OBSESSED!! Holy Cow! I'm glad I finally got to finish it on the day it came out. This might just be my favorite book of the year so far. It was amazing. The setting was picture perfect. I don't even know what to say. I'm in awe. Multiple povs, flashbacks to the past through journal entries, an amazing setting of a locked door type story, or should I say isolated setting? It was so eerie and slow building. I absolutely loved it. It gave me major White Lotus vibes. 👏

The Midnight Feast was a wild ride! I think this is the best Lucy Foley Novel yet!

Foley's thrillers are known for the complexity in the narrative style- If it's Foley there will be multiple points of view, narrators will be unreliable, events will be told out of order, and it will be up to readers to put the puzzle together by the end. I am always fascinated when writers play with narrative structure. For me it adds to the twists and the reader involvement and emersion in the plot. I generally go into one of Lucy Foley's stories excited about the possibilities, but with "The Guest List" and the "Paris Apartment" I came away feeling the the concept was better than the execution.

Not so in "The Midnight Feast." Here-I was finally able to find what I had been hoping for in her books. I am so glad I decided to give her another chance. Their are 5 main perspectives through which we see the action which centers on events at a posh hotel opening over 3 days- the day before, the day of, and the day after summer solstice. A decadent Feast is planned for the guests on the night of solstice, but as we learn straight away, things do not quite go as planned and some people have wound up dead. So what happened and why? That is what the reader is let to piece together.

Despite being similar in form, I felt like the story was much tighter- the twists come at just the times and while you should expect to be confused in the beginning (because that is how these things go) the threads come together at just the right times to answer some of our questions, and also created more. I will say, this novel also gave me some pretty eerie vibes, Midsommer energy is used along with plague masks and murders of crows- the tension was palpable- and I loved it! Lastly, if you are looking for a fictional villain to hate- you will definitely come to despise one of these characters, which again enhances the fun (at least for me!)

I had a blast- if you are looking for a bingeable thriller for a summer day- this one should hit the spot!

Thanks to William Morrow Pub. and Netgalley for early access to this e-book for review purposes.

The Midnight Feast is a great suspense story that has many twists. It will keep you guessing how this tale will end until the very end of the book. I give it a 4.5 stars.

Lucy Foley is a master at blending different character views, sometimes jumping around a bit, to unfold a mystery so crazy, you could never dream it up. With The Midnight Feast, there is an opening of a new posh resort called The Manor, and readers are instantly introduced to the eccentric founder, her nervous new husband, the young dishwasher turned bartender along with some of his connections, and a mysterious guest introduced as Bella, who seems to hold a grudge on the founder.

There are hints at urban legends surrounding the woods on the outskirts of the resort that bring a frightening element to the story. There is revenge to be had, and Foley's touches of revelations throughout bring surprise and shock that keep you on the edge of every turn of the page. She never disappoints in capturing attention to the very end. The Midnight Feast is another stellar thriller.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley is an absolute triumph, cementing her reputation as the queen of modern locked room mysteries. From the moment I started reading, I was completely enthralled by the atmospheric setting and the intricate, interwoven narratives of the characters. Foley's ability to craft a suspenseful, twisty tale is on full display here, making this her best work yet.

Set against the backdrop of a luxurious English manor-turned-hotel, the story is rich with eerie details and unsettling local superstitions that create an immersive reading experience. The forest surrounding the manor, the cliffside views, and the summer nostalgia all contribute to a setting that's both beautiful and haunting. Foley's descriptive writing had me feeling like I was right there, creeping through the dark woods or lounging by the sparkling infinity pool.

The multiple POVs and short chapters made the story fly by, keeping me on the edge of my seat as I tried to piece together the mystery. Each character was distinct and well-developed, and I never felt lost despite the complexity of the narrative. The big reveals were genuinely shocking, and I loved how everything tied together so perfectly by the end.

One of the standout aspects of this book is how Foley weaves in elements of folklore and urban legends, adding a layer of depth and intrigue. The diary excerpts were a clever plot device, enhancing the story without feeling forced. While I did have a few questions about certain characters, particularly Jake, these minor issues did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the novel.

The Midnight Feast is a must-read for fans of thrillers, locked room mysteries, and stories with rich, atmospheric settings. Foley's masterful storytelling and the spine-chilling vibes of this book make it an unforgettable read.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Lucy Foley for granting me access to this ARC in exchange for my honest review. This novel is a true gem, and I can't recommend it highly enough!

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Why I Chose It: I wanted to give Foley another try (I’ve only read The Guest List and found it ok) and I am drawn to locked room mysteries.

If I had to sum up this book in few words I would say, “Rich people behaving badly.” It was giving cult, it was giving small-town, it was giving young and dumb, it was giving spooky urban legend. I wanted it to push all of these things more. I wanted more cult, more small-town connection, more urban legend; I need more than just surface level.

I did enjoy the POVs and how they propelled the story. I was not a fan of the diary being a plot device. I felt like the author could’ve found a different way (perhaps more connected to the cult or small-town motif) that could’ve played the role of the diary. While I never connected with any of the characters, I was impressed with how distinctly each one read. I never was confused with which POV I was on because they were so well done.

All in all, I was entertained and I wanted to see what was going to happen. I did find the ending wonderful and loved that full circle moment. Fans of rich people behaving badly, folklore and urban legends, and books with lots of POVs will enjoy this one.

The first 60% of this book was a bit confusing with all the names and the journal entries, but in true Lucy Foley fashion she brought it all together at the end. I enjoyed it and at one point, I even gasped.

This read was outstanding! There was plenty of action, drama, and suspense. This novel was full of surprising twists. You won't be able to put it down.

I absolutely loved this book. It might even be the best book I’ve read so far this year! The atmospheric vibes, intertwining character stories, and the back and forth timeline were all so intriguing. I loved the excerpts from the summer journal and how everything just fell into place. The big reveals were shocking! Also, the setting was unmatched. I loved how we had all the spookiness of the forest, the beauty of the ocean and cliff side, and the nostalgia of summertime. Overall, this was such an incredible thriller!

👥Multiple POV
📝Journal excerpts
🫣Spooky scenes

I love Lucy Foley thrillers and I was so excited when I got this ARC!

First of all, I loved the setting! An English manor by the water that’s been turned into a luxury hotel? And there’s a murder?? Say less!! Locked room mysteries are some of my favorites, so I knew I was going to like it right away.

The writing and the descriptions of the forest and the local superstitions were so eerie and unsettling. I got a little creeped out reading this at night, I won’t lie! Also love the fact that there were multiple POV’s and short chapters! It made me read so much faster so I could try to piece everything together!

My one criticism is about the character of Jake. It’s hard to talk about without spoiling anything, so I’ll just say that I was left with a lot of questions. I did still like the ending though.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves twists and turns, locked room mysteries, and immersive settings!
It will be out on June 18th!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advanced copy!

This was a good read. I will say the beginning was very confusing keeping track of all of the characters and it didn’t start to fully make sense until about 20-30% of the way through. But that honestly may be what Lucy was going for. After about 50% it really picked up and there was just constant action. I loved all the added twists. Some of them were predictable but some of them I didn’t see coming at all. All in all it was a good read and really had me thinking

“All of this, the soft curling locks, the rural goddess photoshoots with farm animals, the flowing linen: it hides something steely and unyielding. Beneath it all she’s always been hard as fucking nails.”

Thank you William Morrow for the gifted finished copy!

This book is officially my favorite Lucy Foley. I absolutely ate this one up. I can’t stop thinking about the very last sentence in the book. It gives me chills but also weirdly brings me so much joy. If you’ve read this one, please DM me because I’d love to chat about it with someone!

Lucy Foley perfectly blends the bougie expensive wellness retreat storyline with a small rural town full of superstition and just a touch of the paranormal (or not). Plus there is a cold case storyline that is tied in as well. For another writer, this could have come across as disjointed but Foley really made it work.

Check this one out for:
*Rich people behaving badly
*Midsommar vibes
*Creepy ancient woods
*Small town folklore
*Cold case mystery
*Revenge storyline
*Wellness retreat gone wrong
*Multiple POV

THE MIDNIGHT FEAST is out today!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6574436154
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C8XP5mJpV9L/

I always enjoy picking up a Lucy Foley thriller. The Guest List is the book that got me back into reading and will always have a special place in my heart. So I always look forward to checking out her books.

Lucy’s books are always dashed with intrigue that can be borderline frustrating but always keep me hooked. Frustrating in a sense that I’m just like “tell me what the deal is now” lol. But it’s that feeling that always keeps me interested in her books. I feel like I often guess how some things will play out, but it’s never a disappointment when what I thought is what is true. If anything it just makes me feel like a good detective in that I was able to pick up the clues and figure things out.

This one was really interesting and reminded me of elements of so many other books and movies, but not in a way that feels copied. I always love getting multiple perspectives in a thriller and not only do what get perspectives from 5 different people but we also get diary entries from 15 years prior. All of these perspectives and timelines help to piece together a very intriguing puzzle.

If you’re a Lucy Foley fan I would pick this one up. A solid typical thriller from her. This one reminded me of:
•Nine Perfect Strangers
•The Village
•His & Hers
•Midsommar
So if you like any of those things, I would also consider checking this one out.

This thriller has moderate language.

Content Warnings: sexual assault (briefly on page), rape (implied)

This is one of those novels in which I expected so much, and it just somehow fell a bit short for me.

The book opens up during opening weekend of "The Manor" the brainchild of Francesca Meadows and designed by her husband, Owen, who is an architect. Francesca is calm personified, or so she wants you to believe, and she's sure that this opening weekend is only the beginning of great things to come.

What did I like? This story is told from multiple POVs and I'm always into that because it gives multiple insights and keeps you guessing. I also found the journal entries interesting because they allow us a glimpse into the past, helping us to understand why things are happening the way they are.

I loved the atmosphere and tension of this book, it definitely gave me some creepy feelings while also helping me to really dive into the book.

Unfortunately, it just fell short of its mark for me. There was some folklore in this novel that just felt very predictable, and when things unravel, I just wasn't wowed. I also don't understand why some of the characters don't recognize each other, people don't change that much in 15 years.

It was a quick read and it was fine, just not great.

This was a fun and fast-paced thriller, and I think that if you're looking for a locked room mystery or just want a well-plotted mystery then this will be up your alley. With multiple POVs to really propel this story forward, I found myself flying through to the end. Additionally, the atmosphere and tone of the story was really well cultivated, and I enjoyed the lore about the birds that were haunting the manor. The clues, the twists and the plot are all well done and made for a really enjoyable read. I can't wait to get our physical copies in for my patrons, thought the shelves won't see them for a long time because the holds list is already nearing the 100s!

The Manor is now a hotel owned by Francesca Meadows and her architect husband Owen Dacre. When Francesca was young, she and her brothers stayed at the manor in the summer with their grandmother as their mother summered in the Mediterranean. Since then, the Manor was left solely to Francesca. The manor has a nice pool, large grounds and is near a cliff leading to a beach. Francesca, with the help of Owen, transformed the Manor into a lovely hotel which offers a wellness atmosphere. The highlight of the stay is a celebration of the Solstice in which all the guests will participate. But a guest has arrived with a sinister agenda which may blow the entire event into smithereens.

It all started in 2009 when Francesca (known then as Frankie) made friends with some of the locals who joined her in her pool and engaged in other teenage stunts. There is a large wooded area with tales of huge birds that live in there and can kill. One of these stunts led to a devastating event that has left many of the locals scarred. With the reminder of this, many are not happy that Francesca is back and, thus, try to make her first event filled with problems.

OK. Honesty here. This is my first book by this author and I am disappointed. This is the kind of book that my son calls a “woo monster” story that had me rolling my eyes. The huge fear of the birds was ridiculous. All in all I was simply glad to say that i had finally finished reading it. Sorry. Not a favorite.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Lucy Foley is an auto buy author for me and I couldn’t wait to see what she had done next. The Midnight Feast is a great summer thriller when you’re looking to escape the heat.

I enjoyed the atmospheric setting and the legend of “the birds” that haunted the manor. The multiple view points kept the story going.

While I preferred other Lucy Foley books, I’m glad I read this. Looking forward to reading what Lucy writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This one wasn’t my favorite by Lucy Foley but it definitely was entertaining. The multiple POVs worked seamlessly and kept me hooked. Some of the plot just felt a little predictable while other little things were just kinda annoying.

Lucy, you’ve done it again and this MIGHT be my new favorite of yours!!

The Manor is revamping, becoming a retreat with sparkling pools, private beach, and specialty cocktails 🍹 but with old friends and enemies lurking amongst the guests, will a secret from 15 years ago stay buried? Or will it crash the party is a fiery flame?

You follow 5 POV’s plus a past view (which as some of you know is one of my FAVORITE ways to read!!). The story went back and forth, giving you little clues in the present as to why we’re following who we’re following and the past, why the characters are the way they are.

While I very much enjoyed this, a few points that might make you not enjoy the book as much as I did.
As is consistent with Lucy’s writing, it is confusing. You’re not going to know what’s going on for awhile (unless you my best friend Sydney who seems to catch everything 🤦🏻‍♀️). That being said, the journey of the clues given in each chapter with the reveal at the end is SATISFYING!
The other point, there are 5 POV’s plus a journal POV. Lots of moving points. Knowledge that one knows that the other doesn’t (There are some days I can hardly separate my own voices, so this isn’t nearly as clear cut 😂).

If the above points don’t scare you from reading this book, I 100% recommend! It was THRILLING figuring out how all the puzzle pieces fit together! How each person connected with the over all picture. I love love LOVE Lucy’s books and so VERY happy I got the chance to read this!! 😍 Thank you Lucy and Netgalley for this Thriller!!

Lucy Foley is a master at what she does. I love how different and real her characters all feel as she weaves together the mystery. The 'back to nature' angle was really fun and I just can't say enough good things about her. Propulsive writing, deep character layers, a satisfying mystery--she's one of my auto-buys!