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Dinner Party
It’s a question that we’ve all been asked at some time in our life... If you could hold a dinner party with famous people that are no longer with us, who would you invite? An eccentric host does just that hiring lookalikes to take part in his social experiment, and they must stay in character. But this is no ordinary dinner party. For mature readers only. Contains sex, violence & bad language.
175 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2019
10 people want to read
About the author
Daniel J. Barnes
17 books58 followersAuthor of the novels Monster Home, Blood Stained Canvas, The Vatican: Angel of Justice series, Dinner Party, Maple Falls Massacre, Fear Trigger, Welcome to Crimson & Monster Meals.
Creator/Writer of several independent comics Vatican: The Angel of Justice (1 issue), Monster Home (3 issues), Starlex (2 issues), Revenge is Geek (1 issue).
Creator/Writer of several independent comics Vatican: The Angel of Justice (1 issue), Monster Home (3 issues), Starlex (2 issues), Revenge is Geek (1 issue).
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 9, 2024
If you could invite six famous people, dead or alive to a dinner party, who would you pick? The host of this party has hired six celebrity lookalikes to act out this scenario but things are not as they seem!
This is a great horror novella, the host is a mystery and obviously completely mad. The lookalikes, all different, all enjoying a delicious meal and pretending for the double pay the host has offered them, to stay in character for the evening.
This is a twisted tale that turns dark quickly and I loved the way the chapters are printed out of order, it just works and keeps the story flowing. A quick freaky read and the burger recipe at the back is cracking!
This is a great horror novella, the host is a mystery and obviously completely mad. The lookalikes, all different, all enjoying a delicious meal and pretending for the double pay the host has offered them, to stay in character for the evening.
This is a twisted tale that turns dark quickly and I loved the way the chapters are printed out of order, it just works and keeps the story flowing. A quick freaky read and the burger recipe at the back is cracking!
February 1, 2021
Another great book from Daniel J Barnes. Some full on belly laugh moments and moments of complete shock. I really liked how the book was layed out by not stating with chapter 1.
July 29, 2020
I have only rated this book as a four because of my own preference of what I enjoy reading. Unfortunately this book didn’t draw me in as much as Dan’s other books. However it was brilliantly written and went into great detail especially with the characters. I would recommend this book to others to read as we are all individuals with our own preferences if we were all the same the world of books would not host and open up our minds and hearts to other worlds behind our imagination
May 15, 2022
Grabbed by the "If you could hold a dinner party with famous people that are no longer with us, who would you invite?" tagline. Dinner Party by Daniel J. Barnes gave me a cast of characters that made for a wildly entertaining and horrifically wonderful dinner.
Blending together humor and horror is one of my favorite types of books and Dinner Party pulls it off. Instantly having a mild moment of panic at the beginning of the book as Barnes decided to mix up the chapters and then also having my lil brain scrambled in the storytelling chapter, I got more than I expected. Trust his process. I can truly tell you nothing of the story because you need to just go in and let the story come at you in the way it was intended. The story works magnificently because of these crazy twists and moments he put in. It is crafted to perfection.
Blending together humor and horror is one of my favorite types of books and Dinner Party pulls it off. Instantly having a mild moment of panic at the beginning of the book as Barnes decided to mix up the chapters and then also having my lil brain scrambled in the storytelling chapter, I got more than I expected. Trust his process. I can truly tell you nothing of the story because you need to just go in and let the story come at you in the way it was intended. The story works magnificently because of these crazy twists and moments he put in. It is crafted to perfection.
April 22, 2019
I started the book when it came out, and I have only just got around to finishing it due to personal commitments. But what can I say about it? Upon finishing the book I was speechless it has taken me some time to come and think about what to write.
If you are a person who likes crime thrillers and murder mystery’s then this book is one hundred percent for you. It includes everything you expect from a murder mystery with extras added in.
At first when I picked the book up I was quite sceptical about how it was laid out. I thought that I would find it hard to read, but I kept going and I’m glad I did. The chapters are expertly crafted in a way that entices you to read on. Dans choice of words really flows and could easily pass for a professional writer.
At times the imagery that Dan pushes is of the explicit nature, but really adds depth to the story. For my age I have read a lot of books and I am pleased to say that Dinner Party is my new favourite book. I loved every moment about it.
I would recommend this to anyone that loves a bit of mystery. Well done Dan.
If you are a person who likes crime thrillers and murder mystery’s then this book is one hundred percent for you. It includes everything you expect from a murder mystery with extras added in.
At first when I picked the book up I was quite sceptical about how it was laid out. I thought that I would find it hard to read, but I kept going and I’m glad I did. The chapters are expertly crafted in a way that entices you to read on. Dans choice of words really flows and could easily pass for a professional writer.
At times the imagery that Dan pushes is of the explicit nature, but really adds depth to the story. For my age I have read a lot of books and I am pleased to say that Dinner Party is my new favourite book. I loved every moment about it.
I would recommend this to anyone that loves a bit of mystery. Well done Dan.
March 15, 2020
Of all his books I felt this may not to be my cup of tea, but had a few hours to spare so dug in ready for a slog. How wrong I was!
If you've found Daniel's books via his comic inspired Vatican series or almost biopic Blood Stained Canvas, I'd urge you open your horizons and read my favourite of his 5 current books (number 6 due very soon)
I was absolutely gripped from start to end and read in a single sitting. What seems to be simple dinner party and the guests journey through the night turns into a much different affair by the end. The shifting chapters introducing us to the characters was a great way to break up a fairly obvious dinner party. The writing was superb and much better than previous books, obviously his confidence and experience is really paying off now. Loved the fact the book feels like the starter (or even main course) of a bigger story and the last page had me gagging for more. Hopefully Daniel gets round to writing another course for us all to enjoy and find out more secrets of The Hosts Dinner Party.
If you've found Daniel's books via his comic inspired Vatican series or almost biopic Blood Stained Canvas, I'd urge you open your horizons and read my favourite of his 5 current books (number 6 due very soon)
I was absolutely gripped from start to end and read in a single sitting. What seems to be simple dinner party and the guests journey through the night turns into a much different affair by the end. The shifting chapters introducing us to the characters was a great way to break up a fairly obvious dinner party. The writing was superb and much better than previous books, obviously his confidence and experience is really paying off now. Loved the fact the book feels like the starter (or even main course) of a bigger story and the last page had me gagging for more. Hopefully Daniel gets round to writing another course for us all to enjoy and find out more secrets of The Hosts Dinner Party.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2024
A memorable dinner party...
Elegant attire, gourmet dishes, the finest wine...
A charismatic, mysterious host...
A social experiment...
6 celebrity lookalikes invited to mingle and behave as their famous counterparts might have...
'It's a question that we've all been asked at some time in our life... If you could hold a dinner party with famous people that are no longer with us, who would you invite? (...)
But this is no ordinary dinner party. '
Fun! - it's the simplest, most accurate way to sum up this book. Yes, there's horror, gore, cringe and creepy moments, but the experience is utterly fun. Plenty of quirky and curious little details to be found.
For example, the chapters are presented out of sequence. You can read the book as it is presented to you, as the author intended, or you can read them in numerical order - it still works. I'll leave the rest for you to discover.
My favourite part was the storytelling mid-meal, with each character trying to outdo the others with the most surprising story. Hilarious... And a little gross!
Elegant attire, gourmet dishes, the finest wine...
A charismatic, mysterious host...
A social experiment...
6 celebrity lookalikes invited to mingle and behave as their famous counterparts might have...
'It's a question that we've all been asked at some time in our life... If you could hold a dinner party with famous people that are no longer with us, who would you invite? (...)
But this is no ordinary dinner party. '
Fun! - it's the simplest, most accurate way to sum up this book. Yes, there's horror, gore, cringe and creepy moments, but the experience is utterly fun. Plenty of quirky and curious little details to be found.
For example, the chapters are presented out of sequence. You can read the book as it is presented to you, as the author intended, or you can read them in numerical order - it still works. I'll leave the rest for you to discover.
My favourite part was the storytelling mid-meal, with each character trying to outdo the others with the most surprising story. Hilarious... And a little gross!
March 3, 2019
I've read both of Dan's previous books and enjoyed them. I was a bit sceptical over this one to begin with as I'd never really thought too much about the question let alone a full book about it. The jumbled up chapters also interest me because I'm going to have to read the book again in order to see the story in flow order. I've never ever had that before.
The short and curlys are I loved it. Same as always with Dan character depth is outstanding. You have a real strong knowledge of who's who based on Dan's deep descriptive writing style. I loved the inclusion of the story written in German to keep the flow as in keeping as possible.
Dan's stories all being loosely connected to other books is also a strong indicator of a bigger thing than just the one book which I think personally not even Dan has figured out what it might be yet but I put nothing past him.
The short and curlys are I loved it. Same as always with Dan character depth is outstanding. You have a real strong knowledge of who's who based on Dan's deep descriptive writing style. I loved the inclusion of the story written in German to keep the flow as in keeping as possible.
Dan's stories all being loosely connected to other books is also a strong indicator of a bigger thing than just the one book which I think personally not even Dan has figured out what it might be yet but I put nothing past him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2024
If you could invite anyone to a dinner party, who would it be?
A dinner party held by a mysterious host, attended by lookalikes of long-dead famous people. This is a dinner party like no other.
The story is set out in non-chronological order, which I kind of loved: you don’t start at chapter 1. It helps the story move at a really fast pace and keeps you turning pages, learning about each guest and following the dinner party. There is suspense from the start, and some twisted moments of gore and bodily fluids…just all of the bodily fluids.
This is a sophisticated horror with a lot of comedy in it, cleverly developed characters, and a lot of mystery. You also get a lot of trivia about the characters, which as a total nerd I was here for.
Plus you get a bonus burger recipe and a crash course in learning another language: that’s worth the book price alone!
A dinner party held by a mysterious host, attended by lookalikes of long-dead famous people. This is a dinner party like no other.
The story is set out in non-chronological order, which I kind of loved: you don’t start at chapter 1. It helps the story move at a really fast pace and keeps you turning pages, learning about each guest and following the dinner party. There is suspense from the start, and some twisted moments of gore and bodily fluids…just all of the bodily fluids.
This is a sophisticated horror with a lot of comedy in it, cleverly developed characters, and a lot of mystery. You also get a lot of trivia about the characters, which as a total nerd I was here for.
Plus you get a bonus burger recipe and a crash course in learning another language: that’s worth the book price alone!
February 19, 2019
What a great read! This book had me gripped from the start and kept me involved right til the end! With it's mix of humour as well as slight mystery it never disappointed.
The author has managed to create a story which makes you want to keep reading and finding out what will happen next. It's well written and a great size for those just wanting a short read for holidays, short breaks etc.
If your looking for a light hearted read which will keep you intrigued whilst also raise a smile or two I would 100% recommend Dinner Party!
The author has managed to create a story which makes you want to keep reading and finding out what will happen next. It's well written and a great size for those just wanting a short read for holidays, short breaks etc.
If your looking for a light hearted read which will keep you intrigued whilst also raise a smile or two I would 100% recommend Dinner Party!
April 2, 2020
Very original storyline! Loved the way you got a glimpse into the background of each of the guests at the dinner party. And the host of the party is one of the most interesting and terrifying characters I’ve come across. I hope there is a sequel to this book which helps us to find out more about that intriguing host.
August 16, 2023
Answering the age old question of who you would invite to a dinner party, Barnes creates a fun horror that builds the tension until it ends in the only way it should! An easy and enjoyable read, and I'll definitely be reading more.
July 25, 2020
Really good read, I like how it’s written. Without giving too much away it’s like watching a crime program where it keeps flashing back to events leading up to the main story. Kept me gripped and immersed and entertained.
Another great book from a great author
Another great book from a great author
March 5, 2019
This fantastic third novel by Daniel J. Barnes takes you on a journey to discover what would happen if you could answer the question who would you invite to a Dinner Party the chapters are not conventionally laid out as in a regular book but this adds to the story for the reader it has you gripped from the start.
I would definitely recommend this book.
I would definitely recommend this book.
March 9, 2024
Another fantastic read from multi genre Author Daniel J Barnes. Dinner party Six famous guests, who are no longer with us, are invited to a dinner party. The look-alikes, are paid double their fee to be at the hosts house on a set date at a certain time. But they must stay in character at all times. The host, likes to play games with his guests, then the evening takes a macabre turn. This is a wonderful concept and a gripping read. The chapters are not in sequence, which makes a thrilling page turner. It's dark, it's humorous. With some laugh out loud moments. And it's unique and brilliant. Loved it!!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews