book cover of The Party
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The Party

(2017)
A novel by

 
 
A taut psychological tale of obsession and betrayal set over the course of a dinner party.

"Day's shrewd eye and authorial tone provide a gleeful, edgy wit.... [a] smart, irresistible romp."-
New York Times Book Review

Ben, who hails from old money, and Martin, who grew up poor but is slowly carving out a successful career as an art critic, have been inseparable since childhood. Ben's wife Serena likes to jokingly refer to Martin as Ben's dutiful Little Shadow.

Lucy is a devoted wife to Martin, even as she knows she'll always be second best to his sacred friendship. When Ben throws a lavish 40th birthday party as his new palatial country home, Martin and Lucy attend, mixing with the very upper echelons of London society.

But why, the next morning, is Martin in a police station being interviewed about the events of last night? Why is Lucy being forced to answer questions about his husband and his past? What exactly happened at the party? And what has bound these two very different men together for so many years?

A cleverly built tour of intrigue,
The Party reads like a novelistic board game of Clue, taking us through the various half-truths and lies its characters weave, as the past and present collide in a way that its protagonists could never have anticipated.

Genre: Mystery

Praise for this book

"Superb - clever, gripping, psychologically acute." - Laura Barnett

"The Party is a compelling read, but it’s a lot more than a page turner. Like Martin, the protagonist, we as readers are sucked into the lives of the privileged few and, like Martin, in turn tittilated, appalled, bewitched and ultimately punched in the stomach by their casual cruelty. We may have seen a hundred stories like this on the news, but Elizabeth Day’s perfectly pitched dialogue and vivid prose brings it all to life." - Catherine Chanter

"Witty, dark and compelling." - Sebastian Faulks

"Think Brideshead Revisited meets The Talented Mr Ripley with a dash of The Riot Club. I couldn't put it down." - Louise O'Neill

"Elizabeth Day's latest novel is sinister and seductive and nothing short of breathtaking." - Francesca Segal

"As sharp, stylish and witty as the perfect guest. Beware: you'll be up far too late." - Lucie Whitehouse


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