The Last Party

Lucas (Santa Monica), the pen name for writing duo Julia Fierro (Cutting Teeth) and Caeli Wolfson Widger (Real Happy Family), returns with a psychological thriller that brings new meaning to the “girls’ weekend gone wrong” trope. Dani Sanders was once involved with a tight-knit group of parents who concocted a vaccination certificate forgery scheme in the belief that vaccinations caused disabilities. When the plot came to light, everyone except Dani was prosecuted. Twenty years later, the estranged group comes together to celebrate Dani’s 50th birthday at a remote California ranch atop Topanga Canyon. Ostensibly, they mean to resolve old grievances and renew their friendship, but there are also more sinister motivations at play. The weekend takes a dark turn when Dani’s friends turn up missing after a planned psychedelic drug trip. Dani begins to question everything and everyone she knows, but it may be too late. Kristen Potter gives voice to the many diverse characters that populate this novel, providing a window into the complex motives behind their actions. Potter’s narration is vibrant and enthusiastic, with an especially convincing portrait of Dani.