Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox: A Mixed Bag of Promises and Pitfalls
When I first stumbled across Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox, I was immediately drawn in by the premise: a glamorous sweet 16 birthday party spiraling into chaos at a cliffside mansion. It evoked images of lavish gatherings, secretive glances, and dark twists lurking beneath the surface. With great anticipation, I dove into this newly released eARC, but my reading experience ended up being more of a cautious step than a headlong dive into a thrilling mystery.
At the heart of the story is Sophie Matthews, turning 16 amid a swirling backdrop of family dynamics, including her psychiatrist father Ethan, his influencer wife Dani, and the uninvited appearance of Sophie’s estranged mother, Kim. The party, which should have been a moment of celebration, quickly turns dark when someone plummets from the balcony. This setup intrigued me immensely, with the ripe potential for a pulse-pounding thriller. Unfortunately, what transpired felt more like a domestic drama than the suspenseful ride I had envisioned.
Cox employs a narrative style that alternates between four perspectives: Dani, Mikayla, Kim, and Órlaith, an elderly nanny. While I appreciated the ambition behind multiple POVs, the execution fell short. The 98 short chapters, many less than a page, disrupted the flow and made it challenging to form connections with the characters or care about the unfolding drama. As the story unfolded, I found myself yearning for depth instead of the fleeting glimpses of character backstories that ultimately felt like filler.
A standout moment in the text that captured my attention was the quote, "People are born with a fear of falling, that hardwired reflex… It’s the loss of control we’re afraid of." This reflection on fear resonated deeply with the overarching themes of the book—loss, control, and the various “falls” we experience in life. Yet, the narrative’s focus on everyday events and character drama over genuine thrill diluted the potency of such themes, leading to a rather disappointing reveal.
Despite my disappointment, I don’t want to undervalue Cox’s efforts as a debut author. There were ambitious choices that hinted at future potential, though many plot threads didn’t quite come together. For instance, the supposed haunting of the Matthews’ mansion felt like an unresolved thread with no supernatural payoff. Similarly, odd character choices, such as Órlaith’s curious habit of carrying around a dead bird, left me feeling perplexed rather than intrigued.
In conclusion, while Party of Liars held the promise of an enthralling mystery, it ultimately felt more like a tangled web of family drama than a thrilling ride. I believe readers who enjoy deep domestic narratives with a sprinkle of suspense might find it engaging, albeit with different expectations. As for me, this experience was a gentle reminder that not every book lives up to its marketing. However, I’m still curious to see where Kelsey Cox’s creativity takes her next. 🎉✨
If you’re hoping for an intense thriller, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you’re curious about family complexities and the dynamics of loyalties, you may just find something to appreciate in this debut.