I received this book in exchange for an honest review - for a full review check out my YouTube or Goodreads account

If you like your domestic thrillers keeping you on the edge of your seat, you'll love this. A party. Canapes, Champagne. Music. Family and friends. And a body in the basement!

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The book opens with the murder scene - and the perpetrator, Nadine, is fully exposed. What is not known is the name of the victim. The narrative then reverts to the beginning of the day of the party and the activities of Nadine in preparation for the event. These are interspersed with tales of times gone by, family secrets, accidents and tragedies that have brought Nadine to this point in her life. There are a few potential suspects for the murder victim and I think the author does a reasonable job at keeping the actual victim hidden until the latest moment.

I think the tag line "the planning took months, the murder just moments" is a bit misleading as from my reading the only planning was for the actual party rather than the murder

It is an easy book to read, I polished it off in just a few hours but I wouldn't say that i was enthralled or that the tension the author created had me on the edge of my seat. In contrast I think it was a very tame denouement of events both past and present focused that leads to the final act.

It isn't the sort of book that would make me hunt for more by the same author overall just a little disappointing. I am fixing on a 3 star rating but it really only just gets to that value

What a twisty little mystery this was! It was like watching an episode of a hugely dramatic soap opera. I loved it. Fast paced and gripping

Given that the story is set over the course of one day, what seems like a tight timeline isn't, as we discover through stories and reminiscences throughout that this tragedy has been long in the making. It's a good tale that takes some time to deliver, despite opening with the last moments of the deceased. Stick with it though, it's worth it.

I throughly enjoyed this read, this was my first book by the author and it did not disappoint. I am looking forward to the next release!

This was a bit of a slow burn for me but the last 10-15% of the booked picked up pace. Even though it takes place over the course of one day, I did feel like it was quite drawn out in places. Sometimes I found myself skipping a head a bit to get to the next piece of key information.
I liked how it was told in reverse - the little glimpse into what would happen by the end of the story kept me guessing throughout and it was good how it all came together in the end.

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy

'A Death at the Party' by Amy Stuart is thriller books at their best.

Nadine Walsh is determined to make her summer garden party the event of the year. Everyone deserves a celebration after the year they've had. A chance to forget. As she prepares to welcome her guests, however, Nadine can't help but be distracted. Her husband is of little help to her. Her two grown children are consumed with their own concerns. But it's Nadine's own secrets that threaten to destroy her perfect party. By the end of the night, Nadine will be standing over a dead body in the basement. But which of her guests will she have murdered? And why?

This is a fast paced and addictive thriller. You will be hooked from the first page to the last.

The story for this book is so well plotted and there are twists at every corner that keep you guessing until the end.

I had no idea what would happen at the end and I did not even guess it.

This is a book that you may read in one setting as it is really hard to put down.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley in allowing me to read in return for a review.

An unexpectedly compelling and addictive narrative. Despite my initial reservations about the affluent North American setting, the captivating writing style and well-crafted plot proved to be irresistible, drawing me into the story. As Nadine orchestrates a birthday celebration for her accomplished author mother, haunting memories from 30 years ago resurface. With each passing moment, additional secrets come to light, ultimately culminating in the untimely death of one of the guests.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Reading the novel in first person gives this thriller an interesting twist. You are drawn in to the family life and internal dilemmas from page 1. If you enjoyed any of the ‘Still..’ series you’ll love A Death At The Party.

I was on the fence with this one. The book started really well but it went down hill from there and I felt that it was very slow with not much happening to keep me hooked.

Not bad but just not brilliant either. It was interesting to have a completely different perspective in that you knew from the start who the killer was you just didn't know who the victim was. I did struggle with this and found it a little slow and tedious in parts and not really caring that much about any of the characters. There was some enjoyable parts but it wasn't a page turner for me.

DNF at 10% - I just couldn't get into it after several attempts. The main character was extremely unlikable. It's a shame because the synopsis was right up my street.

Death at a Party

Centered around one day, and with a strong start of Nadine standing over a body at her famous mothers 60th birthday party…. I spent the next 90% of the book relatively bored which is a shame I really wanted to enjoy. The last chapter saved it a little but I was very close to not finishing it.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

Overall, this was an enjoyable thriller but felt it was a little too much of a slow burn for me with all the errands the character had to run seeming to take a little more time than necessary and stressing me out haha! I did like the characters and the plot and it was twisty enough I just wish it had a little bit of a faster pace. Still worth a read for sure.

This was a great read and an interesting way of knowing there has been a murder but not who until the big reveal. I found the characters a little unlikeable and I struggled to get into it but I persevered and I am so glad I did.

I struggled to get into this book, I couldn't warm to the mother of the main character either. However, this being said, it is an enjoyable thriller. You're aware something has happened from the beginning but the story then plays out to explain how and why and who.

A suprisingly good and addictive story. The setting in an affluent North American area is not something that would normally appeal to me but the writing style and the plotting are both good and pull the reader in. While arranging a birthday party for her successful author mother memories of events 30 years previously plague Nadine and as true day progresses more secrets are revealed and one of the guests ends up dead. A satisfying read

A Death at the Party had a languid and yet expectant sense of dread throughout. We follow Nadine Walsh as she prepares for her mother's 60th birthday party. Nadine's anxiety translates to us, and we know something bad has happened right from the start. But we don't know who, or why, until the very end. A thriller but not like any others I've read. It's deeper and less far-fetched somehow. It's a woman struggling with secrets and past trauma. It's a Mum consumed with love for her children. It's a woman feeling uneasy and overwhelmed.

A captivating and most fascinating read that I really enjoyed.