📖 The Last Party
✍️ A. R. Torre
🗓️ 20 Aug 2024
📝 Thomas & Mercer

My first A. R. Torre book and what a wild ride this was. Oh I can’t stress enough about how much I enjoyed this!

The characters in this were brilliant, especially when we talk about evil characters. This was so skilfully done!

I would not read this if you’re not into dark stories, because of boy, this is dark. It’s evil in a delicious way that’s so weird to explain. Like the forbidden fruit, an accident you can’t look away from.

Some things I was guessing/expecting. But the story was so entertaining, I was drawn to it like a moth to the light. So. Well. Done.

⭐️Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my advanced copy. All opinions are my own, I was under no obligation to review.

My first read by author A.R. Torre and I was quite pleased with it. "The Last Party" is a contemporary thriller with lots of twists, short chapters, an unreliable narrator, multiple POV's from messy & rich characters and an easy to follow plot & writing style. I enjoyed it & will likely look at her back-list & up-coming releases. My thanks to Net Galley & the publisher for the "read now" and complimentary DRC - my pleasure to review it!

4.5/5⭐️

What a great read!
It was twisty, dark and very well done.

This book follows Perla, her husband Graham, their daughter Sophie, who have it all. Except Perla is obsessed with a crime that happened 23 years ago.

The story, the characters and pacing were all great. I loved how Perla's character was written in particular. Such a complex character. The unreliable narrator and short chapters all make it worth the time.
I am a fan of A. R. Torre's writing in general but this is by far her sharpest writing of the ones I have read.

The plot twists had me gasping in shock, I could not put it down. Very compelling and engaging.

I have read multiple books by A. R. Torre up until now and this one is my most favorite yet. This story has a lot of intrigue, suspense and drama.

I received an ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you to Netgalley, the Author and the Publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Such unique character development in this novel! The Last Party was a dark and gripping story I could not put down.

Meet the crew:

Pedra - Omg, where to begin with this woman. She is terrifying yet captivating. I wanted to read more about her twisted mind. Pedra is mom to Sophie and wife to Grant. Her mindset is chilling...her plot is insane!

Sophie - Daughter, about to turn 12. She has been raised to have proper manners, etiquette and listen to her parents. But as a pre-teen, is coming in to develop her own stronger thoughts and views.

Grant - More or less, Pedra's trophy husband. She definitely runs the ship in the house and Grant puts up with his wifes oddities and actions. He has a tragic past of his own.

Folcum - Leewood Folcum. Prisioner. In jail for the murder of two young girls at his daughters birthday party twenty years ago.

Timothy Valden - Doctoral student doing a dissertation on Confessions and Deceptions. He has been meeting with Folcum at the prison to try and get the truth about what happened on the fateful night.

This novel was a roller coaster ride. While there are clues as to what is happening, it does not matter what your theories are because the story is so good, so fast, so captivating, you are going to not care if you are solving the mystery. My eyes could not read fast enough. It all comes together perfectly.

Amazing book. Worth the five stars and then some!

Another great, suspenseful novel from A. R. Torre. Everyone has their secrets including a loving wife and mother and a notorious killer. As their connection from the past comes to light, secrets are revealed and the future remains uncertain.

"The Last Party" was a page turner with a unique plot; it had me reading every second I could because I couldn’t believe what was happening–for better or worse. It's hard to share too much about the plot, without revealing spoilers- but let's just say that the plot was shocking and from a perspective unlike any that I've read before...and I've read a lot of thrillers!

Like many books in this genre, the plot was a little hard to believe. I was also able to guess several of the twists, but I don’t think it took away from the story. It was still fun to read, and was a good escape.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for sharing an advanced copy to read and review. The publishing date is August 20, 2024.

I was very impressed with this book! The depth of the characters and the mystery that slowly unraveled kept me captivated from start to finish. I would definitely recommend that any thriller lover give this book a try - it was excellent!

It’s going to take me a minute to process this one! The twists were so cleverly sewn into the story that you almost didn’t realize you were being given them. A. R. Torre never disappoints!!

The Last Party by A.R.Torre
I started reading this book w/o really even know what it was about. If A.R.Torre writes it, it’s bound to be a doozy. Well she did not disappoint. This is about Perla, a housewife and mother whose hobby is telling white lies. Her husband Grant is not a fan of what this is teaching their young daughter Sophie but Perla has worse things in mind, way worse things. The story jumps back and forth from this family to a man, Leewood who’s serving a life sentence in prison for murdering his young daughter and her two friends.
It drove me crazy trying to figure out if and how these two things could be connected. A great story with a phenomenal ending.

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the copy of The Last Party by A. R. Torre. This book is dynamite! Perla was a very strange character and her need for constant adulation and attention made it impossible for me to relate to her. Her idiosyncrasies made for compelling reading though! I couldn’t wait to see what she did next. I loved the insight of the little quotes from other people before each narrative. If you love a suspenseful, well-written book with lots of shocking reveals, don’t miss this one. My mind is still reeling! 5 ardent stars.

I am never disappointed by AR Torre. This book was a wild ride and I LOVED it.

The character development was top notch. The way you were made to like Perla and slightly dislike her husband Grant really had me at first, and her obsession with a locked up killer was so interesting.

This one was a super fast paced and easy read, I finished it in one day but I was hooked from the get go.

Oh girl, okay! This one was a page-turner. I finished this in two days and enjoyed it enough to pick it up to read while eating lunch instead of watching something dumb on YouTube, which puts any thriller at a minimum three star and often easy four for me. Perla is a likable character in the Hannibal vein - monstrous but come on, there's a charm there. The plot moved along at a reasonable pace, and I unusually found myself wanting more of the POV of smarter-than-her-years Sophie, an 11 year old who I would frankly read a sequel about. Or like a whole YA series.

There were a couple of things that didn't entiiiiiirely add up, mostly with the little blurbs by other characters beginning each chapter (talking heads on a true crime documentary, I'm guessing? my immediate reference was Big Little Lies, which I think did it a little better), and a rather big logistical leap required to buy a main tenet of the plotline. Also, and forgive me for the LA resident jumping out, but this purports to be set in LA/Pasadena and it just didn't feel like it was - Pasadena isn't really a gated community kinda town (there are three house listings on Zillow for "gated community Pasadena" and they are all just houses that have their own driveway gates but are otherwise on normal streets) and it threw me off every time someone was driving through LA and was able to randomly and immediately pull over. Why not just have them live in Calabasas?

Those are nitpicks, though; I mostly really enjoyed this dark-but-fun, diverting and unputdownable thriller. I'd recommend it!

My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC.

This one was a wild ride!

What do Perla and Grant Wultz and their 11 year-old daughter Sophie (a wealthy couple who seem to have it all) have in common with Leewood Fulcrum convicted murderer #82145 at the Lancaster Prison? Without giving away any spoilers, Torre will certainly tell you during this gripping novel.

Positives:
The pacing was the perfect build
Short chapters told from 3 or 4 different character's perspectives
Lots of twists that all came together in the end

Negatives:
The characters are not likeable in the least. Toward the end maybe there is one you hope succeeds. The mother was truly despicible.
The premise was hard to swollow as a mom-pretty sad

This is the second book I've read by this author; I previously enjoyed "The Ghost Writer," which is why I immediately requested an advance copy upon spotting this book on NetGalley. And wow! The author's writing has significantly improved, leaving me utterly speechless. I'd like to express my profound gratitude to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and A.R. Torre for granting me access to a digital review copy of this thrilling novel in exchange for my honest review.

Imagine a book that grabs you by the collar and doesn't let go until you've devoured every single word, heart racing and mind whirling. A.R. Torre's "The Last Party" does exactly that, proving that Torre isn't just a master of dark romance but also a queen of psychological thrillers. This book is an electrifying puzzle, crafted with such finesse that you can't help but get caught in its web of deceit, mystery, and suspense. The book centers around Perla Wultz, a seemingly perfect wife and mother with a dark fascination. Her obsession with a decades-old true crime story spirals out of control as she plans a murder scene reenactment, hoping to free the convicted Leewood Folcrum. But beneath the surface of this suburban family lies hidden secrets, twisted desires, and unspeakable truths. As the story unfolds, readers are taken on a wild ride of manipulation, mystery, and a quest for redemption that questions how far one would go for obsession. In the realm of psychological thrillers, the book stands out for its intricate plot and complex character dynamics. Torre masterfully transitions between genres, delivering a story that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of thriller enthusiasts. The characters are meticulously crafted, from Perla's disturbingly fascinating persona to her unsuspecting husband Grant, and their precocious daughter Sophie. The development of these characters is both believable and deeply engaging, driving the narrative forward and keeping readers invested in their fates. The plot of "The Last Party" is a meticulously constructed rollercoaster of suspense and surprises, with themes of obsession, redemption, and the blurred lines between innocence and guilt woven throughout. Torre’s exploration of these themes is thought-provoking, leaving readers to ponder long after the final page is turned. The pacing is relentless, ensuring that there's never a dull moment, while the prose is sharp and compelling, showcasing Torre's unique voice and ability to engage readers fully. Finishing this book leaves an indelible impact, stirring a whirlwind of emotions and reflections on human nature and familial complexities. It's a testament to Torre's skill as a storyteller, capable of delving into the darkest themes with finesse and compelling narrative. For those who love a good psychological thriller that not only entertains but also provokes thought, "The Last Party" is a must-read. A.R. Torre continues to impress with her storytelling prowess, making this book a highly recommended addition to anyone's reading list. The masterful storytelling, unforgettable characters, and the book's ability to keep you guessing until the very end solidify as a standout novel in the psychological thriller genre.

Expected publication date: August 20, 2024

Yeah this will definitely be a favorite read of the entire year for me. Holy crap was it f*ckd. I will be thinking about this book for a long freaking time.

This book took unreliable narrator to a whole other level that I didn’t even know existed. A book where the main POV is the mom plotting to kill her 11 year old??? WHAT?! I was so fascinated and intrigued by this book I could not put it down.

A. R. Torres never disappoints with her dark and twisty thrillers. Multiple POVs, unreliable narrators, short chapters, messy drama…The Last Party was a wild ride.

The journey started with me not knowing where I was going, but that the main character, Perla, was definitely a narcissistic psychopath. At some point, I told myself I knew where the story would end, but the twist and turns kept coming.

As much as I want to rave about this book, this is definitely a book that deserves to be gone into blind. Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Publishing for this ARC in exchange, for my honest review.

The Last Party🎂
By A.R. Torre🔥

Review💯

It feels like ages since I've read a thriller this amazing. I was completely engrossed in it. This is a creepy one that hits all the right spots. Super-twisted with secrets and lies that I absolutely didn’t see coming. The people in this were just bonkers. The story came to life thanks to the various points of view. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the book. It is an incredibly well-written story.

Mystery⁉️
Thriller🔪
Suspense🫣
Crime🚔

5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I'm always a fan of this author's thrillers and this one is no exception! I thought this was quick and fast paced, while still finding myself savoring the story. Fans of the authors previous work will enjoy!

absolutely excellent writing again from this author!!!! so hard to put this book down. great thriller for all. 5/5 stars easily

I really liked the premise of this book, and I always enjoy a story told from multiple points of view. Unfortunately, I felt like I figured out too much around 70%, and the ending just kind of fizzled out for me. I would have preferred the big “reveal” to come closer to the end, and the last several chapters to move along much quicker.