Published by HQ, July 2018
Source: review copy
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 the truth about what happened to Rachel. And she’s determined to find them.
Lisa was kind enough to send me a copy of her latest book, The Party, to review. I popped it in the bag along with a few others I’d been meaning to read for a recent family holiday and promptly polished it off on a long hot afternoon on the beach.
I can’t remember the last book I read in a single sitting. I’ve read a few over the course of a weekend, or a couple of days, but in one go? Very rare!
The Party starts with the aftermath of a party. Rachel wakes up in a strange room with absolutely no memory of what happened the night before. Over the next few days she starts to piece together what might have happened. Turns out that more than one person has something to hide.
Lisa Hall takes us on a winding road through the events of that fateful evening, and much like a master magician, shows us exactly and only what she wants us to see, giving us glimpses into what happened. We’re left questioning everything and suspecting everyone.
The subject matter should probably come with a trigger warning – the aftermath of sexual assault and stalking are the key parts of this book, but I thought that Lisa Hall handles these difficult subjects well, and keeps the reader hooked throughout.
The Party, by Lisa Hall is published by HQ. You can find Lisa on twitter @LisaHallAuthor, or at her website lisahallauthor.co.uk.
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