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Party of Liars
A lavish, Texas-sized Sweet Sixteen turns deadly in this twisty, pulse-pounding new novel — serving up a fresh take on a classic locked-room whodunnit. Let the festivities begin…
Today is Sophie Matthews’s sixteenth birthday party, an exclusive black-tie bash in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, where secrets are as deep-rooted as the sprawling live oaks. Sophie’s dad has spared no expense, and his renovated cliffside mansion—once thought haunted—is now hosting the event of the season. Then, just before the candles on the three-tiered red velvet cake are blown out, a body falls from the balcony onto the starlit dance floor below.
It’s a killer guest list . . .
DANI: Sophie’s new stepmother who’s been plagued by self-doubt ever since the birth of her own baby girl
ÓRLAITH: the superstitious Irish nanny who senses a looming danger in this cavernous house
MIKAYLA: the birthday girl’s best friend who is not nearly as meek as the popular kids assume
KIM: the cunning ex-wife who has a grudge she can’t let go of . . .
Everyone is invited in. Not everyone will get out alive.
Today is Sophie Matthews’s sixteenth birthday party, an exclusive black-tie bash in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, where secrets are as deep-rooted as the sprawling live oaks. Sophie’s dad has spared no expense, and his renovated cliffside mansion—once thought haunted—is now hosting the event of the season. Then, just before the candles on the three-tiered red velvet cake are blown out, a body falls from the balcony onto the starlit dance floor below.
It’s a killer guest list . . .
DANI: Sophie’s new stepmother who’s been plagued by self-doubt ever since the birth of her own baby girl
ÓRLAITH: the superstitious Irish nanny who senses a looming danger in this cavernous house
MIKAYLA: the birthday girl’s best friend who is not nearly as meek as the popular kids assume
KIM: the cunning ex-wife who has a grudge she can’t let go of . . .
Everyone is invited in. Not everyone will get out alive.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2024
3023 people are currently reading
63955 people want to read
About the author
Kelsey Cox
1 book412 followersKelsey Cox received her MFA in fiction from Purdue University and works from home in the Texas Hill Country. You can often find her writing at Mammen Family Public Library, chasing around her two young daughters, or watching British mysteries with her mom and aunts. On nights when bedtime goes as planned, she enjoys curling up on the sofa, glass of wine in hand, and a book with complicated characters and a killer twist in her lap.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,963 reviews
November 19, 2025
What an exhilarating, nail-biting, jaw-dropping, eye-popping, heart-throbbing ride! This book grabbed me by the collar from the very first chapter and never let go. I screamed, I jumped, I clutched the covers—and I loved every second of it. It was everything I crave in a thriller and more! If you’re a fan of single-location, one-night disasters unraveling in real-time, buckle up because this one delivers all the drama, tension, and shocking twists your heart can handle.
The premise is both simple and brilliant: a sweet sixteen party turns into an absolute nightmare when a body falls from the balcony onto the glowing dance floor below. It’s young Sophie Matthews’s big night—but it’s quickly branded as “bloody hell sixteen.” And from there, we’re launched into a dark, twisty, high-stakes game of secrets, lies, and emotional landmines.
What makes this thriller stand out is its incredible cast of complex women, all battling personal demons, carrying guilt, and hiding explosive secrets. You don’t just read this book—you invest in it. You feel the tension in your chest, you question everyone, and you’re constantly torn between suspicion and empathy.
Let’s start with Dani, Ethan Matthews’s much-younger second wife. She’s 27, sweet, struggling, and completely overwhelmed by her new life as a wife, a mother, and a would-be baking influencer. She’s postponed her dreams of opening a bakery and instead tries to make it work on social media. But she’s clearly not okay. Dani is drowning under the weight of postpartum depression, paranoia, and unsettling occurrences around their eerie, supposedly haunted house. Is someone threatening her? Is she imagining things? Or is the ghost of a grieving mother truly haunting the property?
Then we have Kim, the ex-wife—a broken woman crumbling under the pressure of past mistakes. She’s lost her veterinary license, turned to alcohol, and become a pariah in her community. She’s full of regret, bitterness, and barely disguised rage. Her connection to the family is messy, emotional, and dangerous. Could her downward spiral have reached a breaking point at the party?
Mikayla is Sophie’s best friend, a seemingly sweet small-town girl whose life changed drastically after joining Sophie’s glamorous world. But she’s not just the innocent sidekick—she’s got skeletons of her own, secrets that could shatter everything. The pressure is mounting, and she might just snap under it.
And let’s not forget Orlaith, the enigmatic Irish nanny. She's unsettling from the get-go, obsessed with death stories, immersed in superstition, and convinced she’s being followed by a spirit. She watches the Matthews family like a hawk, but what exactly is she protecting them from—or leading them toward?
The structure of the book is masterful, with flashbacks timed perfectly to build suspense and reveal the full picture of who these women are—and who they used to be. Every new chapter felt like peeling another layer off an already complicated web of relationships and betrayals. The tension is suffocating in the best way. You’re constantly shifting loyalties, rethinking motives, and trying to get ahead of the twists—only to be wrong again.
The writing is electric, the pacing relentless, and the emotional stakes sky-high. Just when I thought I had a handle on the story, another curveball came flying. I didn’t know who to trust. I didn’t know who was capable of murder. And I couldn’t stop reading.
By the end, my heart was pounding and my jaw was on the floor. This is the kind of thriller that sticks with you—the characters, the emotions, the themes of motherhood, regret, mental health, and redemption. It’s not just a mystery, it’s a deeply human story dressed in suspense, and that’s what made it so powerful.
✨ Five massive stars for this unforgettable ride! It's gripping, gorgeously written, full of empathy and edge. If you love psychological thrillers with complex women, haunting pasts, and devastating secrets—you’re in for a treat.
I can’t wait to devour more from this author. This is hands-down one of my favorite thrillers of the year.
🎉 Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this addictive, utterly unputdownable thriller in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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The premise is both simple and brilliant: a sweet sixteen party turns into an absolute nightmare when a body falls from the balcony onto the glowing dance floor below. It’s young Sophie Matthews’s big night—but it’s quickly branded as “bloody hell sixteen.” And from there, we’re launched into a dark, twisty, high-stakes game of secrets, lies, and emotional landmines.
What makes this thriller stand out is its incredible cast of complex women, all battling personal demons, carrying guilt, and hiding explosive secrets. You don’t just read this book—you invest in it. You feel the tension in your chest, you question everyone, and you’re constantly torn between suspicion and empathy.
Let’s start with Dani, Ethan Matthews’s much-younger second wife. She’s 27, sweet, struggling, and completely overwhelmed by her new life as a wife, a mother, and a would-be baking influencer. She’s postponed her dreams of opening a bakery and instead tries to make it work on social media. But she’s clearly not okay. Dani is drowning under the weight of postpartum depression, paranoia, and unsettling occurrences around their eerie, supposedly haunted house. Is someone threatening her? Is she imagining things? Or is the ghost of a grieving mother truly haunting the property?
Then we have Kim, the ex-wife—a broken woman crumbling under the pressure of past mistakes. She’s lost her veterinary license, turned to alcohol, and become a pariah in her community. She’s full of regret, bitterness, and barely disguised rage. Her connection to the family is messy, emotional, and dangerous. Could her downward spiral have reached a breaking point at the party?
Mikayla is Sophie’s best friend, a seemingly sweet small-town girl whose life changed drastically after joining Sophie’s glamorous world. But she’s not just the innocent sidekick—she’s got skeletons of her own, secrets that could shatter everything. The pressure is mounting, and she might just snap under it.
And let’s not forget Orlaith, the enigmatic Irish nanny. She's unsettling from the get-go, obsessed with death stories, immersed in superstition, and convinced she’s being followed by a spirit. She watches the Matthews family like a hawk, but what exactly is she protecting them from—or leading them toward?
The structure of the book is masterful, with flashbacks timed perfectly to build suspense and reveal the full picture of who these women are—and who they used to be. Every new chapter felt like peeling another layer off an already complicated web of relationships and betrayals. The tension is suffocating in the best way. You’re constantly shifting loyalties, rethinking motives, and trying to get ahead of the twists—only to be wrong again.
The writing is electric, the pacing relentless, and the emotional stakes sky-high. Just when I thought I had a handle on the story, another curveball came flying. I didn’t know who to trust. I didn’t know who was capable of murder. And I couldn’t stop reading.
By the end, my heart was pounding and my jaw was on the floor. This is the kind of thriller that sticks with you—the characters, the emotions, the themes of motherhood, regret, mental health, and redemption. It’s not just a mystery, it’s a deeply human story dressed in suspense, and that’s what made it so powerful.
✨ Five massive stars for this unforgettable ride! It's gripping, gorgeously written, full of empathy and edge. If you love psychological thrillers with complex women, haunting pasts, and devastating secrets—you’re in for a treat.
I can’t wait to devour more from this author. This is hands-down one of my favorite thrillers of the year.
🎉 Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this addictive, utterly unputdownable thriller in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
July 1, 2025
“There is no word for a mother who has lost her only child, such as widow or orphan. But there are plenty of ghost stories of women haunted by children. The Irish speak of the Banshee, who died in childbirth- the Japanese warn of Ubume who if you meet her on dark road will hand you her swaddled infant who is really just a bundle of stone, or Mexico’s La Llorona, a mother who drowned her own children and now lures yours to the water’s edge. “
And, on the top of a hill in Bulverde, Texas sits a cliffside mansion with a legend of its own. Built from love for a woman, whose life ended in tragedy, 100 years ago after she loses her baby to illness and tumbles off of the balcony to her own death-her grief overwhelming. It sat in disrepair, rumored to be haunted by “THE MOTHER” who can sometimes be heard moaning on windy nights or be seen weaving through the trees in a white dress in search of her infant daughter.
Now it’s a “Barbie Dollhouse” the whole back open with floor to ceiling glass windows, and Ethan Matthews and his wife, Dani will be hosting a TEXAS SIZED black tie sweet 16 party, for his daughter Sophie who he co-parents with his ex wife Kim. And, the locals CANNOT WAIT to see what it looks like inside, as Ethan has invited more of his own friends than Sophie’s -taking this opportunity to network and show off.
But, they will see much more than “magazine worthy” renovations that night.
Just as the candles on the exquisite three tired birthday cake are about to be blown out-the guests will witness another tumble from the balcony-another death-
WHO won’t survive the party?
This was an IMPRESSIVE DEBUT!
The story moves along at a FAST PACE, with short chapters from BEFORE THE DEATH and AFTER THE DEATH on the DAY and NIGHT OF THE PARTY-narrated from the alternating perspectives of 4 women.
DANI: Sophie’s stepmother, and new mom to baby Charlotte. She is feeling the pressure of wanting the evening to be perfect, for more reasons than one.
ÓRLAITH: Charlotte’s superstitious Irish nanny who senses that the home could be a “thin place” -a place where spirits can seep through from one World to the next.
MIKAYLA: the birthday girl’s best friend with secret wishes of her own and
KIM: The bitter ex wife who helped renovate the home, but now watches as another woman oversees the pouring of the chilled Veuve Clicquot at the most lavish event of the season. 🍾🥂
The misdirection was well done and I suspected all but one of the women of “foul play”!
Had I known sooner that this contemporary story also had a GOTHIC VIBE (Ex wife Kim even mentioned, Rebecca’s Manderley) I would have read it sooner, but I initially passed this book by because I thought it would have too much of a YA feel to it. Sure, Mikayla’s chapters do, but they are a small percentage of the overall story so it didn’t detract from my enjoyment. Instead, it’s a more of a soapy neighborhood story mostly told from the Adults perspective.
I was DYING to know how things would all play out.
You can make this your first SUMMER PARTY or save it for SPOOKY SEASON….
The Audible has a FULL CAST of NARRATORS and runs 10 hours 57 minutes at regular speed.
I was able to listen at 2x, and paired my written copy with the Audiobook for an immersive experience.
AVAILABLE NOW!
A buddy read with MarilynW. Be sure to watch for her amazing review!
Thank You to Minotaur Books/ St. Martin’s Press for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. And, for Macmillan Audio for the AUDIOBOOK copy. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
And, on the top of a hill in Bulverde, Texas sits a cliffside mansion with a legend of its own. Built from love for a woman, whose life ended in tragedy, 100 years ago after she loses her baby to illness and tumbles off of the balcony to her own death-her grief overwhelming. It sat in disrepair, rumored to be haunted by “THE MOTHER” who can sometimes be heard moaning on windy nights or be seen weaving through the trees in a white dress in search of her infant daughter.
Now it’s a “Barbie Dollhouse” the whole back open with floor to ceiling glass windows, and Ethan Matthews and his wife, Dani will be hosting a TEXAS SIZED black tie sweet 16 party, for his daughter Sophie who he co-parents with his ex wife Kim. And, the locals CANNOT WAIT to see what it looks like inside, as Ethan has invited more of his own friends than Sophie’s -taking this opportunity to network and show off.
But, they will see much more than “magazine worthy” renovations that night.
Just as the candles on the exquisite three tired birthday cake are about to be blown out-the guests will witness another tumble from the balcony-another death-
WHO won’t survive the party?
This was an IMPRESSIVE DEBUT!
The story moves along at a FAST PACE, with short chapters from BEFORE THE DEATH and AFTER THE DEATH on the DAY and NIGHT OF THE PARTY-narrated from the alternating perspectives of 4 women.
DANI: Sophie’s stepmother, and new mom to baby Charlotte. She is feeling the pressure of wanting the evening to be perfect, for more reasons than one.
ÓRLAITH: Charlotte’s superstitious Irish nanny who senses that the home could be a “thin place” -a place where spirits can seep through from one World to the next.
MIKAYLA: the birthday girl’s best friend with secret wishes of her own and
KIM: The bitter ex wife who helped renovate the home, but now watches as another woman oversees the pouring of the chilled Veuve Clicquot at the most lavish event of the season. 🍾🥂
The misdirection was well done and I suspected all but one of the women of “foul play”!
Had I known sooner that this contemporary story also had a GOTHIC VIBE (Ex wife Kim even mentioned, Rebecca’s Manderley) I would have read it sooner, but I initially passed this book by because I thought it would have too much of a YA feel to it. Sure, Mikayla’s chapters do, but they are a small percentage of the overall story so it didn’t detract from my enjoyment. Instead, it’s a more of a soapy neighborhood story mostly told from the Adults perspective.
I was DYING to know how things would all play out.
You can make this your first SUMMER PARTY or save it for SPOOKY SEASON….
The Audible has a FULL CAST of NARRATORS and runs 10 hours 57 minutes at regular speed.
I was able to listen at 2x, and paired my written copy with the Audiobook for an immersive experience.
AVAILABLE NOW!
A buddy read with MarilynW. Be sure to watch for her amazing review!
Thank You to Minotaur Books/ St. Martin’s Press for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. And, for Macmillan Audio for the AUDIOBOOK copy. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
October 24, 2025
4/5 ★
THIS BOOK WAS CHAOS. Everyone’s lying, plotting, or falling apart… sometimes all three. 🎊
In Party of Liars, a lavish Texas Sweet Sixteen turns deadly when a body falls during Sophie Matthews’ extravagant black-tie birthday bash. Every guest is hiding something, every secret runs deep, and you won’t know who’s dead or who did it until the very end. 🎂
This book features some of the messiest characters I’ve ever read. So many secrets and lies are built into every chapter, all taking place over one day and night at Sophie’s party. You follow multiple perspectives, and each one has more going on than the last.
I loved that you don’t even know who the victim is until the end. It kept me guessing and second guessing every chapter.
Shout out to the designer of the UK cover, which I loved so much that I purchased that version specifically. I was pleasantly surprised that the mansion setting was described just as vividly in the actual book.
Some parts did drag a bit for me, especially the sections set in the past and the whole storyline about The Mother. I just don’t think the book needed a haunted house angle on top of everything else (this isn’t a spoiler since you learn about it on page one/two). The pacing also slowed toward the end when I really wanted to see what was going to happen.
And while this didn’t happen often, some of the dialogue similar to “OMG, spill the tea!” felt a little too forced trying to sound like real teenagers. Do they actually say that out loud in real life?!
Overall, I had a very fun time reading this and only knocked it down a star for the reasons I mentioned. It’s a very strong debut. 🥳
If you’re a fan of The Guest List or the style of Lucy Foley’s books in general, you’ll enjoy or even love this one!
THIS BOOK WAS CHAOS. Everyone’s lying, plotting, or falling apart… sometimes all three. 🎊
In Party of Liars, a lavish Texas Sweet Sixteen turns deadly when a body falls during Sophie Matthews’ extravagant black-tie birthday bash. Every guest is hiding something, every secret runs deep, and you won’t know who’s dead or who did it until the very end. 🎂
This book features some of the messiest characters I’ve ever read. So many secrets and lies are built into every chapter, all taking place over one day and night at Sophie’s party. You follow multiple perspectives, and each one has more going on than the last.
I loved that you don’t even know who the victim is until the end. It kept me guessing and second guessing every chapter.
Shout out to the designer of the UK cover, which I loved so much that I purchased that version specifically. I was pleasantly surprised that the mansion setting was described just as vividly in the actual book.
Some parts did drag a bit for me, especially the sections set in the past and the whole storyline about The Mother. I just don’t think the book needed a haunted house angle on top of everything else (this isn’t a spoiler since you learn about it on page one/two). The pacing also slowed toward the end when I really wanted to see what was going to happen.
And while this didn’t happen often, some of the dialogue similar to “OMG, spill the tea!” felt a little too forced trying to sound like real teenagers. Do they actually say that out loud in real life?!
Overall, I had a very fun time reading this and only knocked it down a star for the reasons I mentioned. It’s a very strong debut. 🥳
If you’re a fan of The Guest List or the style of Lucy Foley’s books in general, you’ll enjoy or even love this one!
July 1, 2025
જ⁀➴ 2.5 stars (rounded down to 2)
Thank you to NetGalley, Kelsey Cox, and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for dropping this eARC widget in my inbox! Party of Liars is out now!
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I feel like I'm sensing a theme here in 2025 where there are books that are marketed as X and then you read it and it's nothing like what it's marketed as. Party of Liars is no exception to that. I went into this book with no expectations and honestly tried to shut my brain off for once so I could enjoy the thriller and let things unravel as they come, vs. trying to figure out what was going on and what happened before everything happened. Unfortunately, while I did figure out the ending to SOME extent, it still doesn't change the fact that marketing this as a "pulse-pounding" thriller is doing the book a disservice. This is going to be somewhat shorter than some of my other reviews only because my biggest gripes with the book are spoilers for the plot, so if you want to read more, there's a spoiler section at the very end of the review after my pre-read thoughts.
Is it a domestic drama? 100% yes, in my opinion.
Is it a thriller filled with twists and turns? No.
Sophie Matthews is turning 16. Her parents, her psychiatrist father, Ethan, and her influencer stepmother, Dani, decide to throw her the party of the century at their cliffside mansion they call home complete with a DJ, a mocktail bar, and a giant birthday cake made by Dani herself. The guest list? Well, it's mostly Ethan and Dani's friends along with some of Sophie's friends, including her best friend, Mikayla. Also showing up uninvited is Ethan's ex-wife and Sophie's biological mother, Kim. When someone falls to their death from one of the balconies at the party, the question becomes, who did it?
The story is told in 4 POVs: Dani's, Mikayla's, Kim's, and Órlaith, Dani's elderly nanny to her and Ethan's infant daughter, Charlotte. What I thought would be an interesting premise to see a thriller told in four wildly different perspectives ended up becoming its own downfall. Going into this a bit more, there are 98 chapters in this book. Ninety-eight chapters in 320 pages. Some of these chapters were barely half a page long. With that being said, the constantly switching chapters made it difficult at times to feel connected to the story. There's more to it than just that, but the constant paragraph breaks and switches between the characters' monologues of the events happening at the party and flashbacks to things that happened leading up to the party made it even more difficult to connect to the story and feel invested in the plot.
Coupled with this is the fact that I thought that the majority of the plot was just filler. Most of the story felt more like a domestic drama/suspense rather than a thriller that would keep people on the edge of their seats. Most of the story is about the events leading up to the scene of the crime, the characters' backstories, or somewhat mundane events happening during the party, but there was not much to gain from the plot that would contribute to anyone figuring out anyone's motives behind anything, really. Normally, that would result in a big plot twist that people won't see coming, but I had my suspicions about certain people leading up to it, and then when the "plot twist" actually happened, I was so over everything that I just wanted the book to be over.
I know this is from a debut author so I try to give them a lot more grace, but I also felt like the author threw a bunch of things in here that she WANTED to include for the sake of including it, but would never go back to said thing or explain anything about it. I was left somewhat confused as to why it's even there if it wasn't explained as to how this or that happened in the first place. (There's more about that in the spoilers section at the end of this review if you would like to find out more. I normally don't include spoilers at ALL in my reviews, but I genuinely think that the biggest reason why I didn't enjoy this as much as I did was because of how the book mostly felt like filler and fluff rather than actual, significant plot points.)
Overall, while I was super excited to read this, it fell flat. Unnecessary filler and fluff lines, along with constantly switching POVs that didn't fully feel fleshed out, made it an extremely difficult read for me. I know this is a debut author, so there's a chance I'll give future works a shot in the future, but this book didn't work for me. I think going into this book with the idea that this is NOT a thriller would've made it a more enjoyable read for me.
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Trigger/content warnings: blood, violence, gore, vomiting, alcohol consumption, grooming, gaslighting, postpartum depression, recounted death of a loved one
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: I need a good thriller that will keep me guessing and flipping the pages, and the synopsis of this sounds like this might be right up my alley! A locked door whodunit at a black tie, upper-class sweet 16 birthday party in a potentially haunted mansion? Sign me up!
This is ARC 1/13 for my ARC reading schedule of July 2025, and eARC 1/3 for my first July deadline of July 1st, 2025!
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SPOILER SECTION BELOW (you have been warned!)
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SPOILER SECTION:
1. For example, it's constantly alluded to that the Matthews' family mansion is haunted, but there's no supernatural element to the plotline AT ALL. I thought that, to some extent, the author would use that element to her advantage and create a supernatural plot twist, but it never happened.
2. If Ethan is the one who fell off the balcony, why is SOPHIE the one sedated and intubated in the hospital? From my understanding, Ethan fell right onto the concrete by the pool and cracked his head open, so he would've died, but Sophie is the one sedated in the hospital? I mean, it's possible they needed to sedate her and hospitalize her because watching her dad fall to his death would be traumatizing, but that's just something that didn't click for me.
3. Why the hell would Órlaith keep a dead bird in her purse if she's the one who found it after it hit the window outside? Like, wouldn't she...bury it at least???? Why keep a rotting bird in her purse??? This isn't a spoiler for anything major; I'm just confused.
4. The entire Mason-Mikayla-Tyler plotline wasn't even relevant to the story. I'm sorry, it wasn't, all things considered, with Mikayla.
"People are born with a fear of falling, that hardwired reflex, that total-body jolt the exact moment you fall. We fall asleep. We fall in love. We fall into traps. It's the loss of control we're afraid of."
Thank you to NetGalley, Kelsey Cox, and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for dropping this eARC widget in my inbox! Party of Liars is out now!
✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮
I feel like I'm sensing a theme here in 2025 where there are books that are marketed as X and then you read it and it's nothing like what it's marketed as. Party of Liars is no exception to that. I went into this book with no expectations and honestly tried to shut my brain off for once so I could enjoy the thriller and let things unravel as they come, vs. trying to figure out what was going on and what happened before everything happened. Unfortunately, while I did figure out the ending to SOME extent, it still doesn't change the fact that marketing this as a "pulse-pounding" thriller is doing the book a disservice. This is going to be somewhat shorter than some of my other reviews only because my biggest gripes with the book are spoilers for the plot, so if you want to read more, there's a spoiler section at the very end of the review after my pre-read thoughts.
Is it a domestic drama? 100% yes, in my opinion.
Is it a thriller filled with twists and turns? No.
Sophie Matthews is turning 16. Her parents, her psychiatrist father, Ethan, and her influencer stepmother, Dani, decide to throw her the party of the century at their cliffside mansion they call home complete with a DJ, a mocktail bar, and a giant birthday cake made by Dani herself. The guest list? Well, it's mostly Ethan and Dani's friends along with some of Sophie's friends, including her best friend, Mikayla. Also showing up uninvited is Ethan's ex-wife and Sophie's biological mother, Kim. When someone falls to their death from one of the balconies at the party, the question becomes, who did it?
The story is told in 4 POVs: Dani's, Mikayla's, Kim's, and Órlaith, Dani's elderly nanny to her and Ethan's infant daughter, Charlotte. What I thought would be an interesting premise to see a thriller told in four wildly different perspectives ended up becoming its own downfall. Going into this a bit more, there are 98 chapters in this book. Ninety-eight chapters in 320 pages. Some of these chapters were barely half a page long. With that being said, the constantly switching chapters made it difficult at times to feel connected to the story. There's more to it than just that, but the constant paragraph breaks and switches between the characters' monologues of the events happening at the party and flashbacks to things that happened leading up to the party made it even more difficult to connect to the story and feel invested in the plot.
Coupled with this is the fact that I thought that the majority of the plot was just filler. Most of the story felt more like a domestic drama/suspense rather than a thriller that would keep people on the edge of their seats. Most of the story is about the events leading up to the scene of the crime, the characters' backstories, or somewhat mundane events happening during the party, but there was not much to gain from the plot that would contribute to anyone figuring out anyone's motives behind anything, really. Normally, that would result in a big plot twist that people won't see coming, but I had my suspicions about certain people leading up to it, and then when the "plot twist" actually happened, I was so over everything that I just wanted the book to be over.
I know this is from a debut author so I try to give them a lot more grace, but I also felt like the author threw a bunch of things in here that she WANTED to include for the sake of including it, but would never go back to said thing or explain anything about it. I was left somewhat confused as to why it's even there if it wasn't explained as to how this or that happened in the first place. (There's more about that in the spoilers section at the end of this review if you would like to find out more. I normally don't include spoilers at ALL in my reviews, but I genuinely think that the biggest reason why I didn't enjoy this as much as I did was because of how the book mostly felt like filler and fluff rather than actual, significant plot points.)
Overall, while I was super excited to read this, it fell flat. Unnecessary filler and fluff lines, along with constantly switching POVs that didn't fully feel fleshed out, made it an extremely difficult read for me. I know this is a debut author, so there's a chance I'll give future works a shot in the future, but this book didn't work for me. I think going into this book with the idea that this is NOT a thriller would've made it a more enjoyable read for me.
✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮
Trigger/content warnings: blood, violence, gore, vomiting, alcohol consumption, grooming, gaslighting, postpartum depression, recounted death of a loved one
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: I need a good thriller that will keep me guessing and flipping the pages, and the synopsis of this sounds like this might be right up my alley! A locked door whodunit at a black tie, upper-class sweet 16 birthday party in a potentially haunted mansion? Sign me up!
This is ARC 1/13 for my ARC reading schedule of July 2025, and eARC 1/3 for my first July deadline of July 1st, 2025!
✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮
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SPOILER SECTION BELOW (you have been warned!)
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SPOILER SECTION:
1. For example, it's constantly alluded to that the Matthews' family mansion is haunted, but there's no supernatural element to the plotline AT ALL. I thought that, to some extent, the author would use that element to her advantage and create a supernatural plot twist, but it never happened.
2. If Ethan is the one who fell off the balcony, why is SOPHIE the one sedated and intubated in the hospital? From my understanding, Ethan fell right onto the concrete by the pool and cracked his head open, so he would've died, but Sophie is the one sedated in the hospital? I mean, it's possible they needed to sedate her and hospitalize her because watching her dad fall to his death would be traumatizing, but that's just something that didn't click for me.
3. Why the hell would Órlaith keep a dead bird in her purse if she's the one who found it after it hit the window outside? Like, wouldn't she...bury it at least???? Why keep a rotting bird in her purse??? This isn't a spoiler for anything major; I'm just confused.
4. The entire Mason-Mikayla-Tyler plotline wasn't even relevant to the story. I'm sorry, it wasn't, all things considered, with Mikayla.
April 21, 2025
Despicable adults and out of control teens…It’s a PARTY!🥳🤦🏻♀️
It’s Sophie’s sweet sixteen party. Her father and step-mother are hosting the bash. Among the guests (I mean party crashers) will be Sophie’s mom, who can’t pass up the opportunity to attend an event at her ex's home! Queue the drama.
It’s all harmless fun, relatively speaking, until one person doesn’t leave the party alive!
The premise of this book sounded interesting and with a large cast of narrators, I couldn’t pass it up. But this just wasn’t a good fit for me. There wasn’t a likable character to be found. And the ending just did not add up for me.
🎧: I always enjoy a large cast of narrators and this wasn’t no exception, but I did have to adjust my listening speeds depending on who was narrating.
Others have enjoyed this book more so please take a look at additional reviews.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio
It’s Sophie’s sweet sixteen party. Her father and step-mother are hosting the bash. Among the guests (I mean party crashers) will be Sophie’s mom, who can’t pass up the opportunity to attend an event at her ex's home! Queue the drama.
It’s all harmless fun, relatively speaking, until one person doesn’t leave the party alive!
The premise of this book sounded interesting and with a large cast of narrators, I couldn’t pass it up. But this just wasn’t a good fit for me. There wasn’t a likable character to be found. And the ending just did not add up for me.
🎧: I always enjoy a large cast of narrators and this wasn’t no exception, but I did have to adjust my listening speeds depending on who was narrating.
Others have enjoyed this book more so please take a look at additional reviews.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio
January 18, 2026
It doesn’t take long for readers to wonder if the house itself is a character in this story. Is it haunted? Why is so much of its history wrapped in death?
And just like that, we’re off—pulled in as readers, eager to learn more. Will we survive the house? Uncover its secrets? Or is something far more ominous at work?
With short chapters and a brisk pace, this debut novel delivers a suspenseful mystery layered with a dark, gothic undertone. The story is character-driven, told through multiple points of view, and filled with psychological twists. Secrets, lies, family dysfunction, and subtle manipulations weave together, keeping the pages turning as the truth finally comes into focus.
Will readers figure it out before the end? (No spoilers from me.)
Trigger warnings: mental illness, body shaming, alcohol abuse.
And just like that, we’re off—pulled in as readers, eager to learn more. Will we survive the house? Uncover its secrets? Or is something far more ominous at work?
With short chapters and a brisk pace, this debut novel delivers a suspenseful mystery layered with a dark, gothic undertone. The story is character-driven, told through multiple points of view, and filled with psychological twists. Secrets, lies, family dysfunction, and subtle manipulations weave together, keeping the pages turning as the truth finally comes into focus.
Will readers figure it out before the end? (No spoilers from me.)
Trigger warnings: mental illness, body shaming, alcohol abuse.
July 19, 2025
Layered with palpable foreboding and eye-popping secrets, Party of Liars delivered a locked-room whodunnit that was impossible to see coming. From the short, cliffhanger chapters to the just-maybe-supernatural subplot, I couldn’t put the book down and ended up finishing it in well under twenty-four hours. You see, the constant sense of something big coming up just around the bend had me reading one more chapter over and over. It wasn’t until the climax and its series of thoroughly chilling reveals, though, that I was won over completely. After all, the earth-shattering twists took a good book and made it into a truly unforgettable read.
The second biggest win in this suspense/thriller was easily the transformation of each and every character as the plot rolled along. You see, I started off either disliking, not trusting, or outright judging most of them in the beginning. The more that I learned, though, the more that I grew to love each of them in turn. With believable motivations within a backdrop of manipulative lies, they felt fully fleshed out—even if they also came with just enough fictional flair to make them all sing. And even though I would coin this book a slow burn, the buildup of their various missteps and traumas along with the constant sense of unease meant a book that I couldn’t put down.
All said and done, thanks to a complex, onion-like plot and the potential for the bad guy to be just about anyone in the cast, I couldn’t have figured this one out no matter how hard I tried. What really got me in the end, though, was the depth of the characters and the psychological insights gleaned by the author. Exploring motherhood, friendship, and the question of listening to one’s own instincts, not only was the plot full of plenty of fun, but it delivered a story that made me think as I read along. So if you’re looking for a book filled with complex group dynamics and memorable characters, you’re going to want to grab this debut ASAP. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Today is Sophie Matthews’s sixteenth birthday party, an exclusive black-tie bash in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, where secrets are as deep-rooted as the sprawling live oaks. Sophie’s dad has spared no expense, and his renovated cliffside mansion―once thought haunted and shuttered for years from outsiders―is now hosting the event of the season. Then, just before the candles on the three-tiered red velvet cake are blown out, a body falls from the balcony onto the starlit dance floor below.
It’s a killer guest list…
DANI: Sophie’s new stepmother who’s been plagued by self-doubt ever since the birth of her own baby girl
ÓRLAITH: the superstitious Irish nanny who senses a looming danger in this cavernous house
MIKAYLA: the birthday girl’s best friend who is not nearly as meek as the popular kids assume
KIM: the cunning ex-wife who has a grudge she can’t let go of…
Everyone is invited in. Not everyone will get out alive.
Thank you to Kelsey Cox, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for my complimentary physical and digital copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 1, 2025
Content warning: alcohol abuse, intrusive thoughts, gaslighting
The second biggest win in this suspense/thriller was easily the transformation of each and every character as the plot rolled along. You see, I started off either disliking, not trusting, or outright judging most of them in the beginning. The more that I learned, though, the more that I grew to love each of them in turn. With believable motivations within a backdrop of manipulative lies, they felt fully fleshed out—even if they also came with just enough fictional flair to make them all sing. And even though I would coin this book a slow burn, the buildup of their various missteps and traumas along with the constant sense of unease meant a book that I couldn’t put down.
All said and done, thanks to a complex, onion-like plot and the potential for the bad guy to be just about anyone in the cast, I couldn’t have figured this one out no matter how hard I tried. What really got me in the end, though, was the depth of the characters and the psychological insights gleaned by the author. Exploring motherhood, friendship, and the question of listening to one’s own instincts, not only was the plot full of plenty of fun, but it delivered a story that made me think as I read along. So if you’re looking for a book filled with complex group dynamics and memorable characters, you’re going to want to grab this debut ASAP. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Today is Sophie Matthews’s sixteenth birthday party, an exclusive black-tie bash in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, where secrets are as deep-rooted as the sprawling live oaks. Sophie’s dad has spared no expense, and his renovated cliffside mansion―once thought haunted and shuttered for years from outsiders―is now hosting the event of the season. Then, just before the candles on the three-tiered red velvet cake are blown out, a body falls from the balcony onto the starlit dance floor below.
It’s a killer guest list…
DANI: Sophie’s new stepmother who’s been plagued by self-doubt ever since the birth of her own baby girl
ÓRLAITH: the superstitious Irish nanny who senses a looming danger in this cavernous house
MIKAYLA: the birthday girl’s best friend who is not nearly as meek as the popular kids assume
KIM: the cunning ex-wife who has a grudge she can’t let go of…
Everyone is invited in. Not everyone will get out alive.
Thank you to Kelsey Cox, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for my complimentary physical and digital copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 1, 2025
Content warning: alcohol abuse, intrusive thoughts, gaslighting
January 7, 2026
A lot of characters to keep track of, but luckily they were interesting and felt real.
December 7, 2025
2.0 stars— I was very excited to read “Party of Liars” by Kelsey Cox based on the number of good reviews it had received on Goodreads. This book suffers from long periods of inactivity and is told from many different characters’ perspectives. The majority of the story takes place at sixteen year old, Sophie’s, sweet sixteen birthday party. The party is being thrown by the father of Sophie and his new very young wife. Of course, they invite Sophie’s mother, who has a severe drinking problem, as well as all of Sophie’s friends. Ms. Cox uses the party as a way to introduce all of her characters and fast forwards and flashes back multiple times throughout the book. As the book trudges along, the reader learns that the house in which the father and his new wife lives has a past and is possessed by the so called ‘house mother.’ The book is very slow in developing and seems to take forever to reveal key details about the major characters. When the book finally gets to the big twists and turns, I guessed them many pages in advance. I guess the best word to describe this book was disappointing due to its very slow pace and predictable plot. Sometimes you build up a book in your mind so much that you might be harder on it when it doesn’t deliver the expected punch. But, in this case, the book just wasn’t very good.🤷♂️
May 1, 2025
“They say everything’s bigger in Texas. If this party is anything to go by, that’s the God’s honest.” This Texas-based locked-room whodunnit hooked me. Rich people misbehaving is always a good read, especially when combined with toxic relationships, drunk exes, and suspicious nannies. So many liars and intense drama with a dash of jealousy make this mystery an enticing and highly entertaining story. The narrators masterfully bring the characters to life while adding intrigue and emotion. There were times I thought I knew where the plot was going, but I was pleasantly surprised. The final twist I never saw coming! Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my audiobook.
May 4, 2025
♥ My Overall Thoughts ♥
This fictional book was really good! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this from beginning to end! It was well paced, easy to read and had a clear thesis! It was dark, mysterious and tense. It is in the thriller category and was really well executed! It is character driven, full of chaos and really dives deep into the complex relationships of family! This thriller book was engaging and had me wondering what was going to happen next! It’s full of twists that I did not see coming! Some of the themes expressed in this book are illusion versus reality, secrets and deception and consequences of actions. Everything is really bigger in Texas!
♥ Synopsis ♥
“Party of Liars” is set in Texas, where a young girl named Sophie turns sixteen. She has a sweet sixteen birthday party, but things start to become chaotic as a a body falls from the balcony! As this Texas story unfolds, it leaves this sweet sixteen party not so sweet anymore. Overall, I rate this a 4 out of 5 stars!
♥ Content warnings and who I think would enjoy this book ♥
Content warnings include alcoholism, mental illness, death and body shaming. I think that readers that love dark twisty thrillers would enjoy reading this book!
♥ Thank You ♥
Thank you to NetGalley, author Kelsey Cox and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this digital advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
♥ Publication Date ♥
This book is expected to be published on July 1, 2025!
♥ Quick Review ♥
🎁 Thriller / Mystery
✔️ Sweet 16 Birthday party
🎁 Complex Relationships
✔️ Illusion VS. Reality
🎁 Secrets & Deception
✔️ Consequences of Actions
🎁 Dark & Tense
✔️ Character Driven
》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ * 。° 。 • ˚《
❥ ୨⎯ Connie ⎯୧ ❥
ツ౨ৎ
This fictional book was really good! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this from beginning to end! It was well paced, easy to read and had a clear thesis! It was dark, mysterious and tense. It is in the thriller category and was really well executed! It is character driven, full of chaos and really dives deep into the complex relationships of family! This thriller book was engaging and had me wondering what was going to happen next! It’s full of twists that I did not see coming! Some of the themes expressed in this book are illusion versus reality, secrets and deception and consequences of actions. Everything is really bigger in Texas!
♥ Synopsis ♥
“Party of Liars” is set in Texas, where a young girl named Sophie turns sixteen. She has a sweet sixteen birthday party, but things start to become chaotic as a a body falls from the balcony! As this Texas story unfolds, it leaves this sweet sixteen party not so sweet anymore. Overall, I rate this a 4 out of 5 stars!
♥ Content warnings and who I think would enjoy this book ♥
Content warnings include alcoholism, mental illness, death and body shaming. I think that readers that love dark twisty thrillers would enjoy reading this book!
♥ Thank You ♥
Thank you to NetGalley, author Kelsey Cox and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this digital advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
♥ Publication Date ♥
This book is expected to be published on July 1, 2025!
♥ Quick Review ♥
🎁 Thriller / Mystery
✔️ Sweet 16 Birthday party
🎁 Complex Relationships
✔️ Illusion VS. Reality
🎁 Secrets & Deception
✔️ Consequences of Actions
🎁 Dark & Tense
✔️ Character Driven
》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ * 。° 。 • ˚《
❥ ୨⎯ Connie ⎯୧ ❥
ツ౨ৎ
June 11, 2025
For well over a hundred years the empty dilapidated Victorian mansion has sat atop the cliff, towering over the small Texas town of Bulverde. Rumoured to be haunted the locals know to avoid it.
Until 2010 when Ethan Matthews, his wife Kim, and their three-year-old daughter, Sophie move in, intent on renovating and fully modernising the property. Fast forward thirteen years later to the night of a lavish, no expense spared, sweet sixteen birthday party, a night when someone will tumble to their death from the glass walled balcony to the bluestone patio far below.
Note: Apologies for any incorrect spelling like characters names etc, as I only had early access to the audiobook.
The Players:
Dani – Ethan’s 27-year-old second wife. The party hostess. She has a new baby with Ethan – Charlotte. The three of them live in the house.
Kim – Ethan’s first wife. Sophie’s mother. Early forties. She put her heart and soul into the renovations but it’s Ethan’s young wife that has reaped the benefits.
Ethan – Dani’s husband and Kim’s ex-husband. Sophie’s father. Early forties. The party host.
Orlaith – Baby Charlotte’s sixty-something live-out Irish nanny.
Sophie – Ethan and Kim’s daughter. The birthday girl.
Mikayla – Sophie’s best friend. A down-to-earth Texan farm girl
Mason – Sophie’s ex-boyfriend. Quarterback on the football team.
Curtis – Ethan’s best friend. Dani’s psychiatrist.
Gemma – Curtis’s wife.
Before starting, I mistakingly thought that Party of Liars was YA since it was set during a sixteenth birthday party. I was wrong, this was a psychological thriller/family drama/gothic horror for an adult audience, and only one of the narrators was a teenager. I was also expecting more of a soap opera style plot with bitchy gossipy behaviour, and there was some glamour, glitz, and indulgence, but all the characters, even the minor ones, were surprisingly likeable, deep, and grounded, well fleshed out, with compelling backstories, and tantalising hints of secrets. There were humorous moments as well – I laughed aloud several times.
Party of Liars was creepy, eerie, and haunting, steeped in superstition, folklore, and a house with a dark, mysterious history. This added ambiguity as I wondered if the danger surrounding the characters was supernatural, whether they were being gaslit or toyed with by someone to make them seem crazy, or was their own guilt, grief, or bitterness playing on their minds causing them to imagine things. The modern mansion setting where everything appeared perfect, stylish, and beautiful was an illusion, a façade disguising something rotten. Just beneath the surface was the abandoned, crumbling, derelict, and feared bones of the original house. Speaking of the house it was a character in itself – its rooms seemed endless and disorientating to the point that it appeared as if the very house itself was expanding and multiplying – every few chapters of the party would find the character narrating in a different wing, level, outbuilding or grounds of the house. Plenty of nooks and crannies to escape, hide, lurk, and spy.
Party of Liars contained three parts. Before the Party introduced the four main alternating narrators – Dani, Kim, Mikayla, and Orlaith. The Night of the Party comprised the bulk of the novel and events unfolded in real time in a pressure cooker environment. I waited with bated breath wondering who was going to be murdered, why, by whom, and when it was going to happen. I made sure to listen carefully knowing that every thought, detail, and conversation mattered. After the Party featured POV’s of guests on the periphery of the party offering their impressions and interpretations of the tragedy which heightened tension and gave the plot more realism and dread. The twists were phenomenal with excellent use of misdirection and red herrings. Kelsey Cox sure had me fooled – every time I thought I had something figured out she pulled the rug out from under me and made me second guess myself.
I had no complaints regarding the audio reading but at the same time there wasn’t anything that really stood out for me to make it special. I did enjoy the Texan and Irish accents though.
What an author! I eagerly await Kelsey Cox’s next thriller.
I’d like to thank Netgalley, Hodder and Stoughton audio, and Kelsey Cox for the audio-ARC.
Publication Date: 3rd July 2025.
Until 2010 when Ethan Matthews, his wife Kim, and their three-year-old daughter, Sophie move in, intent on renovating and fully modernising the property. Fast forward thirteen years later to the night of a lavish, no expense spared, sweet sixteen birthday party, a night when someone will tumble to their death from the glass walled balcony to the bluestone patio far below.
Note: Apologies for any incorrect spelling like characters names etc, as I only had early access to the audiobook.
The Players:
Dani – Ethan’s 27-year-old second wife. The party hostess. She has a new baby with Ethan – Charlotte. The three of them live in the house.
Kim – Ethan’s first wife. Sophie’s mother. Early forties. She put her heart and soul into the renovations but it’s Ethan’s young wife that has reaped the benefits.
Ethan – Dani’s husband and Kim’s ex-husband. Sophie’s father. Early forties. The party host.
Orlaith – Baby Charlotte’s sixty-something live-out Irish nanny.
Sophie – Ethan and Kim’s daughter. The birthday girl.
Mikayla – Sophie’s best friend. A down-to-earth Texan farm girl
Mason – Sophie’s ex-boyfriend. Quarterback on the football team.
Curtis – Ethan’s best friend. Dani’s psychiatrist.
Gemma – Curtis’s wife.
Before starting, I mistakingly thought that Party of Liars was YA since it was set during a sixteenth birthday party. I was wrong, this was a psychological thriller/family drama/gothic horror for an adult audience, and only one of the narrators was a teenager. I was also expecting more of a soap opera style plot with bitchy gossipy behaviour, and there was some glamour, glitz, and indulgence, but all the characters, even the minor ones, were surprisingly likeable, deep, and grounded, well fleshed out, with compelling backstories, and tantalising hints of secrets. There were humorous moments as well – I laughed aloud several times.
Party of Liars was creepy, eerie, and haunting, steeped in superstition, folklore, and a house with a dark, mysterious history. This added ambiguity as I wondered if the danger surrounding the characters was supernatural, whether they were being gaslit or toyed with by someone to make them seem crazy, or was their own guilt, grief, or bitterness playing on their minds causing them to imagine things. The modern mansion setting where everything appeared perfect, stylish, and beautiful was an illusion, a façade disguising something rotten. Just beneath the surface was the abandoned, crumbling, derelict, and feared bones of the original house. Speaking of the house it was a character in itself – its rooms seemed endless and disorientating to the point that it appeared as if the very house itself was expanding and multiplying – every few chapters of the party would find the character narrating in a different wing, level, outbuilding or grounds of the house. Plenty of nooks and crannies to escape, hide, lurk, and spy.
Party of Liars contained three parts. Before the Party introduced the four main alternating narrators – Dani, Kim, Mikayla, and Orlaith. The Night of the Party comprised the bulk of the novel and events unfolded in real time in a pressure cooker environment. I waited with bated breath wondering who was going to be murdered, why, by whom, and when it was going to happen. I made sure to listen carefully knowing that every thought, detail, and conversation mattered. After the Party featured POV’s of guests on the periphery of the party offering their impressions and interpretations of the tragedy which heightened tension and gave the plot more realism and dread. The twists were phenomenal with excellent use of misdirection and red herrings. Kelsey Cox sure had me fooled – every time I thought I had something figured out she pulled the rug out from under me and made me second guess myself.
I had no complaints regarding the audio reading but at the same time there wasn’t anything that really stood out for me to make it special. I did enjoy the Texan and Irish accents though.
What an author! I eagerly await Kelsey Cox’s next thriller.
I’d like to thank Netgalley, Hodder and Stoughton audio, and Kelsey Cox for the audio-ARC.
Publication Date: 3rd July 2025.
July 15, 2025
My Sweet Sixteen Birthday Party was NOTHING like this...
Sophie Matthews’s Sweet Sixteen Birthday Party is a black-tie affair hosted by her dad, Ethan, and her stepmom, Dani, in their beautiful cliffside mansion in the Texas Hill Country. It's gorgeous, lavishly renovated, and rumored to be haunted.
The party is wall to wall people inside, overflowing to the yard and the pool. Drinks pour, glasses never empty, the noise level escalates, and the atmosphere gets wilder. It feels like the whole town was invited, but before the cake is cut, someone will be dead...
Party of Liars is written in alternating perspectives of four women, each sheltering a secret, hidden desire, or grudge. Most of these characters aren't easy to like or even tolerate. They can be mean-spirited, vulgar, or something other than what they seem. This is fast and twisty fun; you think you know where it's going, and then you don't. Over and over again.
I received two gifted copies, one to read and one to listen to, making this a satisfying immersion experience. The audiobook has a multi-cast of five narrators, which helps the listener easily differentiate between the main characters. It's my preferred format for this story.
Party of Liars was quite the party. I don't read many thrillers as they feel too similar. This one felt unique, and the short chapters kept me reading long into the night. What an impressive debut!
4⭐
Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and Kelsey Cox for the gifted DRC and ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Sophie Matthews’s Sweet Sixteen Birthday Party is a black-tie affair hosted by her dad, Ethan, and her stepmom, Dani, in their beautiful cliffside mansion in the Texas Hill Country. It's gorgeous, lavishly renovated, and rumored to be haunted.
The party is wall to wall people inside, overflowing to the yard and the pool. Drinks pour, glasses never empty, the noise level escalates, and the atmosphere gets wilder. It feels like the whole town was invited, but before the cake is cut, someone will be dead...
Party of Liars is written in alternating perspectives of four women, each sheltering a secret, hidden desire, or grudge. Most of these characters aren't easy to like or even tolerate. They can be mean-spirited, vulgar, or something other than what they seem. This is fast and twisty fun; you think you know where it's going, and then you don't. Over and over again.
I received two gifted copies, one to read and one to listen to, making this a satisfying immersion experience. The audiobook has a multi-cast of five narrators, which helps the listener easily differentiate between the main characters. It's my preferred format for this story.
Party of Liars was quite the party. I don't read many thrillers as they feel too similar. This one felt unique, and the short chapters kept me reading long into the night. What an impressive debut!
4⭐
Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and Kelsey Cox for the gifted DRC and ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
July 7, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up, for debut author Kelsey Cox's book "Party of Liars” - a total FOMO read 😂Overall, it was a decent domestic suspense story, but perhaps a bit formulaic and predictable. There are a LOT of POV's here & a whole lot of chapters (almost 100!!) as we discover just what happened at a Texas Sweet 16 party that lead to a death, and whose and more importantly "WHY". Overall, it was quite serviceable and I liked it, but wasn't blown away - but the author shows promise & that's a very good thing - will watch for what she does next!
December 3, 2025
A BIG OL TEXAS DRAMA
A sweet sixteen turns deadly in this locked room mystery where someone dies and all involved could either be the victim or the suspect.
Ooooh I have been needing a juicy book with messy characters that is action packed from the word go right till the end.
The book is told in the POV of four women who are attendees at the sweet sixteen and each hold their own secrets and grievances.
Throughout the book we are getting a backstory and aftermath of the lives of these women, but we have no idea who was killed and by whom.
I had my suspicions and was only right about one. There is one reveal that nearly had me spitting my iced caramel macchiato out! It was so unexpected.
With many characters I was not confused and the author really kept me engaged throughout. The author gave me Shari Lapena vibes (one of my faves) I am excited to see what she comes out with next
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pre read
First read for December!
Hoping this is going to be a 5 star!
I love a locked room mystery
I hope this delivers!
🖤💛🖤💛
A sweet sixteen turns deadly in this locked room mystery where someone dies and all involved could either be the victim or the suspect.
Ooooh I have been needing a juicy book with messy characters that is action packed from the word go right till the end.
The book is told in the POV of four women who are attendees at the sweet sixteen and each hold their own secrets and grievances.
Throughout the book we are getting a backstory and aftermath of the lives of these women, but we have no idea who was killed and by whom.
I had my suspicions and was only right about one. There is one reveal that nearly had me spitting my iced caramel macchiato out! It was so unexpected.
With many characters I was not confused and the author really kept me engaged throughout. The author gave me Shari Lapena vibes (one of my faves) I am excited to see what she comes out with next
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
pre read
First read for December!
Hoping this is going to be a 5 star!
I love a locked room mystery
I hope this delivers!
🖤💛🖤💛
October 28, 2025
4.5 LOVED this Texas set rich people drama thriller. Loved the concept of not knowing who was unalived. Amazing description of the house and enough suspense regarding ‘The Mother’ to keep me intrigued. Recommend x
July 5, 2025
Sophie Matthews’ sixteenth birthday party is an exclusive bash in the heart of Texas Hill Country, and Sophie’s dad has spared no expense. Among the attendees are Dani, her dad's young second wife as well as his ex-wife, Kim, who is Sophie's mother. Dani and Ethan have a young baby and a superstitious Irish nanny to help out with her. Enough said. Avoid reading too much about the book if you intend to read it.
Talk about rich people behaving badly! Too much alcohol, long-held resentments and jealousies, so much gossip and back-stabbing, it's hard to know where to look next. The story is told from the points of view of a number of characters before the party, during the party and after the party. There are hints of the supernatural but, for those readers (like me) who are not fans of this device, nothing overt. It took a while for the story to pick up and draw me in but there's lots of drama and secrets. I really enjoyed reading this book and rate it at 4.5 stars, rounded down.
I understand this is the author's debut novel and it's a very impressive debut. The Goodreads page seems to have merged another author of the same name's books with this author so ignore the "Other Books" section.
TW: There are some triggers including alcoholism, post-partum depression, mental health issues and others.
Thank you to Minotaur Books, via Netgalley, for inviting me to read an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: July 1, 2025
Talk about rich people behaving badly! Too much alcohol, long-held resentments and jealousies, so much gossip and back-stabbing, it's hard to know where to look next. The story is told from the points of view of a number of characters before the party, during the party and after the party. There are hints of the supernatural but, for those readers (like me) who are not fans of this device, nothing overt. It took a while for the story to pick up and draw me in but there's lots of drama and secrets. I really enjoyed reading this book and rate it at 4.5 stars, rounded down.
I understand this is the author's debut novel and it's a very impressive debut. The Goodreads page seems to have merged another author of the same name's books with this author so ignore the "Other Books" section.
TW: There are some triggers including alcoholism, post-partum depression, mental health issues and others.
Thank you to Minotaur Books, via Netgalley, for inviting me to read an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: July 1, 2025
August 14, 2025
**CATCHING UP ON REVIEWS**
STOP what you’re doing and RUN to get this book!!!
Holy shooty balls!! 🤯
I’m going to date myself here, but this was like an episode of Dallas on steroids! Ifykyk!
To say this was an IMPRESSIVE DEBUT is an UNDERSTATEMENT!! You think you know where the story is headed but wait, there’s more! So many GOOD Twists and ahh, red herrings galore!
Well played Ms. Cox! 👏🏼
The author did a marvelous job creating the setting and keeping you in suspense! There's an old house on a hill in Texas, where a 100 years ago, a woman fell tragically to her death from the top floor balcony. Fast forward to today, the home has been beautifully remodeled where Ethan Matthews and his wife Dani live. It's a GRAND home that everyone in town envys. The story is centered around a HUGE 16th birthday party that Ethan and Dani throw for Ethan's daughter Sophie. Did I mention his ex-wife was invited? What could go wrong?
So many fascinating characters that all have secrets of their own! Told from multiple points of view, it is clear that everyone has something to lose and something to gain, but who will come out on top?
AND THEN, during the party, someone falls to their demise. BUT WHO DIDN'T SURVIVE THIS PARTY?
I can tell you, it's NOT who you think it is!
This was a nail biter that I could NOT put down! Short chapters that kept me wanting to know more. Masterfully suspenseful and a true joy to read. It even had a bit of a CREEPY dark gothic vibe, which is not something I normally gravitate to, but this was soooo well done! I just can't say enough how much I enjoyed reading this story!
5 glorious ✨ 🌟 💫 ⭐️ 💫
Many thanks to Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.
STOP what you’re doing and RUN to get this book!!!
Holy shooty balls!! 🤯
I’m going to date myself here, but this was like an episode of Dallas on steroids! Ifykyk!
To say this was an IMPRESSIVE DEBUT is an UNDERSTATEMENT!! You think you know where the story is headed but wait, there’s more! So many GOOD Twists and ahh, red herrings galore!
Well played Ms. Cox! 👏🏼
The author did a marvelous job creating the setting and keeping you in suspense! There's an old house on a hill in Texas, where a 100 years ago, a woman fell tragically to her death from the top floor balcony. Fast forward to today, the home has been beautifully remodeled where Ethan Matthews and his wife Dani live. It's a GRAND home that everyone in town envys. The story is centered around a HUGE 16th birthday party that Ethan and Dani throw for Ethan's daughter Sophie. Did I mention his ex-wife was invited? What could go wrong?
So many fascinating characters that all have secrets of their own! Told from multiple points of view, it is clear that everyone has something to lose and something to gain, but who will come out on top?
AND THEN, during the party, someone falls to their demise. BUT WHO DIDN'T SURVIVE THIS PARTY?
I can tell you, it's NOT who you think it is!
This was a nail biter that I could NOT put down! Short chapters that kept me wanting to know more. Masterfully suspenseful and a true joy to read. It even had a bit of a CREEPY dark gothic vibe, which is not something I normally gravitate to, but this was soooo well done! I just can't say enough how much I enjoyed reading this story!
5 glorious ✨ 🌟 💫 ⭐️ 💫
Many thanks to Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.
October 14, 2025
I thought I had the whole thing figured out (I was feeling so smart), and then BAM, plot twist out of nowhere. This book had me hooked from start to finish. I honestly can’t believe this is a debut. Easily one of the best thrillers I’ve read this year, and I’m still recovering.
From page one, you’re thrown headfirst into a multiple POV narrative so chilling and addicting I may have forgotten my actual responsibilities for about 48 hours (sorry to my laundry). The characters are deeply complicated, the kind of messy, flawed people we follow in Love Island or Real Housewives saga. Dani, Ethan, Kim, Sophie… each perspective is a heady mix of relatability and suspicion, keeping you guessing where their loyalties (and lies) truly lie.
And lemme talk about Dani for a second. Ethan’s new wife is an outright enigma, constantly swerving between gut-level instincts that make her seem almost psychic and paranoia so intense I wanted to send her a weighted blanket.
Beyond the eerie mystery, this book is a sharp commentary on identity, shame, and the dynamics of family. Cox dives into the unspoken tensions lurking behind every curtain and underneath every perfect facade. Whether it’s Kim’s struggle with feeling out-of-place in her own life or Dani’s fear of her seemingly picture-perfect marriage crumbling, there’s emotional depth amidst the twists and thrills. Cox’s writing is abundantly talented at capturing those tiny moments of human disconnection that stick with you long after the final page.
Now, fair warning, if fragmented narratives and extra unreliable narrators make your brain twitch, you might have a love-hate relationship with this one. It’s messy, it’s tangled, it’s not clean-cut in the slightest. There ar LOT of different narrators, that shift chapter by chapter and the chapters are SHORT. But if you’re the kind of reader who thrives on morally questionable characters and slowly losing your mind alongside them (cough hi, fellow Sharp Objects fans), you’re going to love this.
Thank you to St-Martin's Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review. This book was published on July 1st, 2025.
From page one, you’re thrown headfirst into a multiple POV narrative so chilling and addicting I may have forgotten my actual responsibilities for about 48 hours (sorry to my laundry). The characters are deeply complicated, the kind of messy, flawed people we follow in Love Island or Real Housewives saga. Dani, Ethan, Kim, Sophie… each perspective is a heady mix of relatability and suspicion, keeping you guessing where their loyalties (and lies) truly lie.
And lemme talk about Dani for a second. Ethan’s new wife is an outright enigma, constantly swerving between gut-level instincts that make her seem almost psychic and paranoia so intense I wanted to send her a weighted blanket.
Beyond the eerie mystery, this book is a sharp commentary on identity, shame, and the dynamics of family. Cox dives into the unspoken tensions lurking behind every curtain and underneath every perfect facade. Whether it’s Kim’s struggle with feeling out-of-place in her own life or Dani’s fear of her seemingly picture-perfect marriage crumbling, there’s emotional depth amidst the twists and thrills. Cox’s writing is abundantly talented at capturing those tiny moments of human disconnection that stick with you long after the final page.
Now, fair warning, if fragmented narratives and extra unreliable narrators make your brain twitch, you might have a love-hate relationship with this one. It’s messy, it’s tangled, it’s not clean-cut in the slightest. There ar LOT of different narrators, that shift chapter by chapter and the chapters are SHORT. But if you’re the kind of reader who thrives on morally questionable characters and slowly losing your mind alongside them (cough hi, fellow Sharp Objects fans), you’re going to love this.
Thank you to St-Martin's Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review. This book was published on July 1st, 2025.
January 8, 2026
So thankful to have the best book subscription with @aardvarkbookclub and get the best books!!!
This was our book club pick for January, and boy… was it good! I can’t wait until next week where Kelsey will join us live via zoom for our chat!
It’s Sophie Matthew’s sweet sixteen birthday party! A huge bash in a Texas hillside mansion. Her father has gone all out to make sure it’s a success!
But, just before the candles are blown out, a body falls from the balcony onto the dance floor below. But who’s body is it?????
The story is told from four POV from before and after.
- Dani - Sophia’s new stepmother with a new baby.
- Orlaith - The superstitious Irish nanny, who is always peeking from the shadows
- Mikayla - Sophia’s best friend
- Kim - The alcoholic ex-wife
Through the entire book I kept changing my mind. Everyone is a suspect. Some a little crazier than others. I bounced back and forth between the audio and the physical and the audio was an outstanding multicast of performances! Whether you choose to listen or read the physical, they both make for a great time! I highly recommend you give this locked-room thriller a read!
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was our book club pick for January, and boy… was it good! I can’t wait until next week where Kelsey will join us live via zoom for our chat!
It’s Sophie Matthew’s sweet sixteen birthday party! A huge bash in a Texas hillside mansion. Her father has gone all out to make sure it’s a success!
But, just before the candles are blown out, a body falls from the balcony onto the dance floor below. But who’s body is it?????
The story is told from four POV from before and after.
- Dani - Sophia’s new stepmother with a new baby.
- Orlaith - The superstitious Irish nanny, who is always peeking from the shadows
- Mikayla - Sophia’s best friend
- Kim - The alcoholic ex-wife
Through the entire book I kept changing my mind. Everyone is a suspect. Some a little crazier than others. I bounced back and forth between the audio and the physical and the audio was an outstanding multicast of performances! Whether you choose to listen or read the physical, they both make for a great time! I highly recommend you give this locked-room thriller a read!
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 10, 2025
Flat, dull, full of nothing but filler. This book is just all the mundane things the main characters are doing at a birthday party with some backstory for each of them here and there. The mystery element is so poorly executed and therefore the twists aren’t even fun because the buildup to them was such an unexciting ride full of NOTHING HAPPENING!!! People drink wine and shit talk each other. The only thrill I got from this book is being done with it.
January 6, 2025
ARC for review. To be published July 1, 2025.
2.5 stars, rounded to 3.
The book centers around Sophie Matthews’ lavish sweet sixteen party at her father, Ethan and stepmother Dani’s mansion on the hill in Bulverde, Texas. The house is thought to be haunted and those rumors gain credence when, during the party, a body falls from the balcony. Who is the victim?
And who is the killer? Besides Sophie, Ethan and Dani suspicion may fall on Orlaith, nanny to Sophie’s infant half-sister Charlotte, Mikayla, Sophie’s life long best friend who wonders if she and Sophie are growing apart and Kim, Sophie’s mother who may still be carrying grudges.
Kind of a nothing book. The “the house may be haunted” thing never really goes anywhere and everything that happens is kind of a yawn…you’ll see a lot of it coming or you just won’t be that interested. Not really a horrible book; the writing is fine, but for me it was just too by the numbers.
2.5 stars, rounded to 3.
The book centers around Sophie Matthews’ lavish sweet sixteen party at her father, Ethan and stepmother Dani’s mansion on the hill in Bulverde, Texas. The house is thought to be haunted and those rumors gain credence when, during the party, a body falls from the balcony. Who is the victim?
And who is the killer? Besides Sophie, Ethan and Dani suspicion may fall on Orlaith, nanny to Sophie’s infant half-sister Charlotte, Mikayla, Sophie’s life long best friend who wonders if she and Sophie are growing apart and Kim, Sophie’s mother who may still be carrying grudges.
Kind of a nothing book. The “the house may be haunted” thing never really goes anywhere and everything that happens is kind of a yawn…you’ll see a lot of it coming or you just won’t be that interested. Not really a horrible book; the writing is fine, but for me it was just too by the numbers.
June 25, 2025
Everything is bigger in Texas, including the drama! It’s Sophie Matthews’ Sweet 16 birthday party and while many are invited, not all will leave alive.
Told from multiple POVs, Party of Liars is a fast, fun read about a Sweet 16 party gone wrong! I went through several theories about what might happen to who while reading this and definitely enjoyed the story.
Thank you to Minotaur Books for the gifted advance reader copy — Party of Liars is out on 7/1/25!
Told from multiple POVs, Party of Liars is a fast, fun read about a Sweet 16 party gone wrong! I went through several theories about what might happen to who while reading this and definitely enjoyed the story.
Thank you to Minotaur Books for the gifted advance reader copy — Party of Liars is out on 7/1/25!
July 15, 2025
Best thriller I’ve read in a while! It was billed as ‘Rebecca meets Big Little Lies, which I thought was a lot to live up to, but it’s actually bang on! Set around a sweet sixteen party in a property-porn house in Texas, and told from the perspective of several complex characters, all with issues and secrets. I loved it.
June 30, 2025
It's a killer sweet sixteen party! "A lavish, Texas-sized Sweet Sixteen turns deadly in this twisty, pulse-pounding new novel — serving up a fresh take on a classic locked-room whodunnit. Let the festivities begin…"
In her impressive debut, Kelsey Cox had me completely riveted as I devoured this thriller in one day! This atmospheric, gothic novel is a propulsive page-turner, and I couldn't stop reading until I knew what happened. You don't know who the victim or the killer are until the end of the novel. There is a cast of shady suspects including the birthday girl Sophie Matthew's best friend Mikayla, the ex-wife Kim (Sophie's mother), Dani the new mom and party hostess, or Orlaithe, the spooky nanny who is always talking about death.
This locked room mystery had a feel reminiscent of Rebecca or a Rachel Hawkins novel. I loved the character development as the POV changes per chapter, and we learn things about their past as they reflect on their memories seamlessly woven into present day. In addition, there are lots of pearls on motherhood, the loss of a child, and many more brilliant themes that can't be revealed without giving spoilers. This is one of the better thrillers I've read this year, and I highly recommend it. Kelsey Cox has just become an auto-buy author for me!
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books, and Kelsey Cox for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
In her impressive debut, Kelsey Cox had me completely riveted as I devoured this thriller in one day! This atmospheric, gothic novel is a propulsive page-turner, and I couldn't stop reading until I knew what happened. You don't know who the victim or the killer are until the end of the novel. There is a cast of shady suspects including the birthday girl Sophie Matthew's best friend Mikayla, the ex-wife Kim (Sophie's mother), Dani the new mom and party hostess, or Orlaithe, the spooky nanny who is always talking about death.
This locked room mystery had a feel reminiscent of Rebecca or a Rachel Hawkins novel. I loved the character development as the POV changes per chapter, and we learn things about their past as they reflect on their memories seamlessly woven into present day. In addition, there are lots of pearls on motherhood, the loss of a child, and many more brilliant themes that can't be revealed without giving spoilers. This is one of the better thrillers I've read this year, and I highly recommend it. Kelsey Cox has just become an auto-buy author for me!
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books, and Kelsey Cox for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
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July 28, 2025Ostatnia strona — COOOOO! Nie pomyślałem o tym. I’m gagged! 🔥
September 1, 2025
Party of Liars grabbed me from page one with its opulent Texas mansion, a glittering Sweet‑Sixteen, and secrets that crash onto the dance floor as a body falls from the balcony. This story is set on a cliffside mansion, with glass walls and haunted whispers.
This novel blends classic locked-room mystery with psychological drama and a subtle gothic twist(hello, have you met me?! Immediately yes to this blend!)
With multi‑pov’s that alternate between characters, Dani (the anxious stepmom), Kim (the bitter ex), Mikayla (the guarded best friend), and Órlaith (the superstitious nanny), it gives off a fun shifting perspective that intensified the suspense for me.
If you love a twisty, women‑focused thriller with atmospheric flair and psychological twists, this story might be for you.
Thank you to the publisher for an advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.
This novel blends classic locked-room mystery with psychological drama and a subtle gothic twist(hello, have you met me?! Immediately yes to this blend!)
With multi‑pov’s that alternate between characters, Dani (the anxious stepmom), Kim (the bitter ex), Mikayla (the guarded best friend), and Órlaith (the superstitious nanny), it gives off a fun shifting perspective that intensified the suspense for me.
If you love a twisty, women‑focused thriller with atmospheric flair and psychological twists, this story might be for you.
Thank you to the publisher for an advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 24, 2025
3.5 Stars, rounded up.
This novel takes place over one day, as guests attend a lavish, sixteenth birthday party at a Texas mansion. This is told in multiple timelines (before, during, and after the party), and multiple perspectives of the guests that have attended the party. We know someone has died, but nothing else. As the story unfolds we eventually learn each guest has ill will towards at least one of the other guests, so who dunnit, how, where, and to whom?! These were the questions that kept me reading!
Since this is a debut novel, I'm giving a bit of grace with my rating. That said, I did have some issues with the pacing. It wasn't necessarily slow the entire time, but it felt like nothing truly developed until the very end. I often found myself waiting for something meaningful to happen, and that lack of momentum left me feeling a bit frustrated at times. This book thrives on its' characters, and their flaws. If you're drawn to stories packed with flawed and often unlikable characters, this one delivers. Nearly everyone has something questionable about them - even the more likable ones felt a bit shady or unreliable at times. That constant sense of unpredictability definitely kept me engaged, and I ended up liking it well enough, but it probably won't be something that'll necessarily stand out by the end of 2025.
Overall, if you're someone who appreciates a character-driven story with a touch of mystery and minimal action or suspense, this might be right up your alley! Even though this one left me with mixed feelings there's no doubt that for a debut novel this was impressive and Cox is an author I'm going to keep my eye on moving forward!
This novel takes place over one day, as guests attend a lavish, sixteenth birthday party at a Texas mansion. This is told in multiple timelines (before, during, and after the party), and multiple perspectives of the guests that have attended the party. We know someone has died, but nothing else. As the story unfolds we eventually learn each guest has ill will towards at least one of the other guests, so who dunnit, how, where, and to whom?! These were the questions that kept me reading!
Since this is a debut novel, I'm giving a bit of grace with my rating. That said, I did have some issues with the pacing. It wasn't necessarily slow the entire time, but it felt like nothing truly developed until the very end. I often found myself waiting for something meaningful to happen, and that lack of momentum left me feeling a bit frustrated at times. This book thrives on its' characters, and their flaws. If you're drawn to stories packed with flawed and often unlikable characters, this one delivers. Nearly everyone has something questionable about them - even the more likable ones felt a bit shady or unreliable at times. That constant sense of unpredictability definitely kept me engaged, and I ended up liking it well enough, but it probably won't be something that'll necessarily stand out by the end of 2025.
Overall, if you're someone who appreciates a character-driven story with a touch of mystery and minimal action or suspense, this might be right up your alley! Even though this one left me with mixed feelings there's no doubt that for a debut novel this was impressive and Cox is an author I'm going to keep my eye on moving forward!
June 11, 2025
It's Sophie's 16th birthday. Her parents are split up, her dad lives in a jumbo dollhouse on a hill, and is classically remarried with a new baby. Sophie's mom, Kim, has a drinking problem, and her stepmom, Dani, might be crazy.
Is it the house? The house was originally built in the 1800s, was insanely large, and a young mother jumped to her death after her child died. The house sat abandoned until Kim and Ethan purchased it and began to renovate it. But somehow this ginormous house was both towering over the town and in a neighborhood with a cattle ranch and a bunch of other mcmansions. And the house was haunted, because of course it was.
This was the most boring, anticlimactic, drawn out, and exhausting not a thriller. There were so many POVs and characters and back story and hints at more interesting things that never really came to be that it was a struggle to get through it. Most of the stuff didn't even matter in the end, and not in a mysterious fun way, just a filling up the page way.
I really had to fight my way through this one. I did not particularly care how it ended, and once it finally came down to what happened, it was kind of a let down actually. This is more character driven than plot driven, but for that to work the characters need to be more interesting, and this was a huge miss for me.
Is it the house? The house was originally built in the 1800s, was insanely large, and a young mother jumped to her death after her child died. The house sat abandoned until Kim and Ethan purchased it and began to renovate it. But somehow this ginormous house was both towering over the town and in a neighborhood with a cattle ranch and a bunch of other mcmansions. And the house was haunted, because of course it was.
This was the most boring, anticlimactic, drawn out, and exhausting not a thriller. There were so many POVs and characters and back story and hints at more interesting things that never really came to be that it was a struggle to get through it. Most of the stuff didn't even matter in the end, and not in a mysterious fun way, just a filling up the page way.
I really had to fight my way through this one. I did not particularly care how it ended, and once it finally came down to what happened, it was kind of a let down actually. This is more character driven than plot driven, but for that to work the characters need to be more interesting, and this was a huge miss for me.
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