The Launch Party

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced version of the audiobook.

The Launch Party is an enjoyable, slightly futuristic mystery set on the moon. I don't think it does anything revolutionary with the genre but it's perfect if you're looking for something medium-paced and not too challenging. The mystery is compelling and keeps you guessing, though, in my opinion, the final reveal is a bit underwhelming compared to the other possibilities that were theorised earlier by the characters in the book.

What the Launch Party did really well in my opinion, which is sometimes a struggle of similar locked-room mysteries or books with a group of characters at its centre, is really distinguishing all the characters from one another. I got a bit scared when, at first, I was given 10 different names, jobs and backgrounds, but within a few moments of listening, I had a pretty good idea of who all the characters were and how different they were from one another. This was also aided by the audiobook narrator who did convincing and distinct accents for most of the characters, making it clear who is speaking at any given time. I very rarely got confused and also had a pretty good overview of the relations between the characters.

However, what disappointed me a bit was that despite a few allusions to bigger issues going on, such as anti-capitalist, class, gender or race issues, the book never really delved into any of them and mostly used them for character motivation or background. I guess it's fine to make a choice not to include those kinds of discussions in a story but it does make it feel more superficial and I personally think that in a book with a premise like this one, they should be more prominent.

The Launch Party is an intriguing locked room mystery where the location is the real main character because, without it, some of the pivotal plot points would have been difficult to manifest. That said, I did find myself asking questions aloud as I listened along, and certainly enjoyed trying to figure out whodunnit.

I'm surprised the reviews aren't better for this book. I enjoyed the whodunit story, simple and you know, set on the moon, so there's that. There seemed to be a few things that coveniently fell into place and maybe a couple of things that didn't make perfect sense, but I enjoyed it all the same. Good narration on the audiobook. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this, my review has been posted on Goodreads and Bookmory so far.

3.75 -
A tight mystery set in a hotel on the moon. A total Locked Room Mystery.
While I enjoyed the book for the most part, it dragged a bit in the middle. A few of the characters melded together and there were only a few standout characters. The audiobook narration was perfectly paced, proper articulated and created a picture as perfect as reading a physical book.

I also wish that the setting of being on the moon would've been used a lot more.

Still a quick read with tension and suspense.