What do you think?
Rate this book
The Birthday Party
A party. A nightmare. A child gone without a trace.
It started out as a six little girls gliding and giggling at the ice rink to celebrate Natalie’s daughter’s eighth birthday.
But by Natalie’s next head count, it’s turned into a crime scene. Six children went onto the ice—and now there are just five. Nobody saw her niece, Elle, being taken. Nobody saw the person in a cartoon costume lure her quietly away.
Traumatised by what happened on her watch, Natalie spends the next decade supporting her sister, Jo, as the years since Elle’s abduction tick by. But as the tenth anniversary approaches, Jo becomes convinced that someone is stalking her—someone who knows the truth about that day on the ice.
As long-buried secrets start to surface, the sisters must relive the horror of losing Elle—and watch the world as they know it shatter before their eyes.
It started out as a six little girls gliding and giggling at the ice rink to celebrate Natalie’s daughter’s eighth birthday.
But by Natalie’s next head count, it’s turned into a crime scene. Six children went onto the ice—and now there are just five. Nobody saw her niece, Elle, being taken. Nobody saw the person in a cartoon costume lure her quietly away.
Traumatised by what happened on her watch, Natalie spends the next decade supporting her sister, Jo, as the years since Elle’s abduction tick by. But as the tenth anniversary approaches, Jo becomes convinced that someone is stalking her—someone who knows the truth about that day on the ice.
As long-buried secrets start to surface, the sisters must relive the horror of losing Elle—and watch the world as they know it shatter before their eyes.
272 pages, Paperback
First published May 15, 2025
3201 people are currently reading
10028 people want to read
About the author
Shalini Boland
46 books3,475 followersShalini Boland is the USA-Today bestselling author of twenty psychological thrillers. With three million copies sold, her titles are published by Amazon Publishing, Audible, Bookouture, and Grand Central Publishing.
Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her family and their increasingly demanding dog, Queen Jess. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing (in between re-stocking the fridge and dealing with endless baskets of laundry).
She is also the author of two bestselling SFF series.
www.shaliniboland.com
Now available:
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
THE HONEYMOON
THE SCHOOL REUNION
THE SILENT BRIDE
THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
A PERFECT STRANGER
THE FAMILY HOLIDAY
THE COUPLE UPSTAIRS
MY LITTLE GIRL
THE WIFE
ONE OF US IS LYING
THE OTHER DAUGHTER
THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL
THE PERFECT FAMILY
THE SILENT SISTER
THE CHILD NEXT DOOR
THE SECRET MOTHER
THE MILLIONAIRE'S WIFE
THE BEST FRIEND
THE GIRL FROM THE SEA
The OUTSIDE SERIES - a thrilling dystopian adventure
The VAMPIRES OF MARCHWOOD series - a romantic fantasy adventure
A SHIRTFUL OF FROGS - an evacuee timeslip adventure
Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her family and their increasingly demanding dog, Queen Jess. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing (in between re-stocking the fridge and dealing with endless baskets of laundry).
She is also the author of two bestselling SFF series.
www.shaliniboland.com
Now available:
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
THE HONEYMOON
THE SCHOOL REUNION
THE SILENT BRIDE
THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
A PERFECT STRANGER
THE FAMILY HOLIDAY
THE COUPLE UPSTAIRS
MY LITTLE GIRL
THE WIFE
ONE OF US IS LYING
THE OTHER DAUGHTER
THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL
THE PERFECT FAMILY
THE SILENT SISTER
THE CHILD NEXT DOOR
THE SECRET MOTHER
THE MILLIONAIRE'S WIFE
THE BEST FRIEND
THE GIRL FROM THE SEA
The OUTSIDE SERIES - a thrilling dystopian adventure
The VAMPIRES OF MARCHWOOD series - a romantic fantasy adventure
A SHIRTFUL OF FROGS - an evacuee timeslip adventure
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 513 reviews
June 2, 2025
THEN:
Natalie’s daughter, Georgia wanted an ice skating party for her eighth birthday, filled with characters who dance on the ice with you and steaming cups of hot chocolate.
Six little girls went onto the ice—and now there are just five. When Sasha took a fall, Natalie was momentarily distracted. Nobody saw her niece, Elle, being lured away by a person in a cartoon costume.
NOW:
It’s been TEN years since Elle’s abduction and the case has gone as cold as the ice the girls had been skating on. Her sister, Jo has fallen apart, and has moved into a garage apartment that Natalie and her husband built for her-both wracked by guilt about being the adults in charge when the crime happened.
But as the TENTH anniversary approaches, there is suddenly a new lead and if it pans out-it will be shocking.
Told from Natalie’s first person POV in alternating THEN and NOW chapters, I found myself immediately engaged by this fast paced mystery!
I needed a short book to read between commitments, and this one fit the bill perfectly! I felt pretty sure that I had the suspect sussed out, and although I was ultimately proved correct, I did question my investigative skills a couple of times along the way, keeping things fun!
I also appreciated that the story felt plausible and not over the top!
If you are looking for a quick, entertaining, suspenseful story… This one is AVAILABLE NOW!
Natalie’s daughter, Georgia wanted an ice skating party for her eighth birthday, filled with characters who dance on the ice with you and steaming cups of hot chocolate.
Six little girls went onto the ice—and now there are just five. When Sasha took a fall, Natalie was momentarily distracted. Nobody saw her niece, Elle, being lured away by a person in a cartoon costume.
NOW:
It’s been TEN years since Elle’s abduction and the case has gone as cold as the ice the girls had been skating on. Her sister, Jo has fallen apart, and has moved into a garage apartment that Natalie and her husband built for her-both wracked by guilt about being the adults in charge when the crime happened.
But as the TENTH anniversary approaches, there is suddenly a new lead and if it pans out-it will be shocking.
Told from Natalie’s first person POV in alternating THEN and NOW chapters, I found myself immediately engaged by this fast paced mystery!
I needed a short book to read between commitments, and this one fit the bill perfectly! I felt pretty sure that I had the suspect sussed out, and although I was ultimately proved correct, I did question my investigative skills a couple of times along the way, keeping things fun!
I also appreciated that the story felt plausible and not over the top!
If you are looking for a quick, entertaining, suspenseful story… This one is AVAILABLE NOW!
May 18, 2025
Meet my new favorite Shalini Boland book.
Six young girls attend an 8-year-old's birthday party at an ice skating rink.
One little girl goes missing.
The missing girl is the birthday girl's cousin.
What happened to the missing 6-year-old girl?
It's every parent's (and aunt's!) worst nightmare.
Buckle your seat belts and get ready for a wild ride.
Unfolding in dual timelines, this gripping and twisty child abduction thriller never misses a beat.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Claire Corbett.
Claire Corbett's narration was outstanding.
This was available from Kindle Unlimited's Books with Narration.
4.5 stars, rounded up.
May 19, 2025
You can count on Shalini Boland to take an ordinary fear and turn it into something extraordinary. She’s constructed a fantastic story that plays on our everyday lives and shows us that normalcy can escalate into disaster in the blink of an eye.
Boland had my pulse racing and my mind sorting every character into either the ‘good’ or ‘possible evil’ list. I didn’t rest until it was finally resolved.
The story opens with a birthday skating party for a 9-year-old girl and morphs into a twisty tale.
This is stuff that stokes parental nightmares! I felt Natalie Edwards' desperation and burden of guilt/blame and then as time progressed, I started to question what really happened that day on the ice. Clearly, something sinister was going on and I picked up the pace in order to find out. The added weight of ‘no safe place’ within the family circle, added to the emotional pull of this psychological thriller. It’s easy to unburden ourselves in a safe place where we can be reassured by loved ones that we aren’t to blame; most of us would do this with family. However, with a family member missing on Natalie’s watch, she’s caught between a rock and a hard place. Right? Read on!
Another winner for this author!
I was gifted this copy by Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Boland had my pulse racing and my mind sorting every character into either the ‘good’ or ‘possible evil’ list. I didn’t rest until it was finally resolved.
The story opens with a birthday skating party for a 9-year-old girl and morphs into a twisty tale.
This is stuff that stokes parental nightmares! I felt Natalie Edwards' desperation and burden of guilt/blame and then as time progressed, I started to question what really happened that day on the ice. Clearly, something sinister was going on and I picked up the pace in order to find out. The added weight of ‘no safe place’ within the family circle, added to the emotional pull of this psychological thriller. It’s easy to unburden ourselves in a safe place where we can be reassured by loved ones that we aren’t to blame; most of us would do this with family. However, with a family member missing on Natalie’s watch, she’s caught between a rock and a hard place. Right? Read on!
Another winner for this author!
I was gifted this copy by Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
April 21, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
I don't know why so many thrillers I read deal with the missing child trope, but here I go, talking about another one. 😂
It all began when Natalie and her husband, Theo, decided to host their daughter's birthday at the local skating rink. But things go awry when her six-year-old niece goes missing. The search that follows results in very few clues, and soon the police tell the family they have no leads to work with. Over the next decade, Natalie's guilt leads to her tending to her sister, Jo and keeping her family in a state of anxiety. When strange things begin to occur, it ignites the family's desperation to solve the mystery of what happened to six-year-old Elle.
Don't get me wrong, this book had a heart-stopping beginning, and I was desperate to see what would be revealed. I felt that when we jumped to ten years later, it took a lot of time for Shalini Boland to unravel the mystery. That led to me feeling a bit impatient. There were some twists, but I wish there had been a few subtle clues here and there to keep me invested.
Overall, I do like this author and will be on the lookout for more of her titles.
#TheBirthdayParty #NetGalley
Expected Publication Date 15/05/25
Goodreads Review Date 21/04/25
I don't know why so many thrillers I read deal with the missing child trope, but here I go, talking about another one. 😂
It all began when Natalie and her husband, Theo, decided to host their daughter's birthday at the local skating rink. But things go awry when her six-year-old niece goes missing. The search that follows results in very few clues, and soon the police tell the family they have no leads to work with. Over the next decade, Natalie's guilt leads to her tending to her sister, Jo and keeping her family in a state of anxiety. When strange things begin to occur, it ignites the family's desperation to solve the mystery of what happened to six-year-old Elle.
Don't get me wrong, this book had a heart-stopping beginning, and I was desperate to see what would be revealed. I felt that when we jumped to ten years later, it took a lot of time for Shalini Boland to unravel the mystery. That led to me feeling a bit impatient. There were some twists, but I wish there had been a few subtle clues here and there to keep me invested.
Overall, I do like this author and will be on the lookout for more of her titles.
#TheBirthdayParty #NetGalley
Expected Publication Date 15/05/25
Goodreads Review Date 21/04/25
May 29, 2025
Im genuinely surprised this book has such high ratings. It starts off well, intriguing plot, genuinely curious to know what happened to Elle & it’s that curiosity which ultimately led me to finish it. However; the book centres around unbearable characters, Natalie is wet, there’s no better description of her than just wet. I appreciate at the beginning she hones in on her guilt on the situation but she really needed to start thinking of her husband and her dreadfully affected child which she doesn’t seem to do at all?! It was really really slow at times, I really didn’t care for the THEN chapters much as i knew they were no closer to finding her as they still hadn’t in the NOW sections. The parents were insufferable, the brother plot line had zero impact to the story, the ultimate conclusion was none other than ridiculous and I would have preferred it if there was no twist with the boyfriend and it was Jo’s idea as frankly it fit with her character more than the actual ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2025
Natalie and Theo throw their daughter Georgia an eighth birthday party. It takes place at an ice rink with some of her friends. In the midst of all the fun, Natalie's niece Elle, suddenly goes missing.
We then move forward 10 years, where Elle still hasn't been found, and Jo, Natalie's sister and mum of Elle, is so distraught at the loss of her daughter, she loses her job. For the last few years she has been living in a converted garage at Natalie and Theo's house.
The timeline then splits between the past and present.
In the past, they have to deal with the immediate aftermath of Elle's disappearance.
In the present, Jo's constant presence and drama, is putting a strain on Theo and Natalie's relationship. Georgia is also starting to feel the strain of all that's happened.
Jo was such a frustrating character. I know she had an awful thing happen with her daughter going missing. But even 10 years later she was making stupid decisions, and causing trouble for everyone around her. Then we also get her being devious again in that twist in the epilogue.
Natalie's character was a bit all over the place. She was just way to overly invested in Jo's life, to the detriment of both her husband and daughter. She let her sister just walk all over her at times, and it all got a bit irritating.
Theo had every right to be annoyed at Natalie's constant capitulation to Jo, just to appease her own guilt. Jo was a constant presence in their relationship and family. Theo had the patience of a saint.
This wasn't bad, it was just ok. Basically a story with the missing child trope, and the effects on everyone through the years. There was a twist at the end that turned into a double twist, and in the epilogue, as stated above, we got another. I can't say that either left me all that shocked.
We then move forward 10 years, where Elle still hasn't been found, and Jo, Natalie's sister and mum of Elle, is so distraught at the loss of her daughter, she loses her job. For the last few years she has been living in a converted garage at Natalie and Theo's house.
The timeline then splits between the past and present.
In the past, they have to deal with the immediate aftermath of Elle's disappearance.
In the present, Jo's constant presence and drama, is putting a strain on Theo and Natalie's relationship. Georgia is also starting to feel the strain of all that's happened.
Jo was such a frustrating character. I know she had an awful thing happen with her daughter going missing. But even 10 years later she was making stupid decisions, and causing trouble for everyone around her. Then we also get her being devious again in that twist in the epilogue.
Natalie's character was a bit all over the place. She was just way to overly invested in Jo's life, to the detriment of both her husband and daughter. She let her sister just walk all over her at times, and it all got a bit irritating.
Theo had every right to be annoyed at Natalie's constant capitulation to Jo, just to appease her own guilt. Jo was a constant presence in their relationship and family. Theo had the patience of a saint.
This wasn't bad, it was just ok. Basically a story with the missing child trope, and the effects on everyone through the years. There was a twist at the end that turned into a double twist, and in the epilogue, as stated above, we got another. I can't say that either left me all that shocked.
April 6, 2025
I felt like this book was really slow. I feel like it focused so much on the mother instead of the missing girl. At about 80% things started happening and the twists were unexpected. It just took a long time to get there.
November 22, 2025
Story 3.75 stars**
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Clare Corbett
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Clare Corbett
May 7, 2025
The 20th psychological thriller have read by this author and so expected this to be as exciting and well written as the previous 19……and of course,it was
Some authors you just gel with their writing and style and you can pick up their new book secure in knowing it will be good
In this book we find ourselves at a birthday party at an ice skating rink where one of the kids attending is about to go missing, the shock, dread, fear and disbelief showed by the Aunty ( Natalie ) and Uncle ( Theo ) in charge of Elle ( their neice ) is done harrowingly and when Natalies Sister, Elle’s Mum ( Jo ) arrives full on panic mode ensues
We then follow the main characters as their lives are shattered by Elle’s disappearance and although they lead their lives they never really recover
But then things take a big turn….
Set in lovely BourneMouth and the immediate surrounding area the book is none stop until the end and then the end end where the….😃well, you will see
Book 20 and still as captivating as the first book I read by this talented author
Some authors you just gel with their writing and style and you can pick up their new book secure in knowing it will be good
In this book we find ourselves at a birthday party at an ice skating rink where one of the kids attending is about to go missing, the shock, dread, fear and disbelief showed by the Aunty ( Natalie ) and Uncle ( Theo ) in charge of Elle ( their neice ) is done harrowingly and when Natalies Sister, Elle’s Mum ( Jo ) arrives full on panic mode ensues
We then follow the main characters as their lives are shattered by Elle’s disappearance and although they lead their lives they never really recover
But then things take a big turn….
Set in lovely BourneMouth and the immediate surrounding area the book is none stop until the end and then the end end where the….😃well, you will see
Book 20 and still as captivating as the first book I read by this talented author
July 7, 2025
I'd almost given up on British domestic drama-thrillers - too often they lean into the kind of over-the-top theatrics I dislike - until I came across this book through Kindle Unlimited with Audible. What a pleasant surprise! The story gripped me immediately, the narration was superb, and the pacing kept me hooked throughout. In fact, I devoured it in a single sitting.
All the characters felt believable, with no unnecessary filler and forced melodrama. Even the ending was satisfying—a rarity, as so many books stumble in that regard. Highly recommended!
All the characters felt believable, with no unnecessary filler and forced melodrama. Even the ending was satisfying—a rarity, as so many books stumble in that regard. Highly recommended!
June 6, 2025
The Birthday Party is an excellent, fast-paced thriller/mystery that kept me guessing until the end; supremely readable and thought-provoking.
It's incredible how people work against their own self-interest. Then again, Jo (Elle's mom) wasn't blameless, was she? Sometimes it's the people behind the scenes who cause the most damage.
This is a complex story that gets a thumbs up from me.
It's incredible how people work against their own self-interest. Then again, Jo (Elle's mom) wasn't blameless, was she? Sometimes it's the people behind the scenes who cause the most damage.
This is a complex story that gets a thumbs up from me.
May 31, 2025
1 ⭐️
can someone please tell me why this book has a 4.22 of goodreads ? What are you smoking ?
Started out with promise but hot damn it went SOUTH. There is absolutely no story, it’s literally the same terribly written mindless nonsense on every page. every character is the worst most unbearable person you’ll ever meet.
My recommendation is to take this off your TBR immediately 😮💨
can someone please tell me why this book has a 4.22 of goodreads ? What are you smoking ?
Started out with promise but hot damn it went SOUTH. There is absolutely no story, it’s literally the same terribly written mindless nonsense on every page. every character is the worst most unbearable person you’ll ever meet.
My recommendation is to take this off your TBR immediately 😮💨
May 18, 2025
DNF
(skim read so i know what happens)
this had the potential to be really good but it just fell so flat. constantly going back to that day talking about the process of trying to find Elle is not interesting at all. there is no POV of the thought process of the person who did it aside from a few chapters here and there which were very short. it was just….. boring. no POV’s from Elle either to see what would be happening from her side. every chapter just seemed to be talking about how Jo has had it hard and her sisters husband Theo complaining about her. it was easy to guess who was involved and the ending and what actually happened was just….. boring. huge let down, i got to around 100 pages of reading the same stuff over and over.
(skim read so i know what happens)
this had the potential to be really good but it just fell so flat. constantly going back to that day talking about the process of trying to find Elle is not interesting at all. there is no POV of the thought process of the person who did it aside from a few chapters here and there which were very short. it was just….. boring. no POV’s from Elle either to see what would be happening from her side. every chapter just seemed to be talking about how Jo has had it hard and her sisters husband Theo complaining about her. it was easy to guess who was involved and the ending and what actually happened was just….. boring. huge let down, i got to around 100 pages of reading the same stuff over and over.
May 2, 2025
Omg.. seriously a freaking amazing twist to this book. No way I saw that coming!!!! The pain, the heartache all real and truly felt. Shalini Boland is a superstar writer it's always a pleasure to get an early release of her books.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book
Thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book
May 23, 2025
Anyway…
This felt like a waste of time. The lead up to finding out what really happened to Elle was boring. The truth that came out at the end was lame. This could’ve been an email.
This felt like a waste of time. The lead up to finding out what really happened to Elle was boring. The truth that came out at the end was lame. This could’ve been an email.
Want to read
November 17, 2024Can't wait for this next book of hers!!!
May 26, 2025
Gripping, short, fast-paced, dual timeline, unexpected twists - literally everything I love from a thriller! I love Shalini’s books and I can’t wait to read more! I would absolutely recommend this one!
November 15, 2025
It started out as a party: six little girls gliding and giggling at the ice rink to celebrate Natalie’s daughter’s Georgia's eighth birthday.
But by Natalie’s next head count, it’s turned into a crime scene. Six children went onto the ice—and now there are just five. Nobody saw her niece, Elle, being taken. Nobody saw the person in a cartoon costume lure her quietly away.
Traumatised by what happened on her watch, Natalie spends the next decade supporting her sister, Jo, as the years since Elle’s abduction tick by. But as the tenth anniversary approaches, Jo becomes convinced that someone is stalking her, someone who knows the truth about that day on the ice.
As long-buried secrets start to surface, the sisters must relive the horror of losing Elle and watch the world as they know it shatter before their eyes.
But by Natalie’s next head count, it’s turned into a crime scene. Six children went onto the ice—and now there are just five. Nobody saw her niece, Elle, being taken. Nobody saw the person in a cartoon costume lure her quietly away.
Traumatised by what happened on her watch, Natalie spends the next decade supporting her sister, Jo, as the years since Elle’s abduction tick by. But as the tenth anniversary approaches, Jo becomes convinced that someone is stalking her, someone who knows the truth about that day on the ice.
As long-buried secrets start to surface, the sisters must relive the horror of losing Elle and watch the world as they know it shatter before their eyes.
May 31, 2025
Meh
I found this book tedious. I finished it because reviews were so good I thought it would get better. It didnt.
I found this book tedious. I finished it because reviews were so good I thought it would get better. It didnt.
June 16, 2025
★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
It was a day that they would never forget...
I have read most of Shalini's psychological thrillers (except for the first few before I discovered her) and she's always been my go-to author for a good fast-paced quick and thrilling read. And while the last few have failed to live up to the calibre of her previous ones, this one smashes them out of the ballpark! It is probably her best yet with this publisher and it was like reading the Shalini of old. And best of all, it keeps you guessing until the very end.
THEN: Natalie's daughter Georgia wanted an ice skating party for her 8th birthday with her best friends and since she was a December baby (welcome to my world), they had themed characters skating the ice along with the children. What more could any little girl want? So Natalie and husband Theo were tasked with the care of six little girls - Georgia, four of her friends and her 6 year old cousin, Elle. Six little girls went onto the ice...and now only just five remain.
When Georgia's best friend Sasha falls on the ice, Natalie takes her off for a few minutes to recover and thus becomes momentarily distracted. When she looks back, she counts five of them and finds Elle is missing. Frantic, Natalie informs Theo and they immediately take the girls off the ice and try searching for young Elle. When there is no immediate sign of her, Natalie calls the police. Though she dreads telling her sister Jo that she has lost her six year old daughter.
NOW: Ten years later and Natalie is planning Georgia's 18th birthday. But as always, her birthday is shadowed by Elle's disappearance a decade before. How could they possibly celebrate? But every year, Georgia's birthday has been a subdued affair but this year she is 18 and she deserves to celebrate.
Their lives have stalled since that day ten years ago. For Jo, the mother whose child disappeared; for Natalie and Theo, the ones in charge of all six girls; and for Georgia, whose birthday has never been the same again because to celebrate it would be like forgetting that it was also the day her cousin disappeared. Everyone is stuck in a kind of rut but no one more so than Jo who, understandably lost a child but her behaviour just went from bad to worse. She couldn't face going back to their flat so instead moved in with Natalie and her family, thus placing undue pressure on them. They even converted their garage into a self contained garden flat for Jo so that they could all have their own privacy. Over the course the past decade, they each found their own ways of coping whilst also sweeping everything under the carpet to maintain the peace and stop from upsetting Jo's unstable equilibriam.
But then Natalie receives a phone call from the past and suddenly a new lead offers new hope. Could this be it? Will they finally learn what happened to Elle all those years ago? Or will it be another colossal waste of time?
The story unfolds in the past and present timeline in Natalie's first person narrative with a few chapters by an unknown narrator interspersed throughout. All through the tale the reader is kept guessing - even me! And I could usually pick them! I did have a few suspects but then when Shalini threw in her trademark twist it knocked all my theories out of the water. Although funnily enough, the twists were some of the theories I had pondered but not quite settled on. In fact, I got them around the wrong way! So in effect, I did guess them correctly but in the wrong order. LOL
As for Jo. I get she lost her daughter and that has to be a mother's worst nightmare. But I just could not warm to her. I found her to be completely selfish and too dependant on Natalie, expecting her to clean up her messes each and every time - because she knows exactly that's what Natalie would do. I was incredibly frustrated by her behaviour and though some of it may have been part of her grief, as Natalie ruminates her sister has always been "a bit flaky". Even events prior to Elle's disappearance show her selfish nature. After her daughter disappears, she is quite happy to sponge off her sister and husband indefinitely without contributing to household costs or making an effort around the house. And she always expect Natalie to come running at her beck and call, regardless of boundaries or her own accountability (of which she had none). I didn't like her at all. I think it was because of her that I knocked off half a star.
Despite my incredible dislike of Jo, this is a thrilling fast paced quick read from start to finish that is wholly entertaining.
I would like to thank #ShaliniBoland, #Netgalley and #AmazonPublishing for an ARC of #TheBirthdayParty in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
It was a day that they would never forget...
I have read most of Shalini's psychological thrillers (except for the first few before I discovered her) and she's always been my go-to author for a good fast-paced quick and thrilling read. And while the last few have failed to live up to the calibre of her previous ones, this one smashes them out of the ballpark! It is probably her best yet with this publisher and it was like reading the Shalini of old. And best of all, it keeps you guessing until the very end.
THEN: Natalie's daughter Georgia wanted an ice skating party for her 8th birthday with her best friends and since she was a December baby (welcome to my world), they had themed characters skating the ice along with the children. What more could any little girl want? So Natalie and husband Theo were tasked with the care of six little girls - Georgia, four of her friends and her 6 year old cousin, Elle. Six little girls went onto the ice...and now only just five remain.
When Georgia's best friend Sasha falls on the ice, Natalie takes her off for a few minutes to recover and thus becomes momentarily distracted. When she looks back, she counts five of them and finds Elle is missing. Frantic, Natalie informs Theo and they immediately take the girls off the ice and try searching for young Elle. When there is no immediate sign of her, Natalie calls the police. Though she dreads telling her sister Jo that she has lost her six year old daughter.
NOW: Ten years later and Natalie is planning Georgia's 18th birthday. But as always, her birthday is shadowed by Elle's disappearance a decade before. How could they possibly celebrate? But every year, Georgia's birthday has been a subdued affair but this year she is 18 and she deserves to celebrate.
Their lives have stalled since that day ten years ago. For Jo, the mother whose child disappeared; for Natalie and Theo, the ones in charge of all six girls; and for Georgia, whose birthday has never been the same again because to celebrate it would be like forgetting that it was also the day her cousin disappeared. Everyone is stuck in a kind of rut but no one more so than Jo who, understandably lost a child but her behaviour just went from bad to worse. She couldn't face going back to their flat so instead moved in with Natalie and her family, thus placing undue pressure on them. They even converted their garage into a self contained garden flat for Jo so that they could all have their own privacy. Over the course the past decade, they each found their own ways of coping whilst also sweeping everything under the carpet to maintain the peace and stop from upsetting Jo's unstable equilibriam.
But then Natalie receives a phone call from the past and suddenly a new lead offers new hope. Could this be it? Will they finally learn what happened to Elle all those years ago? Or will it be another colossal waste of time?
The story unfolds in the past and present timeline in Natalie's first person narrative with a few chapters by an unknown narrator interspersed throughout. All through the tale the reader is kept guessing - even me! And I could usually pick them! I did have a few suspects but then when Shalini threw in her trademark twist it knocked all my theories out of the water. Although funnily enough, the twists were some of the theories I had pondered but not quite settled on. In fact, I got them around the wrong way! So in effect, I did guess them correctly but in the wrong order. LOL
As for Jo. I get she lost her daughter and that has to be a mother's worst nightmare. But I just could not warm to her. I found her to be completely selfish and too dependant on Natalie, expecting her to clean up her messes each and every time - because she knows exactly that's what Natalie would do. I was incredibly frustrated by her behaviour and though some of it may have been part of her grief, as Natalie ruminates her sister has always been "a bit flaky". Even events prior to Elle's disappearance show her selfish nature. After her daughter disappears, she is quite happy to sponge off her sister and husband indefinitely without contributing to household costs or making an effort around the house. And she always expect Natalie to come running at her beck and call, regardless of boundaries or her own accountability (of which she had none). I didn't like her at all. I think it was because of her that I knocked off half a star.
Despite my incredible dislike of Jo, this is a thrilling fast paced quick read from start to finish that is wholly entertaining.
I would like to thank #ShaliniBoland, #Netgalley and #AmazonPublishing for an ARC of #TheBirthdayParty in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
January 20, 2026
I had a suspicion on who I thought would be involved and was correct but none the less this was a real page turner.
April 29, 2025
Shalini Boland is one of my favourite authors and I was very pleased to receive her latest book, The Birthday Party. It was supposed to be a wonderful day full of excitement and for six young girls who gather to celebrate their friend’s birthday at an ice rink. Natalie and her husband Theo hope this will be a day the girls will remember for a long time. Not long after the worst thing imaginable happens, one of the little girls disappears, her niece, and is unable to be found. For Natalie this will be an event that haunts her for many years after her niece Ellie is the child that is never to be seen again. Desperate for Natalie enlists the help of a private investigator, someone must know something.
The book commences at a fast pace, and I was immediately drawn into the story, as always Shalini throws many surprises at us, but I do have to say that they did take a while to appear, slowing down the story in the middle of the book. However, in true form the author brings it all together and in the second half of the book everything picked up and I was at the edge of my seat as revelations were revealed and the story was brought to an exciting end. I will now look forward to what comes next from this wonderful author.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
The book commences at a fast pace, and I was immediately drawn into the story, as always Shalini throws many surprises at us, but I do have to say that they did take a while to appear, slowing down the story in the middle of the book. However, in true form the author brings it all together and in the second half of the book everything picked up and I was at the edge of my seat as revelations were revealed and the story was brought to an exciting end. I will now look forward to what comes next from this wonderful author.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
May 16, 2025
This was just another reminder (How many more do I need?) of why I shouldn't read missing children's books. Between 5% and 85%, just about nothing happened, except for the family being traumatised and snapping at each other. It wasn't bad, really, just slow and family drama-oriented instead of suspenseful or thrilling. The story was told in two timelines: the year when the six-year-old girl disappeared, and ten years later, when the family was struggling and the disappearance was eventually solved. The latter was interesting enough and happened in the final 15% of the book. The characters and their relationships were fairly engaging and kept me reading, but I really shouldn't read missing children's books!
April 1, 2025
This novel begins with what seems like a joyful occasion: a child's birthday party filled with laughter, cake, and happy children. However, what should have been a day filled with cherished memories quickly spirals into a nightmare for Natalie. On that fateful day, her niece vanished without a trace, and since then, Natalie has been trapped in a living nightmare. When the police become involved, there's no sign of Elle, and witnesses seem scarce, leaving them to piece together Jo's life with her daughter missing. Fast forward to the twentieth anniversary of Elle's disappearance, and Natalie, along with the private investigator she discreetly consulted years ago, uncovers clues that suggest someone must know something. When the shocking twist finally emerges, it’s nothing short of earth-shattering! I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a phenomenal job of conveying the emotions and depth of the story. Engaging and captivating, this is an audiobook you simply cannot overlook! Bursting with family secrets and hidden motives from those closest to you, I absolutely adored it! A heartfelt thank you to Brilliance Audio and Netgalley for the incredible opportunity to listen to and review this gem—it was truly a delight!
January 22, 2026
The Birthday Party was a decent read, but not one I’d be rushing to tell people “oh my god, go read this immediately.” The book description is very captivating, which honestly might be part of the problem, because the actual story doesn’t quite live up to the promise.
It’s not a bad story by any means, but I kept thinking, girl… you could have done more. The drama and mystery elements were there, but they stayed way too muted for way too long. I didn’t have a true “WAIT A DAMN MINUTE” moment until the last quarter of the book, which is a bit late for a thriller.
Did I keep reading? Yes. Because I needed to know who tf took this little girl. But a large chunk of the book is spent with Nat complaining about her sister and Jo acting strange, without enough payoff to keep the tension high. Most of my genuine enjoyment came from the final 25%, which is when things finally picked up and delivered the intrigue I’d been waiting for.
Overall, it’s fine, readable, and not a waste of time, but it plays it a little too safe. Solid 3 stars for me.
It’s not a bad story by any means, but I kept thinking, girl… you could have done more. The drama and mystery elements were there, but they stayed way too muted for way too long. I didn’t have a true “WAIT A DAMN MINUTE” moment until the last quarter of the book, which is a bit late for a thriller.
Did I keep reading? Yes. Because I needed to know who tf took this little girl. But a large chunk of the book is spent with Nat complaining about her sister and Jo acting strange, without enough payoff to keep the tension high. Most of my genuine enjoyment came from the final 25%, which is when things finally picked up and delivered the intrigue I’d been waiting for.
Overall, it’s fine, readable, and not a waste of time, but it plays it a little too safe. Solid 3 stars for me.
April 24, 2025
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY BY SHALINI BOLAND.
Release date set for the 15th of May 2025.
WOAH I didn't see that coming.
The twist 🤯
There's many emotions while reading this story from despair, guilt, sadness and heartbreak.
It was very suspenseful and a great read.
This is my first book by this author and it won't be the last.
Release date set for the 15th of May 2025.
WOAH I didn't see that coming.
The twist 🤯
There's many emotions while reading this story from despair, guilt, sadness and heartbreak.
It was very suspenseful and a great read.
This is my first book by this author and it won't be the last.
August 15, 2025
This was a really well written quick read. Great ending and it didn't drag on like some books do, it ended at the right time.
June 11, 2025
I thought I had everything figured out and I was so over confident. But no, that plot twist was completely out of the blue for me. I practically inhaled this book. 4.2 ⭐
June 13, 2025
A decent enough book, easy read but I wasn’t wowed
June 27, 2025
Thought I had this one figured out at various points throughout the book but I in fact did not
Displaying 1 - 30 of 513 reviews