My first 5 star read of 2024… finally!

This book was wild. As a parent, I also found it super disturbing. But talk about a true psychological thriller- so many books want to pass as “psychological thrillers,” but this one actually hit the nail on the head. Reading this book was like being in the mind of a psychopath, so if that’s your thing too, add it to your TBR 🤪 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of this novel.

With this twisted, tragic plot, I almost felt bad for enjoying what I was reading. This author has yet to write a bad novel. Her stories will devour you and spit you back out, leaving you thrilled yet shocked by what just occurred. This one, as well as all her others, had a dark atmosphere and excellent character development. She is not one to be afraid of writing about any subject matter, yet does not romanticize it. This takes you into the mind of the most disturbing personalities, meticulously peeling back their layers in each turn of the page. I went into this blind and suggest others do the same, and you will not be disappointed. Four and a half stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer, for this ARC.

𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏...𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒅𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒆. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒔--𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆. 𝑬𝒏𝒗𝒚, 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒅, 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏--𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝑰 𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒕 𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒍𝒚. 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝑰 𝒔𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒅.

I usually can't pick favorites among my reads, and I know it's only March, but this is the one that's going on that list. I was absolutely riveted as soon as I started. The opening scene was beyond compelling. How can a doctor saving someone's life in a diner be so shocking? Because Perla, the woman who did it, isn't a doctor. It's just one of the many roles she plays.

There is something strange about Perla. She lives in a big, beautiful house in a gated community with her doting husband and pre-teen daughter. She's also obsessed with a two-decades-old crime, the Folcrum murders. Leewood Folcrum confessed to murdering two young girls during a sleepover party twenty-three years ago. Why is Perla captivated by this man? Who is the young doctoral student interviewing Leewood and getting him to open up about exactly what happened that night?

I can't think of a recent fictional character who has chilled me to my core more than one featured in this book. I will keep their identity hidden for fear of spoilers, but my God. The character's construction was absolutely brilliant, and their motivations and deceptions are jaw-dropping. I was COMPLETELY invested in the lives of these fictional people, and this was absolutely the author's best work, and I've loved all of her previous books. So many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the early copy. This title will release August 20, 2024.

Let me start by saying I love everything I have read by A.R. Torre. She can do no wrong in my eyes so when I saw this on NetGalley I requested it immediately and I was so excited to read it. I had very high expectations and was not let down at all!!! What a ride!!! I loved every second and couldn’t put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The entire time I read this book I was wondering what the heck I was reading! In the absolutel best way. This was a blast and I couldn’t put it down from start to finish!

Holy CRAP! I’m truly struggling for words to start this review because this book was just so shocking, disturbing, twisted…. In the best ways possible.

I truly don’t think I could give a summary without accidentally spoiling it. It follows Perla, a wealth wife and mother, who is obsessed with a convicted murderer that killed his daughter and her two friends at a sleepover. We also follow that killer, Leewood, as he’s dying in jail. The book is interspersed with journal entries from Perla’s daughter Sophie. Anything else I could say will spoil things so go in as blind as possible.

I’ve truly loved every one of AR Torres books but this one has jumped to the top. It’s by far her darkest book by a long shot. She puts you right in the mind of demented psychopaths.

The book is the most twisted, tense, disturbing ride with twists that will blow your mind. It’s definitely going to stick with me for awhile. I’m going to very impatiently be waiting for AR Torres next book!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

This book sucked me in and had me completely shook. Perla right off the rip, I already felt was batty! The more I kept reading, the more I disliked her. She was a master manipulator and a sociopath. I figured out early on who Perla really was. For some reason unbeknownst to me I just couldn't see how a few others did not know. I had to keep reading through the hard parts and grit my teeth with Perla's actions. It's completely worth it though. All of the pieces start fitting into the puzzle. Grant and Sophie had some secrets as well but that ending was epic!! Let's just say that one thing Perla did right was teach Sophie a particular trait well. Sophie stole the show and I could tell early on through her pov that she was a clever girl!

I am striving for the perfect word to describe this book.. What I come up with is twisted... or maybe disturbing...or compelling..

This was a story within a story within a story. You know they will come together - otherwise, why tell these stories.. But you are not quite sure how. You think you know, but...

Story 1: Perla and Grant are seemingly happily married with an 11 year old daughter. Perla seems like the perfect wife and mother, except for her weird obsession with a convicted murderer. And then... well, I dont want to give anything away.

Story 2: In the past, there was a murder of 3 little girls. The father of one of the girls is convicted of the murder, but swears his innocence. But he admits (to us) he has a secret - did he really do it? I kept thinking he had to be innocent - otherwise, why are we hearing about his story. He is dying with not long to live. He gets a lot of fan mail, and hate mail. He has a Phd student interviewing him. I kept waiting to see where the clues were - does he confess to one of them?

And then the stories merge... All I can say is put aside your preconceptions and enjoy the ride.

The best comment I can give this book is the following: I read a LOT of books. Often after reading them, I think "this was good (or not)" and I quickly forget them. However, I read this book two days ago. I dreamed about it,and woke up thinking about it. It was crazy. it was different, it was a fun read.

I am giving this 4.5 stars. . Why not 5? Just a couple of nitpicky things about the way it ended. It was weird in a good way. but it left me with some thoughts about what I would have done differently. (which is what i woke up thinking about). And there were a few little "oh come on" moments..

But pick this up - you wont be disappointed.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC which did not impact my review.

This book is definitely a little different from Torre's other ones but still a fantastic read. I found the main character Perla to be insanely manipulative and that just sucks you in as a reader. You know she's lying but how much? I highly recommend this one and warn that you won't be able to put it down.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of The Last Party by A.R. Torre in exchange for an honest review.

The Last Party is about Perla, her husband Grant and their daughter Sophie. They live in a big beautiful house in gated community. They wear designer clothes, drive expensive cars, life is good for them. So why is Perla obsessed with a crime that happened 23 years ago?

23 years ago there was a horrible crime where two young girls were attacked and killed at a birthday party. Leewood Folcrum confessed to the crime and is currently serving a life sentence.

I read this book in one day! I did guess almost all of the twists as there were hints along the way but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book! It is hard to explain any more of the plot without giving away spoilers. It was a page turner with short quick chapters as secret upon secret is revealed. I read The Good Lie by A.R. Torre last year and I loved it as well. I have had almost all of A.R. Torres books on my TBR for a while now so I was excited to get approved to read this one through Netgalley.

4 stars!

Title: The Last Party by A.R. Torre
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: August 8, 2024

⭐ 4.5/5

Leewood Folcrum maintains his innocence two decades after the murder of two young girls at his house during his daughter's 12th birthday party.
Perla, a bored and spoiled housewife, is obsessed with Leewood and is planning to recreate The Folcrum Party in order to shed doubt on Leewood's guilt.

I enjoyed this one! We get to read in multiple POV and each chapter begins with statements gathered for evidence of the crime. I was absolutely not anticipating the twist, I love how all the pieces fell into place. The Last Party is a must read psychological thriller!

Thank you so much @netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the review copy!

Thank you for an ARC of The Last Party.

I loved the author's The Girl in 6E trilogy and she's been on my radar ever since.

I've been reading her books since and enjoy her writing style and tone.

The Last Party is my least favorite of Ms. Torre's books but contains the author's trademarks; good writing, a diabolical female antagonist, and dark family secrets.

I get the feeling Perla Wultz is meant to be a reincarnation of Deanna Madden; sadly, she's not.

She's a stone cold psychopath and it was disturbing to read her innermost thoughts and her dastardly plan to remake her image and be famous.

I didn't like Perla (I did like Deanna), or anyone else, not even her husband or daughter, though they were typical supporting characters.

At least her husband wasn't a scumbag like Perla's dad.

I usually have emotional attachment to one or two characters in Ms. Torre's books but this time, the narrative left me feeling oddly cold, not fully invested in the story and how Perla would get her comeuppance.

The narrative felt like something I've read before, but I look forward to the author's next book.

“The Last Party” by A.R. Torre is a psychological thriller set in a suburban neighborhood. It has multiple POV and is a quick read. The plot and twists are obvious from the beginning, so there’s no surprise at all. I was a bit disappointed by it.

A Twsisted Web…
Ah, what a twisted web we weave. Living a glamorous and affluent lifestyle in a Pasadena gated community is Perla Wultz - what secrets does Perla keep? What connection does an infamous killer have with her, with her family - or is there any? As past and present collide, threads combine and unravel, walls and worlds may well come tumbling down. A deftly penned suspense with a carefully crafted vein of underlying menace that never lets up, a keenly observed cast of characters and an intriguing, pacy plotline populated with often unexpected twists.

I struggle to find any fault in this book!!

This story is about a wealthy couple and their daughter, living in an affluent community with all the luxuries it affords. The main narrator, Perla, is an easy to hate character that harbors secrets from her past. Each chapter intro gives insight from the perspectives of those around the family, related to the ending, as if they’re being interviewed. The story has parallel storylines that unravel as you become more immersed in the story, both past and present tense.

A.R. Torre never disappoints!! This novel sucked me in from page one and had me guessing straight through to the end. With each discovery, I wondered how I missed the clues that revealed the truth- but it was so well written that it was easy to get lost in the storyline.

A.R Torre did it again! if you love an unreliable narrator, multiple POV, short chapters, & plot TWISTS: then this book will definitely be for you! Messy characters, drama, and an easy to read writing style. I devour every book I read by this author!

I loved the cross between the perfect life of the gated community and the darkness that was lurking, this definitely added to the suspense and tension of secrets and lies hiding in the community.

Another excellent read from A.R. Torre. With short chapters and a sharp tone, you won’t be able to put this book down. From the first chapter, I was hooked and I loved the way this story was pieced together. I found myself throughout the book pausing to put the pieces together myself. Wonderfully done and I highly recommend it. This is one of those books that I find myself wanting to pick up again and read from the beginning now that I know the ending.

Towards the end, again I paused reading to put together the entire story and I was anticipating the high stakes, high tension ending.

Furthermore, as I sit and considered the plot and how everything turned out, I am amazed at how Torre wrote such an intricate story that was still easy to follow as a reader thrown into this world.

I recommend it for new and returning fans of the thriller genre. It is certainly formatted unlike any other thriller book I have read.

Available on Kindle and in Paperback, August 20, 2024.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the e-ARC

OMG. Ridiculously great. Favorite Torre book yet! So much fun. It was stupid luck that I did guess the culprit & true identity of the most nefarious person but it was such an outside grasp! This book was wonderful, so entertaining. I don’t understand folks that read & review thrillers/ domestic suspense books & complain that they “couldn’t connect” or “didn’t like” the protagonist or any character in a book. I wouldn’t want to! I look for escapism entertainment at its best & “The Last Party” is exemplary & 5 complete stars!!

Book Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

I read an ARC of this book given by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

As I was reading this, I couldn’t help but draw conclusions to the show <I>Desperate Housewives</I>. Probably because it’s my current watch but also because there are a lot similarities in a way.

American suburbia, picturesque and completely devoid of any malice. Brighton’s Estates was Wisteria Lane if every house in Wisteria Lane was filled with psychopathic Bree Van De Kamps.

Because that’s really the best way I can describe Perla Wultz.

Bree Van De Kamp if she was a heartless, psychopathic, crazy person with homicidal tendencies.

I realize now that sounds more akin to Stepford Wives more than anything.

This book was trippy as hell. From the very first chapter, you already get a feel of who Perla Wultz is a person. A narcissistic, megalomaniac with delusions of grandeur and a desire to be number 1. After all, what kind of person lies about being a doctor and in the midst of saving a person’s life, thinks about her chipped nail polish rather than the person’s whose life is in her hands. I mean, that is a special brand of fucked up.

I’ve only ever read one other A.R. Torre book and that book was filled with such deeply unhappy people, it made me unhappy too. (But in a good way).I have to say, I vastly prefer this one. This book was engaging in its plot and gripping in her writing. It was honestly difficult to put down and if it hadn’t been for the many errands I had to run, I am sure I would have finished this within a single day. Though, if you’re a regular thriller/mystery book reader, you would probably see the twists of this book from a mile away. You still can’t help but finish it until the end. It’s that good.

Does this book have its faults? Absolutely. But I would still recommend it. This book is the perfect beach read. Quick, fast-paced and the kind of thriller that would hold your hand and help you in understanding the twists and turns without making you feel dumb for not guessing the twists in the first place.