Couldn't put this one down. It flowed so well and had so much tension and lots of twists. Can't wait to read more from the author,

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review*

A great thriller - I would recommend it!

I was unable to get into this book. The plot was too simple and I wasn’t invested in the characters. It was a great premise but just didn’t work.

Well I’m a little bit speechless. What an absolutely brilliant book from the beginning, right up to the end!

Well, I can't say I enjoyed "The Birthday Girl." The plot was simple and generic but the first few chapters really drew me in however, it kinda dragged in the middle. Such a waste. It could've been more enjoyable.

Still, this was an OK read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Really enjoyed this book. Looking forward to another book in this series from this author.

This was very creepy in the best possible way. I loved the characters and Byrony's back story. I can't wait to read the next one in.this series.

overall, it was okay, but nothing special.
i didn't mind the writing, even if it was pretty mediocre. the characters were well-defined, but i can't say the same for the mystery aspect of the story.
it didn't keep me on my toes and the big reveal wasn't that big of a twist, after all.

The Birthday Girl is a superbly crafted physcological thriller dripping with suspense. This book is a brilliant page turner that had me hooked from the moment I started reading.

I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it!

DNF - definitely a case of its me, not you. I see a lot of potential in this book, especially if you're looking to ease in to the thriller genre, however, I couldn't connect to the characters or buy in to the premise of this story because the pacing kept taking me out of it. I seem to be in the minority compared to other reviewers so I definitely recommend checking this out for yourself.

Another new author for me, but one I will be reading more of. I find it hard to connect with female “detectives/crime novel stars”, so I really enjoyed that change in this book. Will definitely read the rest of the series as and when they arrive.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

I loved this book it was well written with a heart pounding story that kept me on the edge of my seat

A chilling narrative unfolds, weaving a story of danger and intrigue that's as addictive as it is unsettling.

Thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.

The Birthday Girl is a locked room mystery that revolves around former cop Mallory who is now retired due to a leg injury and working as a night manager on a small island. Guests are being poisoned and she suspects the culprit is the Birthday Girl who poisoned three of her friends on her 11th birthday. This book was a decent read but didn't leave a lot to the imagination. It's the first book in a new series, and I look forward to more from this author.

100% not disappointed! The ARC needs some editing, but I loved this book! I’m so excited it’s becoming a series! It was the perfect setting and I hope to learn more about our main character as the series progresses!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Birthday Girl by Sarah Ward is a thrilling novel set on the mysterious island of Eldey. The story revolves around three women: Mona, a carefree artist seeking inspiration at The Cloister; Beth, a stressed-out mother looking for a quiet getaway with her family; and Charlotte, who hopes for a romantic trip with her husband but ends up dealing with his troubled teenage stepdaughter. Unbeknownst to them, one of these women is a serial killer who poisoned three friends at her eleventh birthday party.

When a guest at the hotel is found dead, Mallory Dawson, the night manager and a former police detective, realizes that the killer is among them. As Mallory investigates, three guests emerge as potential suspects, but which one is willing to risk everything to kill again?

So, let’s talk about The Birthday Girl by Sarah Ward! First off, can we just appreciate that amazing cover? It’s seriously eye-catching! Now, onto the review. I gotta say, I’m a sucker for these kinds of books, and this one definitely didn’t disappoint. It was such an entertaining read that had me hooked right from the start. The writing was top-notch, and the pacing was on point. The plot had so many twists, turns, and red herrings that kept me guessing the whole time. Mallory Dawson, the main character, was solid, and all the other characters were pretty strong, too. And let me tell you, the ending was completely satisfying. What more could a reader ask for, right? I’m already excited to see what Mallory gets up to in the next book! Can’t wait!

**ARC Via NetGalley**

I loved the setting on this one. Great atmosphere. It was unpredictable, lots of characters to keep track of. Lots of action and suspense to keep you interested.

Mallory is a former detective who moves to an island to serve as a night guard for a luxury hotel. There, she ends up trapped as a serial killer free from prison takes revenge on people from her past. I enjoyed this book, but found it to be a little slow for my taste.