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The Party to End All Parties
Not yet published
Expected 9 Apr 26A little party never killed anybody?
On a comedown from one of their infamous parties, the dysfunctional Morland siblings find a guest has been murdered… and hide the body in their wine cellar.
In this darkly funny locked-room thriller, each sibling has secrets which could stop them inheriting the estate.
But who will survive until the afterparty?
The dysfunctional Morland siblings are throwing another of their infamous parties at their ancestral home, and this time, it’s wilder than ever. But on the hungover morning after, when their housekeeper is trying to clear-out the drunken revellers from the historic halls, she finds that one of the guests has been murdered.
The siblings face a call the police and claim their innocence, or hide the body in the wine cellar and ignore their problems. They choose badly.
Each sibling suspects the others of the murder, and an inspection looming which could secure or destroy their inheritance, tempers fray, old traumas re-surface, and new threats claw their way out of the shadows – and why is there knocking coming from the wine cellar?
This deliciously dark descent into privilege, paranoia, and the price of family loyalty is perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley, and Lisa Jewell.
On a comedown from one of their infamous parties, the dysfunctional Morland siblings find a guest has been murdered… and hide the body in their wine cellar.
In this darkly funny locked-room thriller, each sibling has secrets which could stop them inheriting the estate.
But who will survive until the afterparty?
The dysfunctional Morland siblings are throwing another of their infamous parties at their ancestral home, and this time, it’s wilder than ever. But on the hungover morning after, when their housekeeper is trying to clear-out the drunken revellers from the historic halls, she finds that one of the guests has been murdered.
The siblings face a call the police and claim their innocence, or hide the body in the wine cellar and ignore their problems. They choose badly.
Each sibling suspects the others of the murder, and an inspection looming which could secure or destroy their inheritance, tempers fray, old traumas re-surface, and new threats claw their way out of the shadows – and why is there knocking coming from the wine cellar?
This deliciously dark descent into privilege, paranoia, and the price of family loyalty is perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley, and Lisa Jewell.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 29, 2026
45 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Roth
3 books29 followersI also write as Lucy Nichol. When Sally Killed Harry is my debut thriller. I'm often told I'm far too angry, I count being blocked by Piers Morgan as an achievement, and I refuse to choose between Meghan and Kate just because they're both women. Ditto Courtney and Kat. My earlier books include The Twenty Seven Club, Parklife and No Worries if Not. I've also written previously for Sarah Millican's Standard Issue Magazine, and media titles including The I Paper, The Independent, Metro, NME and many more.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the second book I have enjoyed from this creative author, and I recommend her work.
While it took me a minute to get into the writing style and begin to click the pieces together, once clear about the dynamics between the characters, I was off and running through the pages.
There are many different sub plots and intricacies in this storyline, and it's important to pay attention to how and when key elements are added. Kassie and her siblings are in a battle for control of the Moreland estate, and it's every "man" for themselves. Convincing their Grandmother that they are the right person to care for the property while assuring the others fail in their efforts is a dangerous game, and throwing an epic rager of a party right before she is to decide is very il-advised. Secrets that have been held (some for decades) wind through the chapters, adding twists to the already addictive storyline. When the truth comes out, it sets things in motion that cannot be undone.
I enjoyed the debauchery and outright mayhem of the guests and siblings at their party. Each of the sibling's pasts dictated how the events unfolded, and produced the end result - which I did not see coming... love that!!
I enjoyed my time in these pages and recommend this entertaining murder mystery.
I received my ARC from Netgalley, and my thoughts are my own.
While it took me a minute to get into the writing style and begin to click the pieces together, once clear about the dynamics between the characters, I was off and running through the pages.
There are many different sub plots and intricacies in this storyline, and it's important to pay attention to how and when key elements are added. Kassie and her siblings are in a battle for control of the Moreland estate, and it's every "man" for themselves. Convincing their Grandmother that they are the right person to care for the property while assuring the others fail in their efforts is a dangerous game, and throwing an epic rager of a party right before she is to decide is very il-advised. Secrets that have been held (some for decades) wind through the chapters, adding twists to the already addictive storyline. When the truth comes out, it sets things in motion that cannot be undone.
I enjoyed the debauchery and outright mayhem of the guests and siblings at their party. Each of the sibling's pasts dictated how the events unfolded, and produced the end result - which I did not see coming... love that!!
I enjoyed my time in these pages and recommend this entertaining murder mystery.
I received my ARC from Netgalley, and my thoughts are my own.
February 1, 2026
This was a lot more graphic than I was expecting! Ha! Not a bad thing. But not one of the characters was likeable. Not even Kassie tbh. The goat was cute. I can't say I cared what happened to them but it was a satisfying ending. Took a while to get going to. But a decent read. Kept me entertained.
January 5, 2026
I can’t work out if I am just not the target audience here or it was just deathly boring.
25% in nothing had happened. Feels insulting to compare to the authors it has in the description here.
I really wanted to like this one after reading the description but unfortunately not.
Thanks to Avon Books UK for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
25% in nothing had happened. Feels insulting to compare to the authors it has in the description here.
I really wanted to like this one after reading the description but unfortunately not.
Thanks to Avon Books UK for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Party to End All Parties is a deliciously unhinged cocktail of family dysfunction, locked‑room mystery, and dark humour. From the moment the Morland siblings wake up after one of their legendary blow‑out parties and discover a dead guest on the premises, you just know you’re in for a wonderfully messy ride.
Rather than doing the sensible thing—calling the police—they decide to stash the body in the wine cellar. And from there, everything spirals delightfully out of control.
The Morlands are a brilliantly dysfunctional bunch: privileged, chaotic, and each clutching secrets that could cost them their inheritance. The shifting suspicions, barbed sibling banter, and rising paranoia make the story hugely entertaining. The looming estate inspection adds a ticking clock that keeps the tension simmering, all while old wounds are reopened and new threats creep out of the shadows.
And the atmosphere? Perfectly done. The ancestral home feels like a character in itself—creaky, imposing, and full of places to hide both bodies and secrets. The strange noises under the floorboards add just the right amount of unsettling charm to the chaos.
Despite the murder, the tone stays wonderfully sharp and darkly funny, making it an easy, compulsively readable thriller. Think Ruth Ware meets Lucy Foley, but with an extra twist of dysfunctional family comedy.
A fun, fast, cleverly twisted read with standout characters and a great sense of mischief.
With thanks to Lucy Roth, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Rather than doing the sensible thing—calling the police—they decide to stash the body in the wine cellar. And from there, everything spirals delightfully out of control.
The Morlands are a brilliantly dysfunctional bunch: privileged, chaotic, and each clutching secrets that could cost them their inheritance. The shifting suspicions, barbed sibling banter, and rising paranoia make the story hugely entertaining. The looming estate inspection adds a ticking clock that keeps the tension simmering, all while old wounds are reopened and new threats creep out of the shadows.
And the atmosphere? Perfectly done. The ancestral home feels like a character in itself—creaky, imposing, and full of places to hide both bodies and secrets. The strange noises under the floorboards add just the right amount of unsettling charm to the chaos.
Despite the murder, the tone stays wonderfully sharp and darkly funny, making it an easy, compulsively readable thriller. Think Ruth Ware meets Lucy Foley, but with an extra twist of dysfunctional family comedy.
A fun, fast, cleverly twisted read with standout characters and a great sense of mischief.
With thanks to Lucy Roth, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Party to End All Parties is an efficient reminder that wealth does not improve personality, judgment, or crisis management.
The setup is straightforward. A family gathering, simmering resentments, and a murder that complicates the weekend plans. This should create tension. It does, briefly. Then it settles into a steady rhythm of suspicion, secrecy, and people behaving exactly as you would expect people like this to behave.
The characters are uniformly self-absorbed and emotionally underdeveloped, which may be the point, but it makes extended time with them something to be endured rather than enjoyed. Their interactions are more tiresome than tense, and their decisions inspire less dread than mild exasperation.
The prose is competent and occasionally sharp. There are moments of dark humor that almost land, and a few scenes that hint at something more incisive. Unfortunately, those moments are padded by repetition and a plot that prefers circling its themes to interrogating them.
By the end, the mystery resolves itself neatly enough, though without much emotional impact. I closed the book feeling informed rather than affected, which is not quite what one hopes for from a story built on murder and betrayal.
Three stars feels fair. It is readable, polished, and unlikely to offend. It is also unlikely to linger. A perfectly acceptable choice for a book club evening, particularly if the discussion is expected to be more engaging than the book itself.
The setup is straightforward. A family gathering, simmering resentments, and a murder that complicates the weekend plans. This should create tension. It does, briefly. Then it settles into a steady rhythm of suspicion, secrecy, and people behaving exactly as you would expect people like this to behave.
The characters are uniformly self-absorbed and emotionally underdeveloped, which may be the point, but it makes extended time with them something to be endured rather than enjoyed. Their interactions are more tiresome than tense, and their decisions inspire less dread than mild exasperation.
The prose is competent and occasionally sharp. There are moments of dark humor that almost land, and a few scenes that hint at something more incisive. Unfortunately, those moments are padded by repetition and a plot that prefers circling its themes to interrogating them.
By the end, the mystery resolves itself neatly enough, though without much emotional impact. I closed the book feeling informed rather than affected, which is not quite what one hopes for from a story built on murder and betrayal.
Three stars feels fair. It is readable, polished, and unlikely to offend. It is also unlikely to linger. A perfectly acceptable choice for a book club evening, particularly if the discussion is expected to be more engaging than the book itself.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Four siblings are fighting for control of their estate that is currently under their grandmother’s control. These are adult siblings in their thirties and forties who still act like they’re in their twenties. Parties full of alcohol and illicit drugs, where you can just pay off anyone who catches the family’s behavior on camera. But it finally goes too far when a guest is discovered deceased the morning after their last big blowout. As the spoiled, wealthy morons they are, they hide the body so that they’ll pass an inspection – the last hurdle before their grandmother makes a choice of heir. What could go wrong?
So, of course, everything does, which is fine, because you won’t feel bad watching this family implode. It’s a fun and humorous story, but sometimes the humor is a stretch and just too crude. You don’t have to make every other piece of dialogue hilarious, you know? Otherwise, it’s a fast-paced story that you don’t have to get too emotionally invested in while waiting to see how it all plays out.
I think my favorite character was Iggy, the adorable goat! I love when stories feature exotic pets, and the author made sure to highlight everything an owner would need to properly care for one. She’s probably the best thing about that family, for sure. My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
So, of course, everything does, which is fine, because you won’t feel bad watching this family implode. It’s a fun and humorous story, but sometimes the humor is a stretch and just too crude. You don’t have to make every other piece of dialogue hilarious, you know? Otherwise, it’s a fast-paced story that you don’t have to get too emotionally invested in while waiting to see how it all plays out.
I think my favorite character was Iggy, the adorable goat! I love when stories feature exotic pets, and the author made sure to highlight everything an owner would need to properly care for one. She’s probably the best thing about that family, for sure. My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What in the Saltburn did I just read?!
The Party to End All Parties by Lucy Roth is a darkly entertaining blend of privilege, dysfunction, and chaos. The story centers on an ultra-wealthy group of siblings, all vying to inherit their family’s estate after the death of their father. The decision rests with their formidable grandmother, who will choose an heir based on how each sibling envisions the estate’s future. In the days leading up to her verdict, the siblings decide to throw one final, decadent party, an ill advised mix of drugs, alcohol, and unresolved resentment, that quickly spirals out of control.
The siblings’ constant snark and sharp banter provide moments of dark humor (think Ready or Not–style family dysfunction), while the underlying tension keeps the stakes high. Every character is deeply flawed, insufferably complicated, and selfish in their own unique way. That complexity is exactly what makes the story work. Roth uses their dysfunction as both entertainment and propulsion, allowing the narrative to unravel naturally as secrets surface and alliances fracture. The final twist genuinely caught me off guard, and the ending felt both earned and satisfying. Sharp, messy, and wildly compelling, this is a story that lingers well after the party ends.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon books for the ARC.
The Party to End All Parties by Lucy Roth is a darkly entertaining blend of privilege, dysfunction, and chaos. The story centers on an ultra-wealthy group of siblings, all vying to inherit their family’s estate after the death of their father. The decision rests with their formidable grandmother, who will choose an heir based on how each sibling envisions the estate’s future. In the days leading up to her verdict, the siblings decide to throw one final, decadent party, an ill advised mix of drugs, alcohol, and unresolved resentment, that quickly spirals out of control.
The siblings’ constant snark and sharp banter provide moments of dark humor (think Ready or Not–style family dysfunction), while the underlying tension keeps the stakes high. Every character is deeply flawed, insufferably complicated, and selfish in their own unique way. That complexity is exactly what makes the story work. Roth uses their dysfunction as both entertainment and propulsion, allowing the narrative to unravel naturally as secrets surface and alliances fracture. The final twist genuinely caught me off guard, and the ending felt both earned and satisfying. Sharp, messy, and wildly compelling, this is a story that lingers well after the party ends.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon books for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I didn’t really love this one- I felt like it was an extremely slow burn with unlikable characters that were hard to differentiate from each other. It centers on the 4 Morland siblings, who grew up in the lap of luxury and are now all fighting to inherit the family mansion, as their grandmother is getting older. They throw a big party, which is what the book is based on, but apparently this is something they frequently do.
The murder in question doesn’t happen until more than halfway through the book, and everything up to that point is inner musings of the characters and repetitive dialogue as the author creates the backstory. Once the murder happens, the story picks up a bit but I still never felt fully invested in the characters. There was a decent twist toward the end of the book that I did like, but overall the pacing of the story just made it too slow for me. I loved the goat though- my favorite character for sure!
Overall, this one wasn’t really for me, though I did enjoy reading about the over the top decorations and the opulence of the house in general. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The murder in question doesn’t happen until more than halfway through the book, and everything up to that point is inner musings of the characters and repetitive dialogue as the author creates the backstory. Once the murder happens, the story picks up a bit but I still never felt fully invested in the characters. There was a decent twist toward the end of the book that I did like, but overall the pacing of the story just made it too slow for me. I loved the goat though- my favorite character for sure!
Overall, this one wasn’t really for me, though I did enjoy reading about the over the top decorations and the opulence of the house in general. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book I can only describe as a domestic noir on drugs. It was completely bonkers, decision making wise from the siblings involved in this story.
The Morland siblings are wealthy. And, I didn't like any of them. I don't think we are meant to like them, it's the whole idea of the story. Iggy Pop the goat was our saviour in this narrative. So, when they plan on hosting one of their infamous parties and things start going wrong, I didn't care which way it ended. Which is a good thing. As this made me enjoy the story more.
The siblings are very dysfunctional, full of secrets. Some of those secrets I wish I never found out. Let's not mention the fountain scene again. They are your typical stereotypical rich family that hates each other.
The choices they made and the ways they went about trying to right some situations were completely bonkers. It gave me B movie slasher vibes. And, for this I loved it. Just complete "what on earth" joy.
The Morland siblings are wealthy. And, I didn't like any of them. I don't think we are meant to like them, it's the whole idea of the story. Iggy Pop the goat was our saviour in this narrative. So, when they plan on hosting one of their infamous parties and things start going wrong, I didn't care which way it ended. Which is a good thing. As this made me enjoy the story more.
The siblings are very dysfunctional, full of secrets. Some of those secrets I wish I never found out. Let's not mention the fountain scene again. They are your typical stereotypical rich family that hates each other.
The choices they made and the ways they went about trying to right some situations were completely bonkers. It gave me B movie slasher vibes. And, for this I loved it. Just complete "what on earth" joy.
February 8, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of The Party to End All Parties by Lucy Roth
This is a darkly entertaining, sharp-witted thriller that delves into a dysfunctional family history and disastrous decision making. When a guest is found dead after one of the Morland siblings’ extravagant parties, the wealthy family choose concealment hiding the body in the wine cellar and triggering a spiral of disaster..
The plot thrives on its claustrophobic setting and the mounting pressure as inheritance, secrets and sibling rivalries collide. The characters are deeply flawed — selfish, entitled and oddly compelling and oddly amusing..
While the pacing occasionally dips, the mix of family drama, mystery and biting humour kept me engaged throughout. A clever, entertaining read with plenty of twists and sharp observations about privilege and self-interest. A solid four stars.
This is a darkly entertaining, sharp-witted thriller that delves into a dysfunctional family history and disastrous decision making. When a guest is found dead after one of the Morland siblings’ extravagant parties, the wealthy family choose concealment hiding the body in the wine cellar and triggering a spiral of disaster..
The plot thrives on its claustrophobic setting and the mounting pressure as inheritance, secrets and sibling rivalries collide. The characters are deeply flawed — selfish, entitled and oddly compelling and oddly amusing..
While the pacing occasionally dips, the mix of family drama, mystery and biting humour kept me engaged throughout. A clever, entertaining read with plenty of twists and sharp observations about privilege and self-interest. A solid four stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Oh my god…what in the what???
This family is seriously so messed up…just when I thought they couldn’t get worse something else pops up and damn, so chaotic!
My heart when out to Kassie, how that girl turned out to be the loveliest and kindest person ever when surrounded by sour, bitter people it blows my mind. She is nothing like those surrounding her. Kassie and her cute goat, Iggy were an absolute delight.
The absolute mayhem through these pages has had its claws sunk into me, I couldn’t put the book down even if I had tried. I loved the drama and the plot twists. The chaos was brilliant!
and that ending…oh. my. god!!!!
Mind…blown!!!
This is the second book I’ve read from this author and I have to say, I am loving her work. The books always have me hooked and she writes the most brilliant characters even if they’re not actually likeable.
This family is seriously so messed up…just when I thought they couldn’t get worse something else pops up and damn, so chaotic!
My heart when out to Kassie, how that girl turned out to be the loveliest and kindest person ever when surrounded by sour, bitter people it blows my mind. She is nothing like those surrounding her. Kassie and her cute goat, Iggy were an absolute delight.
The absolute mayhem through these pages has had its claws sunk into me, I couldn’t put the book down even if I had tried. I loved the drama and the plot twists. The chaos was brilliant!
and that ending…oh. my. god!!!!
Mind…blown!!!
This is the second book I’ve read from this author and I have to say, I am loving her work. The books always have me hooked and she writes the most brilliant characters even if they’re not actually likeable.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This follows a wealthy family (mainly the four siblings) that are throwing yet another party, but this time, things go wrong. And someone dies.
And now, these siblings have to figure out what's going on and how to keep the rest of the party from discovering what's going on. And yes, it gets a bit chaotic (in a fun way).
These are very complicated and not very likable characters. And I really liked that about this book. Normally, I want a likable character to root for, but it made sense for these characters to be unlikable. It really worked well here.
I did think that this started quite slow, but once it picked up, it picked up!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
And now, these siblings have to figure out what's going on and how to keep the rest of the party from discovering what's going on. And yes, it gets a bit chaotic (in a fun way).
These are very complicated and not very likable characters. And I really liked that about this book. Normally, I want a likable character to root for, but it made sense for these characters to be unlikable. It really worked well here.
I did think that this started quite slow, but once it picked up, it picked up!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“The Party to End All Parties” is a complicated novel to review. Why? Well, first, there is not really too many redeeming qualities about this family. And I get that that is the point, but even the most likable among them isn’t really that great after all. So it’s hard to have too much sympathy in all of this.
The subject matters dealt with are cringy (incestuous thoughts, rape of a teen, drug abuse and alcohol abuse). I felt like I was passing a bad accident. I kept putting the book down to find that I had to take another look.
The worst part is that Lucy Roth is a really good writer and you keep wanting to read more but take a shower afterwards.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
The subject matters dealt with are cringy (incestuous thoughts, rape of a teen, drug abuse and alcohol abuse). I felt like I was passing a bad accident. I kept putting the book down to find that I had to take another look.
The worst part is that Lucy Roth is a really good writer and you keep wanting to read more but take a shower afterwards.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The four Morland siblings - the kind of rich, spoilt, loathsome characters who always fascinate people. This novel takes place around one of their legendary parties which goes horribly wrong.
I did feel this one started a little slowly, but as I got deeper into the plot it became a real page turner. The story is told from the point of view of multiple characters, and Lucy Roth manages to juggle their different voices seamlessly.
Definitely one to stick with as it all comes together to a very satisfying denouement.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for providing the ARC in return for my honest review.
I did feel this one started a little slowly, but as I got deeper into the plot it became a real page turner. The story is told from the point of view of multiple characters, and Lucy Roth manages to juggle their different voices seamlessly.
Definitely one to stick with as it all comes together to a very satisfying denouement.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for providing the ARC in return for my honest review.
January 28, 2026
The Party to End All Parties is dark, the characters mostly unlikable (with the exception of Iggy), and yet I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It’s a fast read with lots of debaucherous twists and turns.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Party to End All Parties ahead of its official publication date.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Party to End All Parties ahead of its official publication date.
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