The format and pacing of the novel was perfect, with each chapter beginning with a topical tweet from a different random internet person (very emblematic of our current world where everyone feels entitled to an opinion on everything) before lurching into Molly’s inner thoughts, memories and conversations. Brent skillfully kept me guessing throughout the book about who could be trusted and #WhatHappenedToLuluLawrence, and impressively the revelations continued right up until the epilogue’s post credits scene. Being a man I really shouldn't like this book. Well I didn't like it. I loved it! Oh I just couldn't stop reading this.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Murder After the Night Before, Katy Brent | Boek The Murder After the Night Before, Katy Brent | Boek

What follows next is a twisty tale that has Molly put the pieces together to prove to the police that her roommate was murdered.Molly did not want to go to her company Christmas party. She got very drunk and got caught doing an illicit act on video. It was shared on the internet and Molly didn't think her life could get any worse. That's until she discovers her roommate and best friend dead in her bathtub. Molly Monroe wakes up the morning after her work Christmas party with the hangover to end all hangovers. Her head is pounding, her memory is a blank, and there is a strange man in her bed. And unfortunately, that's just the beginning. Because whatever happened the night before, Molly is now trending on social media and her best friend is dead. Protagonist Molly wakes up with the hangover from hell. So far, so standard for Molly, who is struggling to navigate her early thirties and endeavoured to make the most of the free drinks at her company Christmas party. But things go from inconvenient to embarrassing to traumatic before Molly’s hangover has subsided, and she’s left trying to salvage her reputation and solve a murder - despite remembering little of the night in question. I am a massive How To Kill Men And Get Away With It fangirl - so I was mega excited to get my hands on this one. I’ve woken up with the hangover from hell, a stranger in my bed, and I’ve gone viral for the worst reasons. But I can’t remember a thing…

The Murder After the Night Before by Katy Brent, Paperback

Once again, Katy Brent has shown her immense talent at writing dark humour with a thought-provoking core’ Sarah Clarke, author of A Mother Never Lies A twisted but witty read which will keep you up all night.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Critical Praise The characterisation is impressive too, with each of the key players being credible and relatable. At the heart of the story, Molly is certainly not without her flaws, but she is drawn in such a way that the reader cannot help but empathise with her. As you might expect, there are twists and turns along the way as the narrative unfolds - some of which you may see coming and some you almost certainly will not - but they are all dealt with in a legitimate fashion without cheating the reader. Determined to find out what happened, Molly begins to explore the same reach that Posey had been following. And eventually, she finds out just how Posey ended up as she did...

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This book is much more than its premise suggests, dealing with some incredibly heavy themes, including sexual assault, suicide, alcohol abuse, social media threats, and the loss of a loved one. Brent writes thoughtfully, offering fresh perspectives on the issues that become relevant to the story, and never invoking dark themes gratuitously. I liked that this entertaining read also has some emotional heft, and I think exploring these issues feels appropriate for the book's contemporary setting. The Murder After the Night Before was very nearly a five-star read for me, but I felt like the amount of ground the book tries to cover makes it a little messy and perhaps a little unresolved. But this is a book that I couldn't put down, and can't stop thinking about. Katy Brent is definitely a new favourite author.

The Murder After the Night Before by Katy Brent

Brent’s debut, How To Kill Men and Get Away With It, was one of my favourite reads last year with its dark humour and witty writing style so I was excited to see what her second book was like. There’s only thing stopping me from dying of shame. I need to find a killer.Readers LOVE Katy Brent! I love Brent’s sense of humour and there are so many laugh out loud moments delivered with a punch throughout this dark and at times, disturbing read. The main character, Molly, is put in a very compromising position (no spoilers!) but her sarcasm and sense of humour really helps to lighten what is a dark topic. From a more personal point of view, I live close to where Molly lived and work close to where she works, so enjoyed reading about London and recognising details. Having said this, I suspect I’d have related to Molly regardless of her location: her insecurities are well portrayed, her life realistic. Her struggles are those likely felt by women everywhere - from more minor everyday sexism to the sort of injustice which costs lives.

I really loved Katy Brent's first book, which I still think is the best in the recently mushrooming "female vigilante story with humour" genre, so I was excited to have the opportunity to read her latest book. And I have to say Brent has followed up an excellent debut novel with an equally good follow up in this, her second book. Once again this book contains some highly entertaining dark and acerbic humour as well as highlighting some very well observed social issues as the narrative progresses. However, those elements are merely very welcome bonuses in this gripping thriller. The story gets off to an intriguing and novel start when central character, Molly, wakes up with the mother of all hangovers following her work Christmas party. But life is about to take an even more unpleasant and discombobulating turn for Molly when she finds out that an explicit video of her has gone viral! The same day, she finds her best friend Posey, a talented journalist, dead in the bath. And Molly is the only one who believes that Posey did not die accidentally that her death is somehow linked to the investigation of a teenager's disappearance that Posey had been investigating. Funny, touching, horrifying and surprising almost in equal measure with a brilliantly believable heroine… loved this book’ Catherine Cooper, author of The Chalet