Forget ginger beer and cakes sent from home, this midnight feast is completely different with mysterious, threatening birds and a shadow of death enveloping everything. In this heady novel, Foley recreates the sensual and lethargic feelings you get in the height of summer, particularly when it is the summer solstice. However, the weekend party at The Manor is fuelled by revenge over events that took place fifteen years ago. Thanks to the dramatic opening, readers know that this party just cannot end well.

I really enjoyed how readers played detective as Foley eventually reveals connections between the guests and employees at The Manor. This meant that there were plenty of surprises along the way, ending to the suspense of the story. Furthermore, as the novel jumps between characters and time frames, it means it takes a while before you get the full picture of what is happening. At first this structure meant I struggled to engage with the narrative because I found it difficult to keep track of the different identities however, it definitely was worth persevering.

The journal entries informs the plot of what brings the characters in present day to The Manor. Some of the characters here had nicknames which cleverly disguises their present day identity. I found this journal entry made the plot a bit more predictable than I hoped for and I thought there was too much teenage angst than I wanted. Alison feels an outsider, is unlucky in love and tries to reshape herself in order to fit in with the “rich kids”. It’s a story I have seen too often and felt weaker compared to the events at The Manor.

Sometimes the plot felt a bit far-fetched but I think this reflected the indulgent and slightly supernatural element of the party and the summer solstice. I liked trying to figure out how the characters were all connected, especially when presented with the devastation the day after the solstice. On the other hand, the rich versus poor, the holiday makers versus locals felt like echoes of previous stories and I was hoping Foley would do something just a little bit different.

A good bit of escapism, perfect for the beach and maybe one to read on the longest day of the year.

With thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Super fast paced read! I thought the setting was great. Lucy Foley has mastered the art of tactful humour and I was shocked that she had me chuckling out loud (a rarity for me)! In addition, it’s common to find books with a multitude of characters overwhelming and confusing, however, The Midnight Feast didn’t just bring them to life, but successfully linked everything in the end. I was starting to become slightly frustrated at the mentions of The Birds and questioned what their relevance was but it was worth it… that final line was phenomenal! Overall, this is a great easy read and thriller read that offers a less heavy approach than others.

Lucy Foley, one of my favorite authors, has done it again with The Midnight Feast—a haunting, atmospheric thriller that hooked me from page one. Her immersive prose and gift for setting a scene are unmatched; she pulls you in so completely that you can almost feel the damp chill in the air and hear the whisper of secrets in the trees.

Set during the grand opening weekend of the luxury wellness retreat, the Manor Hotel, on the rugged coast, the story unfolds as a fire breaks out, secrets unravel, and the dark history of the land begins to resurface.

This is easily my favorite Foley book to date, with an ending—especially that final line—that was haunting and perfectly fitting. It really resonated with me.

Read this if you like:
• Slow-burning psychological thrillers with rich atmosphere
• Stories set in luxurious wellness retreats with underlying darkness
• Modern settings blended with ancient folklore and pagan rituals
• Creepy symbolic mysteries
• Deep character studies with secrets, guilt, and reinvention
• Morally bankrupt characters you can’t look away from
• Themes of family, ambition, betrayal, identity, and the masks we wear
• Non-linear timelines weaving between past and present
• Multiple points of view that enrich and complicate the story
• Short chapters with cliffhanger endings and a final line that leaves a lasting chill


My Rating: 5 out of 5

Publication Date: June 6, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollinsUK Harper’s Fiction for the e-ARC.

As of fan of Lucy Foley’s other works, I was excited to read Midnight Feast. The atmosphere and description had me intrigued and I was ready to dive in. I must say though, the story wasn’t very memorable. I requested this on Net Galley to read and didn’t realized I already read it last summer after it was published. I gave it 3 stars at the time I read it, but had not written a review to go alongside my rating. So here it goes:

The Midnight Feast is written in the fashion typical of its author, with many POVs and twisting timelines. Usually this works for me but in the case of this work, it did not. I remember feeling like the characters were very confusing and that I wished there had been a little tighter of a story.

The diary entries were interesting but I felt like they were merely a device to break up the story and build suspense; the element of mystery occurred merely because the story was still unfolding, and not because it was twisty and turny.

Overall, a forgettable piece of work. Whereas, Lucy Foley’s “The Paris Aparment” is one of my favourite books I’ve read. I know she has a signature style but I wish that Foley would be a little less predictable in her work.

Thanks Net Galley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Midnight Feast is Midsommar in Dorset. It has a rich background in folklore, twists at every turn, and a gripping multi POV story that switches between past, present and future. My first ever Lucy Foley book was The Hunting Party, and I didn't think crime fiction could ever get any better than that. The Midnight Feast IS better than that.

I loved the character dynamics, the huge reveal at the end, and that every character seemed fleshed out and flawed in their own ways. It didn't leave me wanting for a character arc, it left me rooting for certain characters and yearning for revenge on their behalf. Foley has incredibly reliable writing in that you can go into any of their books and know you're about to be taken on a absolute ride.

I really enjoyed this book and devoured it in less than a day. It was so extreme I found myself avoiding my everyday tasks and spending way longer charging my phone in a Starbucks than I needed just so I could continue reading the ending.

This book had so much drama and I loved every bit! A fancy new resort is opening, everything looks perfect—pretty cocktails, healing crystals, stylish guests. But behind all the glamour, something is seriously wrong…

The story is told from different people’s points of view (plus a summer journal!) and each one adds more secrets and twists. Francesca, the owner, is hiding a lot. Bella seems like just another guest, but she’s not. And sweet Eddie the barman? He has his own little mystery too.

The setting was amazing—creepy forests, weird superstitions, and a spooky vibe that made me want to keep reading late at night. It starts off slow, but then the twists come fast and I was shocked! That big twist at the end? So good.

It’s darker than some of Lucy Foley’s other books, with a bit of a horror feel, and honestly…I couldn’t put it down. Super twisty, super fun.

This book absolutely blew me away. I already was Lucy foley fan and this book absolutely topped her other books for me.

Here this story revolves around ‘ the Manor ‘ in Woodland Hutches owned by Francesca Woodland. This Manor is for some of the privileged guest for a peaceful time. Francesca Woodland is a mysterious character with lots of secrets with a much younger husband who is enchanted by her. Things don’t go as planned when someone from her past comes back for a confrontation that threatens all Francesca’s plans.

Then it takes us back to the solstice where we see a DI Walker who is specialized in cold cases and investigating an event that happened on solstice in the burning manor.

It was so twisty and mysterious and I loved every minute of it. I could not put it down. It was a fantastic read.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for kindly providing me with this eARC and all opinions are my own honest opinion.

4/5 stars – Twisty, atmospheric, and deliciously dark

Lucy Foley does it again with The Midnight Feast! Set in a luxurious wellness retreat with a dark history, this one had all the ingredients I love in a thriller—multiple POVs, secrets bubbling beneath the surface, and that signature slow-burn tension.

The setting was gorgeously eerie, and I could practically feel the unease growing with every chapter. The characters were layered and complex (even if I didn't like all of them), and the mystery kept me guessing until the final reveal. I had a few suspicions, but Foley still managed to surprise me—just enough to keep me hooked.

Why not 5 stars? The pacing dipped a bit in the middle, and I found myself wanting a bit more from the ending. But overall, a satisfying read that

I chose to read a free eARC of The Midnight Feast but that has in no way influenced my review.

I am a HUGE fan of Lucy Foley's thrillers. They're always engaging, captivating and ultimately surprising. This latest addition to the author's body of work is no different. It's opening night of The Manor, an exclusive 'pagan-chic' hotel on the Dorset Coast where wellness is everything. Owner, Francesca Meadows, has pulled out all the stops for her guests with a decadent solstice feast. But Francesca's dreams of a perfect night, a perfect start to her dream enterprise, are shattered as a fire tears through the hotel. The next morning, a body is found nearby. Because there really is no escape from the past...

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. I love how Lucy Foley tells a story. The Midnight Feast is a highly intriguing mystery with a cast of multi-layered characters who masterfully push the story along. I found Francesca quite despicable. Is there nothing she won't do to progress herself and her brand? The way she treats the local people of Midsummer is ghastly but oh my gosh, I wanted more! There's a large folklore aspect to the novel which was interesting. I did enjoy the creepy, edge of the woods vibe the entire book has. The story is told using multiple points of view, plus two timelines fifteen years apart. I was able to follow 'what' was happening and 'when' with ease. All in all, The Midnight Feast is an engaging mystery with a difference. There are secrets and lies galore amongst the pages of this book and I was hooked trying to work it all out from the get-go. Eerie, creeping, full of suspense with a dark atmospheric feel to proceedings. The threat of the woods, the menace of the crows and the delicious gothic overtone worked really well. I can't wait to see what Foley has in store for us next! Recommended.

I chose to read and review a free eARC of The Midnight Feast. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Review will be published on 6th May 2025]

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Big thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, and Lucy Foley for the ARC—this was a deliciously twisty treat!

The Midnight Feast is peak Lucy Foley: luxe setting, tangled secrets, a cast full of unreliable characters—and, of course, murder. The glamorous yet eerie opening of The Manor is the perfect backdrop for slow-burning suspense, where every perfectly placed crystal and curated cocktail masks something darker.

I devoured this in a couple of sittings. The shifting perspectives (The Founder! The Husband! The Mystery Guest!) kept me hooked, and the way Foley peels back each character’s glossy surface to reveal simmering resentments is just chef’s kiss.

It’s juicy, atmospheric, and totally bingeable—like Agatha Christie went on a wellness retreat and things went very, very wrong. If you love a smart, layered whodunit with a luxury-meets-menace vibe, this one’s for you.

I enjoyed this book but the multi storyline did leave me confused at times. But it was enjoyable nonetheless and had everything I love in a book, murder, intrigue and good characters. Loved it.

"The Midnight Feast" by Lucy Foley is a mystery thriller.

Thank you HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for the digital copy of the book (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

The synopsis of the book is the one that convinced me to read the book.
The Manor is a renovated historical house.
In the opening weekend of this new wellness boutique hotel a body is discovered.

The story is told from multiple perspectives:
- Francesca - the founder
- Owen - her husband
- Bella - the mystery guest
- Eddie - the kitchen help.
There are also some journal entries from 15 year ago.
I liked the way the multiple perspectives and dual timeline provided parts of the story and slowly unraveled the truth.
There is a lot of mystery and misdirection that is heightened by the dark atmosphere.

The story is engaging and the plot twist was unexpected (even if bit disappointing).

Set in a remote and exclusive wellness retreat during its lavish opening weekend, the novel quickly devolves from serenity to chaos. Foley expertly intertwines the narratives of various guests and staff members, each harbouring secrets, grudges, or a hidden agenda. As always, her use of shifting perspectives keeps the reader on edge, piecing together clues while trying to determine who to trust and who might end up dead.

What stands out most is Foley’s command of setting; the luxurious retreat, with its glossy façade and eerie isolation, becomes a character in its own right. The book delves into themes of privilege, guilt, and the masks people wear, adding emotional depth to the thrills. Foley’s writing is sharp and evocative, crafting a slowburn tension that builds to a chilling climax.

Though some twists may feel familiar to Foley fans, her knack for character psychology and claustrophobic suspense remains gripping. The Midnight Feast is a deliciously dark treat for readers who enjoy their mysteries tangled and their endings satisfying. It’s perfect for fans of locked-room mysteries with a modern twist.

Many thanks to the publishers and netgalley for approving this book

If you love Lucy Foley then you know what to expect from one of her books!! Lots of characters with their own perspectives, some great scenery and a brilliant mystery / thriller.

The Midnight Feast is centred around a renovated historical house that is opening its doors to its new wellness boutique hotel, however the locals are not happy about the hotel and its owners and guests. With it's first paying guests everything needs to go according to plan but strange things start to happen - are the locals behind it or is there something more sinister going on?

The story is told very various characters points of view and across different time lines BUT once you are a few chapters in to the book this isn't an issue to keep up with. The differing POVs also add to the mystery of what is actually happening and why!! A great book that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for a digital copy of this book,

Lucy Foley never lets me down. This was her at her best. It kept me guessing, and was beuatifully told with an evocative, well-drawn setting and a wonderfully unlikeable main character.

The Manor, an ultra-luxurious resort on an island off the Dorset coast, is breathtakingly beautiful but hides sinister secrets beneath its beauty. Its owner, the ethereal Francesca Meadows, her husband and the resort's designer, Alan Dacre, some of the people who work there, and a guest calling herself Bella are not what they seem to be. Moreover, the local residents resent the presence of The Manor and everyone associated with it, and a few are itching to take drastic measures. The opening weekend of The Manor falls on the summer solstice, and Francesca has planned a midnight feast - a celebration fit for royals - for her guests, down to each meticulous detail. But nothing would go as planned on the night, and several long-buried secrets will be unearthed, and several lives will be turned on their head – a few of those cut short – before the night ends.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley was my first taste of the celebrated author’s writing, and I was not disappointed. The Midnight Feast is populated with a large cast of well-defined characters, most of them unlikeable, and the story is narrated from multiple points of view, moving forward and back in time. While it takes some effort to get into the plot initially, it becomes riveting before long. Foley reveals the true nature of her characters one layer at a time and throws up twist after twist. The cynical narrations about the behaviour of the ultra-rich, the descriptions of the island and the forest, the characterisation, and the bringing together of the multiple threads worked well enough for me. On the downside, the monologues of the narrators and the disgusting actions of the rich people feel a bit too much at times, and people changing so much to become unrecognisable within a few years seems incredible. But, these are minor issues that do not alter the fact that The Midnight Feast is an enjoyable read once you stick with it for a while.

Thank you, HarperCollins UK, for the Digital Review Copy of The Midnight Feast through NetGalley!

A love a good murder mystery usually. This sadly wasn’t it. I thought there was way too much going on and it didn’t give a big payout in the end. Just didn’t work for me personally.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley is another atmospheric, twisty thriller that fans of her previous books will feel right at home with. Set at a luxurious, newly opened wellness retreat on the rugged coast of England, the story unfolds over a tense and stormy weekend, where opulence masks old secrets, and a celebration quickly unravels into something much darker.

True to Foley’s signature style, the novel shifts between multiple perspectives and timelines, gradually revealing the complex connections between characters and the simmering tensions that build toward an inevitable act of violence. I’m not generally a big fan of multiple POV books, but Lucy Foley (along with John Marrs) has a way of making them feel accessible and purposeful—each voice is distinct and contributes meaningfully to the puzzle.

The setting is rich and cinematic—equal parts beautiful and isolating—which adds a constant undercurrent of unease to the entire story. What really stood out for me was the critique of privilege, social media performance, and curated lifestyles. Foley deftly explores the facades people put on to present the “perfect life,” even as things fall apart behind the scenes.

While the pacing starts out slow, it’s intentional—tension brews under the surface before boiling over in classic Foley fashion. The ending was satisfying, with just enough ambiguity to leave you thinking.

If you’re a fan of The Guest List or The Paris Apartment, this is Lucy Foley doing what she does best—claustrophobic setting, morally grey characters, and a mystery that twists and turns until the final page.

Early in The Midnight Feast, the reader is bombarded with many characters. They are each important, and once you learn the characters, it is a quick-paced novel with multiple perspectives, each bringing something to the story. I found myself trying to figure out how everything would come together and didn't anticipate most of the twists that bound the storylines into a tidy ending. An absolute thriller!
I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

Lucy Foley certainly is a very good thriller writer, with a well plotted story, great pacing and a drip-feed presenting of the narrative all working together to draw you in and keep you hooked.

From those I have read, her books are definitely of a certain style – first-person, present tense narration of personal thoughts on what is currently unfolding, with frequent shifting from one narrator to the next. This generally works but can on occasion be a little overdone and just becomes irksome. However, 'The Midnight Feast' takes this formula a step further by introducing time-shifting in the narrative; moving between the day of this year’s summer solstice, the day before the solstice, the day after the solstice, and 15 years ago… all possibly in the space of just a few successive chapters/pages! While this can add to the story’s sense of suspense and anticipation, it does take the reader to pay attention to precisely what day we are currently in.

But at the end of the day, this is a modern thriller, a good bit above the average in the genre and well worth a read. Can’t really ask for much more than that.