A story told between different perspectives and across 2 different timelines. A story of family and friendship. How can one summer night as a teenager 15 years ago make a difference? Everything finally comes full circle, the truth finally is out at the Midsummer Midnight Feast. A slow burner, with some twists to keep you thinking, and a good mix of characters -some to love and some to loathe. As things begin to unravel the pace does pick up.

You should definitely not live in your present if you haven't dealt with your past.

Another amazing read from Lucy Foley. I loved all the twists at the end. Thanks, @Netgalley for n amazing arc.

I really enjoyed this page-turner and read it in as close to one sitting as my day permitted.

The first few pages were a bit of a slog, but after that point I raced through it. The dual timeline and multiple points of view were clear and engaging, and the plot was fun and clever - and significantly better than those in Foley's other thrillers, so I'm really glad I gave her another chance despite finding those somewhat mediocre. Whilst some of the characters and events were quite far-fetched, this was artfully handled and stayed just on the right side of the limits of suspension of disbelief.

Even the ending - a difficult aspect of thrillers to get right, and often disappointing - was well crafted and satisfying.

I tried to like this book and was very excited to receive an ARC 😓 but, oh boy, where do I even start?! I had more issues with this book than a gossip column has with celebrities.

First off, I had no clue what was happening or why. I felt like I'd walked into the middle of a mystery dinner party where everyone else knew the script but me.

The timelines flip-flopped more than a fish out of water. We jumped back and forth so much I needed a map, a compass, and maybe a time machine to keep track of it all. There were too many POVs and timelines and despite all that, the story wasn't really moving forward.

This is supposed to be a thriller, right? I should be on the edge of my seat, biting my nails, losing sleep. Instead, I was yawning and considering a nap. In fact, I started using this book to actually fall asleep every night and that was the only pleasure I got from it.

Then there are the characters. Imagine a bunch of stuck-up rich folks, prancing around in their atmospheric vibes, surrounded by feathers, trees, and birds. So. Many. Birds. If I wanted this much bird action, I'd visit an aviary.

Ugh!

Thank you to NetGalley for gifting me an e-ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Well done Lucy Foley you’ve done it again another brilliant book, this had me hooked from the beginning till the end. Full of intriguing characters, mystery and some unexpected twists a perfect summer read.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley in return for my honest review.

I've read and enjoyed a few of Lucy Foley's books before and so I had high expectations for this novel.
It is the opening weekend of The Manor and the summer solstice, an exclusive and very expensive hotel owned by Francesca and designed by her doting husband Owen. The plot mixes past with the present as it gradually reveals the horror of events that happened a summer 20+ years ago as the characters are revealed to be connected in a clever and intricate way.
The plot switches between snippets and diary entries from 20 years ago, the opening weekend and the day after the summer solstice when a body is found and at first, it was a little confusing trying to keep up but as the story unfolds it all begins to make perfect sense as secrets and events come to light.
At first, I struggled to get into the story but the intrigue of the plot kept me going and around the 60% mark, the pace really picked up and I had to know the ending! There are multiple POVs in the book from Francesca and Owen to Bella, Eddie and the detective DI Walker and I loved the way it all comes together at the end by tying up loose ends and revealing jaw dropping twists.

A new thriller by Lucy Foley is always something to celebrate, and this one more than lived up to expectations, combining her signature, multi-POV style with darkish elements of folklore, which added an unexpectedly eerie layer to the narrative.

Emulating her 2020 murder mystery The Guest List, The Midnight Feast opens with a celebratory gathering and an unidentified corpse. The who, the how and the why is what forms the core of the labyrinthine plot that follows.

Also like The Guest List, the setting is key.

Welcome to The Manor, an ultra-exclusive country retreat, nestled amid woodland on a rocky cliff overlooking the sea. It’s opening weekend, timed to coincide with the summer solstice, and the scene is set for a magical evening of celebration. But, an imposter is circling among the guests, mysterious forces are hovering in the woods, and the owner, Francesca Woodland, is not the only one hiding dark secrets.

With three timelines, four narrators, and an overwhelming sense of foreboding, this was an intense, compulsive read, propelled by Foley’s trademark short, snappy chapters that urge you to keep turning the pages.

The characters are an interesting mix. Not all are likeable. A few are downright loathsome. But, they all share a connection to a shocking event that happened fifteen years ago.

As the past unfolds and creeps up to meet the present, it becomes clear that this is a story about dark deeds, betrayal and revenge; about privilege and entitlement and how neither offers protection from culpability and justice.

As always with Foley, the plot is pleasingly full of sneaky twists and surprises, the majority of them beautifully disguised, and with one final jaw-dropper held back until the very last page.

Essential reading for all fans of the murder mystery genre.

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.