I was really excited to receive this ARC from NetGalley, but unfortunately this book wasn’t for me. I really wanted to like this book, but the storyline and pacing was a bit slow. The book switches through several different time periods and multiple POV’s. It’s a bit to keep track of. I won’t stop reading Lucy Foley books, as I generally like the stories she weaves and her writing style. I wish I would’ve liked this one more.

Thank you NetGalley for the pre-release of The Midnight Feast.

After reading some of Lucy Foley’s other novels, I was really excited to read her newest. Sadly, the story line, time jumps, and switching characters were really tough to follow and lacked the suspense to draw me in.

What a fun ride!

If you could stop someone from doing something or if you could right a wrong later in life, would you?

This one kept you on your toes and paying extra close attention!

This was a non-stop, multi-pov, non-linear story that wove quite a tale. It was so interesting to have things slowly revealed by different people so you could see the different ways that things unfolded and were perceived. It really also helped you understand the mindsets of each of the characters and see their true motivations.

It had a slow start and really ramped up towards the middle-end. Without any spoilers, this was quite a fun one and, with short chapters, it’s so easy to say just one more.

Thank you so much to the author, Lucy Foley, William Morrow and NetGalley for the eARC of The Midnight Feast!

<b>3.25 stars (really specific rating!) because it wasn’t quite a 3.5 but was better than a 3 star</b>

Lucy Foley has been hit or miss for me. I really enjoyed <i>The Paris Apartment</i> but <i>The Hunting Party</i> I didn’t like at all and <i>The Guest List</i> I thought was okay.

Anyway, this book follows the opening weekend of a luxury hotel juxtaposed with with happened in the area years previously.

My biggest criticism of this book is definitely the slow pacing and lack of thrills. By nature, a thriller should have thrilling moments and excitement, but the pacing of this was rather slow and it didn’t have that sense of urgency that most thrillers have.

I did find the story to be interesting, and I liked seeing the present and past storylines come together. I also thought the book was well written. I just would have liked some more tension. I did find some of the twists to be unexpected which made for an enjoyable read.

While not a favorite thriller of mine, it was still an interesting read with plenty of twists and turns.

The last half of the Midnight Feast had so many fantastic twists. Intertwining multiple points of views and two time lines made this a quick read. I enjoyed the short chapters and the constant guessing. While I thought I had it all figured out, I was happily surprised that I didn’t.

This may be my favorite Lucy Foley book. I just felt more of a connection to the characters and the murder setting was really intriguing. I think some of her past books have no good characters to root for which made it hard for me to fully immerse myself in the story. This book had characters who were complex, but not particularly evil. I liked the spiritual wellness resort setting and thought it was a unique perspective on the negatives of classism. I thought the ending was stratifying, if not a bit anti climatic but I feel that way about most mysteries. I docked a star because while I enjoyed it, it did have some minor issues in terms of plot holes and rushed pacing. But overall, very enjoyable and a fast read!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
I have always enjoyed Lucy Foley’s books and was so excited to read this ARC.
Welcome to The Manor, a holistic retreat for the rich. The owner, Francesca, seems calm, relaxed, and a freebird but her past has finally came back to haunt her. The people of town are not happy with The Manor and they’re not afraid to let it be known.
The whole book is giving witchy, culty, spooky vibes. I really enjoyed it. But the book felt a long which made the beginning drag a little. Otherwise, book was a fun read. The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley is released on June 18, 2024! Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Mystery Thriller in which five people converge at the solstice opening for a luxury resort built on top of old secrets in an ancient wood and not everyone will survive.

4/5 stars: This is Foley's newest stand-alone Mystery Thriller that features five people who converge at the solstice opening weekend for a luxury resort built on top of old secrets in an ancient English wood and not everyone will survive. With plenty of plot twists, Foley writes a gripping mystery that will leave you guessing till the final reveal. I really like how Foley slowly unfolds the story and deftly weaves everything together, especially the pagan elements. Additionally, Foley's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. Told in multiple POVs: Francesca – the founder, her architect husband – Owen, Bella – the mystery guest, Eddie – the kitchen help and DI Walker – the detective. Each character is distinct and even the secondary characters hold their own. Foley touches on some sensitive subjects, so take care and check the CWs. You won't want to miss this great read!

I received this eARC thanks to William Morrow in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

This book is like if the HBO series “The White Lotus” had a baby with Agatha Christie, and then raised it in a small town on the English seaside. I ate it up!

The Midnight Feast follows several POVs as a luxurious new vacation destination called “The Manor” prepares for their opening weekend and exclusive summer solstice event. There are several intertwined story lines and dark secrets being kept between the manor owner, the staff, the guests, and the locals…not to mention a creepy occult urban legend about “the birds.”

This was a quick and engaging read. My only complaint is that many of the characters felt like “caricatures,” but it kind of fit the vibe.

Thank you to Netgalley & William Morrow for the ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars. Fun, spooky, absorbing read! I don't love split timelines but I actually enjoyed how this one was laid out. I was properly creeped out for some of the scenes! Francesca is a grotesque character who is easy to hate, but it was interesting getting to know all of the other characters (those twists!!) and I managed to keep most of them straight. I'm pretty sure I didn't understand everything that happened in this book (it seemed like there were a few details that were never really addressed), but I have no idea if it's because I'm not smart enough/I didn't pay enough attention or if it was the plot/writing. Regardless, I was entertained and enjoyed the read.
My thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC via netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Lucy Foley does it again with a fantastic multi-character perspective that ties up beautifully in the end. Bella arrives at The Manor for the grand opening with less than pure motives. For Francesca, the opening of The Manor is everything she’s worked toward her entire life. Flashbacks intertwine Bella and Francesca’s stories and by the end, you can’t put it down because you’re desperate to know how it ends. Thanks so much to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC - all opinions are my own.

3.5/5 Stars
*ARC Review*

I've always heard great things about Lucy Foley's writing, but I had yet to jump into her thriller world. Reading Midnight Feast was a fun and exciting journey, and I can see why people enjoy her novels so much. I had some issues with the pacing and twist heavy aspects of the novel, but it was overall a positive experience.

It did take me quite a while to get into the book as I was reading. Foley is known for writing about unlikable characters, but I found most of them either too annoying or too boring to really grasp onto. I enjoy books where I can feel like I'm rooting for people I like to win, but I just wasn't getting that sense when the story started. As time went on and the plot got more involved, I found myself enjoying it more and more, and by the end, I was invested in the characters' arcs. Foley's writing was strong throughout, it was just the plot I had a hard time getting into. In particular, I never really got into the cult aspects of the book, and felt like they only added confusion into an otherwise fascinating story. The book felt like an upward climb for the first 150 pages, but like any good hike, I was glad when I reached the top and felt much lighter on the way down.

My only drawback from the second half of the novel was the endless barrage of twists happening in seemingly every other chapter. I found myself excited and surprised in the best way by the first few, then slightly confused by the next, and finally feeling like it was all too convenient in the end. No spoilers until the book is released, but there's just a lot of coincidences that make all the revelations work. Still, overall I found myself in awe of Foley's ability to lay the foundation for these interesting twists, and the drama of the third act was so perfectly tense and action filled, I could forgive a few convenient connections for the sake of the plot.

This book isn't going to the top of my favorites list, but I think it's an enjoyable journey that I will definitely be recommending to people for a exciting summer read. It made me excited to dive into some of Foley's other novels and see how they compare to her latest. This story might not have entirely worked for me, but Foley's gripping writing style will make anyone who ventures in glad for the overall experience.

The midnight feast is decadent with setting, with mood and detail, and is a summer treat that makes me want to stay out late lounging under twinkle lights with a mojito and a good book.

A treat, a feast if you will, for mystery lovers and new and old fans of Lucy Foley! Thank you to Willam Morrow for the early review copy.
Foley succeeds in creating a tension filled story that pulls the reader into mystery and intrigue, a locked room delight filled with well paced reveals while keeping the reader guessing.
Foley always captures a sense of unraveling/unease so well and the best part of her books is seeing how she weaves the story together, laying out a puzzle and letting the reader enjoy the way the pieces fall into place. T

The Midnight Feast is a masterfully crafted locked room murder mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Known for her gripping narratives in The Guest List and The Paris Apartment, the author delivers once again with a tantalizing blend of suspense and intrigue. The story is set against the lavish backdrop of The Manor's opening night, where opulence and tension mix dangerously under the midsummer sun.
As guests indulge in luxurious amenities and signature cocktails, dark secrets and old grudges simmer beneath the surface. When a body is discovered following a fire, the narrative takes a thrilling turn. The author skillfully weaves together the perspectives of the founder, the husband, the mystery guest, and the kitchen help, unraveling a fifteen-year-old secret that leads to a shocking murder.
With its richly atmospheric setting and well-drawn characters, The Midnight Feast is a delectable treat for mystery lovers. While the multitude of perspectives can occasionally feel overwhelming, the twisty plot and clever revelations ensure this book is a satisfying read. The author's knack for building suspense and delivering unexpected twists earns this novel a well-deserved four stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Lucy Foley is an auto-buy author for me, so I was excited to pick up her new release, The Midnight Feast. I'm a sucker for locked room mysteries and rich people behaving badly, so the blurb for this one grabbed me right away. This will not rate as my favorite Lucy Foley book (The Guest List holds that honor) but it was a solid thriller and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to immerse myself inside of Foley's twisty brain.

The setting for this book is beautiful and Foley sets the scenes so vividly that I could feel the damp night air on my skin and smell the sea. It's also easy to feel the tension ramping up as you read further into this story. These pages flew by for me because I was invested in the characters and kept wanting "just one more chapter" before I put the book down for the night.

However, there were a lot of characters to get to know (5 mains and many sides), many of whom are categorically unlikable. Once you settle into the story it gets easier to remember who is who, but the beginning was a bit confusing until I spent more time in this world. The folklore element was very intriguing to me and I wish we got even more of that in this story. Lastly, there's a bit of teen angst in journal entries throughout the book. Reader know thyself if angsty teenage thoughts are not for you.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Lucy Foley for the opportunity to read an advanced review copy of The Midnight Feast in exchange for my honest review.

The summaries of Lucy Foley's books always intrigue me. I just can't seem to get along with her writing. I wish this wasn't the case but again, it was. I could not get into the story, the characters were lackluster to me. I did not care for the weird hotel atmosphere or the clients of the hotel. This was not for me and I don't think I will be picking up another Lucy Foley book.

I initially thought The Midnight Feast was going to be a slow burn, but after a few chapters I realized how wrong I was. The Midnight Feast became a book that was hard to put down, switching between present day and multiple time-points, but all focused on the Manor: an estate nestled in the Woodlands. The Woodlands is a luxurious estate owned by Francesca's family, but the rest of the community is struggling to make ends meet. In childhood, Francesca becomes friends with some of the locals, one in particular, who then comes back fifteen years later when Francesca opens up the Manor as a luxury getaway. In present day, a dead body washes up on shore and the book takes us through a story as we try to uncover who the dead body is... and what other secrets The Manor holds. Excellent book and highly recommend for fans of Lucy Foley!

The midnight feast

The guest list was my first DNF ever so I was slightly worried about this book. But over all, I’d give this book a 5-star review!
It makes me want to give the guest list a second chance.

This book was a one-session read for me! I couldn’t put it down. I was worried I would get confused with how many perspectives there were but it was easy to keep everyone straight!

There were some intense moments sprinkled throughout that made you want to keep reading! I felt there was a healthy amount of twists and a great plot! Hope to read more from this author soon.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this!
I would give this a solid 3.5 stars. I'm not a diehard fan of Lucy Foley, but I really enjoyed the twisty, multi POV multi timeline arc of this story. I liked knowing right from the get go there was a murder, but having to pull together the pieces to see which of our main leads was actually dead and who could have been in the right place at the right time. I also really loved the epistolary flashback chapters from Bella's journal, where we learned and really solidified how creepy the woods could be. There was so much going on here but the timeline structure really came together well to leave you really invested in each storyline. The visualizations of the manor turned swanky hotel were really great, and I connected with the idea of a wellness hotel built overtop of a struggling but supportive poor society, and what that meant for each character.
I did have to suspend my disbelief in a few sections, particularly around everyone's 'fake' identities and who they truly were in each time period. That got a bit difficult to follow, and a bit farfetched that none of them would recognize each other. I thought the twists, around a) who was dead b) what happened in the woods years ago c) what happened with Jake were all really good, but also left a bit to be desired? I so wanted more.
The reveal of "The Birds" was excellent though. No way to discuss without spoilers, but thought this was just a brilliant move.

This is my first Lucy Foley book and I am so excited to get more into her thrilling stories. For me, it took a little bit to get into this one but I knew if I stuck with it I wouldn't regret it.

The Manor hotel is hosting a luxurious wellness weekend by the owner Francesca Meadows. She inherited this property and wants to bring it back to life despite all the drama surrounding it. She sees this as a new start as she's spent years trying to reinvent herself. Unfortunately for her, there's only so much she can do to keep the secrets and lies at bay. There are still many people who know the truths of the on goings of this property back in the day and they are coming out of the woodwork to make sure things are corrected. Especially the birds, and you don't want to upset them.

I loved how Lucy Foley was able to provide so many different point of views and not make it confusing. I was able to follow along with each one and be able to keep the story straight. I had so many different feelings towards all of the characters throughout the whole story it was hard to decide who was good or not. I loved the journal entries taking us back in time to provide context to this story and it really kept me guessing the whole time. Just when you think you are catching on to what is going to come she throws you for another loop and the process starts all over which is something I love in a good thriller book. I don't want to be able to figure it out but I love trying the whole time it really keeps me intrigued. I liked the folklore concerning the birds and how that played into things that happened.

Even though this took me a short bit to get perfectly hooked, once I was in I couldn't put this down. I HAD to know what happened! Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in advance in exchange for my honest review.