I was delighted to receive an ARC of Clare Mackintosh's latest book.,The Last Party. Set in Wales in a small community around a lake The Shore, a luxury resort, has been built by local lad made good, singer Rhys Lloyd. But Rhys has enemies both among the villagers and the wealthy newcomers who own properties on The Shore and on the morning after an inaugural New Year's Party his body is found floating in the lake. Part of the land is in Wales and another part lies in England so it is down to Welsh local policewoman Ffion and an English Detective, Leo to unravel the secrets that have led to Rhys' death.

I enjoyed reading about the various characters who people this novel but was left with curiosity about the part played by the elderly woman who owned one of the houses at The Shore. She obviously knew that Rhys was a bad 'un but no explanation was given (unless I missed it!) as to why she thought badly of him. Their backstory was missed out. I am not sure that I am that invested in Ffion to read more about her in a future series and prefer Ms Mackintosh's psychological dramas. Many thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group/Sphere for the opportunity to read and review The Last Party.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advance copy of The Last Party, the first novel to feature DC Ffion Morgan of North Wales Police.

Well known singer Rhys Lloyd has returned to his roots to develop a luxury resort, The Shore, in the small village of Cwm Coed. No one in the village is happy about the development, but that won’t stop them attending his New Year’s Eve party or becoming suspects when his body is found floating in the lake the next morning. DC Ffion Morgan lives in the village and is given the investigation, but part of the resort is In Cheshire so she is joined by DC Leo Brady.

I have not read Clare Mackintosh’s work before, so the combination of a police procedural, my favourite genre, and a new author was irresistible to me. I enjoyed The Last Party, but it’s not quite what I expected it to be - a straightforward murder investigation. For a start, it’s not immediately clear that Rhys was murdered because there is no immediately obvious cause of death and the ending, if not ambiguous, is not quite true to the genre. Nevertheless Ffion and Leo get stuck in without much success until there are enough anomalies to see the truth, well some it at least.

The novel is relatively long and slow, but it’s not wasteful and needs to be so because of the way it’s structured and what the author has chosen to concentrate on. Yes, there is an investigation but the novel is more about the characters involved and gradually revealing their potential motive for murder. I liked the way it was done and more importantly the way the killer’s identity was so well concealed- I openly admit to being clueless, so that kept me turning the pages, but more than that I was intrigued by the stories. Rhys Lloyd was a monster as becomes more and more apparent as the novel progresses and it wasn’t a new thing brought on by fame, so the list of those who didn’t like him is endless. Their stories are revealed through interviews with Ffion and Leo and strategic flashbacks to events earlier in the year. It makes for compelling reading.

Harriet and Marcus had a one night stand on New Year’s Eve/Day so it is a surprise to meet later that day in a professional capacity as Ffion and Leo. It is a nice subversive touch to start the novel with and the initial tension adds a frisson to the read, although as the novel progresses that tension turns into a strong bond with each hearing the other’s secrets and bolstering their self worth. It is another strong point in the novel.

The Last Party is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

This wasn't my favourite book written by Claire. I actually found it really hard to get into to. However other than this book I would highly recommend other books by Claire. To people. However I am sure other people will love it and wish the author all the best with it.

I have loved all of Mackintosh’s books in the past, and she doesn’t bring a new one out that often so I waited until I could really savour this.
I was a little disappointed when I first started reading, though, as it didn’t have her usual writing style, and it wasn’t gripping me. So I returned to Netgalley to read some of the others’ reviews. A few of them felt the same as I did that it was a slow start. However, once I realised that this was the start of a new crime series, so it wasn’t her usual psych thriller, I changed my expectations and settled into it.
Once we started to get to know Leo and Ffion a little better, I began to feel invested in the book, but it did take some time to get there, probably about 50% of the way in until I sat up and started to take an interest. I ended up really liking the characters, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the book since I finished it; I always take that as a good sign of a book I’ve enjoyed! I am definitely looking forward to the next in the series.
The Welsh side of things was a bit full-on. I’m from Chester and have never found North Wales to be that heavily Welsh, whereas I went to uni in the middle of Wales (Lampeter) and did find the prejudices quite hard to come to terms with there. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many Welsh names in one place as I did in this book. My auntie is Welsh, so I have a Nerys and Emlyn as cousins, but the names and places in this book were sometimes a bit of a tongue twister.
The book was very well interwoven with everyone’s points of view and the piecing together of the timeline. I loved the little overlaps from one perspective to another; it was all very cleverly executed. I had no idea how the murder of Rhys would pan out, and it was a shocker when we finally reached the conclusion.
The end of the book did drag a little; I’m all for wanting a little bit more after the story has concluded, but I felt like it was four chapters too much. It was like the author wasn’t quite ready to leave the characters behind and just wanted a little more time with them, but by then, I just wanted to finish the book. I had my answers I was ready to move on.
So, overall this wasn’t what I expected, and it was a slow burn. However, once I started to feel invested in the characters, I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would at the beginning. It didn’t feel like a Clare Mackintosh book, though, so I will continue to look forward to her next psych thriller.

FFION MORGAN, remember this name because she is the new detective on the block and let me tell you she is here to stay!

Clare Mackintosh has set her new detective series (yes, yes, there will be more) in Wales. It all kicks off with a New Year’s Eve Party and ends with a murder.

This thriller was so fast paced that I practically read it all in one sitting. Although I really wanted to know who the culprit was, there is so much going on that at times I forgot to look for clues and just enjoyed the party!

Perfect in every way.

This is a brilliant book that I really enjoyed.
Rhys is killed on New Years Eve and discovered in the lake the next day.
Ffion and Leo investigate the death and it’s soon clear he has been murdered.
Most of the village were at the party on New Years Eve and everyone says Rhys looked very drunk when they last saw him.
As the story progresses we learn about Ffion’s past and there’s a few surprises in store.
This is a great crime thriller and I was totally engrossed in the story trying to work out the identity of the killer.
This book has many layers and I loved how it all came together at the end.
Thanks to Little Brown Book Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This was an excellent book! I have to admit I found it difficult to get into at first with all the different characters and I did have to reread the first couple of chapters to get a handle on who was who! But as the story unfolds it becomes apparent they are all connected in some way and it goes back and forward in time to show what had happened between them. Quite a lot of surprises unfold!
I love the character of Ffion too and can't wait to find out what happens to her next! Also loved how Leo became more confident and stood up for himself against his dreadful ex-wife.

This book is SUPERB, its gone straight to the top of my 2022 books read! I think I may have just found my new favourite detective series! If you like your detectives with a tick list of sarcasm, swearing, smoking (and swimming) who are also arse-kicking females, then this one is for you. Set in the North Wales/Cheshire border, the breath-taking nature adds another dimension to the story and adds so much tension and atmosphere. The mc DC Ffion Morgan is so real, I feel like I know her already and want to be friends with her. There were so many clever connections between the victim and almost every character in Cwm Coed, I could never predict what would happen next and never imagined the ending! I CAN'T WAIT for #2! Utterly fantastic!! Smash the patriarchy!! 10⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Opera Singer and celebrity Rhys Lloyd’s body is found in Lake in Cwm Coed in North Wales. The singer has come to his hometown to sort out his father’s land. With Business partner Jonty Charlton his is building luxury apartments called “The Shore” and reside on the borders on England and Wales. Not everyone in the town was pleased to see Rhys back and the current occupants of the five lodges that have been so far occupied have all have an axe to grind. So, when Jonty Charlton and his wife throws a new year’s party, and the next day Rhys is dead they all look at the people who went to the party. Who is the killer and why?
Recently separated and local girl DC Ffion Morgan comes to investigate Rhy’s death and as part of the land is on the English borders. DC Leo Brady comes to partner with Ffion in the investigation. Ffion automatically recognises him as the one-night stand, she had night before!!
The last party is a great start for a detective story involving DC Morgan by Clare Mackintosh. This is a tense thriller with lots of twists and turns. I liked the chemistry between Morgan and Brady, and I hope there is more in the next book. The author likes to keep you guessing and I thought I guessed who the killer was, but I was wrong. The only criticism I have is I found the story to be a tad too long. But I am curious to know if there is more to this story. 4 stars from me.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book.

Really enjoyed the relationship between Ffion and Leo. Had twists I didn’t see coming

Thank you Netgalley and Clare Macintosh for my arc of The Last Party!
Clare is one of my absolute favourite authors and an autobuy for me (have already preordered this!) However when it came up on netgalley I had to have it.
Clare has said this is the first in a series of books which she has never done before and only 1 word can describe it - Brilliant.
I love Ffion and Leo they are fab characters and I loved the descriptions of the settings, it made you picture the lake and the shore in every detail.
At first I had to try and keep up with all the characters in the different lodges and remember who was with who, but once I got my head around that and into the story, it was fast paced and addictive.
This is up there as one of my favourite Clare books (even though I love them all!) And cannot wait to find out what happens to Ffion next!
A must read, put it on your pre order lists, out next month! Will post when my hardback copy arrives!

Mirror Lake straddles the English and Welsh border. As the residents prepare for the traditional swim on New Year's Day the body of the villages most famous resident, Rhys Lloyd, is washed up. As the police investigate a possible stalker they uncover tensions between the residents who own holiday homes on the lake and the residents of the nearby village.


I loved all the twists and turns in this intriguing murder mystery. The setting is stunning (and would make a beautiful backdrop for TV). The descriptions of the lake and surrounding countryside give the area a real wow factor. It's this wow factor that is used to entice wealthy people to buy the lodges that have been built at the lakefront resort, The Shore. The lodges are all holidays homes, far outside the purse of the residents of the local village, Cwm Coed. The fact that the lodges are owned by second-homers from England causes lots of friction with the Welsh residents, particularly as the residents of The Shore make little effort to participate in village life.

Residents of The Shore are all well-off, they have to be to afford a second home costing almost half a million pounds. As we are introduced to the residents only five properties exist but there are plans for many more lodges to be built. A wide variety of characters inhabit The Shore. Rhys Lloyd and his family own the land the complex is built on and he has big plans to expand. Jonty Charlton is the financial backer for the project, he lives in one of the homes with his wife and two young children. A third property is owned by retired boxer turned soap star Bobby and his wife Ashleigh who is an influencer. Next up are Clemmie and her teenage son Caleb. Clemmie is trying to start a new life for herself and her son away from London and the life of crime Caleb was being dragged into. The final resident is seventy year old Dee, a mysterious character.

As the story unfolds we realise that everyone is hiding secrets, from financial worries to drugs to affairs. Many of these secrets are simply immoral, however someone may be willing to commit murder to prevent their secret being uncovered.

The story isn't linear. We open on New Year's Day with the discovery of the body and then progress through the investigation into the murder. Every now and again the story jumps back in time, anywhere from a few days previously to the middle of the previous summer, as we uncover everyone's background and the secrets they are desperate to keep hidden. This technique works really well as it allows the reader to feel as if they are gradually uncovering the motive for the murder in much the same way the police must.

This is billed as the first DC Morgan mystery. Ffion Morgan is the police detective investigating the crime for the Welsh Police since the body was washed up on the Welsh side of the lake. Ffion has to work with a partner, DC Leo Brady, from the English Police as the victim lived in one of the homes on the English side of the lake. There is a considerable amount of friction between Ffion and Leo. The detectives are complete opposites. Ffion prefers to work alone, she's headstrong, fiery and has little respect for authority. Leo follows the rules, doesn't like to challenge anyone and won't stand up for himself. Gradually they form a working partnership who really complement each other. I do hope that a second book allows the pair to work together again.

What really made this book for me was the murder victim. In Rhys Lloyd author Clare Mackintosh has written one of the most loathsome characters I've ever come across. Rhys was born and raised in the village of Cwm Coed but rose to fame as a singer. Fame has turned him into a very unpleasant person and now that his star is fading he's becoming even worse. Almost every character has a reason to hate Rhys, therefore almost everyone is a suspect in his murder. We even discover that before he became famous he had a darker side, this means that even some of the locals are suspects too. It's impossible to guess who is responsible and the final reveal is well hidden.

What a fantastic book! Loved the perspective that comes from Ffion being a local in the area and knowing the main suspects. It unfolds very cleverly and the twists are excellent, I didn't predict the outocme at all. The characters are strong and plot well written.

An author i’ve enjoyed before… so pleased to be able to read this! Set in Wales in a close knit community, two detectives hunt out the murderer of a local celebrity! Fast paced, easy to read and believable in its story and characters! Enjoyed it

Rhys Lloyd hosts a new year's eve party, not knowing that by the end of it, he will be dead. On new year's day, DC Ffion Morgan must start to investigate her neighbours and friends. It soon becomes clear the question isn't who wanted Rhys dead, but rather who killed him. A thrilling entry to the series full of secrets, lies and thrills. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book in return for my honest feedback.

New Year's Day and the traditional swim in Mirror Lake is interrupted by the discovery of the dead body of Rhys Lloyd. As the story progresses more and more people are lined up as potential suspects who could be responsible.. A charismatic man to some, a hateful man to others.
The site of The Shore on the banks of Mirror Lake on the border between England and Wales means that officers Ffion Morgan and Leo Brady have to work together. They are very different but their characters are well portrayed and the humour that results is brilliant and adds to the fascination of the book.
Would love to see these two in another book.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Clare Mackintosh/Little, Brown Book Company for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

I love a who-dunnit tale, but found this to have slightly too many twists for the sake of twists. There are a couple of points that also don't quite make sense to me, and I realize that it's fiction, but as it's based very much in the real world, it shatters the illusion somewhat. I was left questioning certain actions and events. But overall, it was a gripping and very enjoyable read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

A new book and a new series from Clare Mackintosh

I have loved Clare’s previous books and this did not disappoint

Well written, gripping crime story can’t wait for the next one

I loved everything about The Last Party, from the set up of the characters to the authenticity of the police work and the complexity of the crime. At times, I was reminded of Mark Billingham's 'Tom Thorne' series, in that the characters and the crime expertly and intricately intertwine and you get the measure of the characters in the way they fulfill their roles. I'm so pleased that this is the first of a series; whilst I absolutely love Claire Mackintosh's stand alone, this has me hooked and I'm incredibly excited to read what comes next.
As always, Claire Mackintosh is the mistress of endings. Whilst few endings will ever have been quite as gobsmacked as that of 'Hostage', this comes a very close second.
A stunning, pacey, exciting novel with great characters, wicked humour and a great set up for future novels.

The Last Party by Clare Mackintosh

I read all of Clare Mackintosh books to date and really rate her books , so finding out she has wrote another but this time the first in a series was a thrill for me. Win , win when I found out it was to be a police crime series sealed the deal !
We meet DC Ffion Morgan who from the get go proves herself to be a women who knows what she wants and one of them is to enjoy life as a young woman should.
We also meet DC Leo Brady and they seem like a good team working in North Wales.
The first case is a body has been found in the water at the start of the tradition of an open water swim to celebrate New Year.
Lots of twists to keep you interested , and alongside our main characters some others that I'm sure will carry along with them during future books.
Can't wait for the next one.