Author: Kelsey Cox
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Format: Audio ALC
Narrator: Dan Bittner, Kate Handford,
Pearl Hewitt, Saskia Maarleveld, Suzy Jackson
Length: 10 hrs 57 mins
No. of Pages: 336
Date of Publication: July 1, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars
DESCRIPTION:
A lavish, Texas-sized Sweet Sixteen turns deadly in this twisty, pulse-pounding new novel — serving up a fresh take on a classic locked-room whodunnit. Let the festivities begin…
Today is Sophie Matthews’s sixteenth birthday party, an exclusive black-tie bash in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, where secrets are as deep-rooted as the sprawling live oaks. Sophie’s dad has spared no expense, and his renovated cliffside mansion—once thought haunted—is now hosting the event of the season. Then, just before the candles on the three-tiered red velvet cake are blown out, a body falls from the balcony onto the starlit dance floor below.
It’s a killer guest list . . .
DANI: Sophie’s new stepmother who’s been plagued by self-doubt ever since the birth of her own baby girl
ÓRLAITH: the superstitious Irish nanny who senses a looming danger in this cavernous house
MIKAYLA: the birthday girl’s best friend who is not nearly as meek as the popular kids assume
KIM: the cunning ex-wife who has a grudge she can’t let go of . . .
Everyone is invited in. Not everyone will get out alive.
Today is Sophie Matthews’s sixteenth birthday party, an exclusive black-tie bash in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, where secrets are as deep-rooted as the sprawling live oaks. Sophie’s dad has spared no expense, and his renovated cliffside mansion—once thought haunted—is now hosting the event of the season. Then, just before the candles on the three-tiered red velvet cake are blown out, a body falls from the balcony onto the starlit dance floor below.
It’s a killer guest list . . .
DANI: Sophie’s new stepmother who’s been plagued by self-doubt ever since the birth of her own baby girl
ÓRLAITH: the superstitious Irish nanny who senses a looming danger in this cavernous house
MIKAYLA: the birthday girl’s best friend who is not nearly as meek as the popular kids assume
KIM: the cunning ex-wife who has a grudge she can’t let go of . . .
Everyone is invited in. Not everyone will get out alive.
MY THOUGHTS:
Sophie Matthew’s sweet sixteen party was supposed to be a lavish gala that would create lasting memories. However, the party took a tragic turn when a body fell from a balcony. The events that unfolded were not only shocking but also deeply disturbing for all involved.
One of the main characters in this story is Dani, Ethan’s much younger second wife with a newborn daughter, Sophie. Dani is struggling with postpartum depression and paranoia, possibly due to the eerie and reportedly haunted house they now live in. Her dark thoughts and emotions were particularly unsettling for me, as I have a daughter who has suffered postpartum depression twice and is expecting again in less than a month. Seeing Dani go through such powerful emotions was deeply upsetting, and I almost considered giving up on the book more than once.
Despite the disturbing elements, the story was captivating due to its drama, intensity, and the secrets, lies, and deceit that unfolded. The audiobook format, with five narrators, was particularly compelling, as each narrator performed their roles masterfully, delivering pristine performances.
While Dani seemed to be the primary protagonist, there was also Kim, Ethan’s bitter ex-wife and Sophie’s mother. Once a successful veterinarian, Kim had become a broken woman, dependent on alcohol for comfort and consumed by bitter rage.
Órlaith, the elderly Irish nanny for Dani and Ethan’s baby, was an intriguing character. She was a woman full of superstition and eerily watched over the Matthews family. Along with Sophie, her best friend, Mikayla, completed the compelling cast, though she was anything but innocent.
This enigmatic story, told through multiple perspectives and flashbacks, builds a compelling resume for the five women involved. Kelsey Cox, a new author to me, has certainly become an author I would love to follow. She brilliantly captures the essence of the characters, presenting a wonderfully written locked-room mystery. The suspense is palpable, drawing the reader in like strong tentacles. Major issues like postpartum depression, paranoia, and one woman’s desperate struggle with alcohol are woven into the narrative.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio, Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
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