The Street Party: An unputdownable, gripping domestic psychological thriller

Claire Seeber

Jun 2021 · Bookouture

About this ebook

The party was supposed to be the highlight of the summer. If only I’d known that night would destroy our lives…

All the neighbours were laughing, drinking out of plastic glasses and getting along. I almost felt happy. Almost forgot about the terrible argument earlier and the sinister messages I’d been receiving from a strange address all week, threatening to expose the lies behind my perfect life.

As we finished with the red and gold fireworks and welcomed everyone back to our house, I believed that everything would be okay.

But I didn’t know who I was inviting in.

I never could have imagined what would happen here, in our home, after I’d gone up to bed.

Everyone saw something different.

It’s my daughter’s word against the story the boy from down the road is telling. But how can I find out what really happened that night without everyone finding out the truth about me?

An absolutely gripping story of the secrets you would do anything to keep hidden, with a twist you just won’t see coming. Perfect for fans of Gone Girl, Big Little Lies and The Girl on the Train.

Readers are gripped by Claire Seeber:

‘It was so good I have been hiding in the toilet at work reading this on my phone as I needed to find out what happened!!… Super twisty… A real page-turner… I loved it.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I was so hooked… I felt like I was watching a movie instead of reading a book… Loved the twists and turns… Beyond 5 stars.’ Itsy Bitsy Book Bits, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I could not stop reading, it was that good… One of the best psychological thrillers… Don't miss this.’Booklover Catlady, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Utterly unputdownable, read this brilliant book in two sittings… Took my breath away… My heart is still pounding as I write this.’ Rachel’s Random Reads

‘Freaking awesome. A true example of a page-turner.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Grabs you and doesn't let go... I read it in three hours because I simply had to find out what was happening!’ The Suspense is Thrilling Me, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Gripped me from the start and did not let go until the end… I honestly could not put it down.’ Poppy’s Book Blog

‘Impossible not to tear through the pages of this twisty thriller… Compelling reading, guaranteed.’ Little Bookness Lane

‘A fast paced and taut thriller… I guarantee once you start reading it you will find impossible to put down.’ The Book Review Café, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘An all-absorbing, chilling, psychological thriller. My husband could not prise my eReader out of my hands the weekend I read this!’ Bloomin’ Brilliant Books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Incredible twists and turns that I didn't see coming… Full of tension that really hooks you in.’ The Coffee and Kindle

‘This is a terrifyingly twisted psychological thriller… A sleepless night for the reader.’ Strong Book Reviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘24 hours is all it will take to read this high-octane thriller from Claire Seeber - I couldn't put it down.’ Clare Mackintosh, author of I Let You Go

‘Had me turning pages in a frenzy. I was desperate to find out where it was going! A cracking read.’ Cass Green, author of The Woman Next Door

‘Don’t start this late at night unless you plan on losing sleep…’ Jenny Blackhurst, author of The Foster Child

Ratings and reviews

Twisty domestic thriller in which the richest and poorest neighbourhoods in London organise a street party together. Trouble starts as the two sets of neighbours become friends and we try to unravel who is telling the truth as the story unfolds from three perspectives. Some difficult subjects are referenced including allegations of sexual assault, domestic violence, drug abuse and self-harm, but overall this is an uplifting story, albeit with a slightly sinister edge.

This is a unique hybrid of women’s fiction, suspense, and family drama. This was an oddly enticing book that kept my curiosity at the brain itching level with fret-inducing and tangled storylines while cast with obnoxious characters that continually annoyed and disappointed me, yet I had to know how their knotty issues would unravel. I was hopelessly hooked, ensnared, and unable to resist Ms. Seeber’s fiendishly clever plotting with strategic lashings of caustic wit and cunning insights. This was my first sojourn with Ms. Seeber and I plan to be a frequent flier from now on.

Ruby’s Northgate Square neighborhood is a mixture of apartments, single family houses and gorgeous Georgian townhouses. When she, her yoga instructor friend Melissa and Nella, Melissa’s actor/ TV presenter client decide that they should put on a street fair for the neighborhood, it seems like a good idea. It isn’t. Ruby is a widow, parent to a Zach, a mixed race teenager. She is socially awkward and incredibly lonely. Melissa, mother to Ceci, tries to be a best friend to Ruby but she’s held back by the secret she can’t share. Nella, who glows with success and accomplishment, is mother to the icy Willow and odd Beau. The three women forge a friendship as they plan the over-the top street party. That friendship falls apart as the party ends with a lie that may change all their lives. Without spoilers, the only likable character here is Ruby. From the prologue, we have an idea of what will happen so, although suspense builds before the day of the party, we aren’t surprised by the events of the night. The story is told in alternating voices by the women and excerpts from Mum of the Iced Gems, a gossipy blog. Until I read the author’s note at the end of the book, I didn’t understand the theme of The Street Party. I’d recommend reading that first. 4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Claire Seeber for this ARC.