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Mallory Dawson #1
The Birthday Girl
Welcome to Eldey, an island in Wales with deadly secrets.
Mona is a carefree artist staying at the island's upscale hotel to work on her illustrations. Beth is the harried mother of a toddler, on the island for a weekend escape with her family. Charlotte wanted a romantic getaway with her husband, not a trip with his troubled teenage stepdaughter. One of them is a serial killer who poisoned four of the girl's friends at her eleventh birthday party. Three guests who fit the profile. Cut off from the mainland and isolated on a remote Welsh island, former detective-turned-hotel-manager Mallory Dawson will have to figure out whodunit before the killer risks everything to attack again.
An absolutely gripping Welsh crime novel, perfect for fans of Sarah Pearse and Lucy Foley.
Mona is a carefree artist staying at the island's upscale hotel to work on her illustrations. Beth is the harried mother of a toddler, on the island for a weekend escape with her family. Charlotte wanted a romantic getaway with her husband, not a trip with his troubled teenage stepdaughter. One of them is a serial killer who poisoned four of the girl's friends at her eleventh birthday party. Three guests who fit the profile. Cut off from the mainland and isolated on a remote Welsh island, former detective-turned-hotel-manager Mallory Dawson will have to figure out whodunit before the killer risks everything to attack again.
An absolutely gripping Welsh crime novel, perfect for fans of Sarah Pearse and Lucy Foley.
336 pages, Paperback
First published April 6, 2023
131 people are currently reading
2868 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
April 6, 2023
Mallory is retired from the police force after an injury to her leg ends her career. She now finds herself as a night manager of The Cloister, which is a ritzy hotel on Eldey Island.
A storm has moved in trapping the employees of the hotel along with the guests. Now people are turning up dead by poisoning and Mallorie believes The Birthday Girl is among them. The Birthday Girl murdered three of her friends at her eleventh birthday party and has been recently released from prison with a new identity. She could be one of three women and it's up to Mallorie to figure out which guest is the devil in disguise.
This is one of those books where I have to ask myself why I requested it. I don't enjoy locked-room mysteries nor do I request books that are either part of or a start to a new series. I guess I had a moment of weakness and I blame the cover for that. That'll teach me. This book was the most bland and boring book I have read in quite some time. I did skim quite a bit just to move the pages along because this is the slowest of all slow burns. I found Mallorie to be so uninteresting. The mystery itself wasn't all that impressive either. You know the killer is one of three women and it's just a matter of figuring out which one. I honestly can't think of one thing about this book that appealed to me and the ending did nothing to redeem this. Outlandish and dumb are all I can say. It's a start to a new series with Mallory Dawson but I think it's evident by this review that I am one and done. 1 star!
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for my complimentary copy.
A storm has moved in trapping the employees of the hotel along with the guests. Now people are turning up dead by poisoning and Mallorie believes The Birthday Girl is among them. The Birthday Girl murdered three of her friends at her eleventh birthday party and has been recently released from prison with a new identity. She could be one of three women and it's up to Mallorie to figure out which guest is the devil in disguise.
This is one of those books where I have to ask myself why I requested it. I don't enjoy locked-room mysteries nor do I request books that are either part of or a start to a new series. I guess I had a moment of weakness and I blame the cover for that. That'll teach me. This book was the most bland and boring book I have read in quite some time. I did skim quite a bit just to move the pages along because this is the slowest of all slow burns. I found Mallorie to be so uninteresting. The mystery itself wasn't all that impressive either. You know the killer is one of three women and it's just a matter of figuring out which one. I honestly can't think of one thing about this book that appealed to me and the ending did nothing to redeem this. Outlandish and dumb are all I can say. It's a start to a new series with Mallory Dawson but I think it's evident by this review that I am one and done. 1 star!
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for my complimentary copy.
October 3, 2024
I’ve read other books by this author and enjoyed them but this was just so boring. Not for me.
March 18, 2024
I could tell from the start I wasn’t going to like this blah.😕
April 25, 2023
I would like to thank netgalley, and canelo,and the author Sarah ward for an early copy of her book to read.
I've read two of her previously books,Mallory an ex cop has a bad injury to her leg now looking for a new job as a night manager on a small island where guests are being poisoned, will she find out who is behind the killings? I enjoyed parts of this book,other parts was very predictable.I wasnt fully engaged at times.still love to read more of her books and enjoyed her other books more..
I've read two of her previously books,Mallory an ex cop has a bad injury to her leg now looking for a new job as a night manager on a small island where guests are being poisoned, will she find out who is behind the killings? I enjoyed parts of this book,other parts was very predictable.I wasnt fully engaged at times.still love to read more of her books and enjoyed her other books more..
March 10, 2023
Another new author for me and one I will be reading more of.
Former police detective Mallory Dawson is taken on as the night manager at an island hotel and it is not long before she is called in to action. One of the guests is found dead and Mallory very quickly suspects that ‘The Birthday Girl’ is responsible. ‘The Birthday Girl’ poisoned three of her friends at her eleventh birthday party at now it appears she is up to her old tricks.
The guests at the hotel include Mona who is an illustrations artist, Beth mother of a young child and on a weekend break with her family and Charlotte who instead of enjoying a romantic holiday with her husband is with his troubled teenage daughter. It appears one of them is ‘The Birthday Girl’.
This was an exciting read that was well written with lots of interesting characters. Like many others have said there is a streak of Agatha Christie in the set up so it was certainly my type of read.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Canelo for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
Another new author for me and one I will be reading more of.
Former police detective Mallory Dawson is taken on as the night manager at an island hotel and it is not long before she is called in to action. One of the guests is found dead and Mallory very quickly suspects that ‘The Birthday Girl’ is responsible. ‘The Birthday Girl’ poisoned three of her friends at her eleventh birthday party at now it appears she is up to her old tricks.
The guests at the hotel include Mona who is an illustrations artist, Beth mother of a young child and on a weekend break with her family and Charlotte who instead of enjoying a romantic holiday with her husband is with his troubled teenage daughter. It appears one of them is ‘The Birthday Girl’.
This was an exciting read that was well written with lots of interesting characters. Like many others have said there is a streak of Agatha Christie in the set up so it was certainly my type of read.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Canelo for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Former police detective Mallory Dawson is taken on as the night manager at an island hotel and it is not long before she is called in to action. One of the guests is found dead and Mallory very quickly suspects that ‘The Birthday Girl’ is responsible. ‘The Birthday Girl’ poisoned three of her friends at her eleventh birthday party at now it appears she is up to her old tricks.
The guests at the hotel include Mona who is an illustrations artist, Beth mother of a young child and on a weekend break with her family and Charlotte who instead of enjoying a romantic holiday with her husband is with his troubled teenage daughter. It appears one of them is ‘The Birthday Girl’.
This was an exciting read that was well written with lots of interesting characters. Like many others have said there is a streak of Agatha Christie in the set up so it was certainly my type of read.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Canelo for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
Another new author for me and one I will be reading more of.
Former police detective Mallory Dawson is taken on as the night manager at an island hotel and it is not long before she is called in to action. One of the guests is found dead and Mallory very quickly suspects that ‘The Birthday Girl’ is responsible. ‘The Birthday Girl’ poisoned three of her friends at her eleventh birthday party at now it appears she is up to her old tricks.
The guests at the hotel include Mona who is an illustrations artist, Beth mother of a young child and on a weekend break with her family and Charlotte who instead of enjoying a romantic holiday with her husband is with his troubled teenage daughter. It appears one of them is ‘The Birthday Girl’.
This was an exciting read that was well written with lots of interesting characters. Like many others have said there is a streak of Agatha Christie in the set up so it was certainly my type of read.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Canelo for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
March 7, 2023
I'm a huge fan of Sarah Ward's books so I jumped at the chance to read 'The Birthday Girl' early. I went in completely blind and so should you. I feel the book description already gives away too much information, meaning I didn't know I was supposed to zero in on those three women as potential suspects when I started reading.
What I also didn't know, until I reached the author's notes, is that this is the beginning of a brand-new crime series, which was truly excellent news. As I mentioned, I love this author's books but I also really like this new character she's introduced us to. Mallory Dawson is a very determined, fierce and hugely likeable character and I can't wait to spend more time with her.
But I'm getting ahead of things here.
Mallory arrives on a the tiny island of Eldey to work as a night manager at the hotel that is located there. It is a bit of a stop-gap as she figures out what to do next with her life. Mallory is a former police detective but is currently unable to do her job. Her instincts will serve her well on the island though, especially when someone ends up dead. It is the first death, but it won't be the last.
Hiding amongst the guests is a killer known as the Birthday Girl. At the age of eleven, Bryony Clive killed her friends at her birthday party. As you do. Bryony is out there, living a life. Nobody knows what she looks like now as she's been protected after her stint in prison. Can Mallory figure out who the Birthday Girl is before more people die? Can you?
Well, things are narrowed down for you. The killer is one of three women and all three come across as if they have something to hide. Plenty of red herrings all over the place to keep you guessing. Despite ruling out one character, I often found myself switching back and forth between the other two. I could never really put my finger on who the next victim might be, or why, which definitely added to the suspense. And then there was the added intrigue of the story of the nuns who used to live here. Although that's something I hope might be revisited in future, as it definitely left me wanting more. The sense of isolation of being on an island is heightened when a fierce storm strikes the area. It all put me in mind of what, in my opinion, is still the best locked room mystery out there and that is of course Agatha Christie's 'And Then There Were None'.
I found 'The Birthday Girl' incredibly addictive and compelling. It's the perfect book to get through in one sitting. Life got in the way of my doing that but I did find myself reading at nine in the morning, which is something I never do. Personally, I think the motive for the killings was a little flimsy but I didn't really care. There was also a character I feel might have been hiding something that wasn't revealed, leaving me curious and a little unsatisfied. However, I had a fabulous time with this story and flew through it, finding myself utterly glued to the pages. I've had some horrible luck with locked room mysteries lately but Sarah Ward is an excellent author and she has restored my faith in the sub-genre for sure. I can't wait for more, both from the author and from Mallory Dawnson.
What I also didn't know, until I reached the author's notes, is that this is the beginning of a brand-new crime series, which was truly excellent news. As I mentioned, I love this author's books but I also really like this new character she's introduced us to. Mallory Dawson is a very determined, fierce and hugely likeable character and I can't wait to spend more time with her.
But I'm getting ahead of things here.
Mallory arrives on a the tiny island of Eldey to work as a night manager at the hotel that is located there. It is a bit of a stop-gap as she figures out what to do next with her life. Mallory is a former police detective but is currently unable to do her job. Her instincts will serve her well on the island though, especially when someone ends up dead. It is the first death, but it won't be the last.
Hiding amongst the guests is a killer known as the Birthday Girl. At the age of eleven, Bryony Clive killed her friends at her birthday party. As you do. Bryony is out there, living a life. Nobody knows what she looks like now as she's been protected after her stint in prison. Can Mallory figure out who the Birthday Girl is before more people die? Can you?
Well, things are narrowed down for you. The killer is one of three women and all three come across as if they have something to hide. Plenty of red herrings all over the place to keep you guessing. Despite ruling out one character, I often found myself switching back and forth between the other two. I could never really put my finger on who the next victim might be, or why, which definitely added to the suspense. And then there was the added intrigue of the story of the nuns who used to live here. Although that's something I hope might be revisited in future, as it definitely left me wanting more. The sense of isolation of being on an island is heightened when a fierce storm strikes the area. It all put me in mind of what, in my opinion, is still the best locked room mystery out there and that is of course Agatha Christie's 'And Then There Were None'.
I found 'The Birthday Girl' incredibly addictive and compelling. It's the perfect book to get through in one sitting. Life got in the way of my doing that but I did find myself reading at nine in the morning, which is something I never do. Personally, I think the motive for the killings was a little flimsy but I didn't really care. There was also a character I feel might have been hiding something that wasn't revealed, leaving me curious and a little unsatisfied. However, I had a fabulous time with this story and flew through it, finding myself utterly glued to the pages. I've had some horrible luck with locked room mysteries lately but Sarah Ward is an excellent author and she has restored my faith in the sub-genre for sure. I can't wait for more, both from the author and from Mallory Dawnson.
April 1, 2023
4.5 ⭐️s
I finished this in 24 hours. And I have 3 kids. Those two sentences should say enough about this book.
Mallory, a former London detective, thinks she found her dream "in between job" at the boutique Cloister Hotel. Located on an isolated (and rather creepy) island, Mallory quickly realizes that her job as a nighttime manager is not as easy as it seems. A death under mysterious circumstances and an unexpected storm leaves the island reeling.
This book had everything I want in a thriller: Multiple point of views, an English setting, plus a likable (and strong) lead character. Add in the fact that all of the characters are stuck in a boutique hotel on an isolated island in the midst of a major storm and I was hooked. The atmospheric nature of the book heightened the intrigue and mystery throughout the story. If you are a fan of Agatha Christie's books, you won't be able to put it down.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC- I could not put it down!
I finished this in 24 hours. And I have 3 kids. Those two sentences should say enough about this book.
Mallory, a former London detective, thinks she found her dream "in between job" at the boutique Cloister Hotel. Located on an isolated (and rather creepy) island, Mallory quickly realizes that her job as a nighttime manager is not as easy as it seems. A death under mysterious circumstances and an unexpected storm leaves the island reeling.
This book had everything I want in a thriller: Multiple point of views, an English setting, plus a likable (and strong) lead character. Add in the fact that all of the characters are stuck in a boutique hotel on an isolated island in the midst of a major storm and I was hooked. The atmospheric nature of the book heightened the intrigue and mystery throughout the story. If you are a fan of Agatha Christie's books, you won't be able to put it down.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC- I could not put it down!
June 13, 2023
This was awful 😂
The storyline felt like it ‘had legs’ but it was just written and structured poorly.
I knew who the killer was from the beginning and I don’t know how I managed to get through this to be honest.
The storyline felt like it ‘had legs’ but it was just written and structured poorly.
I knew who the killer was from the beginning and I don’t know how I managed to get through this to be honest.
April 28, 2023
If you are looking to start another crime fiction series then I think this should be the one!
The protagonist of the series, Mallory Dawson, is a former Met detective who has had to retire due to medical reasons. She worked in London and was seriously stabbed in two places by a perpetrator she was arresting. She is divorced and the mother of one teenage son who now lives with his father, another London police officer. In this book she is just starting a new job as a night manager/security guard for a pricey boutique hotel on an island off the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales. She definitely begins in the deep end, as she is left to run the hotel by herself when a hurricane force storm settles over the island cutting it off from the mainland.
The Cloister Hotel couldn't be any more atmospheric. It was built as a convent originally, and has inherited it's own ghost story. The hotel, some outbuildings, and a mausoleum are the only buildings on the tiny island.
Since it is set on an island, during a storm, it makes the perfect 'locked room' type mystery with an almost Agatha Christie feel. The enforced isolation affects both the staff and the guests of the hotel, which heightens the inherent suspense.
As the body count continues to rise, Mallory comes to realize that there is a renowned killer among the guests. A child killer, who has been protected in the media, so no one knows what the girl might look like now that she is an adult.
The storm worsens, Mallory's injury is increasingly painful, and her adversary is a desperate and revengeful woman who has planned her crimes with meticulous attention to detail. With only a skeleton staff of herself, one maid, and the chef, Mallory must keep the other guests safe until the storm is over and help can arrive.
I thoroughly enjoyed every page of "The Birthday Girl" and I'm eager to read more of Mallory Dawson's exploits in the next book in this series. Highly recommended!
The protagonist of the series, Mallory Dawson, is a former Met detective who has had to retire due to medical reasons. She worked in London and was seriously stabbed in two places by a perpetrator she was arresting. She is divorced and the mother of one teenage son who now lives with his father, another London police officer. In this book she is just starting a new job as a night manager/security guard for a pricey boutique hotel on an island off the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales. She definitely begins in the deep end, as she is left to run the hotel by herself when a hurricane force storm settles over the island cutting it off from the mainland.
The Cloister Hotel couldn't be any more atmospheric. It was built as a convent originally, and has inherited it's own ghost story. The hotel, some outbuildings, and a mausoleum are the only buildings on the tiny island.
Since it is set on an island, during a storm, it makes the perfect 'locked room' type mystery with an almost Agatha Christie feel. The enforced isolation affects both the staff and the guests of the hotel, which heightens the inherent suspense.
As the body count continues to rise, Mallory comes to realize that there is a renowned killer among the guests. A child killer, who has been protected in the media, so no one knows what the girl might look like now that she is an adult.
The storm worsens, Mallory's injury is increasingly painful, and her adversary is a desperate and revengeful woman who has planned her crimes with meticulous attention to detail. With only a skeleton staff of herself, one maid, and the chef, Mallory must keep the other guests safe until the storm is over and help can arrive.
I thoroughly enjoyed every page of "The Birthday Girl" and I'm eager to read more of Mallory Dawson's exploits in the next book in this series. Highly recommended!
August 11, 2023
Hmmmm this book isn’t not for me. It didn’t hold my attention at all I was so bored reading it. It’s not the book’s fault. It’s me, it just doesn’t work for me.
April 14, 2023
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
The subject of this book really intrigued me before I started and held my attention throughout! The characters and locations are well built with great backstories and I just couldn’t wait to find out what the outcome would be! The story is about a small island off the coast of England that gets cut off from the mainland because of a storm and there’s a killer in their midst. It was reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel and if you like those type of books, you should definitely check this one out!
The subject of this book really intrigued me before I started and held my attention throughout! The characters and locations are well built with great backstories and I just couldn’t wait to find out what the outcome would be! The story is about a small island off the coast of England that gets cut off from the mainland because of a storm and there’s a killer in their midst. It was reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel and if you like those type of books, you should definitely check this one out!
May 22, 2024
Moody, thrilling, gripping locked-room style mystery, The Birthday Girl is a great start to a new series featuring Mallory Dawson and I really liked it and cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
November 28, 2023
A "locked room" crime, stranded on an island with a serial poisoner who's identity is unknown. A new author and new series for me, kept me guessing, will definitely read her others.
March 12, 2023
This was a good “locked room” type mystery that takes place at a fancy hotel on a secluded island. We know that a woman who killed her friends as a child is planning something nefarious but we don’t know who she is or who she is after. The story is told from the POV of Mallory, who was a cop but got injured and is now working as the hotel’s night manager. When people start dying, Mallory relies on her cop instincts to figure out what is going on while also trying to keep the remaining guests safe.
The book had a lot of characters, which is usually annoying to me, but I didn’t have any trouble keeping them straight. The author did a good job at differentiating them while not spending a whole lot of time on each one. The setting was atmospheric; between the hotel, the seclusion of the island, and the storm, I really felt like I could picture myself there. I went back and forth the entire book as to who the villain was, even suspecting impossible choices. It made sense when it all came out, but I can’t say I was ever sure until it was revealed.
Overall, this was a good mystery with a unique twist on the “locked room” genre and I’d recommend it. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book had a lot of characters, which is usually annoying to me, but I didn’t have any trouble keeping them straight. The author did a good job at differentiating them while not spending a whole lot of time on each one. The setting was atmospheric; between the hotel, the seclusion of the island, and the storm, I really felt like I could picture myself there. I went back and forth the entire book as to who the villain was, even suspecting impossible choices. It made sense when it all came out, but I can’t say I was ever sure until it was revealed.
Overall, this was a good mystery with a unique twist on the “locked room” genre and I’d recommend it. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2023
Typically I hate 3rd person, but it didn’t take long for me to get into it. It’s an easy read for people like me who are still new to crime and suspense.
3rd person makes it a lot harder for me to connect with the characters as it normally doesn’t have the amount of detail for me, if also doesn’t feel personal.
I was expecting to be more excited once they revealed the killer, but it felt meh.
It’s not a terrible book, but it got a little boring towards the end.
3rd person makes it a lot harder for me to connect with the characters as it normally doesn’t have the amount of detail for me, if also doesn’t feel personal.
I was expecting to be more excited once they revealed the killer, but it felt meh.
It’s not a terrible book, but it got a little boring towards the end.
September 21, 2024
2.5⭐️
This book was just so incredibly boring, not much else to say 🤷♀️
This book was just so incredibly boring, not much else to say 🤷♀️
April 18, 2023
This is a solid mystery/thriller. I loved the "Guest List." Whenever I'm reading a book with a lot of characters, I use a "character cheat sheet," where I write down the characters and then add to them as we learn more about them. This helps me greatly, especially when it comes to writing reviews, so when an author does this ahead of time and it's part of the book - I give extra points for that! So thanks, it helped in keeping the story a little more straighter character wise.
This book has it all when it comes to looking for a good thriller. I would recommend it to everyone and can't wait for book 2. I love the character of Mallory Dawson.
I received an ARC of this book and leave this review of my own accord. I just reviewed The Birthday Girl by Sarah Ward. #TheBirthdayGirl #NetGalley
This book has it all when it comes to looking for a good thriller. I would recommend it to everyone and can't wait for book 2. I love the character of Mallory Dawson.
I received an ARC of this book and leave this review of my own accord. I just reviewed The Birthday Girl by Sarah Ward. #TheBirthdayGirl #NetGalley
March 19, 2023
A very promising start to a new series from the excellent Sarah Ward. Set on an island off the coast of Wales during a period of stormy weather and with all communications down, this is a gripping, tense and atmospheric novel which delivers stunning revelations at every turn. Mallory Dawson was a cop but is now managing a hotel on this remote island; a number of women are staying at the hotel, one of whom killed several of her childhood friends. The task confronting Mallory is to find out which, and try to prevent further carnage. Brilliant!
April 9, 2023
Thank you to Tandem Collective, Sarah Ward, and Canelo for hosting this superb readalong.
I'm known for never sticking to readlong schedules, and I was trying really hard to stick to the days pages.. but sorry, folks.. I couldn't resist. I needed to know who the killer was!!!
This book had me constantly changing my mind about who it could be as there are so many suspicious suspects.. I loved that it wasn't obvious from the beginning and had potential to be any of them.
The story was atmospheric. The author did a bloody good job with setting the scene.. The hotel is built on a remote island, only accessible by boat.. limited WiFi and mobile signal.. a storm brewing.. what more could I have asked for.
I enjoyed the story being narrated from multiple POV'S it really gave more mystery to the story as more information about the characters was revealed. Oh, and Mallory was a kick arse lead character!!!
A great eerie thriller to get lost in for a for hours. I'm looking forward to seeing what Mallory gets up to next.
I'm known for never sticking to readlong schedules, and I was trying really hard to stick to the days pages.. but sorry, folks.. I couldn't resist. I needed to know who the killer was!!!
This book had me constantly changing my mind about who it could be as there are so many suspicious suspects.. I loved that it wasn't obvious from the beginning and had potential to be any of them.
The story was atmospheric. The author did a bloody good job with setting the scene.. The hotel is built on a remote island, only accessible by boat.. limited WiFi and mobile signal.. a storm brewing.. what more could I have asked for.
I enjoyed the story being narrated from multiple POV'S it really gave more mystery to the story as more information about the characters was revealed. Oh, and Mallory was a kick arse lead character!!!
A great eerie thriller to get lost in for a for hours. I'm looking forward to seeing what Mallory gets up to next.
May 3, 2025
I found the book took a while to get into. Sometimes I felt the story didn’t flow that well. I did enjoy reading it but wouldn’t say it was one of my favourites. It did end well and didn’t leave any loose ends. I would give it a 3 1/2 start rating.
March 11, 2023
THE BIRTHDAY GIRL is a tense, fast paced, isolated thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. This book takes place on a remote island and mostly follows the point of view of Mallory Dawson, a medically retired detective who is the new night manager of an isolated hotel on the island. There is also, however, a serial killer among the guests, known as The Birthday Girl, and she has murder on her mind once again. There are three guests who fit the age and profile of The Birthday Girl, and Mallory has to figure out who it is before it’s too late…
We don’t find out who the killer until the very end and I guessed it completely wrong so I was really surprised. I didn’t know who to trust and I really loved this concept! This was such a fun, quick read that kept me guessing and I mean it when I say I couldn’t put it down. I think this is actually the first book in a series so I can not wait to read the next instalment in this series and read more about Malory Dawson, who was a really fascinating character.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Canelo for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
We don’t find out who the killer until the very end and I guessed it completely wrong so I was really surprised. I didn’t know who to trust and I really loved this concept! This was such a fun, quick read that kept me guessing and I mean it when I say I couldn’t put it down. I think this is actually the first book in a series so I can not wait to read the next instalment in this series and read more about Malory Dawson, who was a really fascinating character.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Canelo for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2023
I received a proof copy unsolicited for review via my local indie bookstore!
The first in a brand new crime fiction series set in Wales?! Yes, please. On the remote island of Eldey, Mallory travels to start a new job and commence a fresh start after ending her career in the police force. Working in the island's hotel, she quickly learns that not all is as it seems. Bad storms roll in and shut all transport and communications down which triggers off a chain of mysterious murders targeting the hotel guests. One by one, Mallory knows she has to find a killer without much outside help before it's too late. To top that off, there are three women staying at the hotel and one of them poisoned a group of her friends aged just 11. So many hidden secrets just waiting to be revealed...
The atmosphere and set-up were great, I genuinely was terrified about what was going to be next around the corner. The pacing was on the slow side for me but the ending really caught me off guard. Can't wait to read the next installment.
The first in a brand new crime fiction series set in Wales?! Yes, please. On the remote island of Eldey, Mallory travels to start a new job and commence a fresh start after ending her career in the police force. Working in the island's hotel, she quickly learns that not all is as it seems. Bad storms roll in and shut all transport and communications down which triggers off a chain of mysterious murders targeting the hotel guests. One by one, Mallory knows she has to find a killer without much outside help before it's too late. To top that off, there are three women staying at the hotel and one of them poisoned a group of her friends aged just 11. So many hidden secrets just waiting to be revealed...
The atmosphere and set-up were great, I genuinely was terrified about what was going to be next around the corner. The pacing was on the slow side for me but the ending really caught me off guard. Can't wait to read the next installment.
September 4, 2023
I finished this book in 2 days and was absolutely hooked. Mallory Dawson is a medically retired Police Officer following an injury to her leg. She takes on a Night Manager position at The Cloister Hotel on Eldey Island as a stopgap position, but when a ferocious storm traps all guests on the remote island and some are found murdered, this book becomes a brilliant murder mystery with a fascinating backstory of the infamous (yet anonymous) “Birthday Girl” poisoner. This book gave Cluedo vibes and constantly kept me guessing who the “Birthday Girl” killer was, who would be killed next and what the motives were for each killing…
March 2, 2025
Probably a wee 3.5 stars.
Nice wee easy read and it’s been a while since i done a thriller so made for a nice change. I do always hate however the build up to the killer for the whole book and then it’s revealed and moved on from so quick. I will say however this is the first thriller in a while that it’s not been blatantly obvious who it was which I quite liked. Every chapter i thought it was that character so was good to be kept on my toes.
Nice wee easy read and it’s been a while since i done a thriller so made for a nice change. I do always hate however the build up to the killer for the whole book and then it’s revealed and moved on from so quick. I will say however this is the first thriller in a while that it’s not been blatantly obvious who it was which I quite liked. Every chapter i thought it was that character so was good to be kept on my toes.
February 24, 2025
An enjoyable reading/listening🎧. These thrillers set in small islands are all the same but they sure are irresistable.
March 8, 2024
Picked this one up and haven’t seen it online anywhere so I was quite sceptical of reading it. It’s not the best book I’ve ever read or the best twist but it definitely has me hooked with all the murders that were happening. Definitely recommend if you just want someone quick and easy to read.
March 6, 2023
The Birthday Girl is a psychological thriller by author, Sarah Ward and the first book in a new series featuring former police detective, Mallory Dawson. It was the exciting premise of this book that drew me in and made me want to read. A child serial killer who murdered their friends at their eleventh birthday party. That just sounds horrific! The story is a kind of locked room mystery with our main lead Mallory taking a job on Eldey island where a storm traps her and a number of guests. I loved trying to guess the ending and which of our multiple characters was the birthday girl. The story is told in multiple POV which makes us question if our guests are telling the truth about themselves to the reader. I enjoyed this fast-paced mystery which left me guessing. Recommended for fans of Ruth Ware, Alice Feeney, Paula Hawkins or Shari Lapena.
April 11, 2023
I absolutely loved this book!! I love books based on an island, throw in a storm and a murder and I'm in heaven. I literally could not put this book down, it has you constantly guessing and on edge. I loved Mallory she is so fierce and fearless!! This is my first book from Sarah Ward and now I have to go buy her other books. Thank you so much @sarawardcrime @lovebooktours @canelo_co for this early copy of the book!!
February 21, 2023
It's official, I will read anything Sarah Ward writes! This is a masterpiece of a gothic, atmospheric, Agatha Christie-like thriller/mystery.
Mallory has just taken a job at the new hotel located on a small nearly deserted island. As the night security, she has a fairly straightforward and low drama job. She needs that sort of word as she left the police force after suffering a career ending injury.
However, almost immediately, there are issues at the hotel. and as the weather worsens to hurricane level winds, some of the guests actually die. Is the famed Birthday Girl on the island taking her revenge?
I loved this book - all of the characters were believable, likeable and interesting. The obstacles were realistic and exciting. The murder mystery piece was perfect and the setting was creepy and gothic and everything you want to read late at night. If you love a good locked room style murder mystery, want a book that could keep you up all night guessing, or just want an absolutely thrilling read, The Birthday Girl is for you!
#Canelo #TheBirthdayGirl #SarahWard
Mallory has just taken a job at the new hotel located on a small nearly deserted island. As the night security, she has a fairly straightforward and low drama job. She needs that sort of word as she left the police force after suffering a career ending injury.
However, almost immediately, there are issues at the hotel. and as the weather worsens to hurricane level winds, some of the guests actually die. Is the famed Birthday Girl on the island taking her revenge?
I loved this book - all of the characters were believable, likeable and interesting. The obstacles were realistic and exciting. The murder mystery piece was perfect and the setting was creepy and gothic and everything you want to read late at night. If you love a good locked room style murder mystery, want a book that could keep you up all night guessing, or just want an absolutely thrilling read, The Birthday Girl is for you!
#Canelo #TheBirthdayGirl #SarahWard
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