This book packs so much atmosphere, and really hits the mark. The tightly woven plot had me guessing right to the end. I love the way that Lucy Foley sets up a rich cast of characters, so that as a reader you really have no idea where things are going, and who will strike that final blow. This one for me invoked a real Hitchcockian vibe, with I can’t get enough of. Bravo.

The story centres around The Manor, a luxury hotel complex on the Dorset coast with “woodland hutches” nestling up to the forest. It’s midsummer and the hotel is celebrating its opening with wealthy select guests and lavish entertainment including a midnight feast.

Within the first few chapters the scene for suspense is set with a body in a cabin in the woods and the hotel engulfed in flames. The central characters are quickly introduced and it becomes apparent that each has a public face whilst hiding their true identity with hints of secrets not yet shared. There is also an external influence with someone manipulating events and bringing people together.

This is an intriguing mystery presented through the eyes of the central characters. I particularly like that each chapter is titled so that you know who’s story it is and where they are in the sequence of events. The narrative jumps forward and back in time and provides a tantalising glimpse of what is to come whilst carefully unfolding the sequence of events, exposing secrets and leading ultimately to the underlying motive. Events from the past come colliding into the future with life changing consequences.

A very clever plot, masterfully delivered and engaging throughout. Highly recommended.

I couldn’t put this one down. A twisty thriller where the actions of teenagers come back to haunt them fifteen years later. Cleverly done with some characters you love to hate.

Thanks to Netgalley for the preview copy.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley is a delightful banquet of suspense, served with a side of psychological intrigue and garnished with a touch of the supernatural. Foley, who has carved a niche for herself in the realm of whodunnits, presents her readers with a tale that is as dark as it is dazzling.

Set against the backdrop of an opulent wellness resort, The Manor, Foley’s narrative weaves a complex tapestry of secrets and lies. The Manor, a symbol of luxury and exclusivity, becomes the stage for a sinister drama when a body is discovered following a catastrophic fire. The juxtaposition of the resort’s serene facade with the undercurrents of resentment from the local community adds a palpable tension to the story.

Foley’s characters are a masterclass in complexity. From the enigmatic founder Francesca, whose ambition is as boundless as the secrets she harbors, to the mystery guest with motives as murky as the forest that surrounds The Manor, each character is meticulously crafted. The narrative shifts between the present and journal entries from 2009, offering a glimpse into a shared past that refuses to stay buried.

The novel’s strength lies in its atmosphere. Foley conjures a setting that is both idyllic and eerie, where the line between folklore and reality blurs. The inclusion of the Night Birds, a local legend said to right wrongs beyond the reach of the law, infuses the story with a sense of otherworldliness that is both chilling and captivating.

Foley’s prose is sharp and evocative, with a rhythm that mirrors the ebb and flow of the ocean that hugs The Manor’s shores. Her ability to balance the beauty of her settings with the darkness of her plots is unparalleled, making The Midnight Feast a compelling read.

Lucy Foley’s latest offering is a feast for any moment one wishes to become lost in a world where every corner holds a secret and every character could be a suspect. It promises—and delivers—a journey through the darkest hours of the night, leaving readers questioning how well they truly know the people around them. A must-read for fans of the genre and newcomers alike, "The Midnight Feast" is a reminder why Foley is a maestro of the modern murder mystery.

I’ve loved Lucy’s previous books but this one was such a let down!

It’s a slow burn with 5 different perspectives and time jumps that I just couldn’t get into it. It’s a shame since the concept is fantastic but the characters were just so dull and unrealistic - do you actually expect me to believe that you wouldn’t recognise your close friends from 15 years ago?

I’m honestly sad that I didn’t enjoy this one!

A SUMMER heatwave can bring out the best in a country where these things happen rarely. People's smiles are brighter, their chat lighter, their hemlines higher. A bit of sunshine and even the shabbiest of gardens gains lustre under the beams of the sun.

But when the heat doesn't lift, when it becomes difficult to sleep, when the sun starts to burn, the mood shifts. Sweaty scowls replace the friendly grins, talk of weather goes from complimentary to scathing, the grass turns from vibrant green to withered beige.

Bella is in the Dorset town of Tome to attend the grand opening of a new country house retreat. It's high summer, the place is awash with the well heeled and influencers are finding themselves in the background of each other's selfies, like digital Russian Dolls.

Bella is not there to celebrate though, oh no. She has come to expose owner Francesca as a fake and a charlatan and worse, the culprit of a crime committed fifteen years earlier.

Francesca is none the wiser as to old friend Bella's presence at the retreat, as she prepares for the extravaganza that will put her hotel on all the must-do lists in London. A decadent if tasteful midnight feast is being planned, in which all the guests will don floral garlands and robes of white for a Midsummer Night's Dream ambience. It is the solstice, after all.

Local boy Eddie has found employment in the new venture, as a dishwasher with bar tending aspirations. His new job is a secret from his parents who, like most of the other natives of Tome, are in deep opposition to the establishment. It has delivered on few of its promises to benefit the area, and has driven bad blood between the townspeople and Francesca's family, who have owned the estate for generations.

The narrative flits from all three perspectives as well as Owen Dacre, the architect husband of Francesca who has secrets of his own. As well as that, it pivots to a third person perspective as it leaps ahead to the events after the solstice, where a body has been found on the nearby shoreline and the aftermath of the party is revealed.

This is the most successful narrative, offering more of writer Lucy Foley's wit and way with observation. The first person points of view are, while well defined, a little on the nose as they address the reader. Francesca in particular is somewhat cartoonish in her increasing unwinding, from privileged snob to unhinged Cruella deVil-alike.

In the passages depicting the aftermath, DI Walker, a dapper policeman from Scotland Yard is introduced. He has that world weary air that comes with a detective with demons, just how I like them

There are also diary entries from fifteen years prior, written by a young holiday maker who finds herself swept up in an intense summer friendship. These chapters too work better than the first-person confessions, and the teen angst is well captured.

Set in the undulating heat with murder and mystery at its core, I can picture The Midnight Feast as an ITV mini series starring Sheridan Smith, a nice succinct four-parter to stick on at the end of the day after a long few hours sightseeing.

It works that way in its novel form too of course, a perfect beach or evening read, the plot easy enough to follow that you won't lose it even while reading with a margarita or three in hand. There is darkness and sadness, but it's over-the-top enough not to give you the blues while you're soaking up that vitamin D. It's a leave the plot behind once you slam the cover shut kind of books, which is no bad thing in this context.

That said, there are twists galore, and even a hint of the supernatural to keep you guessing as to what is really going on in the town of Tome. It's not exactly un-putdownable but when you pick up from where you've left off you'll be looking forward to reading what happens next.

Lucy Foley is a brilliant storyteller and The Midnight Feast is another masterpiece. Weaving the story between 2010 and the present day it delivers a mysterious and sometimes mystical tale with the suggestion of large birds appearing with the threat of danger. Francesca or Frankie is the most annoying character with her rich girl entitlement and truly believing her position puts her on a pedestal. However, Bella has seen a different side to her and books in to her incredible new retreat for its opening weekend. With some great characters that enter the story seemlessly but have their own secrets and tales to tell. As the build up to the Midnight Feast escalates, Francesca is determined for it to be absolutely perfect but there are several others, including bitter locals who will go to any lengths to ensure it is a disaster. As we discover early in the book someone is dead and there is a fire but this knowledge does not detract from the back story and build up to the fateful night. With several huge twists this excellent story delivers on every level. Surely another best seller from Lucy Foley.

Fun! It gives Nine Perfect Strangers meets Blair Witch meet The Birds. A bit more bonkers than I expected but a very enjoyable read!

I am always sad when I finish a book that has had me gripped. This is definitely the case with “The Midnight Feast”. The title makes you think of boarding schools and Malory Towers but this book is much darker and more sinister. The Midnight Feast is not what you expect. The story is set by the sea in the village of Tome where people still believe in folklore in this case the power of birds. The birds play a large part in this. story of revenge and of class differences. It is set in what I would call a very expensive wellness clinic by the sea and at the edge of the woods. It is for the super wealthy but everyone has a story and people are not who they seem. The book moves seamlessly between the present and the past. The pace is fast and the story is well written. Recommended! Thank you Netgalley for an advance copy.

The Midnight Feast was a little slow going on the first two chapters but knowing this authors previous work I stuck to it and boy did it change after those first couple of chapters.
It’s June and near the summer solstice, Francesca has just opened her jewel in the Dorset coast, Tome Manor. She has converted the Manor House into a luxury wellness spa with luxury huts dotted around the coast and with treehouses to come very soon. Francesca is anxious opening day goes smoothly as she’s had trouble with the locals after moving a footpath through the woods so her manor and grounds were totally private. She sees a face in a crowd that’s a flashback from fifteen years ago but it can’t be her can it? She’s looked into everyone staying this weekend making sure they are the right people for her manor. If it is who she thinks it is this is going to cause trouble as Francesca hasn’t always been the polite, calm and dependable woman she personifies today.
This was a book that grew and grew on me, the more I read the deeper I got, the deeper I got the twistier it got. This is a dark thriller with a twist of folklore running through it which made for a great atmospheric read. I enjoyed the multiple POV as this really helped develop the storyline. Another winner for me by Lucy Foley.
I would like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins UK HarperFiction for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

I love Lucy Foley’s books and was so excited to pick up her latest - couldn’t tear myself away!

This felt like her most ambitious book to date, with a large and detailed cast, appreciating time points and POV, a gloomy gothic setting and a rich and complex local history. It’s worth trusting the process -with so many characters it takes a little while to get inside their heads. However Foley masterfully wove the various threads as perspectives together to a great crescendo of a reveal that did not disappoint!

I really enjoyed the nuance of the varied characters, and the social complexity that The Manor evoked in the small town. Frankie’s character occasionally slipped into feeling a bit cartoonish, but I loved Eddie and his family, with their complicated dynamics.

Would highly recommend!

Thank you HarperCollins UK, HarperCollins UK Audio, and NetGalley for a copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

'The Midnight Feast' may not be Foley's best work, but it is certainly her most thematically ambitious murder mystery to date. Featuring multiple POVs and timelines, Foley creates a slow-burn that culminates in an explosive finale.

Foley successfully crafts distinct voices for each POV, but the effectiveness of these perspectives is debatable, as the majority of characters come off as either unlikeable or unremarkable.

Wellness guru Francesca, in particular, feels like a caricature of wellbeing influencers. This portrayal would have been perfect if the book were a satire, but instead, it disrupts the dark tone of the story—which could have been even creepier if the folklore of the town were explored more.

On the other hand, Eddie immediately comes across as an endearing character. Considering the significant role he plays later in the book, this should have been *his* story, but instead, he's overshadowed for most of the novel.

Despite its shortcomings, 'The Midnight Feast' is a decent murder mystery, its intriguing themes and explosive finale making it a worthwhile read for fans of the genre.

Final rating: ★★★½

I’ve only ever read one Lucy Foley before now (The Paris Apartment) but my favourite thing about that book was how each character had their own very clear individual voice that worked really well with the book’s multiple POV telling and that is something I loved about The Midnight Feast too, each character that was telling their story felt very real and you could picture them as actual 3d people rather than just 2d words on a page. The only part I didn’t like was the journal and I found myself skipping over those chapters, but for me it didn’t take anything away from the story.

The pacing of this was great too, it made the book easy to dive into and it was so easy to sit down and suddenly I’d look up and it was an hour later. This book has made me excited to pick up even more of Foley’s books.

This is a great read. It is a slow and steady build of a read as we work through the day before the incident and the day after from a number of different characters perspective. As all the different narratives come together the story starts to gather pace and then you need to be prepared for a brilliant and unexpected ending.

Another excellent book by Lucy Foley based in an upmarket wellness centre. The main characters are not what they seem and linked to secrets in the past. An absolute page turner.

This is the first novel that I have read by Lucy Foley and I wasn't disappointed.
The story is told from several points of view and over two timelines.
In the earlier timeline Francesca Woodland (Frankie) lives in luxury at Tome manor on the Dorset coast, Frankie invites local children to play with her in the spacious grounds and the ancient woodlands.
Fifteen years later is where the story begins and a slightly eccentric Francesca is overseeing the opening of the luxury Tome Manor Wellness Centre where the guests reside in seaside cottages or woodland cabins, the tree houses have yet to be built, everything is organic and spiritual, albeit that the Manor Mule cocktail includes a dash of CBD oil.
The centre has been designed and built by Francesca's husband, up and coming architect, Owen Dacre .......but all is not as it seems with Mr. Dacre.
The manor is surrounded by ancient woodlands, woodlands that hold secrets and give off evil vibes.
Bella is sent an invitation to the opening, she doesn't know who sent it and she doesn't know why, she knows that the week will end in the solstice celebrations..
The past and the present are intrinsically entwined, strange happenings begin to occur, bodies turn up, are the murders connected, have they anything to do with the old wives tales, tales about the birds.........you mustn't upset the birds.
This story draws you in, it has a large cast of fascinating characters that keep you guessing to the end.
Thank you Net Gallery for my ARC, my review is voluntary.

Wasn’t too sure about this one but glad I persevered. Perhaps not the book to read when you’re in the middle of nowhere, trees blowing outside in the dark. Kept me turning the pages and loved the twists that the author kept throwing in. It’s a good read for sure

I've read a couple Lucy Foley books so far and loved them so when I saw this come up on Netgalley, I had to request it. I'm so thankful to have been approved for an ARC for this one!

I delved straight into this book as I couldn't want to see what this entailed. It was a delightful mix of the present and the past - I loved the way that the story was constructed and all the twists that came along with it. There were some parts that I worked out, but so so many that I didn't put together.

Without wanting to give away any spoilers, the blending of the storylines and the characters was so much fun to read and definitely keeps a reader on their toes!

This is one that will definitely keep you hooked and wanting to read on! You really don't want to miss this

Another excellent, super-suspenseful mystery by Lucy Foley. Set in coastal Dorset, this book is a great read, very difficult to put down, and is ideal holiday reading.

Ended up really enjoying this one. Many shocks and plot twists along the way which I wasn’t expecting. Characters were well developed. The only downside was that there were a lot of characters and it followed many perspectives. At first it was quite difficult to keep track of who was who. However, once we got to know the characters, it was a lot easier. Overall enjoyable and fun read which left me shocked in some places.