Reviews

The Final Party by A.A. Chaudhuri

deb2425's review

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3.0

This was a real page-turner! The Final Party introduces us to three couples who are longtime friends and get together at a fabulous Italian villa to celebrate a 40th birthday. We know from the start that someone ends up dead but have to wait until the end to find out who and why. Of course, everyone is hiding one secret or another.

I enjoyed this book and it definitely held my interest, although there was a LOT of foreshadowing about the different secrets that somewhat distracted from the narrative flow. I loved the descriptions of the fancy villa and of Sorrento--I could easily imagine myself there (although hopefully with a lot less drama).

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

jenn756's review

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3.0

I was ultimately disappointed with this book. Yes it was that winning formula of six friends in an exotic place on holiday, luxurious apartment, lots of secrets, jealous undercurrents, told from the perspective of each person in turn etc etc, and it did hold my attention but strangely unsatisfying. I had the feeling it could have been written by AI, there was too much box ticking

I also have the feeling it's pushed like crazy by the publishers. All the top reviews on good reads are promo reviews, it came to the top of my library ebook feed. So I've been pushed into reading it by an algorithm

And you wouldn't be able to carry a heavy suitcase like that to the Strid - the car park is about half a mile away!

steph0611's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

taramclean123's review

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fast-paced

5.0

the_sassy_bookworm's review

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dark emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Book Review: The Final Party by A.A. Chaudhuri

⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 stars

The Final Party by A.A. Chaudhuri takes readers on a thrilling journey to a luxury villa in Sorrento, Italy, where six friends gather to celebrate a friend's birthday. However, what was supposed to be a perfect reunion quickly turns into a nightmare as one of them is found dead before the week is out. As tensions rise and old friendships are tested, the group realizes that their dark past holds secrets that refuse to stay buried.

Chaudhuri expertly creates an atmosphere of suspense and intrigue from the very beginning. The setting of a luxurious villa in the hills above Sorrento provides a glamorous backdrop for the unfolding drama. The author’s vivid descriptions transport readers to the picturesque Italian town, immersing them in the opulent world of the characters.

The strength of The Final Party lies in its ability to keep readers engaged throughout. The plot is filled with twists and turns, ensuring that there is never a dull moment. The anonymous messages received by one of the characters add an extra layer of mystery, as the group becomes desperate to uncover who is behind the threats and what dark secret from their university days is being exposed.

While the book may not be considered a literary masterpiece, it excels in its ability to entertain. Chaudhuri’s writing style is accessible and engaging, making it easy for readers to become engrossed in the story. The pacing is well-balanced, allowing for moments of tension and suspense to build, while also providing quieter moments for character development.

It’s important to note that The Final Party does have its flaws. The character development could have been more nuanced, and some plot points may seem predictable to avid readers of the thriller genre. However, these minor issues are overshadowed by the overall enjoyment of the book. Sometimes, a book doesn’t need to be a literary masterpiece to captivate readers and keep them entertained.

In conclusion, The Final Party by A.A. Chaudhuri is a super entertaining read that will keep readers hooked from beginning to end. While it may not be the best written book ever, it succeeds in delivering a thrilling and engaging story. If you’re looking for a fast-paced and suspenseful read that will keep you entertained, then this book is definitely worth picking up.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

lxurx64's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

janac20's review

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

amz14's review

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dark emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

mairi96's review

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

taylorjay31's review

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4.0

Rating: 4/5⭐️

“SIX FRIENDS. ONE BODY. COUNTLESS LIES.”

The Final Party is a story about friendships, secrets, lies, and deceptions. Six friends travel to Italy to celebrate their long time friend’s 40th birthday. What was supposed to be a relaxing vacation and a chance to reconnect with friends, ends up taking a turn for the worst as secrets start to surface. By the end of the week, one of them ends up dead.

Right from the start we are introduced to all six characters with their own individual chapters detailing their thoughts regarding the trip, and more importantly, each other. There seems to be a lot of animosity between everyone that I’m honestly shocked these people are still friends! It definitely took a few chapters to really understand who is who, and how everyone relates to each other, but once it clicked it was smooth sailing the rest of the story!

I found the way the story is told, by switching between present day and the events that happened years ago when everyone was attending university, really helped pull me in and kept me wanting more and more! The present day chapters tended to end in cliffhangers and with many words left unsaid, which only made me want to read the flash back chapters even quicker! There were so many twists and surprises that I hadn’t even considered might be possible. I really love when a book truly keeps me guessing until the very end, and The Final Party definitely did that! I ended up reading The Final Party in a single sitting!

Thank you to A.A. Chaudhuri, Hera Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book! I had a great time reading this, and I look forward to checking out A.A. Chaudhuri’s other books! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.