A sweet sixteen birthday party in the Texas hill country goes terribly wrong - when a body falls from a balcony. But who is it? and why did they have to die? Listened to an audio version of this one - it had several different narrators for each POV. The story is told by Irish nanny, Orlaith, Kim (the ex-wife), Mikeyla, BFF of the birthday girl, and Dani - the new wife and stepmother to the birthday girl, Sophie. Although a nicely done cast narration, I felt the story took too long to tell, and I was chomping at the bit for a resolution. No one is exactly who they claim to be, and parts of the story are a bit preposterous. A fun, summertime thriller - but could have been shorter! Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reader copy.

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This was a slow-burn mystery that occurs over the course of a day-long sweet sixteen birthday party for Sophie, with flashbacks involving almost the entire cast of characters. The mansion high on the hill towering over the town has always been the source of curiosity. The main characters are:

DANI: Sophie’s new stepmother who’s been plagued by self-doubt ever since the birth of her own baby girl

ÓRLAITH: the superstitious Irish nanny who senses a looming danger in this cavernous house

MIKAYLA: the birthday girl’s best friend who is not nearly as meek as the popular kids assume

KIM: the cunning ex-wife who has a grudge she can’t let go of . . .

The party is a drunken, sloppy affair where secrets and suspicions flow as fast as the drinks. No one is spared the hurt, guilt, and embarrassment of other's actions. It doesn't help that Dani's husband thinks she's going crazy and Dani isn't sure he's not wrong. The house is another creepy character in the story and if I was Dani, I would have moved out long ago.

The book moves a bit slow for me and the constant hints and foreshadowing got a bit too much. I didn't start getting any kind of real idea what the book was even about until well over half-way through, which was annoying. But, that's just a me thing. I get restless easily and like much more action in my books. Others may enjoy the way the author dripped, dripped, dripped the story to the reader, letting them speculate what was going to happen and to whom.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Press. All opinions are my own.

3.75⭐️

A twisty story with multiple POVs and interconnected timelines. Sophie Matthews is turning 16 and her father and her stepmother are hosting a birthday party for her, inviting many of their friends, Ethan (the dad)’s ex wife, Sophie’s friends, and many more. With a mix of a whodunit and who is the victim made it more interesting.

On the surface, many of the characters seem unlovable and self important, but the further you get into the story, the deeper they get.

I will say that I assumed the victim pretty early on, but it was still a fun ride and I truly wasn’t sure who killed them until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

This party gone wrong I mean PARTY OF LIARS came out on July 1 !

Thank you @netgalley for the early copy that I’ve failed to get out sooner.

Personally this book was a little long for me as I was often times thinking please get to the point already, however the ending was an adrenaline rush that made me rethink starting this one over and reading it again!!

Don’t pass up this fast-paced, locked room, debut thriller with plenty of drama, gaslighting, and jaw-dropping twists! This unputdownable page-turner has a multilayered plot with depth and complexity and well developed untrustworthy characters to keep you second guessing the whole story. It is told in multiple POVs and dual timelines of days leading up to the party and the hours afterwards. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I devoured it plus it got me out of a massive reading slump! It caught my attention from the start and held it to the very end. I loved that it had short chapters that ended on cliffhangers and an ending I didn’t see coming!

The full cast of audiobook narrators created a top notch immersive experience. They did a phenomenal job delivering a flawless performance and giving all of these characters their own unique voice which helped keep it entertaining and interesting. Their pacing and tone were spot on and really helped bring the characters and story to life.

Thank you @stmartinspress, @minotaur_books, @macmillan.audio, and @netgalley for the #gifted ARC and ALC.. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is a wild ride! It starts a little slow and there are a LOT of characters to keep up with but keep reading... you'll become familiar with the characters in no time, and you won't want to put this book down! It's the story of a teenage girl's sixteenth birthday party but there's so much more going on in the characters' lives and they're all intertwined. It's complex and there are many twists I didn't see coming! The ending was unexpected but also very satisfying. I enjoyed getting to know what made each of these characters tick and how every single person had their secrets and reasons for doing everything they did. I enjoyed the author's storytelling and writing style and will definitely seek out more books by them in the future. This was a great read!

This was such a good thriller, and when I tell you that my jaw DROPPED at the end…

I enjoyed everything about this book. The chapters were short and included multiple POVs that were all intriguing and added to the story. There were so many pieces of the plot, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, another piece was thrown in there.

The characters had depth to them, and I was constantly changing my mind on who I loved and hated. It was a wild ride, that’s for sure.

The setting was also brilliant. A giant house on the hill with one side made of glass, almost as if it’s a life-sized dollhouse. I don’t know, something about that just really creeped me out. You never know who might be watching.

I recommend you check this one out if you want an addictive and fast-paced thriller.

Thank you to Minotaur Books for my gifted copy!

What do you get when you mix a black tie sweet sixteen birthday party, a group of teenagers, divorced parents, a new wife, an odd nanny, and a lot of alcohol in a haunted house? A Party of Liars!
This book is written with multiple points of view, which adds a lot of dimension to this slow burn thriller. This original and captivating story has strong character development. There are characters I liked who originally were good and likable, who transformed into villains, and some that did the opposite.
There are many chapters, and the bouncing back and forth of the timeline made the flow a bit bumpy.
There were a few parts of the storyline that were severely underdeveloped, which impacted the quality of the overall novel. I wanted more connection between ‘The Mother’, the haunted mansion, and the characters. The Mother should have been a bigger part, and it felt very loosely woven into the story, almost as if it was added as an afterthought or a main idea when brainstorming that got lost when new ideas came along. There is a character who is admitted to the hospital without a reason for her admission. This is triggering. We need answers, not plot holes.
I loved that when you thought the book was wrapping up nicely, a big twist was thrown in that I never saw in advance! That saved the book for me.
I had no idea this was Kelsey's first novel. The beginning started so well. Her writing style of scenes and character descriptions is great. I wish the editor or publisher had insisted on working out a few details. A Party of Liars is so close to being amazing.

Thank you, NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Kelsey Cox, for the opportunity to read this digital ARC for my honest review.

This was fun! It took a while to get into the action but once it did it kept me engaged til the end.

There was no shortage of lies in this one. It was very entertaining but I found it to be too YA for me. Thank you to netgalley for the arc.

Party Of Liars is a tour-de-force of a thriller around an old Texas mansion with an infamous history. I love when houses are basically the main character of a book and this one is quite the creepy one. The Dollhouse has recently been purchased by a couple (Dani the famous baker with a influential Instagram account, and Ethan the psychiatrist). They are throwing a lavish sweet sixteen at the house to Ethan's daughter. The whole town is invited and all wanted to see what the house looks on the inside, and see for themselves if they feel the presence of The Mother.
I could not put this book down, it had me on the edge of my seat, and I enjoyed every single POV; all characters were intriguing, even though my favorites were Orlaith the Irish nanny, and Kim (Ethan's ex wife). I absolutely did not see the ending coming. It was so good, so emotional, and it will speak to all mothers.

This book was the perfect little thriller. I really enjoyed it. I think Dani was an awesome character that portrayed new motherhood so well. The plot twist was amazing. I didn’t predict the book’s ending, but I think it was well laid out. The house and its mysteries were something to keep you on your toes. Overall, very good read! I would pick up another book by this author for sure. Great debut!

What a party! If you haven’t read this one yet, what have you been doing? Party of Liars is a great summer read. This is a debut novel? Keep writing Kelsey Cox.

This book tells the story of a lavish Sweet Sixteen birthday party. Ethan and Kim’s daughter Sophie is the guest of honour. The sprawling estate to which the party is thrown has been rumoured to be haunted for years. Ever since her parents divorced, Ethan and his new wife Dani and baby Charlotte now live in the house. Along with the odd Irish Nanny. Tragedy strikes, and then the real games begin. Is it the house? Or the crazy people in it?

The story is told in multiple POV’s and in multiple timelines. The chapters are short ( I love that ) and the writing was absolutely great. I loved her story telling and the characters she created.
It started off a bit slow for me, but boy does it pick up. Some jaw dropping twists along the way. Ending was fantastic!
Highly, highly recommend this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books/St. Martin’s Press for the early copy.

I received a free digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I freaking loved this one!

Sophie's dad Ethan has spared no expense for her sweet sixteen birthday party. It will be a night that no one will ever forget - not least of all because of the body that falls from the balconey to the dance floor just as Sophie is about to blow out the candles on her cake.

Do not be fooled by the cover or the fact that this takes place at a teen's birthday party, it is not YA - which I thought it was at first. This is not a knock on YA, I love the genre, but this book turned out to be so much deeper than I thought it would be, with a cast of characters who are flawed, intriguing, enigmatic, and so much more.

Over a decade ago Ethan and his first wife, Kim, purchased the dilapitated Victorian mansion deep in the Hill Country of Texas. With over one hundred years of history, it's no surprise that there are rumors of the house being haunted, and most locals have avoided the place for as long as they've lived there.

Fast forward to Sophie's birthday, which is hosted in the gorgeously renovated mansion by Ethan and her step-mother, Dani. Sophie's mom Kim is also attending the party. Then there is the ever-present nanny, Orlaith, hired to care for Ethan and Dani's new baby, Charlotte. Sophie's best friend Mikayla, her ex-boyfriend Mason, and a variety of other characters fill out the cast. All will have varying degrees of importance at different times in the story, as it is split into three parts.

The 'Before the Party' introduces us to our four narrators: Dani, Orlaith, Kim, and Mikayla. We get to know each of these women very well as we observe events through their eyes and are privy to their thoughts and secrets.

Dani is Sophie's step-mom and recently gave birth to Charlotte. She feels like she's failing at everything and sees a psychiatrist - who happens to be her husband's best friend. No conflict of interest AT ALL there. Dani is convinced someone is stalking her and wants Charlotte for themselves. Rumors of the house being haunted by 'the mother' do not help at all as odd things keep happening in their home. It's incredibly easy to have so much empathy for a woman who is clearly drowning but trying her best to not let it show. She's put her dream of opening a bakery on hold and settles for social media to showcase her talent for now.

Kim is Sophie's mom, Ethan's ex-wife. She's got a bit of a drinking problem and a habit of holding onto grudges forever - as she should, perhaps. She's definitely angry at Ethan, this was once her home after all, too. But she's going to try her best (maybe) to hold it all together for Sophie's big night - if she can control her rage and her alcohol intake. At times it is harder to have empathy for Kim, you want to shake her and just tell her to stop drinking for ONE NIGHT. But she deserves that empathy as much as Dani.

Mikayla is Sophie's best friend, though perhaps she's not been quite as good of a friend as Sophie thought. There's a side to her that none of her friends have seen before and it's possible her secrets will come out at the party.

Last but certainly not least is my favorite, Orlaith. She's the Irish nanny who perceives danger around every corner. Rumors about the house have circulated for decades, and there has to be a reason. She knows something is not right in the home and will protect Charlotte, and anyone else who needs her, at all costs.

Sometimes an author runs the risk of characters sounding alike with multiple narrators, but that was not the case here at all. Each lead was her own fully fleshed out person. It's been a while since I've read a multi-POV book and have not had to go back and see who is narrating at least once or twice. But here, each female has such a unique voice and situation, though they're so closely entwined, that there is no trouble telling them apart.

The majority of the action takes place in part two. We see events unfold in real time and as we move from character to character, slowly each layer of the mystery is peeled back as the pieces quickly or slowly move into place.

The third part takes place after the party, where we get other points of view from more minor characters, which adds to some of the confusion for those who don't know what's really happened. There was so much I did not see coming.

I feel like the pacing was fantastic, especially for a book where most of the story takes place in a span of a few hours. Things were constantly happening and bummer for you if you weren't paying attention. The tension is constantly building, because between Dani and Orlaith, there is clearly something not right about the house. Whether it's a paranormal cause, or another human toying with them, it's impossible to tell.

It was so hard to tell who to trust, which is what made it so difficult to determine who the killer was. Each narrator was complex and had things they were hiding, so it felt like with each chapter I was constantly changing my mind about who was capable of murder. At that same time, all of the woman had motive, and would have been well within their right to do something drastic.

I can happily say I was wrong a lot. I'd keep changing my mind, sure that I had it figured out THIS TIME, and then boom! New information.

This was a fantastically written novel, don't let the sparkly cover fool you. It's not a cheap thriller that you'll forget about when it's over. You get to know the characters so well, and there are several themes that weave their way throughout the story - focuses on mental health, the dark side of motherhood we don't talk about enough, the deep feelings of regret and rage.

You won't necessarily like all the characters, but you'll definitely feel empathy and respect.

Highly, highly recommended.

Sophie Matthews is turning 16 and her father and stepmother Dani are throwing her an over the top party at their possibly haunted cliffside mansion they call home. The guest list includes some of San Antonio's most elite, as well as Sophies mother, Kim, and her friends and cheer squad. The party ends when someone falls to their death. but the rest of the story is told through alternating points of view from the day before the party through the deadly conclusion. This definitely read like a debut and I felt there was a lot of filler. I did a mixture of listening to the audiobook and reading the galley and felt that the audiobook flowed much smoother. Overall an enjoyable thriller with lots of predictable moments, but will be looking forward to Cox's next book!

I couldn't put this one down!
🥂 Multiple points of view
🥂 So many lies
🥂 Tension builds (what exactly happened at the end of this party?!)
🥂 Unreliable narrator
🥂 Family drama

There is so much underlying tension, bad blood, and secrets between these characters. This is a page turner! The multiple points of view really keep the story moving.

Thank you @netgalley, @stmartinspress & @minotaur_books for sending me this book for review. Opinions are my own.
“A lavish, Texas-sized Sweet Sixteen turns deadly in this twisty, pulse-pounding new novel – serving up a fresh take on a classic locked-room whodunnit. Let the festivities begin…”
This debut novel absolutely delivered on the drama, secrets, and suspense. Set at a lavish Sweet 16 in the Texas Hill County, Party of Liars gave me everything I love in a locked-room mystery: a glamorous setting, a house full of secrets, and a tangled web of motives.
Told from four points of view – a young stepmother, a superstitious Irish nanny, a not-so-meek best friend, and a spiteful ex-wife – every character had something to hide, and honestly, any of them could’ve done it. I was so sure I’d figured it out multiple times…and every time it was clearly too obvious and I was wrong. Bonus points for the fact that we don’t even know who the victim is for most of the book.
I totally get why this one has become a bit of a Bookstagram darling. I grabbed my invited copy just before pub date after seeing so many amazing early reviews and it didn’t disappoint.
Also, I’ve heard the audiobook has a full cast, so if you’re into audio, this one might be even more immersive that way.
Highly recommend for fans of locked-room mysteries and multi-POV thrillers, especially when set against the backdrop of a glamorous estate party.

Definitely enjoyed this one! The cast of characters felt really well-balanced -- there were enough perspectives to make things interesting and raise suspicion in different places, but it was still very manageable in terms of number of storylines. It kept me guessing the whole time, and I thought the ending was pretty clever. The setting was fun too, gave it a little glitz without going overboard.
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Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and MetGalley for the ARC of Party of Liars in exchange for an honest review.

I genuinely loved this book so much more than I ever expected. From the very beginning, I enjoyed how easily this book flowed. The way in which it is written truly makes it feel like a page turner that you’re reading at warp speed. Just effortlessly flowing through the narrative of 4 different party guests. Starting out, the reader is acutely aware that at this sweet sixteen party someone dies. However, you are not made aware of who dies or why. The story flips through present day, the night of the party, and an even a more distant past that has shaped each character into who they are today.

Our character plot is primarily made up of Sophie, our birthday girl. Kim, the mother of our birthday girl, who is divorced from Sophie’s father, Ethan, and has her own deep seated set of issues with alcohol abuse. We also have Dani, the new (much younger) wife of Ethan who has recently given birth to their new daughter and seems to be struggling with some mental health issues postpartum. We also have Mikayla, Sophie’s outsider best friend and finally Orlaith, the old Irish nanny taking care of Charlotte, the new baby. As the party surges on, new secrets emerge from each character and you begin to see how each character is intertwined in a twisted game of fate that I did not anticipate.

When I say the storytelling here is exceptional, I mean it in every sense of the word. An unreliable narrator is my favorite and in this book, we have a whole host of them! I honestly did not see the ending coming and there were several twists that made me think “this is genius!” I don’t want to give anymore away, but I strongly encourage you to go out and pick this one up. If I had the time, I would have read this all in one sitting. It was that good!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book started off with a bang, literally! I honestly thought I wasn't going to like it and thought it was going to be teen boppy. It was surprisingly written well. It has 4 narrators with different timelines which always takes a bit to get used to but brought it all together. I found parts, lots of parts that didn't seem to have any thriller elements but I did just kept going. The shorts chapters also make it easy to want to keep going. Overall good debut