3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
I have always enjoyed Lucy Foley’s books and was so excited to read this ARC.
Welcome to The Manor, a holistic retreat for the rich. The owner, Francesca, seems calm, relaxed, and a freebird but her past has finally came back to haunt her. The people of town are not happy with The Manor and they’re not afraid to let it be known.
The whole book is giving witchy, culty, spooky vibes. I really enjoyed it. But the book felt a long which made the beginning drag a little. Otherwise, book was a fun read. The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley is released on June 18, 2024! Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Mystery Thriller in which five people converge at the solstice opening for a luxury resort built on top of old secrets in an ancient wood and not everyone will survive.

4/5 stars: This is Foley's newest stand-alone Mystery Thriller that features five people who converge at the solstice opening weekend for a luxury resort built on top of old secrets in an ancient English wood and not everyone will survive. With plenty of plot twists, Foley writes a gripping mystery that will leave you guessing till the final reveal. I really like how Foley slowly unfolds the story and deftly weaves everything together, especially the pagan elements. Additionally, Foley's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. Told in multiple POVs: Francesca – the founder, her architect husband – Owen, Bella – the mystery guest, Eddie – the kitchen help and DI Walker – the detective. Each character is distinct and even the secondary characters hold their own. Foley touches on some sensitive subjects, so take care and check the CWs. You won't want to miss this great read!

I received this eARC thanks to William Morrow in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

This book is like if the HBO series “The White Lotus” had a baby with Agatha Christie, and then raised it in a small town on the English seaside. I ate it up!

The Midnight Feast follows several POVs as a luxurious new vacation destination called “The Manor” prepares for their opening weekend and exclusive summer solstice event. There are several intertwined story lines and dark secrets being kept between the manor owner, the staff, the guests, and the locals…not to mention a creepy occult urban legend about “the birds.”

This was a quick and engaging read. My only complaint is that many of the characters felt like “caricatures,” but it kind of fit the vibe.

Thank you to Netgalley & William Morrow for the ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars. Fun, spooky, absorbing read! I don't love split timelines but I actually enjoyed how this one was laid out. I was properly creeped out for some of the scenes! Francesca is a grotesque character who is easy to hate, but it was interesting getting to know all of the other characters (those twists!!) and I managed to keep most of them straight. I'm pretty sure I didn't understand everything that happened in this book (it seemed like there were a few details that were never really addressed), but I have no idea if it's because I'm not smart enough/I didn't pay enough attention or if it was the plot/writing. Regardless, I was entertained and enjoyed the read.
My thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC via netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Lucy Foley does it again with a fantastic multi-character perspective that ties up beautifully in the end. Bella arrives at The Manor for the grand opening with less than pure motives. For Francesca, the opening of The Manor is everything she’s worked toward her entire life. Flashbacks intertwine Bella and Francesca’s stories and by the end, you can’t put it down because you’re desperate to know how it ends. Thanks so much to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC - all opinions are my own.

3.5/5 Stars
*ARC Review*

I've always heard great things about Lucy Foley's writing, but I had yet to jump into her thriller world. Reading Midnight Feast was a fun and exciting journey, and I can see why people enjoy her novels so much. I had some issues with the pacing and twist heavy aspects of the novel, but it was overall a positive experience.

It did take me quite a while to get into the book as I was reading. Foley is known for writing about unlikable characters, but I found most of them either too annoying or too boring to really grasp onto. I enjoy books where I can feel like I'm rooting for people I like to win, but I just wasn't getting that sense when the story started. As time went on and the plot got more involved, I found myself enjoying it more and more, and by the end, I was invested in the characters' arcs. Foley's writing was strong throughout, it was just the plot I had a hard time getting into. In particular, I never really got into the cult aspects of the book, and felt like they only added confusion into an otherwise fascinating story. The book felt like an upward climb for the first 150 pages, but like any good hike, I was glad when I reached the top and felt much lighter on the way down.

My only drawback from the second half of the novel was the endless barrage of twists happening in seemingly every other chapter. I found myself excited and surprised in the best way by the first few, then slightly confused by the next, and finally feeling like it was all too convenient in the end. No spoilers until the book is released, but there's just a lot of coincidences that make all the revelations work. Still, overall I found myself in awe of Foley's ability to lay the foundation for these interesting twists, and the drama of the third act was so perfectly tense and action filled, I could forgive a few convenient connections for the sake of the plot.

This book isn't going to the top of my favorites list, but I think it's an enjoyable journey that I will definitely be recommending to people for a exciting summer read. It made me excited to dive into some of Foley's other novels and see how they compare to her latest. This story might not have entirely worked for me, but Foley's gripping writing style will make anyone who ventures in glad for the overall experience.

The midnight feast is decadent with setting, with mood and detail, and is a summer treat that makes me want to stay out late lounging under twinkle lights with a mojito and a good book.

A treat, a feast if you will, for mystery lovers and new and old fans of Lucy Foley! Thank you to Willam Morrow for the early review copy.
Foley succeeds in creating a tension filled story that pulls the reader into mystery and intrigue, a locked room delight filled with well paced reveals while keeping the reader guessing.
Foley always captures a sense of unraveling/unease so well and the best part of her books is seeing how she weaves the story together, laying out a puzzle and letting the reader enjoy the way the pieces fall into place. T

The Midnight Feast is a masterfully crafted locked room murder mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Known for her gripping narratives in The Guest List and The Paris Apartment, the author delivers once again with a tantalizing blend of suspense and intrigue. The story is set against the lavish backdrop of The Manor's opening night, where opulence and tension mix dangerously under the midsummer sun.
As guests indulge in luxurious amenities and signature cocktails, dark secrets and old grudges simmer beneath the surface. When a body is discovered following a fire, the narrative takes a thrilling turn. The author skillfully weaves together the perspectives of the founder, the husband, the mystery guest, and the kitchen help, unraveling a fifteen-year-old secret that leads to a shocking murder.
With its richly atmospheric setting and well-drawn characters, The Midnight Feast is a delectable treat for mystery lovers. While the multitude of perspectives can occasionally feel overwhelming, the twisty plot and clever revelations ensure this book is a satisfying read. The author's knack for building suspense and delivering unexpected twists earns this novel a well-deserved four stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Lucy Foley is an auto-buy author for me, so I was excited to pick up her new release, The Midnight Feast. I'm a sucker for locked room mysteries and rich people behaving badly, so the blurb for this one grabbed me right away. This will not rate as my favorite Lucy Foley book (The Guest List holds that honor) but it was a solid thriller and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to immerse myself inside of Foley's twisty brain.

The setting for this book is beautiful and Foley sets the scenes so vividly that I could feel the damp night air on my skin and smell the sea. It's also easy to feel the tension ramping up as you read further into this story. These pages flew by for me because I was invested in the characters and kept wanting "just one more chapter" before I put the book down for the night.

However, there were a lot of characters to get to know (5 mains and many sides), many of whom are categorically unlikable. Once you settle into the story it gets easier to remember who is who, but the beginning was a bit confusing until I spent more time in this world. The folklore element was very intriguing to me and I wish we got even more of that in this story. Lastly, there's a bit of teen angst in journal entries throughout the book. Reader know thyself if angsty teenage thoughts are not for you.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Lucy Foley for the opportunity to read an advanced review copy of The Midnight Feast in exchange for my honest review.

The summaries of Lucy Foley's books always intrigue me. I just can't seem to get along with her writing. I wish this wasn't the case but again, it was. I could not get into the story, the characters were lackluster to me. I did not care for the weird hotel atmosphere or the clients of the hotel. This was not for me and I don't think I will be picking up another Lucy Foley book.

I initially thought The Midnight Feast was going to be a slow burn, but after a few chapters I realized how wrong I was. The Midnight Feast became a book that was hard to put down, switching between present day and multiple time-points, but all focused on the Manor: an estate nestled in the Woodlands. The Woodlands is a luxurious estate owned by Francesca's family, but the rest of the community is struggling to make ends meet. In childhood, Francesca becomes friends with some of the locals, one in particular, who then comes back fifteen years later when Francesca opens up the Manor as a luxury getaway. In present day, a dead body washes up on shore and the book takes us through a story as we try to uncover who the dead body is... and what other secrets The Manor holds. Excellent book and highly recommend for fans of Lucy Foley!

The midnight feast

The guest list was my first DNF ever so I was slightly worried about this book. But over all, I’d give this book a 5-star review!
It makes me want to give the guest list a second chance.

This book was a one-session read for me! I couldn’t put it down. I was worried I would get confused with how many perspectives there were but it was easy to keep everyone straight!

There were some intense moments sprinkled throughout that made you want to keep reading! I felt there was a healthy amount of twists and a great plot! Hope to read more from this author soon.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this!
I would give this a solid 3.5 stars. I'm not a diehard fan of Lucy Foley, but I really enjoyed the twisty, multi POV multi timeline arc of this story. I liked knowing right from the get go there was a murder, but having to pull together the pieces to see which of our main leads was actually dead and who could have been in the right place at the right time. I also really loved the epistolary flashback chapters from Bella's journal, where we learned and really solidified how creepy the woods could be. There was so much going on here but the timeline structure really came together well to leave you really invested in each storyline. The visualizations of the manor turned swanky hotel were really great, and I connected with the idea of a wellness hotel built overtop of a struggling but supportive poor society, and what that meant for each character.
I did have to suspend my disbelief in a few sections, particularly around everyone's 'fake' identities and who they truly were in each time period. That got a bit difficult to follow, and a bit farfetched that none of them would recognize each other. I thought the twists, around a) who was dead b) what happened in the woods years ago c) what happened with Jake were all really good, but also left a bit to be desired? I so wanted more.
The reveal of "The Birds" was excellent though. No way to discuss without spoilers, but thought this was just a brilliant move.

This is my first Lucy Foley book and I am so excited to get more into her thrilling stories. For me, it took a little bit to get into this one but I knew if I stuck with it I wouldn't regret it.

The Manor hotel is hosting a luxurious wellness weekend by the owner Francesca Meadows. She inherited this property and wants to bring it back to life despite all the drama surrounding it. She sees this as a new start as she's spent years trying to reinvent herself. Unfortunately for her, there's only so much she can do to keep the secrets and lies at bay. There are still many people who know the truths of the on goings of this property back in the day and they are coming out of the woodwork to make sure things are corrected. Especially the birds, and you don't want to upset them.

I loved how Lucy Foley was able to provide so many different point of views and not make it confusing. I was able to follow along with each one and be able to keep the story straight. I had so many different feelings towards all of the characters throughout the whole story it was hard to decide who was good or not. I loved the journal entries taking us back in time to provide context to this story and it really kept me guessing the whole time. Just when you think you are catching on to what is going to come she throws you for another loop and the process starts all over which is something I love in a good thriller book. I don't want to be able to figure it out but I love trying the whole time it really keeps me intrigued. I liked the folklore concerning the birds and how that played into things that happened.

Even though this took me a short bit to get perfectly hooked, once I was in I couldn't put this down. I HAD to know what happened! Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in advance in exchange for my honest review.

I've been eager to read the guest list and the Paris apartment since they came out. So o was excited to catch up on her newest book of the year to explore Lucy Foley's writing.

The story follows multiple POVs and provides diary entries written in a past timeline. A manor sits on the edge of a forest. This manor was newly renovated to a luxury hotel. The locals in town are not happy and neither are the birds from the woods. A lot if strange events begin to take place.

The beginning gripped me, the middle served various plot twists and the ending tied everything together.

This books offers scenery, Secrets, superstitious folklore. Murder and a creepy manor.
I will be picking more up from Lucy Foley.

4.5 stars

A summer full of teenage shenanigans comes back to haunt its cast 15 years later…

Francesca Meadows is opening an uber-posh resort at her family’s seaside manor, perfect for London execs who want to get away from the city. But on opening weekend, there are more than just a few loose ends. Multiple people who were there years before arrive with different agendas and not everyone is keen to see Francesca succeed, and you don’t want to mess with the locals in Tome.

Told in Foley’s classic multiple-POV style, the drama unfolds with a lot of connections, delicious revenge, and a few surprises. A quick read that will keep you guessing and turning the pages.

An interesting premise of a luxury resort opening night gone wrong. A lot of buildup with some unexpected twists and reveals. An easy but captivating enough read where you'll want to know what happens next.

I'm not sure I loved the writing though. It incorporated a lot of modern references (TikTok, Instagram, memes, etc) which isn't necessarily bad per se, but there was a lot of it. The novel does take place in 2025, so the references are very time-accurate, but I still feel like it really dates the book.

I also feel like the imagery also could've been richer. It takes place in a woodsy, small town, and I wanted more of that atmosphere. There was a lot of description of how the characters felt (scared, spooked, etc), but I would've preferred if more time was spent setting up the scene and a little less repetition of how the characters felt.

I thought it was interesting how the story interwove the story from before and after the solstice, and the way this setup was used to throw in some red herrings. I was still left with some unanswered questions but overall enjoyed the ending.

Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for the ARC!

So so good! Probably my favorite Lucy Foley book to date which is saying a lot. Completely unpredictable with plot twist, after plot twist. Kept me guessing until the very end.

This book was super creepy and fun to read. It kept me guessing and had me nervous. I really enjoyed the multiple POV and the storytelling style. I wish there had been a bit more shock and twist to it.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

What an odd, but interesting book. First, it took me awhile to get into this book - there was a lot of set up for the climax and, at times, it felt like a bit of a slog to get through. However, when it picked up it quickly becomes fast-paced and WILD. Additionally, there are a lot of characters and voices - and different timelines, so if you are not completely focused, it can be difficult to keep track of all that has happened.

Once it does pick up, I felt like it was one twist after another and, visually, it felt like this novel was made to be a movie. And I think that speaks to Foley's ability to create such details in her atmosphere.

At the end of the day, I definitely enjoyed the ride this book took me on; I was not expecting many of the twists and grew to really hate most of the characters. It's one of those books where you feel you are rooting for the demise of everyone involved because they are just terrible people. (But terribly people are usually the most fun to watch/read about, right?)