What do you think?
Rate this book
Murder Party: An Escape Room Thriller
Would you survive a game that is designed to kill you?
Murder Party is an immersive escape experience where teams solve puzzles, unlock hidden passages, and evade a masked killer stalking the halls.
It’s supposed to feel real.
Until it is.
When the power fails during a private beta test, the doors seal shut. The building goes silent. And the rules change.
Now the killer is real.
And getting caught means death.
Trapped inside a warehouse built for fear, nine friends must finish the game to unlock the building—while someone stalks them from the shadows, turning every puzzle into a deadly trap.
The only way out…is to survive
Murder Party is an immersive escape experience where teams solve puzzles, unlock hidden passages, and evade a masked killer stalking the halls.
It’s supposed to feel real.
Until it is.
When the power fails during a private beta test, the doors seal shut. The building goes silent. And the rules change.
Now the killer is real.
And getting caught means death.
Trapped inside a warehouse built for fear, nine friends must finish the game to unlock the building—while someone stalks them from the shadows, turning every puzzle into a deadly trap.
The only way out…is to survive
- GenresHorror
294 pages, Paperback
Published May 12, 2026
About the author
Brian Rooney
1 book21 followersBrian Rooney is an engineer by trade and a lifelong enthusiast of books and games. Drawn to stories full of tension, twists, and psychological intrigue, he wrote his debut thriller as a tribute to the kinds of stories he loves to read. When he isn’t writing or working, he’s usually discovering new books, games, or spending time with his beautiful wife and daughter.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 30, 2026
My review may be a little biased because I am an absolute sucker for an escape room and a horror movie. Combine them into my favorite thing in the world (a book) and you had me at hello. Seriously, I really enjoyed this story and it brought just the amount of thrills and chills it needed. With multiple POVs, it was really good seeing the story told from different mental spaces, locations inside the escape room, and each individual’s overall thoughts. I’m glad the author chose this route, I’m not sure if it would’ve packed the same punch from a single person’s POV. As I read the authors notes, I’m glad he finally decided to take a stab (pun intended) at this story and release it into the world. It was truly enjoyable and one that I could reread and would definitely recommend for fans of this genre. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 22, 2026
This is a solid debut!
I absolutely love the concept of an escape room thriller/horror book. I have not come across a single author who has done it justice until now.
The story itself is so good! It has you on the edge of your seat and at times even uncomfortable. The entire time you are trying to guess who the killer is and I was pleasantly surprised at how wrong I was with every guess. 😂
I absolutely love this book and I hope this author continues to write more. :)
I absolutely love the concept of an escape room thriller/horror book. I have not come across a single author who has done it justice until now.
The story itself is so good! It has you on the edge of your seat and at times even uncomfortable. The entire time you are trying to guess who the killer is and I was pleasantly surprised at how wrong I was with every guess. 😂
I absolutely love this book and I hope this author continues to write more. :)
May 21, 2026
This book was a wild ride! I loved the unique plot, the thrill of what is going to happen next and the ending was not the twist I was expecting! I loved the fast paced, unreliable, multiple POV writing style of the author. It was a quick, intriguing and thrilling read.
May 24, 2026
This was a fun book to read! I loved the concept and plot of the whole book. Trying to figure out who was the killer was fun and it was never who I thought it was. This was an excellent debut novel and I’m looking forward to more by this author!
June 7, 2026
Overall I really liked this book. Give me a slasher style/horror movie esque book any day. Throw in the concept of it being in an escape room. Ate it up
The chapters were short, it was incredibly fast paced.
I could picture this being a campy horror movie, that I would watch in the theatres
The chapters were short, it was incredibly fast paced.
I could picture this being a campy horror movie, that I would watch in the theatres
November 11, 2026
Fast paced. Thrilling ride. So fun!
This book keeps you guessing right up until the end. Slasher, escape room, multiple POV and twist after twist.
No spoilers, but I loved the ending. Kudos!
I'm so glad I got to read this fun little book. Keep writing my friend!
This book keeps you guessing right up until the end. Slasher, escape room, multiple POV and twist after twist.
No spoilers, but I loved the ending. Kudos!
I'm so glad I got to read this fun little book. Keep writing my friend!
June 9, 2026
Great book to break me out of my slump. Fast short chapters and a great ending!
June 16, 2026
I Had Fun. My Nervous System Did Not. 🔪🖤
ARC Review: Thank you to the author/publisher for the advance copy. All opinions are my own, including the unhinged ones.
I would like to file a formal complaint against this book for turning my trust issues into a competitive sport. 🔪🖤
Murder Party took one of my favorite horror concepts—people voluntarily walking into a situation that is obviously a terrible idea—and somehow made it even more stressful. This isn’t pure terror. It’s sustained tension, survival pressure, and psychological unease. The fear comes from vulnerability, uncertainty, and the constant feeling that nowhere is safe.
I had a great time. My nervous system did not. Instead, this book grabbed me by the hand, shoved me into a dark maze of suspicion, bad decisions, and escalating dread, then had the audacity to ask if I was enjoying myself. The answer is yes. The answer is also absolutely not.
This is the kind of horror-thriller that grabs you immediately and refuses to loosen its grip. The short chapters, multiple POVs, and constant feeling that something is deeply wrong had me hooked from the start. I kept telling myself I’d stop after one more chapter…That was a lie. 🙃
From the very first chapters, something feels off. Not in an obvious way. Not in a flashing-neon-warning-sign way. More like the sensation of walking into a room and immediately knowing someone was standing there. The vibe is wrong. The energy is cursed. My trust issues clocked in for work almost immediately.
And once the story gets moving? Good luck!
What worked best for me was the atmosphere. The setting feels alive in the worst possible way. Every hallway feels hostile. Every locked door feels personal. Every shadow feels like it’s hiding something that would absolutely ruin my day. It becomes its own kind of monster—a sprawling nightmare built specifically to make people feel vulnerable. What should feel controlled and familiar slowly transforms into something hostile and unpredictable. The environment isn’t just a backdrop. It’s actively participating in your anxiety.
The result is a constant feeling of claustrophobia that never really lets go. The dread builds gradually and never lets up. Not once. The scariest thing about Murder Party isn’t the killer. It’s the moment you realize the safest place in the story stopped existing a long time ago.
This isn’t the type of horror that relies on supernatural scares or endless jump-scare energy. The fear comes from uncertainty. From being trapped. From realizing nobody fully understands what’s happening anymore. The story weaponizes paranoia beautifully, and I spent most of the book questioning every character, every decision, and occasionally my own ability to read people. My trust level by the halfway point? Absolutely no one. Not even the author. 🔪
The multiple POV structure worked incredibly well here. Instead of giving readers comfort, it gives us more reasons to be suspicious. Everyone feels like they know something. Everyone feels capable of making a terrible decision. The friendships, tensions, and shifting loyalties kept me emotionally invested even as I watched the situation spiral into chaos.
And the suspense? Relentless.
The chapter endings should honestly come with a warning label. Every answer creates new questions. Every reveal raises the stakes. Every time I thought I understood where things were going, this book looked me directly in the eye and said, “That’s adorable.”
I was wrong…Repeatedly. And while this is absolutely a fast-paced horror thriller, deeper anxieties lurk beneath the blood and survival stakes. The story repeatedly raises questions about trust, control, fear, and what people become when survival outweighs morality.
The horror execution delivers exactly what it promises: survival horror, slasher energy, psychological tension, paranoia, and a growing sense that safety is becoming a distant memory. What I appreciated most is that the disturbing moments felt purposeful. The story isn’t trying to shock readers for the sake of shock. The discomfort serves the tension, and the tension serves the story.
The emotional impact surprised me.
I expected suspense.
I expected twists.
I did not expect to become this invested in whether these people survived their increasingly terrible circumstances.
At its core, the story explores fear, trust, control, and how quickly those things can collapse under pressure. Watching relationships strain under the weight of survival produced some of the book's most effective moments. The horror isn’t just about danger.
It’s about what fear turns people into. That hit harder than I expected. I wasn’t scared. I was uncomfortable. And honestly? That’s worse. The horror here thrives on uncertainty. The fear isn’t about what jumps out at you. It’s about what might. It’s about never fully understanding the rules. It’s about realizing safety disappeared several chapters ago while nobody was paying attention.
As for weaknesses, there aren’t many major ones, but a few things kept this from feeling completely flawless. Some character decisions occasionally tested my patience, even when I understood they were acting under extreme pressure. Fear makes people irrational, and the book generally handles that well. Still, there were a handful of moments where I desperately wanted someone to stop, think, and make literally any better choice.
The ending also moved faster than I expected. The twists landed, the payoff worked, and I walked away satisfied. Still, after spending so much time building tension, paranoia, and emotional investment, I wanted a little more room to sit with the aftermath. The final stretch felt like it was sprinting while I was still trying to catch my breath.
Neither issue significantly impacted my enjoyment, but they stood out because everything else was working so well.
The writing itself is sharp, cinematic, and ridiculously easy to inhale. The short chapters are basically manipulation tactics disguised as structure. Every chapter ending practically dares you to stop reading. I failed that challenge repeatedly. The reveals land because they feel earned. The story plays fair while still managing to stay one step ahead. Every time I thought I understood what was happening, the narrative quietly slid the rug out from under me.
The pacing is relentless. The story escalates steadily, layering tension on top of tension until the entire narrative feels like it’s vibrating with nervous energy. There are a few moments where I wanted slightly more room to breathe, particularly near the end, but the momentum is undeniably effective.
The multiple POV structure works beautifully because it constantly destabilizes the reader. Instead of giving us certainty, it gives us more reasons to be suspicious. Different fears. Different motives. Different perspectives. They add depth without becoming confusing, and the narrative constantly pushes readers forward. The book, meanwhile, drove straight through my blood pressure. The result is a story where everyone feels like both a potential victim and a potential problem.
Exactly how I like my chaos. 👻
This leans heavily into survival horror, psychological tension, slasher energy, and paranoia. The danger feels immediate, but the psychological pressure is what really got under my skin. Every chapter tightened the screws a little more. Every answer raised new questions. Every reveal made me trust the situation less.
Which was incredibly rude.
At one point I realized I wasn’t trying to solve the mystery anymore. Because this book understands something many horror novels forget: dread is often more effective than fear.
If you love escape-room horror, survival thrillers, masked killers, locked-room mysteries, ensemble casts, and stories that make trust feel like a dangerous hobby, this is absolutely worth picking up. If you enjoy being trapped inside a pressure cooker of escalating tension while questioning every character decision, this is for you.
If you’re looking for cozy horror, emotional safety, or a relaxing reading experience, I have wonderful news: This book is not interested in providing any of those things… respectfully, run.
Overall, Murder Party is gripping, suspenseful, unsettling, and ridiculously entertaining. It understands exactly what readers want from a survival horror thriller and delivers it with confidence. The atmosphere is immersive, the tension is constant, the twists are effective, and the paranoia lingers long after the final page.
Claustrophobic, emotionally manipulative, and relentlessly suspenseful, Murder Party delivers a pulse-pounding nightmare that leaves you rattled, entertained, and suspicious of everyone around you.
Some books end when you turn the last page. This one follows you into the dark and waits for the lights to go out. I finished this book feeling haunted, entertained, emotionally manipulated, and fully prepared to distrust everyone around me.
As horror experiences go? That’s a win. 🖤
⭐️Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🫠Emotional Damage Level: 🫠🫠🫠 I’m Intrigued
🔥Chaos Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Unhinged Masterpiece
🔪Tension: 🔴|🟣 Heart Racing, Unwell
🌀Twist Impact: 🌀🌀🌀.5 - That’s Rude, Personal Attack
😱 Fear Factor: 🟡|🟠 Creeping Dread, Disturbing
‼️ Content Intensity: 🔴 Proceed With Caution
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
ARC Review: Thank you to the author/publisher for the advance copy. All opinions are my own, including the unhinged ones.
I would like to file a formal complaint against this book for turning my trust issues into a competitive sport. 🔪🖤
Murder Party took one of my favorite horror concepts—people voluntarily walking into a situation that is obviously a terrible idea—and somehow made it even more stressful. This isn’t pure terror. It’s sustained tension, survival pressure, and psychological unease. The fear comes from vulnerability, uncertainty, and the constant feeling that nowhere is safe.
I had a great time. My nervous system did not. Instead, this book grabbed me by the hand, shoved me into a dark maze of suspicion, bad decisions, and escalating dread, then had the audacity to ask if I was enjoying myself. The answer is yes. The answer is also absolutely not.
This is the kind of horror-thriller that grabs you immediately and refuses to loosen its grip. The short chapters, multiple POVs, and constant feeling that something is deeply wrong had me hooked from the start. I kept telling myself I’d stop after one more chapter…That was a lie. 🙃
From the very first chapters, something feels off. Not in an obvious way. Not in a flashing-neon-warning-sign way. More like the sensation of walking into a room and immediately knowing someone was standing there. The vibe is wrong. The energy is cursed. My trust issues clocked in for work almost immediately.
And once the story gets moving? Good luck!
What worked best for me was the atmosphere. The setting feels alive in the worst possible way. Every hallway feels hostile. Every locked door feels personal. Every shadow feels like it’s hiding something that would absolutely ruin my day. It becomes its own kind of monster—a sprawling nightmare built specifically to make people feel vulnerable. What should feel controlled and familiar slowly transforms into something hostile and unpredictable. The environment isn’t just a backdrop. It’s actively participating in your anxiety.
The result is a constant feeling of claustrophobia that never really lets go. The dread builds gradually and never lets up. Not once. The scariest thing about Murder Party isn’t the killer. It’s the moment you realize the safest place in the story stopped existing a long time ago.
This isn’t the type of horror that relies on supernatural scares or endless jump-scare energy. The fear comes from uncertainty. From being trapped. From realizing nobody fully understands what’s happening anymore. The story weaponizes paranoia beautifully, and I spent most of the book questioning every character, every decision, and occasionally my own ability to read people. My trust level by the halfway point? Absolutely no one. Not even the author. 🔪
The multiple POV structure worked incredibly well here. Instead of giving readers comfort, it gives us more reasons to be suspicious. Everyone feels like they know something. Everyone feels capable of making a terrible decision. The friendships, tensions, and shifting loyalties kept me emotionally invested even as I watched the situation spiral into chaos.
And the suspense? Relentless.
The chapter endings should honestly come with a warning label. Every answer creates new questions. Every reveal raises the stakes. Every time I thought I understood where things were going, this book looked me directly in the eye and said, “That’s adorable.”
I was wrong…Repeatedly. And while this is absolutely a fast-paced horror thriller, deeper anxieties lurk beneath the blood and survival stakes. The story repeatedly raises questions about trust, control, fear, and what people become when survival outweighs morality.
The horror execution delivers exactly what it promises: survival horror, slasher energy, psychological tension, paranoia, and a growing sense that safety is becoming a distant memory. What I appreciated most is that the disturbing moments felt purposeful. The story isn’t trying to shock readers for the sake of shock. The discomfort serves the tension, and the tension serves the story.
The emotional impact surprised me.
I expected suspense.
I expected twists.
I did not expect to become this invested in whether these people survived their increasingly terrible circumstances.
At its core, the story explores fear, trust, control, and how quickly those things can collapse under pressure. Watching relationships strain under the weight of survival produced some of the book's most effective moments. The horror isn’t just about danger.
It’s about what fear turns people into. That hit harder than I expected. I wasn’t scared. I was uncomfortable. And honestly? That’s worse. The horror here thrives on uncertainty. The fear isn’t about what jumps out at you. It’s about what might. It’s about never fully understanding the rules. It’s about realizing safety disappeared several chapters ago while nobody was paying attention.
As for weaknesses, there aren’t many major ones, but a few things kept this from feeling completely flawless. Some character decisions occasionally tested my patience, even when I understood they were acting under extreme pressure. Fear makes people irrational, and the book generally handles that well. Still, there were a handful of moments where I desperately wanted someone to stop, think, and make literally any better choice.
The ending also moved faster than I expected. The twists landed, the payoff worked, and I walked away satisfied. Still, after spending so much time building tension, paranoia, and emotional investment, I wanted a little more room to sit with the aftermath. The final stretch felt like it was sprinting while I was still trying to catch my breath.
Neither issue significantly impacted my enjoyment, but they stood out because everything else was working so well.
The writing itself is sharp, cinematic, and ridiculously easy to inhale. The short chapters are basically manipulation tactics disguised as structure. Every chapter ending practically dares you to stop reading. I failed that challenge repeatedly. The reveals land because they feel earned. The story plays fair while still managing to stay one step ahead. Every time I thought I understood what was happening, the narrative quietly slid the rug out from under me.
The pacing is relentless. The story escalates steadily, layering tension on top of tension until the entire narrative feels like it’s vibrating with nervous energy. There are a few moments where I wanted slightly more room to breathe, particularly near the end, but the momentum is undeniably effective.
The multiple POV structure works beautifully because it constantly destabilizes the reader. Instead of giving us certainty, it gives us more reasons to be suspicious. Different fears. Different motives. Different perspectives. They add depth without becoming confusing, and the narrative constantly pushes readers forward. The book, meanwhile, drove straight through my blood pressure. The result is a story where everyone feels like both a potential victim and a potential problem.
Exactly how I like my chaos. 👻
This leans heavily into survival horror, psychological tension, slasher energy, and paranoia. The danger feels immediate, but the psychological pressure is what really got under my skin. Every chapter tightened the screws a little more. Every answer raised new questions. Every reveal made me trust the situation less.
Which was incredibly rude.
At one point I realized I wasn’t trying to solve the mystery anymore. Because this book understands something many horror novels forget: dread is often more effective than fear.
If you love escape-room horror, survival thrillers, masked killers, locked-room mysteries, ensemble casts, and stories that make trust feel like a dangerous hobby, this is absolutely worth picking up. If you enjoy being trapped inside a pressure cooker of escalating tension while questioning every character decision, this is for you.
If you’re looking for cozy horror, emotional safety, or a relaxing reading experience, I have wonderful news: This book is not interested in providing any of those things… respectfully, run.
Overall, Murder Party is gripping, suspenseful, unsettling, and ridiculously entertaining. It understands exactly what readers want from a survival horror thriller and delivers it with confidence. The atmosphere is immersive, the tension is constant, the twists are effective, and the paranoia lingers long after the final page.
Claustrophobic, emotionally manipulative, and relentlessly suspenseful, Murder Party delivers a pulse-pounding nightmare that leaves you rattled, entertained, and suspicious of everyone around you.
Some books end when you turn the last page. This one follows you into the dark and waits for the lights to go out. I finished this book feeling haunted, entertained, emotionally manipulated, and fully prepared to distrust everyone around me.
As horror experiences go? That’s a win. 🖤
⭐️Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🫠Emotional Damage Level: 🫠🫠🫠 I’m Intrigued
🔥Chaos Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Unhinged Masterpiece
🔪Tension: 🔴|🟣 Heart Racing, Unwell
🌀Twist Impact: 🌀🌀🌀.5 - That’s Rude, Personal Attack
😱 Fear Factor: 🟡|🟠 Creeping Dread, Disturbing
‼️ Content Intensity: 🔴 Proceed With Caution
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 23, 2026
🩸 Murder Party by Brian Rooney
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10/10
Okay… this book was a fucking ride. 😂
I went into Murder Party expecting a thriller/mystery, but what I got was a group of characters whose behavior felt so natural that I could genuinely picture these dynamics happening between real-life friends. The conversations, reactions, tension, bad decisions, secrets, and the way everyone handled the chaos felt messy in the most believable way.
And honestly? I didn’t really have a favorite character. Not because the characters weren’t good—they were actually all really interesting to read about—but because I was more invested in watching the group as a whole and seeing how each person contributed to the absolute disaster unfolding around them.
Now, there ARE two people I absolutely need to talk about. 😂
😒 Lucille
I HATED THIS BITCH.
Lucille was absolutely crazy, and every time she did something, I was sitting there wondering what the hell was going through her head. (If you read the book to the very end, you’ll know what I’m talking about) 😭 But as much as I hated her, I have to give credit where it’s due: she was a bad bitch.
She was the kind of character who made me want to yell at the book because I genuinely couldn’t understand some of her decisions (especially the end) I mean I kinda understand but still.
🙄 Adam
And Adam?
Arrogant. Asshole. Enough said.
😂
I swear, some of his behavior had me wanting to reach through the pages and tell him to humble himself. But again, that’s what made these characters work so well for me. They weren’t written to be perfectly likable people. They behaved like actual flawed people with egos, emotions, secrets, and questionable judgment.
👀 THE CHARACTER DYNAMICS
This was probably one of my favorite things about the book.
The characters and their behavior felt so damn believable.
It didn’t feel like everyone was conveniently acting exactly how the plot needed them to act. Their reactions felt natural, especially when things started going sideways. You could see friendships being tested, people making questionable choices, and everyone’s personalities coming through when the pressure started building.
It genuinely gave me the feeling of:
“Yeah… I could absolutely see a group of friends ending up in some bullshit like this.” 😂
🩸 THE CHAOS
The chaos in this book was SO natural.
Things just kept happening, and somehow the progression felt smooth and almost effortless. One thing would lead to another, and before I knew it, everything had gotten completely out of hand.
And that’s what made it so fun.
I wasn’t sitting there thinking, “Okay, this is happening just because the author needs something dramatic to happen.”
Instead, it felt like the kind of chain reaction where one bad decision leads to another bad decision until suddenly you’re sitting there thinking:
“HOW THE FUCK DID WE GET HERE?!” 😭
🧩 THE PLOT
The plot had me confused multiple times—but in the BEST way.
There were moments where I genuinely wasn’t sure what was happening, who I should believe, or where everything was going. But instead of making me want to stop reading, it made me want to keep going because I needed answers.
I love when a mystery can make me question what I think I know without making the story feel completely impossible to follow.
This book definitely had me questioning things more than once. 👀
🍿 THE SHOCKING MOMENTS
The shocking moments?
THE TEA.
☕️☕️☕️
There were moments where I just had to sit there and process what I had read because some of these people were absolutely NOT okay. 😂
The characters had their moments, the secrets kept coming, and watching everything unravel was genuinely entertaining.
🖤 MY FAVORITE PART
The epilogue.
And I’m not even going to say too much because I don’t want to spoil it—but—
BABY.
That character really thought it was going to be that easy. 😭
The confidence. The assumption. The absolute “I’ve gotten away with it” energy…
And then the epilogue said:
“Oh, you thought?” 💀
Honestly, that ending was the perfect little cherry on top for me.
🩸 FINAL THOUGHTS
Murder Party was such a fun, chaotic, suspenseful read.
I didn’t need a single character to become my favorite because the group dynamic itself was the star of the show. Their personalities, flaws, friendships, arguments, secrets, and reactions made the story feel surprisingly real.
The chaos flowed naturally, the plot kept me guessing, the characters made questionable choices that felt believable, and the shocking moments gave me exactly the kind of tea I came for. 😂☕️
And that epilogue?
PERFECT.
⭐️ 10/10
Would I recommend it? Absolutely.
Come for the murder.
Stay for the chaos.
And prepare yourself for the tea. 🩸☕️🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10/10
Okay… this book was a fucking ride. 😂
I went into Murder Party expecting a thriller/mystery, but what I got was a group of characters whose behavior felt so natural that I could genuinely picture these dynamics happening between real-life friends. The conversations, reactions, tension, bad decisions, secrets, and the way everyone handled the chaos felt messy in the most believable way.
And honestly? I didn’t really have a favorite character. Not because the characters weren’t good—they were actually all really interesting to read about—but because I was more invested in watching the group as a whole and seeing how each person contributed to the absolute disaster unfolding around them.
Now, there ARE two people I absolutely need to talk about. 😂
😒 Lucille
I HATED THIS BITCH.
Lucille was absolutely crazy, and every time she did something, I was sitting there wondering what the hell was going through her head. (If you read the book to the very end, you’ll know what I’m talking about) 😭 But as much as I hated her, I have to give credit where it’s due: she was a bad bitch.
She was the kind of character who made me want to yell at the book because I genuinely couldn’t understand some of her decisions (especially the end) I mean I kinda understand but still.
🙄 Adam
And Adam?
Arrogant. Asshole. Enough said.
😂
I swear, some of his behavior had me wanting to reach through the pages and tell him to humble himself. But again, that’s what made these characters work so well for me. They weren’t written to be perfectly likable people. They behaved like actual flawed people with egos, emotions, secrets, and questionable judgment.
👀 THE CHARACTER DYNAMICS
This was probably one of my favorite things about the book.
The characters and their behavior felt so damn believable.
It didn’t feel like everyone was conveniently acting exactly how the plot needed them to act. Their reactions felt natural, especially when things started going sideways. You could see friendships being tested, people making questionable choices, and everyone’s personalities coming through when the pressure started building.
It genuinely gave me the feeling of:
“Yeah… I could absolutely see a group of friends ending up in some bullshit like this.” 😂
🩸 THE CHAOS
The chaos in this book was SO natural.
Things just kept happening, and somehow the progression felt smooth and almost effortless. One thing would lead to another, and before I knew it, everything had gotten completely out of hand.
And that’s what made it so fun.
I wasn’t sitting there thinking, “Okay, this is happening just because the author needs something dramatic to happen.”
Instead, it felt like the kind of chain reaction where one bad decision leads to another bad decision until suddenly you’re sitting there thinking:
“HOW THE FUCK DID WE GET HERE?!” 😭
🧩 THE PLOT
The plot had me confused multiple times—but in the BEST way.
There were moments where I genuinely wasn’t sure what was happening, who I should believe, or where everything was going. But instead of making me want to stop reading, it made me want to keep going because I needed answers.
I love when a mystery can make me question what I think I know without making the story feel completely impossible to follow.
This book definitely had me questioning things more than once. 👀
🍿 THE SHOCKING MOMENTS
The shocking moments?
THE TEA.
☕️☕️☕️
There were moments where I just had to sit there and process what I had read because some of these people were absolutely NOT okay. 😂
The characters had their moments, the secrets kept coming, and watching everything unravel was genuinely entertaining.
🖤 MY FAVORITE PART
The epilogue.
And I’m not even going to say too much because I don’t want to spoil it—but—
BABY.
That character really thought it was going to be that easy. 😭
The confidence. The assumption. The absolute “I’ve gotten away with it” energy…
And then the epilogue said:
“Oh, you thought?” 💀
Honestly, that ending was the perfect little cherry on top for me.
🩸 FINAL THOUGHTS
Murder Party was such a fun, chaotic, suspenseful read.
I didn’t need a single character to become my favorite because the group dynamic itself was the star of the show. Their personalities, flaws, friendships, arguments, secrets, and reactions made the story feel surprisingly real.
The chaos flowed naturally, the plot kept me guessing, the characters made questionable choices that felt believable, and the shocking moments gave me exactly the kind of tea I came for. 😂☕️
And that epilogue?
PERFECT.
⭐️ 10/10
Would I recommend it? Absolutely.
Come for the murder.
Stay for the chaos.
And prepare yourself for the tea. 🩸☕️🖤
May 5, 2026
** ARC Review Incoming **
Thank you to Brian Rooney and Booksprout for allowing me to be part of the Arc Team and for giving me a free copy of this book.
3.5 stars!
A suspenseful thriller/horror that was fast paced and addictive!
8 friends get to be beta testers for a new Murder Escape Room and slowly but surely the murderer starts to pick them off….but who out of the 8 is the twisted killer??
I enjoyed this read, I read it in one sitting and couldn’t stop turning the pages. I found it to be more of a thriller than a horror, maybe on screen with slasher visuals and tangible atmosphere that you can feel, I would more likely class it as a horror.
Rooney keeps you guessing, throwing curveballs and covers up who the killer is very well.
I missed the eerie, horror vibe (but maybe that says more about me 🤪) although the author does try with some really good descriptive writing. I found the addition of the Police Officer off putting, it disconnected me from the suspense in the Manor, and the ending seemed quite short for the build up.
Overall this was a really good read. I would say for hardcore horror lovers this won’t do it for you but if you like a pacy who dunnit, dive right in!
Thank you to Brian Rooney and Booksprout for allowing me to be part of the Arc Team and for giving me a free copy of this book.
3.5 stars!
A suspenseful thriller/horror that was fast paced and addictive!
8 friends get to be beta testers for a new Murder Escape Room and slowly but surely the murderer starts to pick them off….but who out of the 8 is the twisted killer??
I enjoyed this read, I read it in one sitting and couldn’t stop turning the pages. I found it to be more of a thriller than a horror, maybe on screen with slasher visuals and tangible atmosphere that you can feel, I would more likely class it as a horror.
Rooney keeps you guessing, throwing curveballs and covers up who the killer is very well.
I missed the eerie, horror vibe (but maybe that says more about me 🤪) although the author does try with some really good descriptive writing. I found the addition of the Police Officer off putting, it disconnected me from the suspense in the Manor, and the ending seemed quite short for the build up.
Overall this was a really good read. I would say for hardcore horror lovers this won’t do it for you but if you like a pacy who dunnit, dive right in!
October 10, 2026
A thriller! A great who done it with so many twists and turns I couldn't put it down. I had to read the book straight
through. I enjoyed the different personalities of the players in the game as it truly enhanced the story. And just when
I thought I had it figured out. Bam! Another twist. A good read.
through. I enjoyed the different personalities of the players in the game as it truly enhanced the story. And just when
I thought I had it figured out. Bam! Another twist. A good read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5⭐
When a group of friends head out for a night of fun at a new escape room, they have no idea what's really waiting for them behind the doors.
While this is outside of my go to genre's, I thought it was a unique and fun storyline unlike anything I've ready before. The flow of the story kept me engaged and interested in find out what was next. I would have liked to have seen the characters a little more fleshed out so that I understood their connections to each other and there were a few plot holes that need to be further developed. I definitely didn't suspect who the killer was, and found that to be a fun twist. I probably won't be going to an escape room any time soon (or ever) thanks to this book!
When a group of friends head out for a night of fun at a new escape room, they have no idea what's really waiting for them behind the doors.
While this is outside of my go to genre's, I thought it was a unique and fun storyline unlike anything I've ready before. The flow of the story kept me engaged and interested in find out what was next. I would have liked to have seen the characters a little more fleshed out so that I understood their connections to each other and there were a few plot holes that need to be further developed. I definitely didn't suspect who the killer was, and found that to be a fun twist. I probably won't be going to an escape room any time soon (or ever) thanks to this book!
May 30, 2026
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Nine friends are invited to beta test a new Murder Escape Room. During the game, they are hunted by a masked killer while trying to solve puzzles and find a way out. What was supposed to be a fun night quickly turns into a deadly fight for survival.
A gripping thriller with a concept that hooks you from the very first page and doesn’t let go. The pacing is well done. The story is full of unexpected twists that keep you second-guessing yourself the whole way through. It’s a really entertaining debut. It’s the kind of book that makes you wonder how you didn’t see the ending coming. I'm genuinely curious to see what the author writes next.
Nine friends are invited to beta test a new Murder Escape Room. During the game, they are hunted by a masked killer while trying to solve puzzles and find a way out. What was supposed to be a fun night quickly turns into a deadly fight for survival.
A gripping thriller with a concept that hooks you from the very first page and doesn’t let go. The pacing is well done. The story is full of unexpected twists that keep you second-guessing yourself the whole way through. It’s a really entertaining debut. It’s the kind of book that makes you wonder how you didn’t see the ending coming. I'm genuinely curious to see what the author writes next.
May 13, 2026
I do not like this author. What he did to those sweet innocent people escaping the Escape Room. Will anyone make it out alive? And the twists at the end!?! Wow! So mysterious. So sad. So tragic. So entertaining.
I wasn't even bothered by the inconsistent formatting. I was just so into the puzzling story; and since this is Mr. Rooney's debut book. Please write more!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Hidden Gems.
I wasn't even bothered by the inconsistent formatting. I was just so into the puzzling story; and since this is Mr. Rooney's debut book. Please write more!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Hidden Gems.
May 12, 2026
It was just meant to be a game, solve the puzzles and escape each room. Someone will turn it around and now 9 friends are fighting to survive this new game. Someone is after them and they want to kill them so no one escapes their deadly hands. Follow them as they try to survive against the odds
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a spooky read
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a spooky read
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gem books and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
LIKE THE BOOK
start slow
good for Halloween
This is where I say the author gives enough information.
So, I do not give anything away.
LIKE THE BOOK
start slow
good for Halloween
This is where I say the author gives enough information.
So, I do not give anything away.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I found this book to be fast-paced, entertaining, with a great ending.
Review of advance copy received from Author
So lovely!
May 25, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
I thoroughly enjoyed this!
This book flowed and ended how I wanted it to end! (As explained by the author in the end.) I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.
I thoroughly enjoyed this!
This book flowed and ended how I wanted it to end! (As explained by the author in the end.) I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.
November 3, 2026
TRASH ….. I want my money back…..
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews