When FBI agent Andi is invited to a bachelorette/bachelor party at the hotel that the shining is based one, she goes even though she doesn’t know the bride and groom. She’s hoping to have some time away from work after catching a serial killer. However, shortly into the time away, someone is killed and she is on the case to find the killer.

I will start with the positives first. I really liked the idea of this haunted hotel as the setting for this book. It added a bit of fun and something different. I also love the cover.

Unfortunately, that’s about all that I liked. I feel like this bachelorette party murder thing is used so much so I need something extra in order to enjoy it. This felt pretty forgettable to me. The characters fell flat and a lot of them felt like cliches. I found it very repetitive and tedious also. I didn’t really care about the story or what happened.

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own! This one didn’t work out for me but hopefully it’ll work out for others!

This missed the mark for me. Arguably the main characters are Carrie, an ER nurse and the bride to be, and Andi, the FBI agent. And don’t worry, you cannot possibly forget their occupations because they are repeated over and over and over throughout the book. In fact, the word FBI appears in the story over 40 times. You also won’t be able to forget that people associate Andi with murder, as that word appears over 50 times. The basic plot is that there is a murder at the hotel and Andi goes looking for the killer, learning information about various characters along the way. I enjoyed the short chapters and that the book was a quick read. I also enjoyed that I did not have to expend a single brain cell while reading because everything was laid out in clear and obvious detail. But I found the language repetitive, the dialogue underwhelming at points, and the characters one-dimensional and dull. The random time jumps as well as POV changes made the story feel disjointed, rather than aiding with the pacing and “reveals.” Overall, not for me.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was an intriguing locked door mystery that was hard to put down, and the ending was extremely satisfying. I enjoyed the quick and fast paced chapters, but I did feel the why” for the murder of the plot seemed a bit far fetched and unreasonable to me. Other than that this was a pulse pounding thriller any fan of the genre will enjoy!

Agent Andi Castle has just put another serial killer behind bars and is looking to enjoy some time off work. When her friend Lana invites her to a joint Bachelor/Bachelorette party for a work friend, Andi hops at the opportunity to get away for the weekend.

Oliver and Carrie are so in love and looking forward to their wedding, as well as their joint bachelor and bachelorette party. All their friends have gathered for the weekend at the hotel that inspired Stephen Kings “The Shining.” But by the second night of the party, Oliver is dead, and Carrie is found naked and covered in blood.

So much for that time off Andi had been dreaming about. She’s now thrust into the middle of the investigation to find out who killed Oliver, and if Carrie is the one who did it? You’ll have to read to find out!

This book is written from two points-of-view:
Andi is an FBI agent who is on leave after solving a big serial killer case. She is invited to the joint bachelor/bachelorette party by her friend, Lana. She goes in hopes of a relaxing and revitalizing trip.
Carrie is the bride-to-be. She is a kind-hearted nurse whose fiancé, Oliver, is her life.
Carrie and Oliver have the perfect relationship. Before the event, Oliver is gifted a box from a supposed groomsman, and he refuses to discuss the contents with Carrie. She is suspicious but reassured after surprising him in the office and finding nothing nefarious. Meanwhile, Lana, a newly divorced nurse who works with Carrie, reconnects with her old friend Andi. She invites Andi to the joint bachelor/bachelorette party as a “buffer” to help her feel more comfortable. Andi reluctantly accepts. Once all the characters are at the event, taking place at the hotel from The Shining, the party unravels when Oliver is found brutally murdered. Carrie is found covered in blood hiding in the attic with no memory of how she got there. Andi is drawn in to the case since she was present for the festivities and the night of the murder. The remainder of the book rotates from Carrie’s point-of-view as she tries to remember events from that night, and Andi’s as she investigates the murder. At the same time, Andi is navigating the drama that is her father and work life.
I really liked the setup for the story in the first few stories. The character’s development is really well rounded. The author did a great job of throwing in many suspects that had legitimate reasons to murder Oliver. There were a few aspects that felt slightly unfinished (ex. Brody’s story). Overall, the side characters were well-written and interesting. It was a fun, easy read. I didn’t guess the first big twist (or 2), but the final one felt a bit convoluted. The ending seemed rushed, but that is just because it so well setup, that you expect more detail in the ending. It’s not perfectly polished, but it’s definitely a fun ride and worth the time.
Overall, I’d recommend this book to those who like Lisa Jewell and Stacy Willingham. It’s a similar vibe while still having its own unique voice.

The setting alone was enough to interest me! It's a mixed bachelor/bachelorette party being held in Colorado at the famous Stanley Hotel! This is the Hotel said to be the inspiration for Stephen King's The Shining. It is also rumored to be haunted. But enough about that! This story was pretty good also! Carrie is marrying her Perfect Fiancée, Oliver in a fairy tale dream wedding. Or at least that was the plan until the murder. Fortunately, Andi, an FBI agent there as a plus one is able to help investigate. I absolutely loved Andi! The author even throws in a little humor. Who doesn't love a few jokey-jokes during a murder investigation? Yes, there was a bit of repetition and some pretty basic dialogue, but overall, I really enjoyed this one and would read more from L.R. Jones.

Thank you to #NetGalley, L.R. Jones and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Amazon, Instagram and other retail and social sites upon publication.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my review.

I wanted to love this book, but ultimately it fell a little flat at times. I was kind of expecting it to be similar to The Guest List by Lucy Foley. As I have said in other reviews, sometimes I have to be in the right mood to truly enjoy a book. This is why I believe that you should never judge a book by its cover, and I am also a big supporter of re-reading books. You never know what you might have missed out on the first time around. With that being said, I would also be open to reading other books by L.R. Jones.

My blog is https://bookreviewsbyjules.blogspot.com/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/44083250-julia

Instagram/bookstagram https://www.instagram.com/bookreviewsbyjules/

I started out enjoying this one, but then things got so repetitive. If I had to hear the MC talk about being an FBI agent one more time, I was gonna put the book down. It truly was her only personality trait. And I was really confused why they kept bringing up her father in every conversation when he was not relevant to the story.
There were also a lot of things that were just very unbelievable about the case. I could not believe she just let the key witness/suspect into the crime scene to contaminate the evidence. That was wild. I also found it unbelievable that the police station was not only willing to work with an out of town FBI agent, but was excited to. (If you’ve ever read or watched a crime book/show they are usually very reluctant to do so). The beginning of the book felt totally out of place with the rest and I kept wondering how it was going to connect. When it finally did, it added nothing to the story and didn’t help with anything. Overall, I felt like this book was unrealistic and extremely repetitive. I am surprised I actually finished it.

Carrie and Oliver are getting married but things turn dark when someone ends up murdered. FBI Agent Andi is there as a plus one and finds herself investigating.

I think Jones tried to do too much here with narrative structure. We had multiple POVs, each with multiple chapters in a row, AND flashback chapters. I think they should’ve picked one or the other. Or made clearer divisions between Carrie and Andi’s sections.

I enjoyed the short chapters, however it felt a bit repetitive and slow at times. Appreciate the opportunity to review and give my opinion.

I am not sure why others did not like this book. I read it in 2 days. I am a sucker for a female law enforcement agent and Andi did not disappoint. Set at a bachelor/bachelorette party, this wedding party was anything but normal. I had a fun time reading this and enjoyed the twists of the story. Do I think that some of the backstory characters could have been fleshed out more? Yes, but it didn't detract from the story for me.

Carrie and Oliver. A couple completely in love and the hosts of a wedding to remember at Colorado’s legendary Stanley Hotel. This is Carrie’s fairy tale come true. Her fiancé, Oliver, is Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome; successful; and utterly devoted to her. Now family and friends have gathered to celebrate. It’s sure to be a wild night as the drinks flow freely and the fun begins.
But the morning after is murder. FBI agent Andi Castle was just supposed to be a plus-one. This should have been a calming weekend getaway from what she does best: catch killers. Instead, Andi’s on the hunt again. The hotel is on lockdown. Secrets are being unearthed. And no one is above Andi’s suspicions. But which secrets are worth killing for? Andi’s forced to find the answers fast…before someone else dies.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for giving me an advance copy.

This was one of those fun mysteries that really kept me guessing right up until the very end. You get two POVs, Andi an FBI agent who is attending events with an old friend of hers and Carrie, the bride to be. I loved Andi as a character and thought she was so interesting and layered, I could easily see her carrying a series because there was so much about her to like. The author used some dark humor throughout which I always like and things were pretty fast paced with me guessing and second guessing my opinion every chapter. Lots of suspects to choose from with plenty of secrets to uncover and when all was revealed I was satisfied.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Absolutely LOVED this suspenseful and twisty thriller!! Characters with dark secrets…and explosive conclusion. It’s a must read in my opinion!!

This story is about a bachelor/bachelorette party at a haunted hotel. One of the guests brought a plus one who is an FBI agent with quite a reputation. There is a dead body, a missing bride-to-be and lots of suspects with no apparent motive. I enjoyed the way the story progressed and the twists that kept me guessing late into the night. The FBI agent took charge and with help from her PI father she figured out the who did it and why the crime occurred. I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes a quick read thriller.

PUB Date 2/20/2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have been waiting for a mystery that sucks me in from the beginning and makes me devour the book in one day, and this was it!

I love a destination, locked door murder mystery. This one kept me guessing and looking at all the party goers. At one point, I thought I had it nailed down, and then the gears switched. I would love this to be a series so we get more of Andi and Eddie Castle!

There were some loose ends I wish had been tied up, maybe a chapter showing the murder from the killers POV, or maybe more red herrings with the wedding party, but overall I wasbso completely engrossed with this story it didn't change my rating.

Definitely check this one out when it publishes next month!

Thank you NetGalley and L.R. Jones for the ARC!

This was a fun and fast paced thriller with extremely short chapters that are sure to keep readers intrigued. I found the premise of this book very intriguing and I did enjoy it as I was reading it.

As far as the groomsmen, I think there may have been one too many involved in the questioning as I was getting a bit confused on who was who. I remember Brody and then what I referred to as “the other two”.

I liked the red herrings thrown in about who it could’ve been and I truly was continuing to guess until it is revealed who the killer was. I did enjoy Andi’s character as an FBI agent. I didn’t connect with the characters as well as I would’ve hoped. I did particularly like Andi’s dad and their relationship.

If this became a detective series following Andi I would definitely continue to read.

I would recommend!

2.5/5 The Wedding Party
Thank you to NetGalley and Nerdy Girl Book Club for providing me with an ARC of this title.

A mysterious red ribboned box, a wedding party in a haunted hotel, and family drama for days draw out the plot for The Wedding Party.

The initial setting was intriguing - taking place during a co-bachelor/bachelorette party sometime around Halloween (the date isn't specified but the holiday is mentioned) in the Stanley Hotel, otherwise known as the hotel from The Shining movie. But the location takes a turn about a quarter through the book, and the story ends up primarily taking place in a hospital where FBI Agent Andi Castle spends the majority of the time questioning characters and gathering information.

The opening prologue for the book was such a a hook that I expected to ride that thrill for the rest of the novel but instead there was more interrogation room style questioning than trills, chills, and even character development. We spend so much time with Andi that the other characters are mostly left to the wayside if not completely forgotten until the final act.

The blurb for this book gave me high hopes but in the end it wasn't the thriller I'd been hoping to read.

𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒌🔪𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏......

Special thanks to @netgalley @amazonpublishing for this #gifted eARC.

MY REVIEW::
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ok, so this is a perfect example of a book I probably should've read the WHOLE synopsis before requesting this one on netgalley. Don't get me wrong, it was a very intriguing read, but there were some parts of this story that just did not belong.
I looked back and was like, but why was there a haunted👻 hotel tour. And whyd they have to stay in certain rooms to see certain ghosts👻? It LITERALLY had nothing to do with the story....😐😐😐😐😐
If the story would've had a spooky undertone, and that played into it - I think it woulda been real cool - but this did not make sense to me.

There's alot of unreliable and unlikeable suspects.... I mean characters in this book 😜😜😜😜
It leaves alot to the imagination for who did it. At one point I even swear I turned on Carrie because this situation just seems so far-fetched for her to not remember ANYTHING!

Either way, I would say this is a decent read. Weird but decent. It kept me wanting to find out if Carrie would ever remember, and if it was Brody or one of the other Groomsman who sent the "disgusting" gift.

PUB DATE:
Feb 20, 2024

QOTD ❓️⁉️❓️ Do you read the full synopsis, part of the synopsis, or even any of the synopsis - before going into a book?

AOTD - most of the time I read part of it and then go in blind cause I won't read the rest. It usually works out for me.

#mysteryandthrills #thrillerbooklovers #theweddingparty #netgalley #lrjones #thriller #bookbuzz #upcomingthriller
.

I DNFd about half way through. While the atmosphere of the Stanley hotel was one that I thought was fun, the interactions between the characters didn't feel authentic and it was overkill on pointing out that Andi was an FBI agent. It just didn't flow smoothly and maybe this isn't the right writing style for my preferences. I think the storyline may be one that fans of the show Criminal Minds would like due to the mystery and criminal profiling aspect.

The murder mystery kept me interested but the writing needed a little elevation to make this book amazing. Since this copy is an ARC there are some issues I can look past but I was left with questions, and I don't think that was the author's intention. But maybe it was, and in that case, good job.

One very specific issue I had reading this was the overuse of the word "belly". A character has a stab wound in the abdomen. This person, the doctor, the FBI agent and every other person who talks about it, calls it a cut in the belly. A medical professional would not say that. I doubt an FBI agent would either. It felt wrong reading a variation of that phrase over and over. (I work in medicine and I only say "belly" when talking to my youngest patients).
Without getting into specifics too much, there were some other things that stood out to me. Details about time frames and motives mostly.