It's the opening weekend of the Manor, a newly renovated luxury getaway spot by the coast. Francesca, the owner, has curated everything for the weekend, including the guest list, determined that the weekend will be a success. The Manor is full of people hiding secrets though, staff, guests and even Francesca and her husband. Nobody is exactly who they seem. As the Midnight feast hits full swing things take a dramatic turn.

This was an interesting book to read. It was a little different to some of Foley's previous books, in that it's not exactly a closed room mystery. It's still full of suspense though, and you spend a large part of the book trying to figure out the connections between the characters.

Speaking of characters, this book is full of broken people. Francesca is deplorable, and you know from very early on that you just don't like her. The rest of the characters though, much as they have secrets and issues, there's a very clear feeling that this is because of things that have happened to them over their lives.

The storyline is split between the past and present, showing us a summer at the Manor many years ago, and the current opening weekend. It's also told from multiple points of view. You learn early on that there is a link between that previous summer and the events that are unfolding in the present day, but it takes some time to figure out who and what those links are. The different points of view are all clear and distinctive, with well defined characters.

I thought Foley did a great job with this book, letting you piece the picture together slowly, which helps to build up the tension. There was certainly a couple of twists that I didn't see coming, and the ending ratcheted things up to a frenzied pace.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley is the third book I've read by the British author and I've enjoyed them all. She seemingly draws on long-kept secrets and develops intriguing and complex plots around relationships - testing family ties and friendship boundaries. Here the launch of a new luxurious wellness retreat brings together a disparate group of story tellers (in the present) and a diary-writer (in the past), the two converging in fresh tragedy as past secrets are revealed.

We learn about the past a little through some of our narrators in the present, but it's predominantly diary entries that share the events of a summer holiday in 2010.

In the present (2025) we jump around a little. We start with the official opening of the wellness retreat, then leap forward (a few days we learn, though initially I thought it was the very next day and was slightly confused) to after tragedy's struck. We then move back and forth as those we meet traverse the next couple of days and revisit the past. We know these days culminate in a body, perhaps more than one, and a fire but Foley does a good job at keeping details from us until the very end when she deftly reveals them with a sleight of hand. Or fingertips to keyboard, I guess.

We have a few narrators, but it feels like Bella is front and centre. She's at the retreat under false pretences and we piece together her story fairly quickly, thanks to the diary entries from fifteen years earlier. Then there's Eddie, a local lad who's washing dishes at the retreat but wants more from life. And Owen, husband to the retreat's owner Francesca Meadows who inherited the Manor and its buildings and grounds from her grandfather. We also meet DI Walker, who arrives to investigate a body found on the beach as well as the fire and other happenings at the retreat.

We learn more about the past, when teenage Frankie (as Francesca was known then) visited her grandparents along with her older bratty and spoiled brothers, befriending other holidaymakers and a few locals. The Meadows family are not particularly pleasant and Frankie's brothers comment that she's got a habit of collecting things (and people) to make up for her mother's lack of attention and affection.

Adding local folklore into the mix is a catalyst for all that comes after - both in the past and present. I wondered (however) if events would have unfolded similarly even if there weren't stories of 'the birds', seemingly seeking revenge and punishment. A myth surely... though life-sized creatures are seen by reliable witnesses.

I loved the 'reveals' Foley offers in the present. Those from the past who've reinvented themselves. And those who our characters never really knew back then. Not really. I guessed at one or two of these but not some of the connections and Foley does a stellar job at timing these with catastrophic events at the retreat And the fact that there are still a few secrets falling out of the past at the very end made this a very entertaining (and satisfying) read.

The Midnight Feast is easily one of my most anticipated releases of 2024, coming from one of my go-to Mystery/Thriller authors, Lucy Foley. I love her classic style, her sense of place, as well as her dramatic characters.

It's the summer solstice in Tome, Dorset - perfect timing for Francesca to open her new luxury wellness hotel. The place is sold out, the welcome weekend has been planned to perfection and Francesca is feeling very zen. But, as different POVs are heard, and their reasons for being at The Manor are revealed, the veneer of opulent tranquility begins to crack and peel; chapter by chapter, person by person, 'When you open up the past like this, it can have repercussions you never imagined'. Add together the rising tide of animosity flooding from the surrounding locals, unhappy with being cut off from the ancient forests and access to the beach and the hottest summer weekend on record, truly becomes scorching.

This is my first Lucy Foley book and I readily enjoyed the rapid pace of tension and complexity building. Using multiple points of view, journal entries, and pre-event as well as post-event timelines, keeps the reading a pacy, page-turner. I did slightly grumble at the way the ending wrapped up, but with so many threads to cast off, it's hardly surprising. Part mystery, part thriller with horror and folklore elements, this book is bound to keep most readers entertained.

This will definitely not be my last Lucy Foley book. I love the way she wrote this story, it kept me entertained and I couldn't put it down.

Thanks to #NwtGalley and #HarperCollinsUK for the book #TheMidnightFeast by #LucyFoley. This book is a non stop roller coaster ride with murder, secrets and lots of drama. Bella goes back to The Manor to face Frankie and old demons. Fifteen years ago, something bad happened at the Manor. The truth needs to come out. And the birds are back. Watch out for the birds!

Thank you for this ARC. I have read Lucy Foley books before so couldn’t wait to read this one. What’s great about this book is the short chapters each one dedicated to a character. It doesn’t take long to be absorbed and it was hard to put down. I devoured in 2 days. Would thoroughly recommend to others.

"The Midnight Feast" by Lucy Foley is an enthralling thriller set on the Dorset coast. The story revolves around Francesca, who inherits her family estate and turns it into a luxurious resort. The opening weekend is marred by secrets and tension, leading to a murder at the solstice supper. The novel skillfully alternates between past and present, revealing dark secrets from 15 years ago.
Foley creates a vivid setting, contrasting local folklore with Francesca's superficial spirituality. The multiple perspectives and dual timelines enhance the suspense and kept me engaged. Francesca is a compelling villain, self-righteous and oblivious to her impact on the locals.
Some aspects of the story made me feel like I am missing something important and the jumping in time made it harder to focus on a few chapters but the story's twists and turns, along with its atmospheric setting, made it a satisfying read in the end.
Overall, "The Midnight Feast" is a dark, captivating thriller with a compelling setting and intricate plot.

I nearly gave up on this book as I felt it was a slow burner but I'm glad I persisted with it as the pace increased and the thrills, shocks, twists and turns commenced. A historic manor has been converted into a boutique hotel and on the opening party night things started to go very wrong. Amongst other things, Franscesco had an unwelcome visitor from her past. Even the locals were trying to put an end to proceedings quoting ancient folklore.
After a slow start this book became an exciting and thrilling storyline. The author cleverly uses various characters points of view to get the story across.

Lucy Foley never misses! She's so quickly become an auto-read author for me and should be for everyone else too.

I’ve been lucky enough to read many books written by Lucy Foley and she does not disappoint. I loved not only the dual timelines but also the dual characters. Each chapter is written from someone current day or a person from the past. Foley built the story perfectly, flitting between present and past, before revealing how everyone tied together. I loved the mystery that was built throughout the story. A fantastic escape into the past and the present.

Big fan of Lucy Foley so absolutely thrilled to get my hands on her newest - The Midnight Feast.

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.

Foley is brilliant at the multi-character thriller format. The Hunting Party is one of my go-to recommendations to people because it rarely fails. Once again you have the mystery of the whodunnit, but also the mystery of who-dead (another classic Foley move). The Midnight Feast feels fresh thanks to its more unusual undertones of magic and witchcraft, as well as rural pride. Most of the read I was getting big Hot Fuzz energy.

The direction seemed to take some time to get on a cohesive track, but once it did the pace picked up and I was more gripped over the latter two thirds that I was the first. All in all another win for me, and I'm yet to find a Foley thriller that has disappointed me.

The Midnight Feast is a book based around a new hotel retreat The Manor on opening week and owned by Francesca Meadows . The book flicks between then and now and a group of teenagers that used to holiday or live near the coast and holiday parks. The book has a creepy and spooky element running through due to the focus on the woods and legend of 'The Birds'. Francesca is not a likable character although this is done on purpose, in fact not many of the characters are very likeable, but due to the short chapters and flicking between past and presents it reads like a good thriller. 3.5 rounded to 4.

Francesca is opening The Manor a high class destination for the wealthy .
Everything on the surface is perfect , Francesca is the congenial host along with her handsome architect husband they are the power couple of the moment .
Under the surface is a different story , both Francesca and her husband are not who they say they are and one of the guests is acting strangely and is there under false pretences .
The story goes to and fro from different time lines and with different narratives which at times lost me!
The story includes murder , arson and “ The Birds” are they a myth or are they real? As well as privilege and a touch of psychopathy.
So there’s plenty to get your teeth in to!
I persevered and glad I did about sixty percent through the book it shifted up a gear and I really enjoyed the last section of the book .
The majority of the characters are not nice , but some of them do have redeeming features and enhance the story perfectly .
It’s certainly a different psychological thriller , but one I’m glad I’ve read!
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK.

This story is set in 2025 and is told by various characters and gives the action from their point of view. There are also extracts from a diary written in 2010. They are linked and secrets are gradually revealed. This story covers a range of topics, justice, revenge, and class differences. There is a gradual build up of tension that kept me wondering what would happen next. There are a few surprises when all is revealed. This was an engaging read, although there are a good number of characters. I received a copy an have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The latest Lucy Foley certainly did not disappoint! This is a fast pacied thrilling read where the setting really adds to the atmosphere. The switching of narratives features her expected wacky cast. It's a little bit slower compared to her previous titles but the ending makes up for it.

The opening of Dorest's newest resort venue has mixed reviews. It's on everyone's lips how fabulous it will be, but the locals resent the intrusion into their ancient woodlands, and from the start, there is a low-level undercurrent of discontent. There are numerous guests, but from the onset, it's evident that many are hiding dark secrets and have hidden agendas. The complex story has multiple characters' viewpoints, and many are unlikeable and unreliable narrators. The menacing undercurrent makes this suspenseful, as does the clash between folklore and contemporary. I like the setting's atmospheric ethos, the immersive storytelling and the unexpected secrets.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Lucy Foley has done it again! In a locked door mystery she keeps the reader on their toes until the end.
Francesca is marking the opening of her luxury country retreat 'The Manor' with a midnight feast to celebrate the summer solstice. However during the festivities a body is found and more and more links to events that happened there 15 years ago become apparent.
The story is being told from various viewpoints and in two timelines which makes it very captivating.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the advance reading copy of this unputdownable thriller.

Francesca - with her architect husband Owen - has turned her family estate into a luxury dream hotel and leisure complex. It opens its doors to the super rich at the summer solstice with an amazing weekend of highly curated new-age celebrations. All the guests have been thoroughly vetted and supplied with healing crystals and garlands - and all the organic, local food and spiritual decor have been safely procured from London. Francesca is bathed in a warm chemically induced glow of anticipation - everything is perfection.
However, it seems that malign forces are bent on disrupting Francesca's chakras - and someone has mysteriously contrived to ensure that ghosts from Francesca's past are among the guests...
This something of a cold case mystery, (my favourite kind), written - through use of diary entries - in two time lines. We see the weekend unfold through the eyes of guests, staff, and local residents, culminating in an inevitably shocking, yet thoroughly rounded ending.
Another brilliant book from Lucy Foley.

I love Lucy Foleys books and this does not disappoint! She is fast becoming my go to for who dunnit thrillers and mystery! Set in Dorset, the environment adds to the creepy atmosphere. A luxury hotel opening up, brings guests flooding and champagne flowing. Mix in a murder and unhappy residents and this makes for a fast paced, brilliant read.

I had mixed feelings about this one. The first half was a little confusing. It jumped from character to character, jumping from before the event to after the event, with some journal entries thrown in, and there just seemed to be a lot to keep track of. At points, I felt a little bored, and I wasn't sure I'd make it to the end.
However, the second half really picked up, and it actually became an enjoyable read. I managed to track the characters better, and all the separate threads came together for it to all make sense.
This is my first book by this author, although I do currently have some sitting on my shelf, so I look forward to getting to those.

The Midnight Feast
Lucy Foley

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I read my first (and so far, only) Lucy Foley book over 4 years ago!
It was one of the most perfect books I'd ever read and went on to buy all new releases - but as you can see, I am yet to get them off my tbr pile!
When I spotted this new one on audio - I knew that this was the one to read instantly!
And o.m.g!!!
I'm a fool for not having read the others yet because this, again, was absolute perfection!

My only complaint about this book...is the birds!!
I have a major fear of birds - especially large black birds!
And even moreso for those who come attached to a creepy folk legend!
The atmosphere created throughout this book was just amazing!

Did I know that it would all have a logical explanation!?
Absolutely!
Did that make is less chilling!?
No way!

I completely devoured this book in just over a day because I literally could not stop reading! (Even with the birds!)

We follow the story from various pov's and also multiple timelines.
15 years ago - the solstice weekend - after the solstice.
This worked so, so well at feeding us just enough information at any one time - leaving us with so many mini cliffhangers every chapter end!
I loved hearing the different character voices and seeing how each had developed over the course of the book - but honestly, there were so many shocks - even when I'd made a few theories, I just didn't see half of the content coming.

The threads of each story wove together seemlessly and although we kept flipping perspective and timeline, this flowed beautifully!

There were a lot of characters to get to know, but every single one was presented, developed and jumped off the page, so it was fairly easy to follow everything - even as the secrets were revealed and storylines started to come together.

I honestly can't tell you what I loved the most about this book!
Amazing (and diverse) characters - a plot to die for - secrets, lies and twists galore - folklore to add that chilling vibe - and even the birds! Yes! The birds! Oh, I won't be getting over that fear any time soon - and I won't be getting over this book for a while either!

A definite favourite for me - I could just open it back up and start all over again.... Loved it!




💕Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my ARC copy - this is my honest review 💕