The Party Natasha Preston – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Party Natasha Preston

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2024

38%

WISE Score

4.1

Amazon

Teens trapped in a castle with a killer—Preston's latest is Agatha Christie meets slasher film, heavy on the body count.

The Party Natasha Preston

book

2024

38%

WISE Score

4.1

Amazon

Teens trapped in a castle with a killer—Preston's latest is Agatha Christie meets slasher film, heavy on the body count.

4.1

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, if your 16-year-old devours Riley Sager and loves Scream movies, they'll probably tear through this in a weekend. Preston delivers what she promises: teens getting murdered in a spooky castle during a storm. It's competently done genre fiction.

But let's be real—this is literary fast food. The setup is Agatha Christie's greatest hits, the execution is predictable, and you won't remember much a month after finishing. Parent reviews are right that Preston keeps it relatively clean (no sex scenes, no gore porn), but 'clean' doesn't mean 'appropriate for 13-year-olds.' This is still a book where teenagers die.

The WISE score reflects that this is dark, formulaic entertainment without much nutritional value. It won't traumatize your horror-loving 16-year-old, but it's not enriching them either. It's the literary equivalent of a slasher sequel—fine if that's your jam, but nobody's writing essays about its deeper meaning.

Age Fit

This is squarely for older teens (16+) and adults who actively enjoy horror/thriller content. Despite being marketed as YA, the murder plot and scary atmosphere make it inappropriate for middle schoolers. If your teen loves slasher films and thrillers, they'll probably enjoy this—but it's not a gateway book for younger readers.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A slasher thriller where teens are systematically murdered by a knife-wielding killer in an isolated castle. Multiple deaths, growing paranoia, and internal suspicion create a dark, tense atmosphere. While parent reviews note the book avoids explicit romantic/sexual content, the core premise of teens being hunted and killed is emotionally heavy and anxiety-inducing rather than emotionally healthy.

Imaginative

Classic 'And Then There Were None' setup transplanted to a modern YA thriller. The remote English castle setting and storm-trapped scenario are atmospheric but well-worn genre tropes. Preston executes the formula competently but doesn't bring much originality—it's a paint-by-numbers teen slasher that follows predictable beats. The mystery element invites some puzzle-solving engagement, but this is consumption rather than creative inspiration.

Safe

Multiple teens are murdered by a knife-wielding killer with an escalating body count. While parent reviews praise that Preston doesn't include graphic descriptions of violence or sexual content, the core content—systematic murder, death, and survival horror—makes this inappropriate for younger readers to encounter unexpectedly. Common Sense Media categorizes this as a 'scary tale' with mature themes and violence suitable for older teens and adults, not middle schoolers.

Enriching

As a thriller, it delivers suspense and page-turning entertainment—the 4.1 Amazon rating and NYT bestseller status suggest Preston knows how to hook readers. There's potential for discussion about trust, group dynamics under pressure, and mystery-solving. However, the enrichment is limited to genre thrills rather than meaningful character development or ethical complexity. It's popcorn reading: entertaining in the moment but not particularly nourishing.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Page-turner that delivers suspense and keeps older teen readers engaged—NYT bestseller status and solid Amazon ratings suggest Preston knows her craft
Avoids graphic sexual content and explicit violence descriptions, keeping the horror more psychological than gratuitous
Mystery element invites readers to play detective and guess the killer's identity
Could spark discussions about trust, paranoia, and how people behave under extreme pressure

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What to Watch For

Multiple teen deaths and murder are the central plot—this is a slasher thriller, not a cozy mystery
Scary, tense atmosphere designed to create anxiety and suspense throughout
Best for older teens (16+) who actively seek out horror/thriller content, not younger middle schoolers
Formulaic genre execution means experienced thriller readers might find it predictable

Conversation Starters

"Who did you suspect was the killer as you were reading? What clues made you suspicious?"
"How do you think you'd react if you were trapped with friends and didn't know who to trust?"
"What makes a good mystery? Did this one play fair with the clues or did it feel like a cheat?"
"Do you prefer thrillers where you're scared for the characters or ones where you're solving the puzzle?"

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