DNF at 34%. Right from the get-go, this really dragged and wasn't intriguing at all. Frankly, the start was quite boring and didn't seem to lead up to anything. Especially with the multiple changing POVs, it was hard to feel like any plot was developing. I had much higher hopes for this one! Based on reviews, it does seem to pick up later on so I might come back to it at some point.

Francesca Meadows inherits The Manor and turns it into an ultra luxury resort. It sits on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean on the edge of the woods. Opening weekend is finally here and Francesca and her architect husband, Owen, are ready to welcome guests and have a Midnight Feast. Until a guest from the past shows up to make someone pay for a crime from 15 years ago. Things get crazy and people behave badly until there’s a fire and a murder. Is it the Birds? Folklore says the Birds always find justice.

This was a typical locked door murder mystery from Lucy Foley so if you have liked her previous books I think you’ll enjoy this one. It was a little slow to build but towards the end it was wild and twisty. There are several POVs and different timelines to follow. The past and present keep intertwining in an interesting way. The woods, The Manor and the Birds are all atmospheric and creepy which added to the story.

This was a really unique book and different from the other Lucy Foley books I have read. This books had a dual timeline and incorporates local folklore from the character’s geographical area which added an interesting twist and kept me interested into how things were going to turn out. Overall, I felt it was a little predictable at the end, but I still enjoyed the book and would recommend to others!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read the eARC and review this book early!

Lucy Foley’s latest mystery is a winding tale, jumping around between various timelines and keeping the reader just slightly off-kilter, as is her style. This is a story of a teenage summer gone wrong, a disappearance, secrets, and revenge… with a touch of the potentially supernatural.

I enjoyed reading the characters in this story and the multiple perspective storytelling. Although they were not the most likable of characters, I felt they were well-developed and each had their own motivations. It was interesting learning more backstory throughout the book and seeing it all come together. The mystery, however, was not very exciting. While you’re never explicitly told who is dead until the end, it’s pretty obvious who it has to be from the start. You have a good idea how they died, it’s just a question of why.

Overall, I’d say I didn’t love this mystery as much as Foley’s other locked-room mysteries. While in the first half of the book I did consider not finishing it, it did become more engaging in the 2nd half and overall ended up being an enjoyable read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This book was a very slow start! Lots of characters and definitely a slow build, but once Lucy Foley takes off pulling everything together in the second half, I was blown away! Wow! I literally was up til 2:30 am finishing this book because I needed to know how it all played out! Lucy Foley is a master at making everything connect with lots of surprising twists along the way!

This was a atmospheric thriller with multiple POVs, shifts through timelines, inclusion of folklore, and includes some journal entries to make for a dynamic read that kept me interested. At times it did feel like it had too much going on though, and I had felt scattered while reading and had a hard time getting attached to the characters. It was also on the slower side for my taste. Overall, it is still a fun thriller with a unique storyline. Even though this isn't my favorite of hers, it was still enjoyable and I would read more of her work in the future.

Thank you for a copy of "The Midnight Feast." by Lucy Foley. I enjoy this mystery and thriller book with a murder mystery and whodunit. Thank you again

I haven't been the biggest Lucy Foley fan based on the novels of hers I've read, but I think The Midnight Feast is her best! Yes, it is still about whiney rich people, but this was a well-woven story where it honestly felt like all of the characters and strife had a purpose. Well done, Ms. Foley.

Alright, I have a confession: when I first started reading this much-anticipated thriller by the brilliant Lucy Foley, famous for her skillful use of multiple POVs, it took me a bit to get into it. Initially, I thought it might be a slow burn. But here’s the silver lining: unlike "The Guest List," this book has fewer characters, making it easier to follow the central mystery of the unknown victim by navigating between timelines and perspectives.

However, after a few chapters, my view completely shifted, especially with the introduction of the diary entries. I became completely engrossed, turning pages at lightning speed. The last third of the book was mind-blowing. The words seemed to pull me in as my adrenaline surged. The numerous twists caught me off guard, and the climactic puzzle-like ending had me practically jumping out of my seat. The ending was phenomenal and even reminded me of "True Detective: Night Country."

The incorporation of folklore, particularly the legend of the Birds, seamlessly blended into the central mystery, where locals fight for justice against the encroaching wealthy Zenith community, with touches reminiscent of Hitchcock's "The Birds." Until I read this, "The Guest List" was my favorite Foley book, but this one has taken the top spot. From its biting portrayal of the ultra-rich and its sarcastic critique of class differences to the locals' battle for their rights, and the intricate mind games involving the identities of victims and perpetrators, this book offers an incredibly immersive experience.

The story is set around the Manor, an ultra-luxurious estate in Woodland Hutches, designed as a serene escape for its elite guests. Owned by Francesca Woodland, who conceals dark secrets behind a priestess-like purity, the Manor is preparing for an unforgettable summer solstice feast. Her younger husband, aspiring architect Owen, might be bewitched by her ethereal facade and the illusion she's crafted, as he harbors his own dark past that could jeopardize their future.

Francesca’s plans are thrown into disarray by Bella, a mystery guest from her past determined to confront the tragedy she has endured for fifteen years. Meanwhile, nineteen-year-old kitchen helper Eddie is torn between the locals seeking revenge against the Manor's guests and his commitment to his new job, all while managing his dysfunctional family.

As the narrative shifts to the day after the solstice, we meet DI Walker, a cold case specialist, investigating the tragic events at the Manor. Deaths, terrified guests, and a burning Manor lead to a barrage of questions: What happened on the solstice? Who died? Who is responsible? How did the fire start? Readers are challenged to piece together the puzzle to solve the mystery, but nothing is as it seems, and Lucy Foley's clever storytelling will keep you on edge.

Overall, this has become my favorite book by Foley and has the potential to be one of the year's standout thrillers. Highly, absolutely, extremely recommended!

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with a digital review copy of this fantastic thriller.

Lucy Foley never disappoints! The Midnight Feast is another gripping thriller, where nobody is what they seem. Hidden identities, surprise connections and murder are all part of this party!

So, if you already happen to be a fan of the author, then I think you’ll enjoy this- because ultimately, Lucy Foley is an incredibly clever writer who knows how to pen a page turner. That being said, this was not my favorite Foley. Putting aside the plot which was a bit of work to keep track of at times, it felt like a clumsy satire of the New Age industry and Pagansim. As both a Pagan and someone who works in this industry, I could appreciate the spirit behind what she was attempting to satirize, but felt it to be under researched and poorly observed on the whole. And given the extreme misrepresentation of Paganism in an increasingly fundamentalist Christian climate, perhaps somewhat irresponsible…but you know how bad pizza is still pizza? Well, a lackluster Foley is still better than most.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley WOWED me in every way.
I have enjoyed all of the authors 'novels and this was my most highly anticipated thriller of 2024, and it DID NOT DISSAPOINT!

I describe this story as a creepy, atmospheric, colorful story filled with local lore and BIRDS. You must not forget the Birds!

We see the opening of the Tome Manor, a new fancy (SUPER FANCY) It’s June 2025, nearly the Solstice and the opening night of Tome Manor is coming soon.

The Tome Manor is surrounded by local woods and the locals are not happy.

Francesca, the owner has little concern for those peons.

There are multiple timelines which work fantastic.

I absolutely LOVED the diary entries that were from a teenager's point of view.
This added so much to the story and the creepy vibe.

As the story unraveled, so did Francesca. I really enjoyed the multiple point of views and time periods.

This is the thriller of the YEAR! Absolutely devoured and enjoyed every single minute!

DNF at 55%. I really wanted to give this one a chance but I’m so tired of how many character POVs this author puts in her books. It is exhausting and the story was so so slow. I lost interest.

I want to start off by saying thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an Earc of The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley.

This book had its good and bad parts, I really enjoyed the theory of this plot but I found it quite disinteresting. Going back and forth between the characters in such short chapters did not keep me as enthralled as I thought I would be.

Now the birds of the story I did quite enjoy. I really enjoyed the pagan rituals mixed within the storyline, that’s what I wanted more of! I absolutely hated Francesca from the start, you almost wish you could just off her yourself lol.

The ending was the best part of this book, it did tie up everything together and was not expecting some of the reveals. But overall it was a good read just not at the top of my list this year.

REALLY enjoyed this thriller. The back and forth POV as well as entries told by the journal provide very different looks at the events that are or have occurred. Francesca makes me cackle that woman. And the local folklore was so interesting! Just enough to tease it all the way through and keep the mystery and I’m craving more.

The book was a very slow start, but the last hour of the book was fantastic. I've read her in the past and this one just wasn't for me, I'd still recommend this to family and friends

Lucy Foley comes through with this book. It brings past to present with intertwining characters through an old journal of friends, Gothic folklore, creepy blackbirds, deep woods, and local roots. A good mystery to try to unravel! I definitely recommend it if you like The Club, The Guest List or 9 perfect strangers.

Thank you @williammorrowbooks #partner for the gifted copy of this book!

Did someone say locked room? Ope! It’s my favorite kind of thriller! A fancy dinner party, high end decorations and the best of the best food and drink. Nothing is too much for this opening party at The Manor! It’s the place to be on this beautiful summer night. Except…there is an uneasy undercurrent happening at the party. People who have history with each other and not all ended with a happy friendship. By the end of the night, the police are called because someone finds a body! 👀 Secrets will be revealed as everything comes to a head at The Midnight Feast!

Foley does such a wonderful job painting the picture of an extraordinary setting for The Manor. I could envision the impeccable grounds and well groomed guests. I love how she created so much doubt between the characters making it hard to figure out who was responsible for the fire and ultimately the death! This story is chalked full of mystery, dysfunctional relationships, unguessable twists and dark secrets that bubble to the top at such an elegant party! Plus…have you seen the cover? It is perfect for this warm summertime vibe which I devoured in one sitting! I am forever grateful for the opportunity to read this book early! It publishes soon so make sure to add this one to your summer reading list!

I liked this. I didn't love this.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for my advanced copy of The Midnight Feast.

What I Enjoyed:

✨ The Atmosphere
✨ The Mystery
✨ The Multiple POVs

Why This Book Lost Stars:

It took me forever to read. I was intrigued enough to finish the story but not invested. It wasn't a bad book and I still look forward to reading more by this author.
I usually listen to Lucy Foley's books on audio and next time I may stick with that format.

Overall, I was interested in this story and would give it a 3.5 rounded up to a 4. I finished it a few days ago though, and looking back, I wish there was more to the characters in the woods. I liked the point the author was making but it felt a little light on impact for me.