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Detective Dan Riley #5
The Night of the Party
Two Couples. Three Secrets. One Murder.
In a beautiful house surrounded by woodland, the Drayton family and their dearest friends are enjoying dinner together. The wine is flowing, the meal has been lovingly prepared, and it’s going to be an evening none of them will ever forget…
A doting mother
with a manipulative daughter.
A loving husband
lying to his family.
A close friend
keeping a shocking secret.
A beautiful girl
who will be dead by the end of the night.
A totally unputdownable and nail-bitingly tense psychological thriller with an explosive double twist that will leave you reeling. Fans of Lisa Jewell, Gillian McAllister and Lucy Foley will be hooked on The Night of the Party.
In a beautiful house surrounded by woodland, the Drayton family and their dearest friends are enjoying dinner together. The wine is flowing, the meal has been lovingly prepared, and it’s going to be an evening none of them will ever forget…
A doting mother
with a manipulative daughter.
A loving husband
lying to his family.
A close friend
keeping a shocking secret.
A beautiful girl
who will be dead by the end of the night.
A totally unputdownable and nail-bitingly tense psychological thriller with an explosive double twist that will leave you reeling. Fans of Lisa Jewell, Gillian McAllister and Lucy Foley will be hooked on The Night of the Party.
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First published January 12, 2022
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January 13, 2022
Two Couples. Three Secrets. One Murder.
This is one of those books where I think it is best to go in as blind as possible. You know all you need to know from the synopsis. Read that and dive in! Seriously, you will thank me!
This was a hard to put down, nicely paced and riveting psychological thriller. The synopsis was intriguing. A party, a missing girl, a gruesome discovery...This is all right up my alley! I was glued to the pages and as the plot unfolded, more than one discovery was made! I enjoyed the twists and it had me thinking of the quote:
'Oh what a tangled web we weave/When first we practice to deceive'
This had a little bit of everything that I enjoy - likeable and unlikable characters, twists, turns and reveals. There are secrets, lies, hidden motivations, family, relationships, deception, loss, sacrifice and of course the dead girl. This book also looks at how well you really know someone. You may think you know everything about them, but do you? This was a gripping and absorbing whodunit. This book is part of a series but worked as a solid stand alone for me. I didn't feel as if I was missing anything.
This was my first book by the author, and I am hooked. I will be reading more of her books in the future.
Gripping, riveting and well written.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
This is one of those books where I think it is best to go in as blind as possible. You know all you need to know from the synopsis. Read that and dive in! Seriously, you will thank me!
This was a hard to put down, nicely paced and riveting psychological thriller. The synopsis was intriguing. A party, a missing girl, a gruesome discovery...This is all right up my alley! I was glued to the pages and as the plot unfolded, more than one discovery was made! I enjoyed the twists and it had me thinking of the quote:
'Oh what a tangled web we weave/When first we practice to deceive'
This had a little bit of everything that I enjoy - likeable and unlikable characters, twists, turns and reveals. There are secrets, lies, hidden motivations, family, relationships, deception, loss, sacrifice and of course the dead girl. This book also looks at how well you really know someone. You may think you know everything about them, but do you? This was a gripping and absorbing whodunit. This book is part of a series but worked as a solid stand alone for me. I didn't feel as if I was missing anything.
This was my first book by the author, and I am hooked. I will be reading more of her books in the future.
Gripping, riveting and well written.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
December 2, 2021
Evie Drayton looks on in pride as her ‘perfect’ daughter Libby plays the piano for the dinner guests on the night of the party. Libby goes out to meet a friend but doesn’t return home at the specified time and Evie reports her missing. . Later, DI Daniel Riley and DS Lucy Davis make a gruesome discovery. Evie and her family are in for a terrible shock in more ways than one. The story is told from the point of view of Dan, Evie and Libby which works really well.
I’ve read several of the DI Dan Riley series and really like them and this is a good addition but it is perfectly possible to read it as a stand-alone. I like Dan and the team led by the formidable Supt Gwendoline Archer. What I particularly like in this one is that so many characters are wearing a mask to adopt a persona to suit others, so many are faking it for a multitude of reasons it’s a minefield of clues. The characterisation is very good especially of Libby and as we learn more it’s a case of falling apples and trees! Nearly all the characters are utterly flawed which makes for very entertaining reading. Some are beyond manipulative they’re at a whole new level, some are deluded or naive and gullible whereas some wouldn’t know truth if it socked them on the nose they’re such accomplished and polished liars. There’s a very tangled web woven and the dynamics are very interesting and intriguing. There’s deceit, trickery, selfishness, blame, heartbreak, betrayal, destruction and sacrifice. The pace is good throughout and we are treated to several good plot twists. While I do guess some of the outcome, part is still a surprise.
Overall, this is another absorbing novel from the author, it’s easy to read and there’s never a dull moment.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
I’ve read several of the DI Dan Riley series and really like them and this is a good addition but it is perfectly possible to read it as a stand-alone. I like Dan and the team led by the formidable Supt Gwendoline Archer. What I particularly like in this one is that so many characters are wearing a mask to adopt a persona to suit others, so many are faking it for a multitude of reasons it’s a minefield of clues. The characterisation is very good especially of Libby and as we learn more it’s a case of falling apples and trees! Nearly all the characters are utterly flawed which makes for very entertaining reading. Some are beyond manipulative they’re at a whole new level, some are deluded or naive and gullible whereas some wouldn’t know truth if it socked them on the nose they’re such accomplished and polished liars. There’s a very tangled web woven and the dynamics are very interesting and intriguing. There’s deceit, trickery, selfishness, blame, heartbreak, betrayal, destruction and sacrifice. The pace is good throughout and we are treated to several good plot twists. While I do guess some of the outcome, part is still a surprise.
Overall, this is another absorbing novel from the author, it’s easy to read and there’s never a dull moment.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
February 9, 2023
Very twisted. The psychological manipulation and mind games kept me glued to the pages. Review pending.
January 22, 2022
EXCERPT: We continue in silence for a while. The air is still and cold, so cold that it stings my eyes. PC Singh, who is a little way ahead of us up front, stops abruptly. He's shining his torch into the woodland, stepping into it.
'Sir!'
'You got something?' I call out to him.
'Sir, you need to come-'
He drops his torch and begins to back away from the verge. I quicken my pace to reach him, Davis close behind me. The expression on the young PC's face sends my adrenalin into fifth gear. Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no.
He lowers himself onto his knees and starts to cough and choke, an amplified sound that echoes through the stillness, alerting his fellow officers up ahead.
It's sticking out of the wooded area, to the side of the path. In this light - or lack of it - it looks almost blue in colour, a pale translucent blue, like it's bathed in moonlight. A sickening sensation drops down into my guts, the reserves of hope that I've been desperately holding onto evaporating like icy morning mist at sunrise. I recognize it instantly: it's a human hand.
ABOUT 'THE NIGHT OF THE PARTY': Two Couples. Three Secrets. One Murder.
In a beautiful house surrounded by woodland, the Drayton family and their dearest friends are enjoying dinner together. The wine is flowing, the meal has been lovingly prepared, and it’s going to be an evening none of them will ever forget…
A doting mother
with a manipulative daughter.
A loving husband
lying to his family.
A close friend
keeping a shocking secret.
A beautiful girl
who will be dead by the end of the night.
MY THOUGHTS: When I was 70% through, I posted "OMG! This is one incredible read. If you don't have a copy yet, get one now and clear your day!" Having just finished, I stand by what I said.
What a rollercoaster ride The Night of the Party is! Let me back on, I want to do it all over again.
I am going to say nothing about the plot other than it's well crafted, fast paced and riveting. I absolutely did not want to put this down.
There's a great mix of both likeable and unlikeable characters and characters that you will change your opinion of more than once. Nothing and nobody is quite what they seem on the surface. There are multitudes of secrets and lies, vulnerability, and masterful manipulations. It just goes to show, no matter how long you've known someone, you may never really know them.
The story is told mainly from the points of view of the detective, Dan Riley; Evie Drayton, mother of the missing girl; and the missing girl herself, Libby Drayton. Suspects and motives are plentiful as layer after layer of lies and deception are revealed. I had no idea who was the perpetrator until it was revealed.
I loved this read and devoured it avidly. The Night of the Party was very nearly a five star read for me. I am going to be finding the earlier books in this series to read and will definitely be putting my hand up to read more from this author.
Although this is #5 in the Detective Dan Riley series, it works wonderfully as a stand-alone.
"Mums are like packed-lunch sandwiches....everyone else's always looks so much better than your own."
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheNightoftheParty #NetGalley
I: @annalouwrites @bookouture
T: @annaloulondon @Bookouture
#contemporaryfiction #crime #familydrama #murdermystery #psychologicaldrama
THE AUTHOR: Anna-Lou Weatherley was born in Hampshire and grew up in London where she still lives with her partner and two children.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Night of the Party by Anna-Lou Weatherley for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
'Sir!'
'You got something?' I call out to him.
'Sir, you need to come-'
He drops his torch and begins to back away from the verge. I quicken my pace to reach him, Davis close behind me. The expression on the young PC's face sends my adrenalin into fifth gear. Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no.
He lowers himself onto his knees and starts to cough and choke, an amplified sound that echoes through the stillness, alerting his fellow officers up ahead.
It's sticking out of the wooded area, to the side of the path. In this light - or lack of it - it looks almost blue in colour, a pale translucent blue, like it's bathed in moonlight. A sickening sensation drops down into my guts, the reserves of hope that I've been desperately holding onto evaporating like icy morning mist at sunrise. I recognize it instantly: it's a human hand.
ABOUT 'THE NIGHT OF THE PARTY': Two Couples. Three Secrets. One Murder.
In a beautiful house surrounded by woodland, the Drayton family and their dearest friends are enjoying dinner together. The wine is flowing, the meal has been lovingly prepared, and it’s going to be an evening none of them will ever forget…
A doting mother
with a manipulative daughter.
A loving husband
lying to his family.
A close friend
keeping a shocking secret.
A beautiful girl
who will be dead by the end of the night.
MY THOUGHTS: When I was 70% through, I posted "OMG! This is one incredible read. If you don't have a copy yet, get one now and clear your day!" Having just finished, I stand by what I said.
What a rollercoaster ride The Night of the Party is! Let me back on, I want to do it all over again.
I am going to say nothing about the plot other than it's well crafted, fast paced and riveting. I absolutely did not want to put this down.
There's a great mix of both likeable and unlikeable characters and characters that you will change your opinion of more than once. Nothing and nobody is quite what they seem on the surface. There are multitudes of secrets and lies, vulnerability, and masterful manipulations. It just goes to show, no matter how long you've known someone, you may never really know them.
The story is told mainly from the points of view of the detective, Dan Riley; Evie Drayton, mother of the missing girl; and the missing girl herself, Libby Drayton. Suspects and motives are plentiful as layer after layer of lies and deception are revealed. I had no idea who was the perpetrator until it was revealed.
I loved this read and devoured it avidly. The Night of the Party was very nearly a five star read for me. I am going to be finding the earlier books in this series to read and will definitely be putting my hand up to read more from this author.
Although this is #5 in the Detective Dan Riley series, it works wonderfully as a stand-alone.
"Mums are like packed-lunch sandwiches....everyone else's always looks so much better than your own."
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheNightoftheParty #NetGalley
I: @annalouwrites @bookouture
T: @annaloulondon @Bookouture
#contemporaryfiction #crime #familydrama #murdermystery #psychologicaldrama
THE AUTHOR: Anna-Lou Weatherley was born in Hampshire and grew up in London where she still lives with her partner and two children.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Night of the Party by Anna-Lou Weatherley for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
December 9, 2021
This is a book which is very fast paced with a lot of twists. It is a good light read with characters which are interesting. It finishes weakly in my opinion, though quite a few other reviewers do differ.
Evie is proud of her daughter Libby, who is always well behaved and gifted (she plays the piano). Brandon is Libby’s step-brother and there is an air of tension between them. Evie regards Brandon as being a difficult step-son though she tries her best to get along. On the night when Evie and her husband Dan are hosting their friends Jim and Una for dinner, Libby leaves the house saying she will be watching a performance with a friend. Evie loses contact with her and she is later found dead, brutally murdered. It turns out that Libby lied about going out with a friend, who denies she was to meet her.
As the story progresses, secrets which many of the characters including Libby held to themselves are revealed. There are a lot of twists and I loved how especially Libby’s character was revealed. However, the large number of twists right till the end also meant a not very serious tie-up of all ends (such as forensic evidence). I was also ok with that as it was engrossing and moved very fast. The end however was very contrived and extremely weak.
My rating: 3.25 / 5.
Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture & the author for a free electronic review copy.
Evie is proud of her daughter Libby, who is always well behaved and gifted (she plays the piano). Brandon is Libby’s step-brother and there is an air of tension between them. Evie regards Brandon as being a difficult step-son though she tries her best to get along. On the night when Evie and her husband Dan are hosting their friends Jim and Una for dinner, Libby leaves the house saying she will be watching a performance with a friend. Evie loses contact with her and she is later found dead, brutally murdered. It turns out that Libby lied about going out with a friend, who denies she was to meet her.
As the story progresses, secrets which many of the characters including Libby held to themselves are revealed. There are a lot of twists and I loved how especially Libby’s character was revealed. However, the large number of twists right till the end also meant a not very serious tie-up of all ends (such as forensic evidence). I was also ok with that as it was engrossing and moved very fast. The end however was very contrived and extremely weak.
My rating: 3.25 / 5.
Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture & the author for a free electronic review copy.
December 23, 2021
Two couples, three secrets, one murder.
The Hemmings - Una and Jim are enjoying a dinner party at the home of their very good friends, the Draytons, Evie and Tom. Libby Drayton - 17 years old, beautiful, clever, popular and such a good girl is on her way out to meet her friend Katie to see a band and promises to be home by 10:30. Tom’s older son Brandon, half brother to Libby follows her out the door shortly after.
By midnight Libby is still not home and is not answering her phone. Evie rings Katie’s mum only to learn that Katie is spending the weekend with her nanna, their was no gig. The police are called. Before long the body is inevitably found and it is brutal. Libby’s face has been obliterated!
DI Daniel Riley and DS Lucy Davis start to dig into the lives of these families and soon learn that there are some unpleasant secrets and that Libby is not the nice girl her parents thought she was. Suspects are dangled in front of us. The lives of the families are examined under a microscope and a rather ugly picture emerges.
Libby turns out to have been a manipulative, nasty piece of work. But she was not the only nasty piece of work in this story. In fact most of the cast of characters had secrets to be ashamed of. A number of people could have had a reason to kill Libby but who did the actual deed? This story had many layers and many secrets and a rather sad and poignant ending. It was a quick and enjoyable read that had me turning the pages with a flourish. I finished it in a day. Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
The Hemmings - Una and Jim are enjoying a dinner party at the home of their very good friends, the Draytons, Evie and Tom. Libby Drayton - 17 years old, beautiful, clever, popular and such a good girl is on her way out to meet her friend Katie to see a band and promises to be home by 10:30. Tom’s older son Brandon, half brother to Libby follows her out the door shortly after.
By midnight Libby is still not home and is not answering her phone. Evie rings Katie’s mum only to learn that Katie is spending the weekend with her nanna, their was no gig. The police are called. Before long the body is inevitably found and it is brutal. Libby’s face has been obliterated!
DI Daniel Riley and DS Lucy Davis start to dig into the lives of these families and soon learn that there are some unpleasant secrets and that Libby is not the nice girl her parents thought she was. Suspects are dangled in front of us. The lives of the families are examined under a microscope and a rather ugly picture emerges.
Libby turns out to have been a manipulative, nasty piece of work. But she was not the only nasty piece of work in this story. In fact most of the cast of characters had secrets to be ashamed of. A number of people could have had a reason to kill Libby but who did the actual deed? This story had many layers and many secrets and a rather sad and poignant ending. It was a quick and enjoyable read that had me turning the pages with a flourish. I finished it in a day. Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
April 8, 2023
3 😈🧐🤔⭐️s
A nice mystery thriller read and well written.
There were many characters, yet I didn’t have any problem following them throughout the storyline.
Libby, an 18 y.o. girl, had been brutally murdered and the suspects were a few.
Tbh, my excitement was reduced from an early point, whereas I could distinguish the culprit.
I enjoyed how Libby’s personality was unraveled, and how the nice and innocent image she portrayed to others was dismantled. She was a total bitch and then some. Her manipulations and schemes were very well planned.
However, I never saw the twist coming in the end, through the letter.
A nice mystery thriller read and well written.
There were many characters, yet I didn’t have any problem following them throughout the storyline.
Libby, an 18 y.o. girl, had been brutally murdered and the suspects were a few.
Tbh, my excitement was reduced from an early point, whereas I could distinguish the culprit.
I enjoyed how Libby’s personality was unraveled, and how the nice and innocent image she portrayed to others was dismantled. She was a total bitch and then some. Her manipulations and schemes were very well planned.
However, I never saw the twist coming in the end, through the letter.
November 18, 2023
*Behind The Mask*
**4.5 Stars**
In this instalment we see DI Dan Riley and his trusty companion DS Lucy Davis attend the scene of a brutal murder. This was a very engaging and riveting story.
I love the description’ Two couples, Three secrets, One murder.
It makes you think a book with one murder would be drawn out and not a lot going on. Well you would be wrong. Two couples at a dinner party and secrets a plenty in this plot about characters who are portraying one face to the outside world and underneath the facades they are carrying deep secrets. One is a serial philanderer who does not own their mistakes and blames everyone else. One has made a mistake in a moment of weakness that will cost them everything, another is a serial manipulator that works on weaknesses and one lives their lives vicariously through their child. Yet another is living with a secret that will haunt them daily.
Outside of this is someone who will give up their life to save another.
DI Dan Riley and his infamous gut instincts are rarely wrong.
**4.5 Stars**
In this instalment we see DI Dan Riley and his trusty companion DS Lucy Davis attend the scene of a brutal murder. This was a very engaging and riveting story.
I love the description’ Two couples, Three secrets, One murder.
It makes you think a book with one murder would be drawn out and not a lot going on. Well you would be wrong. Two couples at a dinner party and secrets a plenty in this plot about characters who are portraying one face to the outside world and underneath the facades they are carrying deep secrets. One is a serial philanderer who does not own their mistakes and blames everyone else. One has made a mistake in a moment of weakness that will cost them everything, another is a serial manipulator that works on weaknesses and one lives their lives vicariously through their child. Yet another is living with a secret that will haunt them daily.
Outside of this is someone who will give up their life to save another.
DI Dan Riley and his infamous gut instincts are rarely wrong.
November 30, 2021
I loved this book. All the books in this series have been fantastic and always manage to suck me in. The Night of the Party can easily be read as a stand alone, it is the reoccurrence of the Detective Dan Riley that makes it a series. But I do recommend reading them all abs they are all such great stories.
17 year old Libby is murdered near her home, on the night that her parents are having a dinner party. Her mother, Evie, thinks her daughter was an angel and nobody would want her dead. Boy is she is for a shock. No spoilers but you won’t believe the twists in this. So clever and well done.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my advanced copy of this book to read.
17 year old Libby is murdered near her home, on the night that her parents are having a dinner party. Her mother, Evie, thinks her daughter was an angel and nobody would want her dead. Boy is she is for a shock. No spoilers but you won’t believe the twists in this. So clever and well done.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my advanced copy of this book to read.
January 12, 2022
The Night of the Party drops the reader into an unfolding dinner party at Evie and Tom’s place. Evie begs her talented seventeen-year-old daughter Libby to play piano for their guests Una and Jim before she rushes off to a concert with a friend.
Libby’s night out doesn’t go as planned. Evie knows something is amiss when Libby doesn’t text or return when she’s supposed to. The story spirals into a murder mystery while exposing a very different side of Libby.
Often with mysteries authors use several writing devices to cleverly hide and reveal twists and turns. In this book, a certain character was pointed out over and over as being creepy. The heavy-handiness here didn’t leave any room for surprises. So all along, you knew what was right around the corner.
However, what happens when the detective discovered the real killer just isn’t reasonable at all. If someone is capable of that much violence then that person should be handled according. Therefore, the detective—and half of the story—instantly loses all credibility, trying to deliver a fulfilling and just ending to a wild story.
With the protective nod the author gives to the killer, I wish this book took a hard turn towards Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. The building blocks were all there and it would’ve been a much richer story. The story provides the head trauma motive for a character’s shocking narcissistic and sociopathic behavior, yet the story wraps up just when the meaty plot point is introduced. The actual killer’s motive was completely expected, making the book fall flat.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange of my honest review.
Libby’s night out doesn’t go as planned. Evie knows something is amiss when Libby doesn’t text or return when she’s supposed to. The story spirals into a murder mystery while exposing a very different side of Libby.
Often with mysteries authors use several writing devices to cleverly hide and reveal twists and turns. In this book, a certain character was pointed out over and over as being creepy. The heavy-handiness here didn’t leave any room for surprises. So all along, you knew what was right around the corner.
However, what happens when the detective discovered the real killer just isn’t reasonable at all. If someone is capable of that much violence then that person should be handled according. Therefore, the detective—and half of the story—instantly loses all credibility, trying to deliver a fulfilling and just ending to a wild story.
With the protective nod the author gives to the killer, I wish this book took a hard turn towards Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. The building blocks were all there and it would’ve been a much richer story. The story provides the head trauma motive for a character’s shocking narcissistic and sociopathic behavior, yet the story wraps up just when the meaty plot point is introduced. The actual killer’s motive was completely expected, making the book fall flat.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange of my honest review.
December 20, 2021
In a beautiful house surrounded by woodland, the Drayton family and their closest friends are enjoying dinner together. The wine is flowing, the meal has been lovingly prepared, and it's going to be an evening none of them will ever forget....
Filled with secrets, revelations and twists, this book will keep you guessing throughout. It's action packed and full of suspects, you won't know what person to pick. Everyone at the party has secrets. The pace is fast in this well written, tense and gripping read. The story is told from Dan's perspective. Although this book is part of the DI Dan Riley series, it can be read as a standalone. This is an intriguing whodunit.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #AnnaLouWeatherly for my ARC of #TheNightOfTheParty in exchange for an honest review.
Filled with secrets, revelations and twists, this book will keep you guessing throughout. It's action packed and full of suspects, you won't know what person to pick. Everyone at the party has secrets. The pace is fast in this well written, tense and gripping read. The story is told from Dan's perspective. Although this book is part of the DI Dan Riley series, it can be read as a standalone. This is an intriguing whodunit.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #AnnaLouWeatherly for my ARC of #TheNightOfTheParty in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2024
4.5 stars!
Another engaging and entertaining instalment in this fantastic British police procedural series!
A missing teenager report turns into a brutal murder investigation.
Filled with twists and turns, this suspenseful story kept me guessing. Detective Dan Riley continues to be one of my favourite main characters. Though this novel focuses less on his personal life than previous books, I still felt the strong connection to Dan and loved spending time with him.
Audiobook rating: 5 stars! The audio narrator continues to be an absolute favourite of mine. He adds immensely to the story and greatly enhances my connection. Highly recommend the audio for this series!
I’m sure it’s no surprise that I have already downloaded book 6 in this series and cannot wait to dive into it!
Another engaging and entertaining instalment in this fantastic British police procedural series!
A missing teenager report turns into a brutal murder investigation.
Filled with twists and turns, this suspenseful story kept me guessing. Detective Dan Riley continues to be one of my favourite main characters. Though this novel focuses less on his personal life than previous books, I still felt the strong connection to Dan and loved spending time with him.
Audiobook rating: 5 stars! The audio narrator continues to be an absolute favourite of mine. He adds immensely to the story and greatly enhances my connection. Highly recommend the audio for this series!
I’m sure it’s no surprise that I have already downloaded book 6 in this series and cannot wait to dive into it!
March 29, 2022
I don't know why I didn't realize this is Book 5 in a series but it is. Luckily it didn't affect my enjoyment of the book; in fact this can definitely be read as a standalone.
The title of this book misled me because the "party" was actually just 4 people having dinner at one of the couples' houses. I think I was expecting it to be a larger party with shades of Agatha Christie in the unfolding story. Eve, the hostess, starts worrying because she hasn't heard from her 17-year-old daughter who went to meet a friend to go to a concert in town. The story goes back and forth in time as well as from the viewpoints of various characters but I think it's best to go into the book not knowing a lot about the plot. I was expecting a quick superficial read without having to tax my brain but the story actually had a lot of depth to it as well as some great characters. I plan to look into some of the previous books in the series. Highly recommended! 3.5 stars rounded up!
I purchased the Kindle version of this book from amazon.ca so I guess I own it!
The title of this book misled me because the "party" was actually just 4 people having dinner at one of the couples' houses. I think I was expecting it to be a larger party with shades of Agatha Christie in the unfolding story. Eve, the hostess, starts worrying because she hasn't heard from her 17-year-old daughter who went to meet a friend to go to a concert in town. The story goes back and forth in time as well as from the viewpoints of various characters but I think it's best to go into the book not knowing a lot about the plot. I was expecting a quick superficial read without having to tax my brain but the story actually had a lot of depth to it as well as some great characters. I plan to look into some of the previous books in the series. Highly recommended! 3.5 stars rounded up!
I purchased the Kindle version of this book from amazon.ca so I guess I own it!
December 3, 2021
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Interesting, but nothing new to offer
The Drayton family is enjoying dinner with close friends on a cold night. Libby is a 17-yo and the perfect daughter of Evie and Tom Drayton. Brandon, Evie’s stepson, doesn’t enjoy the same adoration.
Una and Jim are Evie’s college friends. Jim is a GP and a docile middle-aged man, while Una is the life of the party. When Libby goes out for an event and doesn’t respond to Evie’s messages or calls, Evie starts to panic. When the girl doesn’t come home, Evie knows something is wrong.
Dan Riley is assigned to find Evie and soon discovers that the girl was neither perfect nor as innocent as Evie believed. Soon enough, Libby’s body is found, and thus begins a murder investigation. As secrets are uncovered, we realize that no one is who they seem to be.
What made Libby turn into a manipulative daughter? Can Dan find out who the killer is?
The story is revealed in multiple perspectives, with Dan’s voice in the first person and the rest in the limited third person. This gives us all the necessary information to solve the case ourselves even before Dan does. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage.
Plus Points:
• I got to know after reading the book that it is a part of a series of cases solved by DI Dan Riley. Makes sense that his voice is the first person. It worked so well as a standalone! I wondered why there was a chapter at the end with more details about Dan. Now I understand.
• The main characters are all flawed, some more than others. The side characters are decent, though.
• The story moves more like a show on the telly. Given the characters, this approach worked well. I could read the book without being involved and still enjoy it.
Not-so-Plus Points:
• There isn’t anything new in the book. Story-wise or character-wise, we don’t have much to look forward to.
• The twists are super easy to guess (especially for a thriller reader). That does make the book slightly dull. Since there wasn’t any action, the story felt bland towards the end.
• Readers following the Dam Riley series might connect more and like it better than I did. For me, it was just another regular thriller.
To sum up, The Night of the Party is a decent thriller with a fast-paced narration. Non-thriller readers might find it more entertaining.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#TheNightoftheParty #NetGalley
One Liner: Interesting, but nothing new to offer
The Drayton family is enjoying dinner with close friends on a cold night. Libby is a 17-yo and the perfect daughter of Evie and Tom Drayton. Brandon, Evie’s stepson, doesn’t enjoy the same adoration.
Una and Jim are Evie’s college friends. Jim is a GP and a docile middle-aged man, while Una is the life of the party. When Libby goes out for an event and doesn’t respond to Evie’s messages or calls, Evie starts to panic. When the girl doesn’t come home, Evie knows something is wrong.
Dan Riley is assigned to find Evie and soon discovers that the girl was neither perfect nor as innocent as Evie believed. Soon enough, Libby’s body is found, and thus begins a murder investigation. As secrets are uncovered, we realize that no one is who they seem to be.
What made Libby turn into a manipulative daughter? Can Dan find out who the killer is?
The story is revealed in multiple perspectives, with Dan’s voice in the first person and the rest in the limited third person. This gives us all the necessary information to solve the case ourselves even before Dan does. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage.
Plus Points:
• I got to know after reading the book that it is a part of a series of cases solved by DI Dan Riley. Makes sense that his voice is the first person. It worked so well as a standalone! I wondered why there was a chapter at the end with more details about Dan. Now I understand.
• The main characters are all flawed, some more than others. The side characters are decent, though.
• The story moves more like a show on the telly. Given the characters, this approach worked well. I could read the book without being involved and still enjoy it.
Not-so-Plus Points:
• There isn’t anything new in the book. Story-wise or character-wise, we don’t have much to look forward to.
• The twists are super easy to guess (especially for a thriller reader). That does make the book slightly dull. Since there wasn’t any action, the story felt bland towards the end.
• Readers following the Dam Riley series might connect more and like it better than I did. For me, it was just another regular thriller.
To sum up, The Night of the Party is a decent thriller with a fast-paced narration. Non-thriller readers might find it more entertaining.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#TheNightoftheParty #NetGalley
December 21, 2022
I just spent the last 7 days with Anna-Lou Weatherley, narrator James Lailey, and DI Dan Riley (virtually), and it was an out-of-body experience.
Removing my headphones was a daunting task!
After polishing off all five audiobooks in author Anna-Lou Weatherley's DI Dan Riley series, I am currently suffering from withdrawal symptoms.
Yes, the books were that good.
This series checked all of my boxes:
* Cleverly crafted and intense UK mystery/thrillers
* Strong characterizations
* Over-the-top police procedurals
* Outstanding narration. Narrator James Lailey is an accomplished actor and he is one of my new favorite UK male narrators.
* A perfect dose of humor. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible for a gasp to be followed by a chuckle!
The author has a new book being released in early 2023. and this book will be at the tippy-top of my TBR list.
"The Night of the Party" is #5 in the series.
Even though all five thrillers are standalone reads, I strongly recommend starting with Book #1 and reading them in sequence.
Each book gets better and better.
Removing my headphones was a daunting task!
After polishing off all five audiobooks in author Anna-Lou Weatherley's DI Dan Riley series, I am currently suffering from withdrawal symptoms.
Yes, the books were that good.
This series checked all of my boxes:
* Cleverly crafted and intense UK mystery/thrillers
* Strong characterizations
* Over-the-top police procedurals
* Outstanding narration. Narrator James Lailey is an accomplished actor and he is one of my new favorite UK male narrators.
* A perfect dose of humor. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible for a gasp to be followed by a chuckle!
The author has a new book being released in early 2023. and this book will be at the tippy-top of my TBR list.
"The Night of the Party" is #5 in the series.
Even though all five thrillers are standalone reads, I strongly recommend starting with Book #1 and reading them in sequence.
Each book gets better and better.
January 17, 2022
She lied to me.
Libby never lies…we don’t tell lies in this house.
It can’t be her body they found. Libby went to a concert with her friend and said she would be home by 10:30.
Unfortunately Libby was not who they thought she was and neither was anyone else.
The Draytons were hosting a dinner party with another couple, and their son Brandon was also in attendance the night Libby disappeared.
When Libby doesn't come home, the nightmare starts, and the nightmare wasn't just because of Libby's disappearance. Many other things were going on in this household too.
Many surprises await the reader as you find out about the Draytons.
Some intense reading, but very good with all the twists, secrets, and one very manipulative character.
So very good...I hope you get to read this book. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Libby never lies…we don’t tell lies in this house.
It can’t be her body they found. Libby went to a concert with her friend and said she would be home by 10:30.
Unfortunately Libby was not who they thought she was and neither was anyone else.
The Draytons were hosting a dinner party with another couple, and their son Brandon was also in attendance the night Libby disappeared.
When Libby doesn't come home, the nightmare starts, and the nightmare wasn't just because of Libby's disappearance. Many other things were going on in this household too.
Many surprises await the reader as you find out about the Draytons.
Some intense reading, but very good with all the twists, secrets, and one very manipulative character.
So very good...I hope you get to read this book. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2023
Detective Dan Riley Series #5
The love, the lies, the jealousy, and deceit. The hidden truths and secret yearnings. Complete, tightly-woven intricacies of all their lives, linking together to create a huge tapestry of tragedy, in which they've all been blighted unwillingly..."
In a beautiful house surrounded by woodland, the Drayton family and their dearest friends are enjoying dinner together. Their youngest daughter, Libby Drayton, is entertaining everyone with her beautiful piano playing. These couples have been linked together by a lifetime of memories, but by the end of the night, Libby will be murdered.
Who could harm such a lovely, talented girl?...or was she that lovely after all? This mystery is laced with secrets and lies, lust and greed, and will have readers guessing until the very end. 👌
🩶🩶
The love, the lies, the jealousy, and deceit. The hidden truths and secret yearnings. Complete, tightly-woven intricacies of all their lives, linking together to create a huge tapestry of tragedy, in which they've all been blighted unwillingly..."
In a beautiful house surrounded by woodland, the Drayton family and their dearest friends are enjoying dinner together. Their youngest daughter, Libby Drayton, is entertaining everyone with her beautiful piano playing. These couples have been linked together by a lifetime of memories, but by the end of the night, Libby will be murdered.
Who could harm such a lovely, talented girl?...or was she that lovely after all? This mystery is laced with secrets and lies, lust and greed, and will have readers guessing until the very end. 👌
🩶🩶
April 7, 2022
The Night of the Party is a murder mystery, the book starts with the discovery of the murder of Libby and, as Detective Dan begins to investigate, he unravels a plethora of secrets between those involved.
The novel was pretty good, I didn't guess who the murderer was until a little bit before it was revealed which is how I like my mysteries to be. I thought that the plot was interesting and well thought out and the secrets that were slowly revealed were done well.
3/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this copy to review.
The novel was pretty good, I didn't guess who the murderer was until a little bit before it was revealed which is how I like my mysteries to be. I thought that the plot was interesting and well thought out and the secrets that were slowly revealed were done well.
3/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this copy to review.
December 19, 2021
This was my first Anna-Lou Weatherley book and I can't wait to read more. I really liked the book and the writing style. Full of twists and surprises, characters who are all liars and are hiding secrets, and betrayal. Libby left her parents' dinner party to meet a friend and never came back. What happened? Everyone is a suspect. There are so many red herrings. I didn't like a single character, including the victim, and yet I really liked the book and couldn't put it down! Such a nice surprise!
Thanks. to Bookouture through NetGalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on January 12, 2022.
Thanks. to Bookouture through NetGalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on January 12, 2022.
February 10, 2022
nothing is simple in this clever plot
made of mere glimpses of truth about
a fateful night when a cosy dinner party
ends in tragic news about a seemingly
perfect daughter, a real creepy kid. ♡
made of mere glimpses of truth about
a fateful night when a cosy dinner party
ends in tragic news about a seemingly
perfect daughter, a real creepy kid. ♡
December 7, 2021
I enjoyed this book for the most part. Without giving anything away, it starts with a murder and the rest of book is centered on trying to figure out who did it, while also uncovering major secrets that the victim was keeping. It features DI Dan Riley, who has been in other books by this author, and is a likeable and credible character.
The style of the writing is engaging, where it goes back and forth between before and after the murder to paint the picture of the events leading up to it. It was a little slow moving at parts, but kept me interested throughout. I figured out who really did it before the characters did, but felt that it was set up well. I felt legitimately sad after it was over upon because so many of the things that happened could have been avoided if people had admitted fault or talked issues through. It was a solid 3 star book until the end but the feeling it left me with bumped it up a star.
Overall, good book with well-drawn characters and good twists, that left me thinking about it after it was over. I'd recommend to those who like mysteries and police procedurals. Thanks to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The style of the writing is engaging, where it goes back and forth between before and after the murder to paint the picture of the events leading up to it. It was a little slow moving at parts, but kept me interested throughout. I figured out who really did it before the characters did, but felt that it was set up well. I felt legitimately sad after it was over upon because so many of the things that happened could have been avoided if people had admitted fault or talked issues through. It was a solid 3 star book until the end but the feeling it left me with bumped it up a star.
Overall, good book with well-drawn characters and good twists, that left me thinking about it after it was over. I'd recommend to those who like mysteries and police procedurals. Thanks to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 1, 2024
Best book of the series so far!
Finally a bit more character development and a twist that although I saw it coming towards the end had a mini twist that shocked me!
Is it the best series I’ve ever read, no, but is there something about it that’s making me continue to read them and hope they’ll be a new book out soon, absolutely!
Not all books or series have to be 5* to be great, as I’ve realised this year. Sometimes the fact that they transport you somewhere, they are an easy read and you want to read more is enough!
Finally a bit more character development and a twist that although I saw it coming towards the end had a mini twist that shocked me!
Is it the best series I’ve ever read, no, but is there something about it that’s making me continue to read them and hope they’ll be a new book out soon, absolutely!
Not all books or series have to be 5* to be great, as I’ve realised this year. Sometimes the fact that they transport you somewhere, they are an easy read and you want to read more is enough!
November 28, 2021
The Drayton family is the picture of perfection. Evie and Tom are a couple madly in love who adore their sweet, talent daughter Libby. They can't help but show off their wonderful lives to their friends-Una and Jim-during a dinner party. Too bad perfection is only an illusion....
When Libby turns up dead the night of the dinner party, Evie's world is turned upside down. Not only has she lost her daughter, but she must also confront the startling truth that everyone in her life has been lying to her.
Libby wasn't the sweet angel her mother thought she was. Rather, she's was cold, manipulative and murdered as a result of it.
Dan isn't the devoted and loving husband he is leads everyone to believe.
Una is a woman plagued by addition and guilt over the monumental secrets she's keeping from her friend.
Jim, too, has a secret. One that could destroy him and everything he holds dear.
There are some despicable characters in this book that you'll love to hate! None more so than Libby. She's a horrible person, and it's easy to see why someone would want her dead. The question is, which one of them would hated her enough to kill?
This was a fun read. The characters were nicely developed, the plot was well paced and I enjoyed the multiple POVs. The ending was also well done with twist after twist. Someone who reads these kind of books a lot will probably guess the ending, but there were still a few fun surprises in there to enjoy. I didn't realize this was part of a series until I started it, but it works perfectly as a standalone novel.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When Libby turns up dead the night of the dinner party, Evie's world is turned upside down. Not only has she lost her daughter, but she must also confront the startling truth that everyone in her life has been lying to her.
Libby wasn't the sweet angel her mother thought she was. Rather, she's was cold, manipulative and murdered as a result of it.
Dan isn't the devoted and loving husband he is leads everyone to believe.
Una is a woman plagued by addition and guilt over the monumental secrets she's keeping from her friend.
Jim, too, has a secret. One that could destroy him and everything he holds dear.
There are some despicable characters in this book that you'll love to hate! None more so than Libby. She's a horrible person, and it's easy to see why someone would want her dead. The question is, which one of them would hated her enough to kill?
This was a fun read. The characters were nicely developed, the plot was well paced and I enjoyed the multiple POVs. The ending was also well done with twist after twist. Someone who reads these kind of books a lot will probably guess the ending, but there were still a few fun surprises in there to enjoy. I didn't realize this was part of a series until I started it, but it works perfectly as a standalone novel.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2022
This is a really good thriller.
Evie and Tom have invited their friends round for dinner and what starts off as an uneventful night, ends up with murder.
Libby is 17 years old and is hiding many secrets from her parents. Evie thinks her daughter is an angel but she knows nothing about what she is involved in.
When Libby doesn’t come home, Evie knows something has happened but is devastated when her body is found.
As DI Dan Riley starts the investigation more and more of the truth comes out and it’s clear Libby was a troubled teenager.
There’s other characters hiding things too and it’s cleverly written to reveal small bits here and there until everything is out in the open.
A great thriller that I’d recommend.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Evie and Tom have invited their friends round for dinner and what starts off as an uneventful night, ends up with murder.
Libby is 17 years old and is hiding many secrets from her parents. Evie thinks her daughter is an angel but she knows nothing about what she is involved in.
When Libby doesn’t come home, Evie knows something has happened but is devastated when her body is found.
As DI Dan Riley starts the investigation more and more of the truth comes out and it’s clear Libby was a troubled teenager.
There’s other characters hiding things too and it’s cleverly written to reveal small bits here and there until everything is out in the open.
A great thriller that I’d recommend.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
March 14, 2022
I’ve been on a romance kick the month of February and now March winds have blown in bringing a much-needed change of pace. A crazy psych-out fit the bill. Luckily, this thriller was a real steal of a deal at 99-cents on Amazon, as well.
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” -- Sir Walter Scott, 1808
Author Anna-Lou Weatherley has created a truly suspenseful domestic thriller with so many possible suspects that you may need a scorecard to keep track. You will not see all the twists and turns coming. In a gripping murder case that quickly becomes a case of “his/her word against all the others,“ the whodunnit is wrapped in layers of deception and lies.
Smartly written and highly addictive, this one should come with a warning label that sleepless nights are ahead. A top-notch storyteller who lobbies a whirlwind of twist after twist with laser-like precision, Weatherley hooked me from the first page right up through the book’s breathless conclusion.
Even though the Draytons appear to be the picture-perfect family, looks can be deceiving – so don’t let them fool you. And they aren’t the only ones! This story is full of hidden secrets, lies and despicable behavior – and a very gritty and ugly story. Readers are in for one wild ride with a cast of characters you'll love to hate. My first book by this author, but certainly won’t be my last.
I definitely was not expecting that revelation in the final moments -- that’s for sure! A dinner party that left me psychologically chilled, thrilled and shocked!
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” -- Sir Walter Scott, 1808
Author Anna-Lou Weatherley has created a truly suspenseful domestic thriller with so many possible suspects that you may need a scorecard to keep track. You will not see all the twists and turns coming. In a gripping murder case that quickly becomes a case of “his/her word against all the others,“ the whodunnit is wrapped in layers of deception and lies.
Smartly written and highly addictive, this one should come with a warning label that sleepless nights are ahead. A top-notch storyteller who lobbies a whirlwind of twist after twist with laser-like precision, Weatherley hooked me from the first page right up through the book’s breathless conclusion.
Even though the Draytons appear to be the picture-perfect family, looks can be deceiving – so don’t let them fool you. And they aren’t the only ones! This story is full of hidden secrets, lies and despicable behavior – and a very gritty and ugly story. Readers are in for one wild ride with a cast of characters you'll love to hate. My first book by this author, but certainly won’t be my last.
I definitely was not expecting that revelation in the final moments -- that’s for sure! A dinner party that left me psychologically chilled, thrilled and shocked!
January 16, 2022
Trust me to start a series on book 5. Luckily it read really well as a standalone, but I’m looking forward to going back and reading from the start. Especially as not only was it completely gripping I may have just a teeny weeny bit of a crush on Detective Dan.
I’m always in awe of crime writers, the amount of planning that must have gone into this is insane. It all starts fairly innocuously with a husband and wife holding a dinner party for their close friends, with Evie the mother cajoling her daughter Libby into playing the piano for them. Libby comes across as a dutiful daughter who is studious and sweet. That is the first deception as she is anything but. She is a master at manipulation and in a few hours she will be brutally murdered.
From then on more and more comes to light and nobody is as innocent as they appear. Imagine a small snowball as the first lie and as it starts rolling it collects even more until it becomes so big it will cause an avalanche and many lives will be destroyed.
I loved all the characters in this, and the author has absolutely nailed narcissistic sociopaths. Yes that’s plural as there is more than one and they are both as ghastly as each other. Evie, although she made many mistakes in parenting, you can’t help but feel sorry for her as her eyes are opened to the truth.
I did actually guess the culprit, which is very rare, but little did I know that a letter in the final pages would be the biggest twist for me. This book was a genuinely nice surprise and I can’t wait to read more.
I’m always in awe of crime writers, the amount of planning that must have gone into this is insane. It all starts fairly innocuously with a husband and wife holding a dinner party for their close friends, with Evie the mother cajoling her daughter Libby into playing the piano for them. Libby comes across as a dutiful daughter who is studious and sweet. That is the first deception as she is anything but. She is a master at manipulation and in a few hours she will be brutally murdered.
From then on more and more comes to light and nobody is as innocent as they appear. Imagine a small snowball as the first lie and as it starts rolling it collects even more until it becomes so big it will cause an avalanche and many lives will be destroyed.
I loved all the characters in this, and the author has absolutely nailed narcissistic sociopaths. Yes that’s plural as there is more than one and they are both as ghastly as each other. Evie, although she made many mistakes in parenting, you can’t help but feel sorry for her as her eyes are opened to the truth.
I did actually guess the culprit, which is very rare, but little did I know that a letter in the final pages would be the biggest twist for me. This book was a genuinely nice surprise and I can’t wait to read more.
August 31, 2022
I felt like this book had the potential to be something so completely amazing that it could have blown my mind off but everything past the 75% mark was a huge clusterfuck. I simply can't believe that the author found it appopriate to make a 12 year old out to be the murderer in a story with abuse, blackmail, manipulation and so much gaslighting. I feel betrayed and pissed off and maybe it's just me not understanding the whole concept author was trying to put across but I didn't like the conclusion of the book as a whole.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2023
Brilliant. As twisted as a pretzel! The plot unfolds right until the last page.
March 24, 2023
Good read. Many suspects, twists and turns... figured out who did it but not til end.
January 11, 2022
A great psychological thriller that comes with unexpected twists, lies, betrayals and secrets that will leave you speechless!
The plot is well crafted and well written. The writing style with multiple POVs makes the story even easier to follow which makes this book was impossible for me to put down. I finish this book in one day!
Most of the characters here are not as innocent as you think. Especially Libby. She's not the perfect golden child everybody think. I was shocked about the revelation regarding Libby's real character.
She's a skilled liar and very manipulative. The way she used people to do her biddings and even the length she goes through to achieve it just gives me goosebumps.
I feel sorry for Evie finding out the secrets that her child have been keeping from her all this time. Her POV was heart breaking.
.
To be honest, I didn't know that this story was a part of a series called Detective Daniel Rylie series. Nonetheless, I was still able to enjoy this story as a standalone without reading the previous books on this series.
There are some parts that manage to surprise me and some things I manage to guess. Several characters in this story have secrets and the motive to kill Libby which makes it slightly more difficult to point out who actually did the killing that night.
Overall, this is a very quick and enjoyable read! This book is such a page turner with every secret being revealed throughout the story!
I think I'll be reading the other books from this series in the future since I enjoy the detective POV in this book!
Special thanks to Netgalley, Anna-Lou Weatherley and Bookouture for granting me this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The plot is well crafted and well written. The writing style with multiple POVs makes the story even easier to follow which makes this book was impossible for me to put down. I finish this book in one day!
Most of the characters here are not as innocent as you think. Especially Libby. She's not the perfect golden child everybody think. I was shocked about the revelation regarding Libby's real character.
She's a skilled liar and very manipulative. The way she used people to do her biddings and even the length she goes through to achieve it just gives me goosebumps.
I feel sorry for Evie finding out the secrets that her child have been keeping from her all this time. Her POV was heart breaking.
.
To be honest, I didn't know that this story was a part of a series called Detective Daniel Rylie series. Nonetheless, I was still able to enjoy this story as a standalone without reading the previous books on this series.
There are some parts that manage to surprise me and some things I manage to guess. Several characters in this story have secrets and the motive to kill Libby which makes it slightly more difficult to point out who actually did the killing that night.
Overall, this is a very quick and enjoyable read! This book is such a page turner with every secret being revealed throughout the story!
I think I'll be reading the other books from this series in the future since I enjoy the detective POV in this book!
Special thanks to Netgalley, Anna-Lou Weatherley and Bookouture for granting me this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
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