Usually I reserve 5⭐️ for books that have an emotional impact but this one was so enjoyable and atmospheric that it feels wrong to give it any less. I was engaged and hooked on finding out what was going to happen next.

Will I remember it in vivid detail months from now? No.
Did I have an awesome time reading it and feel like I was a part of the story? Yes.

You are invited to a sweet sixteen! But not just any sweet sixteen—this is an extravagant, over-the-top celebration set deep in the heart of Texas, where the glittering party is less about the birthday girl and more about impressing work contacts, potential investors, and the adults who want to flaunt their influence. It’s a night of luxury, secrets, and ambitions, where everyone has their own agenda.

For Sophie, the birthday girl, turning sixteen should be a magical moment. But all she can think about is whether her ex, Mason, will make an appearance. It’s the one thing that might make the night feel special to her. Sophie's best friend, meanwhile, just wants to spend quality time with Sophie, hoping that the glitz and drama won't steal away their connection. Sophie's stepmother is trying to hold everything together, simply aiming to survive the night without disaster. And then there’s Sophie’s father—intent on dazzling everyone, making sure that this party is remembered not just as a sweet sixteen, but as a networking event that will elevate his status even further.

The cast of characters doesn’t end there. There’s Sophie’s estranged mother, attending reluctantly, her simmering anger barely kept in check as she navigates the night in a sea of pretentious guests. Sophie's new baby sister is there too, along with her nanny, Órlaith—who, with her thick Irish accent and deeply superstitious nature, seems to see omens around every corner. Each character is teetering on the edge, and as the night wears on, their motivations clash in unexpected ways.

As the evening begins, what should have been a carefully curated event starts to unravel. The first cracks appear—too many drinks, too many forced smiles, and far too many hidden resentments boiling beneath the surface. Fights break out; whispered insults are traded behind fake smiles. What was meant to be a sophisticated night soon spirals out of control, as tensions rise and the flawless facade starts to crumble.

And then it happens: a body falls from the balcony. The music stops, the laughter fades, and the party comes to an abrupt end. What was supposed to be an unforgettable sweet sixteen turns into a nightmare, a twisted tragedy that leaves everyone reeling. Who fell, and why? Was it an accident, or something far more sinister? As the lights dim and chaos takes hold, the truth about each guest—about their secrets, their lies, and their desires—begins to come to light.

Sophie, her friends, and her family must now face the consequences of a night that was supposed to be perfect, but instead revealed the darkness lurking just beneath the surface. With twists, betrayals, and shocking revelations, this party becomes a night that none of them will ever forget.

Just my kind of party! Hope to see you there :)

#stmartins #partyofliars #kelseycox

A sweet sixteen is the best setting for this propulsive story about interesting characters. I was drawn in from the start and needed to figure out the mystery. The writing is captivating! Well done. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I really enjoyed reading this twisty whodunnit mystery! From start to finish I was pulled into the story and easily read it in one session.

The cast of characters I think is what makes this book really standout, plenty of interesting suspects with motive. I was eagerly flipping pages and collecting clues trying to to solve the Mystery.

I'm really impressed that this was the author's debut novel and can't wait to read more from her in the future!

Thank you Kelsey Cox, Net Galley and St. Martin's Press- Minotaur Books for providing me with an ARC of this book!

During the upscale, 16th birthday of the daughter of a Texas tycoon, someone is murdered. There are plenty of suspects, and plenty of motives. If you like stories where sometimes nasty people get the treatment, they deserve, then this one is for you.

Wow! What a fun whodunnit/thriller. I am such a fan of the plot and the characters in this book. I usually always guess the twists but this one definitely left me guessing!

Great cast of characters + cool setting (the house sounds bananas) + some creepy potential ghost business = solid first 75%. I wasn’t sure where it was going and had high hopes that the ending would be something spectacular, but it unfortunately derailed into predictable thriller territory (but I enjoyed the first part enough that I’m still giving it a 3.5, rounded down).

TW: addiction, postpartum, death of a child, sexualization of teens
Wow wow wow! What a page-turner! There are definitely A LOT of characters and it felt like every time I’d decide “this one is unnecessary” they’d redeem themselves and I’d feel unnervingly attached to fictional people at a sweet sixteen party. Maybe all the high school boys were forgettable, though.
There’s an epic twist in this one, but I kind of - how to explain - felt it, like, in my bones. I could sense it. And I was honestly relived by it, because some of the other avenues felt very anti-victim, shamey, and gross to women.
This book, overall, is about power. It’s about girlhood and friendship and motherhood and the bonds that bring us all together and force us all to root for each other. This book makes you feel like you’re backed into a corner in almost every POV and all the fight feels exhaustingly real as a female reader.
This book paints beautiful pictures and unique sideplots and powerful moments. It is, at times, infuriating, but real. It felt a little YA at first, but I’d definitely say it’s adult by the end and a really well-written novel. Highly recommend this twisty debut!

This is a locked room mystery at its best. I’ve always loved these type of mysteries and this one kept me guessing and didn’t disappoint!

If you love a good domestic thriller with some helicopter parents and an affluent setting, look no further! You are going to love this incredible novel, big as Texas where it’s set.

Wow! I did not see that coming! I loved this book! It was fast-paced and interesting from beginning to end. It hits the ground running and never stops. There were so many characters and plots, I couldn't for the life of me think that it would all come together in the end, but it did and so well! No lose ends. I absolutely can't believe that this is a debut! I can't wait to see what else comes from Kelsey Cox!