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Book club questions for The Last Party by Clare Mackintosh explore the twists and turns of this thrilling murder mystery set in North Wales. Detective Ffion Morgan takes on the case of famous singer Rhys Lloyd’s murder on New Year’s Eve, a party hosted by Rhys at his vacation home on Mirror Lake.
With a cast of diverse and complicated characters, each with motives to hurt Rhys, the investigation unfolds layer upon layer of secrets and lies, making it increasingly difficult to determine the killer.
As Ffion delves deeper into the case, she is assisted by Detective Leo, who she had a one-night stand with, adding a personal twist to the already complex investigation.
Mackintosh’s writing style has been praised as “superb” by literary figures such as Patricia Cornwell and Ruth Ware, and is known for its “whipsmart dialogue, droll observation, great characters and some very nasty business.” The Last Party is a standout in the crime fiction genre, and will keep readers on edge from start to finish.
Be sure to read the book before diving into the book club discussion, and get ready to explore the themes of trust, sacrifice, and the courage of the human spirit in this masterful work of crime fiction.
The Synopsis
At midnight, one of them is dead. By morning, all of them are suspects.
It’s the party to end all parties….but not everyone is here to celebrate.
On New Year’s Eve, Rhys Lloyd has a house full of guests. His vacation homes on Mirror Lake are a success, and he’s generously invited the village to drink champagne with their wealthy new neighbors.
But by midnight, Rhys will be floating dead in the freezing waters of the lake.
On New Year’s Day, Ffion Morgan has a village full of suspects. The tiny community is her home, so the suspects are her neighbors, friends and family―and Ffion has her own secrets to protect.
With a lie uncovered at every turn, soon the question isn’t who wanted Rhys dead…but who finally killed him.
In a village with this many secrets, murder is just the beginning.
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Selected Reviews for The Last Party
“Brilliant, so atmospheric….I fell in love with the courageous, complicated detective Ffion Morgan and I think readers will too.” ― Ruth Ware, New York Times bestselling author of One by One
“I loved everything about The Last Party. Taut, pacey and so atmospheric with brilliantly executed twists and wonderfully written characters. DC Ffion Morgan is my new favorite detective. An absolute triumph.” ― Claire Douglas, author of The Couple at No. 9
“Superb. A compelling murder mystery told with warmth, humor and enough red herrings to keep even the most seasoned crime reader guessing.” ― C.L. Taylor, author of Sleep
“Hands down the best closed cast mystery I’ve read in years! Clues and suspects fill every page as two detectives search for the killer of a former music celebrity on a lake that borders England and Wales. Readers will adore the cast of characters and never guess whodunnit! Clare Mackintosh is absolutely brilliant.” ― Wendy Walker, international bestselling author
Book Club Questions for The Last Party
- What is your initial impression of the main characters, Ffion Morgan and Leo Brady? How do their personalities and backgrounds shape the way they approach the investigation of Rhys Lloyd’s death?
- How does the setting of The Shore, a luxurious vacation resort on Mirror Lake near the border of Wales and England, contribute to the atmosphere of the book and the events that unfold?
- Can you explain how the chapters documenting Rhys’ final months helped to shape your understanding of the rest of the story?
- How does the author use the different perspectives of the various characters to build tension and keep the reader engaged in the mystery?
- How does the revelation of Rhys Lloyd’s past actions and relationships with the people in the village impact the investigation of his death?
- What role do Ffion’s personal experiences and relationships play in the story and the way she approaches the case?
- What was your reaction to the various twists and turns in the plot? Were there any that you found particularly surprising or unexpected?
- How does the author use the theme of secrets and hidden motives to add depth and complexity to the story?
- In what ways does the relationship between Ffion and Leo evolve throughout the book, and how does it affect the investigation?
- What prevented Leo from addressing his supervisor’s inappropriate comments, and why did Rhys, Jonty, and Crouch use humor to disguise their bad behavior?
- How does the conclusion of the book satisfy or surprise you? What did you think of the resolution of the mystery?
- Could the residents of Cwm Coed and The Shore have bridged their differences and resolved their complaints against each other? Was the New Year’s party an effective tactic in this regard, and were there any other attempts made to reconcile the two communities throughout the book?
- What themes does the book explore, and how does it tackle them in an interesting or unique way?
- Would you recommend this book to others, and if so, why? Are there any particular readers who you think would enjoy it more than others?
- How do Ffion and Leo’s investigative techniques differ, and to what extent are their strategies shaped by their personality or jurisdiction? Who do you believe to be the better detective?
- How does the author use structure and timeline in the novel, and what impact did the mirrored scenes in the second half have on the overall story?
- Who was your top suspect throughout the book and why did you believe them to be the murderer?
- What was Rhys’ initial vision for The Shore, and how do you think the events of the book would have been different if he had been able to secure funding for his concept?
- What caused Ffion to initially view her encounter with Rhys as an assault and only later consider it to be rape, and how does the “asking for it” narrative impact those who have experienced sexual assault from seeking help?
- Can you describe the murderer’s motive, and how did Ffion handle the truth? What would you have done in her situation?
Additional Recommendations
Hope you enjoyed book club question for The Last Party! Here are some more book recommendations along with their synopses.
Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham
When Chloe Davis was twelve, six teenage girls went missing in her small Louisiana town. By the end of the summer, her own father had confessed to the crimes and was put away for life, leaving Chloe and the rest of her family to grapple with the truth and try to move forward while dealing with the aftermath.
Now twenty years later, Chloe is a psychologist in Baton Rouge and getting ready for her wedding. While she finally has a fragile grasp on the happiness she’s worked so hard to achieve, she sometimes feels as out of control of her own life as the troubled teens who are her patients. So when a local teenage girl goes missing, and then another, that terrifying summer comes crashing back. Is she paranoid, seeing parallels from her past that aren’t actually there, or for the second time in her life, is Chloe about to unmask a killer?
From debut author Stacy Willingham comes a masterfully done, lyrical thriller, certain to be the launch of an amazing career. A Flicker in the Dark is eerily compelling to the very last page.
Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger
Three couples rent a luxury cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway to die for in this chilling locked-room thriller.
What could be more restful than a weekend getaway with family and friends? An isolated luxury cabin in the woods, spectacular views, a hot tub and a personal chef. Hannah’s generous brother found the listing online. The reviews are stellar. It’ll be three couples on this trip with good food, good company and lots of R & R.
But the dreamy weekend is about to turn into a nightmare.
A deadly storm is brewing. The rental host seems just a little too present. The personal chef reveals that their beautiful house has a spine-tingling history. And the friends have their own complicated past, with secrets that run blood deep.
How well does Hannah know her brother, her own husband? Can she trust her best friend? Meanwhile, someone is determined to ruin the weekend, looking to exact a payback for deeds long buried. Who is the stranger among them?
Hostage by Clare Mackintosh
You can save hundreds of lives. Or the one that matters most…
From New York Times bestselling author Clare Mackintosh comes a claustrophobic thriller set over 20 hours on-board the inaugural nonstop flight from London to Sydney.
Mina is trying to focus on her job as a flight attendant, not the problems with her five-year-old daughter back home, or the fissures in her marriage. But the plane has barely taken off when Mina receives a chilling note from an anonymous passenger, someone intent on ensuring the plane never reaches its destination: “The following instructions will save your daughter’s life…”
Someone needs Mina’s assistance and knows exactly how to make her comply.
When one passenger is killed and then another, Mina knows she must act. But which lives does she save: Her passengers…or her own daughter and husband who are in grave distress back at home?
It’s twenty hours to landing. A lot can happen in twenty hours.
Thank you for reading my book club discussion questions & happy reading! ❤️