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4.6 out of 5
92.00% of customers are satisfied
5.0 out of 5 stars Very impressive - Quite possibly her finest novel to date.
(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } Rating: 4.5/5With her previous books Clare Mackintosh has already demonstrated that she is a talented writer - but I would venture to suggest that "The Last Party" is her finest piece of work yet!I won't go into the plot as there is adequate information in the summary provided by the publisher to get you started without the need for me to risk divulging any spoilers, but Clare Mackintosh has produced a compelling piece of dramatic fiction that delivers wonderfully well in a variety of ways.The style is quite filmic and in many respects it is reminiscent of a ready-to-go screenplay for a television mini-series ... and I really hope that someone picks this up and turns it into just that. The choice of setting is a master stoke and provides the ideal environment for the dramatis personae to inhabit as well as the perfect backdrop for the captivating mystery. The characterisation is excellent. There is quite a sizeable cast in "The Last Party", but the author has gone to great trouble to make sure that they are all well-drawn, relatable and credible. Central protagonist, Ffion, is particularly impressive - flawed, but endearing, and gifted with a sharp wit and appealing sense of humour. It is a joy to watch the interaction between her and Leo as they strive to uncover the truth.The narrative alternates between the present time - following the live progress of the investigation into the death of Rhys Lloyd - and then flashbacks to various points in the months leading up that fateful night. As we look back, we do so through the eyes of all the key players. Incredibly, there are a staggering sixteen different viewpoints depicted during the course of the novel. Utilising so many points of view really shouldn't work - but, in this instance, it absolutely does! I take my hat off to Clare Mackintosh - her clever construction makes something that could have had the potential to be a complete car crash seem entirely appropriate and fitting.In the "Acknowledgments" section the Clare Mackintosh thanks fellow author, Lisa Jewell, for her advice on research - after reading this, I wouldn't be surprised if Clare Mackintosh finds a number of other writers seeking her advice about how to construct a successful murder mystery. This is a very easy book to recommend - not only to lovers of murder mysteries, but to anyone who appreciates well-written fiction of any genre.
4.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining
This is the 2nd Claire Macintosh book I’ve read and my plan is to read them all. She’s very good.This is a very engaging story with developed and interesting characters. The twists are great and unexpected. She does that so well. The book is very easy to read and highly entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed it.I dud notice a strange thing on a few occasions though with the narrator. At one point the narrator swore and then at another, made a joke; I have never encountered this in any book I’ve read and it goes against literary conventions in my opinion. I don’t think it worked but that is just a minor point in an otherwise very enjoyable book.
5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic read
First time reading this author and it will not be the last. What a well written book with so many layers of twists and turns.
3.0 out of 5 stars Not one of Clare’s best
I enjoy a police who-fun-it so I kept reading. As always, Clare is good at a plot but the writing distracted me. Many cliches and so many mentions of the silvery lake.There were many characters and I had trouble remembering which was which but perhaps that is down to my aging brain.
4.0 out of 5 stars Eloquently crafted tale
The Last Party is a gripping, eloquently crafted tale seeped in dark secrets. Short chapters and lethally potent writing had me aching for each chapter. A fine blend of police procedural and compulsive thriller.The Last Party ticked all those thriller/crime boxes. It’s so unapologetically Welsh which I loved. This is the first Clare Mackintosh book I’ve read and let me tell you, it won’t be the last. A party to celebrate the new year and the opening of The Shore – a luxurious high-end resort next to the mountains. It’s out of the local’s price range, but owner, Rhys Lloyd throws a party to end all parties – literally, it will be the last one he ever attends.DC Ffion Morgan likes to keep things simple. Her marriage has recently broken down after disagreements about having children together. it’s not something she ever envisions. She’s back living at her mums with her younger sister, Seren. It’s not meant to be a long-term decision but, apparent from needing to answer to her mum its relatively uncomplicated. The opening sees her trying to extricate herself from a one-night stand, who turns out to be her colleague when she’s seconded to Cheshire police.DC Leo Brady is also going through the mill. He’s separated from his wife, Allie. She’s pulling all the strings – refuses to let Leo see his son, Harris, due to something he truly believes in – justice. He made a judgement call whilst Harris was in his car and now Allie is making all the decisions – holding the threat of reporting him to social services if he even dares fight her on her decision to move herself and Harris to Australia with her new partner. He feels desolate but with the wise words from Ffion, he realises that he’s been allowing too many people to just walk all over him. Whether that’s Allie or his superior, DI Crouch, he knows he needs to find his balls, stat.The Last Party has a lot of supporting characters, and usually this format would immediately put me off, but I found it worked here. Each character brough a new layer to uncover, it strengthened the protagonist’s arc’s and I just found myself having a jolly good time reading. The format really gave me Broadchurch or Johnathan Creek (maybe only I remember that one.) It’s one of those crime stories that really does earn the title – keeps you guessing until the very end.Rhys Lloyd is a nationally known singer from North Wales. He’s won many accolades during his career, and he wants to pay homage to his heritage, so he acquires the land on which to build The Shore – something that earns him the ire of the locals, it’s not something they want blighting the landscape. So, when Rhys Lloyd turns up dead in the loch, many people fall into the category of suspect – even Ffion Morgan, because she’s keeping a secret, but for who and why?
superb !
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Wow
This is one of my favorite writers and she did not disappoint!! So much going on and never would have guessed so many things about the ending.I would even love to see her write a second book to continue with the characters!
Wow...just wow
Main Characters:--Ffion Morgan – Detective Constable in Wales, 30 years old, lives with her mother and sister in Cwm Coed since separating from her husband--Leo Brady – Detective Constable in England, 36 years old, lives alone since divorcing his wife, has a young son--Elen & Seren Morgan – Ffion’s mother and 16-year-old sister--Rhys & Yasmin Lloyd – Rhys is a famous singer originally from Cwm Coed, trying to rebuild his career and hopes to capitalize on his popularity to make The Shore an attractive investment for wealthy Londoners, Yasmin dabbles in interior design; parents to twin teenage daughters Tabby and Felicia--Jonty & Blythe Charlton – Jonty is an investor who typically matches investors to opportunities, but he is the primary investor in The Shore; he and his wife Blythe own one of the homes; parents to Woody and Hester--Bobby & Ashleigh Stafford – Bobby is a down-to-earth retired boxer also originally from Cwm Coed; after his retirement, he had a small part in a television show that pivoted to a recurring role; married to Ashley, a social media influencer who really just capitalizes on Bobby’s fame--Clemmie & Caleb Northcote – the seemingly least wealthy residents of The Shore, Clemmie moved with her teenage son Caleb from England to remove him from the troubling circle of friends he had--Dee Huxley – older owner of one of the vacation homes of The Shore, no one seems to know much about her, she lives alone, stays to herself--Huw Ellis – Ffion’s estranged husband, main contractor of The Shore--Mia Williams – one of Ffion’s friends (by default), they were two years apart in school and now go out drinking together; she is a housekeeper and has just started cleaning at The Shore--Ceri Jones – the postwoman of Cwm Coed…and too many more to mentionWow…just…wow!This was my first Clare Mackintosh novel, and it will not be my last. This felt like the mother of all whodunits, and I promise you that I will not give it away. Everyone loved Rhys Lloyd! Who would want to murder such a beloved star? But the more of the book you read, the more you wonder who wouldn’t want to murder him. Literally everyone is a suspect.The story begins on New Year’s Day, in the village of Cwm Coed (pronounced Coom Coyd), the morning of the New Year’s Day swim when Rhys Lloyd’s body washes up in Llyn Drych (Mirror Lake). A famous singer who grew up in Cwm Coyd, Rhys and his investor Jonty, had invited residents of Cwm Coed to a New Year’s Eve party at their vacation resort The Shore.There’s a lot of animosity between the not-so-wealthy residents of Cwm Coed and the wealthy owners of the vacation homes of The Shore. Rhys’s mother Glynis still lives in Cwm Coed, and the land used for The Shore had once been part of Wales and was left to Rhys by his father. The goal of the party was to show the people of Cwm Coed that residents of The Shore just want to be part of the village, one big happy family.Or not.A major component of this story is the conflict between the Welsh and the English. People speak Welsh to prevent the English from understanding. One of the residents from England tries to learn some Welsh phrases to fit in. And there are a number of annoyed references to mispronunciations of Welsh names.I was glad I read it on a Kindle to translate some of the phrases from Welsh because the author didn’t always define them and context clues weren’t all that helpful at times. But what seemed like a bit of a distraction at first really helped demonstrate the animosity…and turned a “whodunit” into a “no really, whodunit?”I loved the interactions between Ffion and Leo from the beginning. They demonstrate a ton of chemistry. Leo makes Ffion realize she doesn’t need to work alone (she calls herself The Lone Ranger), and Ffion makes Leo realize that he is capable of fighting back against his ex-wife. They are good investigators alone, but they are so much better together.The story alternates time frames in Part One with the investigation (Ffion and Leo chapters) working forward from New Year’s Day and the character reveals (all the other residents) working backward from New Year’s Eve. When we get to Part Two and really start to learn what’s going on, the investigation still continues forward, but the character reveals go back to June when The Shore opened and work their way up to the party.The buildup to the big reveal of who killed Rhys was incredibly satisfying, and I still gasped at the ending. You don’t want to miss this. This is a stand-alone, and I can’t wait to read how Ffion’s story continues.
Amazing
Brilliant plot, characters and ambiance!Loved it …. A book I will definitely remember!
Wow - she did it again!
And has given us a fantastic new thriller, introducing a wonderful new female detective and a delectable male one as well...And also had the added benefit of introducing me to Wales, where I have never been. Told from various points of views the plot twists and turns and has many surprises up its sleeve. And the eye to detail is superb! Can't wait for the next installment!
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The Last Party: The twisty thriller and instant Sunday Times bestseller (DC Morgan)
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Product origin: United Kingdom
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