Enjoyed this at first but by the end I was rolling my eyes. Way, way too many people turned out to be another character already introduced. Spoilers ahead: 50% of the way through the book I said to myself, if this detective turns out to be the long-lost brother I'm going to lose it. I lost it. An entertaining read but by no means my favorite.

3.5 stars, rounded up

The story is told around a Midnight Feast hosted at the opening of an exclusive resort. The resort is owned by Francesca who is a wellness guru (gag). One of the guests, Bella, spent time in the area when she was younger and is looking to find closure for something that happened in the past.

4 characters narrate the story right before and leading up to the Midnight Feast. Another narrator, a police office, investigates the aftermath of the Midnight Feast, which included a death. There also is a summer journal which was written 15 years ago which gives us insight into a tragedy that happened back then.

It's less confusing than it sounds - I was a little lost during the first few chapters that jumped around, but got into it fairly quickly. I knew the different characters would have reveals about them (since otherwise it would be a lame thriller) and I enjoyed getting to them. It felt very believable for how they all ended up together.

It was a bit of a slow pace but not awful. It drove me nuts how many of the chapters ended on a cliffhanger. That's something which can be done successfully (John Marrs is an expert at that) but it was irritating here and felt overdone in a way to falsely ratchet up the suspense.

The voices of the characters sounded similar so sometimes I was going back to the beginning of the chapter to see who's narrating. I would've preferred more differentiation. It also felt jarring that the non-police chapters were all 1st person but the police chapters were 3rd person. I understand "why" but it could have been done in a less jarring way.

I was left with some questions like: <spoiler> why were the twins locked in the wine cellar? Assuming Michelle did it, why? She didn't know the place was going to burn down. How did the empty journal end up back at the hotel? It was in the car so it should have stayed in the car. </spoiler>

The book kept me entertained and had a satisfying resolution. Overall, a decent thriller from Lucy Foley.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this advance review copy.

Ok, so I loved The Guest List and then found The Paris Apartment to be kind of mediocre as a follow up; this is a throw back to The Guest List and I'm here for it! Loved the bouncing back and forth to past, super past and present, loved all the connections between everyone. Lots of little twists I didn't see coming. Definitely recommend!

This book reiterated the fact that you can hide behind pseudonyms and a facade of wellness and light, but true character and experiences do not disappear. Francesca or Frankie as she was known when younger tried so hard to make herself appear peaceful.and angelic as she floated around the manor. The midnight feast symbolized health and unity; however, with the audience she attracted and the amount of money paid, it quickly escalated into hedonism and pure excess at the detriment of health and well being. Bella came to the event in order to face the events that resulted in an untimely death as well as the family who utilized their wealth and power to demean her and Jake and make the "problem" go away. it was interesting to observe how the people in the town rebelled against the manor but due to the economy of Tome, had no choice but to work there such as Eddie and Michelle. They felt the Francesca and Owen didn't appreciate the land and the history of the Birds and their capability for revenge. This book is truly s page turner and necessitates another read due to the complexity and evolution of the characters. Great read.

I love her books and this one was good but was not my favorite of hers. I appreciate the ARC to read before this was released! :)

Lucy Foley at her best - seamless multiple POVs, well-rounded characters, and nothing is as it seems.

I have a lot of thoughts about this book, but I'll keep it short and sweet. This book has a good story but I feel like nothing happened until the last 20-25% when everything started to fall into place and happening. A lot of the beginning is learning about the various characters and their past. And things that seem important become important in the end. The ending is good, but it takes longer to get there than I thought it would.

UGH. I am on the struggle bus for this novel. There really wasn't adequate character development or even plot development. It's a shame because I really liked The Guest List. This was so slow and like several other reviewers mentioned that while it did pick up a bit when we got to the diary part it just wasn't enough. There was so much potential but it fell miserably short. I'm not giving up on you Lucy and will read The Paris Apartment next! :-)

Thank you to William Morrow and Net Galley for the opportunity to read The Midnight Feast before publication June 2024.

Craving a getaway to the sun-kissed shores of the Italian Riviera, I eagerly dove into Lucy Foley's "Midnight Feast," and boy, did it deliver! From the tantalizing descriptions to the simmering tensions, this book whisked me away to a world of indulgence and intrigue.

As I joined the eclectic group of characters at the luxurious villa, I could practically feel the warm Mediterranean breeze and smell the savory aromas wafting from the kitchen. Foley's vivid prose painted such a vivid picture that I was fully immersed in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Italy.

But beneath the surface of this idyllic setting, there lurked a tangled web of secrets and lies. With each page turn, I found myself drawn deeper into the drama, eagerly trying to piece together the puzzle before the final reveal. And let me tell you, the ending did not disappoint!

One of the highlights for me was Foley's ability to create such richly drawn characters. Each one felt like a fully fleshed-out individual, with their own quirks, flaws, and motivations. I found myself rooting for some and distrusting others, keeping me on my toes until the very end.

In "Midnight Feast," Lucy Foley serves up a literary feast that satisfies on every level. It's a delicious blend of mystery, romance, and suspense that kept me guessing until the final page. So if you're looking for an escape that's as satisfying as a gourmet meal, I highly recommend giving "Midnight Feast" a taste. You won't be disappointed!

Unfortunately, I really couldn't get into this book. The writing felt choppy, and maybe that is just how Lucy Foley's writing is. This was my first book of hers, and it felt very slow. Maybe at a different time in life, I can try again, but for now, this just wasn't for me.

This was a great twisty mystery that unfolded so well and just kept you guessing until the end. I wouldn’t say this was really a locked room mystery for me since the main characters weren’t isolated together. I loved all the layers that were uncovered slowly with the alternating POV as well as timelines and with the insertion of the journal entries which helps you figure out why all these people were brought together for the opening weekend of hotel. I love the way the local legend of the haunted forest and the birds plays a huge part in the mystery and the ending was just so satisfying.

Thanks to William Morrow and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

I am a big fan of Lucy Foley, but The Midnight Feast took a while before it grabbed hold of me. It was slow at times, but it was likely necessary to develop some of the characters. I love how she weaves the different timelines throughout the book. The twists are amazing and not predictable, which is a must for me. Thank you to William Morrow, Lucy Foley, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this Arc in exchange for my honest review.

This is one of those books that, once you finish, you’ll wish you could read it all over again with fresh eyes.
This is truly a gem among books.. I finished this in one day, I simply couldn’t put it down. This is an insanely fast paced, twisty thriller with surprises in every chapter. The writing is brilliant, easy to follow, and easily gives depth to each character that’s introduced.
This was a first by this author for me, and she has garnered herself a new fan. I highly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a good thriller with twists and turns, but beware!- the world around you will seem to dull in comparison…

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley is a thriller mystery told from multiple characters about a weekend at a ridiculously upscale manor in England and how it ties back to the past in the little village. The Manor is run by social media figurehead, Francesca, who is the epitome of the Insta crystal girlie, and her new husband, popular architect Owen. You 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.

I really expected it to be hard to keep track of 5 different viewpoints but it all was pretty easy to follow. Some of the characters are incredibly unlikable, which I’m pretty sure was intentional but the others were sympathetic, especially when you understand how everyone is connected. I did guess some of the twists but some were pretty wild, so it was still a satisfying ending. I was a little thrown off by some of the less common English slang throughout so I did have to do a bit of googling. It was my first Lucy Foley book, but I definitely enjoyed it so I’ll be checking out some others.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for letting me read & review this book!

The premise is that this "wellness" or luxury retreat just opened and there's a lot of rich people there but the locals are very unhappy. Then, it's revealed that something bad happened the night of the solstice. The story is from 3 timelines and 4 main perspectives: 15 years ago, the time before the solstice event, and the time after the solstice. The 4 character perspectives are Francesca, the rich woman who build the retreat; Owen, her architect husband; Eddie, the local boy who works at the retreat; and Bella, a woman who seems to know Francesca from before. Throughout the novel there are also diary entries from 15 years ago about Sparrow and Frankie. The whole book is about trying to figure out what happened 15 years ago and what happened the night of the solstice.

This book was a little bit slow to get into, the setting was very much giving White Lotus with a hint of Midsommer, which is not really my vibe. But, around midway I got pretty invested and really wanted to know what was happening with the 2 mystery plot lines.

I do appreciate that there were fewer main characters than The Paris Apartment as it was easier to keep track of everything that was going on. That said, Francesca was so unlikeable that her pov was a little harder to read. I didn't mind Owen, Eddie, or Bella though, their characters were so interesting that it made up for their unlikeable character points.

The big plot twists were all identity-related, and I think I'm terrible at figuring stuff out because I didn't figure out a single one of them. One was so surprising and made me really happy so it was worth it to get to.

Overall an interesting read, not my favorite thriller of all time, but a fun one to read. Highly recommend if you liked The Paris Apartment. Thank you to NetGalley + William Morrow for this ARC!

I really didn’t like The Paris Apartment, but I stayed up until like 3 am to finish The Guest List, and I think this book falls right in between!

The first half was very slow, but the second half definitely picked up the pace. I struggled with keeping up with the characters and their various identities until half way through. I think that’s where Foley hit her stride in writing and I hit mine as the reader.

The book was folklore meets eat the rich meets spirituality. A lot going on but wasn’t gripping or shocking for me. Another thriller that I’ve read recently that made me go “oh” and move on. I did actually like the ending though which I think is tough for this genre.

Ahhhh I was excited to get this arc because I know Lucy Foley is so loved for her thrillers. I was struggling with all the POV and atmospheric details (all the things she’s popular for) lols so I’m sure others will love but it wasn’t for me. Talented writer

Lucy Foley has the ability to build atmosphere and suspense by making all of her characters *just* nutty enough that you never know who will snap. There were several twists in The Midnight Feast that I found surprising and effective. 3.75 stars. This review can also be found on my goodreads account: goodreads.com/kaylapearce

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Lucy Foley has done it again, written a captivating, and extremely clever 5-star worthy psychological thriller.

The Midnight Feast is a sumptuous banquet of suspense, served with a generous helping of mystery and a dash of pagan folklore.

Set against the backdrop of The Manor's grand opening, Foley invites readers to a celebration that quickly turns into a sinister affair. The novel's opulent setting—an exclusive retreat with sparkling infinity pools and healing crystal pouches—contrasts sharply with the bristling ancient forest that harbors whispers of the Night Birds, a mythical force of vengeance.

Foley masterfully weaves a narrative that is as intricate as the Manor's own labyrinthine corridors. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, including The Founder, The Husband, The Mystery Guest, and The Kitchen Help, each bringing their own secrets and agendas to the table. As the plot thickens with the discovery of a body following a mysterious fire, the question of who—or what—is responsible hangs over the Manor like a shroud.

The author's deft handling of suspense keeps the pages turning, while the well-developed characters ensure that readers are emotionally invested in the outcome. The Midnight Feast is a mystery for the modern age, echoing the classic whodunit style of Agatha Christie, yet infused with contemporary flair. Foley's latest offering is a testament to her ability to craft a compelling thriller that is both darkly funny and chillingly unpredictable.

In conclusion, The Midnight Feast is a delectable treat for fans of the genre, blending the traditional elements of a murder mystery with fresh, modern twists. Foley's narrative is a rich tapestry of intrigue, with every thread meticulously placed to lead the reader through a maze of lies and secrets. It's a novel that not only entertains but also lingers in the mind long after the last page is turned.

Highly recommended for those who relish a good mystery with a side of psychological depth.

Thank you to netgalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Probably her best work yet! It was dark, immediately captivating, mysterious and full of twists and turns at the end! It’s not your typical mystery/ thriller setting and was quite refreshing!