It’s the solstice and the opening weekend of The Manor, a luxury resort that the locals hate and that seems to be filled with old secrets. The story features owner Francesca, her husband, architect Owen, guest-with-a-secret (which you’ll guess in about a second) Bella, and dishwasher from a local farm Eddie. One of them won’t survive the weekend.

I know Lucy Foley is very popular and I usually like her, but this? This smacked of I’ve-got-a-three-book-deal-and-I’ve-got-something-due-by-the-end-of-the-quarter. This was not good. This wasn’t good by Lucy Foley standard, by first time out standard, by any standard. She was just phoning this one in. Embarrassing. Skip it.

I have a rule- if Lucy Foley writes it, I'm going to read it. I sped through this novel, same as I generally do with her books, but i simply could not put it down. There were a couple reveals that you can see coming, but several that absolutely threw me. I love a book that ensures horrible people get their just desserts, and there was plenty of that, in the end..... I will definitely recommend this one. I can't wait for Foley's next book, and this one hasn't even been released yet!

Alright, I have a confession to make: when I first started reading this highly anticipated thriller from the brilliant author Lucy Foley, known for her mastery of multi-POV narratives, it took me a little time to get into the story. Initially, I shrugged it off, thinking it might be a slow burn. But let's look at the bright side: it doesn't have as many characters as "Guest List," so I figured I could quickly grasp the main story around the mysterious victim's identity by navigating between timelines and narratives. However, a few chapters in, my opinion completely changed, especially with the inclusion of the diary entries. Suddenly, I found myself extremely hooked, turning the pages faster. The last third of the book blew my mind. The words seemed to possess me as the adrenaline pumped through my veins. The several twists took me by surprise, and the puzzle-style climax had me jumping in my seat. And of course, the ending was amazing! Interestingly, it reminded me of the ending of "True Detective: Night County."

The incorporation of folklore, particularly the legend of the Birds, perfectly blended into the main mystery, where locals fight for justice against the invasion of the polished, filthy-rich Zenith community, with touches reminiscent of Hitchcock's classic film "The Birds." Until I read this, I thought "Guest List" was my favorite work by the author, but this book has dethroned it and become my all-time favorite. From its cynical portrayal of the ultra-rich to its sarcastic critique of class differences and the locals' fight for what they deserve, to the mind games surrounding the identities of victims and perpetrators, this book offers a uniquely immersive reading experience.

The story centers around the Manor: an ultra-luxurious estate nestled in Woodland Hutches, designed to provide a peaceful escape for its privileged guests. Owned by Francesca Woodland, who hides dark secrets beneath a facade of priestess-like purity, the Manor is set to host a memorable summer solstice feast. Her younger husband, aspiring architect Owen, might be enchanted by her dreamy facade and the illusion she's created about her persona, as he shares his own dark secrets about his past that could threaten their shared future.

However, Francesca's plans are disrupted by a mystery guest from her past, Bella, who is determined to confront the tragedy she has endured for fifteen years. Meanwhile, nineteen-year-old kitchen helper Eddie finds himself caught between the locals seeking retribution against the Manor's guests and his dedication to his new job, all while dealing with his dysfunctional family.

As the narrative shifts back to the day after the solstice, we meet DI Walker, a specialist in cold cases, who investigates the tragic events that occurred at the Manor during the solstice celebration. Deaths, terrorized guests, and a burning Manor lead to a myriad of questions: What happened on the solstice? Who perished? Who is responsible? How did the fire start? Readers are tasked with collecting the pieces of the puzzle to solve the mystery, but nothing is as it seems, and Lucy Foyle's cunning storytelling is sure to keep you on your toes.

Overall, this is undoubtedly my favorite book by the author, and it has the potential to be one of the standout thrillers of the year. Highly, absolutely, extremely recommended!

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with a digital review copy of this amazing book in exchange for my honest opinions.

There is a fair amount of the ridiculous here, but, if you can deal with the silly characterizations and unlikely events, it's an appropriately tight and deeply entertaining story.

It’s a 3.5 for me but rounding up to a 4. The main thing is all her books are the same to me. The plot is always the same with just a slightly different location. A fun spoopy read but I’ll forget about it in a week. The last line did get me and I chuckled.

I’ve loved Lucy Foleys precious books because of the gripping mystery aspects. The Paris Apartment is still a favorite of mine. The Midnight Feast is a totally different beast…. Where basically everybody is crazy and/or out for revenge. Told I’m past and present through journal entries and present in first pov you get a multitude of characters (which do get confusing at times). The biggest difference compared to her others is that there is some actual magical lore in this book but I will not say anything more than that due to spoilers. I wish the book focused on that more! I sped through this in two sittings so it’s definitely the same writing quality of her last books but I feel that the plot could be hit or miss with her past fans. Newer Lucy Foley readers might be more open to this one.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of The Paris Apartment, but this is a return to form for Lucy Foley. I loved the local, occult aspect and the twists were all clever. The only flaw is that everyone got what they deserved in the end. One thing I enjoyed about The Hunting Party and The Guest List was the sense that the killers had gotten away with it and, in the case of the latter, one of the characters had such a tragic ending. I wish this had a little bit more bite to it in that aspect, but otherwise, this was outstanding.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley is a locked room murder mystery that takes readers on a journey into the dark secrets of The Manor, a luxury resort with a sinister past. As the story unfolds over the opening weekend, the author weaves together the stories of each character, all with their own agenda and secrets to hide. As tensions rise and suspicions mount, not everyone will make it out alive. With its twisty plot and complex characters, this book will keep readers guessing until the very end.