What do you think?
Rate this book
The Party
It was just a party. But it turned into a nightmare.
When Rachel wakes up in a strange room, the morning after a neighbour’s party, she has no memory of what happened the night before. Why did her husband leave her alone at the party? Did they row? Why are Rachel’s arms so bruised? And why are her neighbours and friends so vague about what really happened?
Little by little, Rachel pieces together the devastating events that took place in a friend’s house, at a party where she should have been safe. Everyone remembers what happened that night differently, and everyone has something to hide. But someone knows the truth about what happened to Rachel. And she’s determined to find them.
The Party is the gripping new novel from bestseller Lisa Hall.
When Rachel wakes up in a strange room, the morning after a neighbour’s party, she has no memory of what happened the night before. Why did her husband leave her alone at the party? Did they row? Why are Rachel’s arms so bruised? And why are her neighbours and friends so vague about what really happened?
Little by little, Rachel pieces together the devastating events that took place in a friend’s house, at a party where she should have been safe. Everyone remembers what happened that night differently, and everyone has something to hide. But someone knows the truth about what happened to Rachel. And she’s determined to find them.
The Party is the gripping new novel from bestseller Lisa Hall.
281 pages, Paperback
First published July 12, 2018
1098 people are currently reading
5424 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 623 reviews
May 5, 2023
Rachel wakes up in a room knowing something had happened to her but has no recollection of what is was, she has bruises over her body but is dazed & disorientated, she has no underwear on she is battered as well as the bruising, her husband Gareth will be livid at hwer for not coming home.
She goes home only to find Gareth abusing her for not returning home, he thinks she is with Ted her sons friends father who she had an affair with.
The Continuous arguing gets to rachel & Robbie her son she swears that she stayed at a friends place after the party but Gareth doesnt believe her! He puts a personna of a nice guy but he is actally & jeckyll & Hyde personality, i did not like him at all was very condecending & arrogant.
I had read Between You & Me by Miss hall & thought that was a lot more meatier than this book a solid 3 stars.
She goes home only to find Gareth abusing her for not returning home, he thinks she is with Ted her sons friends father who she had an affair with.
The Continuous arguing gets to rachel & Robbie her son she swears that she stayed at a friends place after the party but Gareth doesnt believe her! He puts a personna of a nice guy but he is actally & jeckyll & Hyde personality, i did not like him at all was very condecending & arrogant.
I had read Between You & Me by Miss hall & thought that was a lot more meatier than this book a solid 3 stars.
January 2, 2019
Left alone at a neighbour's party Rachel wakes up in a strange room with no recollection of how she came to be there. She discovers she has no underwear on and she is battered and bruised but who did this to Rachel? Extremely traumatized she has no idea what to say when she comes downstairs and her neighbours tell her that they thought she had gone home. Her husband thinks she stayed over on purpose and Rachel cannot piece together what happened in the hours she was away from home.
I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook and I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this author. A physiological thriller that was hard to put down.
I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook and I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this author. A physiological thriller that was hard to put down.
June 20, 2018
The Party by Lisa Hall is a psychological thriller about lies, adultery, secrets and revenge.
Rachel wakes up the morning after a New Years Eve party in a strange room. She can't remember where she is or what has happened. She fells sick and disoriented and she knows that something bad has happened to her. Now she has to find out who has attacked her and why.
I would like to thank NetGalley and HQ for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rachel wakes up the morning after a New Years Eve party in a strange room. She can't remember where she is or what has happened. She fells sick and disoriented and she knows that something bad has happened to her. Now she has to find out who has attacked her and why.
I would like to thank NetGalley and HQ for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2018
'The Party' is the third book to be written by Lisa Hall and is another compelling standalone psychological thriller for us crime buffs to get our teeth into! This is my first time reading a title from this author but having enjoyed this one, I plan to purchase the others for my already incredibly overstuffed bookshelves.
Rachel is a married mother-of-one to her son, Robbie. When she wakes up in bed in her neighbours house after going over there to attend a party, she's naturally very concerned about what happened. She becomes even more upset when she realises she cannot remember anything about the previous night apart from arriving at the house, everything after that is curiously blank. She doesn't understand why she would be sleeping at their house as if she had been intoxicated she would've been able to make it home when home is that close!
I think that most people would understand the panic that we would get into if we couldn't remember what we had done the previous evening, and waking up in a strange room unexpectedly is a frightening experience for anyone. The story has you questioning and guessing what happened to Rachel and you feel inclined to read until the end to discover the truth of the matter. It's an intriguing and uncomfortable read and a real page-turner.
Hall is adept at using misdirection to confuse the reader and offer up different explanations as to what occurred. It has you contantly second guessing yourself and when the culprit was finally revealed, I must say, I didn't see it coming! It is a quick and easy read and I felt I could relax whilst enjoying it, which is ultimately the reason I read in the first place.
All in all, this is a dark and suspenseful title that I had fun with. It shows how people you feel you can trust and count as friends, can actually be more dangerous than strangers. A thrilling and rather disturbing novel.
Many thanks to HQ for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Rachel is a married mother-of-one to her son, Robbie. When she wakes up in bed in her neighbours house after going over there to attend a party, she's naturally very concerned about what happened. She becomes even more upset when she realises she cannot remember anything about the previous night apart from arriving at the house, everything after that is curiously blank. She doesn't understand why she would be sleeping at their house as if she had been intoxicated she would've been able to make it home when home is that close!
I think that most people would understand the panic that we would get into if we couldn't remember what we had done the previous evening, and waking up in a strange room unexpectedly is a frightening experience for anyone. The story has you questioning and guessing what happened to Rachel and you feel inclined to read until the end to discover the truth of the matter. It's an intriguing and uncomfortable read and a real page-turner.
Hall is adept at using misdirection to confuse the reader and offer up different explanations as to what occurred. It has you contantly second guessing yourself and when the culprit was finally revealed, I must say, I didn't see it coming! It is a quick and easy read and I felt I could relax whilst enjoying it, which is ultimately the reason I read in the first place.
All in all, this is a dark and suspenseful title that I had fun with. It shows how people you feel you can trust and count as friends, can actually be more dangerous than strangers. A thrilling and rather disturbing novel.
Many thanks to HQ for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
July 14, 2018
Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Rachel wakes up after a New Year’s Eve party, where there was an abundance of alcohol, in a neighbours bed bruised and feeling something bad has happened to her,but with no recollection at all. Her husband Gareth had left the party earlier, but why?
Rachel has to try and figure out what happened and who was at the party, but it seems like everybody has a secret to hide and nobody’s telling the truth.
I did read this book in one sitting as I was intrigued who the culprit was, I didn’t see the ending coming as I was sure I knew who had done it. A very enjoyable psychological suspense that made me think who can you trust after all?
My first Lisa Hall book but definitely not my last.
Rachel wakes up after a New Year’s Eve party, where there was an abundance of alcohol, in a neighbours bed bruised and feeling something bad has happened to her,but with no recollection at all. Her husband Gareth had left the party earlier, but why?
Rachel has to try and figure out what happened and who was at the party, but it seems like everybody has a secret to hide and nobody’s telling the truth.
I did read this book in one sitting as I was intrigued who the culprit was, I didn’t see the ending coming as I was sure I knew who had done it. A very enjoyable psychological suspense that made me think who can you trust after all?
My first Lisa Hall book but definitely not my last.
July 31, 2018
Loved this book - I listened to the whole thing at work today and loved every minute of it. Great narrator in Georgia Macguire, always love books she reads. The story was great, so many twist and turns will have you pointing the finger at all the characters. Also loved that there was a pet beagle called Thor - soooo cute!!
September 21, 2018
The Party was a solid 3 stars for me. A psychological thriller/mystery book that centers around Rachel. After a New Year’s Eve party, Rachel wakes up the next morning, not in her own house, with absolutely no recollection of what happened to her. Add numerous bruises all over her body and a sick/disoriented feeling, she knows that something bad happened but what and why can’t she remember? Recommended to fans of thriller/mystery books.
February 11, 2020
'Turning away from the window, I catch sight of myself in the mirror that hangs above the fireplace, and double take; sure at first that someone else is in the room with me, my reflection looks so unfamiliar in that fleeting glimpse".
The Party by Lisa Hall
3.5 stars.
This is some book. And it is a prime example of a book that had me up all night but also had me questioning a few things I did not understand.
This book is about Rachel. She attends her neighbor's party. The next morning she wakes up in her neighbor's house alone, in pain, with no memory of anything that happened the night before.
She does not know what happened to her. Only that it was bad. Really bad.
This book is about rape and maybe triggering to some people.
Rachel's life has been falling apart and that was BEFORE the party. Her husband does not seem to love her any more. She has had an affair and feels deeply guilty about it. On top of that, her husband's co worker has developed a fixation on her and will not leave her alone.
Rachel reports the rape to the police but their inactivity infuriates her and she decides to also investigate this alone. She is in emotional turmoil and feels there is nobody to turn to.
I really enjoyed this book which is both dark and really brave for taking on this subject matter. I felt for Rachel and wanted to figure out who did it.
And that brings me to my first issue. I guessed..almost immediately..and was correct. It was either to obvious or I am reading one to many domestic thrillers but anyway you get the picture. I spent much of the book hoping I was wrong.
The other aspect that bothered me and made me rate it a 3 instead of a 4 (3.5 actually) was the ending.
I will try to do this without spoilers.
I did not believe the ending. Nothing in Rachel's character showed the reader she was who she seemed to be at the end. Her final choice is not one I would have ever though she'd make and did not make a whole lot of sense to me.
OK..NOW SPOILERS
Also I did not understand a certain person being released from jail. It made no sense. What about attempted murder? He tried to kill Robby with a paperweight. At the very least would there not have been an assault charge?
I felt a bit cheated by the ending. I would have liked it to end the way I thought it would when the whole family were hugging. Instead this final chapter is tacked on and I was skeptical. It did not follow logic. I was perplexed that it just ended so suddenly.
I made a huge investment in these characters. What happened to the house? Did they lose it? What happened to Tom? How did he feel about his son raping the his former girlfriend?
How did Garreth feel about everything? Did he ever admit to the gambling issues?
See..I find many books do this. When the reader gets so involved in the plot that is a great thing because it shows the writer has really succeeded in making us care about the characters. So while in some cases abstract endings are fine, in this case, I really wanted to know what happens in these peoples lives. Very much so.
I will change my rating to a 4 if she ever writes a part two which I wish she would because I want more of Rachel and I want to know what happens with everybody else.
I still have to recommend this book because it is so powerful. But the ending let me down. Part two please!
The Party by Lisa Hall
3.5 stars.
This is some book. And it is a prime example of a book that had me up all night but also had me questioning a few things I did not understand.
This book is about Rachel. She attends her neighbor's party. The next morning she wakes up in her neighbor's house alone, in pain, with no memory of anything that happened the night before.
She does not know what happened to her. Only that it was bad. Really bad.
This book is about rape and maybe triggering to some people.
Rachel's life has been falling apart and that was BEFORE the party. Her husband does not seem to love her any more. She has had an affair and feels deeply guilty about it. On top of that, her husband's co worker has developed a fixation on her and will not leave her alone.
Rachel reports the rape to the police but their inactivity infuriates her and she decides to also investigate this alone. She is in emotional turmoil and feels there is nobody to turn to.
I really enjoyed this book which is both dark and really brave for taking on this subject matter. I felt for Rachel and wanted to figure out who did it.
And that brings me to my first issue. I guessed..almost immediately..and was correct. It was either to obvious or I am reading one to many domestic thrillers but anyway you get the picture. I spent much of the book hoping I was wrong.
The other aspect that bothered me and made me rate it a 3 instead of a 4 (3.5 actually) was the ending.
I will try to do this without spoilers.
I did not believe the ending. Nothing in Rachel's character showed the reader she was who she seemed to be at the end. Her final choice is not one I would have ever though she'd make and did not make a whole lot of sense to me.
OK..NOW SPOILERS
Also I did not understand a certain person being released from jail. It made no sense. What about attempted murder? He tried to kill Robby with a paperweight. At the very least would there not have been an assault charge?
I felt a bit cheated by the ending. I would have liked it to end the way I thought it would when the whole family were hugging. Instead this final chapter is tacked on and I was skeptical. It did not follow logic. I was perplexed that it just ended so suddenly.
I made a huge investment in these characters. What happened to the house? Did they lose it? What happened to Tom? How did he feel about his son raping the his former girlfriend?
How did Garreth feel about everything? Did he ever admit to the gambling issues?
See..I find many books do this. When the reader gets so involved in the plot that is a great thing because it shows the writer has really succeeded in making us care about the characters. So while in some cases abstract endings are fine, in this case, I really wanted to know what happens in these peoples lives. Very much so.
I will change my rating to a 4 if she ever writes a part two which I wish she would because I want more of Rachel and I want to know what happens with everybody else.
I still have to recommend this book because it is so powerful. But the ending let me down. Part two please!
September 1, 2018
Books can be found at: www.booknerdtan.wordpress.com
Rachel wakes up confused in a strange room the morning after a neighbourhood party. She can't remember anything; all she knows is that she's woken up with no underwear on and bruises all over her body. This intense story follows Rachel and her journey to find out what happened to her that night and how her past will come back to haunt her whilst she does.
The book delves into some very dark subjects however I think the author writes about it very well. The only slight issue I had was with the female detective; I felt that she came across quite harsh in how she dealt with Rachel and the situation and I don't feel like that would be true to life. Some of the scenes were very intense and powerful, especially the scene in the police station.
Although I had figured out who had committed the crime at around 60% of the way in, the author definitely does a good job in creating doubt for every possible culprit and I loved it - I spent the whole book debating who it was and that's exactly my kind of book! I think this book drew me in so much because all of the characters were so untrustworthy and it felt like everyone was hiding information from Rachel in order to protect themselves.
I was in somewhat of a thriller slump before reading this on holiday and it dragged me right back out which I am totally grateful for! Highly recommended read! This is my first book by Lisa Hall however it won't be my last. She has previously written 2 books and I have every intention on getting to them soon!
Rachel wakes up confused in a strange room the morning after a neighbourhood party. She can't remember anything; all she knows is that she's woken up with no underwear on and bruises all over her body. This intense story follows Rachel and her journey to find out what happened to her that night and how her past will come back to haunt her whilst she does.
The book delves into some very dark subjects however I think the author writes about it very well. The only slight issue I had was with the female detective; I felt that she came across quite harsh in how she dealt with Rachel and the situation and I don't feel like that would be true to life. Some of the scenes were very intense and powerful, especially the scene in the police station.
Although I had figured out who had committed the crime at around 60% of the way in, the author definitely does a good job in creating doubt for every possible culprit and I loved it - I spent the whole book debating who it was and that's exactly my kind of book! I think this book drew me in so much because all of the characters were so untrustworthy and it felt like everyone was hiding information from Rachel in order to protect themselves.
I was in somewhat of a thriller slump before reading this on holiday and it dragged me right back out which I am totally grateful for! Highly recommended read! This is my first book by Lisa Hall however it won't be my last. She has previously written 2 books and I have every intention on getting to them soon!
October 6, 2018
Here’s my review of The Party by Lisa Hall
OK, you got me Lisa.
It’s 2-1 to you.
😂😂😂😂
I’m a huge fan of Lisa Hall and have to say that Between You And Me is probably my favourite ever thriller.
So Mrs Hall has set the bar high, like mega high.
The Party is my second thriller by Lisa and boy does it have a lot to live up to.
It’s the story of Rachel, her husband Gareth and their son Robbie.
It centres around a New Years Eve party and all the neighbours are together.
Rachel wakes up the next morning in a room upstairs, having been drugged and raped.
Rachel cannot leave anyone out, and due to past happenings and back stories, most are suspects.
It’s a fabulous thriller and continually keeps you on the edge of your seat, needing to turn the pages well into the night.
Her style of writing and leaving cliffhangers, clues, leading you one way, then the other is first class and I kept thinking I know who the culprit is, only to change my mind over and over again.
Lisa, what a terrific story, I loved it.
A thriller of the absolute finest order.
5 Stars.
OK, you got me Lisa.
It’s 2-1 to you.
😂😂😂😂
I’m a huge fan of Lisa Hall and have to say that Between You And Me is probably my favourite ever thriller.
So Mrs Hall has set the bar high, like mega high.
The Party is my second thriller by Lisa and boy does it have a lot to live up to.
It’s the story of Rachel, her husband Gareth and their son Robbie.
It centres around a New Years Eve party and all the neighbours are together.
Rachel wakes up the next morning in a room upstairs, having been drugged and raped.
Rachel cannot leave anyone out, and due to past happenings and back stories, most are suspects.
It’s a fabulous thriller and continually keeps you on the edge of your seat, needing to turn the pages well into the night.
Her style of writing and leaving cliffhangers, clues, leading you one way, then the other is first class and I kept thinking I know who the culprit is, only to change my mind over and over again.
Lisa, what a terrific story, I loved it.
A thriller of the absolute finest order.
5 Stars.
July 4, 2018
CW: Sexual assault, rape, stalking behavior
I received a free copy of this book from Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review.
When Rachel wakes up after her neighbour's New Year's Eve party, she instantly knows something isn't right. She's covered in bruises and tender in places she shouldn't be, and she can't remember anything from the night before. After Rachel realises that she's been drugged and raped, she starts trying to piece together her memories to discover who hurt her. But who can she trust is telling the truth?
I thought this book was going to be something a bit different if I'm honest. When I went into this originally, I just presumed something bad had happened but I never thought it would be sexual assault and rape, and I feel like maybe this is something that should be stated on the Goodreads blurb or back cover because many people wouldn't want to read about such a topic, and some people may feel like I did and just be uncomfortable with it being used as a plot point for a 'thriller.'
I felt for Rachel a lot, and it was very hard to follow her go through all her emotions, specifically because of the fact she also had no idea who had deliberately planned to hurt her in such a way. She wasn't treated very well by her family and friends and it was annoying to be a reader and witness it. There were moments when her husband was also really dismissive of what had happened - asking her at one point if they could just 'move on' - and there were also flashbacks to times before the party when he had been physically violent towards her.
The reveal for me wasn't very shocking- I definitely saw it coming. This book didn't thrill me, it just left me feeling uncomfortable and it's not one I'd recommend.
I received a free copy of this book from Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review.
When Rachel wakes up after her neighbour's New Year's Eve party, she instantly knows something isn't right. She's covered in bruises and tender in places she shouldn't be, and she can't remember anything from the night before. After Rachel realises that she's been drugged and raped, she starts trying to piece together her memories to discover who hurt her. But who can she trust is telling the truth?
I thought this book was going to be something a bit different if I'm honest. When I went into this originally, I just presumed something bad had happened but I never thought it would be sexual assault and rape, and I feel like maybe this is something that should be stated on the Goodreads blurb or back cover because many people wouldn't want to read about such a topic, and some people may feel like I did and just be uncomfortable with it being used as a plot point for a 'thriller.'
I felt for Rachel a lot, and it was very hard to follow her go through all her emotions, specifically because of the fact she also had no idea who had deliberately planned to hurt her in such a way. She wasn't treated very well by her family and friends and it was annoying to be a reader and witness it. There were moments when her husband was also really dismissive of what had happened - asking her at one point if they could just 'move on' - and there were also flashbacks to times before the party when he had been physically violent towards her.
The reveal for me wasn't very shocking- I definitely saw it coming. This book didn't thrill me, it just left me feeling uncomfortable and it's not one I'd recommend.
June 20, 2018
My Review: The Party is the third book by Lisa Hall and is another superb, twisted standalone psychological thriller.
Rachel, a 40 something married mother of one teenage boy attends a New Years Eve party held at her neighbours house with her husband. She wakes up the morning after alone in a strange bed, half naked and bruised with absolutely no memory of the night before.
And so begins our journey into discovering what happened and more importantly who did this to Rachel. The police are unable to help due to lack of evidence so Rachel decides to investigate herself by talking to everyone who was at the party.
The story alternates timelines between several months before the party and the weeks after the party. The author cleverly lets the reader suspect several characters and with a couple of red-herrings and twists thrown in, The Party is a gripping and highly addictive psychological thriller and proves that Lisa Hall is a very talented author who manages to produce superb page-turners.
Rachel, a 40 something married mother of one teenage boy attends a New Years Eve party held at her neighbours house with her husband. She wakes up the morning after alone in a strange bed, half naked and bruised with absolutely no memory of the night before.
And so begins our journey into discovering what happened and more importantly who did this to Rachel. The police are unable to help due to lack of evidence so Rachel decides to investigate herself by talking to everyone who was at the party.
The story alternates timelines between several months before the party and the weeks after the party. The author cleverly lets the reader suspect several characters and with a couple of red-herrings and twists thrown in, The Party is a gripping and highly addictive psychological thriller and proves that Lisa Hall is a very talented author who manages to produce superb page-turners.
July 19, 2018
I requested this book as from the blurb I thought it sounded like a cult type event that had occurred at the party and the protagonist, Rachel, would have to piece together all the weirdness. Unfortunately, this is not what I got as this is about the aftermath of a rape.
Despite my disappointment at discovering this was not a culty book, I was then further disappointed by how utterly boring this book actually is.
The writing is clunky and cliched (I counted four times where the line "she let out the breath she didn't realise she was holding" was used). The characters are all deplorable, and there is no suspense in this at all.
I found the entire book predictable and dull.
An advanced reader copy was kindly given by the publisher via Netgalley
Despite my disappointment at discovering this was not a culty book, I was then further disappointed by how utterly boring this book actually is.
The writing is clunky and cliched (I counted four times where the line "she let out the breath she didn't realise she was holding" was used). The characters are all deplorable, and there is no suspense in this at all.
I found the entire book predictable and dull.
An advanced reader copy was kindly given by the publisher via Netgalley
January 14, 2020
I was really looking forward to this book, but sadly it ended up falling short for me. The story has been done before, and I could guess whodunnit well in advance. My least favorite thing about this book was the Characters!! Not a single one of the main characters was a decent person and even remotely likable. This is a 3 Star read, solely on the fact that the writing was above-average, and it's a well-paced mystery, but that's pretty much it.
December 2, 2021
Please don't bother.
June 27, 2018
Vomit, vomit, flashback, vomit. Repeat. If there’s a literary prize for the most vomiting incidents in a story, The Party is a real contender.
Chapters alternate between ‘before the party’ and ‘after the party’. The ‘after’ chapters (notwithstanding the vomit) are the most interesting, especially the opening where Rachel wakes up at a party unsure where she is. (I can relate). The ‘before’ chapters were quite long and tedious and could do with a good edit.
There’s a reasonably good suspense story here, but it’s about two-thirds of the length of the book.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the ARC.
Chapters alternate between ‘before the party’ and ‘after the party’. The ‘after’ chapters (notwithstanding the vomit) are the most interesting, especially the opening where Rachel wakes up at a party unsure where she is. (I can relate). The ‘before’ chapters were quite long and tedious and could do with a good edit.
There’s a reasonably good suspense story here, but it’s about two-thirds of the length of the book.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the ARC.
July 14, 2018
I really enjoyed both previous books by Lisa Hall but have to say that I think The Party is her best book so far! It’s one of those books that once picked up is impossible to put down and I read it in one afternoon, addicted to finding out what had happened to Rachel. I will warn you now that the subject matter may be distressing to some but everything Lisa Hall does feels an accurate representation of the crime committed, which adds to the horror of what has occurred and how Rachel attempts to cope.
The opening pages of The Party were so shocking and jaw dropping that it was impossible not to become completely engrossed in Rachel’s predicament. She wakes up the morning after a New Years Eve party at her neighbours house with little memory of what happened the night before. She is half naked, bruised and confused. But where is her husband? How did she come to be tucked up in bed in her neighbours bedroom? Who did this terrible thing to her and why? And why do all the guests seem to be telling her slightly different events from that night? It’s with those questions in her head that Rachel becomes the main investigator in her own attack and starts to retrace her steps from before that night, with flashbacks also to the weeks leading up to the party, to work out what had happened to her. And I couldn’t rest until she did!
Lisa Hall is such a brilliant storyteller that is impossible not to become wrapped up in her plot with its neatly unfolding and easy to follow narrative. The short chapters help to maintain the tension throughout and I loved the fact that there were so many dodgy characters to suspect. There were red herrings galore to fool me into thinking I knew exactly what had happened that terrible night but I was way off the mark! Rachel was a likeable and relatable character who responded to her situation with the courage and determination of a woman we could respect and she felt like a friend who needed my support.And as I followed her story through to its conclusion, I was gripped and totally gobsmacked by how everything came together because that ending was NOT WHAT I EXPECTED AT ALL!! Just brilliant!
Definitely one to watch out for!
The opening pages of The Party were so shocking and jaw dropping that it was impossible not to become completely engrossed in Rachel’s predicament. She wakes up the morning after a New Years Eve party at her neighbours house with little memory of what happened the night before. She is half naked, bruised and confused. But where is her husband? How did she come to be tucked up in bed in her neighbours bedroom? Who did this terrible thing to her and why? And why do all the guests seem to be telling her slightly different events from that night? It’s with those questions in her head that Rachel becomes the main investigator in her own attack and starts to retrace her steps from before that night, with flashbacks also to the weeks leading up to the party, to work out what had happened to her. And I couldn’t rest until she did!
Lisa Hall is such a brilliant storyteller that is impossible not to become wrapped up in her plot with its neatly unfolding and easy to follow narrative. The short chapters help to maintain the tension throughout and I loved the fact that there were so many dodgy characters to suspect. There were red herrings galore to fool me into thinking I knew exactly what had happened that terrible night but I was way off the mark! Rachel was a likeable and relatable character who responded to her situation with the courage and determination of a woman we could respect and she felt like a friend who needed my support.And as I followed her story through to its conclusion, I was gripped and totally gobsmacked by how everything came together because that ending was NOT WHAT I EXPECTED AT ALL!! Just brilliant!
Definitely one to watch out for!
June 6, 2018
‘The Party’ by Lisa Hall published July 26th by HQ
Having read Lisa Hall’s previous 2 books and loved them I was expecting a lot from this 3rd stand alone psychological thriller
The Blurb states ‘It turned into her worst nightmare’...... and for me that combined with the title itself the scene was already set and I was intrigued as to what had happened at ‘the party’ ..... you don’t have to wait long as it opens with Rachel waking up in a neighbours bedroom, she shouldn’t be there, why is she covered in bruises and who did this to her? You are then transported into a ‘before and after’ party narrative, and a set of characters who it could have been inc neighbours, admirers, her husband!, her ex lover and a man who seems obsessed with her....its a ‘whodunit’ and like every good ‘whodunit’ it keeps you guessing, you change your mind and change it again...and again, there are various sub plots and stories going on but it never feels confused or ‘bitty’ and it all wraps up into who DID do it!! and of course its a shock although I did wonder a couple of times as the book progressed if it was them!!!.... The book deals well with dark subjects and handles the description of traumatic events in a clear but feeling way
I enjoyed ‘The Party’ and it led you along in a fast and ever changing way that made it difficult not to want to find the outcome out as soon as possible
Lisa Hall once again shows her ability to write a really, really great book, make sure you get yourself an RSVP to ‘The Party’ on July 26th and see if you can solve the mystery of what really happened at ‘the party’
10/10 5 stars
July 7, 2018
Rachel wakes up the morning after a New Years party at her neighbours and doesn't know where she is, after leaving the room she has slept in, she realises it's her neighbours spare room, but why is she there and where is her husband Gareth, who was at the party with her and why is she half naked, bruised and sore. After briefly speaking to her neighbours, who don't seem to know much either she returns home to look for her husband. During the course of the next few hours she realises that something dreadful has happened to her but she can't remember what, or who was responsible.
The writer then takes us on a journey during this tense, compelling thriller to find out what happened to Rachel during the party and who did this to her, all through this journey, which is told by Rachel in various timelines before the party and the weeks following, the writer dares us to believe that it's first one person and then another that is the perpetrator, very cleverly confusing the reader in places with a couple of dead ends. I was quite disturbed when the person I thought it was, turned out to be correct and their reason why.
This book is the third one I've read by this author and they just keep getting better. Lisa Hall certainly knows how to pack her books with intrigue, suspense and edge of your seat drama to keep you hooked till the very end and I was totally hooked, finishing it in less than 24 hours, I just couldn't put it down, I for one cannot wait for book 4!!! Highly recommended.
I would like to thank HQ for the approval and will post my review on Goodreads now and on Amazon on publication day.
The writer then takes us on a journey during this tense, compelling thriller to find out what happened to Rachel during the party and who did this to her, all through this journey, which is told by Rachel in various timelines before the party and the weeks following, the writer dares us to believe that it's first one person and then another that is the perpetrator, very cleverly confusing the reader in places with a couple of dead ends. I was quite disturbed when the person I thought it was, turned out to be correct and their reason why.
This book is the third one I've read by this author and they just keep getting better. Lisa Hall certainly knows how to pack her books with intrigue, suspense and edge of your seat drama to keep you hooked till the very end and I was totally hooked, finishing it in less than 24 hours, I just couldn't put it down, I for one cannot wait for book 4!!! Highly recommended.
I would like to thank HQ for the approval and will post my review on Goodreads now and on Amazon on publication day.
June 17, 2018
The Party is the authors third book and another dark and gripping read.
Rachel is married to Gareth and they have a teenage son Robbie. We first meet Rachel when she wakes up in a bed in her next doors neighbours house. Obviously alarm bells start ringing as she doesn't remember anything other than arriving at the house and the fact that she only lives next door, why she would be waking up in their house?
Obviously the reader is just as intrigued as to what has happened also. I think due to the nature of the story some readers may find it uncomfortable or upsetting to read. The story focuses though on the who and why and it makes for a page turner of a read.
The author weaves a twisted tale pointing us in different directions making us second guess who it could be. I kept swapping my mind as to who it could be and have to say when we do get to find out, well I didn't see that coming!
The Party is a story that will have you hooked throughout. The tension and suspense builds throughout and will certainly keep you on your toes. Fans of the author certainly won't be disappointed.
My thanks to HQ and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Rachel is married to Gareth and they have a teenage son Robbie. We first meet Rachel when she wakes up in a bed in her next doors neighbours house. Obviously alarm bells start ringing as she doesn't remember anything other than arriving at the house and the fact that she only lives next door, why she would be waking up in their house?
Obviously the reader is just as intrigued as to what has happened also. I think due to the nature of the story some readers may find it uncomfortable or upsetting to read. The story focuses though on the who and why and it makes for a page turner of a read.
The author weaves a twisted tale pointing us in different directions making us second guess who it could be. I kept swapping my mind as to who it could be and have to say when we do get to find out, well I didn't see that coming!
The Party is a story that will have you hooked throughout. The tension and suspense builds throughout and will certainly keep you on your toes. Fans of the author certainly won't be disappointed.
My thanks to HQ and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
August 30, 2019
Sorry.
I guessed the perp early on, but what flattened this story for me was actually the unlikable heroine. Self-absorbed, whiny, and justifying her own affair by complaining that hubby is a dick (which he was, so...leave him, then) Rachel was far from someone I could root for.
Actually, the motives for most of the characters seemed to fall out of the sky, with no real cohesion or reasons. Aaron - why was he obsessed? There were no clear reasons listed for it. Gareth is a dink, and we find out why...but that plotline is then completely abandoned, unresolved.
Then there was the ending - a pitch right out of the dark that was *not* the twist it was clearly intended to be, but instead a complete WTF.
It's a No from me.
I guessed the perp early on, but what flattened this story for me was actually the unlikable heroine. Self-absorbed, whiny, and justifying her own affair by complaining that hubby is a dick (which he was, so...leave him, then) Rachel was far from someone I could root for.
Actually, the motives for most of the characters seemed to fall out of the sky, with no real cohesion or reasons. Aaron - why was he obsessed? There were no clear reasons listed for it. Gareth is a dink, and we find out why...but that plotline is then completely abandoned, unresolved.
Then there was the ending - a pitch right out of the dark that was *not* the twist it was clearly intended to be, but instead a complete WTF.
It's a No from me.
May 4, 2021
Another exciting psychological thriller. I loved it!
July 14, 2018
Thank you to the team at HQ stories for sending me an ARC copy of this book. As always, opinions and thoughts are all my own!
The Party is a standalone psychological thriller featuring Lies, Scandal and Revenge. We follow Rachel who wakes up after a new year’s party in a strange room, feeling sick and knowing that something terrible has happened to her.
This book does deal with rape and sexual abuse and my not be suitable for someone who is sensitive to these topics to read. I would also like to add that I have never experienced rape or sexual abuse and I therefore cannot comment on how it is represented in this book.
I thought that this was such a fantastic book. We get to see chapters which occur from before the party and also after the party which I really enjoyed as both time points gave you a different view to who could have been the ‘bad guy’ in this book. It had me guessing backwards and forwards as to who it was and although I knew who it was by the time it was revealed, I’d definitely changed my min a few times so this is definitely one that keeps you guessing!
I enjoyed all the domestic issues that were wound into the storyline (and no, not all of them are Rachels!) We got to hear all about he neighbours both before and after the party and its clear that everyone had their flaws and issues on the street which meant that most of the didn’t see what happened on the night of party! {or maybe they did they’re just lying to protect themselves. . .?} And Rachel also had a lot to deal with at home with her husband which just worked so well with the main plot as she those issues to deal with along with what she could remember from the party.
I felt so sorry for Rachel; I think there will be a few of us who have woke up from a night out and can’t remember much so it was definitely easy to relate but this obviously goes a lot further as we get to follow Rachel’s panic at knowing something has happened, yet she has no idea who did it or even how it happened. It was so refreshing not to have an unreliable narrator too! Rachel really just seemed like a normal woman; no alcoholism or amnesia or memory issues (apart from the obvious memory loss of the night) and she didn’t try and use the memory loss from the night to cause trouble.
This really is a fantastic book that keeps you hooked – I read this in a day because I couldn’t put it down and I haven’t done that in a really really long time!
The Party is a standalone psychological thriller featuring Lies, Scandal and Revenge. We follow Rachel who wakes up after a new year’s party in a strange room, feeling sick and knowing that something terrible has happened to her.
This book does deal with rape and sexual abuse and my not be suitable for someone who is sensitive to these topics to read. I would also like to add that I have never experienced rape or sexual abuse and I therefore cannot comment on how it is represented in this book.
I thought that this was such a fantastic book. We get to see chapters which occur from before the party and also after the party which I really enjoyed as both time points gave you a different view to who could have been the ‘bad guy’ in this book. It had me guessing backwards and forwards as to who it was and although I knew who it was by the time it was revealed, I’d definitely changed my min a few times so this is definitely one that keeps you guessing!
I enjoyed all the domestic issues that were wound into the storyline (and no, not all of them are Rachels!) We got to hear all about he neighbours both before and after the party and its clear that everyone had their flaws and issues on the street which meant that most of the didn’t see what happened on the night of party! {or maybe they did they’re just lying to protect themselves. . .?} And Rachel also had a lot to deal with at home with her husband which just worked so well with the main plot as she those issues to deal with along with what she could remember from the party.
I felt so sorry for Rachel; I think there will be a few of us who have woke up from a night out and can’t remember much so it was definitely easy to relate but this obviously goes a lot further as we get to follow Rachel’s panic at knowing something has happened, yet she has no idea who did it or even how it happened. It was so refreshing not to have an unreliable narrator too! Rachel really just seemed like a normal woman; no alcoholism or amnesia or memory issues (apart from the obvious memory loss of the night) and she didn’t try and use the memory loss from the night to cause trouble.
This really is a fantastic book that keeps you hooked – I read this in a day because I couldn’t put it down and I haven’t done that in a really really long time!
April 5, 2019
The Party
A party that turns into a nightmare for married mum Rachel. Rachel wakes up in the neighbours spare bedroom the next morning of the party, naked from the waist down and has no memory of how she ended up there or what happened to her.
What unfolds is shocking and devastating for Rachel and her family.
An interesting fast paced read that you just won’t want to put down until you finish.
A party that turns into a nightmare for married mum Rachel. Rachel wakes up in the neighbours spare bedroom the next morning of the party, naked from the waist down and has no memory of how she ended up there or what happened to her.
What unfolds is shocking and devastating for Rachel and her family.
An interesting fast paced read that you just won’t want to put down until you finish.
June 17, 2018
I enjoyed the Party, although I did have a good idea who the protagonist might have been.
This is the story of a girl in a rocky marriage, who goes to a neighbour’s party and is drugged and raped. She remembers nothing about the party from entering, to waking up in the spare room very battered and sore.
The story is told pre party, and post party. Very enjoyable until the end which I felt was a little rushed and implausible for several reasons. All in all a good read though.
This is the story of a girl in a rocky marriage, who goes to a neighbour’s party and is drugged and raped. She remembers nothing about the party from entering, to waking up in the spare room very battered and sore.
The story is told pre party, and post party. Very enjoyable until the end which I felt was a little rushed and implausible for several reasons. All in all a good read though.
July 14, 2018
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book as an arc. It has all the ingredients I love in a psychological thriller, shady characters telling lies and keeping secrets. Rachel wakes up in her neighbour's spare room on New Years Day with the hangover from hell (not an unfamiliar scenario)! She begins to suspect she has been raped at the party the night before, but her memory of events is extremely hazy.
With so little evidence to go on, the police are unsurprisingly slow in their investigations, so Rachel decides she has to take matters into her own hands. Rachel manages to uncover secrets her friends and neighbours have been hiding and plenty of skeletons come tumbling out of the closet! I did enjoy the book, but felt it was slightly repetitive in parts and it wasn't difficult to figure out the direction the story was heading. I think because this author's first book Between You and Me had such a huge twist that I was shocked by, I was, perhaps unfairly, hoping for another jaw dropping moment. However it was an entertaining read and I would certainly recommend this book.
With so little evidence to go on, the police are unsurprisingly slow in their investigations, so Rachel decides she has to take matters into her own hands. Rachel manages to uncover secrets her friends and neighbours have been hiding and plenty of skeletons come tumbling out of the closet! I did enjoy the book, but felt it was slightly repetitive in parts and it wasn't difficult to figure out the direction the story was heading. I think because this author's first book Between You and Me had such a huge twist that I was shocked by, I was, perhaps unfairly, hoping for another jaw dropping moment. However it was an entertaining read and I would certainly recommend this book.
July 25, 2019
Synopses sounded interesting but basically it's a story about woman who suspects she had been raped at the party but she has no actual recollection who or why attacked her. So she tries to find out what happened at the party and who did it.
Nothing unusal or scary, nothing interesting. I thought it was going to be more gripping but I found this book tedious with no likeable or interesting characters to cheer for. Started to skim in order to get to the end but the ending was...another dissapointment. Also hated the way chapters alternated between ‘before the party’ and ‘after the party’. The reveal what had happened to Rachel wasn't very surprising, nor who attacked her.
Nothing unusal or scary, nothing interesting. I thought it was going to be more gripping but I found this book tedious with no likeable or interesting characters to cheer for. Started to skim in order to get to the end but the ending was...another dissapointment. Also hated the way chapters alternated between ‘before the party’ and ‘after the party’. The reveal what had happened to Rachel wasn't very surprising, nor who attacked her.
October 29, 2018
This seemed to drag on forever without getting anywhere and when the resolution came it had already been apparent for a long time
November 26, 2022
Men are trash.
June 14, 2018
Having read this author, Lisa's first book and loved it, I could not wait to read her third book and boy was the wait worth it. I've not had the chance to read her second book but it is very much sitting on my kindle just waiting to be devoured.
Well it's safe to say that author Lisa has produced another outstanding brilliant and gripping read. I don't know how she does it but wow. She really does just have a clever way with words that draws you in and then leaves you gasping and wanting more.
The story and the characters engaged with you straight away, it was great getting to know them all and trying to figure out who was lying and who was telling the truth. I was well and truly captivated throughout the story which was very cleverly written.
It truly was a magnificent read from start to finish, which was very fast paced. There were moments when I was literally on the edge of my seat with anticipation as to what would happen next and wondering how it would all end. I absolutely loved the twist at the end.
So last word's, if you haven't read any of Lisa's books yet, then don't delay any further as her books are highly recommended.
Well it's safe to say that author Lisa has produced another outstanding brilliant and gripping read. I don't know how she does it but wow. She really does just have a clever way with words that draws you in and then leaves you gasping and wanting more.
The story and the characters engaged with you straight away, it was great getting to know them all and trying to figure out who was lying and who was telling the truth. I was well and truly captivated throughout the story which was very cleverly written.
It truly was a magnificent read from start to finish, which was very fast paced. There were moments when I was literally on the edge of my seat with anticipation as to what would happen next and wondering how it would all end. I absolutely loved the twist at the end.
So last word's, if you haven't read any of Lisa's books yet, then don't delay any further as her books are highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 623 reviews