The Engagement Party, by Finley Turner, focuses on a rather dreaded engagement party thrown by the Sedgemont family for their somewhat estranged son Murray, to Kass, his fiancé,after their whirlwind romance. This pretentious, haughty, aloof family is definitely not welcoming and is filled with animosity towards one another. Kass, has been warned off her quick engagement to Murray, by her friends who think there are enough red flags to warrant waiting.

Upon arriving, Kass is stunned to discover that the Sedgemont family is amongst the elite in North Carolina and the party will feature the most prestigious members of society. With preparations in motion, Kass begins to receive threatening messages and her past comes to light when a murder occurs the night of the party.

This story is a sordid affair with lies, deceit, debauchery, dark secrets and an eerie atmosphere. This domestic thriller is rather unrealistic and predictable, but still carries the disturbing tension and suspense you’d hope for in a thriller. Though it is not wholly original, it is fast-paced and engaging.

I have been obsessed with reading lately...

I mean, I always was but this time it's completely different.

I find myself waking up early, staying up late, canceling plans and dismissing my chores just to read. I can't help it. The approvals I have been granted lately have me with the "can't wait" feeling.

I have yet to read a book in the past two weeks that I did not connect with. Every single book I have had in my hands has been incredible.

The Engagement Party

Now, this book that literally blew my mind.

As I said I have been reading non stop but this book made me stop dead in my tracks. Whoa! Where did Finley Turner come from and where has she been my whole life? This author is a mastermind when it comes to delivering a 5 star hit.

The Engagement Party is juicy, deceitful and oh so twisted! I gobbled this book on up in one sitting !

After concluding The Engagement Party, I feverishly stalked Turner via internet to be mind blown yet again…. This is a debut!

Yes, you could classify me as being obsessed.

Here is a little teaser :

A lavish engagement party turns deadly and the bride-to-be is the primary suspect in this heart-stopping thriller exploring the dark underbelly of the uber wealthy and just how far people will go for revenge, in the vein of Sarah Pinborough and Ruth Ware.

Kass Baptiste is newly engaged to her fiancé Murray Sedgemont after a whirlwind romance. Before they even get to share the news, an invitation arrives via messenger - to an engagement party hosted by Murray’s parents. When Kass and Murray arrive at the Sedgemont Estate, she is astonished to learn that Murray’s family is one of the most powerful families in North Carolina. As Kass’s future mother-in-law, Beatrice, whips herself into a frenzy over the perfect party for the state’s elite, Kass begins to receive anonymous threatening social media messages.

On the night of the event, as champagne is popped and the celebrations begin, a body is found in the lavish home. All eyes are on Kass, the interloper amongst the rich and powerful guests. Over the course of the party , Kass’s dark past unexpectedly becomes intertwined with the murder, and in order to prove her innocence, she must finally come to terms with her secrets.

As Murray’s family secrets are revealed, Kass must prove herself innocent while evading the anonymous threats that haunt her every move.

The Engagement Party takes a long time to get going. For most of the book it's just a really naive woman making mistakes and bad decisions while being treated like dirt by her soon to be, excessively wealthy, in-laws. Pretty standard she-isn't-good-enough-to-join-our-family stuff. There were hints to a past that was pretty well revealed long before she finally faced it. Then it just all went nuts. So many coincidences and overreactions lead to a muddled ending. It was a quick read that did not tax the brain.

The Engagement Party takes a long time to get going. For most of the book it's just a really naive woman making mistakes and bad decisions while being treated like dirt by her soon to be, excessively wealthy, in-laws. Pretty standard she-isn't-good-enough-to-join-our-family stuff. There were hints to a past that was pretty well revealed long before she finally faced it. Then it just all went nuts. So many coincidences and overreactions lead to a muddled ending. It was a quick read that did not tax the brain.

EXCERPT: Lightning illuminated the room again and I noticed a warped baseboard that ran under the window. It was lifted slightly from the wall. Although I was certain it was probably just from humidity, it gave me an idea. Older houses often had small doorways for crawlspace or attic access. Maybe there was one in my room.
I dragged my fingers along the wood paneling, searching for a divot, a crack, anything to indicate there was a hidden doorway. The wood was smooth beneath my fingers, but as I got closer to the dark shadows in the corner, it changed. It was growing cooler now, clammy to the touch. I pulled my hands away and touched my fingertips together. There was definitely moisture.
I returned my hand to the wall and felt again, pushing harder this time. I recoiled as my fingers sank easily into the disintegrating wood, as if I were digging in freshly turned soil.
This house was not as perfect as it seemed. It was rotting from the inside, from secrets and betrayals. Just like this family. Just like me.

ABOUT 'THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY': Kass Baptiste is newly engaged to her fiancé Murray Sedgemont after a whirlwind romance. Before they even get to share the news, an invitation arrives via messenger - to an engagement party hosted by Murray’s parents. When Kass and Murray arrive at the Sedgemont Estate, she is astonished to learn that Murray’s family is one of the most powerful families in North Carolina. As Kass’s future mother-in-law, Beatrice, whips herself into a frenzy over the perfect party for the state’s elite, Kass begins to receive anonymous threatening social media messages.

On the night of the event, as champagne is popped and the celebrations begin, a body is found in the lavish home. All eyes are on Kass, the interloper amongst the rich and powerful guests. Over the course of the party, Kass’s dark past unexpectedly becomes intertwined with the murder, and in order to prove her innocence, she must finally come to terms with her secrets.

As Murray’s family secrets are revealed, Kass must prove herself innocent while evading the anonymous threats that haunt her every move.

MY THOUGHTS: This was a debut novel, and the author definitely shows promise with her writing, but I didn't love this. A lot of the plot centered on things that were absolutely unbelievable and or unpalatable to me.

The story goes like this - whirlwind romance, move in together to save money, quick engagement (with a 3-carat diamond? - refer step 2) - meet the family who are filthy rich - murder.

There's a lot of alcohol involved and some drugs.

Of course, there is a storm that takes out the power, and an ineffectual police presence, hidden passages, and some creepy family members. And then, ta-da (drum roll please!) Charity finds out her fiancé isn't quite who she though he was. Her response? Drink more alcohol. Oh, and interfere with the murder scene. It all gets a bit messy, and less than twenty-four hours after finishing, I can't actually remember how the book ended.

Both plot and characters could have done with a lot more development, a lot less alcohol and a lot more subtlety.

⭐⭐.5

#TheEngagementParty #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Finley Turner is a debut thriller writer. Initially convinced she wanted to be a professor, she got her master's in religious studies at Wake Forest University, focusing on new religious movements, cults, and religious violence. During her program, she applied for a student position in the university library and quickly realized she would rather be an academic librarian than be at the front of a classroom teaching. She worked as an archivist at Wake Forest University for six years after getting her masters in library and information science from UNC Greensboro. She now writes and parents full time. Finley lives in North Carolina, with her family.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Engagement Party by Finley Turner for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

The Engagement Party is a domestic thriller. It has everything you would expect. Wealthy privileged family with lots of secrets. Poor girl attracts wealthy boy who pretends he is not on good terms with his family. An engagement party that is over the top with shallow people who attend and finally a murder.

This sounded so much better in the promo than what actually in the book. The story is told in a first-person POV story. Kassandra is excited to meet Murray's family. But what she finds when she arrives is a snob for her future mother-in-law. Brothers who drink too much and a father who appears to be run by his wife.

The has disaster written all over the weekend festivities. Philip, Murray's father, announces his retirement and Beau, a non-family member will take over the reins of the family business. Beau ends up murdered and Kassandra will be in a fight to save her life.

Sorry, but this was predictable and not nearly as riveting as suggested.

Thank you to NetGalley for introducing me to this author’s debut novel.

After a short engagement Kass and Murray go to his families home, which is an really an estate. Sedgemont Estate is in North Carolina and she Kass realizes her finances family is very wealthy. He has always said he was not close to them so when send him an invitation to “their engagement party”, it’s a shock because he never told them.
Shortly after showing up Kass begins getting threatening social media messages. As the party begins a body is found. Who could have wanted to kill this person? What has Kass gotten herself into? Family secrets run rampant in this novel.

Thank you to Crooked Lane and Finley for an advance copy of The Engagement Party.

Kass and Murray have had a whirlwind romance culminating in an engagement just four short months after getting together. While still having their own private celebration, a letter arrives inviting them to an engagement party…THEIR engagement party, hosted by Murray’s parents. Upon arriving to North Carolina, Kass is informed that Murray’s family is wealthy, one of the wealthiest in the state. The Sedgmont’s are a force to be reckoned with and Kass isn’t sure that she has what it takes to join the ranks. As the evening of the party arrives and the house is flooded with guests, a dead body turns up making every guest a suspect.

On top of these things, Kass is also dealing with some of her own drama privately - anonymous messages to her social media account that started after her engagement. Is this a jealous ex of hers or Murray’s or someone hell bent on bringing Kass’s most devastating memory to light?

Anyone who has taken a peek at my reading history knows that I cannot resist a story that centers around rich people problems. The decadence and facade juxtaposition is one of my favorites that I doubt I’ll ever tire of.


This story was chock full of secrets - both the rich and not-so-rich were keeping important pieces of their pasts from each other. I couldn’t quite tell where the angle would be, and I think the addition of Kass’ mysterious messages was a great way to keep readers guessing if this was a family incident or something that involved the newest member.

I didn’t particularly like Kass. She was rough around the edges and quite shady in her own right while playing that she was not much more than an innocent target in everything. I actually did quite like the Sedgmont family, even though they gave me a slimy feeling like I should take a shower…this probably goes back to that whole personality trait of being absolute trash for rich people problems!

Finley did a great job at building suspense and even throwing in a little bit of a suspenseful horror feeling in the final act. The atmosphere came together nicely and I was completely sucked in and on the edge of my seat.

There were some small plot ‘holes’ that I wish I’d gotten more information on, but that’s not uncommon in a thriller and I don’t think having my guesses confirmed/denied would add or remove anything from the story. At the end of the day these types of whodunnits are supposed to be fun engrossing reads and it was 100% successful in that.

This is a debut novel, and I think Finley was successful in it and look forward to a sophomore release.

This one sounded right up my alley and I love suspense books that take place in a big, old house. The characters were very stereotypical "rich" people and the main character seemed immature/naïve. The mystery behind her wasn't well developed and the turn her fiancé made wasn't believable. Once things were revealed the book ended suddenly. It was just an ok read for me, but I would try the author again.

The Engagement Party is a solid, entertaining suspense. I enjoyed it, but, having said that, it's not a "wow" book. It follows a fairly standard fall in love, there's some intense drama, it works out kind of plot. Kass is a little more naive than I would have expected. Who doesn't have any idea about her fiancee's family, even from a casual internet search. I'm giving it a three-star rating, because it is a good book, but it's just not a must-know kind of book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This is about a newly engaged couple that are invited to the man’s family home in North Carolina for a party to celebrate their engagement. This will be the first time the woman will meet her new fiance’s family.
It does not go well. And then takes a turn for the worse.

Sometimes a dramatic thriller about the filthy rich hits just right, and that was the case with this one. It's quickly paced, features an over-the-top mansion setting and an incredibly wealthy family with secrets, and a protagonist who is harboring deep secrets of her own. Thoroughly enjoyable.

3.5 stars

When Kass gets engaged to her boyfriend Murray, she thinks her happily-ever-after is about to begin, instead after receiving a mysterious invitation to an engagement party thrown by his estranged family, Kass soon discovers that his family is uber-rich- and uber shady. Then someone dies, and Kass, an outsider to the glittering world of the 1% is the top suspect. Because not only was Murray hiding something, but Kass was too. And both their secrets could be the end of them.

I did enjoy reading this book: it had a great storyline and a great foreboding atmosphere. You were waiting for the “big bomb” to drop the entire time you were reading. And when the big twists came, they were pretty good. I enjoyed Kass’ deep dive into the insanity of the the insanely wealthy and powerful. And I did not guess that ending. It came out of left field for me. But in a good way.

But there were times I was like, “was she living under a rock or something?” I mean [MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD] why did she think he was struggling to pay rent when he bought her a three-carat ring? That thing had to be the size of a bowling ball, and she thought dude was poor? Please. And her rolling around the cringe scene? Woooow.

But aside from these, um, discretions, I did enjoy the book. Like I said, it was a fun foray into a different world and the mystery was really good, all things considered. I did not guess that ending!

I definitely recommend this book!

For me this was a miss. The story felt choppy and toward the end it started feeling like a wheel fell off a cart. Bumpy and all over the place. To me it read more like YA. The characters were all unlikeable and I don’t normally hate but the main character especially was a mess. So many poor choices one after another to the point of it being laughable. It was a fast read but not a satisfying one.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for a honest opinion. 2.5⭐️

For the most part, The Engagement Party is a well-written, tense debut thriller, full of secrets and untrustworthy characters. Toward the end, however, it begins to suffer from an overabundance of thriller cliches and even suspending disbelief as much as possible doesn't quite get you where you need to be. There are some unsettling moments that stand out and a couple of twists that do catch you off guard, so that was enjoyable, and I think Turner has the ability to be successful. This book just fell a bit short for me overall.

Good mystery with a totally surprise ending - did not see the "who dun it" till the end!

Great plot - good character descriptions. Definitely a good first book. Would definitely read more from this author.

Great thriller. Solid writing. Easy to follow characters and still twisty enough! Will read more from this Author!

Murray and Kass are thrilled to be engaged but when a sudden invitation appears from Murray's family to attend an engagement party in their honour, Kass is nervous. She is yet to meet her new inlaws. What will they think of her? And what will they be like? 

I enjoyed reading this book though it did get a little hard to follow with so many characters to keep track of. The book did veer into slightly unbelievable territory towards the end, which I did not love, but I do think this is expected with the majority of thrillers. This was a solid debut from this author! I look forward to reading what she comes out with next.

This book did not flow well for me and although liked the premise felt when started it was reading a YA book,I fail to believe in 2023 that the main character would not have looked into who she was marrying,she hadn ‘t even asked about his family or knew he came from money???
So apologies but was a DNF for me

***** I have received and read an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for giving my honest feedback. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.*****

It's a nice book, but it's not one that I would read and reread time and again.
Overall it's an interesting book, but there's nothing that really sets it apart in the genre.