A small community with big secrets
Lin Anderson
Devastated by a recent pandemic brought in by outsiders, the villagers of Blackrig in the Scottish Highlands are outraged when they find that the nearby estate plans to reopen its luxury ‘party house’ to tourists.
As animosity sparks amongst the locals, part of the property is damaged and, in the ensuing chaos, the body of a young girl is found in the wreck. Seventeen-year-old Ailsa Cummings went missing five years ago, never to be seen again – until now.
The excavation of Ailsa’s remains ignites old suspicions cast on the men of this small community, including Greg, the estate’s gamekeeper. At the beginning of a burgeoning relationship with a new lover, Joanne, Greg is loath to discuss old wounds. Frightened by Greg’s reaction to the missing girl’s discovery, Joanne begins to doubt how well she knows this new man in her life. Then again, he’s not the only one with secrets in their volatile relationship . . .
My Review of The Party House
I devoured The Party House by Lin Anderson—what an absolute ride! From the first page, I was completely hooked, and it became one of those books I just couldn’t stop thinking about. I started reading it early in the morning, fully intending to pace myself, but despite a busy day, I kept sneaking back for ‘just one more chapter’ — I finished it by bedtime!
The way Anderson unravels the story is what made it so irresistible. She masterfully drip-feeds the details, slowly revealing the village’s dark secrets, and it’s done so well that I couldn’t tear myself away. Every twist and turn kept me guessing, and the eerie, claustrophobic vibe added this chilling edge that had me on the edge of my seat.
The characters felt so real. They’re flawed, complex, and utterly believable, which made it easy to get emotionally invested in their fates. I was constantly trying to figure out who was hiding what, and every time I thought I had things figured out, another layer of suspense would hit. It’s such a fantastic whodunnit, with the kind of tension that builds beautifully.
And can we talk about the setting? The Scottish Highlands were brought to life so vividly that I could practically feel the mist on my face. I’ve spent time in the Highlands myself, and Anderson nailed the haunting, isolated atmosphere. It added this extra weight to the mystery—like the landscape itself was keeping secrets.
If you love a good, tense thriller filled with twists, The Party House is a must-read. Lin Anderson has crafted a gripping story of old ghosts, past sins, and dangerous secrets that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. I’m already adding more of her books to my reading list. This was my first, but it definitely won’t be my last!
The Author
Lin Anderson has an author page at Pan Macmillan and can be found on Instagram and Threads has an Author Profile on Amazon too!
The Publisher
Macmillan was founded in 1843 by Daniel and Alexander Macmillan, two brothers from the Scottish Isle of Arran.
Pan Macmillan publish a broad and vibrant range of books for audiences of all ages from dazzling bestsellers to influential prize-winners; books to inspire lifelong readers and listeners to enduring classics for generations to come. The fourth largest UK publisher, they pride themselves on publishing successfully and sustainably and are committed to working together to positively impact culture and society at large.
Read more on their website at www.panmacmillan.com
Macmillan Imprints are Bluebird, Campbell, Harriman House, Kingfisher, Macmillan, Macmillan Business, Macmillan Children’s Books, Macmillan Collector’s Library, Mantle, One Boat, Pan, Picador, Tor, Two Hoops
The Book
- Title: The Party House
- Author: Lin Anderson
- Publisher: Macmillan
- Publication Date: 4 August 2022
- ISBN: 9781529084511 (hardcover)
- Pages: 368
The Review
The Party House was the chosen Book of the Month for the Book Fairy Book Club and knowing I would be reading it at home, I purchased a copy of the hardcover so that I could enjoy the feel of a heavy book.
All views expressed are my own. This review, or parts thereof, may also be published on my social medial channels – find me everywhere as momobookdiary – and book websites (once published) such as Amazon, Goodreads, StoryGraph, and Waterstones. All links are correct at the time of publication.
Tags: #ThePartyHouse #LinAnderson #BookFairyBookClub #ibelieveinbookfairies #fiction #ScottishCrimeFiction #mystery #thriller #crime-fiction #tartannoir
(what a party!)
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