Title: THE LAST PARTY
Author: Clare Mackintosh
ISBN: 978 0751 5771 12
Publisher: Sphere
Pages: 431
Source: Private – Christmas Present
At midnight, one of them is dead.
By morning, all of them are suspects.
It’s a party to end all parties, but not everyone is here to celebrate.
On New Year’s Eve, Rhys Lloyd has a house full of guests. His vacation homes on Mirror Lake are a success, and he’s generously invited the village to drink champagne with their wealthy new neighbors.
But by midnight, Rhys will be floating dead in the freezing waters of the lake.
On New Year’s Day, Ffion Morgan has a village full of suspects. The tiny community is her home, so the suspects are her neighbors, friends and family—and Ffion has her own secrets to protect.
With a lie uncovered at every turn, soon the question isn’t who wanted Rhys dead…but who finally killed him.
In a village with this many secrets, murder is just the beginning.
Official Summary
09 January 2023
After participating in the blog tour for Hostage by Clare Mackintosh in July 2022, I could not wait to read more of this author’s work. One of my Christmas presents was a copy of The Last Party – I could not wait to dig into this one. This book was my final read for 2022 – and what a brilliant book to end the year with.
When you reach for this book, you can expect a gripping read you will not be able to put down. The author tells a brilliantly captivating story that is full of twists that will keep you engrossed from the very first page.
Clare Mackintosh draws vivid images with her writing, she allows you to see the scenery. I loved the Welsh phrases she included and how she even explains the pronunciation of words. I would never have figured out that ‘CWM COED’ is actually ‘Coom Coyd’ or that ‘Wyllt’ is wild. The explanations and stunning scenery complement a captivating story that is fabulously creative. I love this book and look forward to spending more time reading this author’s work.
When a body is found during the New Year’s swim, Ffion Morgan finds herself working with the English police to solve the case. However, living in CMW COED means that everyone involved is very close to Ffion. She has known these people all her life – they have watched her grow up. But one of them committed murder. As Ffion dig for the truth she also needs to hide some things from her new partner as this murder threatens to expose her secrets.
Living in South Africa, the world in this book feels a million miles from home. I loved that this story transported me to the other side of the world while drawing me into the community of Cmw Coed. By the end of this book, I felt as if I understood the community and was left wishing I could go visit to see the beautiful setting for myself.
Ffion Morgan stole my heart. This wild child turned into a woman with a lot to hide. She appears to be a cold, distant person when you meet her, but as you spend time with her you realise that she has a reason for keeping people at arm’s length. She carries a lot on her shoulders and once she opens up, your heart breaks for what she suffered while being amazed at how strong she is.
The other characters in this book are brilliant, I loved Clemmie and the way she seemed to be just a little annoying to everyone else. Leo – Ffion’s new partner compliments her role beautifully – I loved the chemistry between these two and look forward to seeing if he will feature in the next Ffion Morgan book. The book cover proclaims to be the first DC Morgan Mystery – and I look forward to the next one.
This book was a brilliantly gripping read, and I have to say I could not pick a better book the end the year with. Yes, this one is on my loved list.
If you enjoy a scenic, twisty mystery that is full of surprises along the way, then this is a book you will not want to miss. I highly recommend you give Clare Mackintosh a try if you have not yet read one of her books. Her writing is simply superb!
Also By Clare Mackintosh
HOSTAGE
Save hundreds of lives. Or save your child?
You’re on board the first non-stop flight from London to Sydney. It’s a landmark journey, and the world is watching. Shortly after take-off, you receive a chilling anonymous note.
There are people on this plane intent on bringing it down – and you’re the key to their plan. You’d never help them, even if your life depended on it.
But they have your daughter . . . So now you have to choose.
DO YOU SAVE HUNDREDS OF LIVES? OR THE ONE THAT MATTERS MOST?
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Clare Mackintosh is the multi-award-winning author of five Sunday Times bestselling novels, including I Let You Go, which was the fastest-selling debut thriller in the year it was released. Translated into forty languages, her books have sold more than two million copies worldwide, have been New York Times and
international bestsellers and have spent a combined total of 64 weeks in the Sunday Times bestseller chart. Clare spent twelve years in the police force, including time on CID, and as a public order commander. She left the police in 2011 to work as a freelance journalist and social media consultant and is the founder of the Chipping Norton Literary Festival. She now writes full time
and lives in Wales with her husband and their three children.
I cannot believe that the first week of 2023 is at an end already. I have started 2023 at full speed posting a new review every day – I love that I get to share all my December reads with you. Thank you for stopping by and reading my review – I do not doubt that you will love this book as much as I have. I have to thank Anne Cater for introducing me to this fabulous author – I cannot wait to read more of her work. Have you read any of Clare Mackintosh’s books? Which is your favourite? Leave a comment below. Until next time… Happy Reading!
