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 💕

Secrets and lies aplenty in this thrilling new read from Lucy Foley. The darkness surrounds The Manor and it’s not just in the trees where the strange shadows linger. I thought the build up of this story was really enjoyable- the woods added that touch of claustrophobia and an unsettling atmosphere which spread amongst the characters. Each of the characters had such a history, and as it unravelled more secrets came to the fore.

I thought this really slow in the beginning and considered DNF’ing around 18% but I’m so glad I didn’t because it turned out to be a real page turner and kept me guessing until the very end.

★ ★ ★ ½ 𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓭 𝓾𝓹 ⬆️✨
———————
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to review this book.

I'll admit, I've only read one of these authors' books previously, and it wasn't for me, so I was slightly dubious with this one, BUT the synopsis sounded right up my street. I wasn't disappointed... What a read!!!

Now, whilst it does get off to a slower paced start, stick with it because you are in for one hell of a ride.

Told from dual timelines of 15 years ago and the present day, you see the story told from several points of view and each one as valid as each other.

Set around The Manor, a new 'wellbeing' retreat created by Francesca Meadows who recently inherited the property that she spent her childhood summers from her grandparents.

The locals are not happy at all. Their access has been restricted, and they are not shy in making their feelings known.

At the opening weekend, Francesca goes all out to welcome her first guests, guests that she has checked up on and had biographies compiled to cater for them all personally bit unbeknown to her, their is a guest from her past who's intentions are to put things right, from when Francesca was Frankie, a self entitled teenager who felt rules were not for following.

Completely unputdownable, unpredictable and unrelenting with its red herrings and twists. I highly recommend for anyone who wants a book that keeps a hold from start to finish.

With thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC.

The Midnight Feast uses Foley's familiar multiple point of view narrative and her usual cast of monied characters and setting which forms a character in its own right. Midnight Feast is however darker than her previous books and includes element of horror and folklore which make it stand out from so many mysteries.

Her best book yet.

have enjoyed Queen of the locked room mystery Lucy Foley's previous novels and the premise of this one intrigued me,
Its opening weekend at a new luxury countryside resort, The Manor. Sold out months in advance and no expense has been spared in creating this new retreat destination. A midnight feast on midsummers night is the weekends top attraction but beyond the resort , the forest holds its secrets and not all of the guest are who they seem to be.

Told in a dual timeline and from multiple perspectives this was a quick read and I read it in a day or so. I enjoyed the setting, the gothic vibes and folklore contrasting with the new polished luxury . I was drawn into this one quickly then the pace slowed a little , picking up again towards the final third. Overall though it held my interest throughout but I did think the ending was a little haphazard especially when compared to how well plotted the book was up to this point.

Not my favourite of Foley's books but an entertaining twisty read nonetheless.

3 star.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

TMF is a thriller mystery told from multiple characters about a weekend at a bougie upscale manor along the Dorset coast and how it ties back to the past. The Manor is run by social media influencer, Francesca and her new husband, Owen. We also get the perspective of Eddie, a local who works at the hotel, and Bella, a guest. Everyone’s secrets start to come out and intertwine between each other as the Manor has a big Solstice Midnight Feast. There’s also rumors of a secret society, called The Birds.

As guests gather for the opening of The Manor hotel, something dark is bubbling under the surface, threatening to ruin the night's event. There is a certain history hidden behind house, and with the locals against this opening, the past is coming back in many unexpected ways.

Another brilliant Foley thriller! There's this beautiful sense of gothic foreboding, timeline changes, and plenty of characters to pay attention to. I devoured this in two sittings, I was hooked from the first page and held captivated right until the very last word. Some very clever twists and turns, ones you won’t see coming, that literally keep you on the edge of your seat! It’s hard to say much more without spoilers!

It’s the opening night of The Manor, and no expense, small or large, has been spared. Everyone is wearing linen. But 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.
A well written thriller which I found difficult to get into but I persevered & the more I read the more I enjoyed it & after taking a few days to get to the 30% mark I finished the rest in two sittings. The characters have depth & whilst it starts slowly the pace gradually increases. I was kept guessing as to who the villain was until the end, which is always a plus. Whilst not my favourite book by the author I still enjoyed it
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

My first Lucy Foley and I realise this style of writing is not for me. Although very readable and atmospheric in style, I am not a fan of multiple pov’s and constantly switching timeframes, and the effort of keeping up with so many characters was for me off-putting. Just not for me.