Member Reviews
I've read all the Lucy Foley thrillers. The Midnight Feast draws us into a lavish setting. The descriptions of the resort and its various luxuries are wonderful. Fans of this author will enjoy the book as it delivers her trademark multi-POV story with plenty of rich people problems throughout.
This was my first Lucy Foley novel and I really enjoyed it. The Midnight Feast follows multiple characters as they all come together for opening weekend of a posh new hotel. But all of the guests are not there for just rest and relaxation. Some are there for revenge. Each character has a secret to protect and will go to any lengths to do so. Everything comes to an explosive head on the night of the Midnight Feast at the hotel.
I like how all the storyline came together in the end, but it was hard to get into the story at first. There are a lot of characters to keep up with and there are dual timeliness, which also makes the story more challenging to follow at times. But I am glad I stuck with it because I was not expecting some of the twists and turns. If you like a good thriller, you should check it out!
First I want to say I really wish this book had a trigger/content warning and I want to caution my friends who talk and depictions of SA are triggering to them from reading this book. This book to me is giving rich people behaving badly meets thriller, but most of the time IMO it was trying to do so much that it did nothing well. I will say I was pleasantly surprised by the end and it did tie everything together nicely! I would say I recommend this someone who wants to read something that reads like a thriller but doesn’t leave you up at night scared to sleep!
2.5
I felt very bored and like the story wasn't progressing for about 61 percent. When the story then started coming together the twists were never the full truth. They were a bunch of misleadings that made me feel like I would never get to the real story and the twists were just being drug out for a longer book with no benefit.
If it weren't for being reviewed I probably would have given up before the stories started converging.
I saw the potential. In the end felt like watching the many potential plots of Clue.
It’s opening weekend at the Manor and the vibes are immaculate. Every last detail has been planned and executed to perfection and nothing can go wrong. But the Sunday morning of opening weekend, the police are called due to a fire and a dead body,
If you enjoyed Lucy Foley’s previous books, you will enjoy this one as well. The Midnight Feast is filled with her signature suspense and who-dun-it style mystery. This book has many different POVs from different characters, and it is hard to know who to believe. The drama, secrets, lies, and so many twists and turns will keep you engaged and guessing.
Thank you to William Morrow Books for the gifted copy.
I’m a big fan of this author’s writing. I’ve enjoyed every single book I’ve read by them. After reading this synopsis I knew I had to read this one. I think the secrets spanning years really made this book unique.
I loved the cast of characters in this one. I’m a big fan of reading in multiple points of view (especially when the end of each chapter makes me want to continue). The Manor was one of the best settings I’ve read by this author.
This may be one of my favorite by this author yet. Murder mysteries always intrigue me, especially written in the sense of And Then There Was None. I find Lucy Foley’s books quick reads and I am anticipating any new works coming out.
Solid locked-room mystery thriller from Lucy Foley. This was better than the Paris Apartment, but not quite as good as The Guest List. This one was dark and vibey like all of her novels, featuring many twists and turns and multiple POVs. I had a really good time with this while it lasted, but ultimately will not stick with me past a few months.
Read if you like: other Lucy Foley books or rich people drama.
I was skeptical when I saw some of the reviews that contained talk of the birds. But I liked that aspect. It added a little something unnatural to the usual murder mystery.
I enjoyed the shifting narratives and the jump back and forth between past and present. Sometimes it becomes too much but even with all the jumping around, the characters were fleshed out and it was fun seeing how all the pieces would fit together.
It took me a bit to get into this book but once it got going I was hooked! It’s such a great beginning of spooky season book! Great for fans of the guest list!
I love Lucy Foley! Her writing is fantastic and her books never miss for me! This one was no different! Multiple POVs, multiple timelines. 5 stars!
2⭐️
DNF. I’m just not feeling this book. The characters inner monologues and their dialogue in general doesn’t feel very natural, and it doesn’t really flow well in my opinion. There are elements that are interesting, such as the mysterious body found by fishermen and the repeated mention of “The Birds,” but wanting answers and closure isn’t enough to make me want to continue reading.
I'm a huge Lucy Foley fan, so when I received approval for this ARC, I was thrilled! And it definitely lived up to my expectations. I really enjoyed diving into this book.
The Manor, once an old historical house, has been transformed into a hotel by Francesca Meadows, the granddaughter of the original owners. She's turned it into a luxurious wellness boutique hotel, much to the dismay of the locals. Strange occurrences begin to take place, some of which seem to be linked to a local legend known as "the Birds." Could these superstitions be connected to the murders happening in the area?
The narrative shifts between different points of view, keeping the reader engaged throughout. As a woman from Francesca's past resurfaces during the Manor's opening weekend, secrets start to unravel. DI Walker is on the case, investigating the arson and murders. But is the mysterious woman behind it all, or is there something more sinister at play?
I'd rate this book 4 stars. While I enjoyed the unfolding mystery, I found Foley's other works more captivating. This one was entertaining but didn't leave a lasting impression. It was a fun and eerie read, perfect for a summer thriller. What I loved most was the unpredictable nature of the story.
A big thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Midnight Feast takes place at The Manor, a luxury spa/wellness resort, over its opening weekend. We get to read the different perspectives of The Founder, The Husband, The Mystery Guest, and The Kitchen Staff. The weekend seems to be going off wonderfully, until secrets from the past start to come to light.
I LOVED this. I could not put it down. As a big Lucy Foley fan, I was excited for her newest release, but this exceeded my expectations and might be my favorite book of hers that I’ve read. It’s a little spooky, dealing with local superstition and folklore, giving it a dark mystical, almost Midsommer, vibe. The twists that are crafted as the storylines weave and come together blew my mind. If you love thrillers and/or like Lucy Foley’s past works, you will love this one.
What a wild ride!
Thank you, William Morrow, for the gifted copy of The Midnight Feast {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 6.18.2024
Pages: 354
Star Rating: ☆☆☆
"It all began with a secret fifteen years ago. Now, the past has crashed the party. And it'll end in murder at The Midnight Feast."
Even though Midnight Library got off to a slow start, I really enjoyed the dual timeline and atmospheric feel of the story. These two additions really gave the overall mystery a more sinister vibe. I love a good whodunnit—especially when the opening chapter lets you know one of the characters will be dead by the end.
However, when it comes to Lucy Foley's books, I need to remember that they will always be very character-heavy, have a bit of a slow burn, and usually have a wild ending. If I can remember that for her following books, maybe I won't be as let down by the ending. There was just something about the ending of The Midnight Feast that felt too over the top and left me wanting more.
Read if you enjoy:
⛰️Atmospheric settings
✌🏼 Dual timelines
🔍 Slow burn mysteries
🗣️ Alternating POV
I recommend reading Lucy Foley if you love a character-driven mystery.
"Because when you've behaved for this long, it feels so good to be a little bad." I could not put this book down! Seriously the last half had me turning pages so fast trying to figure out the secrets and motives. Lucy Foley books are always good but this one was great!
Everyone is suspect, and a most are unreliable characters, but I loved it! This one told in past and present with the past in a summer journal format, loved that. It was very much helpful to the story to add to figuring out what happened at 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑀𝑖𝑑𝑛𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝐹𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡! It did start out with a bit of confusion, but it was all worth it in the end. There were several characters, but in my opinion it wasn’t hard to keep up with them per chapter getting each one’s piece of the story. The secrets, oh the secrets! So many that are gathered throughout the book, and paired with the creepy birds, my goodness. I for one hate birds and to have the creepy little things in the book, ewww! Oh and how can I also forget the creepy forest!
This one was not predictable for me at all. It gave me that wow factor that I love in thrillers to keep me guessing. It had me saying that bookworm phrase “just one more chapter” because it was 💯 binge-worthy. I’m so glad I did read this one for myself because I saw so many mixed reviews. Shout out to @travelingtoabookend for posting in her stories for a buddy read! It was great to have someone to chat about the craziness along way they and bounce theories off one another! I was mind blown at the end!
This book definitely got me out of a reading slump I’ve been struggling to sit down and read lately but I was very into this book. The characters were interesting, the plot kept me guessing, and I just couldn’t stop turning the pages. Thank you netgalley for my free review copy. I’ll definitely be recommending this one to friends and family!
Thanks to NetGalley for the Arc! I really enjoy Foley's books and the world building. This one caught my attention from the beginning trying to discover is the main character reliable or not. Loved the dark atmosphere and really enjoyed the ending!
The Midnight Feast has an interesting and mysterious premise, but in some ways fell short. This story features multiple POVs as well as points in time that carry the story throughout the interwoven past and present. I wasn’t a biggest fan of the detective chapters sprinkled throughout, but understood the significance towards the end. The first half of the story is all building up, and I found myself wondering what the point truly was. Overall a decent read!
If you liked Foley's The Guest List, then this book is for you. Told from multiple points of view, this is the story of an epic opening night for a luxurious boutique hotel. But, when the fire starts and the body is found, who is to blame? Discusses overcoming your past, greed, social media, and family relationships. Recommended.