A well-plotted character study

You know those family parties you look forward to, anticipating the conversations and conviviality with family and friends – the ones that start off with everybody in a great mood, just enjoying drinks ad ‘catching up’. Then the cracks begin to appear, maybe just a little uneasiness and, before you know it, the murky past you thought you’d papered over is rearing its ugly head. And you’re not the only one. There are others whose lives interact with yours and there are consequences as the veneer of civilised behaviour is slowly and inexorably cracked wide open.
The Guilty Party is not merely a well plotted, tricky novel but a masterclass in character study, a hallmark of Laura Lyndhurst’s work, as constant readers will know. Multiple points of view are woven ever more closely together until the ending, which you will not see coming. Take your time reading this one to fully savour the richness of the writing and ponder hidden motivations as you go.
Recommended writing for the discerning reader.