Once again, Lucy Foley has created a treat for the reader. This treat is set entirely in a luxury manor house which has recently been converted into a top-of-the-range hotel and 'wellness experience' for discerning (i.e. rich!) guests by society heiress Francesca Meadows, along with her architect husband Owen. As the guests arrive for the Midsummer opening, secrets and old acquaintances emerge with devastating consequences.

First person and third person narratives are mixed with diary entries from 15 years ago, when something bad happened which affected the lives of those at the manor and nearby village. The book also contains strong elements of revenge, with Pagan rites and some old beliefs still prevalent in this isolated rural community.

There are also elements of humour - the affected behaviour of some of the guests with their crystals and desire to avoid sulphites was funny. The last line of the book was something of a corker too. Overall, this is a well-plotted book with carefully crafted characters. Some coincidences were a bit of a stretch but nothing too unrealistic. It will certainly keep the reader entertained for a while.

I’ve read and enjoyed Lucy Foley’s other books, so I was pleased to be able to read this one early. However, I didn’t enjoy it. I found there were too many different POVs to follow. I also wasn’t as invested as I had hoped and found myself not reaching for it. I would read more by this author as, as I said, I have enjoyed her previous books. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers.

In the ancient forest holds the myth of a secret society that enforces its own justice system, to those who go unpunished.

It’s the opening weekend of The Manor, Francesca Meadow’s pet project luxury retreat. Eddie has taken up his first job in the hope of becoming a bartender, which he is hiding from his parents who disapprove of the development. When he meets Bella, a guest at The Manor, she seems to already know him. Bella is hiding a secret and doesn’t seem like the usual guests… Michelle, Francesca’s right hand woman, is trying to ensure the weekend goes off without a hitch, and seems oddly calm when faced with several disruptions and disaster. Meanwhile the teenagers on the beach threaten to wreak havoc on the guests. As the weekend starts to unravel, everyone starts to act increasingly suspicious.

As the solstice takes place, four bodies will be discovered…

Multiple POVS and dual timelines (before and after the solstice).

Foley did what she does best; creating several complex characters whose lives intertwine gradually, while maintaining the readers’ interest in all sub plots and characters. Reliable as ever, there’s rarely a dull moment in The Midnight Feast and the tension is created from the beginning scene in The Woods…

I read this in one sitting on the return flight from Tokyo!

Reminds me of: Nine Perfect Strangers and The Hunting Party.

I was sent a copy of The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley to read and review by NetGalley. I really enjoyed this novel. It had a great cast of characters, many of whom told their part of the story first person, which was an interesting take on events past and present. The timeline goes back and forth with Bella being the main protagonist, with her diary from her teenage years being the link to the past. There are a lot of twists and turns and a good deal of folklore/mysticism to really get your teeth into. I for one found this novel easy to read and really engrossing, so definitely the full 5 stars from me!

This was a great summer read, I read within 2 days.
Like Lucy Foleys other books this has the staple of very unlikeable characters, various points of views of the story, and of course multiple secrets worth dying for….

Lucy Foley has the perfect recipe when it comes to writing stories. Her ability to tell locked box type mysteries, with interestingly layered characters is a winning combination, and this one is no different.
I really enjoyed this; the intricate details she includes in her story telling, draw me in and helps me envision the scene and characters for myself.
Really enjoyed it, definitely recommend to her usual audience, as well anyone looking for a gripping holiday read.

Another great Lucy Foley read! The story is set at The Manor, a luxury resort in Dorset, and it unfolds over two timelines with multiple viewpoints.

Francesca, the owner, is getting ready for the grand opening of The Manor, however, the locals are uneasy because of old superstitions and past events relating to the estate. The use of folklore adds an eerie touch to the story. The characters, especially the unlikeable Francesca, are well-developed and interesting.

Overall, this was an engaging read, perfect for those who enjoy slow-burn thrillers, sprinkled with a touch of folklore and mystery.

Lucy Foley, the reigning monarch of modern-day locked room mysteries, consistently crafts narratives that revolve around a group of posh, largely unlikable characters who find themselves in a luxury settings where a murder inevitably occurs. The reader is then drawn into the intricate web of the story leading up to the crime, told from various perspectives, as we attempt to unravel the mystery of the killer and the victim.



“The Midnight Feast” is another great example of this highly successful formula. Set during the summer solstice launch weekend of a newly minted luxury manor retreat on the Dorset coast, the story unfolds. Francesca Woodland, the proprietor who inherited the Manor from her grandparents, plans to host a summer solstice feast when dark secrets start to surface. The manor, ensconced in an ancient forest teeming with enigmatic creatures and legends of “the Birds” and whispered secrets, may not provide the luxurious weekend anticipated, especially when a body is found.

The narrative moves from multiple points of view, we hear through the eyes of Francesca, Owen, her husband, Bella, a guest, Eddie, a teenage local employee, and DI Walker, the detective assigned to the case. The opening weekend is quickly marred by a massive fire and the discovery of a body.

The book is an absolute return to Foley at her finest, I was completely engrossed from the moment I picked it up and I particularly loved how see interspersed diary entries into this novel which gave a distinct voice to darker events which had occurred in the past and may have been behind the murder in the present.

This book is a perfect summer sizzler – you can feel the summer heat off the pages as the plot starts to thicken and the twists and turns start to come out.

Definitely one that I’d recommend packing for your holidays.

A new luxury resort, created by Franscesa is the ‘IT’ place to be this weekend. It is a ‘new age’ hotel/spa where health, fitness, and serenity are promoted. An Instagrammer’s wet dream.

Francesca – a beautiful, narcissistic sociopath. She has inherited the Manor and renovated it with the help of her architect husband. She radiates health and serenity, but it is a clever facade…

Owen – a famed architect and the husband of Francesca. He is keeping a secret from his wife…

Bella – a guest at the opening of the Manor. Bella is attending alone and is staying at one of the newly built woodland hutches. She has a baby daughter named Grace who she has left with her mother. Bella has been at the Manor before… it is the place where her life drastically changed fifteen years ago. An event that ruined her life.

Eddie – is a local teenager who works at the Manor as a dishwasher and general dogsbody.

The story is told via dual time frames. The present and fifteen years in the past.

15 years ago – a hot summer and some bored teenagers form an unlikely grouping. Frankie, the rich girl from the Manor meets a poor girl from the local caravan park. She favors her with her friendship which is a mask for manipulation and belittlement.

Present day – the Manor is the hot spot, the place to be. Just as Francesca dreamed it would be. She has put a lot of effort into the opening weekend and has hired only the best employees to make sure that everything goes off without a hitch.

Then and now – there is something foreboding about the woodland surrounding the manor. Strange creatures have been spotted on occasion. Creatures that present like crows in humanoid form. Local folklore deems them ‘The Birds’. Devon is known for its superstitions and this fits in with the reputation.

The themes running throughout this thriller mostly center around ‘the haves’ and ‘the have-nots’. Social hierarchy and the clout and powers that is inherent in wealth. The arrogance, entitlement, and superiority which can leave those without feeling inadequate and powerless. Another topic covered is the overwhelming wish to ‘fit it’ that is part of being an adolescent.

Various narrators, a vivid setting, eerie folklore, several plot twists/reveals, and a murder mystery combine to form an entertaining read. However, “The Midnight Feast” is by no means my favourite from this author. Her last book, “The Paris Apartment” was more to my taste.

Now this was a book that I really enjoyed! I loved the twists and turns, and the multiple POV.

I loved how the story was built up for the current time, alongside giving us the background of the area and why the locals were so against the resort being built.

The touches on folklore and bad luck made this story all the more interesting. Overall without too many spoilers I would say this is my favourite Lucy Foley book so far and I will definitely be buying a copy!

Firstly let me start by saying I absolutely love Lucy Foley's books, the style of writing is everything I love & I think I can safely say 'The Midnight Feast' is by far my favourite of hers yet, I devoured this book in less than 24 hours after being pulled straight into the story after the first page.

I love multiple POV's & dual timelines both of which Foley is the queen of, the characters all have secrets they are either trying to hide, run from or are eating them alive and it all comes to a head at the Solstice opening weekend of the new luxury exclusive resort 'The Manor' owned by Francesca the most perfectly unlikeable character, you will just love despising her.

The setting is so perfect with the luxury 'new age' resort set amongst the creepy woods full of secrets and ghosts of the past creating the perfect atmosphere for this slow burn thriller with the folklore from the locals and the birds adding a certain unique mystery & mythical feel to the story. This is a slow burn thriller with the truth slowly unraveled through each character & their past & present with a very satisfactory ending.

There are plenty of twists that will keep you guessing & without spoiling anything there was a lot that I saw coming but it didn't happen how I thought it would which I absolutely loved.

'The Midnight Feast' is an absolutely fantastic read I honestly want to read again, without a doubt a 5 star read.

I enjoyed this book. This is the first book by Lucy Foley that I have read. I really liked the storyline. The birds added something unique and sinister to the plot. I thought it was fantastic how everything comes together in the end. Lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Thank you to NetGalley and Lucy Foley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I have read three of Lucy Foley’s novels and quite enjoyed them so I was looking forward to starting The Midnight Feast. The bright orange cover caught my attention and made me wonder what the book would be about.

Set in Dorset, it was nice to have a change of setting and I think this was well described in the novel. In addition, the traditional suspicions and folklore are very well done and added more to the story for me.

Francesca is preparing for the grand opening of her new luxury hotel, The Manor. After inheriting her grandparents estate, she decides to enlist the help of her architect husband to transform the house and grounds into a prestigious retreat. Undeterred by protests from the disgruntled locals, she welcomes the wealthy guests looking for a coastal retreat. Francesca catches sight of someone she recognises from her past, surely this person hasn’t got past her strict guest vetting process? The opening night descends into chaos and long buried secrets are revealed.

I got into the story straight away and although there are quite a lot of characters I didn’t find it too difficult to keep track of them as I could picture them all. I didn’t really like Francesca but she isn’t meant to be a likeable character. I had a soft spot for Eddie and found him very sweet.
There’s a lot of folklore and mystery surrounding the woods near the estate, locals believe you can summon ‘the birds’ to take revenge on those who have wronged you. It reminded me of the film Hot Fuzz and ‘the greater good’.
There are dark elements to the story but some parts did make me laugh and there are some lighter moments.

The story was mostly quite well paced but I did feel it dragged a little in the middle but it was maybe just me and not the book. The plot moves between the solstice and after the solstice, before and after the hotel’s grand opening. There are also glimpses of a diary from fifteen years earlier which give an insight into what went on in Francesca’s teenage years.
I felt the ending was a little rushed.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. Thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for my copy. 3.5 stars rounded to 3.

The Manor is a high class hotel/spa/experience. On its opening weekend Francesca has arranged a spectacle that will be talked about for years. It had been her childhood home & after inheriting it, she has created this amazing place with the help & dedication of her husband Oscar. However things are not destined to go well. Jumping from one timeline to another as well as one narrator to another we learn there is a fire, that there is a dark history to the place & the perfectly 'zen' Francesca is far from what she seems.

There have been many criticisms about how this book jumps about, maybe because I have read & enjoyed Lucy Foley's previous books I did not find this a particular problem. Most of the characters were pretty awful- especially Francesca. I did feel for poor old Eddie- bless him. I loved this book & could not put it down. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for this eCopy to review

The Midnight Feast is set at a super exclusive wellbeing retreat and we are there for the opening weekend. Why do things keep going wrong? Are the birds (a local myth actually real?) What happened all those years ago? Everyone's secrets are forced out into the open and past wrongs are finally righted.

Full of twists and turns, secrets and intrigue, and creepy goings on, this was a gripping thriller that kept my interest until the end. I liked the multiple points of view and timelines

I’m a huge fan of Lucy Foley and was really keen to listen to her latest book, The Midnight Feast. The book is set in a luxury hotel in Dorset on the opening weekend. Although the story starts there it also looks back at past events as they affected the various character and led to the current event. It’s a slow burn thriller, that is a well written and slowly reveals the truth, which results in a satisfying ending.

I enjoyed this book but it was very mythical with a cult feel. Not my favourite from this author but a good story none the less

I've really enjoyed Lucy Foley's previous books, but unfortunately her latest one is my least favourite so far.
I found the structure quite repetitive - the present, where a body is found but we don't know who died, alternates with the past where we slowly learn what happened -, and the story was also quite predictable. The only thing which really surprised me was the identity of one character, but apart from that it was quite easy to see where the story was going. The cast of characters also wasn't particularly noteworthy.
All in all, not awful but not memorable either.

The Manor is an idyllic venue, but at its launch everyone working there and staying there is hiding a secret. Whose secret will come out first?

Anyone who had read one of Lucy Foley's books will enjoy this one too!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

On the back of reading The Guest List, i had high hopes for this one and, while it was an exciting listen, it lacked the punch of previous Lucy Foley books.

The flashback scenes were fun and well done and probably my favourite parts of the book. The locals’ backstories were fun and many of them were quite the twist.

The multiple POVs really brought the characters to life and it was a fun read but it just didn’t quite make the 5 star mark.