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New Year’s Eve
New Year's Murder...
When Hayley and Ethan move into Palace Gardens, they feel their luck has finally changed. No more run-down flats in dodgy areas. But behind the exterior of this beautiful Victorian house, things are less than picture-perfect, and the tight-knit community is unwelcoming.
When Hayley befriends the woman next door, no-one is pleased. Least of all the man from upstairs. The one who watches them all from behind his window. Then they receive an invite for a New Year's Eve party. But what seems like a friendly gesture, proves to be anything but...
When Hayley and Ethan move into Palace Gardens, they feel their luck has finally changed. No more run-down flats in dodgy areas. But behind the exterior of this beautiful Victorian house, things are less than picture-perfect, and the tight-knit community is unwelcoming.
When Hayley befriends the woman next door, no-one is pleased. Least of all the man from upstairs. The one who watches them all from behind his window. Then they receive an invite for a New Year's Eve party. But what seems like a friendly gesture, proves to be anything but...
- GenresThriller
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2020
21 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 8, 2020
When Haley and Ethan move into Palace Gardens, they feel their luck has finally changed. Behind the exterior of this big lovely Victorian house, they are less than picture perfect plus the tight knit community is unwelcoming. When Haley makes friends with the woman next door,no one is pleased. Least of all the man from upstairs. The one who watches from behind his window. Haley and Ethan recieve an invited for a New Years Eve party. But this friendly gesture proves to be anything but.
This story starts off slowly building up the suspense. Strange things soon start happening. The plotline is complex. It all comes together at the New Year's Eve party. This is an easy book to read though it's predictable in parts.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AtlanticBooks and the author #JGMurray for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story starts off slowly building up the suspense. Strange things soon start happening. The plotline is complex. It all comes together at the New Year's Eve party. This is an easy book to read though it's predictable in parts.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AtlanticBooks and the author #JGMurray for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 6, 2022
I liked this one a lot more then The Bridal Party. I thought it was a better variation of combining The Paris Apartment and The Therapist! There was more story in this than The Bridal Party and I enjoyed untangling the threads. I didn't guess anything and really had no idea what was going on most of the time but I liked that! I liked just being in the story instead of trying to put the puzzle together.
December 4, 2020
I found the book gripping from the start. A real page turner. There is a real feeling of menace in Palace gardens...
February 9, 2021
Thanks to JG Murray, NetGallet and Corvus for the advance review copy of New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve introduces us to couple Hayley and Ethan, who feel like they have finally come in to some luck when they move to Palace Gardens- a converted victorian house and a stark difference from their run down flat at the dodgy end of town.
However, when they move in, they quickly learn that the Palace Gardens residents are a tight knit community and don’t offer Hayley and Ethan the welcoming arrival they had expected and hoped for.
A music teacher working from home, Hayley learns about strange things happening as some of the secrets of Palace Gardens start to be exposed, and the more she learns the more vulnernable she starts to feel. Her obsession with the neighbours starts to become a little out of control, causing rifts between her and Ethan, so when they receive an invite to a New Years Eve party, they are hopeful that the neighbours are finally starting to be civil and that they can put this to bed once and for all. However… are they willing to let bygones be bygones and bring in the New Year on a high, or is it quite the opposite?
New Years Eve is quite a slow burner, and at times I did feel like this book wasn’t really for me. There is a lot of scene setting and detail which I felt like I could skim read and it lacked some of the compelling twists and turns that I normally look for in a thriller. Overall a pleasant read with some dark topic areas, but unfortunately didn’t blow me away.
New Year's Eve introduces us to couple Hayley and Ethan, who feel like they have finally come in to some luck when they move to Palace Gardens- a converted victorian house and a stark difference from their run down flat at the dodgy end of town.
However, when they move in, they quickly learn that the Palace Gardens residents are a tight knit community and don’t offer Hayley and Ethan the welcoming arrival they had expected and hoped for.
A music teacher working from home, Hayley learns about strange things happening as some of the secrets of Palace Gardens start to be exposed, and the more she learns the more vulnernable she starts to feel. Her obsession with the neighbours starts to become a little out of control, causing rifts between her and Ethan, so when they receive an invite to a New Years Eve party, they are hopeful that the neighbours are finally starting to be civil and that they can put this to bed once and for all. However… are they willing to let bygones be bygones and bring in the New Year on a high, or is it quite the opposite?
New Years Eve is quite a slow burner, and at times I did feel like this book wasn’t really for me. There is a lot of scene setting and detail which I felt like I could skim read and it lacked some of the compelling twists and turns that I normally look for in a thriller. Overall a pleasant read with some dark topic areas, but unfortunately didn’t blow me away.
January 1, 2021
A beautiful apartment in Palace Gardens is a new home for Ethan and Hayley. Part of a large, plush Victorian building, the other residents are far from welcoming towards them. Then they receive an invite for a New Year's Eve party...
Told in chapters from the days leading up to the party and the present, nothing is quite as it seems at Palace Gardens, London. As Hayley gleans more about the apartments' occupants but remains unsure about many things, I too, felt unsettled and wasn't sure who I could trust other than Hayley and Ethan. With so many concealments and secrets, there were certainly some surprises to be had.
Cleverly crafted by J G Murray I was kept me on my toes from the very start of the compelling and absorbing story. I really liked the author's edgy writing style and the ending was unexpected, for me anyway. A great, chilling read with a tangible claustrophobic vibe.
I will be grabbing a copy of Julian Murray's début novel The Bridal Party.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Corvus via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Told in chapters from the days leading up to the party and the present, nothing is quite as it seems at Palace Gardens, London. As Hayley gleans more about the apartments' occupants but remains unsure about many things, I too, felt unsettled and wasn't sure who I could trust other than Hayley and Ethan. With so many concealments and secrets, there were certainly some surprises to be had.
Cleverly crafted by J G Murray I was kept me on my toes from the very start of the compelling and absorbing story. I really liked the author's edgy writing style and the ending was unexpected, for me anyway. A great, chilling read with a tangible claustrophobic vibe.
I will be grabbing a copy of Julian Murray's début novel The Bridal Party.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Corvus via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
January 4, 2021
New Year's Eve by J G Murray Wow........what a beautifully written book. When Hayley and Ethan move into Palace Gardens, they feel their luck has finally changed. No more run-down flats in dodgy areas. But behind the exterior of this beautiful Victorian house, things are less than picture-perfect, and the tight-knit community is unwelcoming.
However, this all seems to be good, everything is so perfect to be true. Are they dreaming?
When Hayley befriends the woman next door, no-one in the building is pleased. Especially the man from upstairs! He is the one who watches them all from behind his window. New years Eve is just around the corner and they receive an invite for a New Year's Eve party at his.
But what seems like a friendly gesture, proves to be anything but...........Ohhhhhhhhh!
I highly recommend this book. Its full of twists and turns throughout that will keep you on your toes.
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Atlantic Books and the author J. G. Murray for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
However, this all seems to be good, everything is so perfect to be true. Are they dreaming?
When Hayley befriends the woman next door, no-one in the building is pleased. Especially the man from upstairs! He is the one who watches them all from behind his window. New years Eve is just around the corner and they receive an invite for a New Year's Eve party at his.
But what seems like a friendly gesture, proves to be anything but...........Ohhhhhhhhh!
I highly recommend this book. Its full of twists and turns throughout that will keep you on your toes.
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Atlantic Books and the author J. G. Murray for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2021
Hayley and Ethan have upgraded their flat to a much better one in a nicer area, or so they think! It’s not long before Hayley noticed the bizarre behaviour of the other residents and is determined to discover why everyone is decidedly weird. The author has described the building very well and has imbibed it with a great sinister feel. One minute Hayley is a strong character and the next behaves like a wilting flower. Ethan flits in and out of the story on his way to work and back so not much to know about him, nor much background to the other residents. I really enjoyed the book until the reveal which I thought was a let down. There was suspense but it was a domestic drama mainly. Loved the cover. I was intrigued by the story and would be happy to read more from this author. I was given this ARC by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2021
Exceptional. A fully engrossing twist and turn thriller that dogs your every waking minute until you've uncovered the mysteries. An outstanding step forward for Murray in proving himself a master of the making the reader feel unease, quietly providing nagging questions that you've a compulsion to find out the answers to. I cannot wait for his next.
May 18, 2021
It kept me going and invested but for a while a lot of nothing happens. I wouldn't call it a psychological thriller but it was suspenseful. I feel like there could have been more explained about some of the other characters. Like Teresa (and the baby). There were a few opportunities I feel to make this more intense but overall, it was a decent read.
December 31, 2020
Writing this review on New Year's Eve as well what other day would I have read a book with this title, all I can say if I hope the rest of my evening doesn't progress the way it goes in this story, or I may be traumatised!
Hayley and Evan have one incredibly eventful New Years Eve party at Palace Gardens where they live. Except nothing is quite as it seems at Palace Gardens and Hayley has been trying to figure it out since she moved in earlier in the year.
We get chapters both from the present day happenings at this party, but the main bulk of the book is the events leading up to New Years Eve and learning things as Hayley does about the residents but yet still not being completely sure about anything.
This is a rather unsettling book to the extent that I really wasn't sure who else I could trust other than Hayley and Evan, as it seemed like everyone was hiding things. And there were certainly surprises to be had.
It was a cleverly crafted plot, that had kept me on my toes.
Thank you to Corvus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Hayley and Evan have one incredibly eventful New Years Eve party at Palace Gardens where they live. Except nothing is quite as it seems at Palace Gardens and Hayley has been trying to figure it out since she moved in earlier in the year.
We get chapters both from the present day happenings at this party, but the main bulk of the book is the events leading up to New Years Eve and learning things as Hayley does about the residents but yet still not being completely sure about anything.
This is a rather unsettling book to the extent that I really wasn't sure who else I could trust other than Hayley and Evan, as it seemed like everyone was hiding things. And there were certainly surprises to be had.
It was a cleverly crafted plot, that had kept me on my toes.
Thank you to Corvus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
January 3, 2021
New Year’s Eve was full of intrigue, suspense and clever writing; it had me hooked from the start so that I could barely put it down and finished in just a couple of days. Delving into interesting themes of class and identity, it also offers some very thought provoking social commentary.
August 11, 2021
This was bizarre as it seemed like two books in one. The set up of the story - the flats, all the different characters who lived there, the main character's experience of feeling like an outsider etc. This all felt like it had potential but then it got ludicrous and nonsensical. In my opinion...
January 6, 2021
Brilliant idea for a book but omg it dragged in places and I didnt really like the characters. The ending was the best bit to be honest.
January 10, 2021
Excellent, gripping and extremely well written
December 29, 2020
One of the best thrillers I have ever read. Great story, great characters, very intelligent and thoughtful.
January 6, 2025
This was an enjoyable read. A quick one to work through with the suspense building throughout.
It was interesting uncovering the secrets of the residents of Palace Gardens, although some of the secrets were more predictable than others.
It was interesting uncovering the secrets of the residents of Palace Gardens, although some of the secrets were more predictable than others.
November 27, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my advanced copy of New Year’s Eve in exchange for a review.
Musician Hayley can’t believe her luck when her boyfriend Ethan shows her their swanky new flat in Palace Gardens - a high end residence in a rich part of London she never imagined she would be living in.
But almost immediately she senses that she doesn’t fit in.. and that something isn’t quite right with Palace Gardens.
As she becomes more and more obsessed with the goings on of the other residents, Ethan becomes more and more engrossed in his job and more and more distant and can’t understand her fascination with the building.
The story flips between New Year’s Eve - where Hayley and Ethan have been invited to a party at George’s flat on the ground floor of Palace Gardens, along with all of the other neighbours- and the unfolding of the events of the last few months that have brought everyone together on this night to find out - finally - what has been going on in this building.
New Year’s Eve was a twisty and entertaining read and I didn’t guess how things turned out - however I did feel that some aspects dragged on a little and I wanted things to unfold at a faster pace.
Musician Hayley can’t believe her luck when her boyfriend Ethan shows her their swanky new flat in Palace Gardens - a high end residence in a rich part of London she never imagined she would be living in.
But almost immediately she senses that she doesn’t fit in.. and that something isn’t quite right with Palace Gardens.
As she becomes more and more obsessed with the goings on of the other residents, Ethan becomes more and more engrossed in his job and more and more distant and can’t understand her fascination with the building.
The story flips between New Year’s Eve - where Hayley and Ethan have been invited to a party at George’s flat on the ground floor of Palace Gardens, along with all of the other neighbours- and the unfolding of the events of the last few months that have brought everyone together on this night to find out - finally - what has been going on in this building.
New Year’s Eve was a twisty and entertaining read and I didn’t guess how things turned out - however I did feel that some aspects dragged on a little and I wanted things to unfold at a faster pace.
November 5, 2020
This story begins with Hayley and Ethan, a couple who have just moved into the wealthy Palace Gardens area of London - a far cry from their modest upbringings. Happy to be residents of this beautiful Victorian house, they think things are looking up for them - until Hayley meets another fellow Palace Gardens resident and she starts to wonder if this tight-knit community is as friendly as they seem...
Overall, I definitely enjoyed this book! It has a decent plot, a good amount of suspense that is slowly built up throughout and a couple of sinister twists.. however I just didn’t find that it ‘wowed’ me sadly! I didn’t feel absolutely compelled to keep reading, it was just a reliable, easy read that I could perhaps predict the outcome of. So although I don’t think it will be one that will stick in my brain forever, it is still worth a read if you’re into fictional suspense/drama type stories as I think it’s definitely more that than a thriller.
Thank you to Atlantic Books & NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: 3rd December 2020.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed this book! It has a decent plot, a good amount of suspense that is slowly built up throughout and a couple of sinister twists.. however I just didn’t find that it ‘wowed’ me sadly! I didn’t feel absolutely compelled to keep reading, it was just a reliable, easy read that I could perhaps predict the outcome of. So although I don’t think it will be one that will stick in my brain forever, it is still worth a read if you’re into fictional suspense/drama type stories as I think it’s definitely more that than a thriller.
Thank you to Atlantic Books & NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: 3rd December 2020.
November 10, 2020
New Year’s Eve by K G Murray
Hayley and Ethan are the latest residents at Palace Gardens a beautiful Victorian house divided into apartments. The other residents have been here for quite a while. Hayley works as a music teacher and is at home for long periods of time. She soon spots that the neighbours are all linked by a cult like belief that they all help each other even when crimes have been committed. Joining the cult begins with an intonation to the group. Hayley gets bullied into the initiation but realises it is too creepy for words. The New Year’s party brings everything to a violent conclusion and truths are revealed.
Hayley finds that the Palace Gardens will always have a hold on her even when she leaves on her own. Ethan also moves on after lying to her and using violence and subterfuge to take matters into his own hands.
This is an amazing read, I couldn’t put it down. It is atmospheric and disturbing and makes you think about every character and their motives. This author is one to watch as he is getting better and better.
Hayley and Ethan are the latest residents at Palace Gardens a beautiful Victorian house divided into apartments. The other residents have been here for quite a while. Hayley works as a music teacher and is at home for long periods of time. She soon spots that the neighbours are all linked by a cult like belief that they all help each other even when crimes have been committed. Joining the cult begins with an intonation to the group. Hayley gets bullied into the initiation but realises it is too creepy for words. The New Year’s party brings everything to a violent conclusion and truths are revealed.
Hayley finds that the Palace Gardens will always have a hold on her even when she leaves on her own. Ethan also moves on after lying to her and using violence and subterfuge to take matters into his own hands.
This is an amazing read, I couldn’t put it down. It is atmospheric and disturbing and makes you think about every character and their motives. This author is one to watch as he is getting better and better.
February 7, 2021
This is the first book that I have read by this author, and it was a truly captivating read!
When Hayley and Ethan move into Palace Gardens, they think that their life is finally going in the right direction. But behind the beautiful Victorian House's exterior things are certainly not what they expected, and this incredibly tight-knit community are anything but welcoming.
When Hayley begins to form a friendship with the woman next door, people are far from impressed, and no-one more so than the ever watching man from upstairs, who seems to watch what everyone is doing.
Unexpectedly, they all receive an invite to a New Years Eve party at his home, but is this simply a friendly gesture?.
This book was brilliant from beginning to end! the plot was full of drama and suspense and kept your senses on high alert as the story began to unfold. A gripping, chilling page turner that had me hooked.
When Hayley and Ethan move into Palace Gardens, they think that their life is finally going in the right direction. But behind the beautiful Victorian House's exterior things are certainly not what they expected, and this incredibly tight-knit community are anything but welcoming.
When Hayley begins to form a friendship with the woman next door, people are far from impressed, and no-one more so than the ever watching man from upstairs, who seems to watch what everyone is doing.
Unexpectedly, they all receive an invite to a New Years Eve party at his home, but is this simply a friendly gesture?.
This book was brilliant from beginning to end! the plot was full of drama and suspense and kept your senses on high alert as the story began to unfold. A gripping, chilling page turner that had me hooked.
November 16, 2020
Loved it! Just up my alley this book - lots of strange goings on at the plush Palace Gardens apartments where Hayley and her boyfriend Ethan have just moved into - not least the residents cult like group they have formed to 'help' each other no matter what each of them have done... Hayley works from home as a musician and is brought into the group almost against her will - she realizes that all is not well, who is the boy who screams at night and who lives on the top floor who she has never seen but knows lives there.. all is revealed on the night of New Years Eve when Hayley and her Ethan attend drinks at their neighbor's apartment. A cracking read, fast-paced, full of surprises and twists - brilliant!
December 7, 2020
Given that New Year’s Eve is only the author’s second thriller, his skill is impressive. He excels at storytelling, and at slowly building up a feeling of unease and suspense. He devises intricate yet elegant mysteries, which is no small feat. I found this book to be unputdownable. A really easy, enjoyable read.
Merged review:
Given that New Year’s Eve is only the author’s second thriller, his skill is impressive. He excels at storytelling, and at slowly building up a feeling of unease and suspense. He devises intricate yet elegant mysteries, which is no small feat. I found this book to be unputdownable. A really easy, enjoyable read.
Merged review:
Given that New Year’s Eve is only the author’s second thriller, his skill is impressive. He excels at storytelling, and at slowly building up a feeling of unease and suspense. He devises intricate yet elegant mysteries, which is no small feat. I found this book to be unputdownable. A really easy, enjoyable read.
November 23, 2020
I really enjoyed this!
I loved how the reader was off balance and on the back foot from the very first page. This feeling lasted for the entire first half of the book. I started to piece things together around 60% and I got a little bit right, a little bit wrong and missed another bit entirely :)
The characters are all three dimensional and authentic.
The plot manages to be both compact and intricate which is a triumph in itself.
I really enjoyed how location was used in a multitude of ways to provoke emotion.
A really well constructed thriller.
I loved how the reader was off balance and on the back foot from the very first page. This feeling lasted for the entire first half of the book. I started to piece things together around 60% and I got a little bit right, a little bit wrong and missed another bit entirely :)
The characters are all three dimensional and authentic.
The plot manages to be both compact and intricate which is a triumph in itself.
I really enjoyed how location was used in a multitude of ways to provoke emotion.
A really well constructed thriller.
November 28, 2020
New Year's Eve by J G Murray tells the story of Hayley and her partner Ethan who move into a prestigious apartment block. At first it seems like a dream come true until Hayley, a music teacher who mostly works from home, notices strange things happening and things seem to be taking sinister turns.
This book grabbed me from the first chapter and kept my interest throughout. I would definitely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atlantic Books for my ARC.
This book grabbed me from the first chapter and kept my interest throughout. I would definitely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atlantic Books for my ARC.
February 21, 2021
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
November 9, 2020
I enjoy the initial part of this book, but it just didn't hold my attention in the same way that others have that I had read recently I was frustrated by some of the decisions the characters made, which meant I became less endeared towards them. The ending became quite dramatic, but in an unrealistic way, and certain aspects of peoples motivations were never really explained.
November 15, 2020
Hayley and Ethan move in to the decadent apartment block, Palace Gardens, in a hope to move up in status.
Ethan starts to become distanced, while Hayley finds herself investigating what everyone in the building is hiding from her, or is it just her low status and a bit of paranoia?
This is a gripping novel that you will be glad to have read
Ethan starts to become distanced, while Hayley finds herself investigating what everyone in the building is hiding from her, or is it just her low status and a bit of paranoia?
This is a gripping novel that you will be glad to have read
January 2, 2021
This was my last book of 2020, which was quite appropriate. Still undecided as to how I feel about it though, it was an extremely slow burner, but had an intriguing storyline which I needed answers to.
Many thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in return for my honest review.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 4 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
Many thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in return for my honest review.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 4 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
April 23, 2021
I did like the setting for this thriller...a swanky apartment block where all the occupants lead a perfect and privileged life. And behind it all, lies their dark secrets. The plot is ok but parts of it are not as believable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews