I was excited to read The Midnight Feast which is the latest book by Lucy Foley. Despite my anticipation, the book was a struggle to get through and I found myself wanting to quit reading. It had really weird "bird" scenes and references that didn't really make sense and seemed unnecessary. Luckily, the second half picked up a bit and the plot came together in the end. Overall this was a miss for me. Thank you netgalley for the chance to read this ARC and provide my honest feedback.

There's a new luxury resort in the countryside with a Goop-like owner. Locals don't like it. There's some weird history in the place. What will happen at the Midnight Feast?

This book was just fun.

There are so many thrillers with an influencer bad guy, but Francesca here was easily my favorite of them, I saw real wit in the writing of her bonkers evil self.

The puzzle pieces come together nicely and elegantly.

I was always entertained and surprised several times.

I have no idea why this is advertised as a locked room mystery, it is not. Think more a fun episode of Supernatural mixed with Riverdale. I had a good time. 5 stars.

I loved EVERYTHING about this book. The folklore surrounding a little town, the dual POVs, the diary entries. I love the Blair Witch vibes Tome gave off. I found myself rooting for The Birds at every turn. The characters all being connected to this one singular event really threw me for a loop. I didn’t know how they would eventually be connected, but when they were my mind was blown. Just another amazing book from Lucy Foley.

This book was suspenseful at every turn and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I did not expect the ending at all which made for a very enjoyable read.
The vast amount of pov’s did make it slightly difficult in the beginning, as well as the amount of dual identities, but it becomes easier to track as the book goes on.
You have dueling timelines as well - the past in the summer journal chapters, the “present” in main character pov’s and the future in the detective chapters. It allows you to figure out the who, what, when, where and why simultaneously in one beautiful merge of timelines.
I will admit that the flow feels chaotic at first, but once you get into the story it makes it feel more fast paced.
Overall it was an enjoyable read.

This story started off weird, and I don’t mean thriller weird, with Bella seducing a 19 year old kid young enough to be HER kid. Fortunately it turned back into just a normal, creepy thriller with giant birds that murder people in the woods.

There were not many storyline surprises here… I had figured out most of the characters’ secrets pretty quickly, and the DI Walker perspective is woven throughout but happens after the main event, both of which left me wanting a little more mystery. Still, I kept turning the pages and finished it quickly.

I loved that this thriller had the creepy element of the Birds. It made the whole thing so much more mysterious and interesting. I guessed the first twist in the “After” section, but not the second! I found that reveal in particular to be very satisfying and it made me appreciate the book (and the Birds) a little more. Otherwise, it’s a solid, fast paced, somewhat unsurprising thriller.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy, in exchange for an honest review.

3.5⭐ Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for this eARC. If you’re a fan of suspenseful novels with a hint of folklore, this might be one to check out. Overall, The Midnight Feast is a compelling read with its fast pace, beautiful setting, and a gripping end. However, there was something that I didn’t enjoy…the messy feel. There is an abundance of character POVs, timelines, and diary chapters which kind of took a little bit away from the story for me.

This is a 3.5 for me. This was my first Lucy Foley book and I would like to read Paris Apartment this year to get another view on her writing.
This book was confusing for me up until 55%. It is a murder mystery party and I am still confused on what happened in the past and in the present.
Questions I have that are left unanswered: Are there actual birds? Are the birds people of the town? Who was killed? Who was the murderer?
I know this book is not finished yet but longer POV's to explain more backstory would be useful as well as more description on the present day murder mystery. I enjoyed the different POV's, switching between timelines, and the ending "twist" that were revealed. This book was a fun read and I am thankful for Net Galley for the opportunity. :)

3.75 stars.

This started off super slow for me, I just wasn't drawn into the story fully but I was slightly intrigued. I'm glad I continued because it does pick up around the 65% and one part even had me going ooooohhhh. I do think this reads better in bigger chunks than if you can only read a little at a time, I did feel more connected to the story when I was able to do 30-50 pages at a time. I really enjoyed the added chapters of the Summer Journal and the epilogue.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this novel! As a character mentions in the book, I am a bit of a fan of folk horror, and all the twisty elements involved make this a fun and pretty fast paced read. I believe this is my first time reading anything by this author, but it won’t be my last. Great writing, characters you love (and a few you love to hate), well timed out answers to the mysteries, and a satisfying ending. I couldn’t ask for much more than that!

The Midnight Feast felt like quintessential Lucy Foley that any fan of hers will love. It held true to the format of her other books--an ensemble cast, multiple points of view, and several surprises along the way. I loved the flashbacks; the look at the past helped to set the stage for the happenings of the midnight feast. The language was really descriptive, and it made it so easy to picture the scene as it unfolded. Top notch writing with great building of sympathetic characters. Too often with these large group stories, it can be tough to connect with any one person, but I didn't feel that here.

If I were to provide any constructive criticism, it would simply be that the story unfolded as I thought it would, which of course is satisfying as a reader, but it keeps it from being a full-blown thriller, in my mind. I was so thankful to William Morrow and NetGalley for providing me with early access to this fun novel.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Midnight Feast. One of my most anticipated 2024 reads! Lucy Foley is an auto buy author for me. This book did not disappoint, I finished it in less than 24 hours! Short chapters with storytelling that keeps you wanting to turn the page is everything I need in a book. I love books told from multiple POVs and seeing how Lucy ties them all together in the end. The nod to ‘The Birds’ by Alfred Hitchcock brought me back to middle school days. I loved the ambiance of the book and the town setting with the woods and folklore. All characters were enjoyable to read, Frankie’s unlikeable character was done well because I definitely didn’t care for her. I did really enjoy the very end where ‘birds’ come into play to really round out the birds focus. Lucy’s writing is just my style and all her books are exactly what I need in my life. All the stars! Wish I could read it again for the first time. Thank you again for the ARC!

So. Many. POVs. At times, I wasn't certain if I wasn't following what was going on, as in it was a reader problem, or if all of the narrators were truly so unreliable it was the author's intention that we couldn't track what was going on. Either way, it took away from the experience and left me feeling frustrated. The last 15% or so of the book where everything started to come together was the best part and made some of the earlier pieces more worthwhile, but overall, this isn't one I'll be recommending.

Another page turning novel by Lucy Foley. “The Midnight Feast” was a spellbinding story about past childhood experiences that have a hold on the characters lives as adults. The setting is a high end wellness resort off a seaside cliff. This is a fast paced, what’s going to happen next. In the end you will take a deep breath & say “Wow, I didn’t see that coming. Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Collins Publishing. This epic book comes out June 18th 2024.

I love how Lucy Foley spins this tale so you suspect everyone — it’s a brilliant strategy that has you questioning everything and dissecting the details of every scene to figure it out. All of the woo woo stuff had me laughing — I’m an energy healer after all who loves crystals, yoga, meditation and this book definitely exaggerates and bashes all that. 😆 Suspenseful and a quick enjoyable read.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the ARC of Lucy Foley’s The Midnight Feast. This twisty plot had me gasping out loud and blindsided from cover to cover. The Midnight Feast has all the makings of a terrific and memorable thriller – mysterious woods, a gorgeous mansion, secrets and death. The founder of The Manor, Francesca, revives her childhood vacation “home” into a socialite’s dream getaway. To celebrate the grand opening, it’s only fitting to throw an enormous pagan-inspired celebration weekend, including a midnight feast. However, Francesca wasn’t counting on her past showing up uninvited.

The story is written from several charter POVs. Many stories like this often confuse the reader early on – this is not one of those stories. Each POV feels relatable and relevant to the story, picking up right where you need it to. The character building is superb and only enhances the story as you wind through to the twisty ending. And every time you think you have a handle on what’s coming next, another twist has you feverishly reading for more! For fans of mystery, folk tales, blackmail and sweet revenge, The Midnight Feast needs to be on your TBR! 4/5 stars and would absolutely read again.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! I just reviewed The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley. #TheMidnightFeast #NetGalley
I just wasn’t a fan of this book. At all. I DNF’d after about 30% through . Unfortunately it kinda lacked fast paced. I did enjoy other books by her and will read more from her.

I am generally a great fan of Lucy Foley but this book wasn't as satisfying for me as her previous books were.
I found the pace to be slower. Starting with the end and going backwards is a little frustrating for me as a reader. The character development is part of the surprise twist in the book but I craved more before the twist.
That said, it is still an enjoyable read.

When Francesca opens a very posh healing retreat center there is a wide cast of participants - all of whom are paying top price for the privilege to be there opening weekend. There are also locals who want to fight the privatization of the woods that they grew up in and in which some mysterious "birds" have always lived.

Things begin to unravel, especially once a dead bird, and then a dead body, are found.

No-one is who they seem and revenge is revealed to be a driving force amongst guests. When the disguises are all cast off and the reality is laid bare the book comes to a fairly satisfying end

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
Pub date: June 18, 2024

Two unlikely teenage girls strike up a summer friendship but one clearly has the upper hand. She’s wealthy, cunning and manipulative. What happens that long ago summer will have a long-lasting effect that will echo far into the future, impacting everyone around them.

Welcome to The Manor, a place of Zen and luxury hidden away in an ancient wood with dazzling seaside views. It’s opening weekend and host Francesca, beautiful and mysterious, has everything perfectly curated for the uberwealthy clientele she caters to. But not everyone present has the same agenda Francesca does. There are secrets and lies afoot and not everyone is who they say they are and some think that old bygones shouldn’t go unpunished.

I loved how Foley told this story, utilizing past and present and central POV’s that gave the reader a unique insight into the depth of the story and all it’s complexity. This is the most brilliant of twisty plots and such a thrill to unravel.

Thrilling, twisty, brilliant! A feast for anyone who reads!

My thanks to William Morrow Books for this gifted DRC!

Wow! I have read three other Lucy Foley books and have loved all of them. I love her twist and turns and you’re usually always rooting for one of the characters. This one did not disappoint. I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

OOOH boy did I really enjoy this one. It was very moody and atmospheric, and I felt the plot wasn't one I've read a million times over.

The Manor is celebrating their opening weekend. It's a luxury wellness resort unlike any other. The owner, Francesca, and her architect husband, Owen, spared no expense when creating this hotel making sure their elite guests had a one-of-a-kind experience. Everything was going according to plan until a guest from Francesca's past checks in and is determined to make her pay for acts she committed on these very grounds when they were younger. As Francesca is preparing for the main attraction of the weekend - a solstice midnight 'feast' it seems like someone, or something is trying to sabotage her. Is it the work of Bella or is there something more sinister lurking around?

I can't imagine it's easy to write a book that has pagan, paranormal, culty vibes without transforming the plot to be more on the 'ghostly' horror side, but Lucy Foley did a great job of adding these elements and still keeping this a thriller. I didn't see the twists coming and everything tied together nicely by the end.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Lucy Foley for the ARC of The Midnight Feast!