The Party Crasher

The premise is pure farce, and Kinsella makes the most of it. Effie spends much of the party hiding behind sofas, in cupboards and on staircases, overhearing conversations she was never meant to hear. The comic set pieces are well timed, and the single-evening setting gives the story a tight, energetic shape.

Beneath the comedy is a sincere story about growing up. Effie has cast her father's girlfriend as the villain and herself as the wronged daughter, and the evening forces her to see her family more fairly. Her siblings, her father and her former boyfriend, Joe, who turns up unexpectedly, all have their own perspectives, and the gradual unravelling of misunderstandings is satisfying.

Effie can be exasperating, and the plot relies on a lot of convenient eavesdropping. The romance subplot is pleasant but slight. Readers who prefer the more outrageous Shopaholic style may find this gentler. As a heartfelt comedy about family and change, it is warm and enjoyable. The ending, which brings the whole family together in an unexpected way, is especially satisfying. It also makes a comforting read for anyone going through a family upheaval of their own. About 368 pages in the Dial Press hardcover; library catalogs list 349.