Francesca has opened a boutique hotel at The Manor where she summered with her grandparents growing up. However, the locals in the area are pretty unhappy with the new business in the area.

A story told from multiple POVs, this book was a slow burn. You had to get to know each of the characters and then the backstory. However at about 70% the book takes off and everything begins coming together and the twists and turns are impossible to predict. I ended up really enjoying it!

I really liked the Paris Apartment but this one was just not for me. I DNF's at 40%. It was too wordy and nothing exciting was happening. The birds made me not interested in the story at all. I did hear how it ends and glad I didn't continue.

This one was a nailbiter from start to finish. I loved the mix of explainable and supernatural events, leaving the reader wondering if the birds are real or if it is all explainable. It grabbed me from the first page and didn't let go. Foley is a master of suspense, ratcheting it up page by page to the explosive conclusion. I have read a lot of books, and I still appreciate when a writer is able to completely surprise me. I thought I had it all figured out pretty early, but I was definitely wrong. Favorite read of the spring!

Another page-turner by Lucy Foley! This time, the scene is a super-fancy new hotel on the site of an old English manor. We go back and forth in time between opening night and the past, slowly unveiling secret (and not-so-secret) feuds and rivalries along the way that culminate in disaster.

Lucy Foley did a great job of building the connections between the present and the past in a way that really captured my interest and made me want to keep reading to try to figure out what exactly those connections meant. She is also so good at making the reader feel as if they are right in the middle of the action.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great read. I enjoyed with the “haves” vs. “have-nots” storyline combined with sweet revenge.

Two minor issues. The supernatural bird curse and its seeming reappearance was a bit weird, sometimes losing my interest. And wouldn’t you recognize someone from your past, even if you were young teenagers at the time?

Regardless of those critiques, this was a mind bending experience. I loved the plot puzzles to be solved, and the surprises along the way. The duel timeline was easy to follow, and the story kept me hooked.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for letting me read and review.

I love Lucy Foley and was ecstatic to read “The Midnight Feast”. The story centers around multiple POVs and an alternate timeline, similar to her other novels. The story gives off a “the past will always catch up to you” vibe and it’s a page turner as you try to assemble all the puzzle pieces you’re given throughout the different characters point of views. There was some BIG twists, I didn’t see coming, which I loved. However, the story fell a little short for me and I just didn’t love it as much as her other novels. This would still be a great read for any thriller lover, 3⭐️

Thank you to William Morrow for an advanced readers copy of this title via NetGalley.

Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the e-ARC of one of my most anticipated reads this year. It did not disappoint. I highly recommend picking it up when it’s published on June 18, 2024 (right around the solstice – perfect timing!).

I value my sleep above pretty much anything else, so when a book makes me stay up late because I can’t stop reading, you KNOW I’m into it. I’m so happy to say that I loved this. I was a little hesitant because Lucy Foley’s last release, THE PARIS APARTMENT, let me down a bit after loving THE GUEST LIST and THE HUNTING PARTY. But we are SO back.

If you enjoy summery thrillers with short chapters, multiple POVs, and a bit of folklore at the core, this one’s for you.

Set around the grand opening of a posh new resort on the Dorset coast during the summer solstice, the plot follows five POVs: Francesca (the owner), Owen (the husband/architect), Bella (the mystery guest), Eddie (the kitchen help), and DI Walker. All is not as idyllic as it seems, as secrets and lies begin to emerge from the surrounding woods. By the time the weekend ends, the hotel is in ruins and a body is found.

Without giving too much away, I loved the small-town legends and mythology at the center of this story that heightened the immersive, dark, atmospheric vibes. Like any good thriller, this was full of twists and kept me guessing at every turn, but it also employed a level of predictability that I appreciated. Sometimes I find that thrillers with multiple POVs and timelines have the potential to get overly complicated, but this one had the right balance for me. I devoured this in just a few days and truly enjoyed the experience.

My biggest criticism would be that I felt the cast lacked a bit of diversity, even with a high volume of characters.

I’m already looking forward to Foley’s next release. Keep ‘em coming!

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I loved this book! My first book of hers & I devoured it. Every time I thought I knew what was gonna happen, I was wrong. It was twisty & mysterious in all the right ways. The chapters were short, which I personally like, and I liked the depth of the characters & how it all circled back together cohesively.

However, it wasn’t without its flaws. The timeline is a bit all over the place & there are issues with the days in some chapters, which hopefully get fixed before release. The journal entry chapters are sometimes difficult to follow because it’s all in italics & there is no distinction of what is dialogue & what is the characters own thoughts. In one chapter they mention a specific animal’s skull & then literally two chapters later, minutes after in the timeline, that same skull is somehow not a skull but a fleshy head? And I know this is an uncorrected proof, but it was hard to ignore the extra quotation marks every single time they were used & the altogether missing quotations.

The Midnight Feast was reminiscent of the Paris Apartment and had some of the same "spooky cult" vibes throughout. I love what is becoming Foley's signature style- a large cast of characters tied together through loose shared history and all caught up in a murder. Compulsively readable summer thriller!

STORY LOVES
♥️♥️♥️♥️.5
rounded

SPICE
🌶️ closed door(ish)

RECOMMEND
💳 yes

I recently had the pleasure of reading "The Midnight Feast" by Lucy Foley, and the experience was captivating. The book is set in The Manor, a luxurious hotel situated near an ancient forest on the Dorset coast, and it delivers a tantalizing murder mystery. The setting itself plays a pivotal role, infusing the story with elements of horror and folklore that contribute to its depth.

The narrative begins at a measured pace, meticulously establishing the setting and crafting an ominous atmosphere. This deliberate approach effectively lays the groundwork for the complex plot that unfolds later. As the story progresses and the first major plot twist occurs, the pace accelerates, coaxing readers to engage and unravel the events themselves.

The characters are intricately developed, each boasting a unique backstory and motivations that enrich the story. The plot is teeming with suspense, introducing spine-chilling concepts that keep readers fully gripped. The mystery unravels satisfyingly, providing a thorough view of the intricate community of characters.

Despite the initially gradual pace, "The Midnight Feast" turns out to be an exciting thriller that had me engaged from beginning to end. The unique premise and vivid setting were utterly absorbing, and Foley's ability to sustain suspense throughout the book is quite impressive.

In summary, I wholeheartedly recommend "The Midnight Feast" to fellow fans of thrillers. It offers a fresh and intriguing perspective in the genre, providing an exciting read that consistently keeps you on edge. Prepare for an exciting journey into mystery and suspense with "The Midnight Feast" – The very last sentence! GAH!

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read this book in advance and introducing me to Lucy Foley.

An absolutely amazing book. Honestly, this authors best book.
I was a little nervous about the birds because I don’t like fantasy but this exceeded my expectations on where it was going.
The character development was excellent. I felt like I knew who every character was and the twists!!! Twist after twist shocked me and I never guessed anything happening in the book!
I loved the ending and how nicely everything tied together and left no questions.
I couldn’t put this book down. Easily the best of the year so far for me.

I think this is Lucy Foley’s best yet! I was pulled in from the start and as the plot thickened, I found it harder and harder to put down. The story was good and the reveals were better. I had some 9 Perfect Strangers vibes for sure-but this one was a better book. (I couldn’t get Nicole Kidman out of my head as Francesca though-it fit!)
I love how Foley always includes family dynamics and relationships. Some heartwarming moments. Powerful themes throughout.
Bonus, I learned that Brits call the early 2000’s the noughties.
I loved this one. Highly recommended!

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!

The Midnight Feast was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. Lucy Foley’s character work is unmatched. I wanted so much to love The Midnight Feast. Unfortunately this one fell a bit short for me.

The beginning of the book starts off strong introducing us to our cast of characters. I was enjoying getting to know everyone early on. Like I said Lucy Foley’s character work is some of my favorite around. But then the book just got slow with not much happening at all. We were heading for an ending that felt extremely obvious and that’s just not something I’ve experienced from this author before. She normally packs such a punch with her reveals. I will say the crows one at the very end did get me. That was probably my favorite part of the book. I just wanted so much more from this one. I will always continue to pick up Lucy Foley’s books in the future. I will still encourage you all to give this one a try. Just because it wasn’t for me doesn’t mean it won’t be for you.
2.5/5 Stars

Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me an arc copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

As a fan of Lucy Foley’s past books, The Midnight Feast did not disappoint. There are multiple perspectives and timelines which kept the story interesting while still remaining very easy to follow. I loved the twists along the way and the incorporation of the town’s legends and folklore. This made the story even more intriguing and mysterious.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC of this page turning thriller!

I really enjoyed this book. If you like her other books, I think you will like this as well. This is the type of thriller that is easy to read, and makes you look forward to picking up the book. And the twists were done very well at the end.

The Midnight Feast is a thriller, told from a bunch of different perspectives. A wealthy woman and her husband have opened up a luxury resort in a remote destination - but it's brought up a lot of memories for the local population, some of whom appreciate the job opportunities, but most are looking to spoil the party. It doesn't take too long to figure out who are the good guys and bad guys in the story - the mystery is in what happens this weekend and who survives. This wasn't my favorite of Lucy Foley's books that I've read, but it was entertaining.

“The Midnight Feast” is an atmospheric novel that blends suspense, drama, and richly drawn characters. Foley’s prose paints vivid scenes, and the dynamics between the characters are compelling, with interpersonal relationships as intriguing as the central mystery itself. If you enjoy twisty locked-room murder mysteries, this book is a must-read.
The many twists had me gasping! A true mystery in every aspect of the genre.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

This thriller book was an engaging and enjoyable read, filled with suspense and plot twists. While it may not be the best I've ever read, it kept me hooked and entertained for the most part. I struggled to get into this book at first. It’s a slow-burn thriller. However, Lucy Foley does what she does best by writing a thriller that’s full of twists and turns. It’s a great spooky read that I think would be perfect for the beach or by the pool.

On the other hand, there’s one thing I did not like about the book. The timeline jumps were hard to read at first. When reading this, the reader must pay attention to the time the plot takes place. I also got confused reading the journals, but in the end, it all came together.

Another thing Lucy Foley does well is write unlikeable characters. The characters in this book all have some sort of relation to the town the book takes place. In the end, I still have a lot of questions about what I read. I think people will either love or hate this one. My opinion is in between. Thank you, Net Galley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Very atmospheric and feels mythical in the creepy Tome Manor by the sea. This is a historical house now owned by the granddaughter Francesca. She has renovated into a Well Boutique hotel with seaside cottages and woodland hutches. The woods is a creepy character in itself with the locals saying "the birds" superstition is responsible for deaths and strange happenings. These birds are described in detail with their long cloak of black feathers, beady eyes and long crooked beaks. Sure to scare the guests with their strange appearances. The locals are not happy with the transformation of the property and guests protruding in their area so they make it difficult with riots at nighttime frightening the guests.
When the scenes open, we learn there is a death at the bottom of the cliffs and a fire in the manor. The story is told in several POVs and the different timelines we learn something is hanging over the guests' heads, which are frenemies from what happened 15 years ago. There are dirty secrets among the guests and even drinks called "Manor Mule" that make the parties even dirtier.
A strange lot of characters and a huge defined line between the haves and have nots that discriminate against the locals entirely. Francesca is the worst hostess for the Midnight Feast and the Day of Solstice party. Enjoyable and a little different than Lucy Foley's other books.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Lucy Foley is almost TOO good. The very last chapter is *chef's kiss" of a twist!
The Midnight Feast is told in 5 separate POVs, over the course of an opening weekend for The Manor, a posh retreat in the Dorset seaside town of Tome. (pronounced TOMB). However, the locals are not happy about this retreat and it's unclear what is actually going on until almost the end. Foley is so good at building suspense Secrets and lies abound in this novel of intrigue. 15 years ago, there was a crime covered up. Now justice will served.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this e-arc.*