For a bride-to-be and her fiancé, secrets and lies make this a killer celebration in this psychological suspense. A good mystery read! Thank you net galley and the publiser for the arc in exchange for a review.

Many thanks to Netgalley for the e-arc!

When I heard bachelorette/bachelor party and murder, I knew I wanted to read this book. Unfortunately the tag line wasn't as compelling as the actual book. The writing was rough, the characters were blah, and extremely repetitive.

The Wedding Party: A Thriller by L.R. Jones - A Disappointing Read

2 Stars

I recently picked up "The Wedding Party" by L.R. Jones, expecting a thrilling psychological suspense story set against the backdrop of a lavish bachelor/ bachelorette party at the iconic Stanley Hotel in Colorado. However, my experience with this book left much to be desired.

From the very beginning, the writing felt amateurish and lacked the depth and sophistication I usually look for in a suspense novel. The plot was predictable, and so repetitive that I found myself losing interest rather quickly. Despite the promising setting of the Stanley Hotel, I felt that it was underutilized, failing to create the immersive atmosphere that could have added to the tension of the story.

As I reached the ending, which I had hoped would redeem the shortcomings of the book, I was met with disappointment once again. The resolution was eye rolling, leaving loose ends untied and questions unanswered. It was a lazy attempt at wrapping up a story that had potential but fell short in its execution.

In conclusion, "The Wedding Party" was a letdown for me, despite my initial excitement for the genre and setting. The lackluster writing, repetitive plot, and unsatisfactory ending made it a struggle to get through. While I try to focus on the positives in my reviews, I cannot overlook the flaws in this book. Unfortunately, I would not recommend it to fellow readers looking for a gripping thriller.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary.⚠️

This one started out great, but then got a little slow in the middle, and felt rushed at the end. Didn't really like how the father was mentioned SO much throughout the book, and a reference to another whole mystery that I know nothing about. However, the murder mystery was a fun ride and I liked how it all came together in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book. I found this book to be well written for the most part. The story was interesting and kept my attention for most of the book. The story basically revolves around this weekend combined bachelor/bachelorette party at the Stanley Hotel (yes, the famous, haunted one). The bride-to-be is then suspected of being a killer and an FBI agent and guest at the party has to figure out if she's really the one who did it. Nobody believes that the bride-to-be could possibly have done something so terrible. She's the nicest, kindest person etc. Is everything as it seems? Is everyone that is in the wedding party who they seem to be? There is a link with another case due to a wrapped gift box being delivered ahead of each of these two murders...are they connected? Interesting plot that sometimes fell short to me, but got there in the end.

FBI agent Andrea „Andi“ Castle is invited by a friend to a joint bachelor/bachelorette party, and someone promptly ends up dead.

So far, so good - the premise sounded interesting, and the opening chapter was well done and drew me in. That is, until the main characters arrived. The book is told from the points of view of Andi (the FBI agent, lest you forget) and the bride-to-be, Carrie. The way both women - and women in this book in general - are written is completely stereotypical and frustrating. Interactions and dialogues are cringe-worthy. And don‘t get me started on how Andi does her job - downloading confidential files on a public WiFi network, interviewing potential suspects over the phone, taking days (and days!) to obtain and execute search warrants without sealing them, not doing a single proper interrogation that takes longer than the usual 3 page chapter length… and that‘s another thing: the chapters are short. So short, it feels like a lot of jumping around in the story. No scene is ever quite fleshed out properly, no dialogue ever quite the proper length. I felt jerked from one direction to another.

As for the whodunnit, the final reveal was surprising only in its ridiculousness because of Andi‘s methods in obtaining a confession (she supposedly is her father‘s daughter after all, but at this point, I‘d long ago stopped caring).

There are also various inconsistencies. The outfits, which are always mentioned in great detail for the women for some reason, are one thing: blouses switch from pink to bright red over the course of one page, slacks become jeans, etc.; Andi‘s partner is mentioned as having beat the perp in their previous case, but later, it was a witness; a patient doesn‘t connect easily to her doctor and spills her guts the next second. Even more grating were plot strings that went nowhere. Why was the groom nervous about having an FBI agent (never forget that Andi is one, it is mentioned on practically every page) at his bachelor party, for example?

All in all, a really frustrating experience both in terms of readability/structure as well as content. I was expecting more, particularly since this came from an established author.

Thank you to the author, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed the plot of this book, but I could not get past the writing and dialogue. It was a bit challenging to enjoy. The ending was predictable and the characters were not too likeable. It fell flat for me and was hard to finish.

Really enjoyed this book. It was quick easy read. Kept me guessing till the end on who the killer was.

Nothing is as it seems in this book. Carrie and Oliver are, on the surface, so good for each other but what is really going on?

Jones does a good job stringer the reader along through Andi's investigation. This case has so many facets and plenty of red herrings to keep Andi and us wondering. Who are these people? What else is going on? How did this happen?

The reader will be carried along as all these questions are explored and if they're like me, they'll be a bit surprised by the answers.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC.

I love the Stanley and this concept was amazing, however I felt a lot of the time this book was a bit slower than necessary, and repetitive. It felt like I was circling the drain waiting for something to happen and then it did, and it was rushed through. I will still read books by this author going forward though!

I really disliked how women were written in this one. If it weren't for that I probably would've rated this higher, but its 2024 and we don't need to have every single woman being unlikeable and we don't need all characters being misogynistic. The twist is alright and the pacing was really good, but it just felt like this was written years ago, not recently.

Went into this book blind and quite enjoyed it! Loved the twist towards the end of the story. I liked the police procedural and whodunnit, it all came together at the end! I hope it becomes a series. I would highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I had a really hard time finishing this book. There was so much not researched. There's some of it that was good don't get me wrong. The characters are inconsistent. The FBI parts of this is not well-researched. Andi is written poorly...I just wish the execution of this book had been better. I wish there had been better detail and information given. For being a longer book I expected more development and detail.

I enjoyed this book enough, but it wasn't entirely for me. It was a little more law enforcement-ish than I was expecting.

FBI agent Andi is a guest at a joint bachelor/bachelorette party when all of a sudden the groom is dead, and the bride, Carrie, is missing.

I really enjoyed Andi's point of view, but at some points questioned the decisions she was making.

The pace was a little slow and repetitive for my taste, but it didn't deter me. The big twist came on pretty fast, so I felt there could have been a more consistency in the pacing.

Overall, I think fans of procedurals will enjoy this one.

In "The Wedding Party" author L. R. Jones, spins a tale of romance and betrayal that takes a dark turn in the most unexpected of settings: a wedding celebration. Set against the backdrop of Colorado's iconic Stanley Hotel, the story follows bride-to-be Carrie and her fiancé Oliver as they prepare for their dream wedding. However, when the festivities turn deadly, FBI agent Andi Castle finds herself thrust into a web of secrets and lies, where no one is who they seem.

What begins as a joyous occasion quickly descends into chaos as Andi discovers that beneath the veneer of love and happiness lies a sinister underbelly of deception. As the investigation unfolds, tensions rise, and the true nature of the guests' relationships comes to light. With the hotel on lockdown and suspicion cast on everyone present, Andi must race against time to uncover the truth before another life is lost.

"The Wedding Party" is a gripping psychological suspense novel that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Jones masterfully weaves together a complex narrative filled with twists and turns, ensuring that the reader is kept guessing until the very end. The characters are well-developed and multifaceted, each harboring their own secrets and motivations that add depth to the story.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its atmospheric setting. The Stanley Hotel serves as the perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama, its grandeur and history adding an extra layer of intrigue to the narrative. From the opulent ballrooms to the shadowy corridors, the hotel comes to life on the page, immersing readers in its haunting beauty.

Overall, "The Wedding Party" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and suspenseful mysteries. With its compelling plot, engaging characters, and atmospheric setting, it is sure to keep readers hooked until the very end. THE author has crafted a novel that is as captivating as it is chilling, making it a standout addition to the genre.

A fantastic read that hooked me from the start and didn't let me go until the end. I was engaged all the way through and uncomfortable from having my bum perched on the edge of my seat constantly, but I didn't care.

This mystery was an absolute rollercoaster, jam-packed with twists that had me on the edge of my seat until the final reveal. Through the dual lenses of Andi, a dynamic FBI agent, and Carrie, the bride-to-be, the story unfolds in a captivating dance of intrigue. Andi, in particular, stole the show for me—a character so richly drawn and multifaceted, she could easily headline her own series. There's a depth to her that begs for more exploration.

The narrative is peppered with the kind of dark humor that's right up my alley, keeping the tempo brisk and buoyant, even as the plot thickens. I found myself constantly flip-flopping between suspects, the author expertly leading me through a maze of red herrings and hidden truths. The abundance of potential culprits, each shrouded in their own mysteries, made for a deliciously complex puzzle.

When the curtain finally lifted on the truth, the payoff was immensely gratifying. If you're hunting for a mystery that's as fun as it is fiendishly plotted, look no further—this one's a gem.

Sooo, when I first picked up The Wedding Party, I had hoped to fall head over heels for this book...but alas, all I could muster was a passing acquaintance with its contents in the end. The plot…friends and family gather at a resort to celebrate the impending nuptials of bride-to-be Carrie and her fiancé Oliver at the Stanley Hotel in good ole Colorado. While there, murrrrrder takes place and FBI agent Andi Castle is thrust into the center to investigate. Fairly simple right? WRONG! As Andi investigates and uncovers the truth, secrets and lies start to unravel faster than my spanx after a three course meal. Amidst the controlled chaos, the author spins a tale of intrigue, pulling me in despite myself. Sure, there were eye-rolling moments and plenty of "I knew it!" revelations. But overall, the story failed to grip me and ignite my excitement.

While The Wedding Party offers a moderately enjoyable storyline, it falters due to the author's penchant for verbosity and repetitive tendencies, dimming its shine. This book had all the makings of an epic celebration, yet somehow it missed the mark for me this time around. Is it an entertaining read? Yes. Would I read this author again? Absolutely. Is this my cup of tea? Kinda. Just would’ve preferred a different flavor.

The Wedding Party
By: L.R. Jones
Publish Date: February 13, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and the author L. R. Jones, for the advanced copy of The Wedding Party.

Who doesn't love a good wedding....and some drama to spice it up?!

Carrie, an ER nurse, is preparing for her wedding to the man she loves, Oliver. But, things take a dark, twisted turn when he is...... murdered. Lana, who is one of Carrie's friends invites FBI agent Castle as her plus-one. Perfect, she's right on the case as Olivier is found stabbed multiple times. Carrie is found with his blood on her body, naked, with a cut on her stomach. With so many family, friends, and outsiders ...who did it?!

I love the relationship between Agent Castle and her father. Castle seems like the perfect character to be on the case and not only solve it but find out all the dirty deets. I enjoyed the twist at the end where I thought I solved the case but I was actually surprised.

If you are looking for a mystery to solve with some interesting characters...pick this one up! You will love it!

This is an easy to read murder thriller, done in short chapters, with Andi, the FBI agent, and Carrie the bride-to-be as our narrators. I really enjoy a dual point of view in a mystery setting and feel like I get a more conclusive experience. The Stanley Hotel, used in Stephen King's The Shining, is the perfect backdrop for this book and gave a delightfully creepy vibe perfect for a novel of suspense.