A resort’s grand opening turns nightmarish, ending in ashes and bodies by the weekend’s close.

Francesca Meadows spares no expense on The Manor’s grand debut—a luxury resort built along the Dorset coastline and backing into a dense bristle of forest. Touting specialty cocktails, wellness amenities, crystal pouches, and custom totes for each guest—The Manor feels like a dream with its glimmering lanterns. But as the linen-clad guests mingle under the midsummer sun, old enemies deceitfully lurk, and the ancient forest, disturbed by the revelry, seethes for reparations of transgressions past.

“Keep the birds happy!” Francesca’s grandfa warned.

As the solstice celebration approaches, cloaked enemies reveal themselves, and black feathers ominously flutter across the property. By morning, the resort is reduced to ashes, and bodies are discovered.

Through multiple perspectives, the story alternates between past and present, weaving a sinister narrative infused with folklore (reminiscent of Hitchcock’s The Birds). As identities and connections unravel, we question: What really happened? Is it ‘The Birds,’ a specter from Francesca’s past, or something else entirely? Who is dead, and what truly happened at the midnight feast?

Foley masterfully crafts a narrative shrouded in menace and mystery. Despite what sometimes felt like a bewildering array of characters and shifting timelines, the story accelerates to an exciting and shocking set of final chapters.

Everyone hides something in this locked-room mystery teeming with myth, murder, secrets, and scores to settle—a deliciously dark summertime escape.

I really tried to like it but it was such a sllooowww drag. I think maybe because there are just too mucj characters. I took a break so many times for this. The plot is interesting but didnt just wow me

Oh, how I loved this book! Full of twists and turns, this is Lucy Foley at her absolute best. The story unfolds through two timelines and multiple points of view, doling out little nuggets of information throughout. I thought I figured out one of the twists midway through the book, but I was wrong and it was EVEN BETTER than what I imagined! The reveals lead to an action packed climactic sequence that had me on the edge of my seat.This one was absolutely unputdownable!

Mini synopsis: a weekend retreat goes wrong when the past is relived & secrets get unburied. Oh & there’s also a body 🤷🏻‍♀️

In true Lucy Foley fashion, we have a ton of characters with all kinds of crazy backgrounds. I saw some reviews say it was hard to keep all the characters separate, but I didn’t find that to be the case for me. I thought they were distinct & easy to keep track of. Another strong Lucy Foley point is the short chapters! Really feels like you’re flying thru the book. And the constant perspective change is something I love! she kept me on my toes wanting to get back to certain people & scenes! As far as the plot goes, it’s a little all over for me. The “birds” element left me confused (is it really or not? I still don’t know!) it’s caught in between reality & legend where some things to me left me confused! I also thought it was a little unrealistic that some of these people didn’t recognize each other. I mean I know they all spent only one summer together but it was a traumatic summer so I feel like that should be scarred in their memory! Overall, a solid read! I liked this a lot more than the Paris Apartment so I’ll consider that a win in my book!

Read if you like:
🐦‍⬛ Creepy Bird Vibes
🐌 Slow Burn Pacing
⏳ Past and Present
#️⃣ Multiple POV
👯‍♀️ Mean Girl Friendships
💰 Badly Behaved Rich People

In this small town, there is folklore about “the birds” who right the wrongs against the town and it’s people. And let me tell you, the vibes from this aspect of the story telling make the vibes creepy and ominous AF!

This book is told in the past via journal entries from the summer that teenage Sparrow is taken under the wing of rich Frankie and they are ‘friends’ for the summer. In addition to the past at the Manor, we are also getting the timeline of before the Solstice, the day of, and the day after as something big happens the day of the Solstice 15 years later when Francesca is opening weekend of her luxury vacation spot on her inherited family estate, The Manor she has put together with her new Husband.

Throughout the book we get the POV of Sparrow’s diary entries from 15 years prior, Frankie, Eddie, Owen, and Bella leading up to the events during the solstice celebration as well as the DI’s POV the day after.

The mix of POV and secrets really kept me on my toes all the way through the final reveals and to the very last page!

If you are looking for a small town slower paced thriller with different POV that don’t necessarily make sense in the beginning but all come together so well by the end, I highly recommend this read!

Thank you so much to the publisher, William Morrow for my gifted ARC and finished copy in exchange for my honest review!

"Midnight Feast" by Lucy Foley captures the essence of intrigue and tension akin to a mix of "The White Lotus" and Agatha Christie's classic mysteries. Set amidst the luxurious backdrop of The Manor's opening weekend, Foley's narrative explores the clash between privileged guests and local community tensions, reminiscent of the social commentary and suspense found in "The White Lotus". Combined with Foley's knack for intricate storytelling and atmospheric suspense akin to Christie's mysteries, "Midnight Feast" promises a riveting read that keeps readers guessing until the very end.

I loved Lucy Foley's past books especially The Guest List and The Paris Apartment so I was excited to get into The Midnight Feast. The Manor is a historic house in the town Tomb, that is being made into a bougie hotel by owner Francesca Meadows who grew up in the town. The hotel seems like the perfect escape for privileged guests but Francesca's past becomes unraveled and not all the guests are just harmless guests. Through multiple POV we learn about a few characters past and what goes down at the midnight feast.

I really liked the different chapters representing different characters views especially the journal where we learned about Bella's past. I felt at times the book was really slow at times until I got to 80% through when anticipation was high and I couldn't put it down. It wasn't my favorite of Lucy's books, but I'm excited to read more from her in the future.

Lucy Foley does it again – a moody, atmospheric thriller with shocking twists and an unpredictable ending!

In a small coastal country town, Francesca Meadows inherits her grandfather’s land and turns it into an insanely expensive chic resort. However, the locals aren’t too happy about her invading their town and bringing hordes of uppity visitors along with her. Opening weekend for The Manor dawns on the summer solstice and all hell breaks loose. With many secret characters lurking in the shadows, it’s anyone’s guess as to who is behind the chaos. Francesca seems to have many enemies and people who would love to see her resort fail. What happens on the night of the summer solstice will surprise and enthrall you.

The book itself gets off to a bit of a slow start. It takes a while for the reader to finally be invested in the characters and their lives. But once things start to build, it’s nearly impossible to put the book down. There are two timelines (current day and 16 years ago) to the story, and both seem to be building to a large unfortunate event that will end in death and change the course of the characters’ lives forever. The multiple plotlines building at the same time constantly keeps the book interesting. The ending to the current day events is the big climax, and it was filled with twists and turns that the reader doesn’t see coming. Many truths are revealed, deaths displayed, and secrets come to light. The ending quarter of the book is extremely gripping and will have you putting off your daily commitments just to see how things end.

My only criticism would be in reference to the characters’ lack of depth. Many of the characters seemed very one-dimensional. Strictly out for revenge or transfixed on something that happened to them and unable to let those thoughts go. Even in a thriller that is more action-based than character-based, it would be nice to feel connected to the characters or understand them as people a little better.

I will recommend this book to all my followers. This is an excellent choice for Lucy Foley fans, thriller/mystery fans, or anyone who wants to find a book that will grip them with suspense and wondering.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley was a disappointment. Despite the intriguing premise, the story fell flat due to its one-dimensional characters and predictable plot. The pacing was painfully slow, making it a struggle to get through. Foley's previous works had me excited for this novel, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver the suspense and depth I expected. The twists were telegraphed far in advance, and the ending left much to be desired. Overall, this book felt like a rushed effort.

The rating for the movie was downgraded from 3.5 stars to 3. The chronological order of events in the movie was somewhat confusing. Moreover, the presence of numerous characters made it challenging to follow the storyline at certain points. However, the latter half of the movie significantly improved as I developed a stronger connection to the various characters and timelines.

Fifteen years later, Bella makes a clandestine return to the manor, concealing her true identity, with the intention of unraveling the hidden secrets from her past. The manor, which has now been transformed into an opulent hotel catering to the affluent, has caused discontent among the locals who feel their lives and land are being encroached upon. These elements from the past and present intertwine and impact each other. The movie concludes with some intriguing and unexpected plot twists.

Thank you to Net Galley and William Morrow Publishing for an advanced digital copy to read and review.

Thank you @williammorrowbooks for my #gifted copy!

In true Lucy Foley fashion, this locked room murder mystery contains secrets, likes, and murder. It’s the opening night of The Manor, and no expense, small or large, has been spared. The infinity pool sparkles; crystal pouches for guests’ healing have been placed in the Seaside Cottages and Woodland Hutches; the “Manor Mule” cocktail is being poured with a heavy hand. Everyone is wearing linen It all began with a secret, fifteen years ago. Now the past has crashed the party. And it’ll end in murder at The Midnight Feast.

With a mix of characters that were easy to care about, some that were questionable, and others that just seemed to be evil, I devoured this book. I love how we learn a little more backstory for each character with each passing chapter. The setting of this book felt like its own character and the folklore of the birds added to the creepy setting. In addition to the multiple pots there were multiple time lines to keep track of as well, but they were clearly defined and easily recognizable as to what time frame you were in at the moment. I did see some of the twists coming and almost figured out who was murdered before the end, but these were not spoilers for me. The last 25% I couldn’t turn pages fast enough!

This was just okay. I love Lucy Foley and was really excited to get a copy of this but it was a bit of a flop. There were too many characters for me to keep straight and got lost trying to remember. I enjoyed the setting and the birds folklore.
Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow books for my ARC
3 out of 5 star

If you liked The Guest List or The Hunting Party, I think you'll like this better. With interwoven, multiple points of view and timelines, the framework of this book is honestly so clever and well engineered. In the world of modern thrillers, I really don't think anyone does it better than Lucy Foley.

This is a book that blends the past and present, where characters are brought together in adulthood for the grand opening of a luxury hotel built at the edge of hallowed woods where local superstitions thrive and loom ever-present, and all you know is that during the summer solstice, the highlight of the hotel's extravagant festivities when all events culminate, there's been a reckoning—a body found, a fire set.

And from there, it's a matter of working your way backwards, digging into the distant past, and finding out the purpose of every player assembled on the chess board with the unspoken promise that no one is who they seem to be.

I love books that ask just a little bit more from the reader, whether that's patience or your undivided attention. I also love when you're rewarded for both those things, and The Midnight Feast does that and more with so many surprise unveilings and connections I never could have seen coming. My absolute favorite part is how all the threads intersect and meet, leaving no loose ends unexamined or explained. There's no putting this one down once you've started!

Thank you so much to William Morrow and Lucy Foley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was somewhat of a flop for me, which is surprising since I have really enjoyed a lot of past work from Lucy Foley. I found myself getting lost in the long list of characters and trying to keep them straight instead of focusing on the actual plot for a good portion of the book. Between the characters changing their names and then they didn't recognize each other from their past? I found that somewhat hard to believe. Without spoiling anything, I wish this would have focused more on the "birds". This could have really enhanced the suspense and mystery of the story. I feel like the focus was split on too many mysteries and as the reader it seemed this book didn't have a true focus.

I liked this one, but didn't love it. I think there were too many characters to follow between the timelines and it took me a while to get into it. The last third was good and the pace really picked up. Interesting and would make a great show.

Summertime in Dorset during the opening night of the luxury resort, the wealthy relax and party. The owner of the manor is Francesca, who inherited it from her grandfa, and with her help of her husband, Owen, turned it into the it place to be for the London elite. Wonderful setting, and I felt like I was there at the English seaside during a summer solstice. One of the guests is Bella, who left her baby at home with her mom, to be here. She isn't the elite this manor is gears towards, she is here for personal reasons. There is something that happened here while he was vacationing here 15 years ago, and she wants closure.

As much as I enjoyed the premise and was excited to read it, it the story suffered from too many characters, POVs, and too frequent timeline jumps. It was fairly easy to follow but it took away from me getting invested into the story and characters. One of the POVs is Bella's journal that she left behind and we get the idea on what happened here while she was a teenager. The ending was satisfying, however the idea that no one recognized each other from 15 years ago, is a big stretch. That part felt like a cop-out.

Thank you NetGalley and William Marrow, the publisher, for an early access to this book.

Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for an ARC of The Midnight Feast in exchange for my honest opinions.
Lucy Foley crafts an atmospheric mystery that is the right blend of posh and creepy - in a way that you can't look away and need to know both what happened in the past and what's happening now in the present.
Francesca Meadows has just opened a luxurious retreat called The Manor, erected on the site of the house of her grandparents, where she used to spend her summers. The Manor is sold out for its opening weekend (and far into the future, too), although some construction of the last units remains ongoing. Francesca has a history with some of the staff and a guest in disguise, going back many years to her summers staying with her grandparents. Told via multiple POV in the present and journal entries from the past, The Midnight Feast is slow paced but still engaging. I was up early reading this on the back porch while staying with my friend last weekend, after taking a few days away from the book. The middle portion seemed to drag a bit, but I was very glad that I stuck with it and finished the book because I loved the ending. I recommend checking it out, and it's available everywhere now.

Lucy Foley's The Midnight Feast is a thrilling and atmospheric novel that masterfully blends opulence with suspense. Set against the luxurious backdrop of The Manor's opening night, where no detail is overlooked—from the sparkling infinity pool to the meticulously crafted cocktails—Foley paints a vivid picture of extravagance shadowed by impending doom. The story weaves through a tapestry of old friends and enemies, all converging under the midsummer sun, while the surrounding ancient forest brims with secrets. The tension escalates when a fire breaks out and a body is discovered, drawing local police into a tangled web of intrigue and hidden pasts. With richly drawn characters—the founder, the husband, the mystery guest, and the kitchen help—each carrying secrets from fifteen years ago, Foley crafts a gripping narrative that explores how the past can crash even the most lavish of parties, leading to deadly consequences. The Midnight Feast is a compelling read that keeps you guessing until the very end.

Unfortunately I DNF this book at 30%. I tried, I really tried! There were multiple POVs and multiple timelines, and I felt myself consistently getting lost. I gathered that the premise is a fancy boutique resort opening on precious land that runs deep with history in the local community. I have a feeling that the various characters were going to collide at some point, presumptuously to create very needed conflict, but I could not make myself trudge through any more to get there. I felt the same way about The Midnight Feast. as I have some recent Ruth Ware books--too many characters and not enough suspense. Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest feedback!

**Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Lucy Foley for an ARC of this book!**

"If you go down to the woods today
You better go in disguise
If you go down to the woods today
Beware of a big surprise..."

Imagine an estate so grand, so ominous, and so unique that rather than having a ostentatious name, it holds enough gravitas to simply be called The Manor. This sprawling property overlooks the water, with lakeside cabins and seaside views to boot, and should bring an aura of peace...at least, that's the goal. Lanterns light the night skies, and although the eerie woods are close by, the promise of tranquility hangs in the air. Owner Francesca has been working tirelessly to prepare the Manor for its opening night affair...and the time is FINALLY here. With crystals in each room and white linen outfits for the guests to wear, she and husband Owen have carefully worked to curate a VERY specific 'experience' for their guests.

But when Bella arrives at the Manor, she has more on her mind than a simple escape to the Dorset coast. Though she keeps her intentions close to the vest, Bella has an INTIMATE knowledge of this area...and the terrifying folklore that accompanies it. Many years ago, 'the Birds' were first spotted...but nobody knows exactly WHO these costumed menaces are or what they want...at least, nobody who is prepared to share that information with all of the guests at the resort. Francesca "Frankie" remembers her many years of Midnight Feasts and mischief in this very area fondly...but does someone ELSE remember them too? Is Eddie the busboy truly just an innocent member of the staff...or will a chance romantic encounter with guest Bella drag him into the middle of a dark mythology that is slowly coming to life? And when a body turns up in the water the day after the solstice...is this confirmation that the Birds have returned to take yet ANOTHER victim for their own?

Lucy Foley has settled comfortably in the multi-POV, locked room mystery space for some time now, and in many ways...it's the perfect space for her to occupy. All of her books have this structure that feels familiar and it's normally pretty easy to get into the groove. Usually by the time we have rotated through each POV a couple of times, I feel a sense of familiarity with the tone, the 'direction' of the plot, and have a pretty good sense of who exactly her (usually sort of unlikable) characters are, not to mention feel the eerie chill of her atmospheric writing envelope me, taking me to the gothic mansion/apartment building/estate of the day.

In this one, however? Foley's ambition and drive to include nods to SO many horror greats, from Hitchcock's the Birds, to Midsommar, to the Blair Witch Project, to the Wicker Man left me dizzier than a kid who just spent two or three hours riding nonstop on a Tilt-O-Whirl...and in a way, almost as nauseated.

For starters, you're going to have to have some patience from page one: Foley's set up in this one includes timeline jumps, random quotes, mention of the Solstice and of Opening Night before you understand what ANY of these things mean. There's also a couple of lines before the Prologue that I just went back to for reference, having read the entire book....and nope, they weren't needed and certainly don't feel any more important to the plot now than they did on first read. Although our five POVs get established quickly (Francesca, Bella, Eddie, Owen, and DI Walker, plus an unnamed journal writer), I felt like it took me a good 50-60% of the book at LEAST to know them on any sort of deep level. (And sorry DI Walker, I think your character could have participated in far less of this one without much impact...you have the unfortunate honor of being the least memorable voice by far). While an investigation was necessary, Foley could have cut down these sections significantly or moved them all to the second half of the book without missing a beat.

Without a solid character to 'root for', this book also felt like it was instead just ACHING for the plot to move...but move, it did not. UNTIL about 80% of the way through the story. Yep, that's right. To get to the meat and potatoes of this one...I wasn't kidding when I said you'd need to be patient. I'll be honest, I had just about assumed this book was going to go the way of the Paris Apartment and that all of the meandering, bird talk, back and forth between Francesca and Owen and Eddie and Bella, panicking from the locals, etc. was leading absolutely NOWHERE...until these moments arrived and the pieces started to slide into place. There are a couple of twists toward the end of the book that take this out of humdrum territory and made it feel worthwhile BUT by the same token, I still feel like Foley somehow just missed the boat a bit.

Any book that attempts an homage to some of the greats runs the risk of paling in comparison when held up against the source material...and let's just say I think Hitchcock's birds were far more terrifying than those 'soaring above' the Manor. Though I'm not too familiar with Midsommar or the Wicker Man, both of these properties served as direct inspiration for this story according to Foley...but aside from the outfits and the 'vibe' of the Manor...I'm not sure how. There isn't an ACTUAL cult or anything of the sort going on here, no fully-fledged Paganism, or to be honest, anything other than an almost kitschy attempt at Creepy Serenity by way of crystals and the like used by Francesca to lure her guests into booking a stay. These quibbles aside though, the last 20% of this one WAS compelling and interesting enough to get me to bump up my rating...but only just. Once again, Foley's atmospheric writing is her saving grace: if you can allow yourself to become immersed in the world she presents, any bumpiness of the plot, jerkiness between timelines past and present, and irritating qualities of her characters fade just enough for the horror to TRULY take over...or at least to get under your skin!

And although a Midnight Feast sounds FABULOUS in theory...I think there's a reason why most of us settle for a Midnight Snack.

4 stars, rounded up from 3.5