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The Party in the Woods
10 hours, 25 minutes
From the much-praised author Fiona McPhillips (“Excruciating suspense” — Stephen King; “Shocking” — NYTBR ), a novel of murder and betrayal, pulse-pounding music, and all the lives we leave behind
Annie Fagan, one of Ireland's first female electronic DJs and producers, spent her early twenties hosting and playing illegal raves across Ireland. Part of a legendary free party crew, she was surrounded by loud music, beautiful people, and the alluring chaos of the dance floor. But after one of their huge parties in the woods, Annie's friend Seán disappeared without a trace, and Annie gave up that part of herself for good.
Years later, when Seán's body is discovered in the Dublin mountains and new information about his disappearance comes to light, Annie reunites with her old group of friends—led by Fran Baker, the man she once believed she was destined to end up with—and feels inexplicably drawn back into the scene. Annie—and the police—starts to realize that, far from a tragic accident or random misadventure, Seán's death must have been caused by someone who was at their party. Someone who had a motive.
One of her friends.
As Annie investigates, her new and old worlds clash, another old friend is silenced, and she realizes that some people may not want the mystery of Seán's death to be solved. In fact, they might do anything to stop her from discovering what happened that night, when the party truly ended.
From the much-praised author Fiona McPhillips (“Excruciating suspense” — Stephen King; “Shocking” — NYTBR ), a novel of murder and betrayal, pulse-pounding music, and all the lives we leave behind
Annie Fagan, one of Ireland's first female electronic DJs and producers, spent her early twenties hosting and playing illegal raves across Ireland. Part of a legendary free party crew, she was surrounded by loud music, beautiful people, and the alluring chaos of the dance floor. But after one of their huge parties in the woods, Annie's friend Seán disappeared without a trace, and Annie gave up that part of herself for good.
Years later, when Seán's body is discovered in the Dublin mountains and new information about his disappearance comes to light, Annie reunites with her old group of friends—led by Fran Baker, the man she once believed she was destined to end up with—and feels inexplicably drawn back into the scene. Annie—and the police—starts to realize that, far from a tragic accident or random misadventure, Seán's death must have been caused by someone who was at their party. Someone who had a motive.
One of her friends.
As Annie investigates, her new and old worlds clash, another old friend is silenced, and she realizes that some people may not want the mystery of Seán's death to be solved. In fact, they might do anything to stop her from discovering what happened that night, when the party truly ended.
Audiobook
Published November 10, 2026
About the author
Fiona McPhillips
6 books225 followersFiona McPhillips is an Irish journalist, author and screenwriter, and an editor at The Forge literary magazine. Fiona's debut novel, When We Were Silent, was shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards, runner-up for the Crime Writers' Association Debut Dagger and named as one of the Irish Times' crime books of the year. The Party in the Woods is her second novel.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Party in the Woods by Fiona McPhillips
Narrated by Conor Dunne, Emer Heatley
The book feels like several different animals to me. The lives of the characters revolve around, or at least used to revolve around, raves and other chaotic types of music/dance/and reasons to get totally drugged out of ones mind. I'd feel more at home on Mars than in the atmosphere that these characters love/loved/crave and remember fondly. The thing is that their drug fueled memories aren't always correct, are often huge black spaces of nothing, and are easily manipulated by anyone who wants to tell a formerly drugged out person any made up story they want to tell. I could not trust any of the characters for a variety of reasons.
What appealed to me is the mystery in this story, which is really made up of many mysteries. Twenty two years ago a party was held at the home of the out of town parents of siblings Sean and Rachel Salinger. Annie Fagan considered Rachel her very good friend, along with the rest of their group. But there was more than one big divide among these lovers of music, raves, and drugs. Sean and Rachel represented the wealthy kids who had all the protections in the world, of powerful parents, endless money, and the reputations that comes with being on top of the world over the common masses. Annie, and her friends who are like her, have no magic parachutes that will land them out of trouble, have no one who will save them from their mistakes, have no one who will protect them from consequences of their actions or the actions of the rich kids.
By the night of the big party, twenty two years ago, things had already been in motion that would ruin more than a few lives. Now, in the present day, Sean's body has been found. Sean had disappeared the night of that party and now everything is going to come raining down on some heads. As these friends/exfriends, the ones who are still around, come together, I'm amazed at how easily Annie is drawn back into that old life, drugs included. I can't relate, can't understand the attraction. But the mysteries of what happened back then and the mysteries of the present day, are very interesting to me. The past is going to tear into Annie's marriage, a marriage which was already troubled, and Annie could be in great danger if she doesn't tread carefully. The audiobook has two narrators, which works well because we get Annie's POV and also the POV of Moe, one of Annie's friends from back in the day. I actually liked a few of the characters despite how much I can't understand them or their motives, but I do wish they weren't so self destructive.
Publication November 10, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this ARC
Narrated by Conor Dunne, Emer Heatley
The book feels like several different animals to me. The lives of the characters revolve around, or at least used to revolve around, raves and other chaotic types of music/dance/and reasons to get totally drugged out of ones mind. I'd feel more at home on Mars than in the atmosphere that these characters love/loved/crave and remember fondly. The thing is that their drug fueled memories aren't always correct, are often huge black spaces of nothing, and are easily manipulated by anyone who wants to tell a formerly drugged out person any made up story they want to tell. I could not trust any of the characters for a variety of reasons.
What appealed to me is the mystery in this story, which is really made up of many mysteries. Twenty two years ago a party was held at the home of the out of town parents of siblings Sean and Rachel Salinger. Annie Fagan considered Rachel her very good friend, along with the rest of their group. But there was more than one big divide among these lovers of music, raves, and drugs. Sean and Rachel represented the wealthy kids who had all the protections in the world, of powerful parents, endless money, and the reputations that comes with being on top of the world over the common masses. Annie, and her friends who are like her, have no magic parachutes that will land them out of trouble, have no one who will save them from their mistakes, have no one who will protect them from consequences of their actions or the actions of the rich kids.
By the night of the big party, twenty two years ago, things had already been in motion that would ruin more than a few lives. Now, in the present day, Sean's body has been found. Sean had disappeared the night of that party and now everything is going to come raining down on some heads. As these friends/exfriends, the ones who are still around, come together, I'm amazed at how easily Annie is drawn back into that old life, drugs included. I can't relate, can't understand the attraction. But the mysteries of what happened back then and the mysteries of the present day, are very interesting to me. The past is going to tear into Annie's marriage, a marriage which was already troubled, and Annie could be in great danger if she doesn't tread carefully. The audiobook has two narrators, which works well because we get Annie's POV and also the POV of Moe, one of Annie's friends from back in the day. I actually liked a few of the characters despite how much I can't understand them or their motives, but I do wish they weren't so self destructive.
Publication November 10, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Four stars for a deliciously tangled mystery that had me questioning everyone, reconsidering my theories, and occasionally wanting to reach through the pages and shake some sense into Annie. Yes, Annie, I’m looking at you!
I love a good slow-burn suspense novel that trusts its readers to do a little detective work instead of throwing ridiculous coincidences, convenient explanations, and plot holes around like confetti. And Fiona McPhillips? She understood the assignment. This is a carefully constructed mystery with a fascinating character study, a wonderfully layered narrative, and a conclusion that brings the pieces together without making me feel as if I’ve missed a crucial chapter or accidentally fallen asleep halfway through. Every revelation has its place, and I appreciated how the story respects both its characters and its readers. (Also, no plot holes bigger than the holes in my socks. Yes, I know, I should go shopping. But have you seen those Black Friday discounts?)
The atmosphere deserves a standing ovation of its own. Sex, drugs, rock ’n’ roll, and the intoxicating chaos of illegal raves in the Irish woods? Sign me up for the time machine, because apparently, my brain decided we were going straight back to the early 2000s. Except this is no nostalgic little trip down memory lane. Beneath the pounding music, reckless nights, complicated romances, and illusion of freedom lies a much darker story about secrets, loyalty, privilege, and the consequences people spend years trying to outrun. That sense of stepping into another world is wonderfully immersive, and the contrast between the freedom of youth and the burdens of adulthood gives the novel an extra layer of emotional weight.
Then there’s the mystery itself. Twenty-two years after Seán Salinger disappears following a party that changes several lives forever, his remains are discovered in the Dublin mountains. What happened that night? Was it an accident, or was someone responsible? And if someone knows the truth, how far will they go to keep it buried? As Annie Fagan finds herself pulled back into the orbit of her former friends, the past begins to invade a present that is already far from picture-perfect. Her marriage is unhappy, her responsibilities are mounting, and the woman she once was seems to be calling her name again. Unfortunately, revisiting old habits and old flames can be a spectacularly bad idea when your life is already wobbling on its foundations!
I particularly enjoyed how the shifting timelines kept feeding my curiosity. Every new detail made me reconsider what I thought I knew, and I changed my mind about the possible culprit more than once. These aren't just people who happened to attend the same party; they're people with years of shared history, unresolved feelings, buried resentments, and reasons to protect themselves. The closer Annie gets to the truth, the harder it becomes to separate genuine affection from misplaced loyalty. And that, for me, is where the story really shines: sometimes the people we think we know best are the ones we understand the least.
My only reservation is that the pacing occasionally takes its sweet time. This is more of a gradual, character-driven unraveling than a relentless, can't-put-it-down thriller, and I didn't connect equally with every character. Annie herself is a complicated one. At times, I wanted to hug her; at others, I wanted to scream, “GIRL, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” directly at the book. I may or may not have done exactly that. No judgment, please. But even when I questioned her decisions, I remained invested in her journey and curious about what she would uncover next.
Ultimately, The Party in the Woods is a smart, atmospheric mystery that understands the difference between making a twist shocking and making it satisfying. It gives us an intriguing cold case, messy human relationships, a vivid underground music scene, and a group of people whose past refuses to stay where they left it. I especially appreciated the thoughtful plotting and the way the final pieces fall into place without resorting to unbelievable theatrics.
If you love slow-burn suspense, layered characters, complicated friendships, and mysteries that encourage you to put on your imaginary detective hat and suspect absolutely everybody, this one deserves a place on your reading list. Just be prepared to have a few arguments with Annie along the way. I certainly did!
A heartfelt thank-you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books: Pine & Cedar for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest opinion.
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I love a good slow-burn suspense novel that trusts its readers to do a little detective work instead of throwing ridiculous coincidences, convenient explanations, and plot holes around like confetti. And Fiona McPhillips? She understood the assignment. This is a carefully constructed mystery with a fascinating character study, a wonderfully layered narrative, and a conclusion that brings the pieces together without making me feel as if I’ve missed a crucial chapter or accidentally fallen asleep halfway through. Every revelation has its place, and I appreciated how the story respects both its characters and its readers. (Also, no plot holes bigger than the holes in my socks. Yes, I know, I should go shopping. But have you seen those Black Friday discounts?)
The atmosphere deserves a standing ovation of its own. Sex, drugs, rock ’n’ roll, and the intoxicating chaos of illegal raves in the Irish woods? Sign me up for the time machine, because apparently, my brain decided we were going straight back to the early 2000s. Except this is no nostalgic little trip down memory lane. Beneath the pounding music, reckless nights, complicated romances, and illusion of freedom lies a much darker story about secrets, loyalty, privilege, and the consequences people spend years trying to outrun. That sense of stepping into another world is wonderfully immersive, and the contrast between the freedom of youth and the burdens of adulthood gives the novel an extra layer of emotional weight.
Then there’s the mystery itself. Twenty-two years after Seán Salinger disappears following a party that changes several lives forever, his remains are discovered in the Dublin mountains. What happened that night? Was it an accident, or was someone responsible? And if someone knows the truth, how far will they go to keep it buried? As Annie Fagan finds herself pulled back into the orbit of her former friends, the past begins to invade a present that is already far from picture-perfect. Her marriage is unhappy, her responsibilities are mounting, and the woman she once was seems to be calling her name again. Unfortunately, revisiting old habits and old flames can be a spectacularly bad idea when your life is already wobbling on its foundations!
I particularly enjoyed how the shifting timelines kept feeding my curiosity. Every new detail made me reconsider what I thought I knew, and I changed my mind about the possible culprit more than once. These aren't just people who happened to attend the same party; they're people with years of shared history, unresolved feelings, buried resentments, and reasons to protect themselves. The closer Annie gets to the truth, the harder it becomes to separate genuine affection from misplaced loyalty. And that, for me, is where the story really shines: sometimes the people we think we know best are the ones we understand the least.
My only reservation is that the pacing occasionally takes its sweet time. This is more of a gradual, character-driven unraveling than a relentless, can't-put-it-down thriller, and I didn't connect equally with every character. Annie herself is a complicated one. At times, I wanted to hug her; at others, I wanted to scream, “GIRL, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” directly at the book. I may or may not have done exactly that. No judgment, please. But even when I questioned her decisions, I remained invested in her journey and curious about what she would uncover next.
Ultimately, The Party in the Woods is a smart, atmospheric mystery that understands the difference between making a twist shocking and making it satisfying. It gives us an intriguing cold case, messy human relationships, a vivid underground music scene, and a group of people whose past refuses to stay where they left it. I especially appreciated the thoughtful plotting and the way the final pieces fall into place without resorting to unbelievable theatrics.
If you love slow-burn suspense, layered characters, complicated friendships, and mysteries that encourage you to put on your imaginary detective hat and suspect absolutely everybody, this one deserves a place on your reading list. Just be prepared to have a few arguments with Annie along the way. I certainly did!
A heartfelt thank-you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books: Pine & Cedar for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest opinion.
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Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Carefully plotted, deliciously tangled, and oozing plenty of slow-burning suspense, The Party in the Woods took one messy group of friends and delivered a layered mystery that I quickly flew through in one single sitting. With a handful of dysfunctional friendships and plenty of drug-induced unreliable memories, I was primed to consider everyone a suspect in this cold-case whodunnit. The best part, however, was the atmosphere. Ominous, dark, and dripping with dread, the dual timelines offered up two very different vibes. The past, though, was where McPhillips shined. Surreal, seductive, and oh so very dark, the feel of the rave scene, which immersed me in a potent mix of music, euphoria, and chaos, delivered a simmering level of tension that I ultimately craved.
I do have to say, though, that this book often took the whole slow-burning pace to the extreme. More character-driven than action-packed, it often felt dragged out and a little bit tedious. On top of that, I sometimes found it difficult to keep the characters straight. With a large cast and quite a few insufficient backstories, they all blurred together at times. That being said, the unsettling secrets in this murder mystery kept me intrigued. So if you’re a fan of Tana French’s haunting crime fiction, a friend group reminiscent of The Breakfast Club, or McPhillips’s own debut, you might want to give this one a try. Taking a hard look at friendship, wealth, and privilege, it was a tangled web of complicated characters, well-hidden secrets, and a past that refused to stay buried. Rating of 4 stars.
Read if you’re a fan of:
- Dysfunctional friendships
- Atmospheric vibes
- Cold-case mysteries
- Dark nostalgia
- Simmering tension
- Slow-burning suspense
- Dual timelines
- Character-driven plots
- Long-buried secrets
- Untrustworthy characters
SYNOPSIS:
Annie Fagan, one of Ireland's first female electronic DJs and producers, spent her early twenties hosting and playing illegal raves across Ireland. Part of a legendary free party crew, she was surrounded by loud music, beautiful people, and the alluring chaos of the dance floor. But after one of their huge parties in the woods, Annie's friend Seán disappeared without a trace, and Annie gave up that part of herself for good.
Years later, when Seán's body is discovered in the Dublin mountains and new information about his disappearance comes to light, Annie reunites with her old group of friends―led by Fran Baker, the man she once believed she was destined to end up with―and feels inexplicably drawn back into the scene. Annie―and the police―starts to realize that, far from a tragic accident or random misadventure, Seán's death must have been caused by someone who was at their party. Someone who had a motive.
One of her friends.
As Annie investigates, her new and old worlds clash, another old friend is silenced, and she realizes that some people may not want the mystery of Seán's death to be solved. In fact, they might do anything to stop her from discovering what happened that night, when the party truly ended.
Thank you Fiona McPhillips and Flatiron Books: Pine & Cedar for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 10, 2026
Content warning: drug and alcohol use, murder, domestic abuse, infidelity, toxic friendships/relationships, gaslighting, addiction, sexual content
I do have to say, though, that this book often took the whole slow-burning pace to the extreme. More character-driven than action-packed, it often felt dragged out and a little bit tedious. On top of that, I sometimes found it difficult to keep the characters straight. With a large cast and quite a few insufficient backstories, they all blurred together at times. That being said, the unsettling secrets in this murder mystery kept me intrigued. So if you’re a fan of Tana French’s haunting crime fiction, a friend group reminiscent of The Breakfast Club, or McPhillips’s own debut, you might want to give this one a try. Taking a hard look at friendship, wealth, and privilege, it was a tangled web of complicated characters, well-hidden secrets, and a past that refused to stay buried. Rating of 4 stars.
Read if you’re a fan of:
- Dysfunctional friendships
- Atmospheric vibes
- Cold-case mysteries
- Dark nostalgia
- Simmering tension
- Slow-burning suspense
- Dual timelines
- Character-driven plots
- Long-buried secrets
- Untrustworthy characters
SYNOPSIS:
Annie Fagan, one of Ireland's first female electronic DJs and producers, spent her early twenties hosting and playing illegal raves across Ireland. Part of a legendary free party crew, she was surrounded by loud music, beautiful people, and the alluring chaos of the dance floor. But after one of their huge parties in the woods, Annie's friend Seán disappeared without a trace, and Annie gave up that part of herself for good.
Years later, when Seán's body is discovered in the Dublin mountains and new information about his disappearance comes to light, Annie reunites with her old group of friends―led by Fran Baker, the man she once believed she was destined to end up with―and feels inexplicably drawn back into the scene. Annie―and the police―starts to realize that, far from a tragic accident or random misadventure, Seán's death must have been caused by someone who was at their party. Someone who had a motive.
One of her friends.
As Annie investigates, her new and old worlds clash, another old friend is silenced, and she realizes that some people may not want the mystery of Seán's death to be solved. In fact, they might do anything to stop her from discovering what happened that night, when the party truly ended.
Thank you Fiona McPhillips and Flatiron Books: Pine & Cedar for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 10, 2026
Content warning: drug and alcohol use, murder, domestic abuse, infidelity, toxic friendships/relationships, gaslighting, addiction, sexual content
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It all starts with a party at Glenmore House, the home of Sean Salinger, a test, a prelude to their biggest party to date, an illegal rave at the ruins of the Hellfire Club in the Dublin mountains. That’s 22 years ago and Sean hasn’t been seen since, vanishing without a trace. In the present day, Annie continues to ask questions about Sean‘s disappearance but when skeletal remains are found in the mountains, assumed to be that of Sean, she’s drawn back into a world she thought she’d left behind. Someone at that infamous party knows the truth but what will they do to ensure it stays buried? Where lies the truth? That’s the million dollar question.
This is a good, twisty, slow burner, character driven psychological thriller that keeps me guessing throughout. I like the dual timelines from 22 years ago to Now, they flow well and the different points of view builds the truth seeking desire and additionally, builds the suspense. My suspicion radar twitches in several directions – but not in the right one!! A bonus.
The characterisation is very good, there’s a good range of those to like and some less so. Although Annie drives me mad in some respects as she flip-flops decision wise, I do root for her as things are very tough in her life. She’s a bit infuriating BUT it all feels very realistic as if I were in her shoes I’d probably do the same. She has so many difficult ups and downs and hard choices/decisions to make.
There are moments of heartache and heartbreak and I enjoy how it plays out and is resolved. The storytelling goes in a different directions until the truth emerges.
Overall, this is a well written believable novel and I look forward to reading more from this author.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K./Transworld/Bantam for the much appreciated early copy and return for an honest review.
Publishes in the UK on 7th January 2027.
This is a good, twisty, slow burner, character driven psychological thriller that keeps me guessing throughout. I like the dual timelines from 22 years ago to Now, they flow well and the different points of view builds the truth seeking desire and additionally, builds the suspense. My suspicion radar twitches in several directions – but not in the right one!! A bonus.
The characterisation is very good, there’s a good range of those to like and some less so. Although Annie drives me mad in some respects as she flip-flops decision wise, I do root for her as things are very tough in her life. She’s a bit infuriating BUT it all feels very realistic as if I were in her shoes I’d probably do the same. She has so many difficult ups and downs and hard choices/decisions to make.
There are moments of heartache and heartbreak and I enjoy how it plays out and is resolved. The storytelling goes in a different directions until the truth emerges.
Overall, this is a well written believable novel and I look forward to reading more from this author.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K./Transworld/Bantam for the much appreciated early copy and return for an honest review.
Publishes in the UK on 7th January 2027.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Party in the Woods is gripping, atmospheric, mysterious, and had me wondering who could be trusted. Annie Fagan was one of Ireland's first female electronic djs who, along with her friends, hosted illegal raves across Ireland. Their raves were legendary and full of music, dancing, drugs, and sex. When her friend Sean disappeared after one of her friend's group's raves, Annie stopped being a DJ. When Sean's body is found years later, Annie and her old friends reunite and gather together. But soon Annie begins to wonder if one of her old friends could have been responsible for Sean's disappearance.
I had both the book and the audiobook version of this book. I thought the narration of the audiobook was very well done. As Annie beings to unravel the truth about what happened on that fateful night, her own life begins to unravel as well. She finds herself not knowing where to turn or who to trust. While reading, I did my best to determine whodunit it but never solved the case. I enjoyed how the plot unfolded, and the feelings of dread and tension began to simmer just below the surface. The author threw in a few twists along the way which made for an enjoyable and unpredictable read.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Flatiron Books, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
I had both the book and the audiobook version of this book. I thought the narration of the audiobook was very well done. As Annie beings to unravel the truth about what happened on that fateful night, her own life begins to unravel as well. She finds herself not knowing where to turn or who to trust. While reading, I did my best to determine whodunit it but never solved the case. I enjoyed how the plot unfolded, and the feelings of dread and tension began to simmer just below the surface. The author threw in a few twists along the way which made for an enjoyable and unpredictable read.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Flatiron Books, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Party in the Woods is a slow-burn character-driven literary mystery/thriller set in the woods of Ireland. I think of it kind of like if Burning Man was in the woods instead of the desert. Drugs, dancing, hook-ups, music, and people who bring some fun and some less fun kinds of drama.
While I found parts of this mystery captivating, I struggled to connect with any of the characters. At times I couldn’t even differentiate between them. I mostly was bored. It seemed like the story was told more than shown.
I think this will hit more for anyone who has or is connected to the rave culture, the party scene, or drug culture. There was more of that in this book than anticipated, and I personally just struggled to find the plot or the characters relatable.
📢 Publication Date: 11/10/2027
🎉 My Star Rating: 3/5🌟🌟🌟
📖 Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
From the very beginning, I felt like I had been dropped off at a huge party where I knew absolutely no one, and apparently no one was planning to introduce me.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and the narrator did a decent job trying to give the numerous characters distinctive voices. Unfortunately, there were just too many of them, and occasionally two characters sounded similar, which only added to my confusion. There was so little backstory or anything to distinguish everyone that the characters quickly became a blur.
The plot felt like it had already started without me, and I spent most of the book trying to figure out who everyone was and what exactly was going on. I never really connected with any of the characters, and the pacing felt incredibly slow.
Maybe if I were into raves and understood the drug culture surrounding them, I would have connected more with the story. Instead, I spent most of the book sitting on the sidelines, trying to figure out who was who and wondering when the party was going to end.
By the end, I was ready to leave the party.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and the narrator did a decent job trying to give the numerous characters distinctive voices. Unfortunately, there were just too many of them, and occasionally two characters sounded similar, which only added to my confusion. There was so little backstory or anything to distinguish everyone that the characters quickly became a blur.
The plot felt like it had already started without me, and I spent most of the book trying to figure out who everyone was and what exactly was going on. I never really connected with any of the characters, and the pacing felt incredibly slow.
Maybe if I were into raves and understood the drug culture surrounding them, I would have connected more with the story. Instead, I spent most of the book sitting on the sidelines, trying to figure out who was who and wondering when the party was going to end.
By the end, I was ready to leave the party.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC.
October 19, 2026
I had a really good time with this one! It isn't anything monumentally ground breaking but I was entertained the entire time I was reading it, and at the end of the day I am looking to be entertained by what I read. I thought this book had a unique concept (like how many DJ illegal rave thrillers have you read?) and a very satisfying ending. This was my first Fiona McPhillips book and I will certainly be reading more!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Fiona McPhillips and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of this novel.
I enjoyed this story for the most past. The setting, the idea of a big rave party in the woods. However, that is sure not what the majority of the story is about.
I'm not going to lie when the "killer" is revealed I kind of rolled my eyes because of course that is who it was.
Also, I am pmsing hard so Calum effing pissed me offffff.
Good read.
I enjoyed this story for the most past. The setting, the idea of a big rave party in the woods. However, that is sure not what the majority of the story is about.
I'm not going to lie when the "killer" is revealed I kind of rolled my eyes because of course that is who it was.
Also, I am pmsing hard so Calum effing pissed me offffff.
Good read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As a person who used to go party in the woods as a young adult I found this book to be a lot of fun. While we did more redneck partying, the idea of an actual rave in the woods at an abandoned building sounds like a great setting and it also absolutely makes sense that a bunch of teenagers on drugs had something go wrong.
I also totally empathize with Annie trying to reclaim her misspent youth and recapture her "glory days" since her life now is not the best. She has a turbulent marriage and not much else going for her, it makes absolute sense that she would revert when with her childhood friends. These characters make choices that make sense in their situation, even though they are frustrating choices. I thought the book was fun, even though I guessed the killer before it was revealed. The dual POV and past/present timelines really made this an intriguing story.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and MacMillan audio for my ARC of this audiobook.
I also totally empathize with Annie trying to reclaim her misspent youth and recapture her "glory days" since her life now is not the best. She has a turbulent marriage and not much else going for her, it makes absolute sense that she would revert when with her childhood friends. These characters make choices that make sense in their situation, even though they are frustrating choices. I thought the book was fun, even though I guessed the killer before it was revealed. The dual POV and past/present timelines really made this an intriguing story.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and MacMillan audio for my ARC of this audiobook.
November 11, 2026
Well, this one was a struggle for me. I just never really connected with the story or found myself invested in what was happening, and it ended up taking me forever to finish. I listened to it as an audiobook, and I've learned that if a story doesn't pull me in pretty quickly, I have a hard time staying engaged.
The group of friends felt rather shallow, and honestly, I found most of the characters difficult to like or connect with. The female narrator was fine, but the male narrator really didn't do it for me. His delivery felt very flat, with little to no inflection, and honestly reminded me of sitting through a boring lecture in school. It definitely didn't help keep my attention!
Perhaps this would have been a better experience reading the physical book rather than listening to it, but overall, this one just wasn't for me. I'd say it's one you can probably skip.
Thank you to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The group of friends felt rather shallow, and honestly, I found most of the characters difficult to like or connect with. The female narrator was fine, but the male narrator really didn't do it for me. His delivery felt very flat, with little to no inflection, and honestly reminded me of sitting through a boring lecture in school. It definitely didn't help keep my attention!
Perhaps this would have been a better experience reading the physical book rather than listening to it, but overall, this one just wasn't for me. I'd say it's one you can probably skip.
Thank you to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
DNF @ 60% - lured in by the promise of a fun, drug-fueled murdery rave in the woods that quickly turned into your Uncle Steve’s birthday party at the retirement home.
Sweet Jesus this was boring, and I don’t care who killed Sean.
Sweet Jesus this was boring, and I don’t care who killed Sean.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Party in the Woods by Fiona McPhillips
⭐️⭐️ 2/5 stars
🎧 Audiobook Review
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the gifted advanced listening copy!
Unfortunately, this one was a miss for me.
The Party in the Woods is a slow-burn mystery centered on a former electronic music DJ whose past comes back to haunt her when the body of a friend who disappeared years earlier is finally discovered. The revelation brings her back together with people from her past, reopening old relationships, memories, and secrets.
Much of the story revolves around DJ culture, music festivals, partying, and drugs. I’ll admit that this is a world I never really connected with, so perhaps readers who experienced or enjoyed that scene will find something more compelling here than I did.
My bigger issue, though, was the characters. None of them felt particularly well-developed or distinctive, and I frequently found myself confusing one person with another. For a mystery that relies so heavily on complicated relationships and events from the past, I needed a stronger connection to the people involved.
And then there was the pacing. 🐌
I appreciate a good slow-burn mystery, but this one was a little too slow for me. I spent much of the audiobook feeling bored rather than intrigued, and I kept increasing the playback speed just to get to the end. That’s generally not a great sign!
To the audiobook’s credit, I thought the narrator did a decent job with the material. Unfortunately, even a solid performance couldn’t make the story more engaging for me.
If you enjoy atmospheric, character-driven mysteries and have an affinity for electronic music, festivals, and party culture, you might connect with this one more than I did.
For me, though, the mystery never generated enough suspense to make the slow journey worthwhile. Ultimately, I was relieved to reach the finish line rather than excited to discover the truth.
⭐️⭐️ 2/5 stars
🎧 Audiobook Review
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the gifted advanced listening copy!
Unfortunately, this one was a miss for me.
The Party in the Woods is a slow-burn mystery centered on a former electronic music DJ whose past comes back to haunt her when the body of a friend who disappeared years earlier is finally discovered. The revelation brings her back together with people from her past, reopening old relationships, memories, and secrets.
Much of the story revolves around DJ culture, music festivals, partying, and drugs. I’ll admit that this is a world I never really connected with, so perhaps readers who experienced or enjoyed that scene will find something more compelling here than I did.
My bigger issue, though, was the characters. None of them felt particularly well-developed or distinctive, and I frequently found myself confusing one person with another. For a mystery that relies so heavily on complicated relationships and events from the past, I needed a stronger connection to the people involved.
And then there was the pacing. 🐌
I appreciate a good slow-burn mystery, but this one was a little too slow for me. I spent much of the audiobook feeling bored rather than intrigued, and I kept increasing the playback speed just to get to the end. That’s generally not a great sign!
To the audiobook’s credit, I thought the narrator did a decent job with the material. Unfortunately, even a solid performance couldn’t make the story more engaging for me.
If you enjoy atmospheric, character-driven mysteries and have an affinity for electronic music, festivals, and party culture, you might connect with this one more than I did.
For me, though, the mystery never generated enough suspense to make the slow journey worthwhile. Ultimately, I was relieved to reach the finish line rather than excited to discover the truth.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had a feeling this one was going to be a love the vibe or don’t kind of read. And unfortunately, the vibe just wasn’t for me.
I really liked the premise of The Party in the Woods. A disappearance after a party, a body discovered years later, dual timelines, old friends and plenty of secrets? Definitely enough to keep me curious about what really happened. I also really enjoy Fiona McPhillips’ writing, and there were some good reveals along the way.
The characters and the rave/party atmosphere just didn’t click with me. I never felt very connected to the friend group and because of that some of the emotional moments didn’t hit as hard. I also think I was missing some of the darker psychological depth that made When We Were Silent work so well for me. I liked this one, but her debut is still my favorite.
Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the advance listener copy! I’m so grateful for the chance to listen to Fiona McPhillips’ new release early.
I really liked the premise of The Party in the Woods. A disappearance after a party, a body discovered years later, dual timelines, old friends and plenty of secrets? Definitely enough to keep me curious about what really happened. I also really enjoy Fiona McPhillips’ writing, and there were some good reveals along the way.
The characters and the rave/party atmosphere just didn’t click with me. I never felt very connected to the friend group and because of that some of the emotional moments didn’t hit as hard. I also think I was missing some of the darker psychological depth that made When We Were Silent work so well for me. I liked this one, but her debut is still my favorite.
Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the advance listener copy! I’m so grateful for the chance to listen to Fiona McPhillips’ new release early.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The original party was an illegal rave 22 years ago at Glenmore House. Sean Salinger hasn’t been seen since, and his friends were forever changed after that night. No one is admitting to knowing what happened. They all have years of shared memories, history, and unresolved experiences. Annie Fagan is our main character and she remembers that the party all those years ago was set to ruin lives, and that was before Sean went missing.
Now, in the present time, Sean’s remains have been found, and Annie is drawn back into the old life with all its possible choices.
I listened to the audiobook, which had flawless narration (and lovely Irish accents) and two viewpoints, Annie’s and Moe’s, one of her friends from back in the day. Annie’s friends make a lot of unwise choices, and it’s hard to read. Also, social class comes into play here, exposing how socioeconomic background influences justice.
Four stars! This is an interesting psychological thriller, and I recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of the digital ALC from the publisher, the author, and NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
Now, in the present time, Sean’s remains have been found, and Annie is drawn back into the old life with all its possible choices.
I listened to the audiobook, which had flawless narration (and lovely Irish accents) and two viewpoints, Annie’s and Moe’s, one of her friends from back in the day. Annie’s friends make a lot of unwise choices, and it’s hard to read. Also, social class comes into play here, exposing how socioeconomic background influences justice.
Four stars! This is an interesting psychological thriller, and I recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of the digital ALC from the publisher, the author, and NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Unfortunately, this one was a bit of a struggle for me.
I found it to be a very slow burn, and it didn't really start picking up pace until around the 75% mark. I also struggled to connect with the characters. There were so many of them that I often found myself forgetting who was who and having to flick back through the pages to remind myself!
The story is heavily centred around drugs and illegal raves, which, if I'm honest, isn't really my cup of tea.
However, I will give credit where it's due because the ending was pretty decent. I enjoyed how everything unfolded, and it definitely helped redeem the story for me.
Overall, not a bad book, but not one that completely grabbed me either. I just wish the pace had picked up a little sooner!
I found it to be a very slow burn, and it didn't really start picking up pace until around the 75% mark. I also struggled to connect with the characters. There were so many of them that I often found myself forgetting who was who and having to flick back through the pages to remind myself!
The story is heavily centred around drugs and illegal raves, which, if I'm honest, isn't really my cup of tea.
However, I will give credit where it's due because the ending was pretty decent. I enjoyed how everything unfolded, and it definitely helped redeem the story for me.
Overall, not a bad book, but not one that completely grabbed me either. I just wish the pace had picked up a little sooner!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was definitely interesting, leaving you guessing until the end. Dysfunctional friends hid secrets for years, and it all came to an end with a twist.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC.
November 11, 2026
Annie spends her twenties DJing illegal raves in the Irish woods with a group of people who are all sleeping together, getting high together, and insisting class does not matter, and then one of the rich kids DISAPPEARS after a party and somehow everyone just carries that unresolved nightmare into middle age. Twenty-two years later Seán’s body turns up in the Dublin mountains and suddenly the old group chat from hell is back in session.
And Annie really did leave this whole life behind. She has kids now. Responsibilities. A marriage that is already making me nervous for reasons completely unrelated to the dead man in the woods. She is not sitting around yearning for her rave days. Then Seán is found, the Gardaí start asking questions, and everyone she used to know comes wandering back into her life carrying approximately the same amount of emotional baggage they had in 2001, only now they have mortgages.
Fran comes back too, because OF COURSE the man Annie once thought she would end up with is part of this. Fran was there when everything happened. Rachel, Seán’s sister and Annie’s old best friend, was there. Julian was there. Ozzy. Moe. Every person Annie remembers from that time is suddenly both somebody she loved and somebody who may know why Seán walked into the woods and never came back.
The old party scenes are such a mess in the best way because these people genuinely believed they had found this little world where everybody was equal once the music started. Rich kids from one side of Dublin, working-class kids from another, everybody dancing in the same field and acting like money and family names had temporarily stopped existing. Then Seán disappears and you start seeing very clearly that some people can survive a disaster with their lives intact and some people absolutely cannot.
Which is where I got most invested, because Annie keeps remembering these people as family while the present keeps giving her reasons to ask whether they ever actually knew each other. She will uncover one strange detail, start questioning somebody, immediately wonder if she is being unfair, then go back and question herself instead. I spent a lot of time wanting to tell her, respectfully, Annie, PLEASE commit to one suspicion for longer than twelve minutes.
Meanwhile her current life is not exactly providing a calm place to conduct a murder investigation. Her marriage is deteriorating, money and housing are real problems, she has children depending on her, and the more obvious it becomes that things at home are not okay, the harder it is to watch her keep minimizing them. Her friends are much quicker to call certain behavior what it is than Annie is, which felt painfully real.
That part landed harder than the actual murder sometimes. Annie keeps thinking about who she used to be, the woman behind the decks who could control a room, while present-day Annie is constantly negotiating how much space she is allowed to take up in her own life. Then Seán’s death drags that old version of her back out, and suddenly she is DJing again, seeing Fran again, asking questions again, and making choices that are equal parts “finally” and “oh Annie, maybe not THAT choice.”
The actual question of who killed Seán kept me moving around the friend group. I had theories. I abandoned theories. I brought people back onto my mental suspect list because they said one weird thing twenty years too late. And because these friendships are so tangled up with class, loyalty, sex, drugs, resentment, and who protected whom after that night, nobody gets to look completely innocent for very long.
There were stretches where I wanted everybody to stop reminiscing and just tell me what happened in those woods, and I did not connect equally with every person in the crew. But once the past and present really started crashing into each other, I was in. The Party in the Woods gets 3.5 stars from me. Annie made me anxious, half her friends made me suspicious, the rave scenes felt grimy and alive, and the whole thing kept circling back to the fact that being young and feeling untouchable does not mean the consequences forgot your address.
Whodunity Award: For Letting One Man Disappear After an Illegal Rave and Making Every Single Person at the Party Spend the Next Twenty-Two Years Looking Guilty About Something
Thank you to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for the ARC, and for confirming that if someone disappears after a rave in the woods, I will not be waiting two decades to ask why every person in the friend group suddenly got weird about it.
And Annie really did leave this whole life behind. She has kids now. Responsibilities. A marriage that is already making me nervous for reasons completely unrelated to the dead man in the woods. She is not sitting around yearning for her rave days. Then Seán is found, the Gardaí start asking questions, and everyone she used to know comes wandering back into her life carrying approximately the same amount of emotional baggage they had in 2001, only now they have mortgages.
Fran comes back too, because OF COURSE the man Annie once thought she would end up with is part of this. Fran was there when everything happened. Rachel, Seán’s sister and Annie’s old best friend, was there. Julian was there. Ozzy. Moe. Every person Annie remembers from that time is suddenly both somebody she loved and somebody who may know why Seán walked into the woods and never came back.
The old party scenes are such a mess in the best way because these people genuinely believed they had found this little world where everybody was equal once the music started. Rich kids from one side of Dublin, working-class kids from another, everybody dancing in the same field and acting like money and family names had temporarily stopped existing. Then Seán disappears and you start seeing very clearly that some people can survive a disaster with their lives intact and some people absolutely cannot.
Which is where I got most invested, because Annie keeps remembering these people as family while the present keeps giving her reasons to ask whether they ever actually knew each other. She will uncover one strange detail, start questioning somebody, immediately wonder if she is being unfair, then go back and question herself instead. I spent a lot of time wanting to tell her, respectfully, Annie, PLEASE commit to one suspicion for longer than twelve minutes.
Meanwhile her current life is not exactly providing a calm place to conduct a murder investigation. Her marriage is deteriorating, money and housing are real problems, she has children depending on her, and the more obvious it becomes that things at home are not okay, the harder it is to watch her keep minimizing them. Her friends are much quicker to call certain behavior what it is than Annie is, which felt painfully real.
That part landed harder than the actual murder sometimes. Annie keeps thinking about who she used to be, the woman behind the decks who could control a room, while present-day Annie is constantly negotiating how much space she is allowed to take up in her own life. Then Seán’s death drags that old version of her back out, and suddenly she is DJing again, seeing Fran again, asking questions again, and making choices that are equal parts “finally” and “oh Annie, maybe not THAT choice.”
The actual question of who killed Seán kept me moving around the friend group. I had theories. I abandoned theories. I brought people back onto my mental suspect list because they said one weird thing twenty years too late. And because these friendships are so tangled up with class, loyalty, sex, drugs, resentment, and who protected whom after that night, nobody gets to look completely innocent for very long.
There were stretches where I wanted everybody to stop reminiscing and just tell me what happened in those woods, and I did not connect equally with every person in the crew. But once the past and present really started crashing into each other, I was in. The Party in the Woods gets 3.5 stars from me. Annie made me anxious, half her friends made me suspicious, the rave scenes felt grimy and alive, and the whole thing kept circling back to the fact that being young and feeling untouchable does not mean the consequences forgot your address.
Whodunity Award: For Letting One Man Disappear After an Illegal Rave and Making Every Single Person at the Party Spend the Next Twenty-Two Years Looking Guilty About Something
Thank you to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for the ARC, and for confirming that if someone disappears after a rave in the woods, I will not be waiting two decades to ask why every person in the friend group suddenly got weird about it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I can confidently say I would RSVP to The Party in the Woods with a hard NO! Aside from the story being boring and dull, the characters were flat, I could not make heads or tails of who was who .
There was too much confusion and flashbacks thrown in with young adults making poor decisions which only esculates to adults making poor decisions.
Fiona McPhillips is a new author to me, and this was not a great first impression. I racked my brain on ways that I may have enjoyed this book more....maybe if it was written chronologically? Why do authors feel like we need a past and present time line....like that is the only way we can have a twist? No let's try writing in the present tense and let the story unfold...maybe JUST maybe the story would make more sense and flow better......
Thanks for the invite, but I will be staying at home watching my pet rock grow
Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to review this advance copy of Party In The Woods. I was not Paid for this review.
There was too much confusion and flashbacks thrown in with young adults making poor decisions which only esculates to adults making poor decisions.
Fiona McPhillips is a new author to me, and this was not a great first impression. I racked my brain on ways that I may have enjoyed this book more....maybe if it was written chronologically? Why do authors feel like we need a past and present time line....like that is the only way we can have a twist? No let's try writing in the present tense and let the story unfold...maybe JUST maybe the story would make more sense and flow better......
Thanks for the invite, but I will be staying at home watching my pet rock grow
Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to review this advance copy of Party In The Woods. I was not Paid for this review.
September 25, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for this digital ARC.
The Party in the Woods
by Fiona McPhillips
Flat Iron Books: Pine & Cedar
Release Date: November 10, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4 / 5 stars)
Fiona McPhillips’s The Party in the Woods is a superb, pulse pounding, edge of your seat, suspense thriller, anchoring a gripping cold case in the stark realities of socioeconomic disparity.
Set against the backdrop of Dublin’s underground rave culture in 2001, the novel follows DJ Annie Fagan as the discovery of her long-missing friend’s dead body drags her back into an insular circle of former peers.
The novel’s dual-timeline structure is seamless, moving back and forth with ease, and not the least bit confusing to follow. Meanwhile, the author’s exploration of class divides and institutional privilege is heard loud and clear. McPhillips expertly demonstrates how wealth and social standing insulate certain individuals from consequences, weaponizing privilege to bury uncomfortable truths.
At first, I thought I couldn’t relate to the story since I wasn’t into rave culture or drugs as a young person. However, as I kept reading, I realized how brilliant it was for McPhillips to choose that medium specifically.
As an American, I first became aware of certain peers in college attending raves in the early 1990s, and the whole point of drug rave culture then was that they believed they were “transcending“ class and all social structures in general. At the time, the scene was just unfolding in the South and they were held in huge warehouses and clubs. They had not yet moved to surprise venues, outdoor fields, or wide open spaces.
Rich in social insight, this is an addictive psychological thriller exposing how class structures and socioeconomic background often dictates justice, no matter how much you may think you’ve escaped it. A brilliant modern day Breakfast Club.
The Party in the Woods
by Fiona McPhillips
Flat Iron Books: Pine & Cedar
Release Date: November 10, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4 / 5 stars)
Fiona McPhillips’s The Party in the Woods is a superb, pulse pounding, edge of your seat, suspense thriller, anchoring a gripping cold case in the stark realities of socioeconomic disparity.
Set against the backdrop of Dublin’s underground rave culture in 2001, the novel follows DJ Annie Fagan as the discovery of her long-missing friend’s dead body drags her back into an insular circle of former peers.
The novel’s dual-timeline structure is seamless, moving back and forth with ease, and not the least bit confusing to follow. Meanwhile, the author’s exploration of class divides and institutional privilege is heard loud and clear. McPhillips expertly demonstrates how wealth and social standing insulate certain individuals from consequences, weaponizing privilege to bury uncomfortable truths.
At first, I thought I couldn’t relate to the story since I wasn’t into rave culture or drugs as a young person. However, as I kept reading, I realized how brilliant it was for McPhillips to choose that medium specifically.
As an American, I first became aware of certain peers in college attending raves in the early 1990s, and the whole point of drug rave culture then was that they believed they were “transcending“ class and all social structures in general. At the time, the scene was just unfolding in the South and they were held in huge warehouses and clubs. They had not yet moved to surprise venues, outdoor fields, or wide open spaces.
Rich in social insight, this is an addictive psychological thriller exposing how class structures and socioeconomic background often dictates justice, no matter how much you may think you’ve escaped it. A brilliant modern day Breakfast Club.
November 7, 2026
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted copy.
Things I loved:
Settings and highlighted social issues in Ireland. I loved that author spoke about housing crisis and just talked about daily difficulties people face there. The rave culture was super fun to read about, and honestly I wanted more of that. This was less of a thriller and more of just a drama contemporary, but I enjoyed the main storyline. Appreciated the overall "who do I trust" creepy feeling as well.
Things I hated:
The main character and how slow she was. She felt like a putty that adjusted herself to fit everyone else needs.
Slight SPOILER Below:
The part that completely took me over the edge was how she handled the abuse with her child explaining that dad just takes it out on her because he is so stressed, at this point I wanted to throw the book away AND there was no redemption to this.
Overall, I think I want to read authors debut to decide if these books are working for me or not. This had some issues, but I do not regret spending my time on it.
Things I loved:
Settings and highlighted social issues in Ireland. I loved that author spoke about housing crisis and just talked about daily difficulties people face there. The rave culture was super fun to read about, and honestly I wanted more of that. This was less of a thriller and more of just a drama contemporary, but I enjoyed the main storyline. Appreciated the overall "who do I trust" creepy feeling as well.
Things I hated:
The main character and how slow she was. She felt like a putty that adjusted herself to fit everyone else needs.
Slight SPOILER Below:
The part that completely took me over the edge was how she handled the abuse with her child explaining that dad just takes it out on her because he is so stressed, at this point I wanted to throw the book away AND there was no redemption to this.
Overall, I think I want to read authors debut to decide if these books are working for me or not. This had some issues, but I do not regret spending my time on it.
Read
November 5, 2026I LOVE a good Friend Group With Secrets story, and this one did not disappoint. This is McPhillips's second book, and I love her writing and the Dublin settings of her stories.
IN 2003, a group of friends used to hold raves in the Dublin mountains. But during one, a member of the group vanishes. Fast forward to 2023, and his body turns up with a head injury that suggests murder. As is usual in these stories, the group first draws together in shock, then starts to turn against each other.
Really enjoyed this and recommend both her books!
IN 2003, a group of friends used to hold raves in the Dublin mountains. But during one, a member of the group vanishes. Fast forward to 2023, and his body turns up with a head injury that suggests murder. As is usual in these stories, the group first draws together in shock, then starts to turn against each other.
Really enjoyed this and recommend both her books!
November 10, 2026
Audiobook
The Party in the Woods is a compelling psychological thriller that stands out for its unique setting within the Irish electronic music and rave scene. The dual-timeline, multi-POV structure effectively heightens the mystery, particularly as the characters struggle with the unreliability of memory during their drug-fueled youth. While I truly enjoyed the atmosphere and the fresh premise, the pacing felt sluggish at times, and I found the story difficult to follow due to the excessive number of narrative perspectives.
Advanced listening copy provided by MacMillan Audio. All opinions are my own.
The Party in the Woods is a compelling psychological thriller that stands out for its unique setting within the Irish electronic music and rave scene. The dual-timeline, multi-POV structure effectively heightens the mystery, particularly as the characters struggle with the unreliability of memory during their drug-fueled youth. While I truly enjoyed the atmosphere and the fresh premise, the pacing felt sluggish at times, and I found the story difficult to follow due to the excessive number of narrative perspectives.
Advanced listening copy provided by MacMillan Audio. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I found this book a bit educational. I didn't realize that raves involved so much drugging/drinking in the 80's/90's. It was interesting how the mystery unfolded after a 20 year lapse. Thank you netgalley for the ARC/Audio.
October 2, 2026
Did I just get dropped into a sequel and didn’t know it?? Nope. This isn’t part of a series at all, which left me utterly confused when I was dropped into the middle of a literal party with no history, backstory, or support! And it never came!
I was hesitant to request this one. I had a casual interest based on the author’s other works, but the description didn’t immediately pull me in. So while I considered it, I never requested the eARC. But when the audiobook became available from Macmillan Audio and I was desperately searching for something to read, I figured it was time to give it a go. Thankfully, Macmillan Audio was on board with giving me the advanced copy via NetGalley, so I pressed play immediately upon approval.
And that’s where the confusion began.
Now, the narrators Conor Dunne and Emer Heatley were great! They worked so hard to bring all the characters to life with their lovely Irish-accented vocals, but unfortunately, there were just too many characters for me to keep track of without the physical book in front of me.
There was definitely a healthy dose of privilege, complete with backstabbing and betrayal, so there was plenty here that should have kept me hooked. Unfortunately, for me, it just wasn’t enough, and I found my mind wandering too often. I kept waiting for more information to finally make everything click into place, but it never came.
In the end, I think this needed more depth and fewer characters so the focus could stay on the central plot. There were definitely pieces here that could have worked for me, but I spent too much of the book trying to figure out who everyone was and how they all fit together instead of actually getting swept up in the story.
I was hesitant to request this one. I had a casual interest based on the author’s other works, but the description didn’t immediately pull me in. So while I considered it, I never requested the eARC. But when the audiobook became available from Macmillan Audio and I was desperately searching for something to read, I figured it was time to give it a go. Thankfully, Macmillan Audio was on board with giving me the advanced copy via NetGalley, so I pressed play immediately upon approval.
And that’s where the confusion began.
Now, the narrators Conor Dunne and Emer Heatley were great! They worked so hard to bring all the characters to life with their lovely Irish-accented vocals, but unfortunately, there were just too many characters for me to keep track of without the physical book in front of me.
There was definitely a healthy dose of privilege, complete with backstabbing and betrayal, so there was plenty here that should have kept me hooked. Unfortunately, for me, it just wasn’t enough, and I found my mind wandering too often. I kept waiting for more information to finally make everything click into place, but it never came.
In the end, I think this needed more depth and fewer characters so the focus could stay on the central plot. There were definitely pieces here that could have worked for me, but I spent too much of the book trying to figure out who everyone was and how they all fit together instead of actually getting swept up in the story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced review copy of this book in return for my unbiased review.
I listened to the audiobook which is 10h 23m with two narrators, a female and male. The story takes place at two different times, 22 years apart: 2001 and 2023. And it happens in the Dublin area, part of it is in the Dublin mountains.
Characters:
--Annie Fagan is the lead character. She was an electronic DJ and rave producer in 2001. But a friend of hers disappeared at the last one she did. Annie became very upset. She quit and decided to try to live a more “normal” life. At the story opening, Annie is now a mother and teacher in Dublin, 2023. Her marriage is struggling.
--Sean Salinger was Rachel’s brother and Annie’s friend who mysteriously disappeared during or right after the rave. It sparks the story when his remains are found 22 years later. And his disappearance is reclassified as a murder.
--Rachel is a friend of Annie. That night, she doesn’t understand what has her brother, Sean, upset already before the rave begins. Rachel eventually married Julian.
--Julian is Annie’s friend. She counted on him and had known him longer than anyone else there. They were inseparable as kids. Julian was someone who could always keep Annie’s spirits up. He told her early that rave evening that he would keep a close eye on Sean and make sure he didn’t get into any trouble.
--Fran Baker was Annie’s boyfriend in the earlier time. He had been the leader of the old free-party crew. In 2023, he helps her dig into what happened that night when Sean disappeared.
--Ozzy was at the rave. He had a drug-induced seizure that night.
--Moe helped Julian that night and confused the investigation by wearing something of Sean’s.
Plot:
Annie and her husband, Colm, find out that their Dublin landlord just ended their lease. They need to find a new place to live for their family while there’s a horrible shortage of affordable housing.
Then Sean’s body is found in the woods. Police want to interview Annie and her old/former friends. They reconnect as the missing person’s case became a homicide investigation.
The story reveals class differences between the friends. Also, it shows the challenges of parenting a child on the autism spectrum. Rave culture is definitely brought into the spotlight.
There are many sources of tension—within Annie’s marriage, within the friend group, and with many characters. It comes to light that there was a gigantic grudge between Fran and Sean. Both had been caught with drugs, but because Sean’s family was rich, he was able to get a deal. That deal had him blaming Fran who was given prison time.
There are many aspects to the book that some readers may not like but are important in the plot: drug and alcohol use, murder, domestic abuse, infidelity, toxic friendships/relationships, addiction. This is quite a story.
I listened to the audiobook which is 10h 23m with two narrators, a female and male. The story takes place at two different times, 22 years apart: 2001 and 2023. And it happens in the Dublin area, part of it is in the Dublin mountains.
Characters:
--Annie Fagan is the lead character. She was an electronic DJ and rave producer in 2001. But a friend of hers disappeared at the last one she did. Annie became very upset. She quit and decided to try to live a more “normal” life. At the story opening, Annie is now a mother and teacher in Dublin, 2023. Her marriage is struggling.
--Sean Salinger was Rachel’s brother and Annie’s friend who mysteriously disappeared during or right after the rave. It sparks the story when his remains are found 22 years later. And his disappearance is reclassified as a murder.
--Rachel is a friend of Annie. That night, she doesn’t understand what has her brother, Sean, upset already before the rave begins. Rachel eventually married Julian.
--Julian is Annie’s friend. She counted on him and had known him longer than anyone else there. They were inseparable as kids. Julian was someone who could always keep Annie’s spirits up. He told her early that rave evening that he would keep a close eye on Sean and make sure he didn’t get into any trouble.
--Fran Baker was Annie’s boyfriend in the earlier time. He had been the leader of the old free-party crew. In 2023, he helps her dig into what happened that night when Sean disappeared.
--Ozzy was at the rave. He had a drug-induced seizure that night.
--Moe helped Julian that night and confused the investigation by wearing something of Sean’s.
Plot:
Annie and her husband, Colm, find out that their Dublin landlord just ended their lease. They need to find a new place to live for their family while there’s a horrible shortage of affordable housing.
Then Sean’s body is found in the woods. Police want to interview Annie and her old/former friends. They reconnect as the missing person’s case became a homicide investigation.
The story reveals class differences between the friends. Also, it shows the challenges of parenting a child on the autism spectrum. Rave culture is definitely brought into the spotlight.
There are many sources of tension—within Annie’s marriage, within the friend group, and with many characters. It comes to light that there was a gigantic grudge between Fran and Sean. Both had been caught with drugs, but because Sean’s family was rich, he was able to get a deal. That deal had him blaming Fran who was given prison time.
There are many aspects to the book that some readers may not like but are important in the plot: drug and alcohol use, murder, domestic abuse, infidelity, toxic friendships/relationships, addiction. This is quite a story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
In 2001, Annie was a DJ on Dublin’s rave scene, part of a close-knit group of friends. Then one night, their friend Seán disappeared, and the group fell apart. Twenty years later, his remains are found, revealing he was murdered, propelling Annie to reunite with her old friends and uncover what happened.
𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
This story is all about the rave scene, so it’s a bit disappointing that there’s no music or DJ sound effects.
Emer Heatley as Annie is excellent. She also narrated The Good Girl by Michelle Dunne and has become one of my favorite Irish narrators.
I didn’t love the male narrator quite as much, but it could be that I didn’t love his character as much as Annie.
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
The murder is the catalyst, the music is the backdrop, but ultimately this is about a friendship group and the consequences of what happened in 2001.
We spend most of the time with Annie, who is urged to investigate and discover who killed Seán. Through her investigation, we meet her old friends and get the dual timeline showing what happened in the past.
Annie is complex and feels real, and I appreciated seeing her evolve. The rest of the characters aren’t quite so layered, so I wasn’t always able to emotionally connect with them.
The pacing was slow in places but thrilling in others, and I was excited to get to the end. I have to say though, that it almost felt anticlimactic. There was a showdown, but then there was more, and more, followed by a kind of summary of what happened next. The ending just kind of fizzled out for me.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
Ultimately, this is a story of friendship and secrets. It’s relatable and exciting, with the rave scene and music making an exciting backdrop.
Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this gifted ARC.
🎧 Narrated by Conor Dunne, Emer Heatley
📖 Release 11•10•26 | 272 pages | 9h 48m
In 2001, Annie was a DJ on Dublin’s rave scene, part of a close-knit group of friends. Then one night, their friend Seán disappeared, and the group fell apart. Twenty years later, his remains are found, revealing he was murdered, propelling Annie to reunite with her old friends and uncover what happened.
𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
This story is all about the rave scene, so it’s a bit disappointing that there’s no music or DJ sound effects.
Emer Heatley as Annie is excellent. She also narrated The Good Girl by Michelle Dunne and has become one of my favorite Irish narrators.
I didn’t love the male narrator quite as much, but it could be that I didn’t love his character as much as Annie.
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
The murder is the catalyst, the music is the backdrop, but ultimately this is about a friendship group and the consequences of what happened in 2001.
We spend most of the time with Annie, who is urged to investigate and discover who killed Seán. Through her investigation, we meet her old friends and get the dual timeline showing what happened in the past.
Annie is complex and feels real, and I appreciated seeing her evolve. The rest of the characters aren’t quite so layered, so I wasn’t always able to emotionally connect with them.
The pacing was slow in places but thrilling in others, and I was excited to get to the end. I have to say though, that it almost felt anticlimactic. There was a showdown, but then there was more, and more, followed by a kind of summary of what happened next. The ending just kind of fizzled out for me.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
Ultimately, this is a story of friendship and secrets. It’s relatable and exciting, with the rave scene and music making an exciting backdrop.
Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this gifted ARC.
🎧 Narrated by Conor Dunne, Emer Heatley
📖 Release 11•10•26 | 272 pages | 9h 48m
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ALC of Fiona McPhillips’ The Party in the Woods, narrated by Conor Dunne and Emer Heatley and to Flatiron Books for an eARC.
This story follows a group of characters who were in college when they attended a rave in the woods in the early 2000s. Dancing, drinking, and a few drugs never hurt anyone, right?! Until they lose one of their friends; he’s missing initially, then his body is later discovered. What happened that night? Someone knows something, but how long are they willing to keep their secrets hidden? Now 20 years later, one of the friends wants to host a rave in the woods again in the same spot as decades before. This story is told in dual, alternating timelines that will keep you guessing until the very end.
The audiobook was really well done. Despite the narrators’ accents, they were easy to understand and listen to even at faster speeds. Every audiobook I have listened to by Macmillan Audio has been produced extremely well, and this was no exception. The balance of volume among the different narrators was smooth and fluid – meaning listeners will not have to adjust the volume depending on who is speaking. Honestly, I found most of the characters insufferable, but I still enjoyed how the narrators were able to bring the characters to life. There were scenes that were highly emotional and even chaotic, which I felt the narrators expressed perfectly.
While I found the story’s completely absurd ending infuriating, overall the book was still a solid 3. The ending was so infuriating because the book’s pacing and storytelling had been so good up until that point. The book was on the precipice of a 4.5 rating, but the ending was so bad that it made me regret picking the book up in the first place. I would like to read the author’s future works, and hopefully they have better endings.
This story follows a group of characters who were in college when they attended a rave in the woods in the early 2000s. Dancing, drinking, and a few drugs never hurt anyone, right?! Until they lose one of their friends; he’s missing initially, then his body is later discovered. What happened that night? Someone knows something, but how long are they willing to keep their secrets hidden? Now 20 years later, one of the friends wants to host a rave in the woods again in the same spot as decades before. This story is told in dual, alternating timelines that will keep you guessing until the very end.
The audiobook was really well done. Despite the narrators’ accents, they were easy to understand and listen to even at faster speeds. Every audiobook I have listened to by Macmillan Audio has been produced extremely well, and this was no exception. The balance of volume among the different narrators was smooth and fluid – meaning listeners will not have to adjust the volume depending on who is speaking. Honestly, I found most of the characters insufferable, but I still enjoyed how the narrators were able to bring the characters to life. There were scenes that were highly emotional and even chaotic, which I felt the narrators expressed perfectly.
While I found the story’s completely absurd ending infuriating, overall the book was still a solid 3. The ending was so infuriating because the book’s pacing and storytelling had been so good up until that point. The book was on the precipice of a 4.5 rating, but the ending was so bad that it made me regret picking the book up in the first place. I would like to read the author’s future works, and hopefully they have better endings.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️ 3.75 / 5 stars
I received an ALC of The Party in the Woods by Fiona McPhillips, narrated by Conor Dunne and Emer Heatley, from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The story follows former rave DJ Annie Fagan, who reunites with her old friend group after the body of her friend Sean is found years after he vanished from an illegal party in the Dublin mountains. It moves between past and present, and it explores privilege, friendship, and guilt.
The narration was good, and the two narrators handled the dual-timeline structure well.
This one was slow to get into, but it eventually picked up and kept me hooked. The suspense was very well done, and the question of who killed Sean kept me guessing until the end. I did suspect the murderer, but that didn’t take away from the tension.
I didn’t love many of the characters. Mo was the only one I really liked, and Sheila was the MVP. Annie was pretty naive, even after all her years of experience, and I never warmed to her. The entitled, privileged characters were infuriating. Their selfishness and tone-deafness were rage-inducing, but that’s true to life, so it felt realistic.
I also appreciated that the punishment and sentencing at the end felt true to reality, given the wealth and status involved. It was a satisfying, grounded ending for a mystery about privilege.
Overall, this is a slow-burn mystery that rewards patience with a gripping second half. If you enjoy unlikable casts and stories about class and consequences, it’s worth picking up.
I received an ALC of The Party in the Woods by Fiona McPhillips, narrated by Conor Dunne and Emer Heatley, from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The story follows former rave DJ Annie Fagan, who reunites with her old friend group after the body of her friend Sean is found years after he vanished from an illegal party in the Dublin mountains. It moves between past and present, and it explores privilege, friendship, and guilt.
The narration was good, and the two narrators handled the dual-timeline structure well.
This one was slow to get into, but it eventually picked up and kept me hooked. The suspense was very well done, and the question of who killed Sean kept me guessing until the end. I did suspect the murderer, but that didn’t take away from the tension.
I didn’t love many of the characters. Mo was the only one I really liked, and Sheila was the MVP. Annie was pretty naive, even after all her years of experience, and I never warmed to her. The entitled, privileged characters were infuriating. Their selfishness and tone-deafness were rage-inducing, but that’s true to life, so it felt realistic.
I also appreciated that the punishment and sentencing at the end felt true to reality, given the wealth and status involved. It was a satisfying, grounded ending for a mystery about privilege.
Overall, this is a slow-burn mystery that rewards patience with a gripping second half. If you enjoy unlikable casts and stories about class and consequences, it’s worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“The Party in the Woods” pulled me straight into its world of raves, music, drugs, secrets, and the ripple effects of one night that changes everything. While the ending itself wasn’t completely unexpected, the path there absolutely took turns I didn’t see coming. I especially enjoyed the dual timeline and the slow unraveling of who these characters really were. A few revelations genuinely rattled me—it’s incredible how much people can change, how well they can hide parts of themselves, and how easily choices are made without understanding the consequences.
The narration was a little mixed for me. Emer Heatley was fantastic and brought so much life and emotion to her performance, while Conor Dunne’s narration felt much flatter by comparison and lacked some of the emotion I wanted from his chapters. And if you’re listening to this one, give that final stretch your FULL attention—there is a lot to unpack as everything starts coming together!
📖 The Party in the Woods
✍️ Fiona McPhillips
🎙️ Conor Dunne & Emer Heatley
🎁 Provided by NetGalley & Macmillan Audio
📅 11/10/26
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The narration was a little mixed for me. Emer Heatley was fantastic and brought so much life and emotion to her performance, while Conor Dunne’s narration felt much flatter by comparison and lacked some of the emotion I wanted from his chapters. And if you’re listening to this one, give that final stretch your FULL attention—there is a lot to unpack as everything starts coming together!
📖 The Party in the Woods
✍️ Fiona McPhillips
🎙️ Conor Dunne & Emer Heatley
🎁 Provided by NetGalley & Macmillan Audio
📅 11/10/26
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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