A nice, easy read that pulled me in straight away. The first few chapters were filled with a sense of unease, throwing me right into the thick of it without any unnecessary waffle. I appreciated how quickly the tension built — no long-winded backstory, just straight into the drama. It felt fraught and fuelled by that creeping dread Boland does so well.
However, once the groundwork was laid, the pace began to lag. The middle of the book slowed down considerably, and it started to feel a little repetitive. I wouldn’t say it lost my interest completely, but it did plod along compared to the gripping start. The constant switch between “then” and “now” had the potential to keep things dynamic, but I found there wasn’t enough of a difference in tone or content to really separate the timelines. Other than the obvious — Georgia being eight years old in one and eighteen in the other — the events felt too similar. It made it harder than it should have been to stay anchored in which time frame I was reading, and that pulled me out of the story a few times.
Despite that, the final few chapters made it worth sticking with. The twist was genuinely shocking, and I love it when a book manages to surprise me. It was one of those reveals that makes you think back over earlier chapters, realising the clues were there all along, just subtle enough not to give the game away. The ending tied things up nicely, giving me the resolution I wanted while still delivering that final punch.
This isn’t a deep or complex thriller, but it doesn’t pretend to be. It’s an ideal choice for when you want something suspenseful but not too heavy. Boland’s writing is accessible, the plot is intriguing, and while the pacing isn’t perfect, it’s still a very enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.
In short, The Birthday Party is a quick, twisty domestic thriller with a fantastic beginning and a memorable ending — even if the middle does take its foot off the pedal for a while.

This is definitely a very intense and fast paced read as the danger and fear of your life changing very quickly. Addictive read and I needed to know the truth.

The book started off great then slowed down and took a while for things to get interesting again but the twists were good especially the last one

Goodness me, this was such a good book. Highly entertaining. Would definitely recommend to others, that's for sure!

My thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Birthday Party’ written by Shalini Boland in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Natalie and Theo are having an ice-skating party at Bournemouth’s Gardens to celebrate their daughter Georgia’s eighth birthday when their six-year-old niece Elle disappears. She’s seen leaving with someone wearing a brown and white dog costume but there’s no sign of Elle or the person who’s taken her.

Shalini Boland is such as exceptional writer that any novel written by her is unmissable and ‘The Birthday Party’ is no exception. It’s a thriller that’s had me gripped from start to finish as it gives an account of what happened to Elle ten years go to the present time and how her family cope with her loss. The story is involving with a complex plot, plausible characters, and enough suspense, drama and heart-stopping twists and turns to ensure I keep reading. The further I get into the plot the more the tension increases until I’ve reached the conclusion that isn’t what I was expecting and has left me open-mouthed in surprise. I’ve particularly enjoyed this novel as the story is based in areas that I know well which makes the plot even more real as I can put myself in the characters’ footsteps. I had wholeheartedly recommend this thriller that’s had me enthralled from the first page to the last.

I had zero expectations when starting this book but even if I did it would still have taken me by surprise. The twist I never saw coming and didn’t even come close to figuring it out. I loved this book

The 20th psychological thriller have read by this author and so expected this to be as exciting and well written as the previous 19……and of course,it was

Some authors you just gel with their writing and style and you can pick up their new book secure in knowing it will be good

In this book we find ourselves at a birthday party at an ice skating rink where one of the kids attending is about to go missing, the shock, dread, fear and disbelief showed by the Aunty ( Natalie ) and Uncle ( Theo ) in charge of Elle ( their neice ) is done harrowingly and when Natalies Sister, Elle’s Mum ( Jo ) arrives full on panic mode ensues

We then follow the main characters as their lives are shattered by Elle’s disappearance and although they lead their lives they never really recover

But then things take a big turn….

Set in lovely BourneMouth and the immediate surrounding area the book is none stop until the end and then the end end where the….😃well, you will see

Book 20 and still as captivating as the first book I read by this talented author

Everybody loves a good birthday party, unless you're Elle or her aunt. Did not see that coming, I could not put this read down! A kidnapped child is my worst fear and here it's brought to light by someone nobody even seen.

Shalini Boland is one of my favourite authors, so when I saw her new release The Birthday Party, I couldn’t wait to dive in and it did not disappoint. She has such a talent for crafting stories that flow effortlessly, filled with twists and turns that keep you hooked from beginning to end. This book was no exception. I loved everything about it: the gripping suspense, the well-developed characters, and wow what an ending! I definitely did not see that coming.

I will absolutely be recommending this great book to everyone I know, and I can't wait to read the author's next release. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this fantastic thriller!

The minute I know that Shalini is releasing another new book, it immediately go to the top of my want to read list. Why you ask, well it’s very simple, her books are always brilliant and amazing, full shock and entertainment value. She really knows how to write great stories and to keep her readers engaged.

So her latest The Birthday Party, another great story, well written, with some real great characters. I will admit to getting a little impatient at times, as the story began really well, was fast paced and the anticipation of what was going to happen, was all there. But then the middle part of the story, was much more slow paced and literally took an age for the next shocking or twisty moment. Don’t get me wrong, I was still very much engaged and turning those pages quickly, but I was just getting impatient with wanting to know what had become of poor little Ellie.

So overall, it was another great story and omg that twist at the end, well two twists, certainly didn’t see those coming.

this story is just so addictive it has it all. its Natalies and Theo's daughter's birthday they take her and her friends and her cousin ice skating her sister jo does not go having a night out. but only 5 go home that night Natalie s niece jo daughter Elle was abducted from the ice ring. Elle was never found. and this story will so keep you guessing. twisty and someone will do anything to get what they want.

This book is a show stopper - one I would give to my friends. I would buy multiple copies of this book for people! After reading plenty of thrillers it takes a lot these days for me to not work out the ending but this one totally got me. Overall really clever, well written and one I will be recommending. I am now going to purchase the rest of the authors books that I haven’t read yet. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early copy of the birthday party.

Married couple Natalie and Theo decide to have their daughter Georgias 8th birthday party at the local skating rink during Christmas time. Natalie’s 6 year old niece Elle goes missing. The only clue was someone dressed as a dog may have taken her.
Fast forward 10 years and Elle is still not found. Jo is devastated. She’s unable to work, lost her apartment and job then moves in with Natalie, Theo and Georgia. She also drinks, parties and sleeps around. Natalie’s guilt of not watching Elle more carefully leads her to taking care of Jo and excusing her bad behavior. Ollie is Jo’s best friend who loves her.

The chapters go from past to present. Some chapters were told from an unnamed POV who’s responsible for Elle’s disappearance. The first half of the story shows the impact of Elle’s disappearance on all the family members. There was family relationships that were strained and overwhelming guilt. The first half was slower. The second half was 10 years later and had the twists and reveals. The ending was surprising. The second half pushed my rating to a 4.

I do have to admit that Elle and Jo got on my nerves especially in the first half of the book.

Thank you #netgalley, Amazon Publishing UK

This was an absolutely incredible read and that ending made me gasp. I think the way everything was resolved at the end was incredible, but it shows how easily one bad decision can lead to many others. There were times where I suspected everyone, excpet for the actual culprit.

This is definitely one of my favourite books this year. I couldn’t put it down once I started it and finished it in almost one sitting.
It’s the perfect domestic thriller that comes packed with intriguing characters, various twists and a fabulous ending.
It’s definitely worthy of 5 stars and one that I’ll definitely be recommending to others.

Wow!!! Didn't see that coming. Probably because the character building was so good that I missed it. What a great read.

Raced through this book and what a read it was! I loved the twists, turns and even the few nasties that were in the storyline. Kept me guessing right to the end. Excellent thriller and will be looking out for other books written by this author!
Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me to read and review this book

I always enjoy reading Shalini Boland’s books, and this book was no different. It was easy to read, albeit a bit predictably. I was unfortunately able to guess the ending of the story which took a little bit of the fun away, but overall it was a good book.

Shalini Boland is one of my favourite authors and I was very pleased to receive her latest book, The Birthday Party. It was supposed to be a wonderful day full of excitement and for six young girls who gather to celebrate their friend’s birthday at an ice rink. Natalie and her husband Theo hope this will be a day the girls will remember for a long time. Not long after the worst thing imaginable happens, one of the little girls disappears, her niece, and is unable to be found. For Natalie this will be an event that haunts her for many years after her niece Ellie is the child that is never to be seen again. Desperate for Natalie enlists the help of a private investigator, someone must know something.

The book commences at a fast pace, and I was immediately drawn into the story, as always Shalini throws many surprises at us, but I do have to say that they did take a while to appear, slowing down the story in the middle of the book. However, in true form the author brings it all together and in the second half of the book everything picked up and I was at the edge of my seat as revelations were revealed and the story was brought to an exciting end. I will now look forward to what comes next from this wonderful author.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.

Another great read by Shalini. Gets straight in to the action. I really liked Natalie and the way she was written was realistic. I did guess one of the twists but not the final one!