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Like a House on Fire
'I loved The Adults! Funny, dry and beautifully observed' Gill Sims
George and Stella's marriage is over. They can't decide exactly when that happened (Was it the coke can? Or that comment about Jurassic Park?), but they both agree that it has.
A couple of months after the separation, Stella's mother, Margaret "The Force of Nature" Foy sends out invites for her murder mystery anniversary party - with George on the invite list. Stella hasn't told her parents about the divorce, she couldn't bring herself to. And with her father's business shutting down, Margaret's recent cancer diagnosis, and some very odd behaviour from her older sister Helen, now is clearly not a good time.
All they have to do is make it through the day without their secret being discovered. And in doing so, they may find each other again - or see their past and future both go up in flames...
George and Stella's marriage is over. They can't decide exactly when that happened (Was it the coke can? Or that comment about Jurassic Park?), but they both agree that it has.
A couple of months after the separation, Stella's mother, Margaret "The Force of Nature" Foy sends out invites for her murder mystery anniversary party - with George on the invite list. Stella hasn't told her parents about the divorce, she couldn't bring herself to. And with her father's business shutting down, Margaret's recent cancer diagnosis, and some very odd behaviour from her older sister Helen, now is clearly not a good time.
All they have to do is make it through the day without their secret being discovered. And in doing so, they may find each other again - or see their past and future both go up in flames...
416 pages, Hardcover
First published May 14, 2020
39 people are currently reading
398 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Hulse
4 books86 followersCaroline Hulse lives in Manchester with her husband and a small controlling dog.
Her books have been published in fourteen languages and optioned for television.
Her books have been published in fourteen languages and optioned for television.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
January 16, 2020
I adored this author’s debut novel ‘The Adults’ – a family drama/farce - which is my favourite genre, so I was delighted to discover that she has written an equally inspired and hugely entertaining follow up. Her characters are endearingly daffy, especially the central one, Margaret, the life and soul of the party – literally so, in this plot concerning a wedding anniversary celebration with a murder mystery theme.
As with ‘The Adults’, the dialogue is so good that it is easy to visualise the scenes as performed by actors in a sitcom. It's dauntingly difficult to pull off a farce without an acting performance when timing is so crucial, so to achieve this twice in novel form is a serious accomplishment which thoroughly deserves the five stars I am awarding.
P.S. The choice of title is a stroke of genius!
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC via Netgalley.
As with ‘The Adults’, the dialogue is so good that it is easy to visualise the scenes as performed by actors in a sitcom. It's dauntingly difficult to pull off a farce without an acting performance when timing is so crucial, so to achieve this twice in novel form is a serious accomplishment which thoroughly deserves the five stars I am awarding.
P.S. The choice of title is a stroke of genius!
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC via Netgalley.
October 11, 2020
This was hilarious! Great character development, great story, great humour. And she references We Need to Talk About Kevin!! (best book ever)
The issues between couples, especially the annoying things the husband does which drive the wife to distraction, were absolutely perfect and had me rolling on the floor pissing myself laughing. And how he does these super annoying things and when she gets pissed he somehow turns it into her being crazy?!?! The pain is real, people.
It was a barrel of laughs and super entertaining. Highly recommend.
The issues between couples, especially the annoying things the husband does which drive the wife to distraction, were absolutely perfect and had me rolling on the floor pissing myself laughing. And how he does these super annoying things and when she gets pissed he somehow turns it into her being crazy?!?! The pain is real, people.
It was a barrel of laughs and super entertaining. Highly recommend.
October 5, 2021
I'm going to have to quit this one, even though I've probably read 3/4 of it. This is a case of the author mistaking bickering for character development. I don't care about any of them - they're tedious, two-dimensional, and bad tempered - and I don't care how the story ends.
March 13, 2021
А вот и претендент на худшую книгу года. Напишу подробнее в телеграм.
May 18, 2020
This book is so painfully heart achingly honest and yet, at the same time, a beautifully wrought insight into the life of a family like any other.
The lengths people go to to protect, insulate and shore up the sides of their relationships against the improbability of them drowning in acrimony, is all based in love for each other.
The central motif, the murder mystery party hosted and created by Margaret, is , ostensibly, a cause for the whole family to come together and even though they are rubbish at playing their parts within the family dynamic, for one blessed night, they might just be able to toe the line and deliver the parts assigned to them.
Helen, the 'good one', married to Nathan, the man who has taken over Tommy's,his father-in-law's, shop , two adorable children that she is struggling to parent , is on the verge of implosion.
Pete, the only boy, the one who can never do wrong in spite of frequently doing so, is mostly absent and therefore established in the mind of the reader by the very different narratives of family members (Helen and Stella are constantly having his 'achievements' rammed down their throats).
And then there is Stella, the 'shit one'. The one on the verge of divorce, who, just for one more night, wants to pretend she and George are happily married. George's inability to be anything other than passive and leave the major decision making up to her is driving an immovable wedge between them.
And then there are Margaret and Tommy, 2 very different people at a cross roads in their married and public lives, feeling bewildered and out of touch with the modern world.
One night, that is all they want, to celebrate their wedding anniversary, with Margaret being treated for cancer, it is a time to put aside all differences and just turn up and play along. But can they?
A searingly honest and beautifully written novel, this is an absolute must for lovers of Marian Keyes. Caroline Hulse has a Marian-esque ear for family dialogue that rings so true but is never trite or over done. You can relate to each and every conversation, mis-understanding and stepped on toe, whilst laughing and recognising you and yours amongst the raft of family, neighbours and in laws that inhabit the pages of 'Like A House On Fire'.
They might not get on like the proverbial on the surface, but in the course of one night, in one house, there is tinder and fuel aplenty...all it needs is the spark to set it alight.
Ferociously funny and brilliantly plotted, I absolutely loved it and am now awaiting the arrival of her debut , 'The Adults'.
The lengths people go to to protect, insulate and shore up the sides of their relationships against the improbability of them drowning in acrimony, is all based in love for each other.
The central motif, the murder mystery party hosted and created by Margaret, is , ostensibly, a cause for the whole family to come together and even though they are rubbish at playing their parts within the family dynamic, for one blessed night, they might just be able to toe the line and deliver the parts assigned to them.
Helen, the 'good one', married to Nathan, the man who has taken over Tommy's,his father-in-law's, shop , two adorable children that she is struggling to parent , is on the verge of implosion.
Pete, the only boy, the one who can never do wrong in spite of frequently doing so, is mostly absent and therefore established in the mind of the reader by the very different narratives of family members (Helen and Stella are constantly having his 'achievements' rammed down their throats).
And then there is Stella, the 'shit one'. The one on the verge of divorce, who, just for one more night, wants to pretend she and George are happily married. George's inability to be anything other than passive and leave the major decision making up to her is driving an immovable wedge between them.
And then there are Margaret and Tommy, 2 very different people at a cross roads in their married and public lives, feeling bewildered and out of touch with the modern world.
One night, that is all they want, to celebrate their wedding anniversary, with Margaret being treated for cancer, it is a time to put aside all differences and just turn up and play along. But can they?
A searingly honest and beautifully written novel, this is an absolute must for lovers of Marian Keyes. Caroline Hulse has a Marian-esque ear for family dialogue that rings so true but is never trite or over done. You can relate to each and every conversation, mis-understanding and stepped on toe, whilst laughing and recognising you and yours amongst the raft of family, neighbours and in laws that inhabit the pages of 'Like A House On Fire'.
They might not get on like the proverbial on the surface, but in the course of one night, in one house, there is tinder and fuel aplenty...all it needs is the spark to set it alight.
Ferociously funny and brilliantly plotted, I absolutely loved it and am now awaiting the arrival of her debut , 'The Adults'.
July 23, 2023
Immensely boring.
May 16, 2020
Like A House On Fire is a dark humoured look at the dynamics of a family. Margaret, is hosting a murder mystery party for her 40th wedding anniversary. She's recently been diagnosed with cancer so sees this party as a perfect excuse to get the family together.
However, as with all families there are hidden secrets. Truths that are being held back, and we all know that the truth always comes out.
I really enjoyed this little family dynamic. It's easy to relate to a few of what the characters are feeling and going through. I must admit I related more to Helen. Everyone clearly thinks she's fine but as we delve deeper we see she has some issues she's dealing with.
There is an underlying theme of sadness, but Hulse injects humour into the narrative and gives the story a balance of joy and sorrow.
Like A House On Fire is a beautifully written story of a family going through the motions. But, are missing the key element of communication.
However, as with all families there are hidden secrets. Truths that are being held back, and we all know that the truth always comes out.
I really enjoyed this little family dynamic. It's easy to relate to a few of what the characters are feeling and going through. I must admit I related more to Helen. Everyone clearly thinks she's fine but as we delve deeper we see she has some issues she's dealing with.
There is an underlying theme of sadness, but Hulse injects humour into the narrative and gives the story a balance of joy and sorrow.
Like A House On Fire is a beautifully written story of a family going through the motions. But, are missing the key element of communication.
June 30, 2023
accidentally read this book instead of a sapphic book by the same title and realised too late. can’t believe I read 400 pages on weaponised incompetence in heterosexual relationships. the characters were so unlikable. it left me wondering why murder mystery parties are inherently camp but when straight people host them they’re straight culture through and through? anyway 2 stars because I didn’t give up on it so it can’t have been that awful
July 9, 2020
Family life so closely observed it will make you laugh, wince and go - 'So other people do that as well.'
Like her previous book, 'The Adults', 'Like A House On Fire' is a 'what could possibly go wrong?' novel where the answer is, 'just about everything.'
Hulse has a talent for exposing all the stresses and strains of family life and using them to build a comic farce that is laugh-out-loud funny and cringe-worthily honest. Her dialogue is perfect,
The premise seems simple enough: a nice party for family and friends to celebrate Margaret's fortieth wedding anniversary and to spice things up, the party will be structured around a Murder Mystery with guests playing the key roles.
Except that Margaret has cancer, and one of her daughters has separated from her husband but hasn't told anyone in the family yet so she persuades him to come along and pretend everything is fine, while her other daughter, the dutiful, responsible, always positive one, is so depressed she can't get out of bed and Margaret's husband, who took a little job at the supermarket so he'd have something to do outside his shed now he's retired, cannot adjust to a world were saying, 'Cheer up love. It might never happen' to a customer is not seen as appropriate and calling the 'World Food' aisle the ethnic section is seen as offensive, and where the young granddaughter has developed an unhealthy obsession with setting fire to thing.
The characters all ring true both in how they see themselves in the privacy of their own heads and how they all misunderstand one another while trying hard to pretend nothing fundamentally bad is happening.
One of the main subplots is around how Stella, one of Margaret's daughters, comes to separate from George. Bit by bit, we learn how they met, what they liked about each other, what they fought about and what finally drove them apart (which was probably a Coke can - you have to know the context for that to make sense). It's the little details that bring this alive, like Stella's simple requests to George when they move in together: can he please close cupboards and drawers after using them and please stop switching off the kettle and the toaster at the wall. George is, of course, incapable of remembering these instructions or understanding why they're important. This stuck with me because my wife also keeps asking me to close cupboards and doors, even though I'm going to have to open them again shortly.
The book is cleverly structured for everything to slide slowly but inexorably towards disaster. I kept thinking: 'This can't get any worse' but I knew that it would but not exactly how. Each frustration and misunderstanding and incompatibility is a small thing but they build up like rubbish blown against a fire door in a hot dry summer.
At one point, waiting for the disaster, whatever it was going to be, to happen became so angst-laden that I found myself hoping that the ancient labrador would make it safely to the end of the book, which, given all the other people involved and the traumas they were facing, may say a lot about my priorities.
What really set Hulse apart for me is that she doesn't just use her characters as kindling for a comic fire, she carries them through the traumas and allows them to be changed but not destroyed by them. I thought the way things played out for everyone was on the hopeful, 'phew, that was close' side of things but remained credible.
The only thing in the book that I thought was a little clumsy was the murder mystery game but this may have been because it was difficult to cope with all those instructions in an audiobook.
I still recommend the audiobook. Rachael Louise Miller did a fine job with the narration. Click on the SoundCloud link below to hear a sample.
April 26, 2020
I loved Caroline Hulse's debut novel, The Adults, so I was very much looking forward to reading Like a House on Fire. This book is absolutely brilliant. The author's observations of people and their relationships is astute and on point. She develops her characters so masterfully that my sympathy was engaged with every one, even when they behaved in a way which should ordinarily be considered unpleasant, irritating or just plain wrong. The majority of the book is set at a family party, and the story unfolds from the perspectives of Stella and her ex-husband, George, Stella's sister, Helen and her young daughter, Isobel and Stella's mother and father, Margaret (who is hosting the party) and Tommy. This set up is extremely difficult to pull off, but Caroline Hulse does it masterfully. This is an engaging, funny, touching, clever read which is hard to put down. I will be highly recommending this wonderful, heartwarming, beautifully observed book to everyone. Thank you so much to Caroline Hulse, Orion and NetGalley for the ARC.
May 15, 2020
Although this is billed as being mainly about Stella and George you get the lives and perspectives of the whole family so it really is a well rounded story. It was easy to follow as the different character voices were clear and defined by chapters.
This was such a refreshing treat to read as its something I haven't come across in a book before, it was a mixture of family drama/murder mystery in the form of a party. As some one who has attended a family murder mystery dinner party I was immediately drawn in to this idea and the characters were so well written that I couldn't put it down!
This is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie type murder mystery and family dramas. It was the perfect blend of fun mixed with serious topics and I can thoroughly recommend this as a great lock-down read!
Thank you to the publisher for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review
This was such a refreshing treat to read as its something I haven't come across in a book before, it was a mixture of family drama/murder mystery in the form of a party. As some one who has attended a family murder mystery dinner party I was immediately drawn in to this idea and the characters were so well written that I couldn't put it down!
This is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie type murder mystery and family dramas. It was the perfect blend of fun mixed with serious topics and I can thoroughly recommend this as a great lock-down read!
Thank you to the publisher for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review
April 24, 2020
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I love me a murder mystery, and I'm fascinated by relationships - so the sound of this book really appealed to me. This book is different from any I've read before, because I don't necessarily LIKE any of the characters (and I don't think we're meant to, either) but yet I still wanted to know what happened and I finished it within a day.
The cast of characters are varied and vivid, and I could picture them all perfectly which I think is a sign of a great job well done by Caroline Hulse. Stella and George are separated, and at each other's throats. They're about to tell Stella's family, but they've been invited to a Anniversary/Murder Mystery party at her parents' house, and Stella is hesitant to deliver the bad news, especially in conjunction with her mother's recent cancer diagnosis and her father's reluctant retirement from his family-grown business. However, it turns out they're not the only ones keeping secrets...
The story is light but heavy all at once, and provided the perfect distraction in these uncertain times.
Would definitely recommend to anybody who likes their escapism firmly in the realist realm.
I love me a murder mystery, and I'm fascinated by relationships - so the sound of this book really appealed to me. This book is different from any I've read before, because I don't necessarily LIKE any of the characters (and I don't think we're meant to, either) but yet I still wanted to know what happened and I finished it within a day.
The cast of characters are varied and vivid, and I could picture them all perfectly which I think is a sign of a great job well done by Caroline Hulse. Stella and George are separated, and at each other's throats. They're about to tell Stella's family, but they've been invited to a Anniversary/Murder Mystery party at her parents' house, and Stella is hesitant to deliver the bad news, especially in conjunction with her mother's recent cancer diagnosis and her father's reluctant retirement from his family-grown business. However, it turns out they're not the only ones keeping secrets...
The story is light but heavy all at once, and provided the perfect distraction in these uncertain times.
Would definitely recommend to anybody who likes their escapism firmly in the realist realm.
August 27, 2023
This was fab - as I had an inkling it would be (enough to buy this + all of Hulse’s backlist). If I tell you she reads like a British Toni Jordan to me (think, ‘Our Tiny Useless Hearts’ vibes) stacking tight and quirky family drama amidst small rays of thwarted but still struggling romance, it’s low-stakes perfection that is so tightly wound and funny … loved it!
May 29, 2020
Everything I love in a book. A witty family saga with different narrators all set around a murder mystery party. Absolutely brilliant.
December 1, 2022
Wonderful
July 21, 2020
I had super high hopes for this, a murder mystery party (MMP) & a relationship on the rocks, sounded like a fun time but it wasn't what it seemed. Maybe it's because as the reader you have nothing to do with the murder mystery (even though you are 'forced' to read all the MMP character profiles), the mystery is solved with clues you are never given and in the end its a superfluous part of the narrative. Maybe I was wanting too much to be able to know more about the MMP?
In the beginning stages of the narrative I thought Stella & George were going to give us a Eleanor Oliphant style character development, they aren't particularity likeable but I was thinking they would grow on you. But I didn't feel like they did. The blurb made it seem like it was just a Stella & George story of their fractured relationship but you get perspectives from at least 4 other characters from the family which changed the overall aim of the story. This isn't a bad thing but it just made it different to what I was expecting.
Overall, it was ok, I enjoyed the writing styles but I feel like this one missed a few opportunities to really sing.
In the beginning stages of the narrative I thought Stella & George were going to give us a Eleanor Oliphant style character development, they aren't particularity likeable but I was thinking they would grow on you. But I didn't feel like they did. The blurb made it seem like it was just a Stella & George story of their fractured relationship but you get perspectives from at least 4 other characters from the family which changed the overall aim of the story. This isn't a bad thing but it just made it different to what I was expecting.
Overall, it was ok, I enjoyed the writing styles but I feel like this one missed a few opportunities to really sing.
January 31, 2020
Excellent domestic drama that I very much enjoyed. Strong characters and a fascinating storyline make for an exciting read. Highly recommended.
June 1, 2020
Stella and George have just separated, and it's really not nice between them at the moment. They're about to tell Stella's family about the forthcoming divorce but they've just been invited to Stella's parents to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Margaret, who is hosting the party, has written a murder mystery and there is no option of not coming, especially as she was diagnosed with cancer and everybody knows that it's, in fact, a farewell party for her. So no way Stella and George can tell them about the separation - they simply have to go and pretend nothing is wrong. But as it turns out, there are many things that are more than wrong, not only in Stella and George's relationship. It quickly becomes clear that the whole family has been hiding secrets and truths are being held back... But we all know that the truth always comes out, at the least appropriate moment...
I absolutely adore this author's approach to family and family dynamics - she sees things how they really are and finds the most absurd elements, presenting us with a brilliant, take - no - prisoners drama/comedy with endearing characters that are sharply written and brilliantly developed. The characters were really written in a great way and I quickly found myself totally immersed in their lives, laughed at their jokes, rolled my eyes at their quirks and them behaving in a way that was, yes, sometimes irritating and childish - shortly, I fell for them even if they fed me up to my back teeth.
I was prepared for it to be a Stella and George story but it turned out that they have a huge family - but the more, the merrier! Margaret is hosting the party to celebrate the anniversary with her husband Tommy, and she's the one who has written the play. Tommy is obsessed with his shop that he has handed over to his son - in - law. Stella and George are on the verge of divorce and Helen is on the verge of a nervous breakdown - the story is told through their points of view and it quickly becomes clear that there is so much more to them all, and that they all have their own secrets which they're guarding, hiding and protecting. The characters' voices are distinctive, strong and different and they are all so vivid and so full of life, and it's really easy to picture them all.
It was a hugely entertaining read filled with complex and complicated relationships and very sharp observed. I absolutely loved the circle the book did, beginning and winding down with the same characters, and also the meeting in the supermarket has given the story a kind of a wrap - up, giving me my dream conclusion, leaving me totally satisfied. And I love the chosen title - when you read the book you will so appreciate it!
The banter between characters is good, guys, it's so good in fact that it is incredibly easy to visualise the scene, to hear the characters talking to each other. And it was really easy to relate to the characters, to feel what they're going through and it quickly becomes crystal clear that there is so much more to every single one of them than you can think at first. Caroline Hulse has a great way with words, her writing style immediately catches your attention and draws you into the story. Her words are sharp, honest and genuine and she can perfectly well capture family dynamics and all kinds of relationships. But she doesn't exaggerate in her descriptions, and even the most crazy things that happen in the book still seem believable, like things that could happen to you and your family.
The idea of the family murder mystery dinner party was absolutely my cup of tea, I had a pleasure to attend such a dinner (though not a family party!) once and it was such a great fun, and really, you can learn TONS about other people during such party. I was maybe hoping for a real murder in this story to be honest, I think Ms Hulse is able to pull something like this off, but with all the other drama I could live without real corpse - there was enough of other events and little fires everywhere to keep me glued to the pages.
I loved Caroline Hulse's debut novel, "The Adults", and "Like a House on Fire" was one of my most anticipated books this year - I literally couldn't wait to get this book in my hands and to start reading, and let me tell you, the book doesn't disappoint. It's as good as the author's first novel and already full of Ms Hulse's trademark sharp, astute and straight on point observations and down - to - earth approach to reality. It is a perfect blend between fun and serious and the underlying themes of sadness and seriousness are injected with the most perfect dry and dark humour. It was an addictive, entertaining and thought - provoking read and Caroline Hulse is already at the top of my auto - buy authors.
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
May 14, 2020
If there's one thing I like doing it's discovering new authors. Caroline Hulse is certainly a new author for me, but having enjoyed reading 'Like A House On Fire' as much as I did, I can guarantee that I will be reading more of her work in the future. I absolutely loved this book but more about that in a bit.
It took me a little while to get into the story but that had more to do with the fact that I was tired and finding it hard to concentrate when I started to read. However, once I got into this story then that was it. To say that reading 'Like A House On Fire' became an addiction seems like a huge understatement. I just couldn't stop reading. The book wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I wasn't willing to miss a single second of the story. I had a feeling that I knew which direction the story was going to take and of course I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or not. The pages turned over increasingly quickly as my desperation to find out what happened grew and grew. All too quickly I reached the end of the book.
'Like A House On Fire' is extremely well written. The author grabs your attention with an eye catching synopsis and her writing style immediately draws you into the story. Caroline has one of those writing styles that is easy to get along with and easy to used to. She has perfectly captured the dynamics of familial relationships- fun, laughter, upset, heartbreak and slightly crazy. That's how I would describe my own family anyway. Whilst reading 'Like A House On Fire' I felt as though I was part of this story myself and that's thanks to Caroline's very vivid and realistic storytelling. 'Like A House On Fire' was a delight to read from start to finish.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Like A House On Fire' and I would recommend it to other readers. I will definitely be reading more of Caroline's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
It took me a little while to get into the story but that had more to do with the fact that I was tired and finding it hard to concentrate when I started to read. However, once I got into this story then that was it. To say that reading 'Like A House On Fire' became an addiction seems like a huge understatement. I just couldn't stop reading. The book wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I wasn't willing to miss a single second of the story. I had a feeling that I knew which direction the story was going to take and of course I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or not. The pages turned over increasingly quickly as my desperation to find out what happened grew and grew. All too quickly I reached the end of the book.
'Like A House On Fire' is extremely well written. The author grabs your attention with an eye catching synopsis and her writing style immediately draws you into the story. Caroline has one of those writing styles that is easy to get along with and easy to used to. She has perfectly captured the dynamics of familial relationships- fun, laughter, upset, heartbreak and slightly crazy. That's how I would describe my own family anyway. Whilst reading 'Like A House On Fire' I felt as though I was part of this story myself and that's thanks to Caroline's very vivid and realistic storytelling. 'Like A House On Fire' was a delight to read from start to finish.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Like A House On Fire' and I would recommend it to other readers. I will definitely be reading more of Caroline's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
August 31, 2020
I really enjoyed this story of a dysfunctional family as the adult sisters deal with their relationships with their partners, their parents 40th wedding anniversary, and the brother that can do no wrong in their mother's eyes, and one sister's children.
Stella has separated from her husband, George. After 11 years together, they could argue about anything. They try counselling, but it seems that they are headed for divorce. The family doesn't know and Stella's mother has organised a murder-mystery party for her anniversary, which is likely to be the last party that she will throw, and everyone has a part to play. Stella asks George to go with her and maintain the notion that they are still together so that this last party can be a happy occasion.
Helen is having problems with her own relationship, her 10-year-old daughter is in trouble at school and with a 5-year-old son too, there's not much time for herself. Her husband has taken over her father's shop. The changes that he has made are causing conflict with her father, but the profits speak for themselves, as long as the accounts are correct.
Margaret is very controlling, bending everyone to her will, and wanting one last perfect party. Tommy, her husband of 40 years doesn't like the recent changes in his life and wants things to go back to how they were.
When the party comes around, very little goes according to plan. Tensions mount for all members of the family as secrets come to light, and we get to follow how everything unfolds.
Stella has separated from her husband, George. After 11 years together, they could argue about anything. They try counselling, but it seems that they are headed for divorce. The family doesn't know and Stella's mother has organised a murder-mystery party for her anniversary, which is likely to be the last party that she will throw, and everyone has a part to play. Stella asks George to go with her and maintain the notion that they are still together so that this last party can be a happy occasion.
Helen is having problems with her own relationship, her 10-year-old daughter is in trouble at school and with a 5-year-old son too, there's not much time for herself. Her husband has taken over her father's shop. The changes that he has made are causing conflict with her father, but the profits speak for themselves, as long as the accounts are correct.
Margaret is very controlling, bending everyone to her will, and wanting one last perfect party. Tommy, her husband of 40 years doesn't like the recent changes in his life and wants things to go back to how they were.
When the party comes around, very little goes according to plan. Tensions mount for all members of the family as secrets come to light, and we get to follow how everything unfolds.
December 11, 2022
I met the lovely Caroline Hulse when she interviewed Bonnie Garmus and again at a Crime Central event.
Stella and George are getting divorced but she’s not told her family and her mum has organised a murder mystery party. Stella asks George to present a united front for one last time.
When I started this book I had assumed it would be a nice easy chick lit read. Stella and George would go from hating each other to realising within an evening that they couldn’t live apart and all would be happy ever after but it’s so much more than that!
It’s more than Stella and George’s story, there’s Margaret and Tommy navigating Margaret’s illness and Tommy’s semi-retirement, Helen who’s feeling the pressure of being ‘the good daughter’ along with worries about husband Nathan’s business and the challenges of being mum to Isobel and Charlie. Every part of the story is cleverly interlinked and intertwined, and it was the normal stuff I really enjoyed especially the banter and conversations between family members.
I loved it, and have already downloaded another book by Caroline Hulse.
Stella and George are getting divorced but she’s not told her family and her mum has organised a murder mystery party. Stella asks George to present a united front for one last time.
When I started this book I had assumed it would be a nice easy chick lit read. Stella and George would go from hating each other to realising within an evening that they couldn’t live apart and all would be happy ever after but it’s so much more than that!
It’s more than Stella and George’s story, there’s Margaret and Tommy navigating Margaret’s illness and Tommy’s semi-retirement, Helen who’s feeling the pressure of being ‘the good daughter’ along with worries about husband Nathan’s business and the challenges of being mum to Isobel and Charlie. Every part of the story is cleverly interlinked and intertwined, and it was the normal stuff I really enjoyed especially the banter and conversations between family members.
I loved it, and have already downloaded another book by Caroline Hulse.
May 11, 2020
Margaret has been diagnosed with cancer, so she arranges a Murder Mystery party for all family and friends to attend, before she’s expected to start treatment.
Stella and George have separated, but haven’t told anyone in the family yet. Due to her mother’s health, Stella persuades George to attend with her and pretend nothing is wrong.
Helen, Nathan, Isobel and Charlie also go, but Helen, the dependable, organised and cheerful daughter, is late…..
This is a tale of family, of secrets and how the public face we project sometimes isn’t who we really are, hiding emotions and fears. It is a wonderfully written insight into life in all its messy glory. Caroline Hulse’s writing is so beautifully observant and totally spot on, full of humour, family bickering and farce at times, but with some sad moments too . This is a thoughtful, funny and compelling read. I loved every minute.
Thank you to Alex at Orion Books for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour and for an eARC of the book. This is my honest and unbiased review.
Stella and George have separated, but haven’t told anyone in the family yet. Due to her mother’s health, Stella persuades George to attend with her and pretend nothing is wrong.
Helen, Nathan, Isobel and Charlie also go, but Helen, the dependable, organised and cheerful daughter, is late…..
This is a tale of family, of secrets and how the public face we project sometimes isn’t who we really are, hiding emotions and fears. It is a wonderfully written insight into life in all its messy glory. Caroline Hulse’s writing is so beautifully observant and totally spot on, full of humour, family bickering and farce at times, but with some sad moments too . This is a thoughtful, funny and compelling read. I loved every minute.
Thank you to Alex at Orion Books for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour and for an eARC of the book. This is my honest and unbiased review.
May 11, 2020
Margaret has been diagnosed with cancer, so she arranges a Murder Mystery party for all family and friends to attend, before she’s expected to start treatment.
Stella and George have separated, but haven’t told anyone in the family yet. Due to her mother’s health, Stella persuades George to attend with her and pretend nothing is wrong.
Helen, Nathan, Isobel and Charlie also go, but Helen, the dependable, organised and cheerful daughter, is late…..
This is a tale of family, of secrets and how the public face we project sometimes isn’t who we really are, hiding emotions and fears. It is a wonderfully written insight into life in all its messy glory. Caroline Hulse’s writing is so beautifully observant and totally spot on, full of humour, family bickering and farce at times, but with some sad moments too . This is a thoughtful, funny and compelling read. I loved every minute.
Thank you to The author, the publishers and NetGalley for an eARC of the book. This is my honest and unbiased review.
Stella and George have separated, but haven’t told anyone in the family yet. Due to her mother’s health, Stella persuades George to attend with her and pretend nothing is wrong.
Helen, Nathan, Isobel and Charlie also go, but Helen, the dependable, organised and cheerful daughter, is late…..
This is a tale of family, of secrets and how the public face we project sometimes isn’t who we really are, hiding emotions and fears. It is a wonderfully written insight into life in all its messy glory. Caroline Hulse’s writing is so beautifully observant and totally spot on, full of humour, family bickering and farce at times, but with some sad moments too . This is a thoughtful, funny and compelling read. I loved every minute.
Thank you to The author, the publishers and NetGalley for an eARC of the book. This is my honest and unbiased review.
March 10, 2021
I think I'd have enjoyed this book more if it hadn't been sold as hilarious, and made it seem like the murder mystery party was going to be key to the storyline. In the blurb Josie Silver said the book was part Agatha Christie and I can only take that to mean she's not actually familiar with Christie's body of work and just plucked her name at random because she thought it would sound good.
Anyway, enough about what the book ISN'T! This book is the closest I've felt to a party in a very long time. A party that you get roped into at the last minute. You don't know most of the people there, and it turns out you don't actually like them. But that makes it all the better because not being emotionally invested in them, you can just sit back and enjoy the drama as they're all horrible to each other! It's quite cathartic in a strange way.
Recommended for people feeling nostalgic for dreadful family parties and forced mingling with people you despise!
Anyway, enough about what the book ISN'T! This book is the closest I've felt to a party in a very long time. A party that you get roped into at the last minute. You don't know most of the people there, and it turns out you don't actually like them. But that makes it all the better because not being emotionally invested in them, you can just sit back and enjoy the drama as they're all horrible to each other! It's quite cathartic in a strange way.
Recommended for people feeling nostalgic for dreadful family parties and forced mingling with people you despise!
May 18, 2021
It's so nice to read a book about a family that's actually relatable.
The way that the author depicts relationships is just masterful, whether it's between spouses, siblings, exe's or neighbours.
The main characters are Stella and George. A married couple who have separated but Stella's mother has terminal cancer and is throwing one last family party and as Stella hasn't told her parents that she and George have split up, George, reluctantly agrees to go to the party.
Stella's parents are Margaret and Tommy. Her perfect sister Helen is married to Nathan and they have Isobel and Charlie.
Her brother, Pete who Margaret's eyes, can do no wrong.
Even though there is a whole host of characters, at no point does one feel confused or overwhelmed. Each character has a voice and they are all very distinct.
There is lots of humour but essentially, this is a book about secrets and family. Very insightful.
I loved it.
The way that the author depicts relationships is just masterful, whether it's between spouses, siblings, exe's or neighbours.
The main characters are Stella and George. A married couple who have separated but Stella's mother has terminal cancer and is throwing one last family party and as Stella hasn't told her parents that she and George have split up, George, reluctantly agrees to go to the party.
Stella's parents are Margaret and Tommy. Her perfect sister Helen is married to Nathan and they have Isobel and Charlie.
Her brother, Pete who Margaret's eyes, can do no wrong.
Even though there is a whole host of characters, at no point does one feel confused or overwhelmed. Each character has a voice and they are all very distinct.
There is lots of humour but essentially, this is a book about secrets and family. Very insightful.
I loved it.
July 24, 2020
3.5 stars, rounded down
There were points at the start of this book that I thought it was bordering on a DNF, I had visions of writing a 2 star review but thank goddd I kept reading, by the 50% mark I couldn’t put it down! I liked the third person style, something I haven’t read in a while and it was easy to follow the different points of view... the character building was excellent and whilst it didn’t make me laugh like I expected, as it’s billed a comedy, I did overall enjoy it. Only thing is I didn’t feel like it was tied up well at the end... considering half the story was about how much george and Stella hated each other to be told they’d decided to get back together “a few weeks later” without detailing any of that process was far fetched and I felt the epilogue didn’t really tie up a lot of the important things. Other than that, ended up loving it!
There were points at the start of this book that I thought it was bordering on a DNF, I had visions of writing a 2 star review but thank goddd I kept reading, by the 50% mark I couldn’t put it down! I liked the third person style, something I haven’t read in a while and it was easy to follow the different points of view... the character building was excellent and whilst it didn’t make me laugh like I expected, as it’s billed a comedy, I did overall enjoy it. Only thing is I didn’t feel like it was tied up well at the end... considering half the story was about how much george and Stella hated each other to be told they’d decided to get back together “a few weeks later” without detailing any of that process was far fetched and I felt the epilogue didn’t really tie up a lot of the important things. Other than that, ended up loving it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2023
a super easy and relaxing read, think sitcom in book form, and those are the vibes i felt all the way through (despite the drama unfolding) - i thought the misdirection of the murder mystery just being a murder mystery party was clever but it did leave me a little disappointed as i really do love a bit of agatha christie detective work.
the multiple perspectives all made sense and were written in a way that exposed a little of each character and the ending tied all of the perspectives together in a nice little bow while keeping the characters as painfully human as they had been at the start, if perhaps better humans.
definitely would recommend this book as a casual read, I didn't get anything life changing from it but it was well written and I still struggled to put it down at some points (when it hit 11pm and I just wanted to know what Margaret had actually done)
the multiple perspectives all made sense and were written in a way that exposed a little of each character and the ending tied all of the perspectives together in a nice little bow while keeping the characters as painfully human as they had been at the start, if perhaps better humans.
definitely would recommend this book as a casual read, I didn't get anything life changing from it but it was well written and I still struggled to put it down at some points (when it hit 11pm and I just wanted to know what Margaret had actually done)
January 11, 2022
This book was a great family comedy/drama. I loved the easy flow of the writing and the dialogue. I loved that wonderfully comic moments were juxtaposed with raw, tear-jerking moments. I loved the different perspectives of all the family members. I loved that this family was totally relatable in so many ways, down to the early stereotyping of each child, their parents ignorance/self-delusion around the reality of all of their children’s lives and relationships, the dynamic between the parents themselves. I even loved the ‘enforced’ murder mystery party idea. The only thing I think that kept this from being 5 stars is that I wanted the Murder Mystery story to relate in some deeper way to what the characters were actually going through in reality, but hey….
January 20, 2022
Such a weird, but somehow relatable story. I loved the characters development and the dialogs in the book, they were so detailed and alive! I especially liked the line about George and Stella and their REAL relationship: I don’t even know how many times I caught myself being furious about something George said because I felt like I was in Stella’s shoes before. I also really liked Helen and I wish her story would have developed more.
I also really liked that the author never tells you how to feel about the characters, she just quite neutrally describes their emotions and behaviors and you can decide for yourself who you agree or disagree with. And, hopefully, you can even find an unexpected sympathy in your heart!
All in all, very decent read!
I also really liked that the author never tells you how to feel about the characters, she just quite neutrally describes their emotions and behaviors and you can decide for yourself who you agree or disagree with. And, hopefully, you can even find an unexpected sympathy in your heart!
All in all, very decent read!
August 18, 2020
Let down by editing?
I was so excited by this book. It's first chapter made me laugh explosively out loud. But, thereafter, the laughs stopped.
Caroline Hulse is an excellent writer, her dialogue and action blend seamlessly to create narrative that is easy to read and believable. But the flow was interrupted by chapters that seemed to zig-zag around and glaring spelling mistakes. I feel disappointed, for the author, the normally impeccably correct publisher and for me too. I think this book deserved more work.
As a reader, it's important to recognise that all reviews are subjective. You may love it. I hope you do.
I was so excited by this book. It's first chapter made me laugh explosively out loud. But, thereafter, the laughs stopped.
Caroline Hulse is an excellent writer, her dialogue and action blend seamlessly to create narrative that is easy to read and believable. But the flow was interrupted by chapters that seemed to zig-zag around and glaring spelling mistakes. I feel disappointed, for the author, the normally impeccably correct publisher and for me too. I think this book deserved more work.
As a reader, it's important to recognise that all reviews are subjective. You may love it. I hope you do.
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