Party in the woods

The story takes place in Ireland and revolves around a family drama. At first, I found the idea of the story very interesting, but it became quite slow in the first half. The themes of trust and belief are important in this book.

I was curious about who killed Declan and why everyone seemed so nice all the time and continuing on as if nothing happened. However, the plot didn't live up to its potential. Even though the premise caught my attention at the beginning, the book didn't meet my expectations as the story progressed. Aside from the main character Lizzie, the supporting characters felt flat and didn't make a lasting impression, more drama than thriller apart from the last few chapters.

I was still waiting for the promised party, but it never happened. Instead, the story focused on hikes and family meals going on as if there wasn't a body hidden in the freezer. Not an awful story at all, just different than what was promised.

I want to thank Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for giving me the opportunity to review this ARC.

The Party was definitely a fast paced read and a wild ride. Every chapter there was a new twist and turn. I read it in one sitting and don't regret it one bit! I can't wait to read more from Triona Walsh. I didn't guess the killer at the end for sure. So good!

Great narration, but the story was pretty predictable. Aside from the MC, none of the other characters felt very flushed out, unfortunately. 3 stars...just okay.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced reader copy. The premise of this book interested me. Initially it was a slow start and the narrator of the audiobook bothered me. Once I got a few chapters in, I was hooked. The action really picks up about 40-50% in and there is some interesting twists peppered throughout that I did not see coming. Lizzie is a slightly unreliable narrator given her history. Freya was the least luke able character and her “yoga strong” comments were annoying. I really liked the setting and could picture this group stuck in the middle of a vast property of land cut off from civilization. Overall, I thought this was well written and kept me interested until the end. Not quite a favorite, but above average thriller. 3.5/5 ⭐️

Name of Book: The Party
Author: Triona Walsh
Narrator: Roisin Rankin
Genre: Psychological/Thriller
Publisher: Bookouture Audio
Pub Date: June 23, 2023
My Rating: 4 Stars!
Pages: 357

The prologue starts with Lizzie and her injured mother Claire hiding in the forest.

Story starts when Claire O’Shea and George Butler- wedding. They are both widowed and planning a private ceremony but inviting their children to participate in their happy day by attending the after wedding party at George’s home which is located in a remote forest. Claire and her two children twenty-three year old Elizabeth (Lizzie) and eighteen year old Liam eighteen have had a hard time since husband/ dad Declan O’Shea died five years ago. Lizzie is a bit concern that Claire has only known George for six months but he does seem like a good person. Liam is not excited about going to George’s home fearing no cell reception and says the cabin in the woods seems to have an evil fantasy tale vibe. However when they arrive they find “Butler Hall’ which is closer to Downton Abbey than a broken down cabin.
Turns out George’s daughter Freya is also newly married to Hudson. So now a double celebration!
But the biggest surprise is the arrival of Declan O’Shea – who wants his wife and family back in his life! It appears no one wants Declan to be there. The family has dealt with his death which left them in a bad financial situation and they have moved on. They ask him to please leave.

The next morning Declan is dead (for real). They are all suspects as no one wanted him there.

NOW things really change to what seemed like a simple story.
Lizzie finds letters hidden in a hollowed out book that are over a hundred years old. She tries to figure out if these letters have any significance to members currently attending this wedding party.

Story slowed down a bit in the middle but the narrator did such a good job performing the characters that it never got boring. Plus that prologue had me curious!

I am a big psychological thriller fan so while reading I am always looking for little suspicious things that might be a clue ~ knowing full well the author is leading me down a tricky path.;
I actually went into this story with low expectations as I read a few ‘so-so’ reviews.
It proved that readers have different taste as I thought this was great!
Looking forward to reading another Triona Walsh story!!

Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this great audiobook.
Publishing Release Day: June 23, 2023

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook copy of The Party by Triona Walsh in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed the twists and turns in this book. It has a great plot with interesting surprises.

This wasn't my favorite. The premise was very intriguing, however the story dragged on and I lost interest 20% in. The action picked up at the end but I was already disengaged. Not sure what the "party" is ... still waiting for it.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookoutur for an early access to this audiobook.

The Party by Tríona Walsh and Narrated by Roisin Rankin, unfortunately, wasn't for me.
I love audiobooks! And it's not often when I want to give up on a book but this was one of the times. I pushed myself to finish this book. Would not be fair to give a review without listening up to the end.
I don't know where was the issue book itself or probably not the right narrator, honestly, I don't know but I struggle to connect with characters. They all felt flat and boring. The book was slow, painfully slow. Things were happening but I caught myself that I didn't care who will be the guilty one.
I think with a different narrator this book would be more alive. Roisin Rankin's voice was monotone and a couple of times I watched myself drifting away so I needed to start the chapter again. Positive was that Roisin Rankin read this book in an Irish accent as the scene was set in Irland.

It is definitely a "twist-packed psychological thriller". There were many twists that I didn't expect and I liked that the twists were all the way through not just on the end. When the first twist happened I got a little excited as was expecting some movement but it went flat. Around 40% of the next twist happened and again I got excited but fell flat again. Twists by the end were much better as they kept tension and finally twist was good!

Thanks, NetGalley and Bookouture for the chance to listen to this audiobook! Even so, it wasn't my favorite book I still recommend it because of the twists and main character Lizzi. She was realistic and logical. And just a friendly reminder - we all like different books, so the fact I didn't enjoy it so much doesn't mean you will not enjoy it!

This book was like a wild rollercoaster ride. The characters are well developed and the author describes the scenery so well you can imagine being in the old estate and woods. I thought for sure I knew who the killer was midway in but to my surprise I was wrong. I’ll definitely be looking for more books written by Ms. Walsh.

This book takes place in an isolated cottage in an Irish forest, where a family is celebrating the marriage between George and Claire. However, things go terribly wrong and only escalate from there.
Despite what the blurb seems to suggest It’s Claire’s daughter (Lizzie), and not Claire herself who is the main character, and the POV we read from. I was initially skeptical of this, but it did work out great for the book, and I definitely felt like this was the right choice for this book. I also felt like the narrator of the audiobook, Roisin Rankin, felt perfect for the voice of Lizzie, and it really made the book more enjoyable.
I love isolated thrillers, and while this book felt a little slow in the beginning, I was still kept fairly entertained and the ending made it all worth it.
If you like a slow paced Domestic/ Familial thriller, or anything from Lucy Foley, this could be a good fit for you.
Big thanks to Net galley, Bookouture and the author Tríona Walsh for allowing me to listen to the Audio ARC.

I enjoy thrillers but hadn’t read anything by this author before. The story is third person narration told from the perspective of the adult daughter. This was initially unexpected, but I think a good choice. The main plot of the mother getting married and then her ‘dead’ husband coming back happens quite early on in the story. After that there are twists and turns with the story going on several unexpected directions.

Overall I enjoyed it. I felt after the initial action it slowed a bit and dealt more with the family dynamics, and truthfully, my mind wandered a bit. I’m not the type who enjoys a slow burn. But things picked up before the halfway point and kept moving to the end. I didn’t expect the twists the story took, and enjoyed the different storylines that came up. I also felt satisfied with the ending.

Great narration with an Irish brogue and overall a fun read. I look forward to reading more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to listen to an advanced audiobook of The Party, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The blurb and the prologue set this book up brilliantly. After that, it was fairly slow and stilted for the majority of the book. I found Claire weak and Freya and George extremely irritating. I felt sorry for Lizzie, who was just out of a six month stint in rehab, after spiralling off the rails following the death of her father, five years previously. Eighteen year old Liam, came across as an eight year old!

Towards the end of the book, the tension did build again and some twists saved the day a little.

No idea why it’s called the party though, as there isn’t one?

I enjoyed the audiobook narration by Roisin Rankin.

2 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

When you think of Ireland you automatically thing of green fields with lots of land. The story does take place in Ireland but not on open fields but in the lush green wet woods. The scene of a large 200 acre family estate that is in the middle of renovations deep into the woods.

A new blended family of George, Claire, Ian, Freya & Lizzy meet on the estate for a long weekend of celebrating the newlyweds. Unexpectedly Claires ex husband who has been dead for 5 years appears out of nowhere wanting his wife and family back. The story continues with twists and turns as they get rid of Deckland. Lizzy is just out of rehab and still not totally trusted by her family she is the one who tries to unravel it all. But who is to believe her?

George and Freya seem like the perfect father/daughter combo but now she has brought her new husband Hudson announced his 30 million dollar worth.

The Butler estate has many secrets and this weekend will reveal some of those, the question becomes who will survive to tell the story? The story is a test to sobriety, family loyalty, true love or revenge?

I really enjoyed this audio book and in the beginning I was not sure the narrator was the best choice but as the story went on I can see why she was chosen and it worked well. I am going with a 4* on this mystery thriller only for the fact that I feel like it could of not been drawn out as much as it was. I did enjoy it and was happy with the ending.

The Party is due out on June 23, 2023 and the ALC was a pleasure to experience for my honest review. Thank you @netgalley and @Trionawalsh

I was excited about the premise of this book. I felt bad for Lizzie as she gets out of rehab and gets whisked away to the middle of no where for her mother's wedding. Her father who supposedly died 5 years ago comes walking up and then gets murdered the next day. This probably would have been enough to push Lizzie over the edge again.

This book was bizarre and not something that I really enjoyed.

Thank you NetGalley for this audio ARC. This book had a ton of potential but was way too long. I was immediately hook but slowly got bored and wanted it to end.

I just finished listening to the audiobook of this title. I think the narrator did an excellent job and was great at keeping me engaged. I enjoyed this book very much. There were a lot of twists and turns. I can usually figure out the ending just a few chapters in. This had me second guessing everything.. I will say the book describes one part of the story , not the whole plot, the overall growth of relationships and righting wrongs. Very clever and kept me intrigued listened to entire book any times I had available from the start!

This locked door murder mystery starts with a small blended family wedding celebration. The new wife's ex-husband shows up, after he was believed to be dead for the past 5 years. The events that occur after that are fast paced and the ending is full of twists. The narrator does a great job with narrating the different characters. I recommend this one if you love locked door murder mysteries in remote locations and with difficult family dynamics.

Thank you @bookouture and @netgalley for allowing me to listen to this audiobook ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

This book was weird. There seems to be something about the author's writing that just doesn't seem to flow for me. I listened to the first hour, an hour in the middle, and then went to the end to see who the killer was. it was ok. It just doesn't flow for some reason to me.

This has enough suspense to keep you hooked but overall the story was just ok for me. None of the characters were particularly likable. Storyline was a hot mess and very far fetched. The narrator did a good job with different accents and I did enjoy that.

This poor woman has her entire wedding destroyed in ways I can't even imagine. I loved the narration and the setting. I love Lizzy's secret historical research and the way her mind works.
Also I always love a poison garden! Always and forever.