THE GUILTY PARTY

by Laura Lyndhurst

THE PAST HAS A WAY OF CATCHING UP …

Nothing exciting going on. Just a bunch of oldies celebrating a birthday, having a reunion. Ordinary people, parents and grandparents, always there, the Bank of Mum and Dad, cooking Sunday lunch, available for babysitting duties at short notice.

They were young once, however, and now they’re reminiscing over the good old days. Not the bad old days though; best leave those firmly in the past.

But the past has a habit of coming back, and this party appears to be the catalyst for it to reappear—with a vengeance.

325 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 20, 2025

About the author

I was born and grew up in North London, England, and engaged in various occupations, including dental nurse, laboratory assistant and shop assistant, before I married aged twenty and travelled the world following my husband’s career. I spent much time reading, a passion since childhood, and toyed with writing.

Eventually settled in the UK I took evening classes and gained ‘A’ levels in Psychology, Sociology and English before becoming a mature student and gaining Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English and Literature before training and working as a teacher. In 2016 we moved to the peace of rural Lincolnshire, and my sporadic writing activities became more permanent.

To date I've published fifteen books, beginning in May 2020 with 'Fairytales Don’t Come True,' my debut novel. Since then I've written and published four books of poetry: 'October Poems,' 'Thanksgiving Poems & Prose Pieces,' 'Poet-Pourri' and 'Social Climbing and Other Poems.' In January 2021 I published a sequel to 'Fairytales' entitled 'Degenerate, Regenerate,' and at the end of March 2021 I published a psychological suspense story, 'You Know What You Did,' and in June 2021 'All That We Are Heir To,' the third book in the 'Criminal Conversation; series. In November 2022 I published a sequel to 'You Know What You Did,' entitled 'What Else Did You Do?'. The work didn’t stop, as alongside this sequel I was writing a fourth book for the 'Criminal Conversation' series. Entitled 'Innocent, Guilty,' it was published in January 2023, and a fifth book, 'The Future of Our House' came out in June 2023. The sixth and final book, 'Uphill, Downhill, Over, Out' came out in August 2023. January 2025 saw a standalone novel about an arranged marriage, 'An Honourable Institution' and September of that year saw another psychological suspense, 'The Guilty Party'. Most recently, in February 2026 I published a Whodunnit, 'Fatal.' I've nothing ongoing at present, but watch this space.

In late 2021 I undertook some editorial training and freelance work as a sub-editor. I terminated that work in late 2022, but have my hands full with writing my own books and reviewing those of others.

In November 2023 I built my own website, with my own books, blog posts, my reviews of other authors' books and interviews with some of those authors. Why not check it out and maybe subscribe at https://booksthatmakeyouthink2.co.uk/

And of course there’s reading, something which I have loved since I was a child. I became a convert to eBooks and subscribed to the Kindle Unlimited programme, because although I love physical books, my bookcases are groaning under the weight and I don’t have room for any more. I review everything I read, since I became an author myself and realise the value of these in getting our work in front of as many eyes as possible; but it does mean that I have a large virtual To Be Read pile.

For other leisure activities I walk—or use a stepper at home, when the weather’s bad—play the recorder (badly), and listen to music of all types. I like a good meal with wine, whether out or at home, and spend most evenings binge-watching one series or another.

Life is busy and certainly not boring.

Reviews

[Amanda Sheridan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Guilty Party is a gripping story of an extended family with a Forces background, living their lives in a comfortable and mostly happy state.
Frank and Graham, now retired, served together and their friendship brought the two families together. Their wives and children as part of the group. But everyone has a past, and often something to hide within that past.
Now, something is happening to disrupt their lives and uncover old secrets that were long buried. Someone is unpicking the threads that have bound them as arson, vandalism, stalking and other threats come into play. But who? And why?
The author has crafted a tight, well-written story where the reader is left guessing as the characters’ lives are torn apart. I thought I had it figured out and I was feeling a bit smug, until Lyndhurst threw something else into the mix which worked perfectly and I had to wait until the end to find the who and the why. Which was brilliant and, in hindsight, I should have seen it.
Highly recommended.

[Sally Cronin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read previous books by this author, I knew to expect the unexpected. This is a clever, intricate and compelling mystery with great characters and plenty of surprises.

The cast of brilliantly crafted characters are mainly in their 60s and 70s and most have a connection going back decades. Following a reunion where we meet them individually, along with the next generation, events begin to take place which threaten to rock their lives and in some cases result in violence.

As these events unfold it seems to be random, as the back stories we are made privy to, show little connection between those being targeted. Closely held secrets and indiscretions are being used to manipulate and terrify those who thought them long buried and forgotten.

For readers who are also in their 60s and 70s, it is likely that there are certain events that took place decades ago, which you might wonder about occasionally, and be glad Facebook was not around at the time. But for some of these characters, the burden of their past has led to a life unfulfilled or restricted in one way or another. Whilst the perpetrator behind the current hate campaign is after a different outcome, there are surprising revelations and unburdening of guilt, that ultimately leads to a different and better way forward for some of those involved.

The finale is brilliant and completely unexpected which is always the sign of a great writer.

I highly recommend this well plotted psychological thriller and I am sure anyone reading it will be totally engaged from beginning to end.

[KATE READS · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Guilty Party – a novel that grips you!
A group of people in their 60’s and 70’s. At first, doesn’t sound very exciting – not much happening, or so you think. The author is a master in creating an environment where guilt, secrecy and moral compromise run like a red thread through the book. Twists and turns and an unexpected ending!
The novel feels as intimate as unsettling, a perfect mix for a psychological thriller, and I found myself invested in the characters and the drama that unfolds. I particularly enjoyed the multiple POV.
The prose is controlled and structured, and the book is well-written; the characters are realistic, and it was quite refreshing to read a book told mainly through people in their senior years.

[D. Peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of us have probably attended a party with older family members (or perhaps you are the “oldie” who’s catching up with siblings, in-laws, and the younger generation. There might be cocktails, lots of chit chat, maybe a little gossip. So begins this book. But underneath the cordial camaraderie, there are currents of regret, annoyance, boredom, desire, and a few secrets kept for a long time, including murder.

During the party, and in the days following, the past is mused over, worried about, and it compels the characters to act and react, make changes for the better in some cases, and certainly for the worse in others. The “internal” nature of the narrative results in a moderate pace, but the story is engaging and held my attention without any difficulty.

Multiple POV characters share their thoughts, history, and choices. The book, by its nature, includes a lot of backstories, though there is a present-day danger complicating the lives of several characters. This is a character-driven novel, and readers who are fascinated by human nature may find it riveting. The characters are realistic, complex, and fully emotional people. Most are decent (but flawed) human beings, trying their best to navigate life—with mixed success.

Though readers may not relate to the specific details of these characters’ lives, the dynamics are highly recognizable. I enjoyed being a fly on the wall, observing the mess. It’s a fascinating peek beneath the surface veneer that people present to the outside world. Highly recommended to readers of character-driven novels who enjoy a bit of suspense in the mix.

[Tracey Gerrard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping and well-written story!
The Guilty Party by Laura Lyndhurst is told from multiple points of view and begins at a birthday party, where family and friends gather to celebrate.
As the story progresses, each character unveils their past, and this is where secrets emerge, lies have been told, and someone seeks revenge.
Laura’s books always grip me, and this was no different as I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who was out for retribution. I didn’t figure it out.
This is a well-written story, and I enjoyed it immensely. I highly recommend it!

[Lucas W Mayberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

After some old friends get together for a party some dark secrets start to unravel. Told in several different points of view, in both the past and the present different stories and truths are brought to light that seem random at first. However through some clever story telling and some neat twists and turns every story proves to be linked in some way or another. You have Frank the handsome retired military man and his beautiful wife, Madge, but their marriage is far from happy. Then there is his son Matt and his wife Jennifer. Both hiding dark secrets but with Jennifer’s dark past it could have negative consequences on her very life. But who is stalking them and determined to wreak havoc. This was a compelling and intriguing tale. I liked the fact that the action in the story played around senior people instead of angst teenagers, which is a dime a dozen in stories these days. This book proves that old people can be much more interesting especially as they have more history. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and recommend everyone reads it.

[J.J. Grafton · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know those family parties you look forward to, anticipating the conversations and conviviality with family and friends – the ones that start off with everybody in a great mood, just enjoying drinks ad ‘catching up’. Then the cracks begin to appear, maybe just a little uneasiness and, before you know it, the murky past you thought you’d papered over is rearing its ugly head. And you’re not the only one. There are others whose lives interact with yours and there are consequences as the veneer of civilised behaviour is slowly and inexorably cracked wide open.
The Guilty Party is not merely a well plotted, tricky novel but a masterclass in character study, a hallmark of Laura Lyndhurst’s work, as constant readers will know. Multiple points of view are woven ever more closely together until the ending, which you will not see coming. Take your time reading this one to fully savour the richness of the writing and ponder hidden motivations as you go.
Recommended writing for the discerning reader.

[Marcia Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book begins with a simple gathering of family and friends. Some reminisce about the good old days, while others skate around the more delicate bad old days that are best not mentioned. However, the party seems to be a trigger point for the past to resurface, and not in a good way. The book is told from multiple points of view, and this works well, with hints along the way of what happened in the past, but the reader is not sure to which character. Someone is clearly intent on causing harm as incidents of vandalism, stalking, and arson come to light. I must confess, I did not figure it out at all, and the book kept my attention from beginning to end, which is always so much better than having guessed the ending. The book is a well-written and gripping tale with strong characters, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Bruce Spydar · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable and beautifully crafted story

We are thrown into a reunion of old friends and family … a convivial atmosphere perhaps but, behind the façade, not all is quite as it seems.
We are introduced to a range of colourful and connected characters who, throughout the book, have much to reveal. As we become more familiar, some characters are the target for hostility … but are they connected? And if so, who is responsible?
An enjoyable and beautifully crafted story, and a reminder to us that everybody we meet has their own backstory. … Oh, and that sometimes it’s best to avoid reunions!

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A twisty, turn-y, tale of intrigue that begins innocently enough with a family celebration, but soon becomes a dark mystery as the past comes raging back to haunt the members of this extended group of relatives, connected by both blood and marriage. Even though I am generally not a thriller reader, I enjoyed the multiple-POV approach and the complex character relationships in Laura Lyndhurst’s latest novel.

If you like well-written psychological thrillers that keep you guessing until the very end, you will love this book!

[Nicole Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written as a third-person narration and making perfect use of free indirect speech, the special narrative technique in "The Guilty Party" allows readers direct access to the characters’ internal thoughts and feelings, their inner discourse, through the fluent rendering of their spoken words (without or rarely using quotation marks or dialogue tags). Moreover, by adopting each character’s subjective perception and viewpoint while maintaining the sharp third-person structure, this type of narrative that the author employs so well creates an intimate perspective that perfectly merges the objective distance of omniscient narration with the immediacy of the intimate inner workings of each character.

Even from the get-together in the opening of the novel, we can feel the effect of this narrative style brilliantly used by the author, as we are introduced to the characters and the relationships between them as they are filtered through one of the character’s eyes, namely Matt, as the very title of the first chapter announces. In due turn, all the chapters bear the characters' names as titles and the entirety of the novel seems structured as if according to the idea of an ongoing questioning under disguise, as though clearly offering character profiles respectively.

All these elements are interestingly interwoven with the natural unfolding of events, as well as interspersed with a set of flashbacks, which is done not in the manner of a stream-of-consciousness technique, but more in the form of anonymous throwbacks as separated chapters, mysterious in their nature, since we are not made directly aware to whom they belong to as the present-day story unfolds. The past does have a way of catching up… or perhaps it is all about the fact that truth always prevails eventually, and although they seem random at first, all the clues scattered along the suspensefully twisted plot lead to the unexpected resolve towards the very end of the novel, in the well-known style of the whodunnit mystery story.

What I enjoyed the most about "The Guilty Party" was the fact that the characters are delightfully crafted, well-rounded and dynamically depicted, giving the feeling that they are all protagonists in their own right, and all main. The narrative technique so masterfully used also contributes to the feeling of flow, as we are introduced to each and everyone of the characters’ personal stories, subtly invited to dive into their personal drama. As for the psychological elements in the novel, the author conveys some of the characters’ inner tribulations with rare finesse, which makes the flow of the narrative all the more enjoyable.

This novel is highly recommended to everyone who enjoys psychological thrillers with a character-focused plot and just the right amount of suspense.

[Patricia Furstenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my, "The Guilty Party" is a quiet storm of a novel. It explores memory, guilt, and the way the past clings to the living long after the dust should have settled. What begins as a simple birthday celebration among old friends soon reveals itself as something far more complex: a reckoning disguised as a reunion.
From the opening pages Lyndhurst (true to her writing) establishes a tone of disquiet that never truly leaves. The ordinary becomes ominous; the familiar, faintly treacherous. Beneath the civility of laughter, of shared memories, lies an undercurrent of something else that time has not managed to bury.
What makes this novel compelling is not the pace (though it read fast), but the precision with which Lyndhurst dissects her characters’ psychology. The narrative drifts seamlessly between past and present, peeling back layers of memory to reveal the private betrayals, small cruelties, and silences that have shaped these lives. Every glance, every half-finished sentence carries weight. The tension is emotional rather than sensational, and it builds with such subtlety that the reader doesn’t notice the noose tightening until it’s too late.
As with all her work, Lyndhurst’s eye for detail is unflinching. She captures the discomfort of middle age, the ache of regret, and the strange loneliness that can exist even among friends. What she exposes is the way guilt evolves: from a sharp stab into a dull companion one learns to live with.
By the end, "The Guilty Party" becomes less about uncovering a single wrongdoing and more about understanding how people justify their own roles in it. There are no heroes here, no villains either, only ordinary individuals trying, often failing, to live with the truth.
This book is a haunting, intelligent, and deeply human novel. Lyndhurst reminds us that guilt, once awakened, never truly goes back to sleep.

[Alex Craigie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are introduced to the characters of A Guilty Party at a birthday celebration of one of the retired members of the armed forces. All of the people there have connections with the army either through their careers or as partners (or ex-partners), or as children of someone who has worked in that environment, and these form inter-connected family webs. The ensemble is intriguing and the relationships are believingly complex and well-written. I felt I understood their lives quite well, but gradually found myself on shifting sands. This was partly down to the people revealing their inner fears and feelings - partly-hidden behind a veneer of social competence and respectability, and partly through the chapters anonymously written by four of them which reveal their upsetting pasts. These back stories were beautifully rendered and I tried to pin them on various characters, changing my opinions repeatedly.
During the course of the novel, we see beyond the social veneer and begin to appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of these characters. The author clearly understands people and their multi-layered lives that involve the past as well as the present.
When upsetting messages start to arrive, the tension is highlighted by the fractures that appear in these seemingly cosy lives. The progression to violent attacks on property raises the unpleasantness to something even more sinister and threatening and I, like the characters, wondered who was behind them.
The Guilty Party is a compulsive, entertaining read and held me in its grip right through to its stunning conclusion.

[Audrey Driscoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cleverly constructed story of family entanglements and crises. It begins with a party where all the main characters are assembled to celebrate a birthday. A cascade of names and relationships must be absorbed in the first few pages. Each chapter is written from the point of view of one of the characters, with four sections of reminiscences by unnamed narrators, who, the reader soon realizes, are characters who have already appeared. It's an interesting puzzle to figure out who is who, almost like several whodunits rolled into one. The overarching message is that events and decisions in a person's youth can have consequences decades later.

As well as presenting developments that bring characters together in various combinations, each chapter reveals someone's unvarnished thoughts, showing the other characters from the outside and themselves from the inside. This is a good way to round out the characters and give them qualities that make them realistic and likeable, or not. Personal details also furnish material for the reader to use in trying to figure out which character's past is described in the reminiscing sections.

As several crises arise (malicious communications, arson, vandalism), the reader's need to know answers increases to the point that pages flip faster and theories multiply. I am happy to say I figured out a few things myself, but others were surprises. I thought there were a few implausible coincidences, but the book is an exciting and satisfying reading experience, nevertheless. Recommended for readers who enjoy psychological fiction.

[S.S. Saywack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told from multiple points of view, the book charts the aftermath of a family party. What begins simply as a gathering later on degenerates into a series of strange, dangerous and disturbing events. We find out the motivation of the characters, each sketched out in detail, their fears, wants, their weaknesses and that which is typically of families, secrets that will come back to haunt, as the book progresses. At the heart of the story is the past and how that affects the present.

Laura Lyndhurst’s story is a well-constructed assemblage of characters, each with their own separate motivation, but connected by a spiderweb of intrigue and desires. She writes well, and it is easy to be drawn into the storyline and be carried away with the fascination of what will happen and what is happening next. The ending, the reveal when it comes, takes the story to a surprising conclusion. A very enjoyable book with sharp writing and detailed descriptions.

[Ian Hornett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this psychological story, based around a group of friends and their families who go back years.
We meet the main characters at a party and it soon becomes clear there is some strain on relationships when an unexpected guest turns up. The author deftly switches between the characters points of view to build up their backstories, and the way they connect or do not connect. What on the face of it seems to be perfect lives for many, is far from that. Complex lives that have been hidden from loved ones, dislikes and grudges, affairs, guilty secrets – it all builds and builds until, eventually, something has to give, particularly if someone is out for revenge.
I enjoyed this author’s Amanda Roberts series which has a similar feel – the psychological mixed up with mystery. She builds up the tension really well, making this a book I was in a hurry to get back to. Loved it.

[Hilly Barmby · Rating 5 out of 5]

You are lulled into a false sense of security as you start reading this book, believing it is a simple tale of a modern, somewhat dysfunctional family and their long-standing friends. From each individual’s point of view, we see the usual messy divorces, illicit love affairs, friendships, and misunderstandings. But as you venture in, you are introduced to new characters, shown as flashbacks, but you are not told who they are. The only thing you know is that they all have things to hide. Throw into the mix threatening messages, vandalism and blackmail, the book suddenly shifts up a gear. Why is the family being targeted and by whom? The story ramps up, and we realise that there is more going on than simple threats. How far will this person go? Would they resort to murder? Read this book and find out.

[Charlotte Baddeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Laura Lyndhurst book I've read but it certainly won't be the last.

All the characters have depth, love them or hate them. I really enjoyed the descriptions of their lives, loves and thoughts and the sinister events that were happening to them. Why?? Then we go into the past and realise that these people are not as perfect as we think but who did what in their past is something that kept me reading.

I read a lot and quite often can guess who the culprit is but in this case I was totally blindsided.

[Beverley Latimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read!

A fantastic tale, beautifully written with plenty of intrigue. The twists and turns kept my interest all the way through to the end.
I couldn't have guessed how the story would reach it's conclusion, Laura Lyndhurst is far too clever for that!
Oh what a tangled web we weave when we set out to deceive! This story is full of lies, deception, and much, much more
Fantastic book, Laura, highly recommended!

[A Thorsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cleverly woven family drama!

Retirement should be a time for relaxing and enjoying the fruits of one's youth and working life. But as old friends and acquaintances gather together, the birthday party becomes a catalyst for buried secrets coming to light, and old scores to be settled. But by whom? And why?

A great page-turner to the surprising end!

[Tom Leverett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written as is everything by this author, this book has an interesting variety of characters, such that I don't think anyone can say, "I saw it coming." I certainly didn't, and enjoyed the book to the end. Highly recommended.

[Ada Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re into psychological thrillers, I’d highly recommend exploring Laura Lyndhurst’s work!