Member Reviews
Foley's true gift is balancing a large cast in the close third-person perspective and not making any of them feel flat or like an extraneous character. Every single person is integral to the story—and the mystery—and you either love them or love to hate them. She's also an expert at using setting to really heighten the atmosphere of the piece. Another wonderful novel from her!
I've read a few of Lucy Foley's books before, and while they have tremendous potential, they've all fallen short of me. However, I was more impressed with The Midnight Feast. The changing POVs is ever a pet peeve of mine and could undoubtedly have been done better with fewer changes and longer chapters of each; it did still provide that air of suspense that the author was looking for. Though I wish the author had provided some journal entries before we met the characters, it would have deepened the suspense and mystery of who was who. Some twists were also glaringly obvious, such as Bella knowing Francesca before their interaction at the Manor, who the body off the cliff was, and Eddie being Jake's brother/the PI. However, some twists were less apparent, such as Shrimp being Owne and who the body in the ground was.
I immensely enjoyed the lore behind Tome and the Night Birds, but I wish there had been more of it. Overall, the book seemed too short to include as much mystery and suspense as I feel Foley was trying to hit.
I’m sorry Lucy. I’m sorry. This one was just too many POVs, back and for TV, I couldn’t follow and frankly, I didn’t care. I’ve loved some of her other books but this one just wasn’t it for me. I trudged through it and felt like a chore to finish.
I usually like when storylines jump around but it felt very disjointed in this instance. I really struggle when a book is filled with unlikeable characters, and there were a lot of them in this book. The whole storyline felt forced and a little too convenient, and the writing felt amateur. I’m sad to realize that with each now book this author writes, I like them less and less.
This is told from multiple POVs and alternating timelines, but it was easy to follow and it was easy to keep track of characters etc. The chapters are short, which I love in a book. Overall it was an enjoyable read.
4/5 stars
I was excited to get an early copy of this book as I enjoyed The Paris Apartment. For me, this one fell flat. The ending was good, but it was only the last 20% that I really enjoyed and it felt too packed and rushed. For more than half the book, it was slow, and I couldn’t figure out what was going on. A knew an attempted slow build was happening, but it was too sleepy to me. By the time the action started, I wasn’t engaged enough to care much about what happened. I hope others enjoy it, but it wasn’t for me.
The Midnight Feast" by Lucy Foley is an extraordinary novel that seamlessly blends suspense, drama, and rich character development to create an unforgettable reading experience. Foley's masterful storytelling and intricate plot make this book a true standout in contemporary fiction. From the very first page, Foley captures the reader's attention with her vivid and evocative descriptions. The setting is brought to life with such detail that it feels as if you are walking alongside the characters, experiencing their world firsthand. The atmosphere is perfectly crafted, adding to the sense of mystery and intrigue that permeates the novel. The characters are exceptionally well-developed, each with their own distinct personalities and backstories. Foley excels at creating complex, multi-dimensional characters who are both relatable and compelling. Their interactions and relationships are authentically portrayed, adding depth and emotional resonance to the story. The plot is expertly paced, with twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Foley's ability to weave multiple storylines together is impressive, and she manages to keep the suspense high throughout the book. The revelations and surprises are perfectly timed, making it difficult to put the book down. Foley's writing style is both elegant and accessible, striking a perfect balance between literary quality and readability. Her prose flows smoothly, drawing readers into the narrative and keeping them engaged from start to finish. In summary, this book is a remarkable novel that showcases Lucy's talent for crafting compelling stories and complex characters. It is a must-read for fans of suspenseful, character-driven fiction. With its captivating plot, richly developed characters, and masterful storytelling, this book deserves every one of its five stars.
This book will be available from June 18, 2024.
Thanks to author Lucy Foley, NetGalley & William Morton for giving me the chance to preview this book.
Let's start with a bang, I love books that have multiple POVs, and when it happens in thrillers it's definitely a plus.
I read many articles about this book and the hype was a lot, and I must admit that it did not disappoint me at all.
It's the first book I've read by Lucy Foley and I don't know why, I absolutely have to read the others.
The true protagonist of this story can undoubtedly be defined as the Manor. This property, located in Woodland Hutches, is a super home
luxurious, designed as a place of tranquility and escape from real life, obviously not for ordinary mortals, but for privileged people.
The story is very fascinating, beyond the development of the characters and their characterization, I really liked how it was
told the folklore surrounding the Manor.
Another element that I really liked, at least in this case, is the presence of the "diaries" part, they help the reader to enter further into
more in the story.
Unfortunately the inauguration of the Manor doesn't go as planned, there are a few too many corpses. But what happened? Who is responsable?
Y’all-This. Book. I was supposed to be painting my room (blue, and I only got one wall done). Instead, I spent the last two days devouring The Midnight Feast on my Kindle, absolutely RIVETED. I have read, and loved, Lucy Foley novels before, but her latest is amazing. I finished the last paragraph and immediately started the review in the hopes that the excitement I felt reading it will show in my thoughts here.
The novel is a murder mystery, but It’s less of a whodunnit, and more of a who/what/how. I love smart mysteries and pride myself on my ability to puzzle out the twists before they happen, but the surprises just kept coming with this book.
From the publisher’s description-
What happened on the grounds of the Manor the past 36 hours? And who—or what—is the cause?
THE FOUNDER
THE HUSBAND
THE MYSTERY GUEST
THE KITCHEN HELP
My thoughts-No one is entirely what (or who) they seem, and there are layers and LAYERS. The mystery unfolds steadily through the story. It takes a couple of chapters of setup to get fully immersed into the author’s world of an old, small town in England, steeped in mystic tradition.
After that, the pace of the book picks up and seems to go faster and faster right up until the very last sentence. You will not want to put it down. You will not want to do anything else (including painting) besides READ. The writing is clever, and the author’s style grabs you and throws you into the story with both feet. The clues steadily trickle through the narrative with twist after twist, POV changing continually, and even when you’re convinced you know what is happening, you realize you didn’t know the half of it. Also-if you are like me and HATE a book that is amazing all the way through, but the ending falls apart and ties everything up too quickly, or in a way that doesn’t make sense, you will love The Midnight Feast. Lucy Foley knows how to craft a satisfying ending.
I cannot recommend this book strongly enough. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing a digital review copy copy of The Midnight Feast to me.
Lucy Foley, you are naughty and sneaky just like Travis Kelce! I thought I had it all figured out but I was so, so wrong🤣 I’m happy I was because I LOVED all the surprising twists and turns this one took. I don’t want to give anything away so I’ll keep this vague and brief. Between the short chapters, dual timelines, and multiple POV’s it can easily be a one sitting read. It’s atmospheric and has a ton of creepy small town folklore woven into the plot giving it a sinister tension. I’d recommend going in blind, trusting the process, and enjoying the ride!
Hold onto your panties folks, I saved this special review for a really special author, Lucy Foley.
I was first introduced to Foley, when I stumbled upon The Guest List, many moons ago. I fell in love with Foley’s writing style and had to read every single one of her publications, which I did, many many times . I loved each and every one of them and I was completely and totally obsessed.
I thought I did a pretty good job stalking this author via social media to see if she was working on anything new but I was surprised when I saw The Midnight Feast, pop up on Netgalley. You little rascal, Foley, you kept a great secret!
The Midnight Feast, has blown any book I have read thus far out of the water. This is an all consuming, edge of your seat, nail biting thriller, that will have you holding your breath until the very last page.
The Midnight Feast, is releases June 18th and you do not want to miss it.
Here is a little teaser :
It’s the opening night of The Manor, and no expense, small or large, has been spared. The infinity pool sparkles; crystal pouches for guests’ healing have been placed in the Seaside Cottages and Woodland Hutches; the “Manor Mule” cocktail (grapefruit, ginger, vodka, and a dash of CBD oil) is being poured with a heavy hand. Everyone is wearing linen.
But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. Just outside the Manor’s immaculately kept grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. And the Sunday morning of opening weekend, the local police are called. Something’s not right with the guests. There’s been a fire. A body’s been discovered.
THE FOUNDER * THE HUSBAND * THE MYSTERY GUEST * THE KITCHEN HELP
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.
First off, THANK YOU to Lucy Foley, NetGalley & William Morton for letting me read this early!
💚 Ok so, The Midnight Feast is my fave Lucy Foley book yet! Told from multiple POV & dual timelines, this one kept me guessing the entire time! She’s got it all in here…family secrets, small town drama, folklore, revenge, remote location. The twists & surprises just kept coming…until the very end! Like I was gasping out loud.
Francis has come back to her grandparents house to open it as THE hot wellness location for the rich & famous. It’s opening weekend & EVERYONE has a secret. The staff, the locals…the woods, I mean everything! It all comes to a head at The Midnight Feast. This book will keep you guessing til the very end! Well done Lucy Foley 👌🏻
Thank you for the arc from NetGalley! Lucy Foley is where it's at if you're after a little thriller without too much intensity. Another hit with The Midnight Feast.
Goodness gracious! Lucy Foley is always good for a quick mid-level thriller. My GOODNESS! Did this one have me by the throat this holiday weekend! I loved the setting! And the characters! And the connections!!!! I had a great time and loved it all!
My weekend buddy read of this thrilling book with a close friend left me on an emotional high that I hadn't experienced in a long time. From the very start, the story gripped us both, refusing to let go until the final page was turned. The intensity of the narrative, punctuated by unexpected twists and turns, kept our hearts pounding and our minds racing.
What truly struck a chord with me were the emotional depths plumbed by the characters. Their struggles, fears, and triumphs felt so real, it was impossible not to become emotionally invested in their journey. As the secrets of their pasts unraveled, I found myself riding a rollercoaster of emotions—fear, excitement, disbelief, and everything in between.
By the time we reached the book's climax, I was on the edge of my seat, my heart in my throat. The resolution was both satisfying and bittersweet, leaving me with a lingering sense of melancholy that this thrilling ride had come to an end. But the memories of our emotional journey together will stay with me for a long time to come.
If you're in the mood for a book that will take you on a wild emotional ride, I can't recommend this one enough. It's a pulse-pounding thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end, all while tugging at your heartstrings in ways you never thought possible.
The Midnight Feast is a story set in a small seaside town. A luxury resort built on land steeped in history and folklore. When the townspeople begin to revolt, a body is discovered on the property, setting a chain of reactions even the past can't hide from.
I had difficulty remaining interested in this novel. The alternate timelines and various characters were a little too much. I think this story could have been told by one character and the perception of the world around them.
With that being said, it was enjoyable, and I look forward to more from Lucy Foley.
WOW! I finished this book in less than 24 hours and I absolutely LOVED it! It did take me a few chapters to figure out who was who but once I did I couldn’t help but be completed invested in the history, their stories and their complicated relationships. The way everything tied (and everyone) tied together was absolutely brilliant and I didn’t want it to end. I was fully invested in each character (those I loved and those I didn’t) and couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen. I highly recommend checking this book out when it releases on June 18th!
Thank you to Netgalley, Lucy Foley and William Morrow for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
An exclusive hotel/club set in the coastal UK? Send-ups about turmeric lattes (I mean, wait 'til you all find out about sea moss gel!)? Rich people behaving badly? The comparisons to Ellery Lloyd's "The Club" are inevitable (yay, diversity in publishing!), complete with unexpected familial connections, the haves (outsiders) vs. have-nots (locals) who resent the former, etc. Foley does what she does best here, delivering another atmospheric quick-read thriller with a reasonably satisfying ending. Solid 3 stars.
Lucy Foley gives another gripping thriller to the world. Thank you. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire book, not knowing who did what and why! Loved it! Gripping characters! Gripping story!
Thank you to Net Galley, HarperCollins, and Lucy Foley for an amazing thriller!
In true Lucy Foley style, The Midnight Feast keeps you wondering who is hiding something and how are the characters secretly connected. This book kept me reading and finished with a great wrap up! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!