Audiobook Review: The Last Party by AR Torre

Author: AR Torre

Narrator: Amy Bentley, Will Damron, Neil Hellegers, & Ellen Quay

Title: The Last Party

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Format: Audiobook

Published: August 20, 2024

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Perla Wultz lives with her husband, Grant, and their precious daughter, Sophie, in a gated Pasadena community. Affluent, sociable, and accomplished, Perla plays the part of loving wife and mother to perfection. It seems an ideal life, if not for a decades-old crime that has become Perla’s dark and consuming secret obsession.

Twenty-three years ago, Leewood Folcrum confessed to murdering two young girls during a birthday party. Though he’s been condemned to a life sentence, his crime is not forgotten. Not by Perla, nor by an inquisitive doctoral student interviewing Folcrum for his dissertation. He’s getting the killer to open up—about his motives, his confession, and the truth of what really happened on that horrible night.

As the past and the present entwine, the deceptions behind the infamous murder begin to surface. But who’s deceiving who now? And why? And as an ingeniously twisted plan is set in motion, who will be the next to die?

Review:

I've read a couple of books by this author so I was excited this was selected for book club. 

Everything may seem perfect in the Wultz home. A perfect wife, smart husband, and a beautiful daughter. They are affluent, sociable, and accomplished. However, there is a darkness there. There is a decades-old crime that haunts this family in more ways than one. Years ago, Leewood Folcrum confessed to murder but never gave any motive. Now a doctoral student is interviewing him and trying to get the truth about the motive and what really happened that night.

This was intense. I didn't want to stop listening!!!

What can I even say without giving away huge spoilers? Maybe I'll divide and conquer this review:

The Good

- The characters. OMG they were complex. 

- The writing is amazing. The author really knows how to tell a story. 

- This was a wild ride especially near the end. I had no idea what was going to happen at the end there. A web of lies can ruin a lot of lives. 

- Twists and turns galore. But my original idea and belief was proved right! Yayy!

- The narrators were really good. They really brought everything to life. 

The Bad and the Ugly

- One thing and one thing only.....................it ended. I want to follow these characters further. I worry for one of them. 

Conclusion

This was a great read. Be warned there are some triggers in here since the focus of the past crime was the murder of two young girls. Nothing horribly graphic is discussed, but it can be triggering for some. 

I enjoyed this book a lot. Like I mentioned...I didn't want to stop listening. This author is great. I need to read more by them. I can't wait to discuss this at Book Club. Weeee. 

5 stars. 

- Favorite Character(s): ....Grant? Maybe....I don't know honestly

- Least Favorite Character(s): Perla

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #26

- Cloak & Dagger #13

Book Review: Every Last Secret by AR Torre

Author: AR Torre

Title: Every Last Secret

Genre: Mystery Thriller, Romance, Suspense

Format: ebook

Pages: 291

Published: December 1, 2020

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Cat Winthorpe has worked hard to get what she has: a gorgeous home; social standing; and William, her successful, handsome husband. Then a friendly new couple moves into the estate next door. While cautious, a good neighbor like Cat greets them with open arms and warm hospitality.

Neena Ryder isn’t a fellow lady of leisure. A life coach with off-the-rack dresses, personal issues, and a husband who hasn’t delivered, she’s anxious to move up in the world. This beautiful new town is a step in the right direction. It’s also making Neena aware of what she doesn’t have. Namely, William. When Neena’s infatuation escalates into obsession, it’s just a matter of eliminating a few obstacles to get the life she wants. The life next door.

As Neena’s secret fixation grows, so does her friendship with Cat. But beneath their cordial interactions is a wealth of temptations, secrets, and toxic jealousy. For both women, the desire for a perfect life can turn perfectly dangerous.

Review:

I had my eyes on this when it came out a couple of years ago but I totally forgot about it. This was a re-read a member of our book club picked so yayy finally got myself a copy to check it out. 

Here we follow Cat and Neena. Cat has worked hard to get what she has...a beautiful home, social standing, and a successful husband. When a supposedly good couple moves in next door, Cat greets them with open arms. One half of that couple is Neena who isn't a fellow lady of leisure. She also worked hard to get where she is at. She is a life coach, has personal issues, a hazy past, and a husband who hasn't delivered in a while. She is anxious to move up in the world. This new town and Cat's husband will get her where she wants to go. Secrets, temptations, and toxic jealousy will run supreme. For both, the desire for the perfect life can turn dangerous. 

Holy cannoli!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT? 

WHAT?

WHAT?

Okay.......where do I start?

Neena is insane. OBSESSED with William 

Cat is also insane and also OBSESSED with William.

WHAT is it about William that is driving the women crazy????

WHAT is it about Neena that makes her so tempting for William...and makes Matt obsessed with her? Sure, sure I get Matt is Neena's hubby, but wth? Those dudes are crazy too. 

The first 30% was a little rough while the story and characters get going...but after that? You won't put it down. Looking back...I am grateful we had a slow start. Things start getting crazy and I had zero ideas what was going to happen. When I thought I had a clue we would take a WILD left turn and then backpedal and go right. It was a fun ride. It really was. 

The ending had me literally saying, "DAMN! WHAT?????" But then I smiled. That was a good ride. 

5 stars from me even with the slow-ish beginning, but it was much needed before getting into the crazy weeds. Worth the read my friends. It will make you feel sane. 

Audiobook Review: The Ghostwriter by AR Torre

Author: A.R. Torre

Narrator: Andrea Izzy Anthony

Title: The Ghostwriter

Genre: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Suspense 

Format: Audiobook

Published: October 2nd 2017

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Four years ago, I lied. I stood in front of the police, my friends and family, and made up a story, my best one yet. And all of them believed me.

I wasn't surprised. Telling stories is what made me famous. Fifteen bestsellers. Millions of fans. Fame and fortune.

Now, I have one last story to write. It'll be my best one yet, with a jaw-dropping twist that will leave them stunned and gasping for breath.

They say that sticks and stones will break your bones, but this story? It will be the one that kills me.

Review:

This was picked for my mini book club I'm in. I was nervous at first because I had zero idea what to expect...the summary says a lot but not a lot at the same time. 

The story follows an author who is dying. She decides that she needs to share her story and her expose her lies and truths. This is her confession and her apology. 

OMG. KEJFRWLEKJKLJCSLKDFJWLEJFWLFJWELKFJEWLFJWKELFJ!

Okay with that out of the way......*puts on reviewing hat*

This book had me captivated from page one. I finished it in just a couple of sittings. I did the audio of it and I couldn't stop listening. I was 30 mins from the end and I forced FH to listen to a chunk of it. This.....made me feel everything. 

You will not guess the end fully. You can guess and you MAY be close like I was. BUT....you won't guess. Nope. It blew me away. I could not stop crying when I realized what was happening. I wanted the truth but I wanted the truth to not be the truth. It's like a car accident...you can't help but watch and be intrigued about what is going on even though you should turn your eyes from the horror. I sobbed. Utterly and truly sobbed. But her getting her truth out was such a relief. 

I've avoided reading other reviews until I could get mine done because I didn't want to be swayed or spoiled. At the same time I was simply ACHING to know the truth. Oh Helena. Poor, poor Helena. 

Yes, you will have conflicting emotions for her. She was a jerk sometimes and she could be seen as cold and callous even both the lie/event/tragedy occurred. She was for sure flawed like we all are. By the end you just want to wrap your arms around her and make it go away. 

I loved how she made some unlikely friends like her nemesis. It made me smile. I won't say more even though that is a mini spoiler. 

The audio just made this better. I read a few pages but I really loved the narrator more. She really helped the story and the characters. This NEEDS to become a movie. NEEDS to. 

In the end, this is for sure a contender for best book of the year in my eyes. It makes you feel everything. You will want to cheat and skip to get the reveal...but at the same time you will be hooked by the words. That ending. OMG. I am curious about other books by this author...if they are half as good as this one - I will like them. 5 stars of course.  READ IT!!!

 

Challenge(s):
- #63 for Audiobook challenge