I found this to be a gripping, intriguing story that kept me guessing till the end. It was quite dark in many ways and I enjoyed the dual timelines that revealed the true characters as the plot evolved. One I would highly recommend.

Let the festivities begin

Francesca decide to turn The Manor into a peaceful retreat and she wants the grand opening to be perfect. Unwanted guests, hidden secrets and angry locals make it the complete opposite to what she envisaged and when a body is found things quickly start to spiral.

I was excited to get approved for this book by @netgalley but for me it didn’t live up to the others I’ve read by this author. The setting was great and I’m sure it will be a firm favourite for a lot of people.

If Agatha Christie is the Queen of Crime then Lucy is the princess and heir to the title. Brilliantly written thriller which is very well written and gripping from the outset. Great whodunnit. Read every one of Lucy's books and this definitely doesn't disappoint.

This was a just a great read. I was just all in the story.
Loved the MCs. Lovely written book. i enjoyed more than I expected I would

The Midnight Feast is a well-crafted and suspenseful thriller that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Foley's masterful storytelling and atmospheric writing bring the characters and setting to life, making for a truly immersive reading experience and the perfect atmosphere for a cosy night in, perfect for this time of year. Highly recommend.

Lucy Foley is a queen in the multi-viewpoint thriller genre. I am a huge fan of 'The Guest List' and have been chasing the same high in her work ever since, hence my excitement to read her newest offering 'The Midnight Feast'. Set at the opening weekend of a bougie new hotel 'The Manor', we follow various viewpoints of those running the hotel, locals who are strongly opposed to its presence in the area and mysterious guests from the hotel owners' past. From the beginning, we know a body has been found at the bottom of the cliff and a shadow is cast over the opening celebrations. Gradually, we learn secrets and lies being held by all characters in an intriguing mystery.

My favourite thing about the novel were the flashback diary entries which shone a light on many of our present day characters in their teenage years. It added a good level of intrigue to the motivations of the characters and helped the plot zip along with more pace and interest. In the present day storyline, the big opening event approached slowly. The atmosphere is tense, with the looming presence of the mysterious and ominous 'birds'. Despite the slow burn, the feelings created are immersive and intriguing.

Overall, I enjoyed the different plotlines and the way they were woven together. Some of the character connections felt a little contrived, with some of the twists seeming a little obvious, but it was an interesting read. 4 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Not my favourite Lucy Foley - I was not invested in the characters or premise (the elite Instagram worthy wellness influencer culture doesn't appeal to me), but look forward to her next one!

This book was an ok read - not one of her best
I did enjoy how the characters, who we knew from the childhood part of the story, gradually revealed themselves and there were parts that gripped me.
However, there ŵere as many points that seemed drawn out and a bit gory just for effect.

I am a big fan of Lucy Foley's books so was quite excited to read The Midnight Feast. My favourite character was Eddie and the rest of the characters I. found were quite stereotypical. I was expecting more but I think that was my fault. I really do not think this is one the author's best work but if you are reading her for the first time, you will probably love it.

With thanks to Netgalley, another dark and twisty tale from the pen of Lucy Foley

If you are a fan of the genre and her work, you will not be disappointed

I've read all of Lucy Foley's thrillers and I think this is her best so far. It's a good thriller with some unsettling atmospheric elements - you'll definitely find yourself wondering whether the sinister birds are real or just the stuff of legend. The supposedly idyllic, luxury retreat takes on a nightmarish aspect very quickly. You won't be venturing into the woods after dark for some time after reading this.

It was great to watch the plot develop and try to work out who is who. It really kept me guessing as the plot went back and forth in time.

Absolutely love Lucy Foley's stories! They are always so immersive, gripping and full of surprises. I read this on holiday and it was the perfect holiday read.

I hate to say it, but what an underwhelming read. There are too many books in this genre with great concepts, but disappointing deliveries, and The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley is one of them.

Set during the opening of the luxury ‘the Manor’ (an overpriced holiday stay where you can hire Seaside Cottages and Woodland Hutches… if you have the money that is), Midnight Feast follows owner and irritant Francesca and her architect husband Owen, as they prepare for their big night. Throughout the novel, there are points of views of guests, workers and townspeople, is anyone who they say they are, or does everyone carry their own secret?

It’s main issue was it was overly long; this made everything drag because there simply wasn’t enough plot to fill the pages. Instead, we were given multiple timelines and too many storylines where nothing happened, making it dull and boring.

The cast of characters were also formulaic, with stereotypical ’rude’, poorly behaved rich people versus the underprivileged, trampled on victims. If I had to single one out, then Eddie would be the most likeable and interesting, however, even our main protagonist Bella was rather weak and lacking depth.

I need a book with more plot and better characters please.

I found it slow at the start but at about 20% it picked up a little bit. It was a slow read for me. Not one of Lucy's best.

There was still suspense a certain part.

I just didn't gel with this book.

I loved this book!! Thank you to NetGalley and Lucy Foley for the advanced copy of this book!
I love Lucy Foley and this book did not disappoint!!
Brilliant twists and turns! Would recommend!!

This book tried to give so much; a thrilling whodunnit, creepy local lore, birds, annoying rich people, and intrigue. I just felt that it tried to do too much
As is standard for this author, we got multiple POVs which was fun but each POV had a lot of additional characters. It wasn't a locked room mystery so the character list just kept getting bigger and bigger
I really liked the creepy bird elements of the story and I wish they were featured more. They were the most exciting part of the book
The characters felt flat to me and by the time we found out who the victim was, I no longer cared. The twists were very obvious and I just felt so disappointed. I was hoping for a repeat of The Hunting Party and The Guest List but this was a bit of a flop for me
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

This is the second book I've read by this author and it didn't disappoint. A blend of thriller and horror, it kept me engaged and guessing until the end. The characters are well written, and I'll definitely be reading more of her books.

If you are a fan of Lucy Foley then you know what you are getting – multiple narrators, multiple timeframes, it’s dark and twisty and you should not trust anyone.

Foley is an absolute queen of unreliable narrative.

The Manor is about to open. It is lavish and exclusive. The perfect spa party for the rich and famous. Owner Francesca Meadows is known for her attention to detail and no expense has been spared. Her partner, architect Owen Dacre, has made her every dream come true.

The local residents are less than impressed as while Francesca outwardly supports the local area and it’s businesses there is a lot of resentment. Very few local people have managed to secure jobs at The Manor. Eddie is working in the kitchen with hopes of becoming a barman, but he is keeping it a secret as he feels he is betraying his community.

The novel begins at the end. The opening night of The Manor descends into chaos as a fire sweeps through the building and a body is found.

Who is the body?

With flashbacks to the past through the diary of Alison, a girl on holiday at the beach who becomes infatuated with Frankie, the gorgeous girl from the mansion, the reader can gradually piece together the different strands of the story.

The past and the present intersect and the secrets of The Manor are revealed.

It’s a clever and twisty read made even darker by the ever present Birds. The local myths of giant and deadly birds that avenge evil and the shadow they cast.

I won’t say anymore as it will give away the secrets. I must admit I had no idea how it all fitted together so I found the ending really satisfying.

Thank you to NetGalley for gifting me a digital advanced copy of The Midnight Feast.

A wonderful and enjoyable read, I read it in three sittings. I am glad I got to dive into the authors world and the characters had me gripped and intrigued. Recommended.

Lucy Foley has carved a niche for herself in the realm of suspenseful, atmospheric thrillers, and The Midnight Feast continues in that tradition—though not without a few bumps along the way. Set in a remote countryside retreat, this novel revolves around a group of guest who unite for a lavish, yet ominous dinner party. As the wine flows and secrets come to light, the evening quickly spirals into chaos.

Foley’s signature style is present throughout. The novel is rich in mood, evoking a strong sense of unease from the very beginning. Her knack for building tension through shifting perspectives and subtle hints of hidden agendas shines, pulling readers in with just enough mystery to keep turning the pages. The isolated setting, guests with secrets, adds to the chilling atmosphere, making the book a compelling read for fans of slow-burning thrillers.

However, where The Midnight Feast slightly falters is in its character development. While the multiple perspectives add intrigue, many of the characters feel more like archetypes than fully fleshed-out individuals. The high-flying socialite, the brooding loner, the enigmatic host—each of them fits neatly into the roles you’d expect in a locked-room mystery, but they lack the depth to truly surprise. This makes the emotional stakes feel lower, as it’s hard to become deeply invested in their fates.

The plot itself, while engaging, is somewhat predictable. Foley weaves a complex web of secrets and lies, but seasoned readers of the genre might find themselves ahead of the story at times. The twists, though satisfying, don’t pack quite the same punch as those in her previous works, such as The Guest List. That said, there are still enough surprises to make the journey enjoyable, particularly for readers who appreciate more of a slow-burn, atmospheric mystery.

Where the book shines is in its examination of friendships and the dark undercurrents that often lurk beneath long-standing relationships. Foley skillfully explores how past grudges, unresolved tensions, and jealousy can fester over time, ultimately leading to explosive confrontations. The dynamics between the characters are one of the novel’s strengths, even if the individuals themselves lack depth.

Overall, The Midnight Feast is a solid read, delivering a moody, tension-filled story that’s perfect for fans of locked-room mysteries. While it may not reach the heights of Foley’s best work, it still offers an enjoyable escape into a world of intrigue and suspense. For readers new to Foley, this book is a decent introduction to her style, though longtime fans may find it more familiar than fresh.

Verdict: 3.5/5

The Midnight Feast doesn’t break new ground, but it provides a satisfying, atmospheric read with enough mystery to keep you hooked—perfect for a cozy evening in, even if it leaves a little to be desired in character depth and shock value.