3.5 stars- i stayed WAY up my bedtime because I couldn't get enough. thanks netgalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honeat review

This was so interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book in a rural Texas mansion but I really liked it. I would definitely read more from this author. She did a great job.

Texas based locked room mystery! Author does a great job creating different distinguishable character POVs. The main character is a new mom who is struggling with the challenges of early motherhood. The different POV stories intersect for a jaw dropping climax that few will see coming.

Sophie’s 16th birthday party is set to occur at Ethan (dad) and Dani (stepmom)’s supposed haunted mansion. Someone falls … to their death, during the birthday party. Told from multiple perspectives, we learn what happened, and what led up to this unplanned event at the party. A satisfying end made this well written novel worth the read.

This one was a lot of fun. You wanted to believe that it was just a ghost story, but through all the twists and turns you learn the truth. I liked reading every character chapter (which is unusual for me), and this is one that kept me guessing and surprised until the last chapter.

This fast-paced locked-room whodunnit revolves around Sophie’s Sweet 16 birthday party at her father’s lavish mansion—a place rumored to be haunted. The story begins when someone falls from the balcony during the party. From there, the timeline rewinds, unraveling the events leading up to the tragedy. Told through multiple POVs, the narrative seamlessly blends teenage and adult perspectives, creating a compelling mix of tension, suspense, and drama. Although there were a few aspects of the book I did not particularly like (alcohol and postpartum depression), I think this is a solid book for thriller readers.

Thank you @minotaur_books and @netgalley for my eARC! Be sure to add this to your summer TBR

Sophie is celebrating her 16th birthday with a lavish party he dad has thrown for her. Her dad is showing off his beautiful house, beautiful young wife and beautiful new baby at a party that feels more for him than Sophie. Her glossy cheerleader friends, he oldest and best friend, all the popular boys from her class, including the one who just broke her heart are all there. Her mom has had too much to drink... again. An unexpected death at the party leads to secrets being revealed.

This is one you will enjoy if you like a mix of both teen and adult drama. There was a lot going on. It wasn't clear from the beginning where the book was going, but we started to see cracks in the happy lifestyles of these people pretty quickly. The story is filled with deception and gaslighting.

There were a couple of common thriller tropes that I personally don't love - alcoholism to create a potentially unreliable narrator and using postpartum depression as a means for gaslighting. It is fully a personal thing because I read a lot of thrillers and feel it is a little over done. It doesn't really take anything away from the story though.

I started to get the gist of where the plot twist was going fairly early on. There were a few things I didn't see coming though.

Overall, it was a solid read and a great choice if you like thriller books.

I really enjoyed the short chapters, which kept the book moving along. There was also a nice mix of characters/POVs. "Party of Liars" is an enjoyable mystery with a touch of the supernatural. There were a few unexpected, and somewhat crazy, twists. However, the ending did feel a bit rushed. While I doubt this will be one of my top reads of the year, it was a nice start to things.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review. Party of Liars was full of drama and secrets and I loved the characters! I loved the multiple pov's, this book was more than I expected it to be!

2.5 stars, rounded to 3.

The book centers around Sophie Matthews’ lavish sweet sixteen party at her father, Ethan and stepmother Dani’s mansion on the hill in Bulverde, Texas. The house is thought to be haunted and those rumors gain credence when, during the party, a body falls from the balcony. Who is the victim?

And who is the killer? Besides Sophie, Ethan and Dani suspicion may fall on Orlaith, nanny to Sophie’s infant half-sister Charlotte, Mikayla, Sophie’s life long best friend who wonders if she and Sophie are growing apart and Kim, Sophie’s mother who may still be carrying grudges.

Kind of a nothing book. The “the house may be haunted” thing never really goes anywhere and everything that happens is kind of a yawn…you’ll see a lot of it coming or you just won’t be that interested. Not really a horrible book; the writing is fine, but for me it was just too by the numbers.

WHAT A NOVEL! This will be a standout release of 2025, I’m sure of it. This had everything I love in a novel: great pacing, standout characters, and a gothic settling. The multiple POVs felt distinct, compelling, and kept me guessing until the very end. Kelsey is certainly a writer to watch, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.

Ethan and Dani appear to have the perfect life together. They live in a renovated mansion on top of the cliffs with their daughter, Charlotte. Ethan loves to entertain and has planned an elaborate 16th birthday party for his daughter, Sophie. The guest list includes many of Sophie’s friends and parents, and several of Ethan and ex-wife Kim’s friends. But Dani’s thoughts and fears get a little crazy as mysterious, unexplainable things occur. Is she hallucinating like Ethan has led her to believe or is the mansion really haunted? If it isn’t haunted, then which guest is tormenting and paralyzing her with fear?

I found myself reading this every opportunity that I could. It was difficult to put it down. We all know someone like the characters portrayed in the book, so it was entertaining to the very end. You’ll never guess the outcome of this party of liars!

I’m happy to recommend this book (five stars) and I thank St. Martin’s Press and Kelsey Cox for the ARC.
#NetGalley #PartyofLiars

This story definitely had me guessing for the majority of the book. I had so many guesses on who had been pushed over the balcony in the initial chapter and none of those guesses was making sense the more I read. Lots of different twists are revealed and there are many, many characters that will go from likable to unlikable (and sometimes back again), which makes for dynamic storytelling.

I can't say that I loved the haunted "Mother" idea that was woven through the story; however, the implication that the house was haunted added a layer of confusion to the story of whether or not Dani, a new mother, was dealing with postpartum depression and psychosis. This was crucial as the plot developed and the reader has to figure out if the weird going ons are all in her head or are being perpetrated against her.

This debut book from Kelsey Cox certainly kept be engaged! Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.

This was such a fun and exciting story. Teen dramas, adult dramas, secrets, hidden identities--no one was who they seemed. Compelling and full of twists. Perfect for new years! A haunted house and a sweet sixteen for a spoiled teen--perfect mixture for an explosion.

Hells yeah! This book was so much fun! At first it was like holy characters but man it just really wove together so perfectly! WHAT a debut! I hope there’s something coming next because I will absolutely read it! I really just enjoyed all the twining together of the events and the reveals toward the end! The struggles of all the characters and how they were able to eventually overcome them. Such an awesome book and I hope everyone gives it a try and really enjoys it!!!

Just before Sophie Mathews blows out the candles on her Sweet Sixteen birthday cake, a body falls from the balcony. There are numerous guests at this black tie event who could be responsible. The family’s mansion is thought by many to be haunted so there is also a supernatural aspect to the story.

I found the story slow and predictable, and there were many, many characters to keep track of. It did pick up just past the halfway point but not enough to make it a gripping thriller.

Overall, this rates a solid 3. Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy.

The opening segment of *Party of Liars* progressed at a somewhat sluggish pace, which may have tested my patience. However, the narrative picked up momentum in the latter half, leading to a more engaging experience. Throughout the story, it proved difficult to form a genuine affinity for any of the characters, as they were often portrayed in a complex manner. The novel is structured through a series of short chapters, weaving together multiple perspectives that revolve around the events leading up to and following a mysterious death. This unique storytelling approach ultimately builds to a thrilling conclusion, filled with unexpected twists that keep the reader on their toes. Kelsey Cox has delivered an impressive debut with this well-crafted novel, and I find myself eagerly anticipating her upcoming works.

3.5 ⭐ Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my ARC!

Each multi-perspective chapter leaves you feeling tense and uneasy at times. It is a slow burn giving you bits and pieces little at a time which makes it a great read in my opinion. I wish I could rate this higher for Kelsey but something about the story began to feel rushed or perhaps it was such a build up that I almost felt let down once all the secrets were out.

I absolutely devoured this book.

The basic plot revolves around a young woman's 16th birthday party and the intrigues within her family, leading to a sudden death. Each family member, and even a few friends, have a lot of their own personal dramas happening that could add up to a motive for murder.

It was fantastic unraveling all of the twists and turns to finally reach the stunning climax! Read it in one sitting and probably stayed up a little too late on a school night to finish it - but it was so worth it.

great novel and very catchy cover. this was a fast read and others will love to explore this young adult novel.