The Party by Lisa Hall @LisaHallAuthor @HQStories @lovedreadinthis #TheParty #LisaHall #BlogTour #BookReview #Giveaway

 

HQStories July 12th 2018

Book Description

It was just a party.

But it turned into a nightmare.

When Rachel wakes up in a strange room, the morning after a neighbour’s party, she has no memory of what happened the night before.  Why did her husband leave her alone at the party?  Did they row?  Why are Rachel’s arms so bruised?  And why are her neighbours and friends so vague about what really happened?

Little by little, Rachel pieces together the devastating events that took place in a friend’s house, at a party where she should have been safe.  Everyone remembers what happened that night differently, and everyone has something to hide.  But someone knows what happened to Rachel and she’s determined to find them.

My Thoughts

My first introduction to Lisa Hall, but oh my, this definitely won’t be my last.  Feels very safe doesn’t it, adults at a house party, celebrating New Years Eve, all very civilised?  That’s what Rachel thought too, only she can’t remember what happened, except that she knows something did happen, something bad…to her.

Written entirely in the first person we accompany Rachel on her  quest for the truth., determined to find out what happened to her on New Year’s Eve.  But everyone seems shady, the truth seems unreachable, does everybody no more? does anybody know?  This story had a fast opening and maintained it’s pace throughout.  Like Rachel I was baffled as to what exactly had happened, like Rachel I had my suspicions and just like Rachel these changed as the story progressed.  The author capitalised on the village vibe, where everybody knows each other and news travels faster than the speed of light.  Neighbours are friends and also colleagues, they know each other’s business, or at least they think they do, but everyone has a secret to hide.

Rachel, anxious and paranoid, understandably so – she has been harmed by a member of this community, taps into the secrets of others, knowing they are hiding something, but not knowing what.  I thought this book was very clever in the way things were revealed, we learnt more about individuals, nothing too big or far fetched but enough to cast shadows.  Told in a before and after format, Rachel’s story unfolds and she is not without her own difficulties and issues.  A suitably tense and dark thriller that builds intrigue as it progresses.  With an authentic cast of characters, all with their own flaws and stresses there are many unlikeable and suspicious folk to consider here, making this book one gripping read, right through until its superb ending.

Recommended by me! 

And…drum roll!!! I am hosting my first ever giveaway on this blog!  The kind folk at HQ Stories have agreed that one of you lovely people can win a copy of The Party – a great holiday read…or if you’re not going away a great home read…just a great read really.  To enter simply let me know in the comments what your last great read was.  For an extra entry, share this post on Twitter.  That’s all.  Competition is a quickie and will close Friday 20th July at 10am so get commenting and tweeting!  Good Luck.  This competition is not associated with WordPress or Twitter, there will be one winner who will be notified as a reply to their comment and will have 24 hours to respond and must be willing to provide their name and address.  UK Only.

This is a blog tour so do try to check out what others are saying about this great book, released last week.