A guick and easy suspenseful read. I liked that it didn't give away who was murdered in the beginning so as the story went on I kept changing my mind about who the victim would be. At some point, I imagined it could be any of the characters. I also thought it did a good job at giving away the murderer- it also could have been any of the characters.

Only three stars- I felt that a few of the story lines weren't really wrapped up, like the dislike of the nanny and Sophi and Mikayla's friendship. A good read but nothing out of the ordinary.

Wowza! A perfectly crafted multiple-POV psychological suspense story, rich with sizzling characters (all of them hiding something) and a setting as lip-smackingly luscious as it is creepy and sinister.

With a plot that builds, and winds, and re-winds, gleefully delighting in tricking the reader, several times, into what feels like complacency, as the rug is pulled again, and again, until finally, all at once the denouement is revealed — and is nothing at all like what has been imagined.

A first-rate thriller, with an ending only partially guessed by this reader, this is a story not be missed if rascally “whodunnits” are your thing. (And even if they aren’t!)

The story centers on the first-person experiences of four women.

Dani Matthews is a gorgeous new mother, married to the very rich (and handsome) Ethan, who just doesn’t seem to realize she is living the good life with new baby Charlotte and a recently restored glittery mansion high on the hills of Texas.

Ethan’s ex-wife Kim, a bitter, addicted and thoroughly messed-up ex-veterinarian (and the mother to sixteen year old Sophie, a child she shares with Ethan) can only watch from the side-lines as the life she had struggled for is lived by a younger, prettier, other.

Orlaith is a short, talkative and somewhat mysterious Irish nanny, quickly invaluable to the Matthews, yet definitely carrying secrets along with her bushload of stories — each of them more chilling than the next.

Mikayla, best friend to beautiful sixteen-year old Sophie, is used to playing second-fiddle, — a role that comes with its own set of secrets (most of which are now bursting to be told).

As the Matthews prepare for Sophie’s over-the-top and extravagant sixteenth birthday celebration, a perfect storm is brewing. This “Party of Liars” promises to be spectacular, — in ways none of the attendees (and including the reader) could ever imagine.

A great big thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC of this book All thoughts presented are my own.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc. This is a thriller. It's Sophie's 16th birthday and her dad spend a lot of money on her party. They decide to have the party at his cliffside mansion, which to most was thought to be haunted. So many guests are invited, but not everyone makes it out alive.

I felt very "meh" about Party of Liars. I don't want to harp on it being bad, because it's not, but I felt like it didn't really have a clear genre. Maybe the fact that it's set at a Sweet 16, it seemed silly that all these adults are getting drunk, or honestly. even attending the party. There was like 8 teens and like 50 adult, it seemed like. I think there were two directions Kelsey Cox could have gone in: 1) make it YA - Have the attendees be mostly kids and a murder happens, or B) dive into the thriller genre and make it darker. It sat completely in the middle and I don't see who this book was written for. At the same time, as I wrote in my Goodreads review, I didn't struggle reading this. I just thought it would have a little more personality based on the cover.

Thanks so much for the advance copy!

Full Goodreads review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7386856437

Thank you so much to the publishers and NetGalley for this opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review. This book had a lot of potential, but there was a LOT going on. As someone who is from San Antonio, all of the little shout outs were fun, but kind of unnecessary, if I wasn’t from SA, I would wonder why the author kept including random names that had nothing to do with the story.. the 4 povs was a lot to keep up with and each chapter ended with some cryptic cliffhanger line so that got a little tiresome…. BUT I did enjoy the ending and the twist, even if I did see part of it coming. I’d give it a 3.5, I enjoyed it, it was an easy read and well paced. Just a few quirks to work out.

Kelsey Cox’s debut novel Party of Killers absolutely blew me away—this is one of those thrillers you cancel plans for just to keep reading. From the very first chapter, with a body crashing onto the dance floor at an over-the-top Sweet Sixteen, I knew I was in for a wild ride.

What I loved most is how Cox juggles the perspectives—every character, from the calculating ex-wife, Kim, to the mysterious nanny to the teenagers caught in the middle, felt like they had something to hide. Each chapter peels back another layer, and just when I thought I had it figured out, Cox would drop a twist I never saw coming.

The mansion setting, dripping with opulence and secrets, adds this deliciously eerie vibe—like the house itself is in on the lies. And underneath all the suspense, there’s a sharp commentary on wealth, appearances, and how far people will go to protect their version of the truth.

Fast-paced, smart, and seriously addictive—Party of Killers is one of my favorite reads this year. If you’re into dark, juicy thrillers with complex characters and jaw-dropping reveals, do yourself a favor and pick this one up on July 1st, 2025 when it comes out!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for allowing me to read this most delicious arc in exchange for this review.

I loved this book! The twist was one that basically punched me in the face when it happened. I love when that happens, it’s so rare that I can’t see what’s coming in a story. This one literally made my jaw drop! I can’t wait to see what else this author can come up with if this was her debut. Wow! She’s definitely one to watch!

Talk about a jaw-dropping whodunnit! Kelsey Cox’s Party of Liars delivers everything I crave in a thriller—secrets, scandal, and a shocking death at a glittering black-tie party.

Set against the backdrop of a sprawling mansion with a sinister history, the story kicks off when a body plunges from a cliffside balcony mid-party... and from there, it’s an addictive spiral of lies, hidden pasts, and cutthroat social games. 🌙✨

The cast is pitch-perfect: A troubled new mom, an alcoholic ex-wife, a nanny who whispers to ghosts, and a posse of mean girls with razor-sharp smiles. No one is innocent, everyone is suspicious, and Cox keeps you guessing until the very last page.

If you love dark, twisty thrillers with major Big Little Lies vibes and a gothic edge, do NOT sleep on this one! 👀

Party of Liars was a thrilling book that had many twists. The story had multiple POVs, but the format was nice and not confusing at all. The middle of the book was a little drawn out, but overall, it was a great book!

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for the Advanced copy!

Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox is a wild ride—think rich people drama meets locked-room mystery with a side of “trust no one.” The tension builds fast, and the writing keeps you hooked without trying too hard. The characters are messy (in the best way), and the setting has that perfect creepy-glam vibe. It’s sharp, fun, and just twisted enough to keep you guessing. Solid 4/5—would’ve been 5 if I didn’t feel personally attacked by how untrustworthy everyone is.

I just finished an early release debut novel “Party of Liars” by Kelsey Cox, and I loved it! I’m a succor for a good thriller filled with plot twist after plot twist, and this book had it in spades!

In short, it’s a story that takes place at a fancy mansion for the owner’s daughter’s sweet sixteen birthday party. There is a murder at the party and no short list of suspects! On top of a long list of suspects, you don’t know who is actually un-alive until the very end of the book!

Lots of personal drama to this story…and I’m here for it! Haha such a great read that kept me guessing the whole way through! Solid 4 stars from me!

Thank you to the publisher for this advanced reader copy! I’ll post an updated review closer to the publication date on July 1st, 2025.

I was certainly intrigued by the description of this book but I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did! Kelsey Cox weaved together multiple perspectives and complex storylines to a memorable conclusion. I enjoyed the unreliable narration of both Dani and Kim, relating to the former as a new mom myself ruled by nursing schedules, navigating new emotions, and new roles. As a speech language pathologist, I also appreciated the accuracy with which Ethan’s stuttering was addressed.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and of course Kelsey Cox for sharing this advance copy with me in exchange for my honest review. Party of Liars will be available on July 1st, 2025!

An impressive debut! I loved the amount of tension in this story, and the little bit of spook/haunted house element had me hooked right away. Definitely a fun one if you like multiple POVs and a mix of teen/adult drama. What kept me reading at a quick pace was the amount of story lines mixing together - and since there are so many POVs, you are left waiting a while until you get back to each character, which keeps up the suspense. I really had blast with this one and would recommend if you are in the mood for a domestic mystery/thriller.

A solid 4 stars -- I really enjoyed this domestic thriller! Loved the setting-- almost exclusively taking place in a glass-box mansion in Texas Hill Country at a sweet sixteen birthday party. There were lots of unlikeable and interesting characters, and I thought I had it all figured out, but it turns out I was only half right (I did not expect the other [icky] twist). I do wish we had some POV of Sophie, and Kim's sections were so cringey and almost unbearable to read as she got drunker and drunker at the party (but in a can't-look-away-from-the-car-crash way). I also loved the folklore/haunted house vibes of "The Mother" (pretty much like La Llorona/ The Weeping Woman).

Overall, this was a highly enjoyable thriller, and I'd recommend it!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Haunted house, a murder and a sweet sixteen party all combine for a fun read. I was glad to read this thru NetGalley and enjoyed the authors descriptions of the scenes and all the characters of this book. There are twists and turns and I found myself reading this in one day! . Great debut

I liked it. It took a while for me to differentiate the characters, but once I did, things were more interesting. I liked the Texas Hill Country setting - it added to the story. My only complaint (and it was minor) -- it seemed to drag on a little long. Other than that, this had a twist or two that I didn't see coming and it kept me entertained. For a debut novel, this is pretty good.

Would I read more from the author? Yes.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

Party of Liars is a gripping thriller that takes a little time to find its footing but ultimately delivers a suspenseful and satisfying ride. At first, the novel can be a bit overwhelming with its large cast of characters and multiple storylines, making it difficult to keep track of who’s who. However, once the pieces start to fall into place, the story takes off, pulling the reader into a web of secrets, deception, and unexpected twists. The real strength of Party of Liars lies in its ability to build tension and keep the reader guessing. Just when I thought I had figured out where the story was going, the book threw in a curveball that completely changed my perspective. The ending was particularly surprising—one of those rare thrillers where the final reveal truly delivers. Beyond the suspense, the novel also has an undercurrent of female empowerment, making it more than just a page-turner. The women in this story are complex, resilient, and determined, adding depth to the plot and making the resolution all the more satisfying. While the beginning was a bit confusing, Party of Liars proved to be a compelling thriller that kept me engaged until the very end. If you enjoy suspenseful stories with strong female leads and a shocking conclusion, this is definitely worth the read!

Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.

Not too much to say about this one, it's honestly a 3.5 star read, but I don't round up on my reviews anymore and just let you all know, this is not a 4 star read, but definitely not a 3 star read. I think parts of this worked really well, and others not so much. For me, I think it would have worked better if you had followed only Dani (current wife) versus Kim (ex-wife). That would have made the book flow so much better throughout and when you get to the reveals and what happened, then you can added in other characters such as Orlaith. I honestly thought the character of Mikayla didn't need to be included as a separate point of view, but Cox did include her and I found it puzzling we did not get a final point of view for her though we did get one for everyone else. I thought that was a hiccup at the end that I wish had been addressed.

"Party of Liars" follows the day before and day of Sophie Matthews's 16th birthday in Texas. The book starts off though with a tale of the home where a "Mother" grieves over the loss of her child almost 100 years ago. And now the Matthews's family that consists of Dani, her husband Ethan, and their daughter Charlotte live there.

Dani is stressed about an "incident" and making sure her stepdaughter Sophie has a great birthday. Kim is angry over a lot of things that occurred in her marriage, but most importantly losing the house that was such a part of her identity.
Orlaith is Dani's nanny and Mikayla is Sophie's childhood best friend. The book follows the three women and teenager through the day of the party. We get interludes here and there to let us know that something "tragic" occurred and the police are investigating. The entire book is just a countdown to whatever this incident was and you wondering who if any of these women and teen could potentially be the victim(s).

As I said above, if the book had just followed Dani and Kim it would have worked better. I think because it jumped so much between the four women and there was a huge Gothic vibe to it (which didn't get fully explored at all) the whole book felt erratic at times. I don't know if Cox wanted this to be a straight thriller or what at times.

The setting of this soulless house of glass just didn't feel very realistic to me though. I just can't imagine a house that is fully glass at one side in Texas. It didn't even sound like something that would make sense in that part of the country. I could see doing something like this in CA though.

I said in one of the updates to this book I thought the ending was very good and I still agree with that. I didn't see the reveals that we got coming at all and I even went back to re-read some things that came before. As I said above though, I wish that we had gotten Mikayla's point of view since we got everyone else's in the end.

I received an advanced copy of this book from St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books via NetGalley.

Sophie Matthews’s sixteenth birthday bash is set to be the event of the season, big, Texas-style opulence, black-tie attire, and a cliffside mansion with a scandalous past. But just as she’s about to blow out the candles on her towering red velvet cake, a body takes a dramatic plunge from the balcony, turning the celebration into a crime scene.

What makes this book so engaging is the sheer number of storylines unfolding at once, both among the teens and their parents. With rotating POVs, the narrative balances multiple perspectives without becoming overwhelming, making for a juicy, drama-filled ride. Mikayla, Sophie’s best friend, is particularly relatable as she navigates the treacherous waters of fitting in, obsessive love and angsty teenage drama.

Set over the course of a single, eventful day, the novel masterfully weaves in snippets of the past, dropping breadcrumbs that build toward an explosive conclusion. While the ending is somewhat predictable, there are still plenty of twists that keep readers second-guessing. Hidden identities, buried secrets, and high-stakes drama make this a compelling and binge-worthy read—perfect for those who love a mix of teen and adult thrillers. A glitzy, fast-paced page-turner that’s ideal for kicking off the new year with a dose of scandal.

This book was the perfect blend of mystery and family drama, keeping me engaged without the intensity of a thriller. The story centered around a grand party, with characters whose secrets or mysteries slowly unraveled in a way that kept me thinking critically while still enjoying the narrative. I appreciated how the mystery unfolded with depth and subtle twists rather than shocking suspense. The relationships and dynamics within the family added richness to the plot, making it both thought-provoking and entertaining.