This is not the type of book I enjoy, so I was surprised that it caught my attention and didn’t let go. A large cast of characters, alternating points of view talking about their innermost thoughts and feelings and all hiding dark secrets. With some novels, the inner dialogue drowns out the action, but not with Party of Liars. These characters are unlikable and messy, but I still wanted to know what secrets they were protecting. The plot never went where I was expecting it to, and I was truly surprised at the resolution. This is a group of unreliable narrators, but their perspective of the events is not biased in the way that I was thinking. The author masterfully plays with and subverts expectations. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the setting. The beautiful but creepy mansion in the lovely Texas Hill Country. I was recently there, and reading about the light reminded me of my trip. The descriptions are very accurate. There is also a slight supernatural element that only adds to the unease generated by the characters’ actions. If I enjoyed this read so much, without being a fan, lovers of domestic mysteries will be ecstatic.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books.

I really enjoyed this book. Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox was very well written and fast paced. This book had me hooked from the first chapter till the end. Many of interesting characters and twists I didn’t see coming. Thank you Netgalley for this arc.

Reading in Between the Wines book review #43/125 for 2025:
Rating: 3🍷🍷🍷
Book: Party of Liars
Author: Kelsey Cox
RELEASES on July 1, 2025!!!

Sipping thoughts: Wooh! Such a good little twist I did not expect!! I love it when your least favorite character becomes your favorite, or the innocent becomes the character you can’t stand. I was surprised by so many things in this book, and it did not feel like it was done for shock factor but done in a crafty way. I think this is Kelsey Cox’s debut, and it was a good one, and I hope to read more in the future.

Cheers and thank you to @Netgalley and @StMartinsPress for an advanced copy of @PartyOfLiars.

#PartyOfLiars #KelseyCox #StMartinsPress #NetGalley #ARC #advancedreader #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bokreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult

This book reminded me a lot of The Guest List; it had a lot of twists and kept me on my toes. I can usually guess where some "twists" are headed but not with this one! I highly recommend.

Sophie is turning 16 and her dad Ethan and his new wife Dani are hosting a huge sweet sixteen party combined with a housewarming. Ethan and Dani just finished renovating their mansion up on a cliff. Everyone is anxious to see the inside of the house and Ethan is eager to show it off. Told in multiple POV's this was a quick and easy read. Sophie's mom Kim is also eager to see the house, since she is the one who started the renovations before she decided to leave Ethan. If she can hold off on drinking too much so she doesn't embarrass herself and Sophie it will be a miracle. Orlaith the new nanny seems to have some secrets and is wandering around the party dropping morbid tales to anyone who will listen. Dani is starting to feel like she's going crazy. After an incident on her glass encased balcony with her newborn she isn't sure she can trust herself anymore. After she receives a threatening note and a lipstick smeared message on her mirror she doesn't know who at the party she can trust either. By the end of the night someone winds up dead and the story will keep you guessing as to who it will be.

I really enjoyed the premise of the book, but there were some unnecessary details that could have been left out. The whole haunting and "the mother" aspect didn't really make sense. I think the author was trying to add a paranormal twist that the book doesn't need. This was a light and fun read that held my interest and is a good beachy summer book.

Oh my gosh was this book amazing!! Had you on the edge of your seat the whole time! This story is a multiple POV-whodunnit and I loved every minute of it.

It’s Sophie’s sweet 16 hosted at her lavish home, but someone won’t survive the night can you guess who it’s going to be? Cause I thought I knew and I had NO idea. RUNN and read this book!

When I initially requested this novel, I was under the impression that it was a young adult book. The cover seemed to reinforce this misconception. However, this book is definitely not YA. While it does involve a birthday party for a 16-year-old, the main characters are not primarily teenagers, aside from Mikayla. Additionally, there is a paranormal theme at play that I wasn't expecting. I wish this theme had been more fully developed, as it could have further elevated the novel into the thriller genre.

The story is told from four important points of view, leading up to, during, and after the party. Each character has their own personal struggles and reasons for attending the event, as well as important connections to one another that factor into the big reveal and ultimately conclude the novel. However, the characters are not particularly likable, and at various points in the plot, I found myself questioning their overall significance.

Dani and Kim share the most in common, as Dani is the current wife of Kim's ex, Ethan. Kim is portrayed as incredibly bitter and self-destructive throughout the party. These scenes are hard to read and led me to not only empathize with her daughter but also to side with Ethan. Dani, at times, seems level-headed but is also depicted as a somewhat naive younger wife whose only job in life is to post her novice baking on social media. She is portrayed as having been lucky to land Ethan in the first place. Mikayla is Sophie’s best friend, struggling with typical teenage issues of not belonging and discomfort in her own body. Orlaith is the most surprising character. Initially, she is presented as a quirky nanny, but she ultimately proves to be more significant than first perceived.

Overall, I enjoyed this novel and was able to piece together most of the puzzle by the end. However, this predictability did not detract from my enjoyment of how it all came together. As many reviewers have noted, the book contains some incredibly difficult scenes and features very unlikable characters. It is important to stick with them to understand that they are products of manipulation. This was a solid debut novel for Ms. Cox, and I am interested in what she may create next.

The timing of when I read this was eerie, with my own daughter's 16th birthday only weeks away! This is the party from hell, where things go terribly, terribly wrong, friends aren't who they seem, and the party is thrown in a haunted house/mansion. Rich people behaving badly are on display all over this book, and it was a wild ride.

⭐️ 5/5
Mostly First Person POV (with occasional Third Person POV)
Multiple Narratives
Dual Timelines

Content Warning (ranges from brief description to explicit scenes): Postpartum Depression, Mental Health Struggles, Manipulation, Emotional Abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Toxic Relationships, Toxic Friendships, Drug Abuse, Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse, Stalking, Death, Suicide, Paranormal Elements, Death of Child, Teenage Dynamics & Social Pressure, Divorce

Themes: Deception and Lies, Friendship and Betrayal, Guilt and Consequences, Power and Control, Identity and Self-Discovery, Motherhood and Femininity, Paranormal and Haunting, Social Pressure and Peer Dynamics

I devoured this book! I couldn’t put it down because it was so well written with its complexity, relatable themes, suspenseful mystery, and psychological drama. The author did a fantastic job balancing the story’s thriller elements with deep, dark emotional insight. The characters are flawed, relatable, and real, making their experiences all the more gripping. As the characters’ secrets begin to unravel, the suspense builds, and kept me glued to the page. The way everything came together made for a super suspenseful and twisted story that kept me invested in the characters’ complex journeys and solving the mysteries. I was constantly wondering what was real and what wasn’t.
Also, the mansion itself adds an eerie atmosphere, with paranormal elements adding a layer of mystery that complements the emotional tension.

I could easily see this becoming a movie or miniseries!

Thank you St Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for providing an ARC of this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Rich People, Dark Secrets: Why Party of Liars Will Keep You Up at Night

Ever been to a Sweet Sixteen that ended with a dead body? Welcome to Kelsey Cox's debut thriller.

Party of Liars starts with champagne and caviar at a Texas mansion, and ends with someone taking a fatal plunge from a cliffside balcony. But that's just the beginning of this twisted tale. Cox, fresh out of Purdue's MFA program, knows how to set a scene that'll make your skin crawl even as you're admiring the designer dresses and crystal chandeliers.

The story follows the Matthews family's picture-perfect facade as it cracks and crumbles. There's Sophie, the birthday girl; her father, Ethan, who's never met a problem he couldn't throw money at; and stepmother Dani, whose smile might be hiding something sinister. Cox jumps between timelines like a master juggler, dropping clues that'll have you second-guessing everything you think you know.

The real star here? The mansion itself. This isn't your average McMansion – it's a character in its own right, with enough dark corners and creepy history to make Stephen King jealous. Cox turns what could have been just another rich-people-problems story into something far more unsettling, tackling everything from postpartum depression to substance abuse with surprising grace.

Sure, the plot sometimes gets tangled in its own web of complexity. And yes, keeping track of all the timelines can feel like trying to solve a Rubik's cube in the dark. But Cox's sharp writing and even sharper insights into human nature keep you turning pages well past your bedtime.
Is it perfect? No. But it's the kind of imperfect that sticks with you, like a shadow you can't quite shake. For a debut novel, it's impressively bold – even if it occasionally bites off more than it can chew.

Bottom line: If you like your thrillers with a side of social commentary and a dash of gothic horror, Party of Liars deserves a spot on your nightstand. Just maybe don't read it alone in a big house at night.

3/5 stars - A promising debut that proves the scariest monsters wear designer labels

Thanks netgalley for the eARC! The ending was just as shocking as satisfying. Kind of book that. makes you want to reread earlier parts with new eyes. Solid thriller!

OMG! this was ADDICTIVE! TWISTY! BINGEABLE! I admit the cover turned me off this book but give it a chance! Its gonn abe the summer book! twisty as heck, easy to read, and a whollop of an ending!

“They say everything’s bigger in Texas. If this party is anything to go by, that’s the God’s honest.” This Texas-based locked-room whodunnit hooked me. Rich people misbehaving is always a good read, especially when combined with toxic relationships, drunk exes, and suspicious nannies. So many liars and intense drama with a dash of jealousy make this mystery an enticing and highly entertaining story. There were times I thought I knew where the plot was going, but I was pleasantly surprised. The final twist I never saw coming! Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my copy.

A ghost story, several walking red flags in the shape of men, four unreliable narrators. This story sucked me in and I couldn’t put it down! I loved the twists and turns, and the resolution. Perfect for fans of The Guest List.

LOVED THIS!!! The sparkly cover grabbed my attention first, Next, I read the blurb. Party and murder in a Texas setting???! Count this Texas girl in!! I was fully prepared for some cringey Texas references as so many authors can way over-exaggerate the Texasisms, but nary a one in this story! I felt all descriptions were pretty spot on! You can easily tell that the author actually lives here. Now, for the story, we have a huge Sweet Sixteen party for Sophie and her friends. Of course, all the adults are invited too. The big draw is the party takes place at the newly remodeled house on the cliff in Bulverde, Texas outside San Antonio. This house sat vacant and in disrepair for years. Oh, but wait! It is also rumored to be haunted by The Mother. The Mother lost her child years ago and supposedly never stopped searching. And let's not forget, the house is now owned by Ethan and Dani. Ethan is Sophie's Dad. Kim is also invited. Kim is the ex-wife, Sophie's Mom and the main decorator and remodeler of said house from back when she was married to Ethan. No red flags so far, right? And then add in a bunch of other adults and teens behaving badly and that darned body that fell from the balcony and we have quite a story! I absolutely loved Kim's character. This is the perfect Summer read! I could just feel the Texas heat! And this was a DEBUT!! WOW!! I hope, hope, hope that Kelsey Cox gives us more as one book from her is just not enough!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Kelsey Cox and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this much appreciated ARC! All opinions are my own.

I will post my reviews to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Instagram and other retail and social media sites upon publication day of July 01, 2025.

Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox was an interesting read with characters that had many layers. I will read another book by this author.

This was a very well written book, in my opinion. I liked how the story came together at the end and how all secrets slowly unraveled. I was not expecting some of the things that happened, and I loved that it surprised me more than once!

What a great man Ethan was, right?! 😒 I could not keep up with the MANY times I said "he's a RED flag 🚩" in my mind. The amount of deceit, manipulation, gaslighting, and betrayal from him really annoyed me.

Dani!! Poor Dani! I felt so bad for her being a new mom and having to share a bed with a MONSTER! It was so easy for him to make her believe she had postpartum depression, what a jerk! 😤 Sadly, she was just another victim.

And what about Kim? I had mixed feelings about her at first but then understood what she went through and applauded her for getting out!! She was a strong, independent woman who was victimized by Ethan, her ex-husband, until she said NO MORE!! 👏

Mikayla? Oh sweet, naive, and not so innocent Mikayla 🤨 There were so many times I screamed at my screen saying, "what are you doing?! what are you thinking?!" This poor girl had no self-esteem and the sheep in wolf's clothing got a hold of her.

Sophie was just like any other teenager wanting to catch the attention of her ex-boyfriend. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Although the party was for her sixteenth birthday, the story wasn't really about her. Her father was the best father in the world, according to her. I don't blame her; she didn't know any better. Her mother was an addict who never got along with her father and hopefully one day she will know why. 😬

Orlaith! She is the real MVP of this story! 👏👏 She went in to save everyone from having to keep being victimized by Ethan. Never underestimate the love of a mother!!! I loved her! 😊 I wish she would have done it sooner!! 😉 LOL

Overall, this was a 4.5 read for me. I was able to predict a few things but not all. I absolutely loved that it captivated my attention since the first page. I will for sure recommend to everyone who loves fast-paced reads with lots of twists and mystery. 😊

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Party Of Liars indeed!

Sophie’s Sweet Sixteen birthday party turns into a chaotic mess. I thoroughly enjoyed the story being told from multiple perspectives, which kept me guessing throughout. The ending was a complete surprise that I didn’t anticipate.

~ I want to express my gratitude to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an Advanced Reader’s Copy of Party Of Liars. Kelsey Cox’s novel will be published on July 1, 2025 ~

I want to start with the things I loved about this book:

I really loved the writing style. The chapters were short and even sections within were short but each moment was purposeful, meant to move the plot forward or reveal something about our questionable cast of characters. I really enjoyed the authors voice and will seek out future works of hers because I enjoyed the style so much.

I also enjoyed that, even as things were revealed, it was hard to know who was the “bad guy” until it was very solidly and clearly revealed. I found myself questioning everything, the credibility of each character and so on— which I thought was very artfully done and reflected the plot quite well.

What I didn’t love:

There were some holey plot points and things I didn’t feel really were resolved. Like the house is implied to be haunted— that never really gets a firm resolution, at least for one of the characters. And then just some of the things some characters said seemed important and then were left out completely. I think it’s one thing to have something that is supposed to be a red herring get addressed, but it leaves something to be desired if a red herring isn’t really wrapped up. Finally, I found myself kind of bored in the middle because things were starting to feel a tad drawn out for my tastes.

Still, I enjoyed it enough to call it a 3.5 out of 5. Another good summer thriller read.

Kelsey Cox’s Party of Liars delivers a gripping blend of domestic suspense and gothic intrigue, centered around a lavish Sweet Sixteen in the Texas Hill Country that ends in tragedy. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives—Dani, the anxious new stepmother; Kim, the embittered ex-wife; Órlaith, the superstitious nanny; and Mikayla, the birthday girl’s perceptive best friend—each harboring secrets that unravel as the night progresses.

The mansion, steeped in haunting history, serves as a compelling backdrop, almost becoming a character itself. Cox masterfully builds tension, with each chapter peeling back layers of deception and hidden motives. While the pacing occasionally lags in the middle, the narrative's structure keeps readers engaged, and the final twist is both surprising and satisfying.

This debut is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers that delve into complex family dynamics and the shadows lurking beneath opulent facades.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.