie. However, I would have appreciated more use of the eerie setting.
The story is gripping, with dark secrets and twisted characters. The dramatic revelations kept me engaged until the end, although I still have unanswered questions.
Thanks to L.R. Jones for providing this book through NetGalley. As always, all opinions are my own and left voluntarily.
#TheWeddingParty #LRJones #ThomasandMercer #NetGalley #justfinished #ARC #honestreview #thrller #bookreviewer #thrillerbookloverspromotions #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerobsessedbookishclub #ReadersOfTheLateArc #TalkWordyToMeTeam #lovetoread #bookworms #lovebooks #booknerd #readaholic #bookstagrammer
Initially, I found it challenging to keep track of all the characters as Oliver and Carrie have a co-ed bachelor/bachelorette party with a large group of friends. The story dives deep into Carrie's past, which becomes more fascinating as the story progresses. Even though she was adopted into a nice family, being abandoned as a baby left emotional scars.
I loved the references to Stephen King, such as the use of the location where he wrote "The Shining" and naming the bride Carrie. However, I would have appreciated more use of the eerie setting.
The story is gripping, with dark secrets and twisted characters. The dramatic revelations kept me engaged until the end, although I still have unanswered questions.
Thanks to L.R. Jones for providing this book through NetGalley. As always, all opinions are my own and left voluntarily.
#TheWeddingParty #LRJones #ThomasandMercer #NetGalley #justfinished #ARC #honestreview #thrller #bookreviewer #thrillerbookloverspromotions #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerobsessedbookishclub #ReadersOfTheLateArc #TalkWordyToMeTeam #lovetoread #bookworms #lovebooks #booknerd #readaholic #bookstagrammer
February 23, 2024
A bachelor/bachelorette celebration at a haunted hotel gone wrong.
The combined celebration turns into the murder of the groom-to-be.
But where is the bride-to-be?
She was found in the attic covered in blood.
Did she witness it all and become so scared she ran away - she's too sweet and probably couldn't handle it when she saw him.
Luckily an FBI agent was on the scene to start the investigation.
We follow the investigation as clues pop up, but the biggest mystery may be the box that was delivered to the groom-to-be before the party.
What was in that box?
Was that a hint of things to happen?
Was it the reason the groom-to-be was murdered?
THE WEDDING PARTY will have you blaming every guest and every person at the hotel except the bride-to-be, even though she was the main suspect….the spouse is always the first to be looked at.
Was the sweet bride-to-be the one who murdered her beloved fiancee or was she set up?
Find out who the killer is in this thriller that will keep you turning the pages.
It's a good one. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The combined celebration turns into the murder of the groom-to-be.
But where is the bride-to-be?
She was found in the attic covered in blood.
Did she witness it all and become so scared she ran away - she's too sweet and probably couldn't handle it when she saw him.
Luckily an FBI agent was on the scene to start the investigation.
We follow the investigation as clues pop up, but the biggest mystery may be the box that was delivered to the groom-to-be before the party.
What was in that box?
Was that a hint of things to happen?
Was it the reason the groom-to-be was murdered?
THE WEDDING PARTY will have you blaming every guest and every person at the hotel except the bride-to-be, even though she was the main suspect….the spouse is always the first to be looked at.
Was the sweet bride-to-be the one who murdered her beloved fiancee or was she set up?
Find out who the killer is in this thriller that will keep you turning the pages.
It's a good one. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
September 18, 2023
This was not what I was expecting at all.
It was repetitive and quite slow, boring at times, and filled with inconsistencies.
Some characters felt completely flat, some dialogue completely forced and I just had enough of the number of times it was mentioned Andi was an FBI profiler, and don’t get me started on her or someone else talking about her father, it was like every other page and for no reason!
I thought maybe it was the author trying to draw a parallel between Andi and her father, and Carrie and hers, and how maybe daughters are like their fathers after all. But I'm not convinced. Furthermore, the portrayal of mental health and how “the bad guys” were basically just inferred as deranged made me quite uncomfortable.
And since we’re talking about portrayal, geez, the way women were described was just awful. From the first few pages, we see people call women bimbos; a conversation between daughter and father about how she had “gained weight” and her thinking she had to get on a scale because of it; a comment about “not fighting like a girl”, etc.
I expected more, this was quite underwhelming, I really wanted to like it, but it just wasn’t for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It was repetitive and quite slow, boring at times, and filled with inconsistencies.
Some characters felt completely flat, some dialogue completely forced and I just had enough of the number of times it was mentioned Andi was an FBI profiler, and don’t get me started on her or someone else talking about her father, it was like every other page and for no reason!
I thought maybe it was the author trying to draw a parallel between Andi and her father, and Carrie and hers, and how maybe daughters are like their fathers after all. But I'm not convinced. Furthermore, the portrayal of mental health and how “the bad guys” were basically just inferred as deranged made me quite uncomfortable.
And since we’re talking about portrayal, geez, the way women were described was just awful. From the first few pages, we see people call women bimbos; a conversation between daughter and father about how she had “gained weight” and her thinking she had to get on a scale because of it; a comment about “not fighting like a girl”, etc.
I expected more, this was quite underwhelming, I really wanted to like it, but it just wasn’t for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 30, 2024
3.5 ★ (an extra half-star because andi and her dad reminded me of my papa and i 🫂)
October 3, 2023
I mean, I did not care for anyone here at all.
The description of the characters felt cliché and too one-dimensional, and the couple of chapters that were on a past timeline felt very weirdly placed.
We get mainly 2 POVs per chapter; Carrie, the bride, and Andi. Andi was just so cartoonish in everything she did and said and from the very first chapters I felt like I was not going to like reading her point of view at all, she really makes it a point to remind the reader that SHE REALLY LIKES MURDER, SHE’S A DETECTIVE, GUYS!
I don’t know, didn’t vibe with it at all.
The description of the characters felt cliché and too one-dimensional, and the couple of chapters that were on a past timeline felt very weirdly placed.
We get mainly 2 POVs per chapter; Carrie, the bride, and Andi. Andi was just so cartoonish in everything she did and said and from the very first chapters I felt like I was not going to like reading her point of view at all, she really makes it a point to remind the reader that SHE REALLY LIKES MURDER, SHE’S A DETECTIVE, GUYS!
I don’t know, didn’t vibe with it at all.
February 13, 2024
The Wedding Party is definitely a locked room thriller you don't want to miss.
Just weeks before the wedding, at a combined bachelor and bachelorette party, the groom to be is brutally murdered.
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. The characters were fantastic, I especially loved the FBI agent, Andi, and her dad. I would definitely love to see more of her in future books.
Just weeks before the wedding, at a combined bachelor and bachelorette party, the groom to be is brutally murdered.
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. The characters were fantastic, I especially loved the FBI agent, Andi, and her dad. I would definitely love to see more of her in future books.
September 16, 2023
Great set up!
Carrie and Oliver are hosting a lavish wedding in Colorado's Stanley Hotel. Carrie is a nurse and has invited work friends and a plus one includes FBI agent Andi Castle. When a member of the wedding party dies suddenly, Andi is forced to step in and work.
I loved this book for the most part but thought Andi's father and the repetitive mentions of him to be superfluous. I never really connected with him as anything more than a caricature. The story though, kept me engaged and interested right up to the end. Who doesn't love a wedding? Even a murderous one!
#Thomas&Mercer #Netgalley #Theweddingparty #lrjones
Carrie and Oliver are hosting a lavish wedding in Colorado's Stanley Hotel. Carrie is a nurse and has invited work friends and a plus one includes FBI agent Andi Castle. When a member of the wedding party dies suddenly, Andi is forced to step in and work.
I loved this book for the most part but thought Andi's father and the repetitive mentions of him to be superfluous. I never really connected with him as anything more than a caricature. The story though, kept me engaged and interested right up to the end. Who doesn't love a wedding? Even a murderous one!
#Thomas&Mercer #Netgalley #Theweddingparty #lrjones
March 2, 2024
3.5 Stars. This was a fun read and, for the most part, kept me on the edge wondering where it was going next. While I appreciated the wrap up and was glad most of my questions were answered, it was done rather quickly. I still need to ponder that ending more.
February 6, 2024
I just reviewed The Wedding Party by L. R. Jones. #TheWeddingParty #NetGalley
I did not enjoy this, and to be completely honest - din't even finish it. The characters were all self-involved, spoke in cliches and or in a very stilted way, and weren't actually that believable as people - at least not to me. 70 pages in there still wasn't really a plot to follow that could make up for the lack of interesting characters. There was some hope in the absolute beginning, with short glimpses of very dramatic things that had happened, but we got to know too little about that to then just leave it hanging for a long time in the book proper.
I hesitated quite a while before posting this review to Goodreads as I do not want to be super negative and drag the book down for others. I hope other people have enjoyed this book more than I have, but I also don't want to lie just to be kind.
I love a good piece of crime fiction, and this just wasn't it for me. Would maybe be open to trying another book by the author in the future, in case it was just this book that didn't vibe with me.
I did not enjoy this, and to be completely honest - din't even finish it. The characters were all self-involved, spoke in cliches and or in a very stilted way, and weren't actually that believable as people - at least not to me. 70 pages in there still wasn't really a plot to follow that could make up for the lack of interesting characters. There was some hope in the absolute beginning, with short glimpses of very dramatic things that had happened, but we got to know too little about that to then just leave it hanging for a long time in the book proper.
I hesitated quite a while before posting this review to Goodreads as I do not want to be super negative and drag the book down for others. I hope other people have enjoyed this book more than I have, but I also don't want to lie just to be kind.
I love a good piece of crime fiction, and this just wasn't it for me. Would maybe be open to trying another book by the author in the future, in case it was just this book that didn't vibe with me.
April 9, 2024
This was a good thriller that had me guessing who was the killer right until the end.
I was pulled in from the start, you know something is about to go down, when people get nervous around an FBI agent for no apparent reason.
The ending mostly wrapped this book up in a nice little red bow, but there are some questions I still have - most specifically what did Carrie not tell her parents about the accident with her little brother. I also wish the ending was a little different, after all that time, it just felt rushed, and I had hoped for a little more closure than what we received.
I was pulled in from the start, you know something is about to go down, when people get nervous around an FBI agent for no apparent reason.
The ending mostly wrapped this book up in a nice little red bow, but there are some questions I still have - most specifically what did Carrie not tell her parents about the accident with her little brother. I also wish the ending was a little different, after all that time, it just felt rushed, and I had hoped for a little more closure than what we received.
February 17, 2024
A repetitive, predictable (white women) popcorn thriller. I read this because it takes place in Colorado. Mistake on my part.
January 7, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and L.R Jones for the opportunity to ARC read The Wedding Party.
I was instantly hooked into this story. I love a modern day murder mystery, especially when there is a wedding involved (don't ask why, I don't know why). I enjoyed the setting in the Haunted Hotel for an extra spooky vibe and overall I had a really good time reading this.
I spent the entire time jotting down theory's, and although I didn't guess exactly what happened, I did guess who the killer was but also didn't find it TOO obvious. I will say the twist overall was a tad underwhelming, but the author did a great job at giving lots of red herrings in order to keep you guessing and theorizing.
The writing style was a bit repetitive and the dialogue was a tad cheesy, but those aren't factors that usually affect my enjoyment too much, and I had a really good time reading this story overall! I would recommend it to thriller lovers, and especially to people newly into the genre, as it's an easy read and an easy book to make theories about, which is a huge part of the fun. Overall I give this book 3.5 stars!
I was instantly hooked into this story. I love a modern day murder mystery, especially when there is a wedding involved (don't ask why, I don't know why). I enjoyed the setting in the Haunted Hotel for an extra spooky vibe and overall I had a really good time reading this.
I spent the entire time jotting down theory's, and although I didn't guess exactly what happened, I did guess who the killer was but also didn't find it TOO obvious. I will say the twist overall was a tad underwhelming, but the author did a great job at giving lots of red herrings in order to keep you guessing and theorizing.
The writing style was a bit repetitive and the dialogue was a tad cheesy, but those aren't factors that usually affect my enjoyment too much, and I had a really good time reading this story overall! I would recommend it to thriller lovers, and especially to people newly into the genre, as it's an easy read and an easy book to make theories about, which is a huge part of the fun. Overall I give this book 3.5 stars!
September 14, 2023
"The Wedding Party" is a suspenseful and gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from the first page to the last.
The story revolves around Carrie and Oliver, a couple deeply in love, celebrating their wedding at the iconic Stanley Hotel in Colorado. What begins as a fairy tale wedding takes a dark turn when a murder occurs the morning after the celebration. FBI agent Andi Castle, who was meant to be a guest, finds herself drawn into a new case, and the hotel is put on lockdown.
Phillips masterfully creates a tense and claustrophobic atmosphere as secrets are unearthed, suspicions run rampant, and no one is above suspicion. The plot is filled with twists and turns, making it impossible to predict who the culprit might be.
Andi Castle is a compelling protagonist, and her determination to uncover the truth adds depth to the narrative. The author skillfully combines elements of suspense, mystery, and psychological tension to keep readers guessing until the very end.
"The Wedding Party" is a roller-coaster ride of suspense and intrigue that explores the dark secrets and lies hidden behind the facade of a picture-perfect celebration.The author delivers a gripping story that will leave readers eager to unravel the mystery alongside the tenacious Andi Castle. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with a twist, this book is a must-read.
The story revolves around Carrie and Oliver, a couple deeply in love, celebrating their wedding at the iconic Stanley Hotel in Colorado. What begins as a fairy tale wedding takes a dark turn when a murder occurs the morning after the celebration. FBI agent Andi Castle, who was meant to be a guest, finds herself drawn into a new case, and the hotel is put on lockdown.
Phillips masterfully creates a tense and claustrophobic atmosphere as secrets are unearthed, suspicions run rampant, and no one is above suspicion. The plot is filled with twists and turns, making it impossible to predict who the culprit might be.
Andi Castle is a compelling protagonist, and her determination to uncover the truth adds depth to the narrative. The author skillfully combines elements of suspense, mystery, and psychological tension to keep readers guessing until the very end.
"The Wedding Party" is a roller-coaster ride of suspense and intrigue that explores the dark secrets and lies hidden behind the facade of a picture-perfect celebration.The author delivers a gripping story that will leave readers eager to unravel the mystery alongside the tenacious Andi Castle. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with a twist, this book is a must-read.
February 20, 2024
There was something about the cover of The Wedding Party by L. R. Jones that intrigued me and lured me in!
Once I started, I was instantly drawn into the story because of the characters. This is a dual point of view with perspectives from both bride-to-be Carrie and FBI agent Andi, and the story had my full attention! Andi is now one of my all-time favourite characters; I loved her!
This was a quick read, but it's a bit of a slow burn, with the action really ramping up towards the end. Short chapters continuously move the story along, although they never ended on the typical cliffhanger ever present in thrillers. Even still, I sped through this book since I just had to find out who the killer was! I really enjoyed seeing how the different agencies all worked together to solve the murder case.
My only complaint is that the ending wrapped up quicker than the rest of the book; although it was still a fulfilling conclusion, I just wish it didn't happen quite so quickly!
This one hinges on nature vs. nurture theme wise, and reads like crime fiction, but with the added narrative of a novel. Highly recommend!
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the complimentary copy to read and review.
Once I started, I was instantly drawn into the story because of the characters. This is a dual point of view with perspectives from both bride-to-be Carrie and FBI agent Andi, and the story had my full attention! Andi is now one of my all-time favourite characters; I loved her!
This was a quick read, but it's a bit of a slow burn, with the action really ramping up towards the end. Short chapters continuously move the story along, although they never ended on the typical cliffhanger ever present in thrillers. Even still, I sped through this book since I just had to find out who the killer was! I really enjoyed seeing how the different agencies all worked together to solve the murder case.
My only complaint is that the ending wrapped up quicker than the rest of the book; although it was still a fulfilling conclusion, I just wish it didn't happen quite so quickly!
This one hinges on nature vs. nurture theme wise, and reads like crime fiction, but with the added narrative of a novel. Highly recommend!
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the complimentary copy to read and review.
January 8, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and L.R Jones for the opportunity to ARC read The Wedding Party.
I was instantly hooked into this story. I love a modern day murder mystery, especially when there is a wedding involved (don't ask why, I don't know why). I enjoyed the setting in the Haunted Hotel for an extra spooky vibe and overall I had a really good time reading this.
I spent the entire time jotting down theory's, and although I didn't guess exactly what happened, I did guess who the killer was but also didn't find it TOO obvious. I will say the twist overall was a tad underwhelming, but the author did a great job at giving lots of red herrings in order to keep you guessing and theorizing.
The writing style was a bit repetitive and the dialogue was a tad cheesy, but those aren't factors that usually affect my enjoyment too much, and I had a really good time reading this story overall! I would recommend it to thriller lovers, and especially to people newly into the genre, as it's an easy read and an easy book to make theories about, which is a huge part of the fun. Overall I give this book 3.5 stars!
I was instantly hooked into this story. I love a modern day murder mystery, especially when there is a wedding involved (don't ask why, I don't know why). I enjoyed the setting in the Haunted Hotel for an extra spooky vibe and overall I had a really good time reading this.
I spent the entire time jotting down theory's, and although I didn't guess exactly what happened, I did guess who the killer was but also didn't find it TOO obvious. I will say the twist overall was a tad underwhelming, but the author did a great job at giving lots of red herrings in order to keep you guessing and theorizing.
The writing style was a bit repetitive and the dialogue was a tad cheesy, but those aren't factors that usually affect my enjoyment too much, and I had a really good time reading this story overall! I would recommend it to thriller lovers, and especially to people newly into the genre, as it's an easy read and an easy book to make theories about, which is a huge part of the fun. Overall I give this book 3.5 stars!
December 6, 2023
Wow, that was an intense read ! First book I read from this author. I thought it would be a long book, but I was hooked since the beginning. The twists kept coming left and right, even when I thought I got it all figured out. I hope there will be more following agent Castle !
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.
May 21, 2024
Absolute garbage. Thank god it was free through Kindle Unlimited.
Andi Castle is an FBI profiler. Her friend Lana invites her to a joint bachelor/bachelorette party for golden couple Oliver & Carrie that's being held at the haunted hotel from "The Shining". Weird set up, but okay. During the party weekend, Oliver is found brutally stabbed and Carrie is found naked, covered in blood and hiding in the hotel attic. Agent Castle is on the case! (Even though she'd spent the whole weekend being pissed that people asked her about being an FBI agent, who just happened to be in the news for solving a high-profile serial killer case. Duh, people are curious.)
I hated Agent Castle. As previously stated, she's annoyed when people at the party ask her about being a profiler, yet she says stupid things like "I don't believe in ghosts, because I see monsters everyday" when asked if she's seen any ghosts at the hotel. She also has daddy issues because of her somehow-famous cop dad, who was fired for police brutality. She is CONSTANTLY pulling out the ol' "do you know who my father is?" line, it's like Meghan McCain became an FBI agent. And EVERYONE knows her dad? It's so weird.
The pacing is sloooooooooooow (things literally do not start happening until 90% of the way through the book, and then everything is wrapped up hastily). There is basically one suspect throughout the investigation...and that person is guilty. (Another suspect is thrown into the mix at about 91% through, but that's all done with in just a couple pages.) The prose is clunky with awkward phrasings and inconsistencies (in one paragraph, Andi suspects Lana is having money issues, but in the next paragraph, she says that Lana has enough money to blackmail Carrie). The dialogue is cringey. The characters are either really one-note or change personalities in the blink of an eye. This whole book read like someone binged "Criminal Minds" and and topped it off with a couple episodes of "Law and Order".
Andi Castle is an FBI profiler. Her friend Lana invites her to a joint bachelor/bachelorette party for golden couple Oliver & Carrie that's being held at the haunted hotel from "The Shining". Weird set up, but okay. During the party weekend, Oliver is found brutally stabbed and Carrie is found naked, covered in blood and hiding in the hotel attic. Agent Castle is on the case! (Even though she'd spent the whole weekend being pissed that people asked her about being an FBI agent, who just happened to be in the news for solving a high-profile serial killer case. Duh, people are curious.)
I hated Agent Castle. As previously stated, she's annoyed when people at the party ask her about being a profiler, yet she says stupid things like "I don't believe in ghosts, because I see monsters everyday" when asked if she's seen any ghosts at the hotel. She also has daddy issues because of her somehow-famous cop dad, who was fired for police brutality. She is CONSTANTLY pulling out the ol' "do you know who my father is?" line, it's like Meghan McCain became an FBI agent. And EVERYONE knows her dad? It's so weird.
The pacing is sloooooooooooow (things literally do not start happening until 90% of the way through the book, and then everything is wrapped up hastily). There is basically one suspect throughout the investigation...and that person is guilty. (Another suspect is thrown into the mix at about 91% through, but that's all done with in just a couple pages.) The prose is clunky with awkward phrasings and inconsistencies (in one paragraph, Andi suspects Lana is having money issues, but in the next paragraph, she says that Lana has enough money to blackmail Carrie). The dialogue is cringey. The characters are either really one-note or change personalities in the blink of an eye. This whole book read like someone binged "Criminal Minds" and and topped it off with a couple episodes of "Law and Order".
December 11, 2023
Thanks for the chance to read and give an honest review. I didn't like this book very much. There was a compelling set up with a bachelor/bachelorette party at the Stanley Hotel for newlyweds Carrie and Oliver; the next morning, there's a murder. Thankfully an FBI agent is part of the group at the hotel and can help solve the crime.
After that, this book is a mess. An editor will probably catch some of the errors. For example, the groom's sister says she owns a gun, then the next page says she doesn't own a gun. In another case, a lawyer wears a pink shirt that changes to red in the next scene. At one point, the wedding is in November, at another point it's happening in the New Year. Not to mention there are many threads that don't make much sense (Elsa's box in the first chapter) or things that are introduced super late in the game . I also found the ending to be flat and feed into stereotypes about mental illness, and what it says about nature winning over nurture. One character uses the phrase "in other words" about 7 times too many.
It was a quick read, but the book itself caused me to roll my eyes a lot. However, if you like James Patterson books - with quick chapters, descriptions of outfits, and cringe-y dialogue about how one doesn't "fight like a girl", then you might enjoy!
After that, this book is a mess. An editor will probably catch some of the errors. For example, the groom's sister says she owns a gun, then the next page says she doesn't own a gun. In another case, a lawyer wears a pink shirt that changes to red in the next scene. At one point, the wedding is in November, at another point it's happening in the New Year. Not to mention there are many threads that don't make much sense (Elsa's box in the first chapter) or things that are introduced super late in the game . I also found the ending to be flat and feed into stereotypes about mental illness, and what it says about nature winning over nurture. One character uses the phrase "in other words" about 7 times too many.
It was a quick read, but the book itself caused me to roll my eyes a lot. However, if you like James Patterson books - with quick chapters, descriptions of outfits, and cringe-y dialogue about how one doesn't "fight like a girl", then you might enjoy!
February 6, 2024
The Wedding Party is a fun read if you like a fast paced, dramatic thriller.
I loved the setting of the Stanley Hotel, of course! What a unique premise indeed! This book had sinister vibes almost right from the start! I liked the modern spin on a joint bachelor/bachelorette party and the cast of characters were well developed and realistic.
However, after the first handful of chapters that described the hotel and built up the creepy location, it all kind of stopped and turned 100% of the focus onto the murder mystery. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I myself like when an author can use the setting in a way that almost uses the setting as a character in and of itself. And with a location as well known as The Stanley Hotel, I'm surprised there wasn't more of it in the novel. I also have grown a little tired of an entire mystery hinged on one character who has amnesia and just can't seem to remember what happened.
With all that being said, I still enjoyed this one. I loved the short chapters, and I really loved the main character, Andi Castle. She was such a strong female investigator that I think L.R. Jones could spin this into a series, and I would be on board with it! Many other female detectives are strong and hardened to a fault. Andi was much more realistic: strong but not cold, smart and sharp but also logical, hardened but not blind by it. If you want a fast escape, The Wedding Party would make a fun escape!
I received a free copy of The Wedding Party from the author/publicist. All opinions are my own.
I loved the setting of the Stanley Hotel, of course! What a unique premise indeed! This book had sinister vibes almost right from the start! I liked the modern spin on a joint bachelor/bachelorette party and the cast of characters were well developed and realistic.
However, after the first handful of chapters that described the hotel and built up the creepy location, it all kind of stopped and turned 100% of the focus onto the murder mystery. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I myself like when an author can use the setting in a way that almost uses the setting as a character in and of itself. And with a location as well known as The Stanley Hotel, I'm surprised there wasn't more of it in the novel. I also have grown a little tired of an entire mystery hinged on one character who has amnesia and just can't seem to remember what happened.
With all that being said, I still enjoyed this one. I loved the short chapters, and I really loved the main character, Andi Castle. She was such a strong female investigator that I think L.R. Jones could spin this into a series, and I would be on board with it! Many other female detectives are strong and hardened to a fault. Andi was much more realistic: strong but not cold, smart and sharp but also logical, hardened but not blind by it. If you want a fast escape, The Wedding Party would make a fun escape!
I received a free copy of The Wedding Party from the author/publicist. All opinions are my own.
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