Reviews - A Death at the Party

379 reviews for:

A Death at the Party

Amy Stuart

3.49 AVERAGE

kristy_lyn's review against another edition

3.75

dark mysterious fast-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: Complicated

Although this was marketed as a triller, I would say it's on the tamer side as far as trillers go. More of a domestic suspense novel. If you're looking for heart pounding tension and a white knuckle grip, this will probably not be your thing.

HOWEVER....

The story opens with a dead body in the bathroom. Nadine (doting wife, loving mother, perfect host), is checking for a pulse that she can't seem to find. Her party guests are clinking glasses upstairs and she has get back. She checks her composure in the mirror and sets off to join the festivities.

We then rewind to the 12 hours prior to the party taking place, and begin to unravel clues from both the past and present to try and discover who's body is in the bathroom, and how they ended up dead. The party is for her mother's 60th birthday, and it's the first one they've had in 30 years. Only today isn't just a birthday celebration, but it also marks another anniversary.

I had a great time reading this story. It takes place over a single day from morning right up until the party itself. As Nadine runs around tackling her errands we meet a cast of characters and begin to unravel secrets from the past. I wouldn't say the characters are lovable, in fact I didn't trust a single one of them. I kept changing my mind on who the dead body was right up until the end. I loved the flashbacks to 30 years prior, and piecing together how they contributed to current events. I found the pacing perfect and the ending satisfying. Can't wait to read more from this author.

briannamwod's review against another edition

3.0

This was my first book by Amy Stuart. It was a very slow burn that unfortunately just sizzled out. The slight tension that was built over the course of the book very quickly dissipated. The reveal was underwhelming and only occurred within the last 30 pages and then was quickly wrapped up. The characters weren’t too memorable and very hard to connect to. The stakes for the characters were not believable and didn’t feel authentic.

anniemurtha's review against another edition

2.0

Ugh hated the ending

lisapetrakis's review against another edition

3.5

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

jules_bologna's review against another edition

1.25

mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book just wasn't for me. Maybe I just cant relate to a bougie woman living a bougie life who makes crap decisions and is hyper obsessive. Like to me the main character is definitely her biggest enemy.

madmom's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

mama_bookworm_'s review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH

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: N/A

DNF

Stopped reading at 40% I rarely choose not to finish a book but I just couldn’t get through this.

The making character is unlikable, she’s happily married but she also had an affair. She is suspicious of everyone and everything and is anxious and erratic. The story bounced around giving random bits of background information or current information and it didn’t seem to connect at all.

I really tried to finish this but I had to force myself to keep picking it up and was trudging along.

I hope the ending is better than the start for those who manage to finish it. Such a shame but this one isn’t for me.