When Molly Monroe wakes up next to a strange man she has to search her extremely hungover brain for what happened the night before. The good looking man and herself are both fully clothed so that rules out sex, so who is he and why can’t she remember anything? Did she really drink that much?

As Molly tries to piece things together, a crippling anxiety washes over her as she makes her way into work. She swears the girls on the bus are laughing at her but she doesn’t know them so how can they be. When she walks into work, all eyes on her she realises maybe she’s not imagining it. But what she finds out is so big and awful, she’s not sure she can get over it. She needs her best friend Posey? Has she seen what is now everywhere? Why isn’t she picking up her phone? This must be one of the worst days of Molly Monroes life!

After reading How to kill men and get away with it I knew I had to read this book by the same author and let me tell you, it was brilliant!

From start to finish it had me absolutely gripped. There wasn’t a moment where I wanted to stop reading. It was jam packed with mystery, action and unexpected twists that had me on the edge of my seat. I didn’t want it to end but I just couldn’t stop reading. Easily one of my top books this year. Highly recommend checking it out!

Obsessed with this! I read how to kill men and get away with it , Katy’s previous book and adored it, I was so excited to get into this but was worried it wouldn’t live up to the previous book. I was so pleased , The murder after the night before is everything I wanted it to be and more! Katy has such a great way of writing bad ass strong willed women & writing exactly what we’re all thinking! I won’t ruin the story as it’s best to go in blind but I’ve recommended this to everyone on my Instagram & my friends!

Thank you, NetGalley and HQ Stories for this eARC!

I am shook. I loved How to Kill Men and Get Away with It (her last book), so I was almost scared to read this because:
1) It’s Katy Brent and Hot to Kill Men was so, so good and so, so twisted,
2) I wasn’t sure if this would “live up” to my expectations because of how much I loved her last book.

And oh my goodness… I loved this SO much! So much drama, so many twists and turns; I gasped out loud multiple times.
Brent managed to set the pace so beautifully— the first few pages slowly build us up: we know something has happened, but we don’t know what it is. Then, it speeds up and we’re right there with Molly’s desperation, frustration and all that action.
And the climax! My goodness. I had an ever so slight inkling, not going to lie, but up until the last moment, it could have been anyone— and that is the strength of Brent’s writing.
There was a moment where I thought I found a loophole (Fulham— IYKYK) but nope! I was so wrong, and I am SO happy about that. I wasn’t unhappy with the ending, nor with the “motivation”, because of how well Brent managed to put all the pieces together. I can’t wait to reread this and see if I see things differently now that I know the ending.

I am also in LOVE with Brent’s writing style; she makes it look so effortless. Her writing is incredibly vivid and just so darn funny. Katy Brent has nicely made herself comfortable in my list of favourite authors!

Can’t wait for her next book :)

The Murder After the Night Before by Katy Brent

This is a very gripping, dark and thrilling novel that explores many issues that face modern day women. The plot was packed full of drama and was fast-paced all the way through. We begin by focusing on Molly and the video of her that is leaked over social media. We are gripped right from the beginning, as the readers are made to feel desperately sorry for Molly and the hate she is receiving from commenters online. The author makes a social commentary here on "keyboard warriors" and how the hate messages we so frivolously type can have serious impacts on the person reading them. The use of this video also allows the author to make a social commentary on the double standards regarding gender and what is acceptable for each gender to do. Molly is bullied relentlessly online following the video leaking and is called a heap of rude, offensive names due to it. However, the man in the video is seen to be a legend, which calls into focus the double standards we have around gender and promiscuity. It is clear to us readers that this video should be classed as sexual assault, considering Molly was blackout drunk at the time, so it also makes a good point to the readers about consent.

Alongside the issue of Molly's video, the readers are also attempting to untangle the mystery surrounding Posey's death. These multiple plot lines ensure there is never a dull moment throughout the book and readers are kept interested and on the edge of their seat throughout. The author does a very good job at hiding crucial facts from the readers, whilst also throwing in enough red herrings to keep us guessing. I became incredibly paranoid whilst reading this, very much like how Molly felt trying to piece together the circumstances of her friend's death, as I was constantly second-guessing every character and their intentions. I found the reveal at the end to be a very good way to finish such an intense book and thought it very nicely tied up all of the loose ends.

The main aspect of this book which led to me rating it so highly, was the authors writing style. I have hear brilliant things about Katy Brent's writing, so I really wanted to experience it for myself. I was not disappointed. The author writes with such incredibly wit that you find yourself giggling at the most inappropriate times due to the things her characters say/do. In a book with such heavy topics included, having the characters be witty, sassy and enjoyable to read, really helps to lighten the reading experience. The author very cleverly and skillfully balances the comedic aspects with the serious, heavy-hitting plot line to create an immensely enjoyable and well-written novel.

The characters are also very well crafted. Molly is a very likable character, which makes the readers feel even more sympathetic towards her and her struggles, but she is also flawed which makes her seem more real and less like she is simply words on a page. I rooted for Molly all the way through and felt myself becoming quite emotionally attached to her character and her attempts to uncover the circumstances of Posey's death. Even Posey who, although we never meet her when she is alive, has a whole background to the character and is full formed through the way Molly describes her which such detail.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5 stars. I am incredibly impressed with this author and have fallen in love with the way she writes. The humorous way in which she tells this dark story makes this a very enjoyable read. I will definitely be picking up her earlier books, as I have really enjoyed reading her work. Thank you to Netgalley and Katy Brent for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Molly Monroe wakes up the morning after her work Christmas party to find a stranger in her bed and no recollection of how he got there. She has no memory of the night before. A strange man in her bed is the least of her problems when she later learns that a video of her has gone viral. As if things couldn’t get any worse, she then discovers her flatmate and best friend is dead.

Every so often you read a book that you wish everyone else was reading at the same time so you could talk about it, The Murder After The Night Before is one of those books. Last year I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of the audiobook, How To Kill Men And Get Away With It by Katy Brent. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, finding the lead character, Kitty Collins, a breath of fresh air and hoping for a sequel. The Murder After The Night Before isn’t that sequel (I believe a sequel is due in 2025), it’s a standalone novel but I think it’s on a completely different level.

Katy Brent has outdone herself with a novel that shines a light on the seamier side of culture. From the very beginning you feel unsettled. Our lead character, Molly Monroe, has no recollection of the events of the previous night. This means Molly is just as much in the dark as the reader. As Molly tries to put the pieces together you have an uneasy feeling that something isn’t quite right. That uneasy feeling persists as Molly makes her way to work, explaining away the strange looks she’s getting as a result of her hungover appearance. It is only once Molly gets to work that the full horror of the situation is revealed.

At this point in the story, I was filled with absolute rage as we witness the hateful side of social media. Misogyny is rife and users feel they can say whatever they want, with no regard to the consequences. The way in which men and women are judged differently by society is very clear.

Molly is in shock and it is understandable that she chooses to hide away. She is shunned by people she once relied on, even her best friend and flatmate seems to be ignoring her. When her friend is found dead Molly initially blames herself. As she slowly pieces together the memories she is missing Molly learns that her friend, who was a journalist, was investigating the disappearance of a young girl. A disappearance that the media doesn’t seem interested in. As we discover the way in which people with power control the media disbelief turns to anger. As Molly learns that stories such as her viral video are used to deflect attention the reader can’t help but consider the way in which the general public is manipulated by the press.

As the conclusion approaches you are extremely concerned about Molly’s well-being. I was also on a knife-edge regarding one character in particular. While all the answers are revealed in the end, I do feel that there is a little loose thread that could allow us to see the return of @MollyMonroeNotMunro.

I really got hooked on this book just by reading the description , i wanted to read it so bad so when i was accepted on netgally i was so excited.

This comedy/thriller was really easy to follow, and it was well paced.

I really liked Molly she was a likeable FMC. Triggers include assault, suicide, murder and social media trolls.

This was my first time reading from Katy brent and really enjoyed it, i cant wait to read more of her books.

A comedy thriller this is a really well paced and easy to read book. Molly is a great protagonist that so many women will relate to. The humour is well pitched (i especially loved her talking to herself but actually talking out loud). Its a page turner and the storyline hits a lot of important topics about women, social media, grief. I did feel frustrated at certain points - the big reveal about the death of lulu was in the form of voice messages that felt rushed to me and not as believable as all the other really great unveilings (also small things - like you don't wait for a gate to be announced before you check in). These are small quibbles. It's a really smart, well plotted book with great characterisation so that you really feel you are going along the ride with Molly and rooting for her from the outset.

I was so happy I got a chance to read this ARC after reading “how to kill men and get away with it” Which I loved, the style writing was perfect.
It wouldn’t have normally been a book I picked up but it’s one of my top reads of 2023. So I was excited to give this a go!

Not as darkly comic as her debut novel which had me laughing at loud, but still had some funny moments throughout.
It makes me sad how easily something like can spread.
Overall, it was very well written and the story was neatly concluded! Although how did she get the bottle of wine through the airport security?

I really liked Molly she was a likeable FMC. Triggers include assault, suicide, murder and social media trolls.

“Shit happens so balance it out”

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc.

I highly recommend this book. Expected publication date June 2024

This book was absurd, witty, gripping, and darkly comic all at once! The plot was fitting for our age, and Molly was definitely a very likeable (albeit flawed) character. I breezed through the first half of the book and loved the interplay between humour and mystery throughout. If you are looking for a captivating read that masterfully distracts you from real life, this is for you! “The Murder After the Night Before” is due for release in Feb 2024 and you can pre-order a copy today!
Thank you NetGalley and HQ for the eARC!

I loved this book!

Thank you, once again to Netgalley and HQ Stories for the advanced reader copy.

I discovered Katy Brent earlier in the year, but hadn't actually read her first book until recently. Her titles just scream with appeal to my twisted sense of humour, and it sounded like How to Kill Men and Get Away With It would be my perfect cup of tea. I was right! I was hoping for something along the lines of How to Kill Your Family or My Sister the Serial Killer - this was so much better!

So, when I saw Brent's second novel on Netgalley I was quick to put in my request.

Meet Molly Monroe - journalist for preteen girl magazine and a bit of an all-round disaster zone. Molly has found herself in a whole heap of trouble following her office Christmas party which she can barely remember, but worse than that, her beloved flatmate and best friend is lying dead in the bath. Police have ruled it as a tragic accident but Molly is certain that there is something far more sinister afoot here. Molly must use all her wits and journalistic skills to uncover the mystery of what Posey was investigating, whilst also trying to steer her own life back onto a better course.

Whilst I'm not one who is really bothered about trigger warnings, this book should come with a number: murder, suicide, sexual assault, addiction, trauma, misogyny.

The plot is well-written and I managed to read this in a day (I'm by no means a quick reader, I just could not put it down). You need to keep reading due to the incredibly fast pace. The main characters are well drawn out and it is impossible not to feel extreme sympathy for Molly.

I particularly liked how Brent interwove the story with Twitter (X) posts reflecting the awful society we live in with regards to criticising and judging the actions of others, particularly women. Brent's books do seem to have a theme running through them with regards to hammering the patriarchy and the misogynistic treatment of women, particularly in the wake of the #metoo movement.

I felt that this book did not contain as much of the black humour as Brent's previous book, but Molly's narrative (particularly her thoughts spoken aloud when she thinks they're in her head!) to be refreshing and entertaining.

I am definitely on the lookout for future Brent books!

I enjoyed this book, it was well written and liked the narrative. I enjoyed some of the humour within the novel as well.

This is dark humour at its best and I was a million percent there for it. I absolutely loved it and couldn't put it down, I read it in one sitting

I loved this book and read it in one sitting.
It’s d never read anything by the author but will every time I see anything by her from now on. It was one of those I couldn't put down and totally gripping.

Molly is a journalist for a girl's magazine and wakes up one morning with no recollection of the previous night although there is a stranger in her bed. As the morning progresses she finds out what happened on that night and it is horrifying.

Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley,HQ Digital and Katy Brent for my Arc in return for my honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley,HQ Digital and Katy Brent for my Arc in return for my honest review.

This was a brilliant read from an author I have never read before and I will definitely be buying her other book. It was one of those I couldn't put down and totally gripping.

Molly is a journalist for a girl's magazine and wakes up one morning with no recollection of the previous night although there is a stranger in her bed. As the morning progresses she finds out what happened on that night and it is horrifying.

highly recommended.

I was not sure I had downloaded the right murder book when it starts off with Molly getting massive coverage all over social media after having being filmed doing something naughty that she has no recollection of whatsoever during a boozy Christmas night out.
Just when she thinks her life can not get any worse she discovers a body!
She then gets involved into looking into the disappearance of Lulu which was what her best friend Posey had started investigating. I thought that the book might be too farcical after such a dramatic start but it settles down to be a very good read. Molly is someone it is easy to like and identify with as she has had a traumatic past but is loyal and only too aware of the mistakes she makes. The characters in the book are all very believable in shades of nastiness and deceit and Molly is never sure who to trust.
But she is tenacious and finally gets to the bottom of everything and there is a nice twist in the final chapter.

Thanks Netgalley and HQ for an ARC of this book.

I loved loved loved this book!
I couldn’t put it down!

Something bad happened last night.
But I can’t remember a thing…

What a ride this was!
It’s funny and dark with enough twists to give you whiplash. Contemporary with a classic who done twist.

I loved Molly as the main character, and her growth throughout the story. The situation that she finds herself in is that of nightmares and if I’m honest, she deals with it much better than I thought she would.

I read Katy Brent’s first book ‘How To Kill Men and Get Away With It’ and loved it. Second books for me, can sometimes be hit and miss, but this one is even better! Cannot wait to see what else she releases! definitely getting added to my tbr straight away after these two fantastic reads

Pub Date 1 Feb 2024
Get it pre ordered, add it to your tbr!

A brilliantly written psychological thriller. This is the first book I have read by this author and it won't be the last. Try as I might i could not guess the murderer. The beginning sets the scene many of us have experienced -the dreaded Christmas party and we cringe at Molly's behaviour. we've all heard that one person take it to far! That's before we see the savage and brutal release of the video on the internet. From this point onwards we chase down the culprits alongside Molly, turning pages as she jumps hurdles and meeting some pretty unsavoury characters along the way. We see how the wealthy are protected by their friends in high places and how the manipulation of social media can have seriously damaging effects.
Brent is a master at character development and skilfully brings to life Posey despite her never appearing. Through fast paced action and topics that are relevant you have a perfect read. Highly recommend this and thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity.

This is a must-read for anyone who likes dark humour and mystery.

The book follows Molly, a teen magazine journalist, who gets drawn into a murder mystery after her works Christmas party. Suffering from the shame of a viral video, Molly throws herself into investigative journalism to discover a murderer and solve a missing person’s case.

There are plenty of examples of dark humour throughout the book, whilst also delving into more serious issues. I couldn’t put it down and really enjoyed this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the eARC of this book.

I LOVED this book!
I really enjoyed Katy Brent’s first book ‘How To Kill Men and Get Away With It’ and was really excited to get an opportunity to read this ARC on NetGalley and it didn’t disappoint!
‘The Murder After The Night Before’ follows Molly, a journalist who after a Christmas party night out she wakes the next morning to find her best friend and roommate Posey is dead. Molly feels like there’s more that meets the eye and starts to investigate what happened to Posey and along the way uncovers more than she expected.
I couldn’t put this book down! I read this in one sitting and loved every twist and turn. I will definitely be waiting and then reading the third book from Katy Brent.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to have an ARC in return for an honest review.

3.5 rounded up

“ I am Molly Monroe, I’m 32 and a writer for a preteen magazine and I’m very definitely not okay. It’s the morning after the Sparkle magazine Christmas party and I feel like I’m dying. Can you die from a hangover? However, what’s even worse is there’s a stranger in my bed and I’m so confused, although he hastily assures me he just wanted to get me home safely because I got so hammered. I’m horrified, embarrassed and rather sick… Turns out this is Jack and the story he tells me about last night makes no sense whatsoever. There are a few other things that are odd too, and those bad feelings I have just won’t go away but it’s all a total blackout. What happened last night?? What I learn when I eventually stagger into work shocks me to the core. It’s bad people, very bad, the absolute worst. Only this is just the start as things are set to deteriorate very rapidly when I discover my flatmate and best friend Posey is dead. The authorities believe it’s a tragic accident but things don’t add up and so it seems it’s up to me to prove that Posey has been murdered. As to why that’s another story.”

This latest novel from Katie Brent starts off humorously, it’s witty and irreverent until it’s not, I’m actually really glad the author adopts a different tone in this one, as here we have a valid social commentary which becomes justifiably heavy at times. There’s a lot going on to keep you interested as just for starters Molly is on the receiving end of social media toxicity, which is deeply unpleasant to say the least. It also looks at sexual assault, the disparity between the sexes and misogyny,. It’s very current and extremely relevant but is presented in a very accessible way via Molly.

The characterisation is very good, especially of Molly. I like her, she is most certainly flawed, (who isn’t!) and she sure blunders about a bit, but she’s a good person who is prepared to go the extra mile for her journalist friend, Posey. The Posey storyline is a really good one, and there are numerous anomalies in the investigation that Posey is undertaking before her death. There’s a building intriguing mystery surrounding her death and there several surprising twists and turns. What Molly uncovers is that there are many secrets and lies being concealed, and there are multiple shocks in store for her. Parts of this are emotional, sad and dark, but Molly pursues the truth relentlessly and bravely.

I enjoy this novel, however, I’m not too sure about the ending as there’s a lack of resolution, hence the 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to HQ for that much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.