I liked this book! It kept me on the edge of my seat with lots of twists and surprises. The pacing slows down a bit sometimes, but the suspense kept me hooked. If you like fast-paced thrillers, I recommend giving this one a try.

A complex twisty thrill ride. I love the way this author brings the characters to life and keeps you thinking about them long after you close the book. A brilliant, hooky tale where nothing is as it seems. Loved this one!

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

A great read
It will have you hooked
Plenty of twists and turns
A great thriller
Can’t wait for her next book
Thanks NetGalley

So well written - adored it - read it in a day, full of twists and turns. excellent read - so enjoyable. edge of the seat all the way. such excellent talent.

This one has a dual pov, that being Rachel and Owen. To be honest with you, I struggled to connect to the characters. It is a slow burn, so if thats not your pace it might not be the right book for you.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "The Garden Party" and all opinions expressed are my own. Very slow book. There were some twists but nothing that really said wow. I honestly didn't care what happened to the characters, I didn't connect with them at all. I did like her other book "The Night Out"

The story follows the protagonist as she and her husband move into a seemingly perfect neighborhood, only to discover that their new neighbors harbor dark secrets.

The novel sets up an intriguing premise with a welcoming party that quickly reveals underlying tensions. The protagonist's observations and interactions at the party are well-crafted, providing a sense of unease that propels the story forward. The depiction of the neighborhood and its residents is vivid, bringing the setting to life and adding to the overall atmosphere.

The writing is straightforward, occasionally delving into detailed descriptions that help set the scene. However, these moments sometimes slow down the pacing.


In summary, this book delivers a solid, enjoyable read. It may not reinvent the genre, but it provides enough mystery and emotional stakes to make it worth a read for thriller enthusiasts.

I really enjoyed this book! This book kept me on my toes. I never knew what was coming next! I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast pace thriller !

The Garden Party by Wendy Clarke was another excellent book from start to finish, especially as it was a great page turner and I found it very hard to put it down. This latest book by Wendy was fast paced, suspenseful, addictive.

What are you waiting for? Its Brilliant!

I loved it and highly recommend this book. A great holiday read.

Big Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and Wendy Clarke the author for my ARC.

This book is twisty! It's a smoke and mirrors psychological thriller fiction that I personally, really enjoyed engaging with!

The story is mainly, though not exclusively, told through the perspective of Rachel. Provided for by award winning author husband, Owen, Rachel has no current career of her own. At Owen's instigation, they move to 'Pond Close' a small community not far from his home town. As Owen appears something of a loner, Rachel attends a garden party in honour of the couples move to the community, alone. Rachel soon learns that previous inhabitants of their home included a young girl who tragically drowned in a local pond. Rachel becomes a little fixated on this, particularly when she reveals some incriminating writing hidden under the wallpaper in her home when she undertakes some renovation. This uncovered writing eludes to Philippa, her neighbour, who also happens to be the somewhat distant mother to Lexi, to whom Rachel also develops something of a a fixation.

A lot happens below this surface of this novel, and it really unfolds with gratifying clarity as the novels play out. It is clever, deliciously dark and commendably well written. A book to be enjoyed in all its darkness!

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

TW: Infertility

Actual Rating 1.5

Owen and Rachel have moved to a new neighborhood to escape a past mistake that haunts them and so Owen can work on his new book. But there are only a few houses in their Close, and it makes it difficult to create new friendships. On top of that, Rachel can’t help but be judgmental when she sees how one of her neighbors treats her daughter, and that judging quickly turns to anger. But Rachel and Owen aren’t the only two here with secrets, and it’s only a matter of time before Rachel decides to take some drastic actions.

Despite being advertised as a thriller, this work is rather long and slow. There’s not much that happens despite the length of the book, which is partially since the characters keep hinting at or referencing the same things repeatedly without adding much or any new information. This repetition not only slowed down the plot, but it certainly took away from any tension that may have been present.

The characters were a weak point of this work. I didn’t like the protagonist, but not in the good way. She didn’t feel like she was written to be unlikeable, and she really wasn’t written well. The story was told from a dual POV, and I did enjoy the information that was included from Owen’s perspective for the most part. The twists ranged from not compelling to downright absurd, and there were several plot holes. The author also utilized monologues for the explanation and resolution, which just wasn’t compelling. And the title? There was one garden party near the beginning of the work that was mostly irrelevant, so I’m not sure why that was chosen for the title.

If you’re looking for a very slow burn mystery with mediocre characters and themes of infertility and being judgmental, you might like this one. My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really enjoyed this. It wasn’t what I expected as I got through the book. Really wasn’t too keen on Rachel’s character until half way through the story. Has a great twist and a brilliant ending.

The Garden Party grabbed me pretty quickly and was a fast paced family drama psychological mystery. I couldn’t figure out what was going on in this little suburb after the not so great garden party invitation. I related many ways to the main character as I also struggled and still do with infertility so some of the feelings she was feeling hit home. The ending was such a mind bender and wrapped up very nicely. Overall a great fast paced chiller popcorn mystery book.

I thought this book started off slowly but did pick up. I didnt like the main characters but it was an OK read in the end
Thank you to Netgalley for an early ARC in return for an honest review

I struggled with this one a bit, it’s a very slow start but it does pick up a bit halfway. Unfortunately the characters were very unlikable, which I understand the reason for it, but I felt like there was no one that I could connect with in this book, so it was hard to keep my interest. I also felt like they were parts of the story that were very far-fetched. And actually I had to reread it because it didn’t make a lot of sense but there are some positives in the book I did like the writing style. It’s an easy read, and I will be giving the author another try because while this book wasn’t for me, I can see how others would like it

The Garden Party is the first book I've read by Wendy Clarke but will not be the last!
The very definition of domestic fiction this book checked all the boxes for me. A husband and wife with past secrets, a cul-de-sac neighborhood with questionable neighbors hiding their own secrets, and mystery surrounding the history of the neighborhood.

This story flowed smoothly and kept me interested throughout and the final twists were perfectly crafted. I found myself thinking about this story constantly and couldn't wait to get back to reading it.

I enjoyed this book and have added Wendy Clarke to my go to author's list. Can't wait to read another.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the chance to read an advanced copy

Thank you to @NetGalley and @bookouture for another great read and my #gifted advanced readers copy!

I really enjoyed this suspenseful thriller. Full of secrets and mysteries.

New couple move to a very close-knit neighborhood and are welcomed with open arms. The move is a needed fresh start to rekindle their marriage.

Unfortunately, famous author/husband continues to neglect his wife’s emotional and physical needs, so she begins to meet up with her former lover.

Meanwhile, the couple’s new neighbors are harboring tragedy and secrets. The mysterious death of a child and suspected child abuse from neighbor Philippa.

As the couple’s marriage deteriorates, secrets emerge and surprising, shocking danger ensues. Who is to be trusted and who is lying?

Thank you Bookouture and Netgalley for this Arc.

Years ago, a tragedy struck the tree-lined street. The community was devastated: they held each other close, and tried to support the poor mother who lost her young daughter, Maddie. But she soon moved away, and the house has sat untouched ever since.

Who was supposed to be looking after Maddie that day? Did someone take their eyes off this innocent little child? Just as fast as everyone speaks up, they start to become tight-lipped. Is the house the key to uncovering what someone did all those years ago? Is there a reason no one has stayed very long at number two?

But when Rachel sees a picture of Maddie’s sparkling eyes and wide smile in a newspaper clipping, a memory floods back. And she knows she cannot leave. She’s the only person who will do whatever it takes to find out the truth, even if it puts her life in terrible danger…


Wow! This book was amazing! my jaw kept dropping because every time I thought I understood this book, it changed. I had no idea who to root for because everyone seemed to have a motive. This was the first book by Wendy but I can't wait to read more. I think she's become a new repeat author.

Enjoyed it but found myself skimming parts to get to the end, the beginning was a bit slow which is where I usually give up but I'm pleased I persisted and would look for others by this author