Dual timeline novel set around the world
Crime thriller set in AMSTERDAM
12th December 2025
The After Party by Ruth Kelly, crime thriller set in Amsterdam.
Becca and Nathan Peters have relocated to Amsterdam, to follow Nathan’s dream of setting up a restaurant. He is busy building towards the opening night of ‘Muse’ with his business partner Katya, who will be the chef. Becca is at home, feeling adrift after she has given up everything in England to be supportive to him. Her life has reduced and she struggles to make friends; and then she has an early miscarriage.
Georgie is Becca’s friend from childhood days. She and Becca haven’t been in touch for many years after things between them apparently went quite sour. Georgie is from a different social class and it seemed – according to several sources – that she tolerated Becca tagging along. Although they were close in many ways, there was always the sense that it was an unequal liaison, and certainly Georgie’s mother was against their friendship. Georgie went on to let Becca down, which left emotional scars for the latter.
Becca also wrestles with the fear that her husband has been straying whilst they have been trying to get pregnant, and her mental health has taken a dip, not only because of the isolating nature of their new home city but because of past experiences that involved Georgie.
Now, come New Year, Nathan has unexpectedly headed for London with Katya, and unexpectedly in strides Georgie, as though nothing has ever happened. She persuades Becca to gate crash a rather fancy “after party” and things spiral very quickly downhill thereafter. Georgie is now missing and a crime tiktok enthusiast picks up the story.
This is a well worked story that kept me guessing. I enjoyed the progression, with the overlap of Nathan and his business aspirations, coloured by the investigation into Georgie’s whereabouts. An all round good read with a clear sense of setting.
Tina for the TripFiction Team
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