this book was okay- I didn’t love it, I didn’t hate it. I enjoyed the back story and the book notes featuring Emily’s story. The present tense of the story annoyed me a bit - I felt there was too much going on at all times and a little bit unrealistic. I did enjoy the ultimate twist at the end!

This book has it all - a group of friends with a secret who would go to great lengths to protect their individual interests, isolation on a remote island with a killer, and an increasing body count. This book was a fast-paced action packed read. I really liked the short chapters from each characters perspective, which also made the book read quickly. Despite the fast-paced nature, I did think the middle of the book was a little drawn out with a lot of action occurring that was not really moving the story along. The ending was surprising and satisfying, and I would definitely recommend this book.

A group of college friends, a friend of one and the fiancé of another gather to celebrate the engagement of Will and Ruthie. The college friends remember the death of their friend Emily. But, they seem to know more about it than is public and seem to have a pact of secrecy. The celebration is on a remote island only accessible by golf cart at low tide. There is no way out when strange and terrifying things happen. Will they get out alive? This was a real page turner. I was eager to find out what the friends were hiding and why. How would they work together to survive? I would highly recommend. 5 stars.

The mystery in this novel began very abruptly. We get very little time with any of the characters before the action starts so I didn't feel like I had time to get to know any of the couples, or their motivations. Thus, I didn't care about anyone and I couldn't identify with any of them or root for anyone. There wasn't enough suspense for me to keep reading and I found myself skimming to see where the plot was going.

For those reasons, I didn't feel invested in the book at all. I have read other novels by Kane and liked them but this one did not engage me. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read/review.

This book really dragged for me and I found it confusing with all the different characters (who I did not care for at all). I thought the twist at the end was good, but overall I’m left feeling a little disappointed with this read.

I adored this suspenseful and action packed read! Having the setting on an isolated island dramatically increased the tension between the characters. I was breathless with anticipation over what would happen next. Darby Kane is a master of her craft.

This book is just dull. It doesn’t help that I’ve read thrillers with aspects of this story done better, and the Christie comparisons came through in the worst ways…I feel like And Then They Were None retellings are never done well for me.

When four old college friends, and two new friends, get together to celebrate one of the college friend’s engagement, there’s a giant elephant in the room: the murder that drove them apart. On the night of their college graduation, Emily, one of their friends and a key member of their social group, was murdered and dumped in a nearby river. Her case was “solved” when the number one suspect killed himself weeks later. But now, on a remote island in Maine, the past is going to come back to haunt them in a big way. And the secrets the group holds will have to come out if they want to survive the weekend.

The book is told through multiple POVs and through a series of chapters called “Book Notes,” which tell the story of Emily and her death.

This book was fun in that it was a like a slasher movie, like “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” with a bunch of adults, all hiding secrets from each other in order to save their own skin. I wouldn’t say all of the characters were abhorrent, but there weren’t many heroes here. The mysteries of what happened to Emily and who’s trying to get revenge now are like constantly moving and changing puzzles that you’re trying to figure out.

I did enjoy trying to get a handle on what was going on. And I love a good horror/slasher every once in a while. This filled that craving, with plenty of spooks and gore to go around!

The ending was a little disjointed as everything seemed to come out really fast, so I was struggling to keep up with who was doing what and when. But I think I have a good handle on it. And of course, there’s always some good twists right up until the end, so keep reading, folks, don’t cut it short!

Overall, this one’s for those who like a good horror mystery/puzzler. If you’re into that genre, like I am, you’ll breeze right through this one!

I love a good, locked room thriller. Add in an isolated island off the coast of Maine. That can only be reached during low tide, and I am all in! This was a read that needs to be devoured. It is trippy, twisty, and has so many turns. I was thrown one way, the next second I was spun around, and going in the other direction. I could feel the tension in the air, the storm helping to create chaos, and anxiety. To think it started as a fun weekend away to celebrate Will and Ruthie's engagement. Keep in mind not all invitations are as they seem.

College friends Alex, Cassie, Mitch, and Will had one hell of a graduation night. It ended in their friend Emily's death. The details around her death are still murky and dark. They all know something, but no one is clear on what truly happened that night. When a body turns up on the island, all hell breaks loose. Who did what to whom and who can you trust?

I was entertained the entire way through. As soon as they stepped onto the island, I knew something was going to happen. I could imagine the air vibrating with the intense emotions. From that point on I was on a crazy, intense ride that was filled with drama and aha moments. Thank you to Darby Kane and William Morrow for this fast-paced read.

This is a psychological thriller at its very best. You will absolutely get sucked in and completely despise all of the characters which to me, made this story work so well. Any of them could be guilty. It’s fast-paced and I found myself playing detective the entire time. You’ll be hooked on this one until the very end!

I have read all of Darby Kane’s books so when she said she would send me a signed arc with manuscript like binding, I was over the moon! First, I have to say she is so sweet and kind to talk with about books, life or crazy memes usually about news stories.. and I usually try to convince her to make it into a book! 😅 Her books are great thrillers, that are like a breath of fresh air to me! I can’t wait to chat with her about this one!

Locked room thrillers aren’t typically my go to, but this one worked. And worked well! It brings together a group of college friends on a secluded island for an engagement party. They all went through a horrific accident in college where one of their friends ended up dead, but nobody really knows the true story of what happened that night. Someone is willing to bring them all together and push them to the edge to get one of them to confess!

This book was fabulous! It had a little gore, a lot of WTF and tons of backstabbing! I didn’t know who was lying and who was telling the truth for most of the book, all of these characters have a lot to hide and are willing to do anything to keep their secrets under wraps! The tension built up in this book was incredible, I was talking to myself while reading, like I would do in a scary movie to urge characters to get it together!

AHHH I am both screaming in fear and squealing with excitement. What an absolute trip this was. I was humming with nerves for the entirety of this read and I loved it! This was the epitome of a locked room thriller and while I did figure out who was persecuting them, basically all of the other twists shocked me. And talk about twists… they just kept on coming! I have whiplash. I thought the multiple POVs worked to keep things choppy and fast paced. This was very plot-driven but there were some likable characters, which I appreciate. Overall, this was a banger. Highly recommend.

5/5 thrilling stars!!!

This was a wild ride from start to finish! I was immediately sucked in and this was no slow burn, it got right to it. Absolutely must read if you enjoy locked room thrillers.

What on earth did I just read?? That was crazy! Talk about getting your blood pumping! The twists and turns just kept coming; boy was this one a nail biter. Four friends arrive on a remote island to celebrate their friend’s engagement, but little do they know, there is a killer on the island, and they are stranded, in a bad storm to top it off. Somebody knows their secret, but who? No one could be trusted. The characters were, for the most part, horrible people, so I never had an attachment to any character thinking, oh no, I hope they don’t die; I really just wanted to know if any of them would fall victim to the killer! This one was definitely a scary one; close to horror, but not quite there. It was the perfect mix of a closed room thriller and mystery that left you with a nice twist at the end.


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you William Morrow, William Morrow Paperbacks and @NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

Inspired by Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None - bodies show up regularly in this one. Good plot twists and thrills - takes place on an island when some former school mates get together for an engagement party!

I enjoy locked room mysteries quite a bit, so I was eager to read this upcoming release by Darby Kane. The Engagement Party did not leave me disappointed! It was this perfect cross between mystery and psychological thriller. While I had a gut feeling of what the long-time secret really involved, the ending totally surprised me! I loved it, and I look forward to reading more from Darby Kane.

What a read!!! This one definitely kept me intrigued. I loved the multiple POVs it wasn't too much and gave insight to the characters. I would love to see this one turned into a movie or TV series.

What happened to Emily Hunt? She died right after graduating from college. Her six friends have gone on with their lives. Are Jake, Will, Alex, Cassie, and Mitch truly as innocent as they claim? When Alex gets engaged his fiancee (Ruthie) invites the friends to an island engagement party. Mitch brings along his friend Sierra as a plus one -- poor thing. Then a storm blows in, bodies start piling up, and all hell breaks loose. Darby Kane takes this thriller into horror genre territory. I could see this book playing out on a movie screen and often wanted to close my eyes. Unfortunately the action through that long stormy night gets a bit repetitive. There was too much of the same questions being asked while the guilty were stonewalling the process. And, note to self, check the weather forecast before embarking on the tenuous connection to an isolated island. My favorite part of this book was the chapters marked as "Book Notes." They functioned like a True Crime podcast on the case. When the characters were lying to us and to each other, those notes were like a breath of fresh air. For me they were worth adding on a star in my rating. Another engaging title from Darby Kane.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

For fans of And Then There Were None, this one will probably hit the mark!

I enjoyed this one for a thrilling page-turner that kept me on my toes. There were a lot of things I could pick apart about it, but I'll just leave it alone and let you figure it out on your own!

The Engagement Party takes place on an isolated island, where 4 friends and 2 strangers are celebrating an engagement. Almost as soon as they arrive, things take a dark turn and everyone is left to ask themselves how well they really know the people around them.

I loved the "true crime" elements of this one and the tie-in about internet/vigilante justice when it comes to certain high-profile cases. For fans of thrillers, mysteries, true crime, and slashers, The Engagement Party will be a fun read!

**Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the eARC of this title.**

I love locked room mysteries and I thought I knew what to expect when I dove into The Engagement Party. It is a thriller/mystery but it is also kind of scary!? There were a few parts of the story that read almost like a horror movie (which I liked!) My heart was palpating and I was glued to the page trying to figure out what was actually happening on the island. I enjoyed the pacing and the twists at the end were satisfying!