Libby has been the primary caregiver for her controlling mother for many years. Her mother was never a loving woman, she always put Libby down, calling her names, making her feel insecure, and feel worthless and good for nothing. Ever since childhood Libby felt trapped and unloved, but in her mothers later years, felt responsible to care for her until the end. After her mothers passing she unexpectedly wins tickets to the biggest event of the summer, Solstice. It is a huge music and alternative festival, held to celebrate the longest day of the year.

Feeling it not quite right to go, Libby begs off attending. Her best friend Dawn convinces her that it is just what she needs after her years of torment of minding her mother, and dealing with the complex feelings of grief and yet relief she currently feels at her passing. Finally convinced, Libby and Dawn head into the Welsh countryside for a weekend of sun and festivities. But what they expect to be a fun escapade soon turns into a complete and utter living nightmare. The sun bakes down on the crowd, who become more unpredictable, mysterious messages telling them to leave are left by their tent overnight, Dawn goes missing, and Libby soon finds herself wrapped up in the darker and more sinister origins of the festival. She begins to fear for her friend's life. Along with her own.

This is a fantastic and fast paced read. The premise working up to the arrival of Libby and Dawn at the festival sets the scene of the characters and their background to date well. Libby is timid, vulnerable and shy to act or react, preferring to think before she moves into a situation. Dawn however is happy to rush right in and think about it afterwards. Complete chalk and cheese, but they balance one another out perfectly as friends. Once we reach the festival, the pace amps up, with the tension starting to increase with the mysterious messages and Libby feeling like something is not right.

The writing works well in the dual timelines with newspaper articles and information clips spliced in to pepper interest. The time jumps give scattered information which help you build the picture of the mystery as we go along. The festival energy is written well, with the crowd surge coming across well, and making you curl your toes in anxiety as the crowd starts to get more and more hyped up and the feeling of tethering on the edge is conveyed. The pages were turning fast and frantic towards the end, and I could not put this one down!

*I received this book for review from NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

I loved this book! There were twists that I just didn't see coming! It had me gripped from the outset and I just couldn't put it down! I felt sorry for our main character Libby as it didn't seem that her mum had been kind to her throughout her life. Luckily she had a good friend in Dawn encouraging he rot try new things - if only they knew!! Brilliant read and I seemed to fly through it.

I can’t say that I enjoyed this as much as previous Louise Mumford novels; I found the main intrigue to be a bit too far fetched.

A thoroughly enjoyable thriller that blends folklore with psychological suspense. There’s an evocative sense of place and Mumford really knows how to draw the reader in. The characters are well formed, creating genuine tension and anxiety for them in this dark situation.

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I thought this was a great read and a little bit different. The story line, told in two timelines, kept me intrigued and guessing until the final twist

Started strong and fizzled out
Loved the atmosphere, the author is really good at that
Perfect, quick summer holiday read

Set mostly during a music festival in a small Welsh town, this novel is part thriller, part family mystery. I figured the twist out pretty quickly, but it was overall an enjoyable, if slightly forgettable, read.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest, independent review.

Libby is astonished to win two tickets to Solstice, the summer's most anticipated music festival celebrating the longest day of the year. Eager for a weekend of sun, fun, and festivities, she and her best friend Dawn venture into the picturesque Welsh countryside. However, what starts as an exciting weekend getaway quickly spirals into Libby’s worst nightmare.

The Festival by Louise Mumford is a gripping thriller that takes readers on a roller coaster ride. Mumford has a remarkable skill of weaving together suspense and emotion, creating a narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The lively festival setting serves as a perfect backdrop for a series of unexpected and thrilling events, with vivid descriptions that immerse the reader in the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of the festival.

As the plot unfolds, the tension escalates as secrets surface, revealing the true reason behind Libby’s win. This leads to a climax that is both surprising and satisfying. The dual perspectives – narrating both the present and Libby’s past – add depth to the story, allowing readers to understand her connection to the family that runs the festival.

The pacing is expertly managed, quickening as secrets are unveiled and Libby’s world becomes increasingly terrifying. The characters are well-developed, with Dawn’s confidence providing a striking contrast to Libby’s reserved and shy character.

Louise Mumford has crafted a story that lingers in your mind long after you've turned the last page. I highly recommend The Festival to anyone seeking a captivating and thrilling read.

The Festival - Louise Mumford.

Another story by author Louise Mumford which is quite a gnarly read. The Festival is the story of Libby and the Blake family. The family behind the epic music festival Solstice and the more exclusive part of the festival which is surrounded by mystery - Sanctum. Everyone wants to know what happens in Sanctum.

Libby is the care giver for her mother who has never loved Libby. In fact her mother has always put down Libby as plain and good for nothing. After her death, Libby's best friend Dawn convinces Libby to attend the sought after festival Solstice for a change of scene. Once there Dawn's effort is to somehow wiggle her way into the super exclusive sessions of Sanctum. Libby and Dawn reach the festival and are trying to have a good time, when mysterious well wishers start sending them messages to leave the festival for their own good. They obviously ignore them. And then, Dawn goes missing.
In her effort to find Dawn, Libby unravels the mystery and her own legacy.

I loved the entire aura of mystery, the taut and tense atmosphere and the dual timelines. It's heavy read, a perfect psychological thriller that will pull you in completely.

I did enjoy this book and I enjoyed coming back to it each time. I had thought I would have no interest in 'a festival' but the story line was strong. The main characters are two long time friends Libby and Dawn, young women who might live next door. to me. When an opportunity comes with free tickets for a festival in Wales, they set off on a bigger adventure than they ever realised. Libby and Dawn are naive and very likeable, Libby in particular has lived a sad life. I knew I would have to find out how the book evolved.
Louise Mumford has not been writing for long and I look forward to many more books by this author.

This book is based around a music festival so it appealed to me

It was a quick read

I enjoyed it

This was a quick read mystery but did not make me it hard to work out what was happening and why.
Characters did not appeal to me and I probably forget what happened in a couple of weeks
I liked the idea of this book but i feel it did not deliver
Not sure if i will read this author again.

Libby, after the recent death of her controlling mother, wins tickets to the Solstice Festival in rural Wales. Dawn convinces her it’s the much-needed escape she needs.

However, the festival is not as it seems. Soon after arriving, Dawn mysteriously disappears, and Libby discovers the unsettling history of the event, intertwining local folklore and sinister secrets from the past.

As Libby struggles to uncover the truth, the festival transforms into a place of growing danger, leading her to question not just the origins of the event, but whether she will make it out alive.

The story is well paced, with the tension ramping up as soon as Libby and Dawn arrive at the festival. The first half of the book builds suspense and lays out the eerie atmosphere, the latter half heads toward an unpredictable climax, throwing in twists and red herrings along the way.

Whilst predominantly told in the third person, the narrative is peppered with newspaper articles and excerpts from documentaries which always grabs my interest! It’s set mainly in the present day with chapters taking us back twenty years earlier.

The characters are well developed, with Libby standing out as a relatable, but slightly vulnerable, protagonist. Her journey from grieving daughter to a determined woman trying to survive the nightmare at the festival adds depth to the character. Dawn, is Libby’s opposite - rushing into things head first with little thought or concern. The Blake family was central to the plot, and my opinion of each of them changes many times.

It’s an atmospheric and twisty thriller that blends suspense, folklore, and psychological tension. Mumford’s vivid descriptions had me feeling the panic of the feral crowd, giving me real Woodstock ‘99 vibes.

This is my second Louise Mumford and I definitely plan to read more :)

Libby finds herself with 2 tickets to the most exclusive music festival of the year. However accepting these tickets might be the biggest mistake she has ever made.

The Festival is an easy slow burn summer read. It is full of mystery and folklore as the music festival is linked to the sacred standing stones.

I wanted to love this however I felt the end was quite rushed whereas the start was quite slow.

I thought this was a great read and a little bit different. The story line, told in two timelines, kept me intrigued and guessing until the final twist.

Twenty-year-old Libby Corrigan, struggling through a tough period in her life, decides to let loose on a night out with her best friend, Dawn. To Dawn's delight, Libby wins two highly sought-after tickets to Solstice, a music festival set in the picturesque Welsh countryside. Despite her initial reluctance, Dawn’s enthusiasm persuades Libby to attend.

The story unfolds in dual timelines and incorporates mixed media elements. With its fast-paced narrative, it makes for an engaging and relaxing holiday read. Will Libby’s decision to step out of her comfort zone lead to unexpected revelations or regret?

This book is perfect for unwinding and enjoying a break from routine.

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3.5⭐️

Enjoyable story with a few twists that I was surprised by. Probably won’t remember it in a few days though.

Thank you Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great summer mystery novel, which I found very gripping. It has a nice twist at the end, and I really felt the sense of place was excellently drawn.

A very enjoyable book that was a very quick read.
Fast paced with lots of twists and suspense and family drama thrown in, overall a good read.

Louise Mumford is the current queen of suspense and once again she doesn’t disappoint, a thoroughly gripping read!