Common Sense Media Review
By Lucinda Dyer
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Knife-wielding killer stalks trapped teens in scary tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
THE PARTY is being thrown by twins Allegra and Fergus at a castle their family has owned for generations. It may be a castle, but it's currently unfit for habitation and will soon be converted (much against the wishes of the neighboring village) into luxury apartments. While Allegra has invited the whole class at their posh boarding school, only the twins and eight of their friends manage to arrive before a violent storm strands them in the castle. As Bessie, Kash, Shen, Jia, Zeke, Abbas, Odette, and Hugo soon find out, Allegra never mentioned that only a few of the 50 rooms have electricity and the only heat will be coming from fireplaces. When Bessie and her roommate and best friend, Kash, decide to explore the castle's cellars, they discover threatening graffiti ("you're getting what's coming to you" and "you won't get away with this") painted on the walls. Then Jia, who ventured out in the storm, is injured by a falling tree. The next morning, the friends are horrified to discover that Jia, who seemed to be recovering, has died (or perhaps been murdered?) and their phones have disappeared. As the storm continues to rage, there are two more murders and a confrontation with a knife-wielding killer dressed in black. The friends are now trapped, arguing, and at odds. Then Bessie, Kash, and Hugo find a secret staircase and a kill list—with Bessie's name as the next to die. By Day 3, only five are left and the shocking identity of the killer or possibly killers is revealed.
Is It Any Good?
It's tough putting a new spin on "teens stalked by killer," but a creepy castle, lots of secrets, and a suitably shocking ending make for a really good read. The group of friends in The Party is diverse and engaging and the fact that they come from different countries and cultures never enters into how they interact with one another. There's also a serious and cautionary storyline about the consequences of drunk driving and the lasting emotional impact it can have on the survivors.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the part being courageous plays in thrillers like The Party. Do you think a story might be more interesting if a character or two was a bit more cowardly?
What makes a great thriller—is it the setting, the characters, or a surprising killer?
The last sentence of the novel makes it seem as if there's still a secret to be revealed. How would you continue the story?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Courage
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Delacorte Press
- Publication date : December 3, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 352
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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