Books With Your Besties

Episode Summary: "Party Of Liars" by Kelsey Cox

Hosts: Emily and Ashley
Date: September 19, 2025

Overview

In this lively and insightful episode, Emily and Ashley take a deep dive into the thriller "Party of Liars" by Kelsey Cox, dissecting its twisty plot, complex characters, and psychological underpinnings. True to their “besties” style, the conversation blends genuine critical analysis with personal anecdotes and their trademark humor. The episode also touches on organic links between thriller fiction and real-life true crime, setting the stage for their new podcast, "True Crime with Your Besties."

Key Discussion Points

1. Podcast Updates & Changes

• Bi-weekly Schedule Change:
  The show will now alternate weekly between "Books With Your Besties" and a new, separate show, "True Crime With Your Besties."
  • "So you'll still get us every week. However, every other week will be Books with Your Besties and on the other weeks you'll get True Crime with your Besties." (Emily, 00:36)
• True Crime Spin-Off:
  The hosts clarify that the true crime project will be a standalone podcast, not just a segment, and share plans to integrate case discussions when they naturally fit with book themes.
• Patreon Extras:
  Mention of exclusive content and bonus cases (e.g., Corey Richards, Kyron Horman).

2. Ratings & General Impressions (02:04–03:38)

• Both hosts rated "Party of Liars" 4 or 4.25 stars.
  • Emily: "I might even give it a little bit more, like 4.25. I really enjoyed it. I thought the last hour was fantastic." (Emily, 01:53)
• Strengths:
  • The last hour and the ending are particularly praised for their impact and for tying the story threads together.
  • The necessity of a large cast is defended, with both agreeing that the multitude of perspectives adds value.

3. Navigating a Large Cast of Characters (02:53–06:06)

• Challenge:
  Both found it initially challenging to track so many characters, especially via audiobook.
  • Ashley: "There were quote, unquote, extra characters who we did need, like Mason, but they didn't have their own storyline. Like, it was not told from his point of view." (03:38)
• Solution:
  • Emily shared a character cheat sheet with Ashley, which improved the reading experience.
  • Suggestion for authors: Include a character list or map.

4. Major Plot Twists and Shocking Revelations

• The Ethan Twist (06:53–08:09)
  • The reveal that Ethan is a predator is discussed as the most shocking and disturbing plot point.
  • "I really thought that Michaela was just stalkery. And so the twist to when she was like, I was on the balcony and she was on Ethan’s lap, I was like, but a scumbag pedophile dog. Right? Did that shock you?" (Emily, 06:53)
  • "I literally texted you... omg, Ethan pedophile… those storylines of these old, gross pedophile men just give me the complete heebie jeebies." (Ashley, 07:15)
• Orla’s Role and the Final Reveal
  • initial suspicion of Orla as potentially villainous fades as her revenge-driven motives are revealed.
  • "The big reveal with Orla that like, absolutely blew my mind... Orla, like, empowered women empower women. And I really in my core thought she was just protecting her. But then the big reveal comes that, no, this was like revenge." (Ashley, 13:03)
  • Orla avenges her daughter’s death and acts as a protector to Danny and her baby.

5. Themes of Mental Health & Motherhood (08:29–10:57)

• Postpartum Representation
  • Ashley expresses concern over portrayals of postpartum depression/psychosis and the potential for victim-blaming.
  • Emily affirms that intrusive thoughts are common and shouldn't be equated with intent:
    • "I think in postpartum those thoughts are not reality. And like she said, I never would have. So this wasn't like an urge she wanted to. It was like imagining that that could happen. Those bad things could happen." (Emily, 09:30)
• Addiction and Motherhood
  • Discussion of Kim’s character, her addiction, and complex, sometimes selfish decisions in the context of escaping a toxic relationship.

6. Manipulation, Gaslighting, and the "Facade" of Perfection (11:34–20:32)

• Manipulative Men:
  • Dissection of Ethan’s tactics to isolate, gaslight, and control his partners.
  • "Such a gaslighty piece of shit guy." (Ashley, 19:57)
• Social Facades:
  • Highlighting how characters’ realities differ starkly from their public images.
  • "Every character in this book had a whole smoke and mirror story about what their life actually looked like versus what their life was really like." (Ashley, 20:05)
• Relatable Anecdotes:
  • Emily links the book’s themes to personal experiences with toxic relationships and the wish to warn others.

7. Final Thoughts and Missed Details

• On Expectations and Hidden Struggles:
  • Reflection on the challenges of identifying real problems behind social veneers, both in fiction and real life.
  • "It is crazy how much we think we can see what's happening in people's lives and we have no idea because it's such a snippet, such a, such a snippet of, of time." (Emily, 20:58)

8. Next Episode & True Crime Preview (21:17–22:22)

• First True Crime Case:
  "Morgan Metzer" will headline their first full episode of "True Crime with Your Besties."
  • "It's a shocking and terrifying case." (Ashley, 21:32)
• Patreon & Future Content:
  Episodes, including early access for Patreon VIPs, and extra content teased.

Memorable Quotes

• "I might even give it a little bit more, like 4.25. I really enjoyed it. I thought the last hour was fantastic." (Emily, 01:53)
• "There were quote, unquote, extra characters who we did need, like Mason, but they didn’t have their own storyline…" (Ashley, 03:38)
• "I really thought that Michaela was just stalkery... but a scumbag pedophile dog. Right? Did that shock you?" (Emily, 06:53)
• "Such a gaslighty piece of shit guy." (Ashley, 19:57)
• "Every character in this book had a whole smoke and mirror story about what their life actually looked like versus what their life was really like." (Ashley, 20:05)
• "People don’t pretend to be depressed. Like they pretend to be okay." (Ashley via meme reference, 20:32)
• "It is crazy how much we think we can see what's happening in people's lives and we have no idea because it's such a snippet, such a... snippet of time." (Emily, 20:58)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Podcast Format Update: 00:04–01:26
• Book Ratings & Character Tracking: 01:46–06:06
• Major Plot Twists: 06:53–08:09
• Postpartum Portrayal: 09:09–10:57
• Addiction & Character Complexity: 10:59–12:46
• Manipulation, Facades & Personal Stories: 13:02–20:32
• Next Book/True Crime Preview: 21:17–22:22

Tone & Style

Emily and Ashley maintain a candid, irreverent, and genuinely warm tone throughout, punctuating thoughtful analysis with laughter, playful jabs, and raw honesty. Their 23-year friendship is evident in their comfortable dynamic, and their discussion is both accessible and insightful—balancing deep dives into psychology and character motivation with relatable, real-world commentary.

For New Listeners

This episode is an excellent introduction to Emily and Ashley’s signature mix of sharp literary analysis, personal anecdotes, and gutsy humor. Even without reading "Party of Liars," listeners will come away with a strong sense of the book’s strengths, main twists, and themes—plus a preview of the expanded true crime content to come.

Support their work and get bonus episodes at Patreon: The Creepy Book Club.