The Stats
Title: The Last Party
Author: Clare Mackintosh
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (8 November, 2022)
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Who-dun-it
Trigger Warnings: Violence, Fowl Language, Psychological Abuse, Sexual Coercion, Statutory Rape
Read if you like: The Paris Apartment, Nine Perfect Strangers, Murder on the Orient Express, Knives Out
The Last Party by Clare Mackintosh was chosen to be read as it was the January Book for “The Gloss” book club. It was also one of “The Book of the Month” selections for November 2022.
The Review
“The Last Party” by Clare Mackintosh is a mystery thriller that takes place on New Year’s Eve in a small town in Wales. The story centers around the murder of a local celebrity, Rhys Lloyd, at his vacation home. The suspect list is long, and the secrets surrounding the murder are even longer. The investigation is led by DCI Ffion Morgan and Leo Brady, two detectives with their own secrets to hide.
One of the standout elements of this book is the setting and atmosphere. The town is divided by a lake, separating the rich from the poor, and the locals from the tourists. This adds an interesting layer to the story and makes it feel unique. The main characters, Ffion and Leo, are both well-developed and engaging. Ffion’s banter with Leo and the connection they share adds depth to the story and makes it enjoyable to read.
While the mystery in this book may not be hard to solve, the final twist really came out of left field. However, the timeline is nonlinear and there are too many characters, which can make it difficult to keep track of who is who and when events are taking place. Overall, “The Last Party” is a solid start to the series and a good read for those who enjoy mystery thrillers. The author’s writing style is engaging, and the atmosphere and characters are what make this book stand out.
Overall, I give this novel a 3 out of 5 stars!
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