This was more of a slow burn whodunnit than a suspense read for me. There's a large cast of (largely) unlikeable characters, each with their own dark secrets, pasts and infidelities they'd rather keep hidden. Getting the points of view from many of the characters kept the story dark and nefarious and gives readers many potential culprits because it seemed like everyone had something to hide.
ATF Agent Jamie Saldano was my favourite character of the bunch, with his character feeling the most developed. He's got secrets and a connection to this new case and that's what kept me turning the pages. But with the addition of so many minor plot lines, the overall feeling of the story lost some of its intensity and ended with a few loose ends.
While this wasn't my favourite book by this author (my favs are Not A Sound, This Is How I Lied, Overnight Guest and Everyone is Watching), it will take readers on a wild ride with a group of people who are desperately trying to keep their dark secrets hidden. Saddle up, y'all. You're in for wild ride.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Park Row books for the complimentary digital copy of this book which was given in exchange for my honest review.
My Rating: 3.25 stars
Author: Heather Gudenkauf
Genre: Suspense
Type and Source: ebook from publisher via NetGalley
Publisher: Park Row (Harlequin Trade)
First Published: Nov 4, 2025
Read: Oct 7-12, 2025
Book Description from GoodReads: A couple’s gender reveal party turns deadly and everyone is a suspect in this gripping thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest
Is it a boy or a girl? They would die to know…
Cordelia and Wes Drake have invited two hundred of their closest friends and family to their sprawling horse ranch for the most anticipated event of the year: a “pistols and pearls” gender reveal party so sensational it is sure to make headlines. But the party descends into chaos when the celebratory explosive misfires, leaving one woman dead and a trail of secrets.
As the aftershocks of the bloody party ripple across the small town, Agent Jamie Saldano is brought on the scene to investigate. Battling his own demons from the past, Saldano unearths a web of deceit spun around the Drakes. The appearance of some unexpected houseguests only deepens the mystery. And as tensions mount, it becomes clear that the explosion wasn’t just an unlucky accident. But who was the target, and why? As the shadow of a killer looms, the happy parents-to-be must unravel the truth before it’s too late.
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