The birthday girl by sue fontin.
Carys andrea and zoe have been invited to joannes 40th birthday weekend getaway.
They have a car ride to an airport. Then going somewhere in the uk. Then another car journey. What was supposed to be a birthday weekend turned out to be a nightmare.
But someone has a grudge? Who is it? And will one of them get hurt?
Absolutely fantastic read. A thriller with twists and turns and an ending which is shocking. Wow. Must read highly recommended. 5*

When Joanne invited her three friends Carys, Andrea & Zoe on a surprise weekend away to celebrate her fortieth birthday Carys & Andrea were not too sure. Things were a bit strained between Andrea & Joanne since Andrea had effectively become Joanne's boss by buying out the gym they ran. Carys also felt somewhat alienated from Joanne since Alfie, her son, showed seemed to want to spend more time at Joanne's house than at home. Zoe seems the only one who is looking forward to it! They all decide to go along with it.

Being whisked off to a deserted cottage in Scotland that is totally isolated is unnerving, being asked to give up their phones- because after all there is no signal -is also a concern. But before long things start to go very wrong.

Told mostly through the eyes of Carys, this story is definitely a gripping read. The only reason I didn't give it five stars was that I felt the last bit seemed to be too determined to throw one more shock after the other, so much so that I felt it lost a bit of credibility. Nevertheless it is well worth a read. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

Very well written, gripping novel. Highly recommended for those who enjoy tension!

Writing in the first person is difficult to pull off for any length of time but Sue Fortin did it amazingly well. I was hooked from the beginning and had no idea whodunnit until she revealed the culprit.

I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

This was a good beach read, I enjoyed it, but not as gripping as I had hoped!

The synopsis of this book was what led me to make the request on Netgalley as it sounded like it was something I would really enjoy. I have also enjoyed Sue Fortin's work previously.

The story was totally engaging and the characters, while not all likeable, were varied and believable. We could identify with each individual. The setting was also perfect for the type of story this was and gave us a sense of complete isolation which added to the tension and despair of the latter chapters.

The ending became a little OTT but it was so well written I could forgive a few cliches and, although I had guessed the identity of the person behind the events, I was eager to find out the motivation.

When Joanne invites her three friends - Andrea, Zoe and Carys - to help celebrate her fortieth birthday, she promises “an adventure weekend, full of mysteries and surprises, the like of which you can’t imagine”. She’s not lying.

The three women are whisked away in fairly cloak-and-dagger fashion to a remote croft in the Scottish Highlands, where Joanne has carefully laid plans for a weekend none of them will ever forget. But no one could have predicted how it would eventually turn out...

It’s difficult to say much more without spoilers, which would be unfair as this book is really best approached knowing next to nothing.

This was a really gripping and enjoyable read right from the off, with - at least for a while - a distinct flavour of the Agatha Christie classic And Then There Were None. A group of people, all with something to hide, all brought together for reasons unknown.

But who is the hidden hand orchestrating events? I considered everyone it could possibly be, and constantly changed my mind and my theories, but never had any real conclusive idea who was ultimately responsible - and why. The denouement is both surprising and disturbing. Indeed the whole thing is really quite dark.

The story is narrated by Carys, who gives her account of events, but again it’s never entirely clear how reliable her narrative is - she has her own secrets. I enjoyed the “outdoor adventures” element of the plot which added a refreshingly original dimension to a tale of four women on a birthday weekend.

Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

This is the first novel I have read by this author but it won’t be the last! A really solid read, fast paced and twisty.

Joanne invites her three friends Carys, Andrea and Zoe to join her for her birthday treat - everything is shielded in secrecy and it all adds to the thrill of the trip. Each of them has had issues with Joanne of late and see this as her attempt to make amends but all is not as it seems.

This is the second book I have read by this author and it’s another great read. I always find that Fortin’s books start off a little slow but it’s not long before they pick up the pace and you find yourself racing through it desperate to know what is going to happen. There are so many twists and turns it’s nigh on impossible to guess the outcome.

Sue Fortin delivers a chilling story of betrayal between friends and family with twists galore.
Four female friends head to the country to celebrate two of their birthdays. Organised by Joanne the other 3 are sceptical about her motive for the retreat but go along anyway.
Transpires that the three women each have a secret that Joanne intends to reveal but everything doesn't go as originally planned.
Exciting, scary with a surprising outcome that you just won't see coming - well worth reading.

A really engaging read for me.A page turner from beginning to end. Looking forward to Sue's next book

The birthday girl captured me from the first page and couldn't wait to finish!!
This thriller is fun and games, murder and intrigue all the way through. It starts with Carys, Andrea and Zoe receiving an invite to their friend, Joanne's birthday weekend. The story is told mainly from Carys viewpoint and spattered throughout the book are parts that are told by a mystery person that you know but I tried to figure out who but got it wrong!! The four women get together (after a weird journey) in a cottage in the middle of nowhere and here the games begin. All the women have secrets that the others knew nothing about or do they??
This is a fast paced quite scary at times thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed, all the characters were totally believable and I can't wait to read more by Sue Fortin. I've not gone into it too much as its that old you defiantly don't want any spoilers or clues!!
I would like to thank netgalley and HarperImpulse, HarperCollins UK for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

A compelling read. Although I guessed the villain’s identity early on and did find some aspects far-fetched I was more than happy to be swept away by this thrilling psychological tale. It would make a great TV drama.

From my blog: Always With a Book:

My thoughts: I have been a fan of Sue Fortin for a while now...knowing that her books are twisty and dark and this latest one is no exception. In fact, I had to re-listen to the last few minutes of the book 2 times to make sure I heard the ending correctly...it was so out of the box crazy - but in a twisted, good way. I loved it!

What starts off as a surprise getaway weekend for the girls - and really had me thinking of Ruth Ware's In a Dark, Dark, Wood - was sort of creepy from the get go - and then only got more so. I think this is where Sue Fortin really shines. She has such a creative mind...where she gets these ideas from, I'd love to know.

The story is mainly told from Carys's point of view and she is quite a complicated character. She has issues! But there are also these little sections interspersed that are voiced by an unknown character and these take on quite an eery tone as the book proceeds and it's not until the very end that you realize just who this person really is. I loved the final reveal and this is the part that I had to re-listen to to make sure I had out all the pieces together correctly. I thought I had figured this unknown person out early on but was totally wrong...and now that I do know the true identity am really considering rereading this book under that lens to see if I can pick up any clues along the way!

This book is such a riveting, gripping psychological thriller. It's one of those books that gets under your skin the further along in the book you get. From the games that Joanne has the girls playing to the secrets that each of the carry to the secluded setting of the cottage itself, you know nothing good is going to come from this birthday getaway weekend. Sue Fortin definitely knows how to build tension and suspense and this book is filled with both, so much so that you find yourself on the edge of your seat as you race to the conclusion.

If you like the unexpected and intense reads...this book is for you! Sue Fortin...you've done it again and I cannot wait to see what comes next. You are definitely an author that cannot be missed for this reader!

My first thought when I finished this book was oh wow that’s so messed up, but in a this author has a knack for the twisted psychological fast-paced compelling read I really enjoy way.

Carys, Zoe and Andrea are invited by their friend Joanne to celebrate her birthday. Nothing strange about that until you take a closer look. The truth is each one of the invited girls seems to have some underlying issues with Joanne, so the invitation is a bit of a surprise. Her behaviour has been passive-aggressive and her running commentary quite snarky. The kind of snarky that makes you wonder if the woman is having a laugh or having a go.

One of them is hiding a secret from the others and Joanne plans to reveal it in a way they will least expect it. Perhaps Joanne has underestimated the lengths some people will go to, to keep their secrets hidden from the rest of the world. She feels like the cat that got the cream and is acting as if she has the power to do anything she wants, especially in the bizarre location she has chosen to celebrate her birthday.

Needless to say the best laid plans go completely awry and set a sequence of events in motion that are both bizarre and often inexplicable. Behind every door hides a different danger and behind each supposedly friendly face a potential threat.

Within the plot there is a focus on Carys and her personal story. It takes a peculiar and menacing turn a la being chased by an inner madness, and hearing whispers on par with the devil himself sitting on top of her shoulder. What is she hiding and why?

If there is anything you can expect from The Birthday Girl then it is to expect the unexpected. It has a subtle sinister feel to it. Just when you think you have it figured out Fortin throws a wrench in the middle of your theory. There is an intentional or perhaps completely unintentional clue smack bang in the middle of the book, which points towards the guilty party, but hey my lips are sealed.

It’s a compelling rule-breaker of a story. Fortin will make you question every detail you think you know and leave you with more unanswered questions than you started with. If you’re looking for a rollercoaster read then you have picked the right book, just keep in mind that it might send you full throttle into a cloud of doubt. Exactly the way I like it, I might add.

I loved this book!!  It really gripped me and I didn't want to stop reading until I reached the very end - it was very hard to put down! 

The pace was spot on and it slowly built up speed from the beginning.  I loved the build up as the partygoers went from destination to destination at the very outset so even the reader had no idea where  they were going to end up.  The characters were great and I loved how they worked so well together to make it such an enjoyable read!

Twists and turns, shocks and suspense - I have given the book 5 stars and it is definitely a book I'm going to be recommending!!

I read this intriguing story in a day. Four girlfriends go away to celebrate a birthday and right from the beginning we realise that things are not going to go well. There’s a mystery commentator whose italicised thoughts appear at regular intervals. We know this is the baddie. But which one of them is it (if it’s one of them at all)? Fortin kept me guessing who was behind the mayhem all the way through. Was the birthday girl out to hurt them all? Or was one of the other girls responsible for the strange and dangerous goings-on that beset the weekend? A great read, fast-paced and different, with believable characters. Give it a go!

Joanne has planned a weekend away for herself and her three closest friends. A weekend away like no other. Her invite says “a mystery and surprises”. Even the journey there is shrouded in secrecy. The three friends are intrigued and as the weekend progresses they realise each has secrets they thought no-one knew about- until now. Oh My! This is one of those books that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. What a ride, what a read! I really couldn’t put this one down- I just had to find out what was happening next. From one drama to another, one reveal to another. Of times past and present grudges and secrets. All the skeletons in the cupboard come out to play and more. Brilliant characters and descriptions- this would make an excellent TV drama. This is a truly magnificent read that I can’t recommend highly enough. Wow, just wow.I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

After reading "Sister, Sister" by Sue Fortin I was impatiently waiting for this author's next release, so when "The Birthday Girl" was offered to request on NetGalley I didn't hesitate long, quickly downloaded it to my kindle and almost immediately started reading this another compelling, hooking read.

The story follows four friends, Carys, Andrea, Zoe and Joanne. The first three have been invited to a mystery birthday weekend by Joanne and reluctantly they arrive at the very remote place. Why reluctantly? Well, lately their friendships haven't been as good as they used to be and, as it turns out, each of the women had a grudge against the other ones. However, for the sake of the friendship and relationships, they agree - but they are going to regret it, as Joanne feels wronged and she has conjured a plan to expose some of her friends' secrets.

The relationship between the four women is brilliantly described and very complex - the author knows when and where to add another red herring to change our perspective and to start thinking differently. She can also perfectly well capture the atmosphere, that was changing from very frosty to very heated to full of mistrust. The characters are really not immediately likeable ones, and some of them aren't likeable at all but this only makes the whole story even more gripping and interesting. They are also all so very different which - I think - is a great thing as it only makes the story so hooking. Joanne is reserved and cold and - in my opinion - unpredictable, Andrea is outspoken and straightforward, Zoe is bouncy and optimistic and easy going and Carys is a very complex person, with a complicated past, with plenty of survival skills, that she's going to need during the weekend.

It brilliantly describes how a female friendship works, with all its petty jealousies but also bigger and more serious dramas - just as it usually is within groups. The writing style is brilliant, and the author so skilfully builds layer upon layer of secrets, misunderstandings to gradually unpeel the layers and reveal the overall picture. It is very fast paced and it keeps you tightly in its grips, you just can't put it down as you want to know what's going to happen next. Also, the setting already adds tons to the atmosphere of uncertainty and fear - in remote woods, far away from inhabited places, it creates this feeling of foreboding and danger.

I can't stop comparing those two books, though, "Sister, Sister" and "The Birthday Girl", and I am really sorry for this, I probably shouldn't be doing this as they are two totally different novels, so please forgive me, but in comparison "The Birthday Girl" was not as full of this palpable tension as "Sister, Sister". What is the same, however, is the fact that the author incredibly professionally and skilfully makes each and every character suspicious. Guys, really. I was changing my mind instantly and with every new character entering the scene I was suspecting them. While I guessed the main suspect, I haven't guessed their motivations, and also the author of the few hate letters between chapters directed to Carys was a great surprise to me. She skilfully played with our minds and I was all the time asking myself whom should I trust - is it Carys, as we mostly get the story from her point of view, or is she really hiding something? Shall I believe her version of events or those of the others? I loved this, this feeling of uncertainty and of anything being possible.

Altogether, "The Birthday Girl", though not as good as "Sister, Sister" (sorry. Sorry!), was a brilliant, compelling and suspenseful read, full of twists and turns and it surprised me more than often. I was very intrigued what the secrets that each of the woman kept were and couldn't wait to discover them. This book is filled with dramas, feelings and emotions, it is complex and clever, and it ends with a terrific grande finale. However, the very end seemed a tad too flat in comparison to the whole story. Nevertheless, it was a great novel and I can't wait to read more from the great Sue Fortin. "The Birthday Girl" - recommended!

Four friends head to a country cottage to celebrate a fortieth birthday, what could be more ordinary? Well, the invitation is intriguing, the journey unusual and the invitees hide secrets, even from each other. A suspenseful few days follow, full of sinister happenings, simmering anger and settings so atmospheric you feel like the fifth guest.

Written in the first person, Carys reveals the story, except for the insights into the mind of the antagonist. There are many suspects, but the final revelation of the truth is more horrific than you first believe.

Adrenaline, angst and adversity characterise this fast-paced story, making it an addictive read. The cleverly written roles of the key players, lead to a heart-stopping twist at the end, which makes you shudder.

A classy psychological thriller with realistic characters and an insightful exploration of what happens to human emotions when pushed to their limits.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review