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A Death at the Party by Amy Stuart
5.0
emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

"For thirty years, I've buried the past. And more recently, I've replaued it over and over again, searching for the missing pieces. I scan the crowd. Where is he...The tentacles of fate and coincidence. Past and present. Colleen and me. The connection. It's you, Julian Simone said to me today. You're the connection."

Focusing on middle-aged protagonist Nadine Walsh and her family, including her mother Marilyn, a famous author, on the day of her 60th Birthday Party. Through Nadine's memories we learn of another family party, thirty years before, where Nadine's aunt Colleen, only five years older than her, is found dead aged fifteen. Coupled with Nadine's teenage daughter, Isobel's best friend, currently in a coma following an overdose, Nadine is tense as part preparations unfold for this suburban party. A snooping journalist adds to the pressure on her, to manage the secrets whilst maintaining the poise expected of her.

As the plot progresses it becomes apparent family members, Nadine included, are harbouring secrets and telling lies, weighed down by the burden of perceived guilt. The atmosphere and characters' relationships are uneasy and Nadine in particular is haunted by memories of the past. Compactly written and taking place over one day, this is an excellent, engrossing and tightly focused, domestic thriller. I related to people-pleaser and all-round fixer, Nadine, determined to protect her mother and her daughter, strong, but weighed down. Both deaths, the current party and thirty years before are locked rooms mysteries of the best kind, in family settings. Whilst a murder is expected at the party, right from the start, the end is still a shock but, (for me anyway) a righteous one. I must read some of the author's other novels.

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