I listened to the audiobook of Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox and thought it was really well done. I especially liked that it featured a full cast of narrators, with each character having their own voice—it made it much easier to follow along and keep track of who was who.

I’m a bit torn on how to rate this one. I did enjoy the story overall, and some of the twists genuinely surprised me. It’s definitely more of a slow-burn drama than a fast-paced thriller. The middle dragged a bit, and while the setup hints at a locked-room whodunnit, I wouldn’t really call it that. Still, if you’re in the mood for something twisty with a steady build, this might be a good pick!

Told from multiple points of view with great narration. There were twists I did not see coming. I liked the story and the setting of the birthday party. I liked that you got both the teenagers points of view and adults. This book is full of family and friend drama plus lots of secrets. I was hooked right away. I really recommend!

This book was such a fun twisty and turn-y story. I loved this very different female rage book.

I enjoyed the characters, I enjoyed the changing points of view, and I really loved how the story unfolded. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes a good psychologically twisty book, it's not as thriller-ish but definitely takes you through a lot of feelings and situations.

Love love love this book. Thank you for the ARC!

TW for domestic abuse, sa of a minor.

Kelsey Cox’s debut novel, Party of Liars, is a gripping psychological thriller that masterfully intertwines family drama, secrets, and suspense against the opulent backdrop of a Texas Hill Country mansion. Set during an extravagant Sweet Sixteen party, the story unfolds as a body plunges from a balcony, turning the celebration into a chilling whodunit.  

The narrative is told through multiple perspectives, including Dani, the new stepmother grappling with postpartum challenges; Kim, the embittered ex-wife; Órlaith, the enigmatic Irish nanny; and Mikayla, the birthday girl’s best friend with hidden depths. This multi-POV approach adds layers of complexity, allowing readers to delve into each character’s psyche and uncover the web of lies binding them together.

2.5 stars. This was stated to be a locked room mystery, which it is not in anyway. That was disappointing as that theme is one of my favorites to read. This should have been categorized more as a domestic drama and if the storyline had been more focused on the lives of the first wife and the second wife, this would have been really good. Some of the parts with the 16 year olds made the storyline seem a little YA like. I did kind of like the slow unveiling of the story and wondering who was murdered and by whom. Unfortunately, the ending took away the excitement of the reveal and left me as a reader wanting to read people's reactions and see the initial outcome of all the truths coming out. I liked the narration throughout telling this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC!

OMG. I could not stop listening to this book! It had twists and turns galore. Just when I thought I knew who the biggest jerk of the group was, something else came to light. When I was positive I knew who crashed the party (literally!), another piece of the puzzle had me questioning myself. This was the definition of a thriller, and it kept me on the edge of my seat.

The narration cast did a fantastic job with the characters' voices, which made them feel like real people.

I'm going to be recommending this book to all my friends!

Slow start, but once the ball gets rolling, it was fun. I liked all the connections, it got a little redundant with the vague references to past events before they're shared which is a personal grievance, but overall, quick and fun and I liked all the different POVs

Thank you Netgalley and Minatour Books for my copy of Party of Liars.

The title immediately caught my attention......Party of Liars, heck yeah I am all. This is a story of a Sweet 16 birthday party gone terribly wrong. Sophie Matthews’s sixteenth birthday party, an exclusive black-tie bash in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, where secrets are as deep-rooted as the sprawling live oaks. Sophie’s dad has spared no expense, and his renovated cliffside mansion―once thought haunted and shuttered for years from outsiders―is now hosting the event of the season. Then, just before the candles on the three-tiered red velvet cake are blown out, a body falls from the balcony onto the starlit dance floor below.

This locked room, duel timeline book didnt know if it wanted to be a ghost story, mystery, or suspense. It was slow but dmI stuck with it because my favorite narrator, Saskia Maaleveld was one of the multiple narrators. This is a cute introduction to suspense for newbies to the genre.

Kelsey Cox has hit a home run with this book!
A great fast paced story that is set at a 16yr old’s birthday party. One guest doesn’t make it out alive. The character’s are all so interesting and well developed throughout this page turner. The ending is great too! I look forward to more books from Kelsey Cox!


Thanks to Netgalley for this eArc!

this was soooo good on audio! i think this is one of those mystery/thrillers where if you don’t connect to the characters, there’s a good chance you may not care about what happens. the build up is incredibly slow, but i enjoyed the storytelling so much that it worked. there wasn’t a whole lot of plot twist so much as a slow revelation, but i think it worked really well with this story!

This one was fun! Texas mansion... a sweet sixteen party ... the drama! If you find family drama entertaining, you may want to pick this one up!

I absolutely loved this book. The multiple POVs kept me guessing and trying to see where the winding path was leading me. The writing was perfect, transitioning from old women to teenager to mom seamlessly. The ending made me smile and really closed any potential loop hole. 5 stars all the way.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

NetGalley Arc book. I loved this book. While the whole book took place at a birthday party, it did have flashbacks. I loved Dani and her nanny and just when I thought I had it figured out, a huge twist I didn’t see coming. Once I got over that twist there was another huge one. The characters were like-able they all had flaws, or did they??

Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox is a fast-paced, twist-filled thriller that had me on the edge of my seat from the very first chapter. The story follows a tangled web of secrets, lies, and betrayal as multiple characters’ lives collide in dangerous and unexpected ways. Told through multiple POVs, the plot unfolds with layers of mystery that will keep readers guessing until the final page.

What I loved most about this book was how engaging and well-paced the story was. There was never a dull moment—every chapter delivered action, surprises, and emotional depth. The dialogue felt natural, and the characters were distinct and compelling. I appreciated the way the story jumped between perspectives; it added depth and helped the twists land with even more impact. I was absolutely glued to the story and couldn’t put it down.

There wasn’t much I disliked—if anything, I only wish I could have spent more time with some of the characters, especially as the story ramped up. But overall, this was a thrilling and immersive read.

I listened to the audiobook, which was excellently narrated by a talented cast: Dan Bittner, Kate Handford, Pearl Hewitt, Saskia Maarleveld, and Suzy Jackson. The narration was clear and well-paced, and it was easy to distinguish between the characters, which really enhanced the listening experience. It was truly one of those audiobooks that makes you want to keep your headphones in all day.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance listening copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was great! It held my attention right from the beginning. I listened to the audiobook and finished it in two sittings! The narrators were fantastic and really brought the story to life. The book keeps you guessing and accusing everyone. I loved the ending!

2.5/5⭐️

This book had a lot of great build up and suspense, and the ending was great!

I did have a LOT of questions throughout the book that were never answered and I found it hard to follow along at points. I thought about DNF at multiple points throughout the book, but I hate doing that so I didn’t. Around 60%, the book did pick up and I started enjoying it a lot more.
I probably wouldn’t recommend this one unfortunately. I really did want to love it, and would definitely give the author another chance!

So many characters and I still loved this book. A divorce, a stepmom, a teenager, a new baby, a nanny, friends.. lots of deceit, poor choices and alterior motives. Finished in a day as I was hooked!

ALC review

“Party of Liars” by Kelsey Cox is a psychological domestic thriller combined with a murder mystery.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

The main part of the story takes place during Sophie's sweet sixteen party.
Her parents are divorced and her father remarried and had a baby girl.
The party takes place in his huge house and before the end of the part someone falls from the balcony.

I listened to the audiobook and liked it a lot.
It is narrated by Dan Bittner, Kate Handfor d, Pearl Hewitt, Saskia Maarleveld and Suzy Jackson.
I am glad that there is a different narrator for each POV because it is easier to identify the character.
All the narrators did a great job bringing the characters to life and adding emotion.
My favorite is Saskia Maarleveld that narrates Kim, Sophie's mom.
The other perspectives are:
- Ethan - Sophie's dad
- Dani - his new (younger) wife
- Orlaith - the mysterious nanny
- Mikayla - Sophie's best friend, that hides some secrets

I enjoyed the way the story is told, though many eyes and with flashbacks that build the suspense.
Each character had was hiding something and the twists are unexpected.
This is an entertaining read filled with drama and tension.

Overall I recommend this book and the audio is a treat.

Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox is a gripping listen, packed with twists and turns that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, adding layers of suspense as secrets are gradually revealed during an extravagant Sweet Sixteen party. The narration is strong, with a full cast that brings each character to life and enhances the immersive atmosphere. Overall, this audiobook is a solid choice for anyone who enjoys fast-paced thrillers with plenty of surprises and engaging performances.

I absolutely devoured this book. The story was told so well and kept me guessing. Truly unputdownable. Centered around a Texas sweet sixteen, a house haunted by a mourning mother, and rich people behaving very badly, Party of Liars is a sinister treat for any reader.

audiobook review: Holy cow, I love this audiobook. Saskia Maarleveld is an automatic buy for me, so of course I was a huge fan of her portray of Kim, but the rest of the cast was so good. Highly recommend for the picky audiobook listeners like me. Probably a top five for me.

Five stars -- Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest review.