The Christmas Party by Mikayla David

Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.75/5)

A dark and stormy night. A remote hotel. A family reunion cloaked in secrets and tension. Mikayla David’s The Christmas Party serves up a classic locked-room mystery with a festive (and sinister) twist, keeping readers guessing until the final page.

The story follows a fractured family coming together for a Christmas celebration at a secluded English countryside hotel. But as the snow piles up outside, the true nature of each character begins to unravel inside. Every person at the party has something to hide, and when one of them is found dead at midnight, it’s clear this is no ordinary holiday gathering.

David does an excellent job weaving tension throughout the story. The alternating perspectives allow readers to slip into the minds of the “perfect daughter,” the “jealous sibling,” the “handsome husband,” and more. These archetypes feel familiar, yet David injects enough intrigue to keep them engaging. Each chapter ends with breadcrumbs of secrets, encouraging you to read “just one more.”

What worked:

• Atmosphere: The stormy English countryside and the looming hotel create the perfect backdrop for a murder mystery. The setting is as much a character as the people themselves.

• The twists: Just when you think you’ve figured it out, David delivers a well-timed twist. I’ll admit, the ending wasn’t what I expected, which made the final reveal satisfying.

• The family dynamics: Tense, layered, and relatable. The interplay of love, resentment, and competition among the family members added depth to the story.

What didn’t quite land:

• Pacing: Some sections dragged, especially in the first half, as we were introduced to the cast. The slow buildup may not appeal to readers who want immediate action.

• Character depth: While compelling, some characters felt too dependent on their “roles” (the liar, the adulterer) and lacked deeper development.

Overall, The Christmas Party is a solid holiday mystery with just the right mix of suspense and scandal to keep you invested. If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie-inspired whodunits and enjoy unwrapping family secrets with your murder mysteries, this one deserves a spot on your holiday reading list.

Would I recommend it? Definitely, especially if you’re looking for a cozy-yet-creepy December read. Just don’t expect all the characters to make it to Christmas morning!