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The Bridal Party
It's the weekend of Clarisse's bridal party, a trip the girls have all been looking forward to. Then, on the day of their flight, Tamsyn, the maid of honor, suddenly backs out. Upset and confused, they try to make the most of the stunning, isolated seaside house they find themselves in. But as tensions quickly boil over, it becomes clear to them all there are some secrets that won't stay buried...
247 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 262 reviews
October 1, 2019
Hated the ending. Hated the characters. Plot was slow moving. Did I mention I hated the ending?
October 19, 2019
This is the stupidest book I’ve ever read. Every female character acts as though they have a single digit IQ.
A group of women gather to throw their best friend a hen party. The minute the women arrive at the house they realise someone is playing bizarre and criminal “tricks” on them, they even see the hen’s abusive arsehole ex-boyfriend creeping around the house, yet they shrug it off as “must be part of some hen party murder mystery surprise” and go along with everything, even obediently dressing up in bloodstained outfits a mysterious intruder has placed in their suitcases.
Turns out the hen’s violent cheating stalker ex-boyfriend (the most fedora-wearing, well actuallying, Milladying douche canoe you could imagine) is butthurt that these friends tried to break up the relationship (and uh accidentally shoved him off a cliff when he assaulted one of them) so he’s staged an elaborate and extremely expensive fake hen party forcing them to do Medieval roleplay in order to make them confess to their part in his accident.
For some bizarre reason all the women just blindly go along and obey his every order without question even though they massively outnumber him and could have overpowered him. Or just, you know... refused?? Just not opened the front door? Literally, he orders one woman to run into a dark wood so he can chase her down and kill her, and instead of the women saying, “Fuck off we’re calling the police” they all TELL HER TO OBEY HIM.
Supposedly this is because they’re frightened he’ll go to the police and tell them about the cliff pushing incident which is stupid because a) there’s zero proof it even happened b) they have a ton of evidence of his own laundry list of crimes c) it’s his word against theirs.
The twist ending is even more stupid and I refuse to believe a woman could be that much of a man-obsessed handmaiden that she’d do what the main character does. Really, all this for a petulant man-child who wont stop banging on about his gap yah?
I guess this book could be read as a savage satire on toxic masculinity but I’m afraid it’s supposed to be taken seriously.
A group of women gather to throw their best friend a hen party. The minute the women arrive at the house they realise someone is playing bizarre and criminal “tricks” on them, they even see the hen’s abusive arsehole ex-boyfriend creeping around the house, yet they shrug it off as “must be part of some hen party murder mystery surprise” and go along with everything, even obediently dressing up in bloodstained outfits a mysterious intruder has placed in their suitcases.
Turns out the hen’s violent cheating stalker ex-boyfriend (the most fedora-wearing, well actuallying, Milladying douche canoe you could imagine) is butthurt that these friends tried to break up the relationship (and uh accidentally shoved him off a cliff when he assaulted one of them) so he’s staged an elaborate and extremely expensive fake hen party forcing them to do Medieval roleplay in order to make them confess to their part in his accident.
For some bizarre reason all the women just blindly go along and obey his every order without question even though they massively outnumber him and could have overpowered him. Or just, you know... refused?? Just not opened the front door? Literally, he orders one woman to run into a dark wood so he can chase her down and kill her, and instead of the women saying, “Fuck off we’re calling the police” they all TELL HER TO OBEY HIM.
Supposedly this is because they’re frightened he’ll go to the police and tell them about the cliff pushing incident which is stupid because a) there’s zero proof it even happened b) they have a ton of evidence of his own laundry list of crimes c) it’s his word against theirs.
The twist ending is even more stupid and I refuse to believe a woman could be that much of a man-obsessed handmaiden that she’d do what the main character does. Really, all this for a petulant man-child who wont stop banging on about his gap yah?
I guess this book could be read as a savage satire on toxic masculinity but I’m afraid it’s supposed to be taken seriously.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2019
Clarisse and her friends are off to the island of Jersey for a bridal party weekend. None of them have any idea what’s in store for them as the weekend was organised by the maid of honour, Tamsyn. Sadly, Tamsyn’s mother falls ill and Tamsyn is forced to back out of the celebrations. The girls intend to make the best of things though and spirits are lifted considerably when they find out where they are staying. Until they realise Tamsyn has organised a murder mystery …
Remote location, creepy shenanigans, lies and secrets … Not your average weekend, to be sure. It all reminded me somewhat of those 90’s slasher movies and The Bridal Party often evoked the same emotions in me. Those moments where you roll your eyes at the sheer stupidity of the characters, usually followed by yelling “get the hell out of there!”.
I never quite managed to get to grips with the characters and their friendships often baffled me. I might have benefited from just a bit more depth in the dynamics of how the various relationships worked to find it in myself to become invested in these ladies. The few flashbacks didn’t really bring much to the table and I’m not entirely sure they were even necessary.
Nevertheless, The Bridal Party is a quick, easy read and it did entertain me for a few hours as I flew through the pages. You just know this won’t end well but there are a few surprises in store. Even if for me personally, it all felt a little over the top. I suppose I’d call this a rather light-hearted story about betrayal and revenge and for me the perfect in-between read when I need a break from my regular dose of gore and gruesomeness. Ultimately, it failed to really grip me and the thrill in thriller was sorely lacking for me.
Lesson learned though : Never let anyone organise a party for you.
Remote location, creepy shenanigans, lies and secrets … Not your average weekend, to be sure. It all reminded me somewhat of those 90’s slasher movies and The Bridal Party often evoked the same emotions in me. Those moments where you roll your eyes at the sheer stupidity of the characters, usually followed by yelling “get the hell out of there!”.
I never quite managed to get to grips with the characters and their friendships often baffled me. I might have benefited from just a bit more depth in the dynamics of how the various relationships worked to find it in myself to become invested in these ladies. The few flashbacks didn’t really bring much to the table and I’m not entirely sure they were even necessary.
Nevertheless, The Bridal Party is a quick, easy read and it did entertain me for a few hours as I flew through the pages. You just know this won’t end well but there are a few surprises in store. Even if for me personally, it all felt a little over the top. I suppose I’d call this a rather light-hearted story about betrayal and revenge and for me the perfect in-between read when I need a break from my regular dose of gore and gruesomeness. Ultimately, it failed to really grip me and the thrill in thriller was sorely lacking for me.
Lesson learned though : Never let anyone organise a party for you.
April 4, 2019
Clarisse,Nada,Afreya,Gaia and Elana arrive at Jersey for the weekend for Clarisse's bridal party but things take an unexpected turn when Tamsyn,the maid of honor informs them that she couldn't make it to the party. Confused and upset they still decided to make the most of the visit for Clarisse's sake. Upon arriving at the house things take a sinister turn when they realize that Tamsyn had organised a murder mystery game where the object was to expose the killer among them.
The Bridal Party is told in two different timelines the past and the present from Nada's point of view. Interesting premise but I found it difficult to care about the characters which made it an ok read for me
The Bridal Party is told in two different timelines the past and the present from Nada's point of view. Interesting premise but I found it difficult to care about the characters which made it an ok read for me
October 17, 2019
There was so much potential for this story, but it failed to reach it. The events weren't very feasible and the big reveal wasn't at all surprising. I was still holding out for a fun twist at the end, but there wasn't one and it was just kind of depressing instead.
November 24, 2018
THE BRIDAL PARTY was for me an excellent between books to read. You know, when you need something lighter and fast read? I've been reading pretty heavy stories and this one felt so good to read. I breezed through the story during a couple of hours.
Now, first I want to say that the flashbacks didn't do much for me. I quickly realized what was going on and those flashbacks were hardly surprising. I did find the beginning of the book best when the gals arrived on Jersey for Clarisse's bridal party and the bride of honor is missing. And they are all confused to a lot of things. Like why have the costumes they have said to bring with them been changed...? As I said before I quickly figure out the plot, so I did skim read a bit to get to the end. It's like a murder mystery episode of any TV-series, the beginning, and the end is the best. As for the ending, I was not surprised, until I was surprised. And I liked it. Yup, excellent twist towards the end of the book. So, would I recommend the book? Yup, this is a perfect I-have-a-coupe-of-hours-to-kill-book and I'm alone in a dark house far, far from civilization ... muahahaha
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
Now, first I want to say that the flashbacks didn't do much for me. I quickly realized what was going on and those flashbacks were hardly surprising. I did find the beginning of the book best when the gals arrived on Jersey for Clarisse's bridal party and the bride of honor is missing. And they are all confused to a lot of things. Like why have the costumes they have said to bring with them been changed...? As I said before I quickly figure out the plot, so I did skim read a bit to get to the end. It's like a murder mystery episode of any TV-series, the beginning, and the end is the best. As for the ending, I was not surprised, until I was surprised. And I liked it. Yup, excellent twist towards the end of the book. So, would I recommend the book? Yup, this is a perfect I-have-a-coupe-of-hours-to-kill-book and I'm alone in a dark house far, far from civilization ... muahahaha
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
February 26, 2019
I'm a bit unsure about how I feel about this one. I really enjoyed the premise and the setting. I enjoyed the flipping between current events and the revealing of the past but I think for me the ending fell a bit flat. I was ok with the big reveal (part 1) and even the second reveal but then the aftermath of that reveal is what's not sitting well with me and spoiled what was turning into a really good book.
There are lots of twists and turns and some genuinely creepy moments. I loved the house so would have liked more to happen inside but the dance outside - I could really picture how strange and surreal that must have been for the character.
I would still recommend it as the majority of the story is good and maybe others will like the ending.
There are lots of twists and turns and some genuinely creepy moments. I loved the house so would have liked more to happen inside but the dance outside - I could really picture how strange and surreal that must have been for the character.
I would still recommend it as the majority of the story is good and maybe others will like the ending.
March 30, 2019
4.5 ⭐️! Loved this book - total page turner. Dark and atmospheric, reminiscent of Ruth Ware.
July 14, 2022
This was weird, had a bad ending, and got an additional star deducted for the use of the name “Tamsyn”
March 10, 2019
Well…this was a rather good dark and twisty tale that will definitely be your cup of tea if you enjoyed In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware or The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley. This is the first book that I have read by J G Murray but I’m hoping that it won’t be the last as he has the type of warped mind that can create the whole package-plot, characters and setting were all spot on here!
It’s the hen do from hell when Clarisse and her friends stay at an isolated house on the island of Jersey for a few days of fun before her upcoming wedding. But it doesn’t get off to the best of starts when maid of honour Tamsyn cries off at the last minute and things just seem to go steadily downhill from there. The girls aren’t happy that strange occurrences related to a murder mystery game, that Tamsyn has organised to fill her absence, are starting to take a very unpleasant turn-but things are about to get a whole lot worse…
This is an easy to pick up but very difficult to put down thriller that uses the old “spooky house in the woods” scenario to great effect. None of the girls belonging to the hen party are particularly likeable but that didn’t stop me from being worried about who was obviously trying to scare them, or indeed, WHY? There were plenty of clues scattered around like breadcrumbs, leaving a trail back home to the truth, but these were so subtle that most of the time I didn’t even pick up on them! The final shocking pages were the culmination of some exceptional plot twists and it certainly wasn’t the ending that I hadn’t been expecting.
Dark, unpredictable and full of chilling twists, The Bridal Party is an enjoyable crime thriller.
It’s the hen do from hell when Clarisse and her friends stay at an isolated house on the island of Jersey for a few days of fun before her upcoming wedding. But it doesn’t get off to the best of starts when maid of honour Tamsyn cries off at the last minute and things just seem to go steadily downhill from there. The girls aren’t happy that strange occurrences related to a murder mystery game, that Tamsyn has organised to fill her absence, are starting to take a very unpleasant turn-but things are about to get a whole lot worse…
This is an easy to pick up but very difficult to put down thriller that uses the old “spooky house in the woods” scenario to great effect. None of the girls belonging to the hen party are particularly likeable but that didn’t stop me from being worried about who was obviously trying to scare them, or indeed, WHY? There were plenty of clues scattered around like breadcrumbs, leaving a trail back home to the truth, but these were so subtle that most of the time I didn’t even pick up on them! The final shocking pages were the culmination of some exceptional plot twists and it certainly wasn’t the ending that I hadn’t been expecting.
Dark, unpredictable and full of chilling twists, The Bridal Party is an enjoyable crime thriller.
March 7, 2019
The Bridal Party is a dark, gritty read with secrets, lies, betrayal and revenge as its central themes. The deception and duplicity runs right through the book making it difficult to know who to trust or who is simply putting on a front. Centred around a group of friends who embark on a murder mystery as part of Clarisse's hen party, things turn increasingly sinister and very, very creepy. The atmosphere J G Murray cultivates is so suspenseful that it was difficult to put down. Well written with plenty of surprises, some of which I predicted ahead of time, although it didn't impact my enjoyment too much.
This is a chilling debut novel, and I can't wait to see what the author produces next. Certainly one to watch.
Many thanks to Corvus Books for an ARC.
This is a chilling debut novel, and I can't wait to see what the author produces next. Certainly one to watch.
Many thanks to Corvus Books for an ARC.
July 15, 2020
Clarisse, the bride to be, and her friends head off to Jersey to celebrate Clarisse's hen. Unfortunately the past catches up to all of them, and they have to pay the price.
This author is no Ruth Ware. When I read 'In A Dark, Dark Wood' I was thrilled! It was incredible. It was believable. It fed into people's inner fears. The storyline was believable. This... is none of that. This novel goes so far out, it's literally ten feet away from the cliff, with the ridiculous attempt at a murder mystery night, that no one in their right mind would ever fall for or go for. So is the actual cliff scene in this book.
There are numerous grammatical errors in this. Third page in, and it lacked a period at the end of the sentence. That continues throughout the entire book. Apostrophes are NOT quotations. Get used to that- the author uses them incorrectly throughout. Whoever his/her editor is, should never be allowed to work in the publishing industry again.
The female empowerment is quite lovely, so this gets two stars. Other than that, it failed.
This author is no Ruth Ware. When I read 'In A Dark, Dark Wood' I was thrilled! It was incredible. It was believable. It fed into people's inner fears. The storyline was believable. This... is none of that. This novel goes so far out, it's literally ten feet away from the cliff, with the ridiculous attempt at a murder mystery night, that no one in their right mind would ever fall for or go for. So is the actual cliff scene in this book.
There are numerous grammatical errors in this. Third page in, and it lacked a period at the end of the sentence. That continues throughout the entire book. Apostrophes are NOT quotations. Get used to that- the author uses them incorrectly throughout. Whoever his/her editor is, should never be allowed to work in the publishing industry again.
The female empowerment is quite lovely, so this gets two stars. Other than that, it failed.
dnf
March 25, 2019This was an impulse buy because it was cheap on Kindle and I wanted a thriller to read, but I just can't get into it. A ton of the writing is in past perfect because it's filling in backstory, and it just kind of clunks. It feels like it's extendedly clearing its throat.
February 28, 2022
Uh….what was up with the ending? Am I missing something
September 4, 2022
A quick read, a bit unsettling though! Undeveloped characters, why even have so many if you're not going to develop them? Everyone was so flat, I didn't care about any of them. The setting was eerie but the story was sparse.
December 30, 2018
What a book! I had no idea what to expect and had no idea how to guess at the outcomes either.
I read this on holiday in about 2 hours, I just couldn't put it down and found the pages were turning really fast.
I was utterly hooked on this story, that starts off as a group going on a hen weekend, and once they arrive at their destination, events become creepier and creepier.
Interspersed with the present day story we get to know about a specific set of occurrences from that past, that become very relevant.
I can't really say much about the plot, I went into this blindly and I think that may be the best way.
This is the first book I have read by this author and based on this evidence it certainly won't be my last either.
Fast paced, the whole book takes place over one day, there were many times where I paused, looked up and mouthed WTF... as I couldn't believe what I was reading, while hurriedly going back to see just what did happen next.
Unputdownable, gripping, addictive reading, this is one fantastic book.
Thank you to Corvus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I read this on holiday in about 2 hours, I just couldn't put it down and found the pages were turning really fast.
I was utterly hooked on this story, that starts off as a group going on a hen weekend, and once they arrive at their destination, events become creepier and creepier.
Interspersed with the present day story we get to know about a specific set of occurrences from that past, that become very relevant.
I can't really say much about the plot, I went into this blindly and I think that may be the best way.
This is the first book I have read by this author and based on this evidence it certainly won't be my last either.
Fast paced, the whole book takes place over one day, there were many times where I paused, looked up and mouthed WTF... as I couldn't believe what I was reading, while hurriedly going back to see just what did happen next.
Unputdownable, gripping, addictive reading, this is one fantastic book.
Thank you to Corvus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
March 4, 2021
The Bridal Party was no party at all!
After reading the synopsis, I thought I was in for a treat. Well, I was wrong. The plot just fell flat, there was no climax what so ever and to top it all off, it was a slow burn. The characters annoyed me, I don't even know how they managed to speak to each other. The ending was dumb.
After reading the synopsis, I thought I was in for a treat. Well, I was wrong. The plot just fell flat, there was no climax what so ever and to top it all off, it was a slow burn. The characters annoyed me, I don't even know how they managed to speak to each other. The ending was dumb.
November 21, 2018
Sounds good, really isn't. Crashingly predictable, bland characterisation and a plot which verges on hilariously hokey :(
November 27, 2018
The Bridal Party is a gripping,intense story of friendships,secrets,betrayals,lies and revenge.
The story centres around a group of friends,Clarisse,Nada,Afreya,Gaia and Elana who have flown out to Jersey for the weekend for Clarisse's bridal party. The weekend had taken a mysterious turn even before they had left the airport when they received a WattsApp message from Tamsyn,the maid of honour informing them that she unfortunately couldn't make it to the party. Confused and upset they decided to make the most of the stunning,isolated seaside house that Tamsyn had arranged for them to stay in. Upon arriving at the house they were surprised to discover that Tamsyn had organised a murder mystery,a game that became more and more intense and sinister as the day progressed. The object of the game was to expose the killer in their midst. As tensions and tempers boiled over,it become clear there are some secrets that won't stay buried.
We follow events in the present day and also in flashbacks to the past as they are told from Nora's point of view. To be honest,I didn't think Nora was a very likeable character, I found her behaviour was often frustrating and struggled to understand her obsession with Clarisse's happiness, Her obsession maybe made sense later in the book but not in the earlier flashback chapters. My favourite character was feisty Gaia,yeah she had a bad attitude at times but she wasn't afraid to speak her mind and fight back whenever she saw an opportunity. The group of friends were a mixed bag of realistic personalities,the sort of group that you might expect to find in a pub or club,getting drunk and having a laugh. I loved the isolated setting,the big house surrounded by a deep forest. Hinting that the house and the area around it had a dark,sinister history added to the creepy atmosphere of the story. I always think that forests can seem sinister and otherworldly even in broad daylight never mind in the dead of night when you can hardly see and all you can hear is your own footsteps that sound so.loud no matter how carefully you tread or maybe it's not your footsteps,maybe it's the footsteps of whoever is pursuing you.
The Bridal Party is a chilling,sinister,intense thriller that had me on the edge of my seat from the first page right through to the unexpected ending that had just a dash of poetic justice. I would love to watch a film adaptation of this book. This is a well written debut psychological thriller and I look forward to reading more books written by this author in the future.
Many thanks to Atlantic Books/Corvus for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
The story centres around a group of friends,Clarisse,Nada,Afreya,Gaia and Elana who have flown out to Jersey for the weekend for Clarisse's bridal party. The weekend had taken a mysterious turn even before they had left the airport when they received a WattsApp message from Tamsyn,the maid of honour informing them that she unfortunately couldn't make it to the party. Confused and upset they decided to make the most of the stunning,isolated seaside house that Tamsyn had arranged for them to stay in. Upon arriving at the house they were surprised to discover that Tamsyn had organised a murder mystery,a game that became more and more intense and sinister as the day progressed. The object of the game was to expose the killer in their midst. As tensions and tempers boiled over,it become clear there are some secrets that won't stay buried.
We follow events in the present day and also in flashbacks to the past as they are told from Nora's point of view. To be honest,I didn't think Nora was a very likeable character, I found her behaviour was often frustrating and struggled to understand her obsession with Clarisse's happiness, Her obsession maybe made sense later in the book but not in the earlier flashback chapters. My favourite character was feisty Gaia,yeah she had a bad attitude at times but she wasn't afraid to speak her mind and fight back whenever she saw an opportunity. The group of friends were a mixed bag of realistic personalities,the sort of group that you might expect to find in a pub or club,getting drunk and having a laugh. I loved the isolated setting,the big house surrounded by a deep forest. Hinting that the house and the area around it had a dark,sinister history added to the creepy atmosphere of the story. I always think that forests can seem sinister and otherworldly even in broad daylight never mind in the dead of night when you can hardly see and all you can hear is your own footsteps that sound so.loud no matter how carefully you tread or maybe it's not your footsteps,maybe it's the footsteps of whoever is pursuing you.
The Bridal Party is a chilling,sinister,intense thriller that had me on the edge of my seat from the first page right through to the unexpected ending that had just a dash of poetic justice. I would love to watch a film adaptation of this book. This is a well written debut psychological thriller and I look forward to reading more books written by this author in the future.
Many thanks to Atlantic Books/Corvus for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
June 16, 2020
1.5- Just going to tell you straight up not to bother with this one. Endlessly predictable. And the first half everyone is unduly upset. Yes, we know we're reading a mystery so we know weird things will happen. But even as a reader I had a hard time believing they'd be so upset over no WiFi or cell reception in a remote location. I also couldn't buy into how upset they were or scared overvtheir costumes being switched and finding paper clippings outlining creepy happenings. They know they planned a mystery event. That's kinda normal.... So their threats to call the cops were premature. It as very unexciting.
Of course, we knew there would be more to the story, and there was (predictable as anything) but there was no fun build. That was our build. So so lame. Please don't bother. It's a short read, but do a few loads of laundry instead. Skip this.
I think it could have been a much more interesting read with these changes:
1. It wasn't hard to figure out what happened in the past. The flashbacks could have been cut in half or focused on different characters and their various motives more.
2. The turning on each other should have been extended. This could also play into:
3. The Hunt. This should have been longer. All that buildup for about a page of action? Ugghhhhh
4. More creepy happenings or warnings early on. Then those minor things or things typical of a mystery themed party would seem slightly creepy, but you'd have more to go on.
Of course, we knew there would be more to the story, and there was (predictable as anything) but there was no fun build. That was our build. So so lame. Please don't bother. It's a short read, but do a few loads of laundry instead. Skip this.
I think it could have been a much more interesting read with these changes:
1. It wasn't hard to figure out what happened in the past. The flashbacks could have been cut in half or focused on different characters and their various motives more.
2. The turning on each other should have been extended. This could also play into:
3. The Hunt. This should have been longer. All that buildup for about a page of action? Ugghhhhh
4. More creepy happenings or warnings early on. Then those minor things or things typical of a mystery themed party would seem slightly creepy, but you'd have more to go on.
December 12, 2018
There's not too much for me to say about this, I didn't like it, the first few chapters were ok and then it just went 'meh' and never picked up again.
The main character we follow, Nada, is not a strong enough person to keep it together, she was weak, unsure of herself, subservient to the others and kind of a doormat, I was hoping she'd get stronger as we got further in but despite a couple of moments that gave me that hope she just fell flat again.
The premise is interesting and the and I absolutely loved the setting but the characters didn't pull me in and have me gripped. I skim read most of it and only kept going to see how it ended and then got frustrated because the characters hadn't changed at all, there didn't seem to be any growth.
If you liked this book then brilliant, if you didn't I understand. I will pick up the authors next book because I know that not all books are going to gel with everyone.
*Huge thanks to J.G. Murray, Atlantic Books, Corvus and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*
The main character we follow, Nada, is not a strong enough person to keep it together, she was weak, unsure of herself, subservient to the others and kind of a doormat, I was hoping she'd get stronger as we got further in but despite a couple of moments that gave me that hope she just fell flat again.
The premise is interesting and the and I absolutely loved the setting but the characters didn't pull me in and have me gripped. I skim read most of it and only kept going to see how it ended and then got frustrated because the characters hadn't changed at all, there didn't seem to be any growth.
If you liked this book then brilliant, if you didn't I understand. I will pick up the authors next book because I know that not all books are going to gel with everyone.
*Huge thanks to J.G. Murray, Atlantic Books, Corvus and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*
June 22, 2021
Great premise which was let down by the far fetched game.
I liked the switch between past and present but I'm afraid the Murder Mystery game was too far fetched for me.
I preferred the next novel by this author. New Year's Eve.
I liked the switch between past and present but I'm afraid the Murder Mystery game was too far fetched for me.
I preferred the next novel by this author. New Year's Eve.
October 28, 2022
Why did I waste time reading this book???
March 15, 2019
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the tour organiser
THE BRIDAL PARTY by JG Murray is an emotional and tense story brimming with secrets, lies, and obsession which makes for an entertaining read.
Everyone wants to make Clarisse's hen weekend in the countryside a huge success. After all that she has been through in the past, Clarisse deserves her current happiness. But when Tamsyn, Clarisse's best friend doesn't show up at the stunning and slightly creepy lodge in the middle of nowhere, things start to take a very strange turn for everyone in the group. For someone has been through their belongings, knows their secrets, and seems to be one step ahead of them at every turn. And when the trip takes a very dark and sinister turn, it won't be long before they each begin to find out who their friends really are ...
I enjoyed the premise of this story and felt the tension and strange atmosphere on every page which kept me interested throughout. I have to admit that I really didn't like most of the characters, with the exception of Gaia, but that didn't take away from the story. Told in a past and present narrative, we get to see the backstory to this unusual group of friends and this really worked well for me.
THE BRIDAL PARTY by JG Murray is a devious tale that could be easily read in one evening and will make you question whether you can ever truly know someone inside and out.
THE BRIDAL PARTY by JG Murray is an emotional and tense story brimming with secrets, lies, and obsession which makes for an entertaining read.
Everyone wants to make Clarisse's hen weekend in the countryside a huge success. After all that she has been through in the past, Clarisse deserves her current happiness. But when Tamsyn, Clarisse's best friend doesn't show up at the stunning and slightly creepy lodge in the middle of nowhere, things start to take a very strange turn for everyone in the group. For someone has been through their belongings, knows their secrets, and seems to be one step ahead of them at every turn. And when the trip takes a very dark and sinister turn, it won't be long before they each begin to find out who their friends really are ...
I enjoyed the premise of this story and felt the tension and strange atmosphere on every page which kept me interested throughout. I have to admit that I really didn't like most of the characters, with the exception of Gaia, but that didn't take away from the story. Told in a past and present narrative, we get to see the backstory to this unusual group of friends and this really worked well for me.
THE BRIDAL PARTY by JG Murray is a devious tale that could be easily read in one evening and will make you question whether you can ever truly know someone inside and out.
March 14, 2019
A group of young women arrive for a hen party, but the organiser and maid-of-honour Tamsyn, is nowhere to be seen. Expecting a fun time especially with the murder-mystery game Tamsyn has booked, the night starts to take a sinister turn.
The book was well-written and I think the story flowed nicely, with viewpoints of from the present day and flashbacks to an earlier incident, and there are plenty of secrets and lies to be found out. Unfortunately, from my viewpoint as a reader, it suffered from being way too predictable - even the reveal at the end wasn't a surprise, but this wouldn't put me off trying another one of the author's books.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Atlantic Books / Corvus, for the opportunity to review an ARC.
The book was well-written and I think the story flowed nicely, with viewpoints of from the present day and flashbacks to an earlier incident, and there are plenty of secrets and lies to be found out. Unfortunately, from my viewpoint as a reader, it suffered from being way too predictable - even the reveal at the end wasn't a surprise, but this wouldn't put me off trying another one of the author's books.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Atlantic Books / Corvus, for the opportunity to review an ARC.
September 21, 2021
My belief crashed on the first page of this book, and I was never able to get it fully suspended again.
Ever since Lockerbie, the UK has had strict matching-people-to-baggage rules, and they had rigorous TSA-like screenings before the US did. (I remember my checked luggage being searched in front of me, and then police tape stuck over the locks so it couldn’t be opened again without leaving evidence.) I just cannot believe an actively bleeding suitcase makes it all the way to its destination and is only noticed when no one picks it up at baggage claim. (This is page one, so not a spoiler.)
As the mystery was set on Jersey, I kept reading (I like Jersey), but the location was never really a factor. It could just as easily have been an isolated area of Appalachia.
Nothing ever comes of the heroine’s very complex backstory, either. Sooo many of Chekhov’s guns just lying around unused.
I liked the premise, and it was a quick, easy read. If you’re not a bitter, pet-peevy reader like me, you might enjoy this book.
Ever since Lockerbie, the UK has had strict matching-people-to-baggage rules, and they had rigorous TSA-like screenings before the US did. (I remember my checked luggage being searched in front of me, and then police tape stuck over the locks so it couldn’t be opened again without leaving evidence.) I just cannot believe an actively bleeding suitcase makes it all the way to its destination and is only noticed when no one picks it up at baggage claim. (This is page one, so not a spoiler.)
As the mystery was set on Jersey, I kept reading (I like Jersey), but the location was never really a factor. It could just as easily have been an isolated area of Appalachia.
Nothing ever comes of the heroine’s very complex backstory, either. Sooo many of Chekhov’s guns just lying around unused.
I liked the premise, and it was a quick, easy read. If you’re not a bitter, pet-peevy reader like me, you might enjoy this book.
November 2, 2021
The premise of this book was Ok, but the execution amateurish. I see what the author wanted to achieve here, but the way the women interacted and their devotion to Clarisse remained me of girls at school, not women who ran their own lives.
It was impossible to imagine how easily lead Nada was by a guy she clearly despised - just doesn't ring true.
The ending is also very weak, and impossible to believe.
Would make a good teen drama I suspect.
It was impossible to imagine how easily lead Nada was by a guy she clearly despised - just doesn't ring true.
The ending is also very weak, and impossible to believe.
Would make a good teen drama I suspect.
October 9, 2024
2.5 stars, and they're mainly for the first half of the book, in which the author builds suspense well around a popular but familiar trope. Authors such as Ruth Ware (In a Dark, Dark Wood, One by One) and Lucy Foley (The Hunting Party, The Guest List) have had bestselling releases in the past few years, built around the idea of a group of friends isolated in a grand country house, and the question of whether the menace is outside looking in, or already amongst them.
It's not long after their arrival that Nada and Gaia begin to notice worrying signs - the costumes they've brought with them for a planned "Murder Mystery Game" have been swapped in their suitcases for mysterious mediaeval-style garb and a series of spooky printed messages start appearing, referring to a legend connected to the house, the "Wild Witch Hunt of Herodias", dating from 1862. An intruder is spotted in the grounds of the house, leading to a frightening pursuit through the nearby woods. The four friends are deeply troubled, but agree to delay contacting police and to keep their concerns a secret from Clarise, until they have further information. We become aware that Clarise has suffered some sort of trauma in her recent past, related to the disappearance of a former fiancé, and that the remaining hens share some sort of dark secret.
At about the halfway point, there is a knock on the door, and from that point the plot descends into a mess of faux gothic weirdness, forced reminiscences and recriminations as the hens' do switches from a fun girls' weekend into something a lot darker.
I had the sense that the (male) author doesn't understand the resourcefulness and common sense possessed by most women in their 30s, especially those who are qualified in such professions as education and medicine. The women's hesitation in seeking external assistance (or just leaving!) is almost understandable in the first half of the book, but from the moment they're effectively held hostage by a malign and unpredictable character called "The Executioner" (who they outnumber 5 to 1), they begin to behave like a gaggle of gormless schoolgirls. As the truth gradually emerges via a series of flashbacks and revelations in the present, the women's predicament doesn't ring true and the plot is peppered with holes and inconsistencies
I'm not sure I can really recommend The Bridal Party, even to those who really love this sub-genre. While the basic premise and scene setting were good, the concept for the "dark secret" mystery plot just weren't strong enough to carry the novel, in my opinion.
"... it seemed like someone was manipulating them from afar ... [f]orcing them to play a game they did not want to play." (p.151)Bride-to-be Clarise is heading to the island of Jersey for a hens' weekend, accompanied by her five closest friends: maid-of-honour Tamsyn, teaching colleagues Nada and Gaia, doctor Afreya and actress Elena. At the last minute, Tamsyn, who has organised the whole thing, pulls out due to a family emergency. Despite their consternation at her absence and their inability to contact her, the remaining women decide to make the best of an awkward situation and proceed with the planned weekend. The venue, Herodias House, is isolated but impressive, although the women are irritated by the apparent lack of wifi.
It's not long after their arrival that Nada and Gaia begin to notice worrying signs - the costumes they've brought with them for a planned "Murder Mystery Game" have been swapped in their suitcases for mysterious mediaeval-style garb and a series of spooky printed messages start appearing, referring to a legend connected to the house, the "Wild Witch Hunt of Herodias", dating from 1862. An intruder is spotted in the grounds of the house, leading to a frightening pursuit through the nearby woods. The four friends are deeply troubled, but agree to delay contacting police and to keep their concerns a secret from Clarise, until they have further information. We become aware that Clarise has suffered some sort of trauma in her recent past, related to the disappearance of a former fiancé, and that the remaining hens share some sort of dark secret.
At about the halfway point, there is a knock on the door, and from that point the plot descends into a mess of faux gothic weirdness, forced reminiscences and recriminations as the hens' do switches from a fun girls' weekend into something a lot darker.
I had the sense that the (male) author doesn't understand the resourcefulness and common sense possessed by most women in their 30s, especially those who are qualified in such professions as education and medicine. The women's hesitation in seeking external assistance (or just leaving!) is almost understandable in the first half of the book, but from the moment they're effectively held hostage by a malign and unpredictable character called "The Executioner" (who they outnumber 5 to 1), they begin to behave like a gaggle of gormless schoolgirls. As the truth gradually emerges via a series of flashbacks and revelations in the present, the women's predicament doesn't ring true and the plot is peppered with holes and inconsistencies
I'm not sure I can really recommend The Bridal Party, even to those who really love this sub-genre. While the basic premise and scene setting were good, the concept for the "dark secret" mystery plot just weren't strong enough to carry the novel, in my opinion.
April 24, 2022
The book was honestly terrible and clearly was not
Proof read before being published . There were a lot of spelling errors which made the book hard to understand as well as a lot of other grammatical errors that took away from this book. I wouldn’t recommend this book as the story , without giving away any spoilers is just not significant enough of a plot to even be semi interesting .
Proof read before being published . There were a lot of spelling errors which made the book hard to understand as well as a lot of other grammatical errors that took away from this book. I wouldn’t recommend this book as the story , without giving away any spoilers is just not significant enough of a plot to even be semi interesting .
July 23, 2020
I guessed the ending of this book at around the 24% mark, but surprisingly I didn’t mind! I loved the spooky ambiance and the characters and the small details of the mystery that weren’t adding up. 8/10
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